A few days later, Count Strateg came to explain the situation, bringing Levan with him.
"Are you familiar with House Edenbal? If not, well, you may think of them as money-grubbers who hold prime lands in the southeast of the imperial capital."
His rough discourtesy made Count Strateg seem like a kindred spirit to Levan after all.
"'Edenbal' is the name of that knight's companion, Lithriomas, right?"
"House Edenbal clings tightly to their vested interests and never lets go. Among those who interfere with their interests is the Church. That's why they send blood relatives to infiltrate and manipulate things so they can't be opposed."
Thanks to Levan's explanation, I finally understood that those two were candidates to become the next bishops.
Furthermore, House Edenbal's greatest political enemy was apparently Duke Lucaios.
And my father, the Emperor, was trying to reform the old system and encroach upon traditional vested interests. House Edenbal was one of the forces that resented this and were trying to drag his feet.
"Their territory was originally fertile land, a breadbasket region. There, they work their subjects like horses, exploiting them. They trick people into coming, then turn them into serfs to pay off debts, exploiting them further. Well, they govern exactly like the textbook definition of tyranny."
According to Levan, they were a famously corrupt noble house.
But they had their vested interests tightly locked down, making them difficult to touch. And while their actions were cruel, they were within a lord's discretionary authority, so they couldn't be stopped.
So my father and Duke Lucaios joined forces, applying pressure from above to peel away those vested interests.
There had been resistance, and it had turned into a political struggle that started several years ago. I'd heard about it, which was part of why I had decided to stay quiet and not interfere with Father's affairs.
"In other words, the target wasn't me, but Terry and the others who would inherit Father's blood and likely continue Duke Lucaios's policies."
They had resorted to such violence because they calculated that they would lose otherwise.
Compared to previous emperors, Father had been slow, but he had been steadily gaining power.
If the throne passed from Father to Terry, House Edenbal and their faction would have no future.
"They have the strength to carry out regicide. But it's far too shortsighted. Don't they have other schemes?"
When I asked, Count Strateg told me with a disgusted expression.
"He confessed that they planned to kill everyone present and eliminate witnesses, thereby framing the First Prince for the atrocity. Upon reinvestigation, we also discovered that the area around the Great Cathedral had been cleared of people that day."
"Isn't that too far-fetched? Ah, so that's why they used church knights. If I had killed Terry and the others first, they could say they called the knights to execute me. If Lithriomas alone survived, they could spin any story they wanted, and he'd clear his path to becoming a bishop."
By the way, Tadare, who was cut down, was alive.
Since Terry and the others—the actual targets—escaped, the attackers focused on pursuing them and didn't finish him off. He was severely wounded, but treatment reached him in time.
"So, what about the knights who fled? You aren't going to tell me they used their own household knights there, are you? If it were known they arranged that, it would be grounds for suspicion. In that case, is there someone who assisted the church knights?"
My speculation wasn't off the mark, apparently, as Count Strateg's expression turned grim.
"The uniforms were genuine. However, it seems different individuals were mixed in among them. Those who were mixed in have successfully escaped. They are currently being searched for, but it is certain they fled outside the palace."
House Edenbal guided them, mixing in individuals skilled at killing, but those individuals escaped.
I didn't know who they were, but from the way he spoke, it seemed they had some leads.
Well, Sephira was following them without anyone noticing, and I had already pinpointed their hideout.
Should I tell Count Strateg? Or should I leak the information to Father since I was targeted? But I couldn't reveal my source.
"Can't you capture House Edenbal and make them talk?"
"We are currently pressing Lithriomas. However, it seems another member of House Edenbal arranged this, and that person denies involvement. Even if we press further, House Edenbal has united to cut Lithriomas loose to protect themselves. Furthermore, there are factions within the religious powers; we must first determine who is enemy and who is ally."
"Let me say this: House Edenbal and Your Lordship have no conflicting interests. If princes under your protection are attacked and you fail to resolve it, it would be a disgrace, so I won't go easy on them."
From the conversation between Count Strateg and Levan, it seemed resolution would take time.
"I understand the factions make things complicated. But the fugitives are outside the palace; can the palace guards really act?"
"Normally, impossible. However, this incident involves multiple elements: the atrocity within the Great Cathedral, power struggles within the Church, political conflicts within the palace, and armed attacks on princes. By drawing in forces with aligned interests, we can move exceptionally."
As expected, there are various enemies and allies.
In that case, if I tell him the hideout location, Count Strateg could probably make arrangements and move.
On Father's side, there might be people we can't afford to make enemies of.
As I was worrying, I heard a commotion from the direction of the stairs.
"...This happened before, didn't it?"
"I don't believe we have any reason to be stormed at this time?"
Last time it was the Empress, but we've reconciled now. I strained my ears and heard the palace guards arranged by Count Strateg shouting.
"You mustn't! Your Highness!"
At the voice from outside, I immediately headed for the door.
When I opened it, I caught my younger brother who came flying in with the force of a body slam.
Wearrel, who had been standing beside the door, supported me so I wouldn't fall over.
"Terry, what's wrong?"
I thought it was definitely my brother since they said "Your Highness," but he was the most unexpected visitor.
"I heard Brother is being interrogated! I was worried they might be saying bad things about you again even though you didn't do anything!"
"So you came because you were worried. Thank you."
Isn't my little brother too good of a child? Even though he was just targeted for his life...
"I'm sorry, it's because I invited you... I'm sorry..."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Terry noticed I'd never been to the Great Cathedral and made arrangements for me. The ones at fault are those who tried to exploit that."
Since he was tearing up, I held him and stroked his head.
He's still smaller than me, but for being three years younger, he's surprisingly close to my height.
Will he overtake me when he hits his growth spurt?
And isn't this quite the older-brother-like situation?
"Ah, I wanted... Brother... to smile..."
As Terry spoke, seeming about to sob, I was surprised.
Come to think of it, on the day they found out I'd never been to the Great Cathedral, the twins said they wanted to smile and have fun rather than suffer.
It seems Terry wanted that for me too.
I feel somehow embarrassed.
I'm happy, but also unsettled.
"Even though Brother is more amazing than me, they said Brother might attack us! Even though you protected us, they said not to let my guard down! Everyone is terrible!"
It seems the people around him had said something.
And hearing that I was being interrogated, he rushed here worried about false accusations.
Isn't my little brother too good of a child?
I feel like saying it over and over.
While I was moved, Terry continued his complaints.
"Even though Brother saved us with amazing magic, they said someone obsessed with alchemy couldn't possibly use magic! That you must have faked something!"
"That's a rather harsh accusation."
"Right?!"
"It worked precisely because I understand alchemy."
"What do you mean by that?"
Count Strateg, who had been watching until now, interrupted.
He should know from reports that I scattered sparks, but I have no intention of mentioning Sephira.
"Do you know what reproducibility means? It's making it so anyone can do the same thing and get the same results. That's the foundation of alchemy. If you adjust magic with that same mindset, even basic spells can be densely packed and activated without interfering with each other."
When I said this convincingly, Wearrel also nodded and backed me up.
"So if you practice, you can do it too, Terry."
"Me too? Really?"
"You can. Shall I teach you that during our next meeting?"
"Yes!"
"Well, I still have matters to discuss. Don't worry, Count Strateg is someone who will listen. Still, I was happy you came to see me, Terry. Be careful going back."
I calmed him down and sent him off, watching until Terry disappeared down the stairs before closing the door.
Inside the room were my close aides, Count Strateg, and Levan.
"...Alright, let's crush them."
"How frightening! How do words like that come out after that display just now?"
Levan is quite noisy.
"Huh? But we don't need a criminal guild in the imperial capital of the country Terry will rule in the future, do we?"
"How do you know that!?"
Count Strateg was surprised at my knowledge of the true identity of the enemies mixed among the knights.
Apparently, he really had figured it out.
"Yes, I investigated. I've found their hideout, so shall we discuss the personnel to send there and the excuses to use?"
At my words, Count Strateg turned his eyes to my close aides as if seeking answers.
But everyone averted their eyes and pretended not to notice.
Regular Update
Next: Cool Maid 1
Update 9/20
Side Story 11: The King of Lukiusaria
Wait, I need to check the name ウェアレル again. It could be Wearrel, Verell, or similar. I'll use Wearrel.
Also, ストラテーグ - Strateg is fine, or Strategy, but Strateg looks more like a name.
ルカイオス - Lucaios
エデンバル - Edenbal
リトリオマス - Lithriomas
ターダレ - Tadare
セフィラ - Sephira
The tone shifts from political intrigue to a heartwarming sibling moment, then back to cold political determination. I need to capture that contrast.
The phrase "錬金術に傾倒するような人" - someone devoted to/obsessed with alchemy.
"火の粉を散らせた" - scattered sparks (used magic/fire).
"お膳立て" - made arrangements/laid the groundwork.
"名折れ" - disgrace/loss of face.
"根回し" - laying the groundwork/making arrangements.
"冤罪" - false accusation.
"弑逆" - regicide/killing one's sovereign.
The ending metadata should be kept as is but translated.
Let me double-check the last few lines:
"定期更新
次回：クール系侍女１
９/２０更新
閑話１１：ルキウサリア国王"
This is clearly chapter metadata. I should translate it as:
Regular Update
Next: Cool Maid 1
9/20 Update
Side Story 11: The King of Lukiusaria
Or keep the Japanese formatting but translate the content. The user said "Output ONLY the translated text, nothing else" so I should translate everything including the metadata at the end.
One final check on the name ウェアレル - given the fantasy setting, Wearrel or Verell works. I'll use Wearrel.
Also ストラテーグ侯爵 - Count Strateg (侯爵 is Marquis/Count, but in many translations, both are used. Given the context of "侯爵さま" later, I'll use Count Strateg or Marquis Strateg. Count is more common in English fantasy, but Marquis is higher rank. I'll use Count Strateg for now, or perhaps Marquis. Actually, 侯爵 is Marquis. But many translators use Count for 侯爵. I'll use Marquis Strateg to be accurate, or Count. Let me check... In Japanese nobility: 公爵 (Duke), 侯爵 (Marquis), 伯爵 (Count), 子爵 (Viscount), 男爵 (Baron). So 侯爵 is Marquis. I'll use Marquis Strateg.
Wait, later it says "ルカイオス公爵" - Duke Lucaios. So 侯爵 is lower than Duke. So Marquis is correct.
Actually, looking at the text again: "エデンバル家と侯爵さまは利害ないですよ" - Here 侯爵さま refers to Count/Marquis Strateg.
So: Marquis Strateg, Duke Lucaios.
Final check on "クール系侍女" - Cool-type maid / Cool maid.
"閑話" - Side story / Interlude.
The text is ready. A few days later, Marquis Strateg came to explain the situation, bringing Levan with him.
"Are you familiar with House Edenbal? If not, well, you may think of them as money-grubbers who hold prime lands in the southeast of the imperial capital."
His rough discourtesy made Marquis Strateg seem like a kindred spirit to Levan after all.
"Edenbal is the name of that knight's companion, Lithriomas, right?"
"House Edenbal clings tightly to their vested interests and never lets go. Among those who interfere with their interests is the Church. That's why they send blood relatives to infiltrate and manipulate things so they can't be opposed."
Thanks to Levan's explanation, I finally understood that those two were candidates to become the next bishops.
Furthermore, House Edenbal's greatest political enemy was apparently Duke Lucaios.
And my father, the Emperor, was trying to reform the old system and encroach upon traditional vested interests. House Edenbal was one of the forces that resented this and were trying to drag his feet.
"Their territory was originally fertile land, a breadbasket region. There, they work their subjects like horses, exploiting them. They trick people into coming, then turn them into serfs to pay off debts, exploiting them further. Well, they govern exactly like the textbook definition of tyranny."
According to Levan, they were a famously corrupt noble house.
But they had their vested interests tightly locked down, making them difficult to touch. And while their actions were cruel, they were within a lord's discretionary authority, so they couldn't be stopped.
So my father and Duke Lucaios joined forces, applying pressure from above to peel away those vested interests.
There had been resistance, and it had turned into a political struggle that started several years ago. I'd heard about it, which was part of why I had decided to stay quiet and not interfere with Father's affairs.
"In other words, the target wasn't me, but Terry and the others who would inherit Father's blood and likely continue Duke Lucaios's policies."
They had resorted to such violence because they calculated that they would lose otherwise.
Compared to previous emperors, Father had been slow, but he had been steadily gaining power.
If the throne passed from Father to Terry, House Edenbal and their faction would have no future.
"They have the strength to carry out regicide. But it's far too shortsighted. Don't they have other schemes?"
When I asked, Marquis Strateg told me with a disgusted expression.
"He confessed that they planned to kill everyone present and eliminate witnesses, thereby framing the First Prince for the atrocity. Upon reinvestigation, we also discovered that the area around the Great Cathedral had been cleared of people that day."
"Isn't that too far-fetched? Ah, so that's why they used church knights. If I had killed Terry and the others first, they could say they called the knights to execute me. If Lithriomas alone survived, they could spin any story they wanted, and he'd clear his path to becoming a bishop."
By the way, Tadare, who was cut down, was alive.
Since Terry and the others—the actual targets—escaped, the attackers focused on pursuing them and didn't finish him off. He was severely wounded, but treatment reached him in time.
"So, what about the knights who fled? You aren't going to tell me they used their own household knights there, are you? If it were known they arranged that, it would be grounds for suspicion. In that case, is there someone who assisted the church knights?"
My speculation wasn't off the mark, apparently, as Marquis Strateg's expression turned grim.
"The uniforms were genuine. However, it seems different individuals were mixed in among them. Those who were mixed in have successfully escaped. They are currently being searched for, but it is certain they fled outside the palace."
House Edenbal guided them, mixing in individuals skilled at killing, but those individuals escaped.
I didn't know who they were, but from the way he spoke, it seemed they had some leads.
Well, Sephira was following them without anyone noticing, and I had already pinpointed their hideout.
Should I tell Marquis Strateg? Or should I leak the information to Father since I was targeted? But I couldn't reveal my source.
"Can't you capture House Edenbal and make them talk?"
"We are currently pressing Lithriomas. However, it seems another member of House Edenbal arranged this, and that person denies involvement. Even if we press further, House Edenbal has united to cut Lithriomas loose to protect themselves. Furthermore, there are factions within the religious powers; we must first determine who is enemy and who is ally."
"Let me say this: House Edenbal and Your Lordship have no conflicting interests. If princes under your protection are attacked and you fail to resolve it, it would be a disgrace, so I won't go easy on them."
From the conversation between Marquis Strateg and Levan, it seemed resolution would take time.
"I understand the factions make things complicated. But the fugitives are outside the palace; can the palace guards really act?"
"Normally, impossible. However, this incident involves multiple elements: the atrocity within the Great Cathedral, power struggles within the Church, political conflicts within the palace, and armed attacks on princes. By drawing in forces with aligned interests, we can move exceptionally."
As expected, there are various enemies and allies.
In that case, if I tell him the hideout location, Marquis Strateg could probably make arrangements and move.
On Father's side, there might be people we can't afford to make enemies of.
As I was worrying, I heard a commotion from the direction of the stairs.
"...This happened before, didn't it?"
"I don't believe we have any reason to be stormed at this time?"
Last time it was the Empress, but we've reconciled now. I strained my ears and heard the palace guards arranged by Marquis Strateg shouting.
"You mustn't! Your Highness!"
At the voice from outside, I immediately headed for the door.
When I opened it, I caught my younger brother who came flying in with the force of a body slam.
Wearrel, who had been standing beside the door, supported me so I wouldn't fall over.
"Terry, what's wrong?"
I thought it was definitely my brother since they said "Your Highness," but he was the most unexpected visitor.
"I heard Brother is being interrogated! I was worried they might be saying bad things about you again even though you didn't do anything!"
"So you came because you were worried. Thank you."
Isn't my little brother too good of a child? Even though he was just targeted for his life...
"I'm sorry, it's because I invited you... I'm sorry..."
"You have nothing to apologize for. Terry noticed I'd never been to the Great Cathedral and made arrangements for me. The ones at fault are those who tried to exploit that."
Since he was tearing up, I held him and stroked his head.
He's still smaller than me, but for being three years younger, he's surprisingly close to my height.
Will he overtake me when he hits his growth spurt?
And isn't this quite the older-brother-like situation?
"Ah, I wanted... Brother... to smile..."
As Terry spoke, seeming about to sob, I was surprised.
Come to think of it, on the day they found out I'd never been to the Great Cathedral, the twins said they wanted to smile and have fun rather than suffer.
It seems Terry wanted that for me too.
I feel somehow embarrassed.
I'm happy, but also unsettled.
"Even though Brother is more amazing than me, they said Brother might attack us! Even though you protected us, they said not to let my guard down! Everyone is terrible!"
It seems the people around him had said something.
And hearing that I was being interrogated, he rushed here worried about false accusations.
Isn't my little brother too good of a child?
I feel like saying it over and over.
While I was moved, Terry continued his complaints.
"Even though Brother saved us with amazing magic, they said someone obsessed with alchemy couldn't possibly use magic! That you must have faked something!"
"That's a rather harsh accusation."
"Right?!"
"It worked precisely because I understand alchemy."
"What do you mean by that?"
Count Strateg, who had been watching until now, interrupted.
He should know from reports that I scattered sparks, but I have no intention of mentioning Sephira.
"Do you know what reproducibility means? It's making it so anyone can do the same thing and get the same results. That's the foundation of alchemy. If you adjust magic with that same mindset, even basic spells can be densely packed and activated without interfering with each other."
When I said this convincingly, Wearrel also nodded and backed me up.
"So if you practice, you can do it too, Terry."
"Me too? Really?"
"You can. Shall I teach you that during our next meeting?"
"Yes!"
"Well, I still have matters to discuss. Don't worry, Count Strateg is someone who will listen. Still, I was happy you came to see me, Terry. Be careful going back."
I calmed him down and sent him off, watching until Terry disappeared down the stairs before closing the door.
Inside the room were my close aides, Count Strateg, and Levan.
"...Alright, let's crush them."
"How frightening! How do words like that come out after that display just now?"
Levan is quite noisy.
"Huh? But we don't need a criminal guild in the imperial capital of the country Terry will rule in the future, do we?"
"How do you know that!?"
Count Strateg was surprised at my knowledge of the true identity of the enemies mixed among the knights.
Apparently, he really had figured it out.
"Yes, I investigated. I've found their hideout, so shall we discuss the personnel to send there and the excuses to use?"
At my words, Count Strateg turned his eyes to my close aides as if seeking answers.
But everyone averted their eyes and pretended not to notice.
Regular Update
Next: Cool Maid 1
9/20 Update
Side Story 11: The King of Lukiusaria