Warmonger

Meanwhile, Ferda and Ureas spoke in the reception room.

Since Luri was attending to Valdrova, attendants dispatched from the Imperial Palace attended to Ureas.

“You may have noticed, but the reason I came under the pretext of making a tour is that there is something else I truly wish to discuss.”

Ureas began with a solemn expression.

Who could be foolish enough not to realize that?

“What did you wish to discuss?”

Ferda knew, but pretended otherwise as he waited for Ureas to speak.

He did not rule out the possibility that Ureas might bring up something he truly did not know.

“You might not know, since you have been in the Far East. The Empire is currently planning to declare war on the Heinkel Kingdom.”

Should I have simply dismissed it?

Since it might not be the obvious answer, Ferda feigned surprise.

“War?”

“You know Duke Yurei, don’t you? That shameless demon-follower still refuses to admit as much, apparently.”

“Is that so?”

“So I contacted the Heinkel Kingdom. I told them that since Yurei was suspected of colluding with demons, we needed to search the duke’s territory. But do you know what they said? They told us to repatriate Duke Yurei first. What do you think that means?”

“That they are in league with him?”

“Exactly!”

Ureas slapped his knee.

“They must be telling us to hand over Duke Yurei first because they have something to hide themselves. If they had nothing to be ashamed of, wouldn’t they have let us conduct the search?”

“Indeed.”

Of course, Ferda’s thoughts were different.

Strictly speaking, the Heinkel Kingdom was making a legitimate demand.

It was the Arken Empire that was illegally detaining the duke, and its intention to occupy the territory under the pretext of an investigation was not something that could be overlooked.

“Of course, there are laws, and people say nobles must observe due courtesy toward one another. But that applies only to those recognized as civilized by the Grand Council of this Cerdese Continent. How could we show such courtesy when he might be a demon?”

“You are quite right.”

The Empire’s Second Prince, Ureas Arken.

A grand general who placed national defense above all else.

Judging by that reputation, he seemed nothing short of a great king.

But that was not Ureas’s true motive.

‘He just wants a war.’

Ureas was already famous among the high nobles as a warmonger.

If Alexander tried to crush someone underhandedly, Ureas was the type to flaunt his pressure openly.

He crushed someone with a sword, then held the power of life and death over the defeated.

That was his thirst for power.

“So, thinking it suspicious, I sent spies to investigate the Heinkel Kingdom. And do you know what was astonishing?”

“What was it?”

“They really are in league with the demons!”

What nonsense was he spouting?

He was about to dismiss it as nonsense, but cooled his head and considered it rationally.

Ureas might be a fool, but were the people beneath him really that foolish?

Ferda had a way to confirm it.

“What does Grand Duke Golt think?”

All Ferda had to do was watch Valdemar Golt’s movements.

The moment he heard that question, Ureas’s face soured.

“You don’t seem to trust me.”

“That is not so. If you intend to declare war, this matter must have a clear justification throughout the Empire. Even if Your Highness is certain, failing to receive Grand Duke Golt’s support would be tantamount to losing half your support. I only mean that if this is certain, we must establish it beyond doubt.”

“Is that so? I misunderstood. My apologies.”

Ureas replied.

“It seems that old man decided a war could serve his purposes too. He intends to have General Luthers organize an army and strike there.”

If he intended to attack the Heinkel Kingdom, that meant he was prepared to crush it thoroughly.

“If the Heinkel Kingdom were incorporated into the Empire, the economic benefits would be immense. The West is the land of magic, is it not? If we seized the magic stones and rare earths mined there, the Arken Empire could become a first-rate power in magic as well! As a mage, you know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

He did.

He knew it well. After all, he had seen that country’s future.

“Until just a year ago, I was part of a knightly family. I am not very familiar with such fields……”

“Is that so? I hear you have accomplished an extraordinary amount…… You must be remarkably talented. In any case, I am saying this would be immensely profitable. We are asking you to join us in it. What do you think?”

“You are asking for my support.”

“Naturally, there will be suitable compensation for that support.”

Ureas made Ferda an offer.

“If you support the war, I will grant you the mining rights to the iron mines and rights to a quarter of Heinkel Kingdom’s territory. With rights to that land, you could gain a foothold in the Golden Council as well. What do you say?”

That was an almost outrageously generous offer.

“What would you require of us?”

“The technology for the magic-engineering rifle.”

The terms were a fair exchange.

“Think it over carefully.”

Before Ferda could even consider it, Ureas pressed on.

His expression was utterly at odds with his call for caution.

“In the end, magic engineering means someone can create an imitation.”

Ureas was not making that up.

That was what Ferda had seen in the future as well, and there were people researching even now in order to obtain magic stones.

The Empire was said to be actively producing magic-engineering rifles as well.

“I hear tell that someone has already created a magic-engineering rifle. They are trying to sell it to the Empire.”

Ferda had heard there was a shameless person like that.

“How long can that mage named Burnell keep staying ahead? A prophet cannot remain a pioneer forever. The tide is bound to turn someday.”

Ferda agreed.

“So why not hand the technology over to us first? Sell it all when its value reaches its peak. Wouldn’t you call that a truly excellent business deal?”

Economically speaking, that was undoubtedly true.

Securing territory and business rights one could use immediately and in the future in exchange for a single technology was an excellent opportunity.

“I am sorry, but I cannot provide you with the rifles.”

Yet that held little importance for Ferda.

“Why not? I thought I had offered you things that would unquestionably benefit you.”

“They would indeed be beneficial, but what matters most to me is His Highness the Grand Duke’s will.”

“The Grand Duke’s will? What do you mean?”

“At the Grand Council, I declared that I would conquer the Land of Demons. To that end, I established Hestia Village and am developing it into a city of adventurers. Hestia Village’s magic engineering exists for those exploring the Land of Demons. But if I allowed my rifles to be used in a war against humans, I would be defying His Highness the Grand Duke’s will.”

Ureas waved his hands as if to dismiss Ferda’s objection.

“It would not go against His Highness’s will. We are currently at war with demons.”

“Are you certain that there are no humans among them?”

“Not everyone killed in a war can be innocent.”

“That is precisely why I cannot do it.”

It would be different if someone leaked the technology and it was created unintentionally.

Ferda could not be the one to hand over the technology.

If magic-engineering rifle technology were granted in Valdrova’s name, it would be tantamount to making her complicit in murder.

Ferda could never look Valdrova in the eye after saddling her with that stigma.

“Is there no way to change His Highness the Grand Duke’s mind?”

“The Second Prince has come here as the emperor’s representative. In that case, your duty must be to uphold the emperor’s name.”

“That is true.”

“The same applies to me. I am the Grand Duke’s representative and, at the same time, the representative of the Red Dragon, Valdrova.”

‘So don’t tell me what to do.’

Ureas looked down at the floor with a troubled expression before speaking.

“For now…… I understand. You mean you cannot provide any support at all?”

He had said that, and yet…….

Ferda barely restrained a frown.

“All the troops and supplies in the Grand Duchy are intended for emergencies. I am afraid we cannot provide you with even a little support.”

“Fine, if that is what you say…….”

Ureas could not conceal his displeasure.

That was one reason he was a worse politician than Alexander.

Even so, his willingness to back down seemed suspicious.

Just then, Ureas’s personal attendant approached him and whispered in his ear.

Though he whispered very softly, Ferda’s hearing was sharp enough to catch it.

“Her Highness the princess is about to enter. What will you do…….”

“What do you mean, what shall I do? Tell her to come in.”

“Understood.”

The princess entered after receiving the order.

Ferda knew she had returned after speaking with Valdrova.

‘What on earth did they talk about?’

She looked utterly exhausted.

Since she seemed not to want Ferda to acknowledge it, Ferda pretended not to notice and returned her greeting.

“What were you two discussing?”

“Men’s business. We were discussing war supplies for the Heinkel Kingdom, but he says he will not provide any.”

“Is that so?”

Olivia asked, opening her eyes wide.

“Unfortunately, it goes against the founding ideal of Hestia Village…….”

“Is that so? I had rather hoped our relationship with the Far East might grow closer…….”

Olivia let out a disappointed sigh.

She slightly widened her eyes and gave Ferda a meaningful look.

Ferda acted as they had discussed in advance.

“Come to think of it, it seems the Second Prince is interested in the magic-engineering rifle…….”

“Hm? Ah, that’s right.”

“I cannot provide you with the weapon itself, but how would you like the opportunity to see what a magic-engineering rifle is and try out several weapons currently in development?”

“If it is an opportunity like that, I would love it!”

Ureas was delighted like a child who had received a present.

“Understood. I will contact the staff on duty inside the castle and tell them to prepare, since the Second Prince will be heading down.”

“Very well. Sister, you should come too.”

Olivia replied with an awkward expression.

“You know I am frightened even by the sight of bladed weapons, don’t you? Go by yourself, Brother.”

“Then you two can chat together. I will go alone.”

Ureas tried to walk away with dignity, but could not hide how light his steps had become.

As Ureas headed toward the toy corner, he disappeared from view, and Olivia cleared her throat.

“Shall we have a little conversation of our own now?”

Olivia smiled seductively.

“Did your conversation with His Highness the Grand Duke go well?”

She began by asking about Ferda’s conversation with Valdrova.

“Yes, there were quite a few bewildering points, but it went reasonably well.”

She spoke as though it were nothing unusual, but it was clear she did not really want to discuss it.

Ferda asked her,

“I have been meaning to ask you many questions.”

“Hehe, I’m positively thrilled that you’re curious about me.”

“What is your relationship with Storeus?”

When Ferda had run into Storeus, the dragon had told him to help her.

Contrary to Ferda’s expectation that Olivia’s smiling face would stiffen, Olivia remained composed.

“It’s simple. A pet and its owner? No, that’s not quite right. We’re closer to a circus monkey and its audience. When it performs tricks, they clap happily and throw it apples.”

“And the help you mentioned?”

“A power I can borrow at the decisive moment. The power to kill the emperor.”

Ferda couldn’t make sense of it.

“No matter how powerful an empire the Arken Empire is, it is nothing before a dragon, is it not?”

“A dragon can destroy an entire kingdom without batting an eye. But they say even dragons cannot touch the Arken Dynasty. Isn’t that strange?”

He could not deny it.

“Storeus began cooperating with me three years ago. He approached me, saying he knew I intended to kill the emperor.”

“Did he agree to cooperate?”

“Cooperate? There is no such word in the vocabulary of such an arrogant bastard. I told you, didn’t I? A monkey and its audience. He said he was watching us. At the time, he did not explain why. But after the monster subjugation war, he came to me and told me.”

She held up three fingers.

“The Arken imperial bloodline is said to have made secret pacts with three dragons. Storeus said it was a debt.”

Secret pacts with three dragons.

Two of them had made their move.

Silverwind and Storeus.

“Who is the last one?”

“The bronze dragon, Frontesis.”

Fortunately, Frontesis had nothing to do with Valdrova.

Frontesis was famous as a dragon blacksmith, and it was said that legendary weapons all passed through Frontesis’s hands.

But Frontesis had never been able to stay in one place for long, because, after hearing the sagas passed down by bards, dragons would demand all those weapons as tribute.

It was as though legends were always nothing more than legends.

“Alexander used that debt to move both Silverwind and Storeus. Without it, things would have been difficult.”

“Does Alexander know about that debt?”

If that debt could prove useful, Ferda intended to uncover it.

“Unfortunately, he doesn’t. It’s a secret passed down by word of mouth, you see. It is known only to those who can become emperor.”

“How do you know about it?”

Olivia smiled with her eyes and kept her lips sealed.

Taking that as a refusal to answer, Ferda decided to move on.

‘That woman certainly had plenty of eyes on her.’

Among humans, Valdemar.

In Hell, the Great Demon Sitri.

And now, the dragon Storeus.

He understood why people called her a jewel placed on an auction block.

“Being beautiful must be exhausting.”

“It is exhausting beyond words.”

Olivia looked at Ferda.

Lashes drooping like eaves, and eyes like a lake beneath clear skies.

She answered with a seductive smile.

“Even so, I think it is better than it used to be.”

“Please do not smile like that.”

“Why not? I have always smiled this way. Are you feeling self-conscious?”

Not in the least.

“Hehe, I understand. I’ll stop teasing you. Do you have any other questions?”

“Ureas is quite intelligent.”

Ferda fixed Olivia with a stare as he added,

“It is almost like looking at another version of you.”

“What a joke. Brother Ureas cannot even measure up to half of me.”

“Then may I assume that you were the one who made that proposal?”

“Of course. It was a scenario I devised from the beginning.”

“Was I supposed to return his favor?”

Olivia shook her head.

“No. I expected you to refuse. If you had accepted, I would have been in a difficult position. I am in a situation where I must somehow stop the war the Empire is trying to start.”

Olivia’s gaze sharpened.

“To do that, I need your help, Regent Ferda.”

“What kind of help, specifically?”

She said,

“The key to this war is Duke Yurei. We have to smuggle him out.”