Chapter 223
The eastern part of the Empire.
There is a territory there separate from the domains ruled by nobles.
The Dwarf Autonomous Territory.
It is an autonomous territory Father granted to the dwarves whose country had been destroyed by the Holy Kingdom.
The vast territory contains several mines, and the dwarves use the minerals they extract to create many masterpieces.
Those wares circulate throughout the Empire; people enchanted by their beauty pay for them, while craftsmen captivated by their techniques strive to outdo them.
The dwarves prosper, and the territory brings considerable profit to the Empire.
Father had successfully incorporated the displaced dwarves into the Empire.
I teleported to that Dwarf Autonomous Territory.
It is protected by the elite forces of the formidable dwarves. It is one of the safest places in the Empire, and a place governed by rules different from those of the Empire.
I knew Egor was there to protect Sonia and her family.
I teleported to an ordinary house.
When I took a step forward, I heard a voice behind me.
"Well, if it isn't you. If you've come, you could at least say hello."
"That's not something you can say after getting behind me without giving me a chance to say hello, Egor."
"I consider it part of my guard duties."
"I see. But isn't that excessive in the Dwarf Autonomous Territory?"
Dwarf warriors guard this place.
The Dwarf warriors, clad in masterpieces of their own making and fearless on the battlefield, possess several times the combat power of human knights.
The Holy Kingdom chose peace with the Empire and handed over Gianna because it feared this army of dwarves would come seeking revenge with the Empire's support.
With even Egor, an SS-rank adventurer, on alert in this autonomous territory, though, I suppose that qualifies as overprotective.
However.
"I don't usually stay this vigilant. But things are different now."
"Different?"
At that, I used a barrier to sense what was happening around me.
I immediately noticed that there were conspicuously few dwarves.
There were hardly any who could be called warriors.
"What happened?"
"The Dwarf King decided to invade the Holy Kingdom, so he is now leading an army at the eastern border."
"Why now?"
"Apparently, it's because he invited important figures from the Holy Kingdom to the ceremony. He said they could never reclaim their homeland by relying on the Empire as it is now. I tried to stop him, but he wouldn't listen."
Saying that, Egor sighed.
For the dwarves, reclaiming their homeland was a lifelong ambition.
So this action was not surprising. However, the timing was terrible.
"Do the dwarves really intend to invade?"
"Surely not. The Eastern Marshal is stopping them."
"The First Princess? Then we have nothing to worry about."
"Indeed. Apparently, she has also summoned the nearby nobles and is trying to persuade the Dwarf King."
"The nearby nobles? Duke Reinfelt?"
"I believe that noble's name was among them, too."
Egor added with a laugh that he had only heard it secondhand, so he couldn't be certain.
But I frowned at the feeling that something was off.
Would Liese-nee-san really summon Jürgen to the eastern border?
Jürgen was certainly an honorable man. Liese-nee-san wasn't suited to persuasion, and he was a good choice if they wanted to persuade the Dwarf King.
But would Liese-nee-san really resort to such a method?
It was highly suspicious. It made more sense that Jürgen had rushed there because he couldn't stand by and do nothing.
Perhaps that was what had really happened.
Even so, something nagged at me.
"Are you troubled by something?"
"Something like that. Something strange will happen in the Imperial Capital soon. Actually, it's already happening, and I'm stretched to my limit. I need your help."
"I owe you, so of course I'll help."
Saying that, Egor waited for me to speak.
The favor Egor owed me could be used only once. I had to use it carefully.
Where I sent this force would be crucial.
Should I have them come to the Imperial Capital? Or send them somewhere else?
After thinking for a while, I opened my mouth.
"Then... I would like you to head to the eastern border. If it comes to it, I want you to stop the Dwarf King by force."
"I don't mind, but I imagine the marshal will stop him even if I don't go."
"If it became known that you had clashed with the marshal, relations between the Empire and the dwarves would deteriorate. If public order worsened, adventurers would be called in. The Empire's adventurers don't have time to spare."
Adventurers were being called out to deal with problems occurring everywhere.
They were guarding merchants, exterminating monsters that had come out of the forests, and so on. Adventurers were busy now.
We couldn't afford any more problems.
Egor nodded deeply at my words.
"Yes, you have a point. Then I'll go. If I enter the fortress at the eastern border, the Holy Kingdom won't be able to act rashly."
"I'm glad you understand."
Egor had not participated in the war between the Dwarven nation and the Holy Kingdom. He was an adventurer, and, quite simply, he hadn't been there.
This time, however, he was nearby. Even if the Holy Kingdom thought an opening had appeared at the eastern border, it would be unable to act with Egor there.
If Egor's identity as a dwarf took precedence over his identity as an adventurer, any difference in military strength would become meaningless.
At worst, the Empire could face a counterinvasion.
That was another reason Egor's presence at the eastern border was significant.
"Then I'm counting on you."
"Very well, it's settled. But... you're a busy man. Don't you want to see that girl?"
"There's no need. You'll be by her side, won't you?"
"Of course. I need that girl to show me the way, or I won't be able to reach the eastern border."
Egor laughed heartily.
I smiled at him and teleported away from the spot.
Unfortunately, I didn't have time to linger.
I teleported to the Imperial Capital, then teleported farther west.
I was headed for Duke Kleinert's domain.
I teleported in front of the mansion and quietly appeared at the gate.
"Who are you!?"
"I'm Silver, an SS-rank adventurer. I've come to see Duke Kleinert."
"S-Silver!?"
The guard took a startled step backward.
The guard seemed shaken for a moment, but he soon came to his senses and opened the gate.
"M-My apologies! The duke ordered us to let you through without question!"
"Much appreciated."
Saying that, I passed through the gate and entered the mansion.
Even though it was already late at night, the mansion was bustling.
People were constantly hurrying back and forth, and each time they saw me, they flinched in surprise.
Why was it so noisy?
Wondering about that, I opened the door to Duke Kleinert's room.
"The knights stationed in the eastern part of the domain have been recalled."
"Get them moving faster. Have at least five thousand knights assembled by morning."
Duke Kleinert stood inside the room, dressed in armor.
When Duke Kleinert noticed me, he dismissed his retainer.
"Welcome, Silver. Unfortunately, I don't have time to welcome you. Can we make this brief?"
"That's convenient. I don't have much time either. But first, I have a question. What's all this commotion about?"
"It's simple. We received word from the western border that the Kingdom's army was behaving suspiciously. Moving an army during this ceremony is no ordinary matter. The western border garrison reached that conclusion and contacted me, asking for reinforcements if necessary."
"I see. The border garrison certainly lives up to its reputation. Impressive."
"I have a question as well. Why is the Kingdom's army moving? We have Saintess Leticia in our country."
"...Don't tell anyone I told you, all right?"
"Of course."
"――An assassination attempt against the Saintess occurred at the castle. The mastermind was a dark elf. Disguised as one of the elves who had come as guests, the dark elf infiltrated the castle."
"T-The Saintess was assassinated!?"
Duke Kleinert turned pale and rose from his chair.
I gestured with both hands for him to calm down.
"There's more."
"Tell me quickly..."
"The assassination was staged. The Saintess was abducted. Prince Leo is pursuing her now. The Kingdom is probably involved in this whole incident. The fact that its army is moving at this exact time is proof enough."
"...I feel like I could collapse at any moment."
Duke Kleinert looked up at the ceiling and placed a hand against his forehead.
Well, the moment she was abducted, things were far from all right.
If Leo failed, then regardless of how things had happened, the Empire would be made the villain.
Our relationship with the Kingdom would never recover.
"I'm sorry to bring this up while you're exhausted, but now for the main point."
"If I asked you not to, would you stop talking?"
"That's impossible. There are signs of a rebellion in the Imperial Capital."
"...Prince Gordon?"
"Exactly. It's still only a possibility, but the Imperial Capital has been left undermanned. If they're going to make a move, it will be tomorrow. I hope nothing happens, but if something does, there will be few people left to protect the Emperor."
"Very well. If a rebellion breaks out, I'll head to the Imperial Capital."
"I'm glad you understand so quickly. However, if it's a carefully planned rebellion, I won't be able to move either. I want you to make preparations anyway. Once I'm able to move, I'll clear the road to the Imperial Capital."
"That won't be a problem. We need to prepare for the Kingdom's army regardless. If we have time, I'll contact the other lords as well. If we head to the Imperial Capital, there will be no army left to go to the western border as reinforcements."
Saying that, Duke Kleinert swiftly laid out his plans for the future.
As expected of a duke trusted by the Emperor.
"Then I'll take my leave."
"Silver. I have one last question."
"What is it?"
"Was it Prince Arnold who sent you? Even you couldn't know the castle's inner workings so thoroughly. That prince is acting, isn't he?"
"What if he was?"
"No, I want you to deliver a message. Please look after my daughter."
His expression was genial, and his tone was suffused with trust.
"You seem to trust the Dull Prince quite a bit, don't you?"
"I don't care about other people's opinions. I trust the prince my daughter believes in from the bottom of my heart."
"I see... I'll pass that along."
Saying that, I gave a faint smile and opened a teleportation gate.
Like father, like daughter.
Thinking that, I returned to the Imperial Capital.