Chapter 124
Princess Pria rested her chin in her hand, watching the busy figures before her.
Maids were swiftly redecorating the Meeting Room, which had been empty for a long time.
They were preparing the Meeting Room, waiting for those who never seemed to arrive... that is, her Father and Older Brother.
*I wonder what those two are doing.*
The Emperor... her Father, hadn't been seen in a long time.
Her Older Brother, the First Prince, had become quite difficult to see ever since he started getting involved with Dark Mages.
Therefore, if a meeting were to begin, she would have to lead it herself, but the problem was that only incredibly annoying individuals attended these meetings.
*They're the kind of people who only ever try to maximize their own profits.*
They had no interest whatsoever in the prosperity of this nation.
Even if the country fell, they were the type who would sell anything if it meant securing their own safety.
Of course, she somewhat understood.
Whether it was the Imperial Family or the nation, these enormous, twisted organizations offered them no guarantee for the future.
She fully recognized that they were acting this way to protect themselves, but...
*Even so, they've gone too far.*
They had long since crossed the line of what was acceptable, so now everything they did seemed contemptible.
*From a certain point, they started proposing policies and opinions solely for their own benefit.*
Every single one of their actions was utterly repulsive, so she watched the individuals entering one by one with an expressionless face.
They greeted her and quickly took their seats.
*Honestly, this situation itself is absurd.*
Nobles arriving later than the Princess...
It seemed that after the Emperor and the First Prince disappeared, they had subtly elevated 'her,' who originally had no Right of Succession to the Throne, to the position of Successor to the Throne.
It was a position she originally had no interest in.
The Marginalized Nobles, who couldn't align with the Emperor or the First Prince, used her to establish themselves as the Mainstream Faction.
*They're claiming that if they don't have power, everything will collapse.*
They were subtly and repeatedly crossing the line.
*...Haa.*
She wanted to quit everything and escape, but.
With her Father and Older Brother gone... if she neglected everything, she couldn't imagine what the Nobles would do.
It was impossible to leave things as they were.
So, thinking that she had no choice but to proceed, she tapped her fingers.
A voice announced that the meeting had begun.
At those words, she merely gave an expressionless nod and looked forward, watching as various discussions began, clashing with each other.
Watching this, Damian, whom she had met at the Banquet Hall, kept coming to mind.
Perhaps if she had been bound to him... she might have escaped this utterly repulsive situation.
Or at the very least, she might have had a companion to navigate this situation with.
*Should I have just not given him a chance and forcibly taken him?*
To be honest, her Rational Emotion... wasn't entirely absent, but there was only a tiny bit.
Setting aside Rational Emotion and everything else, they hadn't known each other for long.
*Even if I, who has been tormented by Nobles, felt a slight attraction to someone else.*
It was practically impossible to fall deeply for someone without truly knowing who they were.
Furthermore, it wasn't an ordinary encounter but a rather special one.
She was aware that the feelings she was experiencing now were a specially formed “False Emotion,” and thus recognized that her current emotions were exaggerated.
*Still, I can't help but keep thinking about it.*
Was it because it was the only chance to escape this utterly repulsive situation? Or was it because she missed the opportunity to create a companion who would always be on her side...?
She didn't know the answer, but one thing was certain.
She wondered if things wouldn't have been much better now if he had accepted her proposal.
*Should I have pushed harder?*
Grab his arms and legs and drag him to the Bed...
*Hmm, was that too far?*
Anyway, she let out a small laugh, thinking that if she had used her elegant appearance to tempt him, he might have eventually given in.
"Princess, what are your thoughts?"
One of the Nobles posed a question to her.
She gazed at him for a moment and replied curtly.
"I'll consider it further."
In truth, she hadn't heard a word, let alone considered it.
*It was probably a proposal for his Family's well-being the moment he opened his mouth.*
It wouldn't have been worth listening to anyway.
Moreover, if it had been a truly important proposal, her Nanny or Head Butler would have informed her beforehand.
Considering she hadn't heard about it in advance, it was likely not something to worry about.
*I want to escape.*
She squeezed her eyes shut, thinking that if she stayed here, she would eventually wither away and disappear.
*****
When I told Liana I wanted to go to the Imperial Family.
Liana thought for a moment, then nodded and gave me various recommendations.
"I figured as much, so I've compiled all the information about the Imperial Family."
The phrase "I figured as much" was a bit surprising, so I looked at Liana.
Liana smiled calmly, handed me the documents, and continued.
"After the Order, it's the Dark Mages... Since the vigilance between the Order and the Dark Mages has intensified, it's only natural, given Lord Damian's nature, that you'd want to raid the Imperial Family next."
"Natural, you say?"
"Lord Damian suffers if he doesn't cause terror for even a day, so 'natural' is the appropriate word, wouldn't you agree?"
At her words, I felt incredibly wronged and sighed.
"Wronged? I just... wanted to blow up the world and burn it down."
"...?"
For a moment, an expression of disbelief flickered across Liana's face.
Seeing this, I decided to stop joking and get back to the main point.
"Anyway, tell me what I need to be careful about."
"It's similar to what we always say. Don't get your identity exposed."
"Really?"
"Yes. And since Lord Damian has a history of creating a large number of rifts in the Banquet Hall, it's highly likely that additional Troops have been deployed, if not as many as for the Order and Dark Mages."
The use of "likely" suggests it's not entirely certain.
*If Liana puts it that way, it means security is incredibly tight.*
I nodded, thinking that perhaps breaking in might be quite difficult.
Liana looked at me and continued.
"So, what are you planning this time? Infiltration disguised as terror, or terror from the start?"
"Aren't you just assuming I'm going to cause terror?"
"Aren't you?"
"I am, but..."
"...? Anyway, this time, it might be better to hide your identity more thoroughly. The Imperial Family is filled with Monsters who have lived for a long time."
The word "Monster" piqued my interest, so I silently looked at Liana.
Liana looked at me and continued.
"Archmages and Sword Masters. The kind of people we commonly call 'Masters' live there, so even Lord Damian would find it nearly impossible to wreak havoc."
It's true, unless I reach Master-grade, dealing with them would be difficult.
I nodded, showing Liana my agreement, and she looked at me and continued.
"So, Lord Damian, you only have two options. Sneak in, cause an Explosion, and escape quickly, or capture a few key figures and flee."
In other words, she was telling me to do what I always do.
Judging that it wouldn't be too difficult, I nodded and told Liana.
"Then, please prepare so I can go in tomorrow."
"Yes."
After saying that, I decided to return to my Room and rest.
*
"Mgyaaak."
I fell into thought, watching Daisy roll around on my stomach.
*That attack Daisy used last time was quite good.*
A technique that unleashed countless White Orbs filled with immense power, bombarding the target.
It wasn't bad to use it as is.
But if I expanded on it, it seemed like it could become an even better technique, so I pondered how to do it.
*Should I ask Lorraine?*
That might be better.
The moment I made that decision, I picked up Daisy and headed to the Training Ground where Lorraine was.
Upon arriving at the Training Ground, I saw Lorraine, drenched in sweat.
"Young Master?"
She seemed to have been Training continuously, as she looked quite exhausted.
I waved at Lorraine and said.
"If you're busy, I can come back later."
"No, I'm not busy."
"That's good then."
"Then, could I perhaps go wash up quickly? I've sweated so much..."
I was about to say it was fine, but seeing Lorraine's embarrassed expression, I told her to do as she pleased and averted my gaze.
*Then I should go make some tea in the Kitchen.*
Deciding to do so, I went to make tea.
A refreshed Lorraine, with her Ponytail, was waiting for me.
"Ah! Thank you!"
Lorraine saw the tea I was holding, approached me with a very happy expression.
I handed it to her and asked about her progress.
"How's your Training? Is it going well?"
"Ah... yes. It feels like I'm almost there, but I can't quite grasp that final part."
A hint of impatience was discernible.
It seemed that seeing my growth had stirred a mix of complex emotions in her.
I looked at Lorraine, hesitated for a moment, and considered saying something.
*In times like these, it's best to just encourage her, rather than offer comfort or anything else.*
There wasn't really anything I, weaker than Lorraine, could advise her on.
And telling her to rest was as irresponsible as it got, so all I could do was make her tea and wait for Lorraine to overcome it herself.
Still, feeling like I shouldn't completely leave her to it, I calmly added.
"Lorraine."
"Yes?"
"As I told you before, you can definitely reach Sword Master."
Lorraine knew me as a Regressor, so this was the one thing I could say.
Leaving her with the hope that this would give her strength, I waved my hand and decided to leave immediately.
*Let's do counseling next time.*
Just as I was thinking that if it really came down to it, she could do it alone, so I shouldn't worry too much.
Lorraine's loud words of gratitude reached me from behind.
"Th-thank you!"