Chapter 112
"Honestly, that was reckless."
"I'm sorry..."
When the meeting ended and I returned to my room, I said that to Fine.
Fine looked apologetic as well.
If possible, I hadn't wanted to put her in danger.
"Well, now that you've volunteered, it can't be helped. As the Chancellor said, you really are the right person for the job. We'll do our best to keep you safe."
"I'm sorry for causing you trouble..."
"It's all right. I understand why you did it."
Wanting to do something in this situation was very much like Fine.
This time, her feelings simply happened to align with a number of advantages.
It wasn't something I could blame her for.
"Arnold-sama."
With those words, Sebas appeared without a sound.
I had asked Sebas to gather information while I was away from the Imperial Capital, but it seemed he had come this time for a somewhat different purpose.
"What is it, Sebas?"
"Some very dependable guests have arrived at just the right time."
With that, Sebas opened the door.
Two familiar faces stood there.
"It's been a long time, Prince Arnold."
"Duke Rheinfeld! And..."
It was Jurgen.
As always, he entered the room wearing a smile that put people at ease.
A brown-haired girl dressed like a boy followed quietly behind him.
"Linfia."
"Lieselotte-sama told me to leave my sisters in her care. From now on, I intend to wield my sword for both princes to repay her kindness."
"You haven't changed. But I'm glad you're back. We needed someone of your skill right now."
"I heard the details from Sebas-san. I hear Fine-sama will be going as well."
"Yes. I thought there was something I could do."
Linfia stared at Fine, then gave her a soft smile.
She said firmly,
"That sounds just like you, Fine-sama. Please rest assured. I will lend you what aid I can, however little it may be."
"Yes!"
"Our forces are looking much better now."
In addition to Sebas and Sieg, there was Linfia, along with the elite members of the Nelve Ritter, including Lars.
With Leo leading them, our chances of success would be much higher if we could successfully infiltrate the enemy's stronghold.
"However, I presume the idea of posing as envoys did not originate with Prince Leonart. It was your idea, Prince Arnold?"
"Yes. Elna told me I had a nasty personality."
"Ha-ha-ha! A knight would certainly see it that way. But could it damage Prince Leonart's reputation?"
"I've thought of that, too."
Fine will go as the envoy, with Leo leading her escort.
The South will almost certainly accept this envoy.
After all, she would be an imperial envoy bearing the Emperor's edict. If they rejected her, all negotiations with them in the future would end. The southern nobles could not accept that.
Even if the South joined forces, the balance of power overwhelmingly favored the Empire. If they wanted to extract concessions, they had no choice but to accept her this time.
"His Majesty is sending an envoy to the Southern Coalition. But the message is actually a final warning to Duke Kruger. It will say that he will be punished if he does not bow. Fine will deliver that message. If this falls apart and they attack us, the fault will lie with them."
"But I assume they will confirm the terms of the negotiations before you leave?"
"We'll prepare two letters and switch them at the last moment. If they refuse this letter, they will be subject to punishment. What began as deceiving them with an envoy will suddenly become punishment for a rebellious subject. Other countries will have no grounds to criticize us, and both the Empire's and Leo's reputations will remain intact."
In the first place, the relationship between the Emperor and the southern nobles was that of lord and subjects. They were not in a position to negotiate as equals. The southern nobles were ultimately the ones who received unilateral orders.
The southern nobles had risen in revolt and would mistakenly assume that the Emperor was willing to sit at the same table, but the Emperor had no intention of making concessions. He was sending Fine in order to deliver a final warning to Duke Kruger.
That's how it would play out. This was a ploy that could be used precisely because, unlike negotiations with foreign countries where the parties stood as equals, it was clear who ranked higher here.
Some factions in foreign countries might harbor a degree of distrust, but no nation would treat it as a problem on a national level.
"I see. That certainly sounds like something Prince Arnold would say."
"I would have preferred to take a more straightforward approach, but this was the only option."
"That would be true if we had let them take the initiative. But this time, you moved first and took back control. That is what matters most. However, control can pass into someone else's hands over something trivial. Are you sure there will be no problem with information control?"
That was a question worthy of Jurgen.
I nodded firmly in response.
"The Imperial Capital Guard is thoroughly checking everyone entering and leaving the capital."
"Is that all?"
"No. I asked the House of the Marquis of Valor to seal off the routes to the South. With knights from that house stationed everywhere, even a highly skilled infiltrator couldn't break through."
As far as this civil war with the South is concerned, the succession struggle is barely a factor.
Since the Emperor had already adopted our plan, there would be no problem with the House of the Marquis of Valor helping prevent information from reaching the South.
The likelihood of the information leaking was extremely low.
I had concerns, but I was already thinking of ways to address them.
"You have made preparations, then. In that case, I have nothing more to say. Is there anything I can do to help?"
"Yes. Do you intend to remain in the Imperial Capital for a while?"
"Yes, I do."
"Then could you use the duke's connections to get some merchants moving?"
"I can do that, but how would you like me to proceed?"
"Even if only temporarily, the South has turned against the Empire. We are concerned that public order will deteriorate, which could also lead to food shortages. I want you to prepare for that."
"I see. That is precisely the sort of work I enjoy. Consider it done."
Jurgen said this with a fresh smile.
If Jurgen and the demi-human merchant guild mobilized, we could secure a fair amount of manpower.
If we hired adventurers as guards, it would at least get some money circulating.
If necessary, I wouldn't hesitate to use the money I had earned as Silver.
It wasn't as simple as defeating Duke Kruger and declaring the matter over. If anything, what came afterward would be more difficult.
"Oh, Fine-sama. Here."
As if she'd just remembered, Linfia handed Fine a whistle.
I could tell just by looking at it. It was a very high-rank magic item.
"What is this?"
"I received it from an old dwarf who had gotten lost. He said that if you blew the whistle, the sound would reach your allies."
"Isn't that an extremely valuable item?"
"You need it more than I do, Fine-sama."
With that, Linfia placed the whistle in Fine's hands.
Fine looked at me uncertainly, but I nodded quietly.
If Fine blew it, she would certainly be in dire straits. In that situation, there would be no problem with me going to her as Silver—and even if there were, I could not simply ignore it.
I would surely throw everything aside and go to her.
"I'd feel safer if you had it, too, Fine."
"...All right. I'll hold on to it for now."
Fine said this and carefully accepted the whistle from Linfia.
But a lost dwarf. An old one, at that.
For an instant, I thought of someone in particular, but I quickly reconsidered.
I had never heard of that person being in the Empire, and there was no way they could be here.
Well, even if they were here by some unlikely chance, they would never cooperate with the southern nobles, and they would not show themselves this time.
Still, I should keep it in mind. That person was someone whose mere presence in the Empire would cause a major incident.
"I'll get to work right away."
"I'll go to Leo-sama as well."
Jurgen immediately set to work, while Fine headed to Leo's side with Linfia.
Only Sebas and I remained.
"A report?"
"Yes. It seems Sonia-dono is being coerced by someone holding a hostage. I only overheard the conversation, but apparently her adoptive father was a military man once known as a genius strategist."
"I see. That makes her actions understandable."
She had been maneuvering in a way that would secure a certain degree of success no matter how things turned out.
That was the sort of move one would expect from an intelligent person.
But perhaps that was precisely why she had misread Gordon.
He couldn't be measured by ordinary standards. He would probably use some outrageous method this time as well.
"We'll set Sonia's matter aside for now. We don't have enough leeway to deal with it."
"Understood. Then I will remain at Leonart-sama's side. What do you intend to do from here, Arnold-sama?"
"We've nearly cut off the flow of information. But someone who might leak information is about to leave the Imperial Capital."
"I see... Prince Gordon?"
"Yes. I'll keep an eye on him. We have no idea what he'll do. Sorry, but I'm counting on you to handle Leo. I'll rush over if necessary, but I suspect there will be trouble on this side too."
As I thought about that, I had already begun considering what sort of move Gordon would make.