Chapter 20
Unlike in the morning, Woraticus entered the room alone, leaving the maid who followed her outside the door.
In the morning, expectation was visible in her expression, but now her steps were calmer than before.
"You don't need to be too tense. I've just come to satisfy some curiosity."
She sat down naturally across from me as if it was her reserved seat.
"First, I apologize for the rudeness I committed this morning. I ran away without even having a proper conversation."
"..."
Although the direction of the apology seems a bit odd, the fact that she thought to apologize itself means she's interested in me.
I nodded slightly.
"Thank you. Your appearance was so impressive that I wanted to have a calm conversation with you."
I wasn't worried until she said it was impressive.
Although her expression was quite dark as she said those words.
"The generals' reports, the stories circulating in the empire, even Erika's report. When I first heard them, I thought they were full of exaggerations or lies."
"..."
"So when you showed an appearance befitting the rumors, I was quite surprised."
Woraticus's words were closer to an appreciation than a conversation.
Her voice was tinged with deep regret rather than joy or expectation at meeting a new talent.
It was quite unfamiliar.
I didn't want her to show intentions of employing me, but I didn't expect her to come out so awkwardly.
After muttering such strange appreciations to herself,
"If only you had been an imperial..."
She left the room with those words as her last.
I wonder what happened in the past few hours for Woraticus to act like this.
I felt a bit of a sense of crisis.
***
For several days after that, the same situation repeated.
Woraticus came to see me every day and had various conversations.
She also told me about the recent situation in the Rus Kingdom, saying there were no special movements yet.
If there had been purges or military reductions, the empire wouldn't have failed to notice, so it seems my subordinates are still holding up well.
How long can they hold out without me?
...Anyway.
Judging by Woraticus's attitude, she seems to like me quite a bit, but she only regrets that I'm not an imperial over and over.
She didn't mention any employment offers.
It's unlike her, who in the game would throw out employment offers almost like a human collector.
While I was harboring such doubts, Theodore came to the room again.
He suddenly came and told me,
"Her Majesty found me and asked how you were. So I answered. I said that although you're certainly a capable person, it's realistically difficult to persuade you to come to the empire."
His claim was that he had persuaded Woraticus to give up on employing me.
"A great general like you wouldn't change your mind, would you? It doesn't make sense to abandon your subordinates and quickly attach yourself to the empire just to save yourself."
The logic Theodore used to persuade Woraticus was simple.
If I join the empire, it would give the nobles a reason to point swords at the subordinates left in the Rus Kingdom, so Viktor, who cares about his subordinates, cannot be persuaded unless the issue of the subordinates is resolved.
"Her Majesty had high expectations. It's a shame, isn't it?"
Theodore must have convinced Woraticus with that logic.
Since it's not actually wrong, she would have understood quickly.
Her not asking me about my intentions to defect might have been her own form of respect.
If so, that's not bad.
"A hero completed by death, how splendid. Splendid indeed."
He's still marked red on the mini-map.
Probably, every time he met Woraticus, he must have earnestly recited reasons why I should be killed.
He must have made similar statements in the conference room as well.
"Farewell, Viktor."
Theodore was full of confidence that things would go as he wanted.
In fact, his attack using his influence and position was somewhat threatening.
A foundation to counter him, my subordinates in an unstable situation.
If I can't resolve these two issues, my dream of a stable job change and world conquest goes down the drain.
My 'last resort' is what I've thought of for times like this.
A method I decided to use when there's not enough justification for me to betray the Rus Kingdom.
I wanted to save it because I can never use it again, but now is not the time to be saving it.
A plan of 'betrayal by indirect intent' that I came up with thinking that if I'm going to betray, I should go all the way, big and flashy.
Checking the plan, I waited for the right opportunity.
***
Time passed like that, and about a week had passed since I arrived in the empire.
-Click.
As always, Woraticus came alone today.
"...It's nice to see you."
As if she no longer had any intention of hiding, her words were full of regret.
She's marked green on the mini-map.
'Viktor' is quite a well-constructed character, so it would be a shame for a normal monarch to easily give up.
She did ask a few times indirectly if I wouldn't come to the empire.
I refused out of necessity.
"Viktor. Your..."
She cautiously began,
"...execution date has been set. One month from today."
She filled in the last puzzle piece I had been waiting for.
"I know it's rude, but I'll ask. Really, really, you have no intention of changing your mind?"
Is it because she's young for a dragon?
Perhaps because it's instinct to be drawn to things you can't have, she asked me almost as if throwing a tantrum.
"Even if you're imprisoned and eventually die?"
"..."
"I see, of course..."
Woraticus, who took my silence as a refusal, dropped her head slightly as if greatly disappointed.
This is the opportunity.
"One thing."
"Hmm?"
"I have a last request."
"..."
An opportunity to lead the situation as I want while minimizing the damage to my image.
I can say this because I've shown the image of 'Viktor' well until now.
Because I've consistently emphasized that I care for my subordinates and have a sense of responsibility for my position as commander-in-chief of the Rus Kingdom.
"Go ahead."
"Even if it's just for a few days, I want to set foot on the land of my hometown, Zabinsk."
I can make such a request.
As if I can't let go of my attachment until the very end, even though I know it's impossible.
Instead of questioning my words, Woraticus fell into thought, tapping the table.
The moment she didn't immediately cut it off saying it was nonsense, my goal was as good as achieved.
"I understand your feelings, but... that seems difficult."
After hesitating, she gave the answer I was waiting for.
It's a natural answer since she has no reason to send me back, and she can't rule out the variable of me not returning, but.
This is the final blow.
A wedge to move her, something I can use because I've experienced this world through a game.
Very useful, but can only be used once.
A threat that can only be used when Woraticus has no intention of killing me, like now.
"...Woraticus."
I put her real name in my mouth and watched the mini-map.
The reason only two dragons, or one, appear in 'The Great War' is because of the basic premise that dragons cannot interfere in the world.
If a dragon wants to mix among humans, in addition to various restrictions limiting their abilities to human levels, one more condition is needed.
Absolutely, do not get caught.
The moment I shout 'Louise is the Red Dragon, Woraticus!' at the execution ground.
Even if others don't believe those words, her play is forcibly terminated.
She could just kill me immediately, but because I've worked hard to build a relationship with her until now for this moment.
"...!!!"
Her eyes widened in surprise, then,
"Haha. Hahaha. Hahahahahahaha!"
Instead of getting angry or pouncing on me, she laughed loudly.
Even on the mini-map, she remained green.
I maintained tension on my face to prevent my expression from relaxing due to a sense of achievement.
After laughing for a while, Woraticus finally calmed down.
"So this is what you meant when you said you weren't afraid of your death?"
"...That's right."
"Interesting. Very interesting."
After looking around for a moment, she started exuding pressure towards me with a smiling expression.
"It's blackmail, isn't it? On the condition of not interfering with my play."
"That's right. I will definitely return."
I felt a level of pressure similar to the first day, but perhaps because I had experienced it once, it wasn't as difficult as then.
She seems to be looking for any suspicious points, but I'm very upright now because I'm only telling the truth.
I have no intention of mentioning her name again, and I will definitely return to the empire.
"...Haha."
She laughed softly and withdrew her pressure.
"If you don't keep your promise, I will burn everything you hold dear. Without fail."
"..."
Louise glared at me with her usual half-closed eyes.
Although she didn't put pressure in it, those words spat out as if chewing are more threatening than pressure.
I nodded once.
I'm not just coming back, I'm coming back with gifts packed to the brim.
"...There won't be a next time."
With those words, Louise stood up from her chair and left the guest room.
Now that she has accepted, everything depends on me.
Once the atmosphere of 'an Empress granting a last request, impressed by the character Viktor' is formed, even the strange situation of temporarily returning a prisoner can be somewhat justified.
It's already a widely spread rumor that Louise treats talented people well, and everyone should know that I have a lot of lingering attachment to the Rus Kingdom.
Now it's my turn to show.
The righteous and fiery betrayal of Viktor, the betrayed great general.
I will personally bring down the Rus Kingdom with my own hands.
---
As soon as Louise finished her conversation with Viktor, she called an emergency meeting.
She sat on the throne, waiting for the nobles to arrive.
Since it was a summons from the Empress who rarely even voiced opinions in regular meetings, the nobles were flustered but thought it must be an unusual matter and hurriedly headed to the audience chamber.
The imperial faction nobles, including Theodore, entered first and quickly filled their seats, and all the noble faction members staying in the capital also attended.
The audience chamber filled up in an instant despite the late hour as the sun was setting.
Usually, Duke Theodore Oppenstadt conducted the meetings, but this time, since it was a meeting directly called by the Empress, he also sat in his seat waiting for Louise's words.
"...It seems enough have gathered, so we'll begin."
As Louise declared the opening, all the nobles' gazes turned to her.
"The agenda that I, Louise Zainburg, will propose is. The treatment of Viktor, the general of the Rus Kingdom."
"...Your Majesty."
As soon as she mentioned Viktor's name, one of the imperial faction nobles sitting on the right side of the audience chamber stood up abruptly.
"Lord Ralph. Speak."
"Didn't you already decide to execute Viktor? I'm curious about the reason for convening this emergency meeting."
Many nobles nodded at Ralph's question.
It was a natural question since there was no reason to call an emergency meeting for a matter already decided.
"What are you..."
"Enough."
As the imperial faction noble sitting right next to him tried to intervene at what could be perceived as a rude remark, Louise extended her hand to stop him first.
"I'm not trying to reverse the execution decision."
"Then..."
"However."
Before speaking again, she scanned the audience with her eyes to establish dominance.
Ralph sat back down, and the nobles who had been whispering among themselves closed their mouths, watching her.
Finally, when it became so quiet that one could hear the breathing of the person next to them.
"If we execute him like an ordinary enemy general, it could unnecessarily intensify the resistance of the Rus Kingdom afterwards. His reputation and popularity won't disappear just by killing him. Isn't that right, Lord Theodore?"
"Ah, yes. That's correct."
She looked at Theodore while stating the orthodox view.
As this had been mentioned several times in meetings already, he quickly agreed.
"Viktor, upon hearing the news of his execution, requested to set foot on the land of Zabinsk one last time."
"...!"
"So, as a courtesy to Viktor, before executing him. My proposal is to temporarily send him back to the Rus Kingdom."
The noble faction nobles started to stir upon hearing her proposal, and as soon as she finished speaking, a noble from the noble faction wearing armor stood up.
"Your Majesty!"
"Lord Reinhardt."
"The Dragonian Empire is not weak! There's no reason to do that, and above all, Viktor..."
Taking Louise's nod as a signal, Reinhardt poured out his opinion filled with anger.
As Reinhardt had been displeased from the start that Viktor wasn't locked up in prison, he strongly opposed her words about wanting to grant Viktor's request.
Other nobles also sent gazes towards Louise as if in agreement.
Since Theodore had preached about the weakness of the Rus Kingdom in previous meetings, they thought there was no need to cater to Viktor's feelings.
"I think differently."
"...Theodore."
Surprisingly, it was Theodore, who had been the most eager to kill Viktor until now, who suppressed Reinhardt as he was about to continue speaking with momentum.
"Treating a prisoner with courtesy becomes a great advantage in the long run. It also fits Her Majesty's reputation for treating talented people well, so there's no reason to refuse."
When Theodore thought about it, he had no reason to oppose it.
His desire to kill Viktor from the start was to eliminate him for stealing the Empress's attention.
Rather, Theodore was quite pleased that Viktor was saying he would distance himself from the Empress.
The Empress had shown so much interest in Viktor that she would visit him even when he was locked up in prison.
At least she wouldn't chase him all the way to the kingdom, right?
"But still..."
"Lord Reinhardt seems to be worried that Viktor won't return, but it's more advantageous for the empire if he doesn't return."
"...What do you mean?"
"If he returns, it just ends with execution, but if he doesn't return, there are three benefits the empire can gain."
Theodore, backed by the Empress's support and right to speak, poured out words with eloquence.
"First, since handing over Viktor was a condition of the negotiation, if he doesn't return, we can use that as a justification to break the negotiation at any time."
"..."
"Viktor doesn't get along well with the kingdom's nobles, so if he refuses to return, the kingdom will fall into great chaos. While Viktor and the nobles are fighting, the empire can strike, and this is the second benefit."
Clearing his throat with a cough, he continued to speak.
"The reason Viktor is feared is not only because of his competence, but also largely due to his reputation spread in the empire and his overwhelming support within the Rus Kingdom. But if he settles down in the kingdom, it doesn't stop at losing credibility."
Reinhardt could only open and close his mouth, unable to interject between Theodore's words that left no gaps.
"If we spread rumors that war broke out because he didn't return, his support within the kingdom will weaken, and just by tarnishing his seemingly perfect image, his reputation will plummet instantly. This is the third benefit."
Although he said this, Theodore expected that it would be difficult for Viktor to even reach the Rus Kingdom.
He thought that while the Rus Kingdom nobles were incompetent, they weren't so much that they wouldn't know how big a threat his return would be.
Since Viktor isn't particularly strong in combat, and the Rus Kingdom nobles aren't ones to be picky about methods.
Theodore trusted the Rus Kingdom nobles in this aspect.
"And if Viktor runs away, Her Majesty won't just sit and watch."
"That's right."
It was the noble faction nobles who lost in the war, not the Dragonian Empire.
Everyone knows about the excellence of the 'Imperial Guard' that only the Empress can move, and the momentum of the imperial faction led by Theodore is sky-high.
The moment Louise declares she will take action personally, the nobles could eliminate even the slightest fear of Viktor.
"...It might be better not to attach any escorts or surveillance to encourage him to run away. If we just clearly announce the period, no responsibility will fall on the empire."
Theodore thoroughly prepared for Viktor to die in a foreign land.
Even excluding Theodore's personal feelings towards Louise, the emergence of a general favored by the Empress itself was a threat to Theodore.
For Theodore, eliminating Viktor was a priority over anything else.
"...Very well."
Louise rose from the throne.
"Tomorrow, we will send an official letter to the kingdom and simultaneously return Viktor to the kingdom temporarily. If anyone has objections, stand up now."
"..."
There were no brave nobles who could object to an opinion supported by both the Empress and the head of the imperial faction.
"I'll take it that everyone agrees."
After confirming the nobles sitting quietly, Louise left the throne first, and the other nobles also left the audience chamber, watching each other's reactions.
"...This will be interesting."
Louise was curious about what would unfold from now on.
Her acceptance of Viktor's request was certainly due to his not-quite-blackmail and her favor towards him, but.
It also contained her personal dissatisfaction with the Rus Kingdom that made it impossible for her to use him.
She knows what it means for a hero who was directly sold out to return.
She also knows that if she had asked the Rus Kingdom's opinion, they would surely have refused.
Of course, since she's a dragon who's satisfied as long as she finds it amusing.
"Call the magicians."
Expecting the results he would show, Louise prepared a small gift for him.
---
The next day.
I thought it would take a few days, but I was able to depart the very next day after making the request.
Moreover, it was the best condition to move alone without any companions.
I understand what Theodore was thinking since he pushed for this, but for me with the mini-map, traveling alone isn't particularly dangerous.
"Viktor."
As I was preparing, wearing a well-washed uniform, Louise approached with her maids.
She handed me a token engraved with a dragon emblem in gold.
"If you show this token at the post stations in cities or villages, you'll be able to get horses. And, we've prepared Phlegethon, so go and come back quickly."
"...Thank you."
For the first time, I used honorifics towards her, with some gratitude.
She hesitated for a moment, then left the guest room without answering.
"See you again!"
I headed towards where Phlegethon was, leaving a farewell greeting behind her as she disappeared almost like running away.
By the way, Phlegethon again.
...The empire might be spending all its development money on this.
I suppose handing over the entire Rus Kingdom would be sufficient compensation.