Slaughter (5)
An alliance between Esteban and the Holy Empire.
The declaration of cooperation between the two countries resonated greatly on the continent.
However, most of them could not be called positive.
– Esteban and the Holy Empire?
-What does that alliance mean to the Holy Empire?
-Isn’t there nothing to gain from the Holy Empire?
Now that Esteban has trampled on the land of barbarians and established an occupied territory.
Although the name often came up on the topic, it was nothing compared to the majesty of the name of the Holy Empire.
The Holy Empire is a great empire called one of the two great powers of the continent.
And Esteban is a weak country sandwiched between two great powers.
It was clear that such two countries allying and continuing to support each other was too unfair diplomacy to either side.
However, if you can see through the internal circumstances, you will be able to understand the true intentions of the alliance.
For some, the peace of stay and the fulfillment of desires. Also, for some, the means that can be used as it pleases.
The situation hidden under the name of reconciliation was more secretive, and it was clear that it would bring astronomical benefits to both countries.
And this was no different from saying that the balance of the great power structure, which had been maintained, began to shift.
However, if there was something that came to the fore above all else, it was a story related to the incidents committed by a person called ‘Prince 1’.
A summary judgment that took place in front of the Holy Empire’s envoys.
… … And the brutal massacre that took place in the capital and the whole story.
“It’s funny.”
I shrugged my shoulders leisurely and let go of the rhyme.
“It’s so noisy that you only killed criminals.”
Everything is being done out of necessity. From what happened at the Cabinet meeting to the execution of these bastards.
Even the public opinion of the aristocrats, who are now in a hurry, was also one of the planned things.
You have to stir it up like this so that the group of the 2 princes will come out of the anthill.
From noble mtl dot com.
In front of me, there is only a teacup that has cooled down before I knew it.
“How was the treatment of the secret mansion?”
“The Templars are masquerading as a landslide and controlling the neighborhood.”
“A decent excuse.”
In fact, the troops inside were swept away by the shock and all died.
Well, that’s not a complete lie.
“so? Did you check how he managed to sneak into Esteban’s land?”
I turned my gaze and looked straight ahead.
Then Edward, the head of the Argon Knights, continued the report.
“Yes, Your Highness. You have found a passage through which you can break into Esteban near the collapsed secret mansion. We are investigating all the traces we have found, but fortunately, it seems that no one other than the Marquis of Carlos has been in and out yet.”
“It means that there is no one who comes and goes… … .”
“That’s right.”
… … It’s like that too.
Passage is a smuggling strategy for sejak to infiltrate secretly.
But to say that there is no trace of anyone going in and out of such a place… … .
“That passage must mean that it was a secret weapon that he arranged separately.”
“Yes, it seems that way.”
An arrogant smile escaped from between the hands stroking her lips.
A passage with strict security so that no one can find out.
This must have been an unknown space even to Sejak.
He had hidden a dagger that would put pressure on Esteban’s throat at the end of the day.
It was most likely a secret ploy that he hid even more while handing over the mountain range during the meeting with us.
Yes, I wanted to hand it over too quietly.
“There is a high possibility that no one knew of its existence except for the 4th prince and the emperor.”
Even I, who knew everything about the location of the passage to be built in the future, was clear from what I didn’t know.
But to think that such a thing was discovered… … .
“At this point, you’re curious about his reaction?”
Ssik-
The leisurely discussion of ridiculousness soon turned into a cold mockery.
It wasn’t enough that the existence of the secret mansion and passage was not enough, and I lost my beloved sword master, so I was very curious about what kind of expression he was making behind that mask.
‘Especially in a situation where the position is shaky like now, the absence of a marquis class noble can be said to be the worst of the bad.’
What would it be like to die in Esteban’s land, not even his own country?
Can you explain why the sword master was found in another country?
Perhaps the Marquis of Kalos will forever remain missing without even finding a body, and will be forcibly forgotten in the world.
The value of life as a sword master no longer held any meaning.
kiik-
After the report was over, Edward went back and George, who had been waiting outside, came in.
“Are you really not going to announce it?”
“What do you mean?”
“The existence of the Marquis of Kalos.”
The Sword Master, like the Archmage, was no different from a ‘strategic weapon’ that determined the outcome of a battle.
Since such a person had infiltrated Esteban, it was clear that the moment it was announced, the Commonwealth Empire would immediately receive criticism from the public.
but.
“There’s no way they’ll admit that right away. Rather, they will deny that fact and proclaim that the cause belongs to them.”
“I lured Esteban into a trap and harmed a sword master in my country… … What, roughly like this?”
“okay. There is no evidence that they moved there, so it would be easy to drive them away.”
Even more so, even if it was a cause decorated with lies, it was enough.
It was like having a ‘legitimate’ excuse to pressure the opponent somehow.
I nodded and rested my chin.
“The reason why we benefit from diplomacy with the Holy Empire is that Esteban is not yet ‘hostile’ to the Federation Empire.”
“If a war breaks out in this situation, it means that we may look like we are relying on the Holy Empire.”
“We must always be in a position to yield to the Holy Empire.”
It was said that at least in the first place, you shouldn’t create something that could be a problem.
Only then will Esteban gain the upper hand in this precarious balance.
“I will maintain the status quo until I have absolute power.”
“Well, first of all, I know how you feel.”
… … okay.
Until then, all you have to do is maintain this delicate relationship.
To use the Holy Empire as desired.
And sharpening the blade of revenge while cutting down the power of the Federation Empire.
For the Holy Empire, it was enough just to show the overwhelming position of this side.
So, for the time being, we thought of not even knowing about his existence.
but.
“It won’t take long.”
Only then did I finally lift the cold teacup.
Sooner or later, all of this will be our good hand.
* * *
“Come this way.”
Following the man’s guidance, the High Priest Garden arrived at the secret storage in the palace.
and… … .
“Let’s check.”
“… … .”
The High Priestess absentmindedly stretched out her hand and touched the thing in front of her.
How many times have you been surprised by coming to this land?
However, what I saw in front of me was absolutely impossible to compare with the previous ones.
‘… … Shin Seong-cheol.’
It is as light as glass and transparent enough to see through.
And ironically, the hardness is harder than any other mineral.
It was perfect quality.
Even he, at the rank of High Priest, had rarely seen quality like this.
And there are dozens of ingots that have smelted such sacred iron… … No, hundreds of them were ridiculously stacked.
It would be astonishing that even the quality was maintained consistently.
‘It must be the skill of the Dwarves who fled this land.’
The high priest naturally looked at them with a prudent expression.
For a while, there was silence inside the warehouse of the palace.
“… … !”
But at that time, the face of the High Priestess, who was caressing an ingot of Shin Seong-cheol, instantly hardened.
The connection between the sacred iron mines suddenly discovered in the land of Esteban and the dwarves.
It’s because what I unconsciously recalled was too complicated.
‘To make the dwarves refine mithril… … .’
Can we really dismiss it as a coincidence?
It was too wonderful a fate to be a coincidence.
The chance of discovering both by chance converged to 0%.
For a moment, an absurd idea flashed through his mind.
… … Then, could it be that Prince 1 created this situation?
The high priest’s expression hardened even more seriously.
However, he soon shook his head and denied his thoughts.
The task of randomly rescuing the Dwarves who realized the existence of the Mithril Mine and refined it.
On the contrary, after rescuing the dwarves, discovering a mithril mine so that they can be used.
It was rather impossible to say that either of them were aimed at.
But how could he know that?
Did he come up with the crazy idea that this was a product of design?
‘… … After, it seems that he suffered too much.’
The end of the question was to erase the thought that came to mind in the end.
The man who saw the high priest put down Shin Seong-cheol opened his mouth.
“As you can see, the refinement has already been completed. The amount will be sent to the Holy Empire according to the agreement.”
“exactly?”
“After the Holy Empire’s delegation leaves today, the trade process will proceed.”
“Okay.”
The high priest’s gaze, which responded reflexively, slowly turned to the man in front of him.
… … George Hegmes.
The person in charge of guiding the delegation until returning to the Holy Land, and the closest aide to the still-hidden first prince.
As far as I understood, he was more involved in the plan than Baron Vidor, an aide to the first prince.
Maybe he knows something?
At that moment, George, who felt the gaze, narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Are there any other questions?”
“… … If you don’t mind rudeness, may I ask what the date of discovery of the Shinseong Iron Mine was?”
“A discovery?”
It was a rather sudden question.
But fortunately, the other person solved my curiosity without any doubt.
“Well, since the agreement has already been signed, there is nothing that cannot be done. The discovery was made towards the end of last summer.”
“You mean after you found the dwarves?”
“Dwarves have the ability to sense the energy of the mineral vein. Well, I guess that means I was lucky.”
“… … Right.”
The ability to sense the energy of the veins… … .
Its range is limited, but it was said that it had such an ability.
Having discovered it, it was clear that he was overreacting after all.
“Thank you for letting me know.”
“What.”
The high priest’s expression brightened.
If you think about it common sense, it’s just luck.
I was well aware that it didn’t make sense.
Rescuing the dwarves was just a coincidence, and the record was the conclusion.
Even so, the reason why it doesn’t leave my head is probably because the actions of the first prince so far were reflected in astonishment.
… … Wait a minute, what actions have you seen so far?
“… … !”
At that moment, something that I had been missing passed through my mind.
Things like the fact that I’ve been overlooking so much… … .
Realizing that fact, the High Priest’s eyebrows trembled.
‘… … The dwarves were definitely staying in the land called Galderd Plain.’
Dwarves had never come out of that land.
Since the public’s attention had been focused on it for a while, it would have been impossible to make any other moves.
If the Dwarves found a mine in such a situation, it must have meant that it was a place where a mithril mine existed.
But the plain… … .
‘It must have been the land that Esteban’s first prince received from the Commonwealth Empire… … .’
An inexplicable chill ran through his body.
Like that, Priestess Garden stood there blankly, unaware that her whitened hair was standing on end.
That’s why I couldn’t check it.
Behind him, the first prince’s closest aide, George Hegmes, was smiling with a meaningful smile.
* * *
and the same time.
“It’s been a while since we talked like this.”
“… … .”
I was talking to a saintess who visited the office.