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Among the three gathered here, the highest-ranking person is undoubtedly the princess.

However, when it comes down to it, that princess is merely a guest in this situation.

In other words, the one who has the duty to lead the conversation here is me.

‘This is driving me crazy.’

Yeah. That’s why it’s driving me even crazier. Something felt off last time too.

It seemed like the princess was subtly wary of Charlua.

Perhaps she was worried about getting too close to prominent figures in Nobogord.

The relationship between the two countries is still nebulous, after all.

It was obvious that she was concerned about me getting caught up in some scandal.

‘For now, it makes sense to eliminate that anxiety, right?’

It’s possible that the emperor hasn’t spoken yet.

And rightfully so, this is something that operates best with fewer people in the know.

There’s a chance he could reveal the facts after everything has progressed clearly.

“Charlua.”

So, I first directed my words toward Charlua.

“Yes, Prince Kael.”

“What does the chairperson of the Nobogord council plan to do?”

“They’ve decided to fully adopt my suggestions. Now, as long as we carry out proper preparations, we can create the scene that both countries desire.”

Suddenly, the princess started staring intently at Charlua and me.

“What is this all about?” She must have had questions brimming with curiosity.

I decided to explain this current situation while looking directly at the princess.

“Actually, Your Highness the Princess.”

Atria. More precisely, Dedorant is enticing Nobogord.

The moderates seem miffed, but a few from the hardliners are starting to waver.

To turn this around, I plan to incite a conflict between Atria and Nobogord.

That way, they’ll never be able to join forces.

“…I see.”

That’s strange. Usually, the princess’s eyes would be sparkling with excitement.

This time, she merely nodded without displaying any significant surprise.

Could she have known? Did the emperor give her a hint?

“Um, Kael.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.”

“It might be a bit odd to say this now, but I’m a little worried.”

“About what?”

The princess glanced slyly at Charlua sitting in front of her and continued.

“If the word gets out that you’ve meddled in foreign affairs, especially with this kind of scheme, it won’t be good for you, Kael. The empire will surely emphasize that this was your personal act.”

“I took the risk knowing full well.”

“Be careful, or the achievements you’ve gathered until now could lose their luster.”

“This is ultimately for the sake of the empire.”

Of course. If the north stirs up trouble, it would truly be a disaster.

The empire didn’t partake in the east or show mercy to the south for no reason.

All this is preparatory groundwork for projecting power beyond the western border.

And in the midst of all this, the war with the demon tribe of Nobogord resumes unexpectedly?

There’s probably nothing more troublesome and awkward than that.

‘They’ll definitely use me one hundred percent in the west.’

I know myself well. My exploits are only possible when the allies are in a dominant position.

However, if I have to face both Dedorant and Nobogord, that advantage will disappear.

If that happens, I might expose my vulnerabilities right away, and that’s something I must avoid at all costs.

“You really…”

The princess trailed off for a moment, letting out a small sigh.

Then she turned to Charlua and continued.

“It’s been a while since I saw you, Charlua.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.”

“You’re proceeding with the matter according to Kael’s advice?”

“That’s right.”

Is it because the princess is in front of her? Charlua appears somewhat different than usual.

It feels oddly tense, if I had to describe it.

“Since it’s advice from none other than Kael, there’s no way that would go wrong, but if by any chance things went awry, you would take the burden, right?”

“Of course, Your Highness the Princess. I received help; I would never think of placing the responsibility for complications onto the one who assisted me.”

Hmm. Thankfully, both the princess and Charlua are maintaining decent boundaries rather than excessive caution.

As expected of the empire’s princess and the daughter of the council chairperson. There’s probably nothing to worry about!

*

There’s much concern. There’s nothing to gain from meddling in foreign affairs.

Even if something were to happen, the empire would surely deny any involvement for the sake of their credibility.

If that happens, there’s a very high probability that all the blame will fall on Kael.

Even if the heart lies deep in wanting to benefit the empire, there’s bound to be hesitation in situations like this.

It’s because my sincerity and efforts may not receive their due rewards.

Rather, it’s highly likely to become a trap that ensnares myself.

“I took the risk knowing full well.”

But Kael has a firm look on his face. He responded in an unwavering voice.

“This is ultimately for the sake of the empire.”

What a good person. But, at times, he can also be quite worrisome.

He has no confidence in himself. Just filled with something different from others.

He could afford to think and act a bit more for himself.

If that person is troubled because of this, I would want to help him as much as I can.

“…”

Isabelle slowly turned her head to look at Charlua.

Kael didn’t notice, but there was a faint chill in her gaze.

And Charlua instantly grasped that and tensed up slightly.

“If it’s advice from none other than Kael, then there’s no way it could go wrong, but in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, you would bear the burden, right?”

What if she made a foolish move, or developed some other intention midway?

If Kael ended up suffering because of that? If he found himself in an awkward situation?

Isabelle’s deep-seated anger sought to be released, and it surged forth, unbeknownst to her.

“Of course, Your Highness the Princess. I received help; I would never think of placing the responsibility for complications onto the one who assisted me.”

It’s clear that from Charlua’s perspective, she couldn’t grasp those underlying feelings.

But she vaguely sensed something and responded like that.

As the princess said, she could not repay the benefactor’s kindness nor cause them harm.

“…That’s a relief.”

Isabelle responded in a slightly eased tone.

Of course, only her voice eased; her heart remained restless.

To be more exact, she didn’t understand why she was feeling this way.

Her emotions were disproportionately intense for someone merely worried about Kael.

Surely, some promises must have passed between those two.

There must have been some prior groundwork where they could trust each other.

And yet, here she was, openly and bluntly giving warnings.

“…Charlua.”

“Yes, Your Highness the Princess.”

“Then, was seeking out Kael today part of that matter?”

“Ah. Yes. I spoke with Father, that is, the chairperson, and he’s currently preparing. If everything goes smoothly, Nobogord will be in conflict with Atria. Precisely, with Dedorant.”

They aren’t fighting specifically over territory. They’re merely growling to preserve their pride.

However, in international relations, that pride is something that simply cannot be conceded.

Once the connection is severed, it’s virtually impossible to restore it.

“That’s quite the good scheme.”

“Do you really think so? The details may have come from me, but it was Kael who suggested it first. I’m sure Father was quite impressed upon hearing it as well.”

“Unexpectedly so? Shouldn’t the chairperson be a seasoned veteran?”

“True, but such brilliant ideas aren’t easy for anyone to come up with. Especially to present them without a trace of hesitation, as if they’d been considered beforehand.”

Charlua’s face was filled purely with admiration as she spoke.

Isabelle felt for some reason that she was receiving praise herself.

She didn’t know why. It was just that, upon hearing Charlua praise Kael, her lips curled into a smile.

“It seems both the chairperson and Charlua are impressed by Kael’s schemes?”

“Not just me, Your Highness the Princess. Actually, in Nobogord, there are those studying Prince Kael’s tactics and strategies. Ah! Don’t misunderstand, this is purely out of curiosity and a kind of respect for who Prince Kael is.”

Respect? That wasn’t a word she had expected to hear.

Both Isabelle and Kael were left with expressions of ‘Huh?’.

“It might sound strange to you. However, it is precisely because they are part of the demon tribe that it can’t be helped. There’s someone who exhibits extraordinary prowess on the battlefield. The one who brings victory before a single blow is struck. The one who creates new tales of victory no matter where they go. How could one not respect someone like that?!”

She was so excited that Charlua’s face flushed a bright red.

Just when the bewildered Kael tried to step in to calm her down.

“The demon tribe folks certainly know something. So does Charlua.”

With an even more satisfied expression, now beaming with a smile, Isabelle continued.

“Are those who respect Kael coming together in some kind of academic organization?”

“Yes. It all started with the psychological warfare they demonstrated in Nobogord using the fog. Then followed by strategies after strategies of deception across the eastern front, culminating in perfectly ensnaring enemies in the south!”

“I was there in the east as well, so I understand why you would admire him. Honestly, whenever I think of Kael’s schemes back then, my heart still races.”

“Even Your Highness the Princess feels the same! I’m envious! You were right there to see it!”

Um, excuse me? Kael found himself awkwardly attempting to interject into the conversation between the two girls.

But their excitement had long surpassed normal levels.

“It’s actually me who heads that organization. Hehe. I realized he wasn’t ordinary from the first time we met during the friction with the empire.”

“Charlua?”

“Your ability to read people is quite accurate, Charlua. I’m inclined to give it a try too, you know? Lately, it feels like Kael can read the secrets of heaven!”

“Your Highness the Princess?”

Poor Kael continued to try to insert himself between the two women.

But once again, his interjections were brushed aside.

“Can he read the secrets of heaven?”

“Yes! A monumental event is happening in the east, right?”

“I’m aware of that.”

“Actually, before that happened, Kael predicted it. He said something would happen!”

“No way! Really?!”

“It’s not something that happened; it’s something he said would happen! It’s not a prophecy!!”

Kael silently thanked heaven for the absence of Kaya in this situation.

If his younger sister hadn’t gone out to train with the family knights, she would surely be here.

And she would have probably shown the most passionate. No, fanatical interest in this conversation.

“What if he suddenly changes the direction of the wind, or even creates a wind out of nowhere?”

“Maybe he’ll chase the enemy away by simply plucking a lute!”

 

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