Chapter 10
The Bellos Empire was established as incredibly vast.
There were even stories that many regions remained undiscovered.
The Bellos Empire was described as “an incredibly vast and wealthy country”.
And naturally, it would be too much for the Emperor to rule that vast Territory alone.
So I suppose it was inevitable that Grand Dukes would naturally emerge.
“That was the novel”s setting.'
The Grand Duke of the North who ruled the cold snowy mountains, and the Grand Duke of the East who roamed the vast seas were the Characters.
Honestly, it was a plausible enough story.
Because things like a Grand Duke of the North were commonly used clichés in most fantasy novels.
But.
“There has to be a limit, a limit… The Prince is a Male Lead, and the Grand Dukes are male leads too?”
No matter how much of a cliché it was, this was crossing the line.
One Prince and two grand dukes.
To think that everyone in a position to affect the political landscape of the Bellos Empire was a Male Lead.
Actually, even this much could be accepted. Well, they say the heart wants what it wants, so what can you do.
However,
“Then that means the Empire has been supporting a single Western Kingdom from three different places… the Northern Region, The Center, and the Eastern Region.”
I truly couldn’t stand the fact that all those Male Leads were trying to hand over the entire country.
Yeah, honestly, when I seriously thought about it, something was definitely weird.
Even though I had demanded that Maselin nullify all the personnel support and investments made by the Second Prince, and even demanded compensation on top of that, the Chance of Annihilation hadn’t dropped below 70%. So I had inwardly guessed there was something more.
“Even if they were Grand Dukes, just how much did the Crown Prince let the people around him run wild, that they would send carrier pigeons to the Crown Prince’s Private Quarters like this.”
To think that those preparing to sell out the country had received the title of Grand Duke.
The Second Prince at least got the Crown Prince’s permission even when he tried to act on his own.
Those things called the Grand Duke of the North and the Grand Duke of the East were the final decision-makers in their regions, so they must have sent support without caring about anyone else’s opinions.
“But how did these guys become Grand Dukes?”
Looking at the founding myth, I know that the guy called the Great Prophet did everything by himself.
How are there two Grand Dukes in this country? Is it simply because the land is vast?
“He doesn”t seem like the type of guy to share power just because the land is vast.'
Was there something during the founding process? Or was the fantasy setting just established that way?
There were too many things I needed to know.
I wanted to rest at least today.
“Huu.”
I let out a short sigh.
“Prepare for the State Council.”
I ordered the Knight waiting outside to prepare for the State Council.
I don’t really like calling the nobles together every day either, but it can’t be helped.
+++++
The State Council.
In the past, it was a peaceful meeting where they would laugh pleasantly, drink tea and eat snacks in the Round Table Conference Room, and discuss various matters concerning the country’s operation.
They would ask about each other’s daily lives and what they were up to lately, and their host would say he just called them because he wanted to see everyone’s faces.
If a big problem arose, they would all cooperate, discuss it, and then disperse.
Not only was it rarely held in the first place.
Even when it was held, there was never any tension.
“Huu… huu… huu…!”
“Ch-Chancellor, Your Excellency… why are you running so hard?”
“You, if it were you… wouldn’t you run? In a place where one wrong word could cost you your knees?”
The Chancellor wiped the beads of sweat forming on his forehead and sat in his designated seat.
All the cabinet members except him were already seated.
Somehow, perhaps arriving in order of authority, it seemed he had barely made it in time as the last one.
“As long as I arrive faster than His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, it doesn”t matter.'
His Royal Highness the Crown Prince arrived exactly on the hour, so it was absolutely necessary to arrive before then, catch one’s breath, and immediately enter the meeting.
Because.
“His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is entering.”
Step, step, step, step.
If one were to meet the fierce glares of the Imperial Guard Knights with one’s eyes wide open before one had caught one’s breath.
“Hic, gasp, cough!”
The unfortunate incident of coughing could occur while His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was slowly walking in.
'It’s inevitable that mistakes will be made.'
Ever since that day when the Second Prince’s aides were brought to their knees and stripped of their rank in the Round Table Conference Room, the State Council was no longer a time to comfortably eat snacks and drink tea.
“It puts me in quite a good mood to see all the high officials of the Empire answering my call today, despite its suddenness.”
The words of the Crown Prince sitting at the head of the table dropped.
“We were merely doing what is natural.”
“Answering the call of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince is the duty of a Vassal, so how could we disobey?”
“Upholding Your Highness’s will is my very calling.”
Everyone hastily responded as if they had been waiting for those words, each offering exclamations.
What stiff-necked Central Nobles, what Noble bloodlines boasting a long history.
“In the end, it”s all meaningless.'
At a single word from the Crown Prince, heads bowed, and long histories melted away in vain.
No matter how great the nobles were, they were still nobles. At a single word from the Crown Prince, everything below their knees would disappear, and they would suffer Deprivation of Rank.
They were on such a precarious sheet of thin ice.
Thus.
“Seeing everyone welcome me like this makes me laugh, haha. Let’s end the small talk here. The reason I called you all today is because I want to properly grasp the movements of the Grand Dukes.”
The Chancellor met the eyes of the Crown Prince, whose gaze was fixed on him despite pretending to speak to everyone.
Gulp.
Using his years of experience, he cleared his throat, which had tightened from tension.
and slowly opened his mouth.
“To speak of the overall situation first… the relationship between The Center, the Northern Region, and the Eastern Region can be said to be very good. In the Northern Region, there are numerous monsters, and even Barbarians looking to invade. The Grand Duke of the North defeats the monsters, blocks the invasions of the Barbarians, and… always does his best to secure Monster byproducts and Rare Resources found only in the Northern Region.”
“And the Eastern Region?”
“…The Eastern Region is discovering hidden relics based on its vast maritime rights, or expanding the Empire’s field of vision through exchanges with other countries or the Continent. Furthermore, through its swift mobility, it is always ready to become the feet of the Empire.”
“So the Northern Region is a sturdy wall blocking the Barbarians, and the Eastern Region is the eyes that broaden our vision.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
The Crown Prince fell into thought for a moment upon hearing those words.
“A wall and eyes.”
The ones in charge of such roles had completely fallen for the Crown Princess of another Kingdom.
They were trying to give away everything produced in the country, so it was a wonder the Empire had even held out this long.
“It wouldn”t be strange if it collapsed right now. So just how strong did they set the Imperial Military Power to be?'
Since it was a country established from the start with the premise of “giving everything to the Maselin Kingdom”,
Its foundation, at least, could be seen as truly solid.
Because if she were set as the Princess of an overpowered country from the beginning, the fun of watching her grow would diminish.
It seemed the intention was to unfold the story by casting the Empire in the role of a pushover that showers her with growth resources.
'That’s not going to happen.'
The Protagonist of <I’m Full Because They Give Me Too Much> was a modern person who possessed another character.
She exhibited 21st-century-like behavior as a modern Female Protagonist acting in a Romance Fantasy Setting.
She was a character who captured the hearts of the handsome and cool Male Leads around her, making them shower her with their things, while she acted flustered receiving them.
“But recently, is there a Grand Duke who is neglecting that role?”
But now it’s going to be difficult.
Receiving things from the Empire won’t work out so well from now on.
“If you said you were full in the first place, then stop eating.”
Why on earth did she try to maintain the position of “Ah, I was just staying still, but people around me keep wanting me, looking for me, wow I”m so popular, I just want to live an ordinary life' from beginning to end.
I simply couldn’t understand it. Sure, it might be like that in the beginning, but isn’t it weird to keep maintaining that stance?
Later on, isn’t she doing it because she wants it to some extent too?
Anyway.
“…May I ask what you mean by saying they are neglecting their roles?”
“There could be cases where the wall of the Northern Region and the eyes of the Eastern Region fail to fulfill their roles and are of no help to the Empire, couldn’t there be?”
The very first thing I had to do right then was cut off the Grand Dukes who were doing their best to ruin the country.
The Crown Prince conveyed that intention to the Conference Room.
The eyes of the Nobles, realizing that this meant “Deprivation of Rank for the Grand Dukes”, grew so wide they looked like they would pop out.
Depriving a Grand Duke of his rank.
Was on a completely different level from simply depriving the Second Prince’s aides of their Noble ranks.
“If things go wrong, a war could break out…”
“Is His Royal Highness the Crown Prince even considering war…? Suddenly…? Why?”
Amidst the Nobles who couldn’t even speak properly due to the shock,
Only the Chancellor calmly responded to the Crown Prince’s words.
“The title of Grand Duke was originally bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor because the country is vast and the environments of the Northern Region, the Eastern Region, and The Center are different… in order to govern them more realistically.”
“What is it you are trying to say?”
“Therefore… if that realistic governance proves to be unrealistic… I mean that Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince can reclaim it at any time. Even if there is some damage in that reclamation, if you so desire…”
“Hahahahaha!”
At the Chancellor’s words, the Crown Prince laughed out loud.
The Nobles felt like they would go crazy from the fear of that laughter.
Always after that laughter, the Nobles would find themselves brought to their knees.
In fact, as soon as the Crown Prince laughed, the hands of the Imperial Guard Knights naturally moved to the hilts of their swords.
Lower yourselves.
The moment that single phrase dropped, they would no longer be able to stand on the Ground with their two legs.
If they wanted to live, they had to crawl.
If they wanted to walk the earth freely, they had to swear loyalty.
Do not harbor any other thoughts; they must spend the rest of their lives solely for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince.
They must never fall out of his favor.
Tens of thousands of thoughts.
Right around the time they dominated the minds of the Central Nobles, who were called the pillars of the Empire.
“Chancellor, anyone listening would think I am preparing for war. What do you mean by damage? You have a talent for speaking in a frightening way.”
“Th-this humble Servant overstepped his bounds.”
“Haha, no, no… Overstepped your bounds? The Chancellor was merely considering the worst-case scenario, wasn’t he.”
The conversation between the Crown Prince and the Chancellor continued once again.
As the conclusion of that conversation led in a direction that was not war.
'Phew.'
“Right, it”s not war.'
“What reason would there be for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the Grand Dukes to suddenly go to war?”
The nobles gathered at the Round Table Meeting made eye contact with each other and breathed sighs of relief.
“I am merely grateful for your broad generosity.”
No, they were about to.
“To think that damage would follow just from reclaiming a single Grand Duke title. Since they failed to recognize the grace of His Majesty the Emperor… I am trying to reclaim it, so isn’t it only right that they accept it properly?”
“H-h-hup!”
That is, if one of the nobles hadn’t gasped upon hearing the Crown Prince’s subsequent words as if vomiting out his breath.
“Haha, are my words that bewildering?”
“N-no! No! That is absolutely not the case!”
“Right, right… Therefore, I would like to give a homework assignment to the high officials who are the pillars of our Empire.”
“H-homework, you say?”
But the Crown Prince acted as if he didn’t even care about that much.
He calmly continued his words.
“I want to receive all information related to the Eastern Region, especially what kind of exchanges the Eastern Region is having with the Maselin Kingdom and what kind of stance it is taking.”
Scribble, scribble.
The Nobles hurriedly began taking notes so as not to miss a single thing the Crown Prince was saying.
Those who hadn’t brought writing instruments even used mana to engrave it on their clothes.
It was a scene completely opposite to the arrogant attitude of wizards, who usually don’t understand using Magic for trivial things.
“…Conduct a thorough investigation in each of your respective fields, especially on whether the Grand Duke of the East is truly and consistently working for the sake of the Empire.”
When would be good?
The Crown Prince pondered for a moment to think about the timeframe then said.
“Tomorrow morning, I would like to receive the report as soon as I wake up. That concludes the meeting. I don’t mind if those who have work to do get up first.”
He announced the end of the meeting along with the deadline.
Rumble, rumble.
As soon as they heard those words, the Nobles scrambled out the door of the Round Table Conference Room as if they had been waiting for it.
“Get out! I said get out!”
“Are you the only one busy? I’m busy too, I tell you!”
“Didn’t you see His Excellency the Chancellor rushing out? Time is gold! Time is gold!”
The Crown Prince watched the sight with satisfaction.
“It’s truly wonderful that our Empire seems to only have loyal subjects. If they aren’t loyal subjects, they aren’t nobles.”
He lightly spat out his review.
“Ah, come to think of it, I meant to lightly ask for some personal information about the Grand Duke of the East, but I forgot. Grand General, do you know anything?”
Then followed a brief conversation.
“…Hmm, I don’t know much either. I apologize.”
“What do you have to be sorry for? It’s my fault for asking unnecessarily.”
“However, from what I briefly heard, the Eastern Region’s Spirit Affinity is incredibly low. For some unknown reason, there are no Spirit masters at all, and it is said that spirits cannot be seen unless they directly reveal their power.”
“Ah, is that so?”
During that conversation, the Crown Prince’s ears perked up.
This was accompanied by a smile that showed he had heard some very interesting news.
+++++
At the time when the Central Nobles of the Empire were moving to observe the movements of the Eastern Region
“Your Highness the Grand Duke! Your Highness the Grand Duke! How can you abandon your duties and go on an adventure again!”
“Ey, you competent people can handle the work. What does it matter if I’m missing?”
“That one missing person is the Grand Duke, is he not? We need to start preparing the goods slowly to send to the Empire now.”
“That… how about we just send it roughly? Brother Crown Prince will understand everything anyway. We have a lot to send to Maselin! They’re struggling right now!”
The Grand Duke of the East, Kailen Marin, swept back his hair refreshingly and focused his gaze on the ocean view visible outside the window.
“The sea, how wonderful would it be if I could look at this sea together with Mirne, hm? Don’t you think so?”
“…Her Royal Highness Crown Princess Mirne does like the sea, but that’s not the point, you need to do your work!”
“No, no, I don’t want to do it. I just, um… want to explore the Sea Ruins today! And if I find something rare, I’ll secretly give it to Mirne!”
“Haa… Then I will handle the work at my own discretion again today.”
“Yeah, yeah, you do it, you competent fellow.”
Kailen’s interest was not in managing the Eastern Region.
He only wanted to win Mirne’s heart.
After meeting her by chance once in the past.
She, whom he frequently ran into like destiny, and was keeping in touch with.
The way she acted shy and genuinely tried not to accept it every time he gave her a gift was incredibly lovely.
“Mhm, she is the one who truly suits being my other half.”
Kailen was having such thoughts and dreaming of a rosy future with Mirne.
Ssssss.
The Wind Spirit, Silphiner, who had gotten a job as a silent drone, was keeping a close eye on Kailen.