It seems a military uprising has occurred at the edge of Romulushi in the northern continent.
Though small in scale, the discord born from it is apparently significant.
If the Empire moves, the uprising itself will certainly be suppressed, but solving the deep-rooted problems will take time.
"In other words, the scheme is to use the conflict as an excuse to send me away and remove me from here?"
"Um, I only said that the Prince might be dispatched…"
Hercof looks troubled before my eyes.
"Huh, am I wrong?"
"No, you're probably right, but you definitely read between the lines for that statement, didn't you?"
"As an international issue, it's a minor category, and it's a good opportunity for me, without guardians, to accumulate experience and achievements. But what happens when I'm separated far from His Majesty, my only guardian? It's not over just by defeating enemies, and the prospects for resolution are unknown. So I suppose His Majesty cannot decide either."
"…Precisely."
Hercof sighed and affirmed. Yeah, what I voiced was only part of what I read between the lines. I can imagine even more ominous things, but I don't want to voice those either.
"But eleven is too young. There are precedents, but those were from ancient times of war."
"Conversely, to push that point, perhaps the Duke will arrange enough generals and troops to satisfy His Majesty?"
I don't know which Duke—or rather, in this case, probably both. And among the personnel to be prepared, one should assume as standard that those with his influence will be planted among them.
From Duke Lucaios's perspective, I am an eyesore—approaching the Empress, building good relations with my younger brother, exerting influence. What greatly affects the decision in the succession issue is, after all, the Emperor and the Empress. Unlike before when we never met, I am probably becoming a more dangerous figure.
Well, that's Duke Lucaios's blunder for trying to frame me and bringing the Empress close.
"Ah, I see. The aim is the same."
"Yes?"
"Even if they confine me in the palace, there's no major movement in succession rights anyway. The personnel for confining me conversely prove my innocence. I've lost Count Nistaf's guardianship, and the discrimination against my name is also gone. Conversely, they've spread too much bad reputation about me, making the hostile relationship clear, so they're being watched by His Majesty and the Empress."
Continuing to degrade me maintains the status quo at best—or rather, trust from the Emperor is beginning to decline. He probably still has leeway in terms of power, but he won't sit idle. So they'll likely take a form that appears to have no disadvantages for me on the surface. Not to confine me, but to use this as an opportunity to seriously eliminate me.
That's not just Duke Lucaios, but Duke Eurasion too.
"They'll probably come with aligned opinions. To resist, His Majesty might be forced into unnecessary concessions."
"Ah, rather than dispatching troops to cast Your Highness aside, they might find that more profitable."
"If it becomes difficult to act in the current state, they might move to weaken His Majesty's power. To prevent that, I think it's necessary not to show weakness."
"What will you do?"
"Extract favorable conditions while they show a conciliatory stance. On top of that, I'll also create achievements of leading troops once. It's sad I can't do alchemy, but thinking of the future, I can't stay shut in forever. And if I do something here, I'll just be glared at, so this is the perfect opportunity."
I had been thinking about the future. I won't become Emperor. Then what will I do? I could probably spend my time confined in the palace as the Emperor's older brother.
"If I go out and get a ducal house established, Duke Lucaios and the others would probably hate it. But if I stay here, when Terry grows up and approaches the imperial throne, I think people will appear who annoyingly try to push me up."
"So, should Your Highness quickly go out and obtain status? That should be possible for Your Highness."
"That's the thing—desiring the Emperor's bloodline, it might become a source of conflict elsewhere. I don't want to be stormed in on by someone like Marquis Strateg again."
"Ah, the one from Luciusaria. In that regard, it's better to stay in the palace inconspicuously like this?"
Speaking of which, dispatching troops at this time is viable. With food, clothing, shelter, and a place to return to secured, I can act boldly.
If I serve as a prince and achieve results, I might be able to receive the education for using people that has been blocked until now. Without learning, I wouldn't be given territory as an unqualified prince—this was part of crushing my standing as a prince, so no tutor was assigned. His Majesty and the Empress couldn't help it because the connections they could use are blocked around Duke Lucaios.
But using this opportunity, if I can get Duke Lucaios to agree…? Since I'm the one who suggested it, if I push…?
"Alright, if the meeting is over, let's go meet Terry and the others by sending… ah…"
I didn't close the Emerald Room door!
When I turn around hastily, there is Ikt's back blocking the view like a blindfold. Imperial guards are already inside the Emerald Room, keeping my younger brothers away.
"Has the discussion ended? Overstepping my bounds, I had guards enter inside. There is fear of swords clashing, so I moved them outside—please rest assured."
The guards seem to have gone outside on Ikt's orders. Somehow strangely obedient for just having reformed—what did Ikt do?
"Um, so, you heard just now?"
When I approach Ikt, the guards who were standing further in the Emerald Room to keep Terry from approaching turn this way. They look terribly troubled, so they probably heard.
Yeah, I'm not playing the fool anymore, but since I was dealing with my younger brothers, I didn't intend to say very adult-like things in front of them. The guards' superior is Marquis Strateg anyway, and if they report, it would be to Duke Lucaios. So whatever.
"Terry, Warnell, Feru. It seems His Majesty's meeting has ended. Shall we return?"
"Ehh! Not done yet!"
"I want to do ice too!"
The twins are engrossed in play using essence. But Terry looks at me uneasily.
"It seems they could hear before the guards were put in the Emerald Room."
Ikt whispered in my ear. It seems Terry heard the ominous conversation. I forced a smile with effort.
"It's fine, I'll consult with His Majesty to make sure it's fine."
"Yes, that's right. Yes… Warnell, Feru. We're going home today."
"Ehh!"
To my cute younger brothers' selfishness, I almost say "a little more." And puffing their cheeks—something only possible in this young age. This family-like exchange, impossible in my previous life. After all, for this, even if separated temporarily, obtaining stability is important.
"You can come again. I might get a little busy, but definitely again, okay?"
Choosing my words carefully, the twins look at me intently. Right, everyone was raised surrounded by adults. These children are also taught their positions as princes, so it's not strange to be sensitive to atmosphere. When Feru runs toward me and hugs me, Warnell hugs me a step slower.
"Now, let's return for now. For that, first we must clean up. I taught you, right? That leaving things out, leaving them as-is is dangerous. Prepare, clean up, inspect, confirm. This is the promise when doing alchemy."
"Yes, clean up."
"Brother too."
"Of course."
I take the twins' hands and begin to clean up. Looking at Terry, he stands there still looking uneasy.
I don't know how much he heard, but he probably heard about the dispatching of troops. They might be difficult words for that age, but there are adults around using difficult words. It's not strange if he understands the meaning. Though I didn't say it aloud, the most effective way to remove me from here is assassination. Terry might have thought so too.
Here I must support him as an older brother. As I thought that, Terry came from his side.
"Brother, do you not wish to become Emperor?"
"That's sudden. But… I would rather see Terry become a splendid Emperor like His Majesty than become one myself."
"Me? …Me, splendid… Understood."
Terry tightened his expression sharply, seeming to have decided something. I want to ask, but he calls to the twins while beginning to clean up. Terry, with his newfound sense of purpose, no longer seems uneasy.
Saying I don't feel like being assassinated here would be tempting fate, and though I couldn't support him as an older brother, honestly I was a bit relieved.
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Next: Northern Military Uprising 3