Chapter 19
Three days have passed since the commotion.
Among all the Emperor's children, I was the last to arrive in Kiel.
Though the other children had not made it in time for the defensive battle, they had continued riding alongside the knights and were apparently almost all assembled by that evening.
"They'll make fun of you again."
"Let them. Let them."
While Sebas and I exchanged that conversation in the carriage, I got out in front of the mansion.
Unusually, there were people waiting to greet me.
"Brother...!"
"Oh, Krista. What's wrong?"
"I was scared..."
Krista, clutching her rabbit plushie as usual, toddled over and hugged me.
After stroking her head several times, I took her by the hand and headed inside.
The people who had come out to greet me were Fiene, Leo, and...
"Welcome home, Al."
"Welcome home, Prince Alnolt."
"Yeah. I'm home."
Erna and her subordinates had lined up to greet me.
As far as I could tell, none of them were injured. I let out a relieved sigh and turned toward Leo.
"Erna and her people were expected, but how did you make it in time too?"
"Silver helped us."
"As expected of an SS-rank adventurer. He's a decent fellow."
"Al, what makes you think a man like that is decent?"
Erna wore a dissatisfied expression.
I shrugged and answered her.
"He saved the Empire, didn't he?"
"That was just a whim. I can tell."
"A whim is fine. We were saved, after all. Right, Krista?"
"Yeah."
"See?"
"I-it's not fair to gang up on me with Princess Krista!"
We made our way into the mansion while continuing that conversation.
At one point, my eyes met Fiene's, and she returned a gentle smile. I suppose she meant that she could wait her turn. Choosing to interpret it in the most convenient way, I continued deeper into the mansion with Krista, who still had not let go of my hand.
I had informed them in advance that Father would begin the meeting as soon as I arrived.
But then...
"You're late returning, Alnolt. What have you been doing?"
"Oh, Brother Erich. Since I had no knights accompanying me, I was waiting for someone to come and meet me. I apologize for my late arrival."
"There's no need to apologize. You don't actually feel sorry, do you?"
A blue-haired man in glasses.
Second Prince Erich stood in our way.
Even through his glasses, his eyes were as cold and calculating as ever. They were the eyes of someone who judged everything except himself by whether it had value.
Perhaps frightened by those eyes, Krista hid behind me.
"I do. To some extent."
"That was a poor choice of words. You don't feel sorry to us, do you? That's the kind of person you are."
"Well, if you put it that way, I suppose you're right. I don't feel sorry. I haven't caused you any trouble."
I only feel sorry for those close to me.
I didn't feel sorry for my other siblings, including Erich, or even for Father.
Erich smiled at my answer.
"As I expected, you're interesting, Alnolt. Sending Erna on ahead was a good decision. Make similarly sound decisions from now on. If you are valuable to me, I won't treat either you or Leonart badly."
"You make it sound as if you're the Emperor already."
"I am the next Emperor. No matter how hard you, Gordon, or Zandra try, that fact won't change. Remember it well."
Having said that, Erich swept his gaze over us before stopping at Leo.
Leo met his gaze head-on.
That's right. There was no reason to be intimidated, even if our opponent was Erich.
"Don't get carried away."
"I'll bear that in mind, Brother Erich."
Erich turned on his heel and headed deeper into the mansion, but we did not move an inch.
That had been a declaration of war.
This time, it would be fair to say that both of us had earned credit. I had sent Erna ahead as quickly as possible, while Leo had led the knights here.
Silver had helped us, but credit was still credit.
Erich had declared that he would crush us if we got carried away.
So even the leading candidate to become the next Emperor could no longer ignore us. Still, it was probably only a warning. There was no way a man like him would use such a simple tactic to crush us.
Once we grew more powerful, I thought he would have us clash with Gordon and Zandra. That's what I would do.
"Brother..."
"What is it? Were you scared?"
"Don't worry. He won't do anything to you, Krista. Or to us, either."
Krista nodded, and I gave her a wry smile as we continued on.
"Oh, Leo. If Father asks you a question like this, answer him this way."
On the way, I whispered something to Leo.
His eyes widened, but I pressed him for confirmation.
"Got it?"
"Are you sure this will be all right?"
"Yes. Only you can say it, and it will help Father."
■■■
Father had stayed in Kiel after the commotion and was directing reconstruction efforts in the east. But that was only a pretext. The tsunami had not caused much damage.
What Father was really doing was investigating who had been involved in the commotion.
And since that investigation had apparently made progress, he had waited until my arrival to gather the children and the Imperial Guard knights.
"Good work, everyone."
Father's face was clearly exhausted.
He was no longer young, yet he had gone to the battlefield and then worked for several days without rest. It was only natural that he was tired. On top of that, he had probably learned that his foolish son was deeply involved in the whole affair.
"I gathered you here because you have the right to know. What I am about to say must go no farther. Last night, Carlos, who was gravely wounded, regained consciousness. When shown the evidence collected over the past few days, he admitted that he had been connected to the pair of vampires. Apparently, he promised to lift the bounty placed on them in exchange for their using the flute they possessed to hunt monsters, taking first place at the festival, and withdrawing once Carlos arrived in Kiel. Utterly foolish!"
"In other words... The monster outbreak was Carlos's scheme from the beginning?"
"That's right. More precisely, the vampires merely used him, but for his own gain, he put me—and the entire Empire—in danger. Such a thing cannot be forgiven!"
Father's eyes were bloodshot when he said that. He must have been absolutely furious.
Yet Erich knelt before him and begged for mercy.
"Your Imperial Majesty, I humbly beg you to show mercy. Foolish though he is, he is my brother."
It was a transparent performance.
Gordon and Zandra followed suit.
They weren't pleading out of compassion. Nor were they doing it because an investigation would cause them trouble.
They knew that was what the Emperor wanted.
If he had meant to kill Carlos, he would have done so already. He had gone to the trouble of gathering everyone and displaying his anger because he could not simply pardon Carlos on his own authority.
He could pardon Carlos because Erich and the others had asked him to. Otherwise, the Emperor could not preserve his dignity.
Besides, there was no need to kill Carlos.
Sam's attack had taken Carlos's right hand and left his lower body paralyzed. He would be bedridden for the rest of his life. Even Father, apparently, could not bring himself to kill a son in such a state.
But this was a problem.
If everyone begged for Carlos's life, it would look as though the Emperor had given in to their pleas. That would be bad for appearances.
"Leonart. You were the one who contributed most this time. What do you think?"
"Then allow me to speak. He should not be forgiven. He should be beheaded."
Everyone's face froze at that moment.
The most unbelievable words had come from the least likely person.
Even Father himself looked quite surprised.
"...Why do you think so? He is your brother."
"Before he is my brother, he is a traitor to the Empire. If we forgive him here, it will set a terrible precedent. Besides, how am I supposed to explain this to the knights who shed their blood?"
"I will not tell the people or ordinary knights. This matter will remain confined to this room. You needn't concern yourself with it."
"That won't do. He should be beheaded, and the truth should be told. We should show the people within and beyond the Empire that Your Majesty is just. That even a son will be punished if he commits a crime. Only then will the people's hearts be at peace."
Leo said it firmly.
Now there were two opinions. Either choice would create friction.
In other words, Father had an excuse.
He could spare Carlos without slighting Leo. Thus, even though Leo and Gordon were tied, Leo could be appointed plenipotentiary ambassador.
That had to be exactly the outcome Father wanted.
As I savored Father's dilemma, he glanced at me. When he saw my relaxed expression, his face took on an irritated look.
"Did you put him up to this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Sigh... Well, fine. Respecting Erich and the others' wishes, Carlos will be spared. But Leonart, I am not ignoring you, either."
With that, Father summoned Leo before him.
Leo stepped forward reverently and knelt.
Father held out his own sword to him.
Leo accepted it.
"I hadn't prepared anything, so this will have to do. Leonart, I declare you the winner of this festival. Carlos is disqualified, and Alnolt, who placed second, is disqualified as well. Third place is a tie between Leonart and Gordon. However, Leonart led the knights here and is popular in the east. Declaring Leonart the winner will suppress any discontent. Understood, Gordon?"
"...As Your Imperial Majesty commands."
Gordon bowed, his face twisted with frustration.
His voice was trembling, so he must have been deeply frustrated.
But he could not object. He had no grounds for doing so.
Amid all this, Erna stepped forward.
"Your Imperial Majesty, please permit me to make a petition."
"What is it?"
"Please revoke Prince Alnolt's disqualification. He was disqualified for dispatching knights. It was an act that deserves praise. The stigma of disqualification is too harsh."
"Please! Your Imperial Majesty!"
Erna's subordinates knelt after her.
Father closed his eyes at the sight.
And then...
"Alnolt... You 'accidentally' broke the bracelet, correct?"
"Yes. I broke it by accident."
"Then I cannot revoke your disqualification. If you had broken it intentionally and sent Erna, it might merit consideration, but rules are rules. Leonart is the winner."
Erna looked at me as if she could not believe it, but I ignored her.
Even if I claimed that I had intentionally sent Erna and had my disqualification revoked, I would not become the plenipotentiary ambassador.
At most, I would receive a few words of praise. As Father had just said, Leo was being declared the winner because he was popular in the east.
No one would accept it from me.
So I was content to be the foolish prince who had accidentally broken his bracelet and missed out on victory.
That was what I had thought, but...
"However, it is also true that Erna saved us. In other words, Alnolt's mistake saved me. I will reward him for that mistake."
"Huh?"
"I appoint Alnolt as assistant to the ambassador. Assist Leonart."
"...F-Father?"
"I'm the Emperor, Alnolt."
"Um... I, uh... I lack the ability..."
"Leave everything to Leonart. It's time you took on at least one job and proved that you can do something, too. This matter is settled. I will make the official announcement tomorrow. Everyone, rest until then."
With that, Father rose from his chair.
As he left, he gave me a mischievous smile, as if a prank had succeeded.
That old man... He did this on purpose...!
Damn it! My plans have gone completely off course!?
If Leo and I go abroad, who will command our faction!?
Seriously!?
While I stood stunned by this unexpected turn of events, my rivals had looks on their faces that said, 'Serves you right.'
This is bad... Somehow, I have to do something, or our faction will be wiped out while we're away.
"That's wonderful, Al!"
"..."
"What's wrong, Al?"
"You really need to stay away from me..."
"Why!?"
Holding my forehead, I shooed away the delighted Erna.
But I knew better. It wasn't Erna's fault.
It was exactly as I had expected that Erna would try to revoke my disqualification. What I had not expected was Father's reaction.
Father had acted unexpectedly because I had been too complacent. He must have been annoyed because I had acted as if I had him in the palm of my hand.
This was entirely my fault...
With my head in my hands over this outrageous turn of events, I brought the meeting to a close.