Chapter 16

Chapter 16 - Hidden Truth and Revealed Facts (1)

 

Taylor Vidor.

The head of a baronial house, with a beloved wife and a daughter he cherished beyond measure.

Although it would not quite be accurate to call him ordinary, he was a fairly unremarkable noble whose simple, inoffensive nature earned him widespread praise from the people of his territory.

That would have been true, had it not been for what happened at the Royal Palace he happened to visit by chance.

“W-Welcome. I sincerely welcome you to Esteban.”

One day, after the chill winds of late spring had passed.

The delegation from the Carrot Federal Empire arrived at the gates of the royal castle precisely at the appointed time, as though it had been deliberate.

And the one who greeted them was Baron Vidor, the aide to the 1st Prince.

The representative of the delegation, dressed in the billowing attire unique to the Federal Empire, offered a handshake.

“I am Count Eshula.”

“I am Baron Vidor. I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

At that moment.

Baron Vidor wanted to cry.

‘How in the world did it come to this…….’

If he were to trace the cause, he had to go back in time.

Was it the fact that he had happened to visit the royal castle just when a high-ranking noble’s murder had occurred?

No. Was it perhaps that he had caught the 1st Prince’s eye despite having done nothing at all?

Or, if not that…….

-The guide for this delegation will be you.

-……Pardon?

He could point to three days earlier, when his superior had handed him a lit powder keg in an offhand tone.

What was certain was that everything was unfolding in the exact opposite direction of his own wishes.

‘Why did it have to be me…….’

No matter how he thought about it, this was not a place for a mere baron like him.

And to that question, he had received this answer.

-No one was willing to volunteer.

-…….

-So I recommended you in exchange for a private audience with the delegation.

-Aaagh!

Before he knew it, and without his knowledge, he had become a loyal retainer who did not shy away from a burdensome role for the sake of his superior.

Of course, the fact that his own will had not been reflected in the matter was set aside for the moment.

‘Not long ago, he even praised me for doing well…….’

The baron struggled to suppress the irreverence rising within him and recited the prepared lines.

“First, His Majesty the King of Esteban has arranged a place where you may rest for a while and recover from your long journey.”

“Oh! Is that so?”

“A meal will be provided to those who wish for one, and should you need anything at any time, please let us know.”

“That is excellent. I was just starting to feel hungry. May I request a meal?”

“Of course.”

Thus Baron Vidor found himself drenched in a cold sweat as he guided them through the Royal Palace.

The baron was only able to breathe when mealtime finally came.

And behind him, wearing a look of annoyance, was George.

“They certainly lead busy lives.”

“Shh!”

The baron glanced at the delegation, who were absorbed in their meal, and nearly jumped out of his skin.

“Did I not tell you to conduct yourself properly? You are someone who will one day become an aide to His Highness the 1st Prince!”

“……There is no one around us.”

“Ahem! Although you are still being trained under the title of my aide, your behavior, by extension, tarnishes even the honor of His Highness the 1st Prince, who appointed me as a temporary aide!”

“Yes, yes. I will keep that in mind.”

In the end, George shuddered under Baron Vidor’s continuing nagging and declared surrender.

Of course, his prattling mouth was still alive and well.

“But does something not seem strange?”

“Hm? What do you mean?”

George indicated the delegation with a jerk of his chin and said,

“The delegation.”

“Good heavens! Not another rash remark!”

Baron Vidor looked as though he was about to leap again.

Before his scolding could continue, George hurriedly offered an explanation.

“I am not speaking ill of them this time. I mean that something feels out of place.”

“Out of place?”

“I suppose their actions seem awkward…… It feels as though they are moving according to a script.”

“……Hmm.”

Perhaps the delegation really had been hungry, for they were simply focused on their meal in an entirely ordinary way.

And yet, why was that?

The entire time George watched them, that sense of incongruity would not leave his mind.

It was a tiny sense of wrongness, one he likely never would have noticed had he not been watching them closely.

It slowly seeped into George’s mind, leaving behind broad ripples of doubt.

“But I cannot identify what it is.”

George shrugged and pushed up his glasses.

Then, as though his interest had vanished, he began yawning again and again.

He seemed unwilling to think deeply about it, but Baron Vidor, who had been listening, was different.

“I will mention this directly to His Highness. I know well enough that you are not the kind of person to say something baseless.”

“Do as you please.”

George truly seemed to think that it did not matter what became of that sense of incongruity.

Whatever the baron’s intentions were, a new point of interest had begun to bloom in his mind.

“By the way, where is His Highness? I have not seen him all day.”

“I do not know either. All I know is that he disappeared after leaving behind this note…….”

“A note?”

“Hoo. You did not hear where he was going either? The talks will begin soon. What in the world is he planning…….”

The baron took the note from his pocket and handed it to George.

……The contents were so simple that there had been no need to hand it over in the first place, and George’s expression turned incredulous as he read the note.

-I am stepping out for a moment.

And his impression was simple.

“Wow.”

***

“Welcome.”

The King’s solemn voice echoed through the great hall.

Count Eshula, the representative of the delegation, bowed his head and offered his courtesy.

“I offer my greetings to Your Majesty the King, the guiding star of all knights and the ruler of the Kingdom of Esteban. I am called Count Eshula.”

For an imperial delegation, one might have expected arrogance, yet his courtesy was flawless and beyond reproach.

He must have learned it specially for this moment.

The King nodded.

“I heard you endured hardship on the long journey here. I hope your time in this place will be comfortable.”

“I can only thank Your Majesty for your consideration.”

Although the conversation had begun warmly, the expressions of the nobles in the great hall were not bright.

The conversation that followed could completely ruin relations between the two nations.

In fact, although the King was smiling, his expression looked somehow cold.

“You must not yet have recovered from your journey, but let us get to the main matter before there is any further delay.”

When the King rose from his seat and gestured, one of the waiting attendants brought over a small box.

Each time the attendant moved, white papers could be glimpsed through the half-open box.

Anyone could easily guess what was inside.

“These are the pieces of evidence of corruption found in that bastard Asus’s room.”

“Hmm, I see. So those are…….”

“The details were written in the letter of protest sent to the Federal Empire. You should already know what it contains.”

“Indeed.”

Count Asus had plotted treason and the assassination of the King.

Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the soldiers he had trained and the location of the wealth he had hidden had yet to be discovered, but his crimes had already been laid bare in full. The same was true of his collusive relationship with the Federal Empire.

“Given all that, the fact that you sent a delegation must mean you brought the Federal Empire’s ‘excuse’ for this incident, correct?”

Yes.

Now that clear evidence had emerged, anything they said would be no more than an excuse.

At the King’s sharp question, which pierced straight to the heart of the matter, Count Eshula bowed his head and said,

“First, although he is not present here, I heard that the 1st Prince uncovered his corruption. The same goes for Viscount Honore. It was truly an impressive feat.”

“…….”

“However, to speak in conclusion, the Count’s betrayal of his nation has nothing whatsoever to do with our Federal Empire.”

It had nothing to do with them?

A ripple passed over the King’s previously calm face.

“Are you saying you knew nothing of this?”

“That is exactly what I am saying.”

“Ha! How truly deplorable.”

“It is a realistic statement. The Federal Empire simply has no reason to do anything that would sour its relations with Esteban.”

The Federal Empire was not the sort of nation that would acknowledge such a diplomatic issue and let it pass.

Who would admit to having instigated a conspiracy for civil strife in another country? In a sense, it was only natural that they would play innocent.

But their shameless conduct did not end there.

“Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor takes this incident seriously and has said that he will spare no support in helping Esteban uncover the truth.”

“……What?”

“Regarding that matter, there is a letter sent by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Count Eshula took out a golden letter that looked almost like an invitation and handed it to the King.

The gaudy, unmistakably imperial format made the King’s brow twitch inwardly, but his composure was not so weak that he would show his displeasure before the delegation.

However…….

“Hmm.”

As the King read the letter, his face gradually hardened.

In contrast, Count Eshula’s face only grew fuller with a smile.

What in the world could the contents be for him to make such an expression?

Just as the nobles’ curiosity was growing, the King opened his mouth.

“May I take this content as the will of His Majesty the Emperor, and of the Federal Empire?”

“You may.”

“Support…… yes. Support…….”

The King set the letter down and stroked his chin.

At a glance, he appeared to be trying to make sense of the situation, but his eyes were filled with fury.

And that gaze was directed squarely at Count Eshula.

“‘Support’ is a generous word for it. In truth, it is nothing more and nothing less than a settlement payment. In the end, does this not mean you intend to bury this incident with money?”

“I believe you are viewing it too negatively.”

“Ha. It seems you cannot say I am wrong.”

The King trembled in anger as he recalled the contents of the letter.

There had been no excuse written in the letter at all. It had only said to negotiate the support they desired.

It did not even employ the tired tactic of cutting off a tail.

Putting aside the current situation, in which clear evidence had emerged, the Federal Empire’s response was correct.

Even if they had tried to corrode Esteban from within through Asus, what meaning would that have now?

In the end, history was written from the victor’s perspective.

And in this situation, the victor had already been decided: the Federal Empire.

That was why the King could not back down.

If he backed down from this matter, the Empire would commit a similar act again, as though nothing had happened.

Moreover, no one could guarantee that the arrow would not be aimed at Esteban.

Therefore, just as he was about to express his refusal to accept it,

“Is it not quite a good offer?”

“……1st Prince?”

The 1st Prince, who had appeared after opening the doors to the great hall, joined the conversation as naturally as if he had always been there.

The King’s eyebrow twitched.

“Ahem! Allen Esteban, where have you been, appearing only now?”

“I was delayed because there was something I needed to confirm.”

“Confirm?”

Soon, the 1st Prince stood in the place where he should have been and smiled gently.

“Now, please continue.”

Although he had entered the conversation without much sense of incongruity, the atmosphere in the hall only grew more rigid.

Why had he appeared at such a moment of all times?

Naturally, the King’s mind grew complicated as well.

‘What are you thinking?’

The words the 1st Prince had spoken upon entering, calling it a good offer.

He seemed to view this ‘settlement’ positively. No, more than that, he seemed to consider it an excellent thing.

Even though the 1st Prince himself should have been the one who wanted to know the truth of this incident more than anyone else.

“Very well. Then what did you mean when you called it a good offer?”

His voice sank even lower.

With every gaze fixed on him, the 1st Prince opened his mouth.

“It is simple. Because that is the proper way.”

“……It is not even worth hearing.”

Unlike when he had spoken about the Intelligence Department, his answer seemed utterly thoughtless.

Had the King overestimated him because of his recent behavior?

A feeling called disappointment arose in the King’s heart.

……No.

Wait.

No matter how he thought about it, this was strange.

The one who had uncovered their crimes, and the one who had advised him to send the letter of protest, was the 1st Prince.

And yet now, he was saying they should take a step back for a mere handful of support?

At this very moment, when the delegation had arrived?

‘Did he know things would turn out this way……!’

The 1st Prince’s eyes met the King’s.

He was, no, the 1st Prince’s eyes were smiling serenely.

As though they were saying that everything had gone according to his calculations…….

“…….”

After remaining deep in thought for a long while, the King finally opened his mouth.

“It was your achievement that exposed this matter. In that case, what sort of support do you think we should receive?”

“Before that, I would like a definite answer as to the scope of support that is possible. You are Count Eshula, correct?”

“Yes, Your Highness the 1st Prince.”

Count Eshula, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, answered.

“The scope of support does not matter, whether it is tangible or intangible. His Majesty the Emperor has delegated full authority over the negotiations to me.”

“Even if it has no connection whatsoever to uncovering the truth?”

“That is correct.”

“Then this will be simple.”

The 1st Prince approached the continental map hanging in the great hall and reached out.

His finger touched a small piece of land between Esteban and the Federal Empire.

“……That is.”

“Esteban’s former territory. The Galderd Plains.”

It was a tiny plain of roughly twenty kilometers.

The 1st Prince’s smile deepened.

“Let us receive land as ‘support’ for this incident.”