Episode 200

The 2nd day of Lemveri Camp, Empire Year 98, June 2nd. 9:44 AM.

I expected there to be some significant movement, but so far, there’s nothing notable happening.

“Indeed. This must be the deluxe suite. It’s like a moving hotel.”

“Yes, feel free to take in the sights, Duke Winchester.”

“I’ll just look around for a bit and chat before I go. I can’t stay where the young ones are gathered for too long.”

“No worries. Was there any trouble last night?”

“No, none.”

Thanks to that, Duke Winchester, who visited the train’s deluxe suite, could leisurely take in his surroundings with a relaxed expression.

“I received a report that a squadron from the Golden Dawn Knights, initially dispatched as training instructors, had been urgently reassigned elsewhere, but it doesn’t seem like anything too serious.”

“Understood.”

It was only natural; Winchester was aware of everything. I made sure to inform him myself as soon as the situation was sorted out.

“Princess, and the two of you. I’ll be borrowing Chairman Grey Gibraltar for a bit. Is that alright?”

“Oh, yes! Shall I prepare some tea for you? Although, I only have Somnus tea.”

“Do you not drink anything other than Somnus tea?”

“It’s good for one’s health.”

Duke Winchester looked at me with a hint of exasperation, but I merely shrugged.

“It’s beneficial for men too, though it’s a bit awkward to explain why.”

“Warm tea is always nice. I’ll take a cup… wait. The Princess herself will prepare it?”

“I-I’m good at brewing tea! And I’m already dressed as a maid.”

Duke Winchester was briefly flustered as Astasia fluttered her maid skirt and approached the tea set, but he soon gave a slight nod in acknowledgment of her smile and sat down in the private suite within the deluxe room.

“I never thought I’d live to be served tea by the Empire’s Princess. Personally brewed, no less.”

“It’s an honor.”

“Is this Somnus cultivated in some special place?”

“No, it’s just valuable because Astasia is brewing it.”

“You’re sick. You have a serious case of the so-called ‘Gibraltar Syndrome.’”

“What kind of imperial disease name is that?”

I couldn’t help but laugh at Duke Winchester’s casual acceptance of even the empire’s peculiar naming conventions.

“Here you are. Enjoy it slowly.”

“Thank you, Princess. I won’t forget this cup today.”

“Hehe, please feel free to chat! I’ll keep Noir and Wednesday occupied for a while.”

Astasia left.

The private room was about the size of a typical carriage, allowing two people to sit facing each other. Duke Winchester took out a mana stone from his pocket.

Shhh—

A Silence spell spread from the mana stone, enveloping the room in a sound-blocking barrier, though its mana dispersal method was peculiar.

“Does this Silence spell also work as a detection method?”

“It’s just a check for any eavesdropping devices. Fortunately, there’s nothing. I thought there might be at least one.”

“The Emperor doesn’t usually send such things in my case.”

“Is that so? Then I’ll have to rely on you for any personally tailored items. I can’t relax and use things until I dismantle any hidden devices.”

“Haha…”

Indeed, I currently held a slightly more comfortable position when dealing with items sent by the Empire.

When receiving things from the Empire, I lived with the mindset that ‘there’s always some sort of bugging or hidden camera.’

Recently, they had been removing such devices more often, which was convenient, but surveillance over others had only become more covert.

“I’ll consider it.”

“That’s surprising. I thought you’d outright refuse.”

“After what you’ve done, it’s the least I can do.”

“Well, for me, it was just a bit of behind-the-scenes work.”

Duke Winchester lightly sipped the Somnus tea.

“There’s still plenty of garbage left in the Golden Dawn. Some of them even have deep ties to the Black Rose.”

“Should I weed them all out?”

“I leave it to you. If necessary, pruning the Black Rose is also fine.”

Duke Winchester handed me a printed list from his pocket.

“A list personally compiled by Carmen.”

“A pruning list?”

“More like a ‘chopping list.’ …Hahaha!”

“…”

Duke Winchester made a scissor motion with his fingers toward his neck, and I closed my eyes briefly to regain my composure.

“They’re the same ones who participated in the Wyvern Race event, aren’t they? I remember some of them disgraced themselves when they fell during the race.”

“One is obsessed with wyverns themselves, while the other just wastes away playing money games on other people’s rides. The Black Rose, which has withered in its decadence, must be pruned.”

“Understood. I’ll remove them quietly and retreat afterward.”

“Yes, make sure your identity isn’t revealed.”

Duke Winchester spoke confidently, trusting me.

“But I’m curious. When did you master such precise Imperial swordsmanship?”

“Did you see it?”

“Though the image of you stored in mana memory is hazy as if veiled in mist, I could still see traces of your sword movements.”

Duke Winchester extended his hand and mimicked a motion to the side.

“Was it like this?”

“With a day’s practice, Duke, you could wield it as I do.”

“No need. I’d rather use that time to finish another document. At my age, what’s the point of growing stronger?”

“Duke.”

“Even as a master, we all age and wither. If it were during my prime, it’d be different, but most still believe I’m second only to Gibraltar’s madman.”

Duke Winchester drank the rest of his tea in one gulp.

“On the fourth day, will you proceed?”

“Yes. I believe that would be best.”

“Go easy on them. Even though I’m moving around more lately, I still can’t match the vigor of younger men.”

“I can’t afford to go easy. Besides, everyone will be watching.”

“If you go all out, it might cause more than just a sense of urgency.”

“Since I won’t use my full strength, the impact shouldn’t be too severe.”

“I see. Still, be cautious.”

Duke Winchester pointed outside the window with a serious expression.

“Zelos Barcel seems to be staying in Lemveri.”

“……”

“If an imperial assassin roams nearby, they may encounter the Kingdom’s First Knights Commander.”

“I see… then, let me ask.”

If.

“If the Kingdom’s First Knights Commander were killed by an imperial assassin, what would happen then?”

“……”

“Not in a hidden place, but publicly, in front of everyone?”

At that, Duke Winchester covered his mouth and closed his eyes.

“Wouldn’t it depend on whether the assassin informed the Emperor beforehand? Haha.”

“What if it’s not Grey Gibraltar?”

“…Are you seriously thinking of igniting a war?”

“I intend only to heighten a sense of urgency. Originally, I would’ve let it slide, but recently, some academy students have been growing too comfortable, laughing in peace, and continually pestering Noir.”

“Love blossoms even in wartime. Just kidding, right?”

“Yes. Why would I start a war between the Kingdom and the Empire? I’m working on igniting internal discord within the Empire.”

I extended my hand to the side, thrusting into the air three times.

“That is…”

“The Emperor’s going to have a headache if he hears that the traditional swordsmanship of a nation defeated over thirty years ago has reappeared in the Kingdom.”

“You haven’t done it already, right?”

“Not yet.”

“A country destroyed by the Empire… could it be the specter of a fallen nation?”

Duke Winchester crossed his arms, tilting his head curiously.

“Saint Gio will be fooled, and most will think it’s just an oddity, like I do. But will the Emperor be deceived?”

“We’re playing to Emperor Hapsburg’s inclinations.”

“Playing to them?”

“Stripping away the outer shell reveals the truth within.”

I took a piece of candy from the table and crushed it in my hand.

“And inside that, another hidden truth lies.”

“Does the Empire… put chocolate inside their candy?”

“It would sell well.”

To sell something, anything can be created.

“The imperial assassin is just the shell. When you peel it away, you find an underground organization waging a movement for a fallen nation’s revival. That seemed odd, so I looked deeper, and…”

I mouthed the words “final plan” to the Duke.

“Are you really going to go that far?”

“Yes. You might recall…”

To kill the Emperor.

“I was a person who sold out my father since I was ten.”

I could sell out my father countless times.

“…But.”

“Yes, but not this time. It’s not Crimson Gibraltar.”

This time, I wouldn’t betray my current father.

“Instead, I’ll become a bit of a bastard.”

Instead, I planned to sell out a different father.

“Isn’t that close enough?”

“……”

Two hours later, in the Empire.

“…and that’s all the confirmed information so far. White Silver was found on the corpse, and the person was killed using imperial swordsmanship.”

“That makes no sense.”

Emperor Hapsburg clicked his tongue and tilted his head at the report delivered by the man kneeling before him in a white uniform.

“It’s unlikely my father would leave behind loose ends.”

“…….”

“Though he might have caused trouble within the palace in his later years, he was never one to leave external threats unattended.”

The Emperor tapped the report placed in front of him.

“They truly called themselves ‘the Shadow of the Fallen Kingdom’?”

“Yes.”

“Could Isabella’s followers have secretly escaped? Or perhaps, my father’s remaining followers smuggled a few out to the Kingdom? Even so, I doubt they could assassinate a whole squadron of the Golden Dawn’s First Knights with just three people.”

“Shall I go investigate personally?”

“…….”

The Emperor closed his eyes, seemingly lost in thought, even at the offer from the white-haired youth.

“No. That’s not necessary.”

“Your Majesty.”

“Grey Gibraltar is there. If something happens, he’ll handle it.”

Skkkt. The sound of teeth grinding momentarily filled the room.

“…I apologize, Your Majesty.”

“No need to apologize. It’s not as if you said it without cause.”

Emperor Hapsburg smirked as he set aside the report.

“Are you envious of Grey Gibraltar?”

“…….”

“I told you last time, didn’t I? Just because I fathered you doesn’t mean you’re my son. If you wish to be my son, to be my successor, you must understand me.”

“That man is a Gibraltar and has no intention of inheriting the Empire.”

“I’ve told you before; it doesn’t matter if he has no intention. A king’s throne is typically inherited, but a ruler who leaves their mark on history is one chosen by destiny.”

“Are you… talking about destiny, Your Majesty?”

“A true heir to my legacy is someone who bends destiny to achieve what they desire. Haha, stop glaring like that. What are you trying to do, grab my attention by causing an incident?”

Emperor Hapsburg’s playful expression suddenly hardened.

“…How many imperial Shadows are stationed at Lemveri Camp?”

“Forty-seven.”

“Of those, how many are male, excluding female and student Shadows?”

“Thirteen.”

“Investigate them.”

Emperor Hapsburg covered his face with his hand, exasperated.

“What a fool. A son who causes trouble just to be seen. Hah. Grey Gibraltar wouldn’t pull such stunts.”

“Is that truly what you believe?”

“Why not?”

“Why do you always hold Grey Gibraltar in such high regard? If he framed the Empire by assassinating the Kingdom’s Knights, would you still forgive him?”

“No.”

The Emperor shook his head firmly.

“I wouldn’t need to. It wouldn’t be a mistake.”

“Your Majesty…!”

“If Grey did so… well, that would indeed be an interesting choice.”

He touched his beard, smirking.

“Impersonating my bloodline to disguise as a Shadow? So he sells out even his father-in-law. If he can betray his own father, what’s stopping him from betraying his father-in-law?”

“…….”

“Grey wouldn’t choose such a path, but as a member of the Gibraltar family, I wouldn’t be surprised. Ah, that’s why he made such a request. If that’s the case… hmm? Why are you staring? Fine, let me make it perfectly clear.”

The Emperor rose from his seat.

“Chief of Imperial Intelligence, White 0… no, Franz Ferdinand.”

“Kuh…!”

“If you truly wish to be recognized as my son, if you wish to bear the name that signifies you as my successor rather than your mother’s,”

He pointed out the window.

“Understand even half of Grey Gibraltar’s loyalty to me, or jump from here.”

“Your Majesty…!”

“If you could be reborn as Grey Gibraltar, then maybe things would be different. Ah, perhaps not.”

Emperor Hapsburg clicked his tongue with disdain.

“If you wish to become the Emperor of the Tersian Empire, you will never inherit the Tersian name.”

“…….”

“A son is nothing more than one who understands his father, succeeds him, and makes him shine.”

Emperor Hapsburg shook his head decisively.

“You cannot complete me, Franz.”

“Your Majesty!!”

“Only…”

Hapsburg raised his arms, gesturing to the ceiling.

“Only Grey Gibraltar can complete me.”

The ceiling. The scene of Emperor Hapsburg’s coronation. Beside him, Empress Erwin, and by her side, Princess Astasia.

And standing next to Princess Astasia was Grey Gibraltar.

“If a son-in-law betrays his father-in-law to achieve what he desires, I’ll allow it.”

Even if that meant war.