IDHGA 14

Chapter 14

The Ferric Continent was another continent located across the eastern sea from the Libre Empire.

Unlike our Empire, where the entire continent was unified, the Ferric Continent was a tribe-centric society. It had representatives from each tribe and a head of state who represented those representatives, but it was difficult to view it as a single unified nation.

That’s why people called Ferric a ‘Continent,’ not an ‘Empire’ or a ‘Kingdom.’

In the past, maritime routes connecting the continents were poor, so there was little exchange. However, recently, pirates had increased in number and pioneered new sea routes.

Thanks to that, though we were struggling to suppress the pirates, exchanges between the two continents had become more active than ever before. Consequently, both good and bad things were on the rise.

‘*And in such a situation, a hostage exchange with the Ferric Continent…*’

And to think such discussions were happening here.

I straightened my body, which I had twisted to leave, and leaned back in to listen more closely.

“Ferric is always desperate to form deep ties with us, one way or another. It seems His Majesty is considering it, but it will probably fizzle out and come to nothing.”

“Of course, they’ve continuously brought up the topics of hostages or marriage alliances with Ferric for a long time, but isn’t their approach particularly forceful this time? They’re having a lot of problems with pirates within their continent lately, and because of that, they seem determined to push this through regardless.”

One of the voices I didn’t recognize spoke in a worried tone.

At that, the Crown Prince let out a light scoff.

“You don’t know anything. Is it only people from the Ferric Continent that pirates capture? Those scoundrels grab anyone they can, whether they’re from the Empire or the Continent. If we’re going by that logic, shouldn’t we be demanding compensation from Ferric too?”

‘*What nonsense…!*’

I barely suppressed the urge to scream and clenched my fists tightly.

Between the Ferric Continent and the Libre Empire, the situation had devolved into each side blaming the other, claiming the pirates were the other nation’s citizens.

Even in my previous life, there were many differing opinions between the Continent and the Empire regarding the origins of those pirates.

The two countries would fight over that issue at every opportunity, bickering about hostages and reparations, and each time, they would only repeat fruitless arguments.

But a few years later, when the East’s Harriet joined hands with Ashiad to launch a large-scale crackdown on the pirates, it was revealed that most of them were Imperial citizens.

The Empire had to pay a massive compensation and meticulously search for all Continent citizens who had gone missing within the Empire to hand them over.

Furthermore, they had to provide Imperial education and technology free of charge, which became a decisive factor in significantly weakening the Empire’s national power.

“His Majesty will handle that matter, so there’s no need to worry about it. If things get difficult, we can just ask for a high price in support funds when Ferric requests assistance.”

It was embarrassing enough that there were people forced out to sea because they could no longer make a living on land, yet the Crown Prince maintained such a brazen attitude until just before the truth—that they were all Imperial citizens—was revealed in the previous life.

Needless to say, the nobles present were absolutely sick with worry.

“I hear there have been many abductions in Ferric recently. This is an issue that could surface at any time, not necessarily just now. It would be wise to look into it in advance.”

Among them, some with foresight suggested preparing beforehand, but…

“Ferric should take responsibility for the people who disappeared from Ferric. Why should the Empire investigate? Don’t worry about it. You lords should focus on the movements of the noble faction instead. I plan to discuss it with His Majesty soon and push through a bill to bring the capital’s military authority back to the Imperial Palace. Those five great noble houses have become nominal anyway; there’s no longer any need to decentralize military power.”

The foolish Crown Prince, rather than addressing the national territory and people being violated by pirates or the border issues that could be solved through cooperation with another nation, demanded plans to strip the founding meritorious subjects of their power and strengthen his own.

Who on earth was it that said he was ‘fit to be king in every way’?

And he looks down on the five great noble houses to that extent?

The very cornerstones that built this vast empire?

‘*…That man was that far outside the bounds of common sense.*’

I was utterly astounded throughout the conversation.

No matter how unreasonable he was, I didn’t think he was that clueless and foolish. Was that my misconception?

The five great noble houses of the Empire have their own council meetings.

Four times a year, they gather to review the budget and national defense policies established in the Five Great Nobles’ Council, checking military plans and addressing shortcomings within the country each quarter.

The framework for running the country each year was determined by the noble council, and the five great houses would review those matters and supplement necessary parts.

‘*To disregard the authority of the five great houses, which has persisted for nearly 600 years, to that extent…*’

I realized why the Crown Prince had been meeting so frequently and talking at such length with my father.

They were trying to overturn the entire country.

“It’s necessary work to strengthen the imperial authority, but when His Majesty finds out…”

“His Majesty is not an emperor for the sake of imperial authority. He is an emperor for the nobles and the people. When my father finds out, everything will be brought down, so everyone be careful.”

And furthermore, it was even an act of rebellion against His Imperial Majesty.

I covered my mouth with my hand and suppressed the hollow laughter that kept escaping.

Was the plot the Crown Prince had concocted with his father truly not just about my divorce?

“Ah, Your Highness. How about we meet somewhere else next time, instead of here? The journey to this place isn’t easy.”

“Is that so? Is there a suitable place within the capital?”

“We’d have to look, but it seems…”

The conversation flowed on, reaching the point of discussing the next meeting place.

It would be nice if I could hear that too, but unfortunately, I had to leave the building before everyone inside moved.

I didn’t have the skill to defend myself against all the knights outside and the armed men inside.

With regret, I quietly made my way back out of the basement.

Passing through the long corridor and cautiously climbing the stairs, I suddenly heard a clunk from inside—the sound of a door opening.

“Then let’s meet there next time. It would be easier to avoid people’s attention, being inside the capital and all.”

“Yes, Your Highness. I will take care of the surroundings.”

“Good. Well then, I’ll see you all next time.”

Damn it. Truly damn it.

I hurriedly climbed the remaining stairs and came up.

I considered closing the entrance, but thought that if it made a noise, someone might realize someone had been there, so I left it open as I came up.

And I intended to stand the unconscious Zen up in front of it…

Zen was gone.

“…The Count will have to work hard.”

“…Just being of help is an honor.”

To make matters worse, it seemed the people downstairs had moved closer to the stairs.

Either I get discovered by them, or I go outside and run into the guards who might be stationed around the perimeter.

Both were dangerous situations for me.

I pressed myself against the entrance door, repeatedly grabbing and releasing the doorknob.

“Why is this open?”

Right below me, very close by, I heard the Crown Prince’s voice. Reflexively, I opened the door and slipped out of the building.

‘*What do I do now?*’

Caught between a rock and a hard place, I prayed I would only run into the knights, and as I stepped outside—

“My Lady, this way.”

As soon as I opened the door, a hand shot out and grabbed me.

It happened so fast I couldn’t even see their face and was dragged along helplessly, but I instantly knew who it was.

“Duke, how did you get here…?”

“Explanations later. For now, let’s get out of here.”

A large hand, familiar warmth, and a low, firm voice enveloping my ear.

It was Ashiad Fontaine himself.

Ashiad, just as his father had done, led me winding through alleys for a while.

It was a completely different direction from the way I had come, but I followed him without a word.

After circling several buildings, we were finally able to board a carriage prepared behind a small house.

“How are you here?”

As soon as we got on, the carriage departed immediately. I pushed back my hood and looked at him.

He, too, had his hood pulled down low. He roughly pushed it back at my question.

“You ask how I’m here? Is that important right now?”

“Huh? Then what’s…”

For some reason, he looked extremely angry.

With fierce eyes that looked like he could devour me at any moment, he let out a growl-like sound.

“My Lady. Just what possessed you to do something so reckless? Do you have any idea how worried the Marquess and Marchioness of Wellington are right now? If you had been discovered by them, you… you wouldn’t have come out unscathed! You’re not unaware that the Crown Prince has the power of summary execution…!”

“Summary execution, you say? Duke… I am the only heir of the Mason family, and my father was inside there too.”

“My Lady. That’s not the point. Just why on earth would you do something so reckless…?”

Hah. A deep sigh escaped Ashiad’s lips.

“I acknowledge that you can handle a sword and that you move your body well enough. I acknowledge it, but that doesn’t mean you can take on a dozen well-trained knights, does it?”

“Well, I suppose not. That’s true, but…”

I understood that he was extremely worried about me.

And on top of that, I understood that he had roughly cleared the surroundings to somehow get me out without being noticed by the people inside that building.

But this man.

“How did you know I could use a sword?”

“Pardon?”

The fact that I could wield a sword and had been trained to a level comparable to other knights was known only to my maid Zena and my aide Cleor in the North.

I always trained when my father was away on subjugations, using the time when the servants were all asleep, and only Cleor oversaw my training.

Even after coming to the capital, I did simple exercises for basic stamina in my room but never touched a sword. So how does this man know that?

“…My Lady. Isn’t that the important thing right now…”

“No. It is important. Only two people on the entire continent know this fact, and I can’t imagine them telling you about it.”

The reason I had kept the fact that I could handle a sword a strict secret was simple.

I wanted to surprise my father.

I wanted to prove that I could properly help him too, that I was qualified to become the knight he so cherished.

But as time went on and his indifference continued, I grew more and more weary. As I matured, I also came to realize that more people looked unfavorably upon a woman learning swordsmanship than those who saw it positively.

That’s why I never even mentioned it to Ashiad in my previous life.

So how on earth does this man—

How does he know?

“Well, that is, you see…”

When I pressed him with a sharp gaze, his face showed visible panic.

With an expression that seemed to be searching for a way out of this situation, I stared straight at him.

It wasn’t impossible.

Maybe he coincidentally saw me using a sword. Or maybe he had known me for a very long time.

Or else…

“Duke. Perhaps… you…”