Edmund

The day after Al went on a rampage.

The castle was thrown into utter chaos.

This was because, in addition to the large number of people arrested, their relatives and associates had crowded into the castle.

The Minister of Justice and his subordinates were left scrambling to deal with it.

The outcry reached the Emperor, but since he had already told Al to do as he pleased, he took the position that he had no intention of interfering in this matter.

Amid the chaos in the castle, Alois was speaking with nobles he had recently gotten to know.

"But can it really be true? That Dregs Prince would take action like this?"

"I was wondering the same thing. It's unlike that prince at all."

The young nobles around Alois had all declined to join the White Gull Alliance and were calmly watching the current disturbance from the sidelines.

Alois told them what impression Al had made on him.

"Based on my impression when I met him, it isn't particularly surprising."

"What do you mean, Count Simmel?"

"I mean exactly that. I met Prince Arnold recently, and he was nothing like the dissolute prince I'd heard about in the rumors. He had an indescribable presence... To be honest, I found him frightening."

"You, who drove back ten thousand Imperial soldiers, found him that frightening...?"

"Does that mean Prince Arnold is the real thing? If so, our family's course of action from here on will have to change."

The other nobles nodded at the words of one young noble.

Alois tilted his head at that.

"What do you mean?"

"Prince Leonart has remarkable talent and the stature to match, but... he's simply too kind. I'm not the only one who thinks so. Many nobles believe he may be unable to make difficult decisions."

"Difficult decisions... In terms of decisiveness, he seems to have that..."

"He is decisive, yes. But difficult... no, ruthless decisions—I don't think he can make them. That was the sticking point. But if Prince Arnold is the real thing, that concern disappears. Prince Arnold need only support Prince Leonart."

With that, the young nobles began discussing the upcoming struggle for the throne.

With Zandra gone, there were three candidates for the throne. Erik still had the advantage, but those around him included people who had followed him for many years, leaving no room for newcomers to force their way in.

That made Leonart the one to watch most closely.

As the field of candidates narrowed, the nobles were carefully trying to decide whom they should support.

As Alois admired Al's strategy, wondering whether he had intended this effect as well, someone called out to him from behind.

"Count Simmel."

"Yes?"

Alois turned at the sound of his name and saw a tall old man. Judging by his appearance, he was in his late fifties or early sixties. His complexion looked somewhat unwell.

Alois had never seen him before, but the man's clothing and bearing marked him as a high-ranking noble, so he bowed.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alois von Simmel."

"The pleasure is mine, and forgive me for approaching you so suddenly. I am Edmund von Weitling."

"Marquis Weitling?"

"Formerly. I have already ceded the title to my son and am retired. Most people call me the Elder Weitling."

"I see. Then, Elder Weitling, what can I do for you?"

The young nobles who had been speaking beside Alois noticed Edmund and straightened up.

He had once been a powerful man who served the current Emperor as one of his senior ministers. Had his health not deteriorated, he would probably still hold a prominent position in the Empire.

To the young nobles, he was a figure from a world above the clouds.

But he had retired long ago and had not appeared on the public stage for years. Why had he come out now?

Alois guessed it had to be related to his son, and he was not mistaken.

"I wanted to confirm something. Is it true that you found Prince Arnold frightening when you met him?"

"Yes. He was very different from the image I'd heard in the rumors."

"I see... So different that he seemed like an entirely different person?"

"Yes. That's right."

Edmund nodded several times at Alois's answer, then left with a smile like one reserved for a grandchild.

The young nobles, feeling the tension drain away, breathed sighs of relief, but Alois continued thinking without paying them any mind.

Something seemed to be nagging at Edmund.

Perhaps he had noticed something Alois himself had failed to.

Alois continued his train of thought.

Could Alois be involved, without realizing it, in a scheme of which he knew nothing?

Grau might well do something like that. With that thought in mind, Alois continued turning the matter over in his head.

■■■

"It has been a long time, Your Majesty."

"Indeed, it has, Edmund."

Emperor Johannes smiled nostalgically.

It had been several years since Edmund had retired, citing poor health. This was the first time he had visited the castle since then.

But there was no time to simply reminisce.

It was obvious that he had come to the castle on urgent business.

"I have come to apologize. I am sorry that my son has caused such a disturbance in the Imperial capital. It is a failing on my part as his father."

"You have nothing to apologize for. If a son's actions were his father's responsibility, then I would have to apologize as well."

"...Prince Arnold is not in the wrong. He may be rash and heavy-handed, but considering his position as a member of the imperial family, my sons are the ones at fault."

"Hmm... I know that. That is precisely why I cannot interfere."

At Johannes's words, Edmund gave a wry smile and shook his head.

"I did not come here to make an unreasonable request. I understand your position, Your Majesty. I will do what I can in my own way, so please rest assured."

"I'm sorry."

Johannes offered a brief apology and sighed.

Then, with a wry smile, he broached the subject.

"When we were young, I never imagined our sons would end up quarreling."

"Indeed. I thought I had drilled good manners into him, but it seems I was too lenient."

"Arnold is unusual. Even I am surprised by what happened this time. He's not the sort to make a problem bigger than it is. That's why I gave him the ring, but..."

Johannes sighed again and muttered, "This was a miscalculation."

Seeing Johannes like that, Edmund voiced his doubts.

"From Your Majesty's perspective... Does Prince Arnold seem different from usual this time?"

"Yes, he is. Rash and heavy-handed—those are the last words I would use to describe him. He is always so unflappable, and he never shows anger. Did something truly infuriate him, or is there some other reason? I don't know either."

Johannes sank deeper into the throne, looking troubled.

The struggle for the throne had been put on hold, and now it was a conflict between the imperial family and the nobility.

"To be honest, I don't have that much time to spare."

"I apologize once again, Your Majesty... Would you hear me out?"

"What is it?"

"I know Prince Arnold as well. There is even a rumor spreading through the castle that people are afraid of him now, and that raises a question for me. No matter how much they mocked or denigrated him, he always let it wash over him. Would someone like that really show enough emotion to frighten others?"

"What are you trying to say? That's an old bad habit of yours, you know? Stop being so roundabout."

"Yes. Rash and heavy-handed describe Prince Leonart much more accurately than Prince Arnold."

Johannes narrowed his eyes at those words.

It would have been easy to dismiss the idea as impossible.

But the conversation he had had with Arnold, when Arnold came to visit his room, flashed through Johannes's mind.

"...Arnold calls me Father, especially when no one else is around. But..."

"You have thought of something, then?"

"If they had switched places, it would be too perfect. Could they really have managed it?"

"I don't know. But rather than Prince Arnold having changed, it makes more sense that Prince Leonart is pretending to be Prince Arnold. Besides, would Prince Leonart really leave the Imperial capital when Prince Arnold was in danger?"

"That is true, but... if that is the case, what should we do?"

Johannes was still only half-convinced, but if that were true, this was not a conflict between the Dregs Prince, who was always mocked, and the nobility. It would be a conflict between a candidate for the throne and the nobility.

If it dragged on, it could drive a serious rift between the future ruler and his subjects.

"We must seek reconciliation immediately. By whatever means necessary."

"There may be no other choice..."

"Your Majesty... If Prince Leonart was pretending to be Prince Arnold, then not only my son but I as well may be beyond forgiveness. So... please consider this our final conversation."

"Don't say such foolish things. No matter how much authority I've entrusted him with, I won't let him go that far. The lives of my subjects are my responsibility. I won't let my son do as he pleases."

"Thank you. But if it is Prince Leonart, we must preserve appearances. If blood must be shed, please let it be only my son and me. My two daughters will serve Your Majesty. Please protect them."

"...I won't let that happen, but understood."

"You have my gratitude."

With that, Edmund bowed deeply.

Then he rose smoothly to his feet.

"Then I shall take my leave. I must find a way to bring about reconciliation."

"Yes. Take care of yourself."

"I will."

With that, Edmund left the room, then the castle.

He had already contacted the parents of the principal nobles who had joined the White Gull Alliance.

They had to decide on a course of action and act effectively.

"Cough, cough..."

Having walked around for the first time in ages, he began to cough.

Even so, Edmund did not stop walking.

He had helped build the Empire as it now stood alongside Johannes and Franz.

He was determined that he would not let his own son destroy it.