Chapter 61
Leonart. I am counting on you.
Yes, Your Majesty. I will be your eyes and ears, uncovering every bit of corruption I find.
Very good.
With that, Father handed Leo a purple cloak.
It was the insignia of an imperial inspector.
As long as he wore this cloak, nothing could stand in Leo's way.
"Do not compromise. Investigate until you are satisfied."
"Yes."
Thus, Leo donned the cloak and left the throne room.
Everyone else left, but I stayed behind.
Father looked like he had something to say to me.
"Are you worried?"
"Not at all. Leo is highly capable."
"But he lacks flexibility. You made up for that. This time, however, you will not be at his side."
"If you want to see how much Leo can accomplish on his own, I doubt things will go as planned."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"He is good at getting others to lend him their strength. He is the kind of person who makes those around him want to help him. So even if I am not there, someone will lend him a hand."
"I see. If that is the case, then so be it. But what about you?"
I frowned at Father's words.
Like Leo, I had been assigned a task as well. Though it was too minor to call a mission.
"Who knows? I will do what I can, but do not expect much."
"That will not do. Your eldest sister's marriage rests on you. If she does not marry, Zandra will not either, will she?"
"That is a lot of responsibility. But do not get angry if I fail, all right? After all, I am dealing with that sister of ours."
"Yes, I understand that. But, Arnold, I am already over fifty. I do not have much time left. So I want to see my daughter in her wedding dress."
"I do not recall hearing that you are ill."
"I am not ill. But as I grow old, I will no longer be able to keep things in check. Eventually, I will be removed, no matter who becomes emperor. I did the same."
Father gazed out over the town visible from the castle, a distant look in his eyes.
Perhaps he was wondering how much longer he would be able to look upon this sight.
The struggle for the throne is currently being waged among the children, but Father occupies the seat they are all fighting for.
Naturally, the victor will force Father out. If that happens, he will hardly have time to see his daughter in her wedding dress.
"You are unusually pessimistic today."
"The Second Consort and the Crown Prince appeared in my dream today. I miss them... How many more people will I have to miss, I wonder?"
"If you do not want this, you could stop the struggle for the throne. Appoint a Crown Prince, and while you still have the power, send the other children to the provinces. At least you could spare their lives."
"I cannot. Something won through struggle and something handed down have different value. The throne is meant to be won. That is what creates a strong emperor. That is what allows the Empire to be protected."
"Then stop showing weakness. You have the power to stop this, yet you choose not to. Because of that, my younger brother is caught up in this ridiculous family feud. Many people think as you do. But no one raises their voice because you tolerate the struggle for the throne. They convince themselves that it is necessary and accept it. Your weakness is an insult to every participant. I will not allow you to back out now...!"
If the emperor simply appointed his successor, this conflict would never happen.
Yet a successor who wins the throne is stronger than one who is appointed. I understand that logic. A victor will not tolerate someone taking away what he won. But when something is handed down, one feels less strongly that it truly belongs to him. That difference in mindset is what makes the difference.
If the goal is to create an emperor who can protect the Empire, then the struggle for the throne is essential. Under that belief, they have continued to wage these foolish conflicts again and again.
"To think my son would lecture me... And of all people, Arnold."
"Please forgive my rudeness."
"It is fine. Without Franz around, I seem to grow weak. I am sorry. Forget what I said earlier."
"Yes."
"Arnold... Do you still remember the side of me I showed you back then?"
"Rest assured. I have never forgotten. I remember what you said then, too."
"I see... Then I am relieved."
With that, Father dismissed me.
Now that the struggle for the throne has intensified, perhaps Father has started thinking about various things as well.
If Leo becomes emperor, Father would be safe too. But he would never appoint Leo Crown Prince merely for his own safety.
Even when his doubts surface, he remains bound by his duties as emperor.
"I suppose we really do have to win after all."
I muttered that and headed outside the castle to see Leo off.
■■■
"Well then. Take care of yourself."
"You too, big brother. Do your best."
"I will not overdo it."
And with that, we said goodbye.
There was no need for a long conversation. We were not parting for good.
"Prince Arnold."
"Still as formal as ever, Linfia."
"I am not in a position to address you as casually as the others do."
"Rank has nothing to do with it. But if that is what you prefer, so be it. Sorry it took me so long to get here."
"Not at all. Thank you for everything."
"For saving our lives and protecting Fiene and the others while we were away. This is nowhere near enough to repay you."
"I did not do all that much. Yet you have treated me so generously. To be honest, I feel guilty."
With that, Linfia lowered her eyes.
But that was merely modesty.
She had protected Fiene and the others admirably. That meant she had saved us from our greatest crisis.
We owed Linfia a debt too great to be repaid merely by sending adventurers to her village and exposing the corruption as we had.
"Well, Linfia can think what she likes, but we are grateful. That is why I will solve the village's problems, no matter what."
I handed Linfia a pouch slightly larger than my fist.
Feeling its hefty weight, Linfia peered inside.
It contained gold coins.
The inside of the pouch was far larger than it appeared from the outside.
"W-what is this...!?"
"It is a pouch made with enchantment magic. It is ten times larger inside than it looks. The gold coins inside are mine. The Empire paid me an allowance even though I never had a chance to spend it. That is what this is. I considered using it to fund the struggle for the throne, but since you established a connection with the merchant guild, I will not need it for the time being. I am entrusting it to you."
"N-no! How am I supposed to use such a fortune!?"
"Leo would not be able to use it effectively. You can. Leo always prefers the proper approach. I want you to help him. I am sure this will help save your village. Besides, money is only useful when you spend it. You do not have to pay it back. If you need to, use it to rebuild the village, all right?"
"Your Highness..."
"I would go with you if I could, but that is not possible. I am sorry I cannot see this through to the end, but let me at least do this much."
"Thank you... I will never forget this kindness. I swear I will do everything in my power to aid Prince Leonart."
With that, Linfia bowed.
No wonder. The pouch contained roughly ten years' worth of the stipend I had received as a prince.
Handing it over so casually might have been questionable, but I had money I had earned as Silver. Sebas managed it, and there was more of it than the money I received as a prince.
Even so, it was not money I could part with without a second thought. But with this much, I could sway the southern nobles if I wanted to. Linfia would surely put it to good use in ways Leo would never think of.
"You are making too much of it. We are the ones indebted to you. This is just a thank-you. Do not worry about it."
"It may be improper for me to say this now, but I am glad you were attacked back then. That was how I met you, and you reached out to me. No one but me could understand the relief and joy I felt then. Now I understand why Fiene-sama trusts you. Once the village's problems are settled, I will surely return and lend you my strength. Please leave Prince Leonart to me."
"Heh, you are so formal. But that is exactly why I can entrust him to you. Take care of my little brother."
"Yes. Leave him to me."
Linfia bowed deeply, then climbed into the carriage Leo had boarded.
There were Imperial Guards around the carriage, but Linfia had been entrusted with Leo's personal protection. That alone showed how much Leo trusted her.
"Then I am off!"
"Yeah. If it seems impossible, give up and come home."
"Ha-ha. You should give up and come home if it seems too hard, big brother. Our sister will probably be tougher than the southern nobles."
"No argument there."
As I chatted with Leo, who leaned out of the carriage, I watched it slowly pull away.
Well, there is no point worrying now.
"I suppose I should take care of my own business."
First, I will meet our sister's prospective husband. After that, I am sure my sister will be moved by a letter.
I am going to be busy.