I Never Agreed to Any Alliance?
Kaion sat in his seat. Silent. He did nothing but stare at Serian. His seemingly indifferent expression looked, to her, like he was barely containing his rage. The moment their eyes met, her heart suddenly began to pound. Of course, it wasn’t because she’d finally provoked him and was now terrified. No—she was excited.
Aw yeah! It worked! Just look at that tightly shut mouth and those icy eyes. The Second Prince was furious. There was no doubt about it. And that furrowed brow—like he was struggling to decide what to say! Yes! All of Serian’s countless efforts to get herself fired had finally borne fruit.
Heh heh, even I’d be pissed. He’d called her in to scold her for making his precious little sister cry, only to be met with open mockery, taunting, and backtalk.
Hmm… What on earth was he going to say? Why was he dragging it out so long? Well, even so, she was the hero the Emperor himself had personally decorated. It probably wasn’t easy to just come out and say, “How dare you make my sister cry! You’re fired immediately! Dismissed!”
Ahem.I’m fine with it, though. Yeah, it’s fine. Take your time. No, actually, hurry up. Say it already!!
Dismissed…? No, that might be too extreme. Maybe a transfer to some insignificant post? You know, like managing a supply warehouse in one of those southern coastal colonial cities! That would actually be perfect. She could lie low there, and the moment she sensed this country was doomed, she’d bolt straight to the neighboring nation. Until then, she could just stare at the sea all day, spacing out while sipping iced chocolate~ Ah, just thinking about it was wonderful.
As Serian’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, Kaion finally seemed to reach a decision. He opened his mouth.
“Development Director Elhardt—”
Here it comes! Serian cheered internally as she waited for the next words. You’re fired! Get out! Right?
But the words that left his lips were nothing like what she had expected.
“What do you believe is the greatest threat to the empire at this moment?”
“…Pardon?”
Serian’s mind went blank. She had been ready to snap back with I humbly accept Your Highness’s disposition like a well-honed blade, but this sudden pop quiz left her reeling.
Um… why is he suddenly asking this? Was this some kind of buildup? Was he trying to make her confess her own incompetence so he could justify firing her? Yes—this had to be the classic You fool! Your own mouth has condemned you! routine. There was no doubt.
Having reached that conclusion, Serian’s mind raced. The safest answer here would be…
“…Incompetent commanders… perhaps?”
She was, of course, referring to herself. But Kaion nodded instead.
“As expected, you possess eyes that can pierce through surface phenomena to see the true essence beneath.”
Huh…? What was he talking about?
The “correct” answer Serian had been hoping for was: Wrong! The empire’s true threat is a wretch like you who, after accomplishing a single merit, forgets your place and dares to climb above your station! A hunting dog that bites its master deserves to be boiled alive!
Serian instinctively sensed that the situation was veering wildly off course.
“You are correct, Director.”
He continued with firm resolve.
“More precisely, it is the incompetent commanders who cannot even see the threat right before their eyes.”
Kaion looked at her and gave a low chuckle. His expression was steeped in deep disillusionment.
“You must already know. My elder brother, the First Prince. And the Third Princess who has aligned herself with him.”
His tone grew strangely dry.
“That they have gathered their respective factions and are now competing with me in the succession struggle.”
“Yes… I have heard rumors.”
Kaion kept speaking. As the war dragged on, the people grew weary. The First Prince had begun to view the conflict as nothing more than a wasteful drain on taxes. As if the war had already ended, he preached the cause of “practicality,” slashed military funding, and poured the money into expanding his own political base. The Third Princess seized the opportunity, rallying nobles under the banner of “harmony,” and the two eventually joined hands.
In the meantime, Kaion—who relied solely on the support of the military—found himself increasingly isolated within the imperial palace.
Though the prince did not say it outright, Serian could read the situation clearly from his words. The imperial court still put on a show of peace with its lavish banquets and laughter, but behind the façade, the balance of power had already collapsed. The war had not ended, yet the heart of the empire was beginning to rot.
In short, the prince was essentially saying: My brother and sister are lost in their political scheming, devouring the nation from within. They’ve isolated me in the political arena and treat me like some battle-crazed warmonger… Sob sob. But I know. The flow of this war is ominous. At this rate, the Grandia Empire will soon collapse.
Serian, however, was not particularly surprised. She had already guessed as much from her memories of her previous life.
Kaion took a step closer.
“Development Director Elhardt. I… require a sword like you.”
“Will you not become my blade and lend your strength to set this corrupt empire right?”
…What?!
The sudden proposal—no, desperate request—left Serian’s mind blank once again.
Wait a second. Wasn’t this guy literally warning me just moments ago? The whole “my sister owes you a great debt” line had clearly been a veiled threat meaning Just you wait. So why was he suddenly asking her to become his sword? What was with this man? Why was he flip-flopping like this?
Ah…
Only then did Serian finally understand everything. She saw it now. This was a trap. He was trying to drag the politically neutral Elhardt family—and herself, bearer of the title “Flash of the Empire”—into his camp. The talk of a “great debt” had been nothing but a pretext to build justification. In other words, it was a threat: If you don’t side with me, I’ll treat you as an enemy.
They just want to use me as a meat shield in their stupid power struggle. As if I’d be crazy enough to get involved.
The moment she stepped into this tiresome political arena, her quiet escape plan would be ruined forever.
…How do I refuse?
She could, of course, be openly rude like always. But the other party was a leading candidate for the throne. One wrong move and she might give the worst possible misunderstanding—that she intended to side with his rival, the First Prince. If that happened, the routes to “dismissal” or “insignificant post” would vanish. Aligning with the losing side meant purge. Aligning with the winning side and becoming a key figure of the empire meant her head would eventually roll under Astra’s blade.
No matter which she chose, it was a death route—a deadly fork in the road.
The safest way to clearly declare political neutrality while saying I will not stand with either side. After much thought, Serian offered the most plausible, philosophical response she could muster. With her signature indifferent expression, as if discussing a universal truth, she spoke.
“Your Highness. A sword holds its greatest value when it remains in its sheath. If one draws and swings it recklessly, it will cut not only what should be cut, but also what must not be cut.”
She paused briefly, then delivered the decisive line.
“I am merely… the empire’s Development Director.”
Kaion’s eyes widened in shock.
A rotting empire. Siblings blinded by selfish ambition. His own isolation. For a long time, he had wandered through darkness in search of a single ray of light. He had longed for a true companion who would share his will—a dagger that could cut through this crisis.
To his desperate ears, her answer could never sound like refusal. On the contrary, it was the voice of the ideal loyal subject he had sought for so long. As an equal partner, she was declaring her worth.
A sword holds its greatest value when it remains in its sheath. —I am not a mere underling to be swung about carelessly. Use me with care.
If one draws and swings it recklessly, it will cut what must not be cut. —If you attempt to use me for your own selfish desires, the blade may turn against you. My loyalty belongs only to the empire.
I am merely… the empire’s Development Director. —My official position is that of a politically neutral “Development Director.” Using this status as a shield, I can move in the shadows without drawing anyone’s suspicion.
Kaion felt a surge of overwhelming emotion. He had finally encountered the true loyalist and companion who could change the empire’s fate—the one he had dreamed of for so long. Barely suppressing the lump in his throat, he answered with deep feeling.
“…I have understood your intention, Director. I will respect your will. I shall never use you as a mere tool!”
And so, in perfect opposition to Serian’s actual intentions, the most dangerous alliance in the empire was formed.
It was at that exact moment.
Bang!
The office door burst open violently. A servant, drenched in cold sweat, rushed in and collapsed to his knees with a thud.
Kaion’s brow twisted ferociously. His voice carried a chilling killing intent.
“I clearly ordered that no one was to be allowed in.”
“F-forgive me, Your Highness! But this is an emergency of the utmost urgency… I dared to open the door!”
The servant cried out in a trembling voice.
“What is it?”
“An envoy from the Astra Empire has just arrived! Without any prior notice… they are currently requesting an immediate audience with Your Highness!”
For a moment, the air in the office froze solid. Kaion’s face hardened like ice. His gaze turned toward Serian—the one with whom he had just formed an “alliance.” The answer to how he should make use of her was now painfully clear.
A cold smile formed on Kaion’s lips.
“Development Director Elhardt. How fortunate.”
Without hesitation, he seized her arm.
“You must come with me.”