Episode 62

The Governor of Morgania, Carmen, before my regression, used people terribly.

After the empire conquered the kingdom…

She ascended to the position of governor and actively employed commoners as administrators to rule the kingdom.

Of course, they were nominally commoners, but in reality, they were wealthy non-titled elites—

A class that had accumulated knowledge based on economic wealth but did not buy titles due to their high cost.

In the empire, they were referred to as ‘bourgeoisie,’ but from the empire’s perspective, they were just convenient stopgaps.

Stopgaps—

It’s a colloquial expression, but its usage was so apt that the word couldn’t have been more accurate.

At best, they were a buffer material, responsible for the kingdom’s administration until the empire’s talents could infiltrate the kingdom.

Even then, Queen Carmen used such people without hesitation or regard for her methods.

Even if it meant ruling through torture.

Yes,

“Sending a 13-year-old child alone as a foreign minister, tearing them away from their parents’ arms.”

To the extent of taking a child like me to a political and diplomatic battleground, Carmen would stop at nothing.

“Don’t you think it’s too much, Baron Hex?”

“What makes you think you’re a normal 13-year-old?”

Baron Hex sat across from me in the carriage, smirking.

“Using your own father to root out the empire’s spies, the so-called [Shadows].”

“Ah, is that why you called me here separately? If it’s about that—”

“No. Just to have a conversation during the journey. Once this is over, I’ll send all three back, so make good use of them.”

Three people.

Surely—

“9, 18, 27.”

Those weren’t my words.

“They have numbers branded on their bodies. Magically too.”

That was what Baron Hex said.

“I thought the empire was impressive. Handling their spy organization as well as we do, even using a royal bastard as a spy.”

“As expected, is that so?”

“You didn’t know?”

“I guessed. If all silver-haired people are of royal blood, then Leta is also imperial royalty, right?”

“Well.”

I knew.

“I thought you knew everything.”

“How could I know everything like that?”

“You didn’t act shocked, did you? You didn’t kill them because they were of royal blood and sent them to us, right?”

“I sent them for verification, and once it was done, that was it. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“Hmm… Well, let’s leave it at that.”

But with Morgania, one shouldn’t give a single variable.

“The so-called Shadows, there seem to be more than I thought. Including the non-royal Shadows, there might be about a thousand.”

“Morgania also has that many spies, don’t they?”

“We at least don’t use noble blood as mere pawns. It’s not to the Queen’s taste either.”

“Are personal tastes allowed in espionage?”

“Of course. The spy organization operates under the rules and direction set by Queen Carmen.”

Baron Hex held up three fingers towards me.

“Since you saved them and sent them back, we’ll do the same. Reeducate them properly.”

“…….”

“If they don’t listen, threaten them with ‘The Room of Secrets.’ They’ll immediately start crying and begging not to be sent back.”

“I really don’t want to resort to such threats.”

Intimidation and domination through fear were the methods of the Crown Prince.

Not my style.

“Understood. If you send them, I’ll make sure to use them well. Could you please turn the carriage around?”

“When we get home, they’ll be at the orphanage.”

“I just realized I left without properly saying goodbye to my lovely siblings, Leta and Ruby.”

“Don’t you love Noir?”

“…Baron Hex.”

I sighed.

“Is the situation so urgent that you had to bring me here as if I were kidnapped?”

“It’s not an emergency, but it feels like sitting still while water keeps rising under my feet.”

Baron Hex smiled broadly, waving the fingers he had stretched out towards me.

“Want to guess once?”

“The ministers you brought along don’t seem unhelpful.”

“Normally, yes. But the highest authority in these negotiations isn’t the Queen.”

“I guess I’ll have to jump out.”

I pointed at the carriage door.

“If it’s about serving an incompetent king, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Wait! Stop. Please. I’ll die if I don’t bring you along.”

“You’re the one dying, not me.”

“Cold-hearted kid. If Carmen is your mother, I’m like your political uncle!”

“I have several mothers, but I don’t have a single uncle, so I don’t really know about that.”

“Ha…”

Baron Hex covered his face with both hands in frustration.

“Come on, help me out. The situation is so dire that I’m begging a 13-year-old.”

“Literally, somewhat.”

I sat up properly, sensing that any more teasing might truly push Baron Hex over the edge.

“Just kidding. I was just being a little mischievous. Originally, I was supposed to make dessert for Jabez and Eli today, but then I was kidnapped.”

“…….”

“I’m talking about Princess Naria and a White I’m exclusively in charge of.”

“Oh, I see. What dessert were you planning to make? Researching magic herbs?”

“Pound cake topped with dried Somnus petals.”

Delicious and nutritionally excellent.

Though it contained a lot of flour and honey, the Somnus petals and pollen mixed into the batter helped absorb mana.

Most importantly, Astasia liked Somnus.

Not just because I enjoyed it, but because it deliciously absorbed the mana on the tongue.

‘Blessed body.’

When I chewed Somnus, it tasted a bit bitter, but Astasia perceived it as sweet as sugar.

It felt like a difference in mana receptivity.

By the way, Naria found it spicy.

“I see. Did I interrupt Lord Gibraltar’s date?”

“Yes. My father would have started with a sword.”

“You tear people apart with your words.”

“Just like this?”

“You know my position and yet push me this hard; that’s the real cruelty. Are you satisfied now?”

Baron Hex lamented, pushing his slipping glasses back up.

“The Foreign Minister has to work for the historical peace between the kingdom and the empire.”

“I never thought such a thing would happen while I was in this position.”

“It’s fate. Accept it.”

“Sigh…”

Baron Hex sighed deeply again.

“Then let me ask for your opinion.”

“Yes.”

“How should we resolve this situation?”

This wasn’t a complaint about fate but a practical lament seeking a breakthrough in a seemingly hopeless situation.

“I’ve been in this carriage for only 30 minutes.”

“You know everything.”

“What do I know? Do you think I can read the future?”

“No?”

“If you seriously ask that, I’m the one who is astonished.”

I couldn’t read or see the future.

I knew only to some extent and used that knowledge to infer how people’s tendencies would affect the present.

“If you’re talking about the news from the Earl of Serene, I’ve heard only rumors. Probably things from two days ago.”

“…….”

“Really. I swear on my mother.”

“Why does swearing on your mother make it feel less trustworthy? It should be more.”

“I swear on my father too.”

“Huh. If you say so. Unless you’re the worst unfilial child.”

Baron Hex adjusted his posture.

“First, Queen Carmen wants you to interpret for her in the Imperial language.”

“Don’t you speak Imperial better, Baron?”

“Simultaneous interpretation is too much.”

Was he feeling pressured?

Or did he trust me that much?

“It’s clear Queen Carmen doesn’t trust the Empire’s magical translation devices.”

“Right. Can’t rely on enemy-provided magic machines.”

Whether it’s insurance or something else, it’s a valid reason.

“But did you bring me just for simultaneous interpretation? Surely there must be someone in the capital who can do that in Imperial.”

“As a representative of Gibraltar in the negotiations for symbolism?”

“Recently, I’ve noticed you were writing too many letters. You’ve been up to something cute behind the scenes.”

“Wow, you caught on quickly. Impressive.”

“Sigh.”

I understood immediately.

My father had sold me out.

“How could a father take such revenge on his son?”

“Revenge?”

“Nothing.”

Because I made him pull a container?

Or because I tricked the White by dressing him in full armor and disrespected the coachman?

‘Both were unavoidable.’

If that’s the reason he sent me here, I’ll exact petty revenge on Father as soon as I returned.

“After everything is over, suggesting that Queen Carmen visit Gibraltar wouldn’t be bad.”

“To meet Naria?”

“That too, but tell her to meet my father. Hehe.”

“…….”

Mother might be slightly upset about Queen Carmen drinking wine alone with Father, but that’s a trivial matter.

‘Honestly, what if they actually get along?’

Carmen Morgania becoming a staunch ally of Gibraltar would benefit Mother too.

“Grey. Even if Princess Naria’s identity is revealed to the king, I’ll still arrange for Queen Carmen to visit Gibraltar.”

“I have a feeling I shouldn’t agree to this proposal for some reason.”

“But you’re not jumping out of the carriage, which means you’re willing to listen to me.”

“Alright, tell me. What’s troubling you, Baron? Is it, as expected, Saint Gio Nostrum?”

“Yes. But it’s more than that.”

Baron Hex took something out of his pocket.

“To foster reconciliation between the kingdom and the empire, our great king proposed starting with a celebration. His Majesty himself suggested it.”

“…A mask?”

“Yes. A masquerade ball.”

“Huh…”

It was a white, old-fashioned half-mask, covering only the eyes, like the ones used in plays.

“I want you to be Queen Carmen’s incognito escort.”

“Even though His Majesty is in good health?”

“It’s fine. He’ll just immerse himself in alcohol again. Particularly with the new liquor the empire sent as a gift.”

“Well… then there’s no real issue, is there?”

While it’s aggravating and sometimes makes me contemplate assassinating the king for such behavior, it’s not an unforeseen complication.

“You don’t think Morgania can’t manage such a minor change in plans, do you? Especially since… the Duke is also attending, right?”

“Correct.”

Another influential figure in Nostrum, also expected at the banquet, which was supposed to be a negotiation.

“Whatever His Majesty does, I thought it wouldn’t be a problem. But then…”

“Hmm. I can roughly guess.”

Of course, the empire must have been furious with this absurd proposal.

“From the empire’s perspective, they were focusing on creating a peaceful atmosphere with the kingdom, had lost an admiral, and were now even planning a solemn memorial.”

The king’s suggestion could be summarized in one line.

“It’s like inviting people to a wild drinking party at your house while there’s a funeral next door.”

“Exactly. Spot on.”

There couldn’t have been a crazier person in the world.

“And here’s the really headache-inducing part…”

“The Crown Prince accepted it, right?”

Correction.

“People die, but to not let his death be in vain, the kingdom and empire should show a harmonious relationship, right?”

There was one such person.

“Our king says let’s party regardless of someone’s death. The Crown Prince says let’s overcome death and move towards a brighter future with it in our hearts. Wow, what a contrast.”

Compared to us, it was a problem that he was so seriously competent.

“I thought we’d be preparing a funeral, but now it’s turned into a festival.”

“A festival, indeed. A celebration that the long war between the kingdom and empire is finally ending.”

“…….”

“Don’t think too seriously about it. If there were someone like me in the empire, that’s how they would think.”

Certainly.

“If one death can bring two countries together, then it’s a meaningful death.”

“…….”

“It’s a far more valuable death than a miserable one.”

The kingdom and empire’s memorial-cum-banquet was decided to be a ‘masquerade ball.’

“Besides, if Queen Carmen specifically asked for me, then it must be that.”

Officially, only the Crown Prince was supposed to attend from the empire.

“Is Chairman Erwin also coming?”

Naturally, there would be attendants following.

“Then, I have no choice.”

If Chairman Erwin was also coming, I had to assist Queen Carmen by her side.

“I’ll gladly attend, meeting my mother after a long time. Oh, and—”

I was glad to meet not just the two mothers.

“I’ll also get to meet my father.”