Having witnessed the actual state of affairs, General Wagneris finally took action toward improvement, receiving reports regarding the mishandling. Since reducing personnel suddenly mid-journey would only cause trouble, he promoted the deputy to assume responsibilities, demoted the one who led the blunder to commoner status, and stripped their authority—or so I heard.
"So there really are people connected to the Duke's faction in the army, after all."
Inside a tent that had finally become decent, I was ruminating on the report I had heard today. Nomariola was preparing my bedding, so it was simply a matter of waiting. She had always arranged the sleeping platform and set up windbreaks around the perimeter, but I would immediately send her away to tend to her own preparations.
However, since this was an improvement for my entire unit and not just me, we now had more time than before, so I could have her work without rushing her.
"This time it was the Duke Eurasion's faction. Perhaps this means you can no longer deceive them by pretending to be dull-witted," Wearel said, listing the connections behind the person who directed the harassment against me in the engineering battalion, his gaze lowered with worry.
But I thought the opposite. Merely being from a noble belonging to Duke Eurasion's faction wasn't solid proof that it was his direct order.
"Thinking they wouldn't be scolded even after doing something this blatant is partly General Wagneris's fault. But the reason they tried it first was surely because they underestimated me, thinking I was too dull-witted to report it, right?"
I was no longer isolated in a corner of the palace. This was a problem that would surface even without me saying anything. After all, military officers who were officials had reporting as their job. When those officers reported problems and they weren't addressed, all of it was recorded and submitted upward. Afterward, it remained in the official records and was used for merit evaluations, so it was impossible for it not to become a problem.
"This harassment was too crude if the Duke moved. Well, they probably thought I might get taken care of by luck. Like being at the edge, out of sight, and a beast diving into a poorly defended tent?"
"Your Highness Asha... If you think so, please stop disappearing in the early morning."
I was pinned down by Ikuto. It wasn't just once that I had followed Sephira when she found rare materials. Sephira was dissatisfied that her optical camouflage had broken when she fell, so now she was motivated to prepare for any situation and kept inviting me.
"It seems they don't intend to get their hands dirty, so I don't think we need to be that vigilant."
"Certainly, it cannot be called direct harm. But Lord Asha, do not forget the Imperial Guards holding swords."
I was additionally admonished by Wearel. But let me say—so far, my solo walks hadn't succeeded. My close aides stopped me before I disappeared and ended up coming with me. That's exactly why Sephira was getting even more motivated.
"But Duke Eurasion is seriously aiming for the Imperial Throne, so even if he targets me with indirect intent, he wouldn't use methods that directly kill me, right?"
In the Empire's history, those who killed other succession candidates were shunned as successors. Actually, when Fer's assassination was rumored, Duke Eurasion was the suspect right after me. Conversely, suspicion pointed to him because of the cleverness involved—the poison couldn't even be identified. That's why he had been so docile when he called me to the square to hang me out to dry.
"Master, I wish to stand watch without sleep tonight."
"Nomariola, there's no need to worry, so rest properly."
I sent Nomariola, who was worrying with a resolute expression, out of the tent.
"She's quite robust for a Count's daughter."
"She hasn't uttered a single complaint."
Ikuto and Wearel nodded to each other. Certainly, Nomariola hadn't voiced a single word of dissatisfaction about the unfamiliar travel or the overly crude encampment. That didn't mean she felt nothing—she was emotional enough to worry about my safety. I had heard that the reason she followed despite the danger was, besides feeling indebted for her sister's condition improving, that the money she obtained working as Duke Lucaios's spy had increased, allowing her to hire a maid dedicated to her sister.
"Well then, shall we go pick up Helcov?"
At my words, Sephira activated her optical camouflage.
"Then let us go. Please hold the belt."
While Ikuto responded, Wearel stayed behind and headed toward the bed. Using extra pillows prepared by Nomariola, he began disguising it to appear as though I were sleeping. Actually, Helcov was currently absent, having received a personal summons from General Wagneris.
"Over there. There are soldiers around. We will proceed quietly so as not to be noticed."
Where Ikuto guided them, Helcov and General Wagneris sat around a fire. Their voices were louder than usual, and they held cups, apparently drinking.
"So what, that prince!?"
Oops—General Wagneris suddenly shouted complaints about me.
"Isn't it strange that only the Imperial Guards are loafing around inside the camp!?"
"That's my line! For a general, why didn't you notice!?"
"What do you mean your line! You can't even control the Imperial Guards!"
"Hah!? You know how difficult it is to handle haughty soldiers too, don't you!?"
Apparently Helcov was also raising his voice in the argument. As the two grew increasingly hostile, the surrounding soldiers trembled with fear and didn't notice us.
"Imperial Guards are supposed to stick close to the Imperial Family! Being shunned by them means your conduct is definitely bad!"
"You idiot! The Imperial Guards stick to the Emperor, not the prince! And that Emperor can only meet him a few times a month!"
"That's exactly why they say he's a brat with bad conduct! A prince who only has bad rumors when investigated is quite something!"
"You really don't understand noble troubles! Palace security, gatekeepers, patrols, guards—all of them are keeping an eye on those entering the left wing! What mischief can be done on top of that!?"
Apparently General Wagneris didn't understand the situation where I was being pushed to the edge of the palace. Even though military personnel hardly entered the palace, so that's how it was. Other nobles with titles or positions were different, but General Wagneris was a self-made man. As far as investigated, though he had married a noble daughter, he only held a knighthood limited to his generation.
"Don't think I don't know! I know this deployment was decided by that prince's selfish demands!"
"...Hah!? How does that make any sense!?"
Helcov was momentarily speechless at General Wagneris pointing his finger.
"I heard it from my father-in-law who serves at the palace! That prince persuaded His Majesty to let him deploy!"
"You fool! It was the Dukes who suggested it! How do you maliciously twist a conversation about it being better than hindering His Majesty to that extent!?"
"Who decided it was that prince!? That's why we're taking the hit! Deploying us on such a stupidly tight schedule! And yet no prospect of completing the operation—don't mess with me!"
"Don't blame the kid! You handled it sloppily as usual, got stuck with trouble, and failed to escape! Lock!"
Huh, is that sloppy handling always the case?
"Also, recently he's been making selfish demands to be treated the same as his younger brothers, troubling the Empress!"
"Until now was the strange part! Plus there's still a terrible gap with the other princes!"
"Saying alchemy or whatever, showing off by taking trouble with things magic could do faster, making the younger princes praise him and delighting in his trickery!"
"Calling it trickery when he's just clearly explaining what alchemy is shows that guy's comprehension is bad!"
It had already become an argument mixed with the unique howling voices of beastmen. A growl resembling an engine that wouldn't lose to a bear's bass roar rose from General Wagneris's thick nose bridge.
"You're too biased; your eyes are clouded!"
"You're the one swallowing too much of what you heard from relatives!"
Ikuto sighed at the argument that wouldn't end. While watching what to do, amidst surrounding soldiers trembling with fear, he called out completely calmly.
"You two, warming old friendships should end around here. The sun has already set."
Since he had told Helcov beforehand, Helcov immediately stopped his roaring at Ikuto's appearance. His eyes seemed to search for me a bit—apparently aware he had been seen in an embarrassing state. However, he still didn't look satisfied.
"Anyway, be more aware of your own blunders."
"Hmph, if you want to report like petty harassment, go ahead."
In the end, Helcov ended up glaring at General Wagneris and parting like after a fight. Apparently, General Wagneris had been fed bad rumors about me beforehand. No matter what was said now, he would just throw it back at Helcov—unlikely to listen. Rather than coordinating our steps in the future, I might need to think of ways to move freely on my own.
Regular Update
Next: Coordinating with the General 1