Episode 130

I could only say one thing regarding Queen Carmen’s visit as Princess Naria’s mother.

“I cannot help.”

“Why?”

“Because the moment I help, the plan Naria and I have set will fall apart.”

I had no intention of aiding Naria’s isolation.

“I must distance myself from Naria as much as possible. If I look towards the Empire, Naria looks towards the Kingdom.”

And though no one knew, we were standing back to back.

Responding to the direction each of us was facing was the best approach.

We couldn’t see the enemy or anyone the other was facing behind us, but we trusted the slight sensations transmitted from our backs and looked forward.

“The moment I help Naria, the Empire will start to look at me with suspicion.”

“Suspicion…? Perhaps-”

“Yes. Just as you did seven years ago, everyone will mistakenly think that Grey Gibraltar likes Naria Gio Nostrum.”

When everyone ignored and didn’t care about Naria, Grey Gibraltar approached and extended a hand first?

“Unable to make any progress with Princess Astasia, the people would think that I see Naria Gio Nostrum as easier to approach.”

“…”

“It’s a common assumption and slander in society, so don’t be so angry. Isn’t it the norm in the Kingdom of Nostrum?”

Rumors and gossip about Grey Gibraltar would start.

“Are you planning to do absolutely nothing?”

“Paradoxically, doing nothing is also an action for Naria.”

“It’s a paradox.”

“Yes, it is a paradox. Not even secretly helping from behind. Instead, if I take any action, it will be after Naria acts first.”

“…”

I took out a blank piece of paper, a club application form, and placed it in front of Queen Carmen.

“Naria will form a club on her own. And the names of the freshmen who will be written here…”

“Are the talents who will lead the future of Nostrum?”

“Half of them.”

“Half?”

“Yes.”

Half would be the future of Nostrum.

“The other half will be taken by the Empire. By a kind benefactor with plenty of money who can solve their family’s problems.”

“…?”

“They will gather around Naria, thinking heroes will come, and those gathered around her will be recruited. Those who are unshakable and have strong convictions will become enemies, and those who can be swayed or persuaded will become allies.”

I would do the same, and it actually happened in the future.

“The Empire will take talents from Naria. Before the budding talents can even bloom, they will keep trying to take them with the whole pot.”

“…”

“All the spies of the Empire are now focused on Naria.”

None other than…

“The royal family is watching, Mother. If I move for Naria, the royal intelligence network will keep a close eye on me, and my freedom of movement will be restricted.”

Hapsburg.

“While Naria draws everyone’s attention under the sunlight, I will move in the shadows.”

Unified Year 97, March 9th, Tersian Empire, Crown Prince’s office.

“…That concludes the report on all the new students at Orosol Academy.”

“Hmm.”

The Crown Prince crossed his legs while listening to the report from the man in the black hood and suit.

“How many with heroic potential?”

“Thirty-eight have heroic bloodlines. Five are grandchildren of heroes within two generations, besides those designated as ‘subjects of special interest’ by Your Highness.”

“That’s quite a lot. What about those with upper-class knight bloodlines?”

“One hundred and eight out of 290 have ancestors with upper-class knight abilities.”

“I see. Even if the ancestors were of upper class, there’s no reason the descendants can’t become masters.”

The Crown Prince popped a grey jelly into his mouth.

“Descendants of upper-class or heroic bloodlines could become heroes. But it’s common in Nostrum’s history for a hero to suddenly appear without such ancestry.”

“…”

“Report any notable events weekly. You never know when or where a hero might appear. Shadows are everywhere…”

The Crown Prince picked up a sheet of paper with a portrait.

“Monitor every move of Naria Gio Nostrum.”

The report he held contained detailed information about Naria Gio Nostrum in her academy uniform.

“Whether there are assassins or spies around. Naturally, also keep an eye on her future acquaintances or friends. Heroes recognize heroes.”

Some might call it an overreaction, but the Crown Prince’s face was extremely serious.

“There is a high possibility that future heroes who will lead Nostrum will gather around Naria Gio Nostrum. Whether they become close in classes or share personal hobbies.”

“…”

“Despite having Saint Gio Nostrum, a notorious figure, as a father, if someone appears who is willing to become an official for the kingdom’s revival, that person is a hero by heart, regardless of their abilities.”

“I will assign people to such individuals.”

“Yes. You should.”

As the Crown Prince clicked a button on a rectangular device, the photos on the wall began to change.

A lecture room, Naria Gio Nostrum sitting alone at the front while everyone else sat at the back.

Naria Gio Nostrum sat alone at a table for six in the middle of the student cafeteria, while everyone else paired off.

In the dormitory, Naria Gio Nostrum watched the kingdom’s noble faction students gathering in groups in the lounge from a distance.

“There is no one nearby, but if someone approaches, consider them a talent for our Empire. Cast the bait. Spread the lure. Think of everyone who approaches Naria Gio Nostrum as a potential hero.”

“Even if trash gets caught in the net?”

“It doesn’t matter. Even if trash gets caught, as long as we can make even one hero an asset to the Empire, a single shadow’s ruin is worth it.”

“…Understood.”

The photos continued to change, soon revealing a new picture.

In the dormitory’s first-floor lobby, a sudden announcement was posted on the wall like a broadside.

“Oh, and this… the club.”

“Yes, we are keeping a close watch.”

As the shadow pressed a rectangular object towards the image on the wall, a new photo appeared.

“A staff member secretly took this picture of the club’s formation and list of members. It has the dean’s approval stamp, taken just before leaving yesterday.”

“A club… It must be Grey Gibraltar’s idea.”

“…We couldn’t confirm that part.”

“No, it’s natural that shadows can’t determine it. This isn’t a political maneuver but just an abuse of power for love.”

“…With all due respect, is that Grey Gibraltar?”

“That’s why it’s more surprising.”

Despite the shadow’s rude question, the Crown Prince just smiled and pointed at the list.

“An exploration club? It’s amusing. Is he planning to take her to Gibraltar Gorge for a date or something?”

“If Grey Gibraltar’s character is as Your Highness described…”

“Yes, right. He’d enjoy the gorge date while doing everything he can in the background. For instance…”

The Crown Prince pointed at the academy students listed under Astasia’s name.

“Investigate those students and their connections with Astasia. Did they join the club out of curiosity about Gibraltar, or did they do it to get closer to Astasia and seek favor with the Empire?”

“There is one more possibility.”

“What possibility?”

“That Grey Gibraltar has prepared puppets or screens in advance.”

“…Certainly, that’s very likely. No, it’s significant.”

The Crown Prince glanced over the list and the background reports of the students in his hand.

“These names, this composition, the origins… they seem familiar.”

“Are they of heroic blood?”

“No, no. It’s not that. It seems similar to a report I received a few years ago.”

“I will investigate.”

“No, I’ll handle this. I can’t burden you with this when you’re busy investigating the entire Empire.”

The Crown Prince lightly flicked the encyclopedia-thick report in his hand.

“I’ll let you know if I remember later. If your instincts and my thoughts are correct, these students will often appear as puppets to fill the numbers when Grey Gibraltar takes Astasia somewhere.”

“Understood.”

“Haha. Gibraltar…”

“Do you like him that much?”

“Hmm?”

“You react as if you would sleep with him and have a child if he were a woman.”

The Crown Prince blinked momentarily at the shadow’s words, then popped a grey jelly into his mouth.

“If he truly becomes Your Highness’s person, do you plan to make him your heir?”

“Depends on his actions.”

“…”

“Are you jealous? That I might make someone else my heir instead of you?”

“Yes.”

“Hahahaha!”

The Crown Prince burst out laughing at the shadow’s words.

“Not yet. For now, he’s just a piece that could allow an unopposed entry into Gibraltar Gorge, or a weakness to break Crimson Gibraltar’s spirit.”

“…”

“Marrying him to Astasia and creating a family bond, then opening the road to advance towards Nostrum’s capital would be a success. If not…”

“Grey Gibraltar, blinded by love for an enemy princess, betraying his father, would ruin the continent’s mightiest.”

“Silver.”

With a bitter face, the Crown Prince glared mockingly at the shadow, Silver.

“Don’t assume who is the mightiest until it’s proven in a fight.”

“If you are confident you can defeat Crimson Gibraltar, would you go to the gorge now?”

“…Impudent fellow. Talking about succession while being so cheeky. Tsk… Oh, yes. I should ask him directly later.”

“What do you mean?”

“If it were Grey, he would have answered right away.”

Silver flinched momentarily at the Crown Prince’s words.

“What would he have answered? I’ll tell you next time if there’s an opportunity. That guy would surely-”

“Excuse me.”

Rustle.

Silver hid in the shadows, and the Crown Prince scratched his head in frustration and pushed the report aside.

“Tough one.”

Bang!

The door burst open, and a disheveled woman with bloodshot eyes stormed into the Crown Prince’s office.

“Hapsburg!!”

“Yes, I’m Hapsburg.”

“You crazy bastard!!”

“You are the wife of that crazy bastard, the Crown Princess.”

As soon as Crown Princess Isabella entered, she began shouting harshly.

“You took everything from me, and you think I’ll just stay quiet?!”

“Did I take it? You ruined your family’s company with bad investments, created double books, and even made a ghost company in Serene. And that…”

The Crown Prince circled his finger.

“With royal money. The money meant for maintaining the dignity of the Crown Princess was used to buy a mansion in Nostrum.”

“You, you…!”

“Should I praise you for buying real estate in an enemy country, or should I lament that you paid three times the market price to Nostrum’s merchants? If you had bought it cheaply, it would be unbelievable. It’s embarrassing to watch the Crown Princess be deceived like this. Regarding the frozen accounts…”

“I won’t leave this be! I’ll definitely…!”

The Crown Princess left the room, pointing angrily.

“Did she come all the way here just to say that?”

The Crown Prince smirked and leaned back on the sofa.

“Impatient as always.”

“She must be. Her only support…”

“Shh.”

The Crown Prince placed his finger on his lips, silencing Silver, who had appeared from the shadows.

“Let’s keep our proud Emperor’s bedridden state a secret, okay?”

“…Yes.”

“Instead, let’s start preparing.”

The Crown Prince yawned and put another grey jelly in his mouth.

“As soon as Isabella returns to her territory, summon the ‘Sea Goblins’. It’s time to eliminate the traitors.”

“What scale should it be?”

“All of them.”

Silver flinched at the Crown Prince’s words.

“While the Kingdom is focused on Orosol Academy, we need to eliminate the internal traitors with full force. It’s perfect timing. Isabella’s family has defenses similar to Nostrum’s nobles, making it ideal for gaining real combat experience.”

“…It won’t be overwhelming firepower, will it?”

“That would be fine too.”

Outside the window.

“With so many things flying in the sky, if we can’t respond, we’re worse than Nostrum.”

Something large, mixed with navy blue and grey, covered the entire window, flying with a massive balloon attached, like a ‘ship’.

“Summon the ‘Flying Dutchman’. I’ll go myself once preparations are complete.”

The Crown Prince turned his attention back to the list of academy students.

“After dealing with Isabella’s rebellion and executing her… oh, right.”

He pulled out Grey Gibraltar’s profile.

“I should gift him an unused battleship to make his trips between the academy and the gorge more comfortable.”

With a mischievous grin, the Crown Prince began to chuckle.

“So, I secretly advised Naria.”

Even I didn’t want Naria to be humiliated too much.

“I told her that if she’s hesitant to join, she should create a club that people can’t avoid joining, back when we were in the orphanage.”

“Back then…?”

“When we were in the orphanage.”

Drawing from her past experience, Naria will undoubtedly overcome this crisis.

“As a symbol against imperialism, she will use her bloodline to gather talent.”

The next day.

The flag of the Kingdom of Nostrum began to flutter in the central plaza of the academy.

Under the flag.

A banner with the words [Make Nostrum Great Again] fluttered alongside the kingdom’s flag.