Chapter 54
That is the situation, Your Majesty. It was all caused by my daughter, and I bear responsibility for taking my eyes off her.
The Duke of Valor went before the Emperor, who was conferring with his senior ministers about what to do next, and bowed his head as he spoke.
Elna bowed beside him as well.
The senior ministers responded by voicing their complaints about Al one after another.
“If that was the case, he should have just said so clearly...”
“The House of Valor's honor is important, but the honor of the imperial family is more important than that! Yet because it happened in front of the ambassador, we can't suddenly claim that it was all a misunderstanding!”
“He has made everything so complicated... They'll come at us aggressively now, claiming this was an imperial blunder. If the duke is responsible for what his daughter did, then the Emperor is responsible for what the prince did. Why can't he understand that!?”
“In the first place, it was Prince Arnold who made the ventilation shaft passable. Isn't that alone a serious problem? What in the world is that prince thinking? Honestly!”
“The problem is no longer that the Jewel was broken. The fact that a member of the imperial family broke it is what remains. If they ask whether we have any intention of forming a friendship, we won't be able to say a word in reply!”
The accusations against Al came from every side.
Elna wanted to say that she was the one at fault, not him. But she also knew that she was in no position to say such a thing.
So she endured it in silence, tears welling in her eyes.
Watching Elna, the Emperor sighed.
“I knew Arnold was shielding someone. I never imagined it was the Duke of Valor's daughter, though.”
“You knew, Your Majesty?”
At the duke's question, the Emperor nodded once.
“The box containing the Jewel is fitted with defensive magic. No matter how fine his sword is, Arnold could never have cut it. That was why I asked him to confirm it. Even then, he insisted that he had done it himself. I could not simply do nothing with the ambassador watching. It could not be helped.”
The Emperor sighed deeply and leaned back against the throne.
The plan they started with had fallen apart. Even if they prepared another Jewel, the Holy Empire would not accept it. They would use this incident involving a member of the imperial family as leverage and demand something like a mine.
That said, if they had suggested investigating it on the spot, the ambassador would have looked at them suspiciously. Even if the investigation found that Elna had honestly done it and they told him so, he would not believe them. It was obvious he would refuse to believe them.
With Al there, they had no other choice. Knowing that, the Emperor had Al thrown in prison.
“Duke of Valor. That is how things stand. I'm sorry, but even if Elna honestly came forward, it would serve no purpose. We can no longer pardon Arnold.”
“No...!”
Elna cried out before she could stop herself.
Everyone present turned their eyes toward Elna.
Exposed to the cold gazes of the adults, Elna flinched, but she did not look away.
Amid all this, a woman entered the room.
“Those aren't the sort of looks one should direct at a small child.”
The woman who spoke those words first was dressed in a black gown and had black hair.
She was Mitsuba, the Emperor's Sixth Consort and Al's mother.
Of all places, why did she have to come here?
The senior ministers all frowned at once. They were certain that, as his mother, Mitsuba would demand that Al be released from prison.
Contrary to their expectations, however, Mitsuba said nothing and simply approached Elna.
“Are you the young lady from the House of Valor?”
“Y-yes...”
“You did well to tell the truth. You're a good girl. If that boy went to prison in your place, I'm sure he would have had no regrets.”
As she spoke, Mitsuba smiled and gently stroked Elna's head.
The ministers' eyes widened at the sight, while the Emperor smiled wryly.
“L-Lady Mitsuba... You didn't come because of Prince Arnold?”
“I only came because I was summoned. I have no intention of saying anything about Al. That boy thought things through in his own way and shielded this child. In that case, it's only natural that he should receive the punishment she was supposed to receive. He knew that when he protected her. It is his responsibility.”
“Th-that is true, but...”
“Besides, what would it accomplish for me to beg Your Majesty's forgiveness and have Al released from prison? He made up his mind to protect a girl, only to end up being rescued by his mother. That would completely ruin his dignity. Al saved this child by his own decision. The credit belongs to him. I have no intention of taking credit for my child's achievement. And if Al regrets his actions while he is in prison, I think that will be good for him too. He will realize how difficult it is to protect someone, and he will understand that he has always lived in a privileged environment.”
The ministers were at a loss for words at Mitsuba's arguably cold way of thinking.
It was abnormal that Mitsuba could calmly say that it was her son's responsibility even after her own son—a prince, no less—had been thrown into prison.
Most of the consorts the ministers knew were women who adored their children beyond reason.
“I was the one who called Mitsuba here. If you were going to plead for him, I intended to release Arnold from prison.”
“There is no need. I always let that boy do as he pleases. Whenever I do, I always tell him that he is responsible for his own actions. If he chooses to play instead of study, that is his choice. But if he fails to gain any knowledge because of it, that is his responsibility. If people criticize or ridicule him, that is his responsibility too. This is no different. He acted under his own responsibility. As a result, he shielded this child and was put in prison. Everything is his responsibility.”
“Whew... You mean to tell me not to forgive him.”
The Emperor scratched his head awkwardly.
As Emperor, he could not afford to show leniency toward his child. That was why he had called Al's mother, Mitsuba. If she pleaded for him, the Emperor could claim that he had no choice but to relent.
In reality, however, it was the Emperor who wanted to forgive Al and release him, while Mitsuba was the one insisting that he remain in prison.
Such an arrangement would have been unthinkable with any other consort.
“Lady Mitsuba, with all due respect, this educational policy of letting him do as he pleases is what has caused today's situation. Please do not allow the prince so much freedom.”
“What problem is there? We can simply order another Jewel for the Holy Empire's ambassador. Compared with the other princes and princesses, Al is an inexpensive child. I believe he has saved the treasury at least the cost of one Jewel.”
The Foreign Minister's cheek twitched at her outrageous remark.
Many ministers and nobles looked down on Mitsuba, who had originally been a dancer. Though they maintained proper etiquette on the surface, inwardly they thought of her as nothing more than an upstart.
If Mitsuba were more restrained, the ministers could respond to her with smiles as well. But Mitsuba was a woman who could hardly be called restrained, even as a compliment.
“This is not a matter of money. The Holy Empire's ambassador is no longer satisfied with the Jewel alone.”
“Then ask him to leave.”
“Sigh... How foolish of me to discuss politics with Lady Mitsuba.”
It was nearly an insult directed at a consort in front of the Emperor himself.
The Foreign Minister's remark was so outrageous that Franz, the Chancellor, was about to reprimand him, but the Emperor stopped him with a hand.
Then he looked at Mitsuba with evident interest.
“Politics, is it? It is true that I know little about politics. However, if I were a minister, I would not support a war based on such an optimistic outlook. It was obvious that the Albatross Duchy, which has friendly relations with the Perlan Kingdom, would support it by sea if war broke out with Perlan. The front lines have cut their supply routes countless times, only for the supplies sent by sea to render those efforts futile. We should have restrained the Albatross Duchy through diplomacy and concluded a nonaggression pact with the Socal Empire before starting anything. I cannot imagine supporting a war without making those preparations first.”
“Th-that...”
“Of course, even I, who know nothing about politics, can understand that much. The brilliant Foreign Minister must have known it as well. Naturally, you must also have anticipated the situation we face now. Surely you have more options than simply pursuing weak diplomacy with the Socal Empire. Would you be so kind as to teach someone as ignorant of politics as I am how to resolve this situation?”
“...I-I misspoke. Please forgive me...”
The Foreign Minister bowed his head as he spoke.
Half the ministers looked at him sympathetically. The other half looked at him as though he were a fool.
Mitsuba had traveled throughout foreign lands, making her especially knowledgeable among the consorts. She was not a woman who had been raised sheltered within a household. Anyone who mistook her for an ordinary consort was bound to suffer a painful backlash.
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction at Mitsuba's sharp retort.
But this time, Mitsuba turned her tongue toward the Emperor.
“Your Majesty. Since this is a good opportunity, I would like to say something.”
“U-um, yes... What is it?”
“Act like an emperor. I never agreed to become the wife of a man who constantly worries about other countries' reactions.”
The Emperor frowned at her cutting words, while Franz pressed a hand to his forehead beside him.
Mitsuba spoke to the two of them.
“The Chancellor was the one who proposed giving the Socal Empire the Jewel to buy us time, wasn't he?”
“That is correct, Lady Mitsuba.”
“Given the Empire's circumstances, it was a reasonable decision. But weak diplomacy only emboldens the other side. Since Your Majesty took the throne, the Empire has never wavered from an assertive stance. If we show weakness now, I believe it will lead to unnecessary misunderstandings.”
“You are quite right. However, we cannot afford to come to blows with the Holy Empire until we have concluded a truce with the Perlan Kingdom.”
“Then send the Foreign Minister there and have him conclude a truce immediately.”
At the unexpected nomination, the Foreign Minister's eyes widened.
Mitsuba's words made it clear that she would not let him claim he could not do it. Once war began, securing a diplomatic channel with the enemy was the Foreign Minister's duty.
“They may take advantage of our situation.”
“That would still be better than allowing the conflict to become a quagmire. Bringing down the Perlan Kingdom, which is being supplied by sea, will be extremely difficult. Besides, I do not think Perlan will try to take advantage of the Empire's weakness. If the Empire makes its position clear, I doubt they will deliberately stick their necks into this conflict.”
“What do you mean by our position?”
“That we stand in order to protect demi-humans. When Your Majesty accepted the dwarves, you took that position. Concluding an immediate truce with the Perlan Kingdom would be to protect demi-humans. If everyone believes that and Perlan still tries to take advantage of us, dissatisfaction will spread both within and outside the kingdom.”
Mitsuba knew this because she had traveled throughout the world.
The Holy Empire had almost no demi-humans within its borders, while the Empire and the Kingdom both had many of them living within theirs. Given that, whenever demi-humans became involved, the two countries had only one path open to them.
“Wasn't this something you decided for yourself once before? To protect demi-humans. Why are you wavering now?”
“I am thinking of the country.”
“If you are thinking of the country, then you should remain a strong Emperor. Your Majesty, children think about far more than adults realize. Al must have thought about many things in his own way—the Empire, you, and this crying child. After considering everything, he resolved to take the blame himself. Deceiving the Emperor and damaging the honor of the imperial family—neither is acceptable for a prince. But as a prince, and as a boy, he showed his resolve and saw it through. Even if many people criticize him, I want to praise him. He showed genuine potential as a prince. Following through on the resolve one has displayed—that must be important for a prince. And for an Emperor, too. There should be nothing your son can do that you cannot.”
Receiving Mitsuba's words, the Emperor gazed up at the ceiling for a while.
Then he exhaled deeply.
The wrinkles that had remained between his brows ever since the dwarves' country was invaded disappeared.
He had made up his mind.
He had done so because of both his consort's words and his child's actions.
“Franz. Do you have any objections?”
“Even so, I believe we should take the safe course... But I understand very well that doing so would go against Your Majesty's principles.”
“Indeed. As Mitsuba said, Arnold saw his resolve through, whatever else may be said of him. I want to accept that and acknowledge him for it. Who else but Mitsuba and me can accept him? Who else can acknowledge him? We are that boy's parents. Therefore, we must act like parents. A father who is inferior to his son cannot accept and acknowledge him. As a parent, and as Emperor, I will show him a proud figure to look up to.”
The Emperor announced this with a radiant expression.
Beside him, Franz sighed deeply. He had finally gotten the Emperor to accept the safe course, only for everything to end up like this.
Franz looked at Mitsuba with some resentment, but she had already turned on her heel.
Seeing that, Franz muttered under his breath.
“Your Majesty. I find Lady Mitsuba difficult...”
“What a coincidence. I find her difficult too...”
“Then why did you make her your consort...?”
“I thought she was a fine woman... I wasn't wrong.”
The Emperor nodded in satisfaction and stood up.
Then he began issuing orders.
“Summon all the captains of the Imperial Guard. Duke of Valor, you may withdraw. But if anything happens, call for me at once. Make your preparations.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Oh, and bring Arnold here. I have to show him what an Emperor should look like.”
With that, the Emperor grinned.
Though bewildered by the Emperor's childlike behavior, Franz began carrying out his orders.
■■■
The Emperor, the Chancellor, and the captains of the Imperial Guard stood in formation in the throne room.
Surrounded by the Empire's proud warriors, the ambassador asked a question with some nervousness.
“Y-Your Majesty... What did you wish to discuss?”
“Yes. My son was rude earlier. As an apology, I will prepare a new Jewel. I would like you to take it home with you.”
“Is that what this is about...? Your Majesty, it is true that our country needs Jewels. However, we acquired a certain number of them from the dwarves' country. What we need now is the dwarves' skill in processing them. Please hand the dwarves over to us. Alternatively, give us something else of equal value. Otherwise, we will have no choice but to tell our country that the Empire does not desire friendship with the Holy Empire.”
“Hmm... Then tell them that.”
“...Pardon?”
The ambassador, getting carried away, could not understand the Emperor's words for a moment.
But when he met the Emperor's sharp gaze, he understood what the Emperor meant.
“...Are you saying that you intend to become our enemy?”
“Precisely. The Empire has no custom of expelling anyone it has once welcomed. If you cannot be satisfied with the Jewel, then there is no point in continuing these negotiations.”
“...The Empire is currently at war with the Kingdom. I do not think it would be wise to fight our country as well.”
It was a bluff.
That was what the ambassador assumed.
The Emperor was merely putting on a bold front; he had no intention of risking war.
With that in mind, the ambassador maintained his composed expression.
But then—
“I have already sent an envoy to the Kingdom to propose a truce. This is a war to protect demi-humans. The Kingdom will understand.”
“You can't mean...”
“Do you need me to say it directly before you will believe me? Then listen well. Those who have washed ashore in our country are my subjects. Those who are putting down roots within the Empire's territory at this very moment are people under my protection. I have no intention of handing them over to anyone. If you want them, you may take them. But if you intend to take them, come prepared to pay the price. I myself will lead the Imperial Guard standing here and face you.”
Cold sweat trickled down the ambassador's cheek.
The Imperial Guard was made up of warriors each capable of defeating a thousand men. The fact that the Emperor intended to lead them himself meant he was serious.
Even if the Empire had sent an envoy to the Kingdom to negotiate a truce, an agreement would not be reached immediately. If the Holy Empire attacked during that interval, the Empire would be forced to fight on two fronts.
Yet the Emperor was saying that he did not care.
“...Do you intend to use the famed House of Valor, the pride of the Empire?”
“Precisely.”
“...If you use the Holy Sword recklessly, who knows what the other countries will say?”
“This is a war to protect demi-humans. The cause is ours. Even if we use the Holy Sword—the property of all humankind—in war, no other country will be able to complain. Not even if the Holy Empire is destroyed.”
From the Emperor's words, the ambassador understood the depth of his resolve.
If he was going to act, he intended to do so thoroughly. This Emperor had entered the negotiations prepared even to destroy the Holy Empire.
Overwhelmed by the Emperor, the ambassador spoke in desperation.
“You will regret this...!?”
“Do not underestimate the Empire. We do not watch the faces of other countries, nor do we grovel before them. We do not fear war. But we cannot tolerate being seen as weak! Our Empire is strong, and I am a strong Emperor! Go home and tell your country this: the negotiations have failed.”
The ambassador left the room, his face twisted with frustration after being shouted down by the Emperor.
The Emperor then dismissed the captains of the Imperial Guard and called Arnold, who had watched everything from the corner of the throne room.
“Arnold.”
“Yes, Father...”
The Emperor placed a hand on Arnold's head with a light pat.
Then he slowly stroked his hair.
“This is your father's work: making decisions. That is the Emperor's duty. Whether a decision is right or wrong, making it is the job. Turning it into reality is the duty of one's subjects.”
“You certainly make us work hard.”
“Forgive me... I thought I had to show Arnold what a proper Emperor looks like. Listen, Arnold. In the future, when you either seek the throne yourself or decide to place someone else upon it, remember the way I looked today. If you seek the throne, imitate me. If you want someone else to take it, support someone like me. This is your reward. But make sure you still spend time in prison. Understood?”
“Yes!”
Seeing the Emperor's mischievous smile, Al wore a similar one.
Watching the two of them, Franz thought they were a lot alike. Then he thought of the enormous amount of work awaiting him, and his spirits sank.
■■■
And now.
“Mother. Why is half a Jewel on display...?”
“Because it's the Jewel of Fortune.”
“Fortune? Even though it's only half?”
“Yes. Thanks to that Jewel, Al obtained a treasure.”
As Mitsuba said this with Christa on her lap, she remembered what had happened that day.
After the Emperor had made up his mind, Elna followed Mitsuba.
Then she and the Duke of Valor came to offer a heartfelt apology.
In response, Mitsuba told her, “If that boy ever gets into trouble, help him, all right?”
Meanwhile, Elna borrowed the duke's sword and swore an oath to Mitsuba.
“I will never abandon Prince Arnold again.”
That day, through that act, Al obtained the strongest sword in the Empire. He himself had no idea.
Mitsuba deliberately did not tell him that the girl from that day had been Elna. She believed Elna would tell him herself someday.
“What sort of treasure is it?”
“A sword. A magnificent sword. Though Al seems to find it more than he can handle.”
“That's true. A sword doesn't suit Big Brother Al.”
Christa and Mitsuba laughed together.
Even so, Mitsuba continued to think about Al.
Al had seen an ideal image of an Emperor. That was why he was trying to place Leo on the throne.
To Al, an Emperor was not something to become, but something to behold. That was why he had no intention of becoming one himself.
Seeing Leonart become a splendid Emperor was, without exaggeration, Al's dream at present. That was precisely why Mitsuba was a little worried.
She had the feeling that Al himself did not appear in the future he envisioned.
“I have a report. A fast rider has just brought word. Prince Leonart and Prince Arnold are apparently on their way back.”
“Really!?”
“Oh, then shall we go welcome them?”
With that, Mitsuba set her small worry aside in a corner of her heart.
It was not time to think about it yet.
“Cough, cough... It's cold. Shall we put on a jacket before we go...?”
“Are you coming down with a cold again?”
“Yes. It'll get better soon.”
With that, Mitsuba and Christa went hand in hand to welcome the two princes.