Chapter 252: The Tin Knight and The Imperial Banquet (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 252: The Tin Knight and The Imperial Banquet (2)
“…So, what's the specific connection between this proclamation and this 'preparation for revenge' you mentioned?”
At Dorothea’s question, Algind replied.
“I have a long and complicated explanation, a moderately summarized one, and one so summarized it might be hard to understand. Which would you prefer?”
“Let’s start with the last one.”
“The radicals within the Lennart Ducal House have no choice but to either participate actively in this recruitment test or ignore the test entirely and start a rebellion. Either way, just kill them.”
“Okay, the second one then.”
As if she had expected this, Algind seamlessly continued her explanation.
“The Lennart Ducal family has always had deep ties to this country's military power. It's only natural, really. While other families have to invest considerable effort just for the chance of producing a single outstanding knight, it's harder to find someone in the Lennart family without martial talent in a generation. Their physical abilities are beyond comparison, they don't lack mana, and after becoming strong so efficiently, they invest their remaining time in military strategy, making them competent commanders as well. Not to mention their blood ties, which ensure they support and promote one another. If the Imperial Family hadn't intentionally imposed a quota, the entire military high command might have been filled with members of the Lennart family.”
Dorothea thought the introduction was a bit long for a summary, but she didn't interrupt.
It was information she needed to know anyway.
“Naturally, a situation where a nation's military might is controlled by a single family is by no means a positive thing. Past emperors wanted to keep the Lennart family in check, but striking down their most powerful ally during an era of war was not an easy choice to make. Knowing this, the Lennart family only grew its power further.”
However, she said, the situation is different now.
“His Majesty, the Iron Blood Emperor, was a truly capable ruler. He pursued diplomatic peace instead of unnecessary military tension with other nations, and used the remaining resources to strengthen the Empire's internal affairs. As the threat of war diminished, so did the military's role. Add to that the Imperial Mage Association created by my mentor, and the need for the Lennart family decreased even further. That is why they want a war. If fighting breaks out again, their influence will grow.”
“What does that have to do with this test?”
“If an army were created, separate from the existing military and loyal only to His Majesty the Emperor, where do you think they would point their blades?”
Adelaide cautiously interjected.
“…If the Emperor's army is created, are you saying they will attack the Lennarts?”
“We don't know if it will actually come to that. However, the mere possibility is enough to make the Lennart family extremely nervous.”
Dorothea frowned.
“If they had a move like that, why didn't they use it sooner?”
Before Algind could answer, Sophia spoke up.
“Because there's a risk that the new sword forged in this way could fall into Lennart's hands.”
“Exactly. If the Lennarts were to monopolize the high command of this newly established corps, it would only increase their power instead of diminishing their influence.”
Dorothea retorted.
“Couldn't you just prevent that by appointing commanders separately or stopping them from seizing command?”
Algind shook her head.
“It's impossible to form the Emperor's direct corps entirely with new recruits. Even if you could, they would lack authority and skill. The only way to achieve the desired power and authority is to draw from existing forces. But if you try to do this through politics, it becomes a long, dirty fight that gives the opponent time to react. On the other hand, if you make it purely merit-based, it becomes Lennart's one-man show. And if you simply forbid the Lennarts from participating, that would cause a severe backlash of its own.”
That's where you come in, she said.
“Participate in the recruitment test. And crush every enemy that stands in your way. If we were to pit the problematic factions within the Lennart family against each other to ensure their mutual destruction, they would have grounds to complain. But if they are crushed in a head-on battle by an outside force like you, they will have no justification to protest.”
“……”
The party fell into a thoughtful silence, mulling over whether Algind’s proposal was reasonable or if there were any hidden problems.
Then, Sophia spoke.
“May I ask three questions?”
“Please, by all means.”
“First. If you can freely manipulate the tournament brackets and match details, what guarantee do we have that you won't use us to eliminate 'opponents inconvenient to you' who are unrelated to Lady Adel's revenge?”
“None.”
Algind’s affirmation was so simple it was almost refreshing.
“To be more precise, the very classification of 'your targets for revenge' and 'our targets for elimination' is an extremely ambiguous concept. We have, of course, identified the key members of the radical faction, but there are many in the Empire who are not Lennarts but secretly associate with them. We have no way of knowing if you intend to annihilate even these indirect affiliates, or if you only plan to take out the highest echelons who gave the orders. Without a clear list of your revenge targets, it's impossible to make that distinction.”
“Then, what's your solution?”
“We will provide you with information. Their history, affiliation, personality—all the intelligence we've gathered. After receiving it, you can decide whether to completely crush them or just give them a rap on the knuckles.”
Sophia glanced at her companions, especially Adelaide.
Her look seemed to ask if this was acceptable.
When Adelaide nodded, Sophia immediately moved to her next question.
“My second question is, with this method, we have to participate in the test to become the 'Emperor's sword,' whether we like it or not. After we achieve our goal, won't we naturally become your subordinates?”
“The recruitment test only grants the 'right to volunteer' for the new corps. Whether one actually volunteers is a personal choice.”
“That may be true by the rules, but this is the Emperor's sword we're talking about. If a participant who achieved outstanding results were to cast that aside and turn their back, would you people of the Empire look kindly upon us? Furthermore, if you were to invite the qualifying candidates to a banquet, and in a room full of excited people, the Crown Prince himself came out and declared, 'From this day forward, my life is in your hands!' could anyone there dare to shout, 'I'm not doing it'?”
In response to Sophia’s words, Algind, for some reason, simply stared at them.
Her gaze focused intently on Dorothea and the Tin Knight.
Then she said one thing.
“Were you people the type to care about such things…?”
“…Hm.”
An unusual event occurred—Sophia was momentarily at a loss for words. But the wise scarecrow was in a league of her own.
“Isn't it more of a problem because we don't care? The aftermath would be tiresome for you as well, I imagine.”
This time, even Algind couldn't find a rebuttal. She quietly rubbed her dry face.
“…Very well. That part certainly needs revision. We will increase the prize for forfeiting the right to join the corps. If others besides you start making a similar choice, you won't stand out as much. You might earn a bit of a bad reputation as people who chose personal gain over loyalty and honor, but I ask that you endure that much.”
Of course, this had the drawback that talented individuals who should have become the Emperor’s powerful army might drop out for the prize money, but Algind seemed to have judged that bringing in the Tin Knight’s party was worth the cost.
“Then it's time for the final question. Even if things go according to your plan, a flawless army of the Emperor is created, and the Lennart Ducal House's power is greatly diminished, that won't immediately lead to their downfall. Let's say we finish off the main force of the radicals during the test. How do you plan to deal with the remaining remnants and make the ducal family confess to their crimes?”
“That won't be a problem,” Algind replied to Sophia’s question.
“—Because I've already spoken with the Guardian Lord.”
*
The office of the head of the Lennart Ducal House was famously one of the most uncomfortable places within the main family estate.
The Guardian Lord.
The head who leads the entire Lion's Bloodline, and the most powerful vassal in the Empire. Few could afford to be relaxed before him.
This was no exception even for his own children; even the Duke’s own daughter, Maris, had to sit with a ramrod straight back when meeting her father in his office.
But there are exceptions to every rule.
The old man who had come to the office now maintained a relaxed demeanor, as if he were out for a stroll, showing no tension at all in front of the Guardian Lord.
“The Empress has made quite a bold move. The children of the bloodline are agitated in many ways. This is a great problem indeed.”
“She must have her own reasons. Besides, in a way, could this not be a great blessing for our family?”
The Guardian Lord’s attitude toward the old man was also quite unusual.
It wasn’t quite the deference one would show a superior, but it was close to mutual respect.
But it couldn’t be helped.
The old man before him was, privately, a great elder of the family, and at the same time, the head who controlled the Council of Elders.
The Council Head asked.
“A great blessing, you say. The Head of the House speaks strangely. They are trying to forge a sword to strike down our family. How can that possibly be a blessing?”
“Crisis and opportunity are two sides of the same coin.”
The Guardian Lord continued calmly, his relaxed demeanor suggesting this was nothing to be concerned about.
“If we can get our hands on the corps that will be created this time, the name of Lennart will prosper even more.”
“Hmm, I wonder. This old man finds that very strange.”
The Council Head stroked his long beard.
His appearance was like that of a mountain sage, but his eyes held a cunning, snake-like glint.
“A tournament to select the Imperial Family's own sword, separate from the existing military forces. An event like this is not something that can be held so easily. It was only made possible by burning through the Empress's political capital and even taking the drastic step of moving up the coronation, which should have been years away. If this attempt fails, the Empress's faction will have to remain silent for over a decade just to deal with the aftermath. They might even lose their voice for good.”
“What are you trying to say?”
“This old man has watched the Empress since she was just a bold little girl from the Haidern Marquis family, before she took the name Arcturus. Fools who know nothing say she won her position with her stunning beauty alone, but that's nonsense. That girl does not fight battles she thinks she will lose. In other words, this means that in her eyes, this endeavor has a 'sufficient chance of victory.'”
The Council Head’s eyes stared directly at the Guardian Lord.
“Head of the House. You are the leader of Lennart, a father who must protect and guide the lions. Are you fulfilling your duties as the Head?”
It was a statement that could be interpreted as a challenge to the Head’s authority, but the Guardian Lord was far from an ordinary man.
He declared proudly.
“Yes. I am doing my best for the family.”
“…Is that so. Then, this old man shall also do what he can. Fortunately, the Magic State is in a very chaotic situation right now. Even if the Lion of Nemea were to leave his post for a while, it shouldn't be a major problem.”
The Lion of Nemea.
When that name was mentioned, the corner of the Guardian Lord's eye twitched faintly.
It was a fleeting reaction, but the Council Head did not miss it.
However, instead of prodding the Guardian Lord with a cheap taunt, the Council Head silently turned and left the office.
The golden-haired, violet-eyed girl, Hilda, followed behind him.
After the office door closed.
From the space behind the Guardian Lord, where not a hint of a presence had been felt, a man revealed himself as if a shadow had gained substance.
Conrad. The Guardian Lord’s bodyguard frowned.
“That wasn't just a bluff or a lie, was it? To think that he would side with the Council of Elders.”
“It is too early to jump to conclusions. My uncle's intentions are difficult to fathom. However… it seems things are about to get rather complicated.”
The Guardian Lord fell into thought for a moment, then asked his guard.
“What about Hilda?”
“…It is embarrassing to admit, but she was aware of my presence almost perfectly. To be frank, I cannot guarantee victory in a direct confrontation.”
“She's fast. Excessively so.”
The Lion of Nemea, Werner.
The Guardian’s Sword, Conrad.
The Natural Prodigy, Hilda.
These were the three strongest of Lennart, each representing the old, current, and new generations, respectively.
And their strength was proportional to their age, with Werner of the old generation being the strongest, and Hilda of the new generation being the weakest.
This was a phenomenon made possible by the Lion Duke's bloodline's unique traits: slow aging and a long peak.
If things had proceeded normally, Conrad would have claimed the title of the strongest by the time Werner retired.
Yet Hilda was already challenging the position of Conrad, the strongest of the current generation.
An abnormally fast growth rate.
“…Her natural talent alone is nearly unprecedented, and on top of that, they've deliberately bolstered her strength with all sorts of elixirs and magic tools. What a headache.”
The Duke was the head of the Lennart family.
But he was also a vassal of the Empire.
He was trying to find a path that allowed him to be both at once, but it was a path that was difficult to gain support for among his bloodline.
The reason the Duke, who possessed greater power in his own right, was consistently outmaneuvered by the Council of Elders was because the path he had to walk was not with the current, but against it.
Thinking it would be a difficult fight, he silently immersed himself in the work that lay ahead.