Yohane's Life in the Castle

"This is delicious. This tomato."

"Yeah. It's perfectly ripe."

While driving the cart, I bit into a tomato together with Azu.

We had bought these in the city of Aquarius when we stopped by along the way.

Perhaps because they were fresh, just harvested, they tasted especially good.

Traveling to the Empire by cart was something we were used to by now.

At first it had been difficult, worrying about monsters and being careful of bandits, but now that the roads were maintained, it had become much easier.

The journey to the imperial capital went without any particular trouble, and we arrived safely.

This might have been our first truly peaceful trip.

When I informed them at the imperial castle that I was an envoy from the Kingdom, I was made to wait.

While killing time, I looked around the castle interior.

It had a different atmosphere from the royal castle.

While luxuriously appointed, weapons were installed here and there, ready to be drawn at any moment.

I had heard that the Empire had experienced internal strife multiple times in the past, with the imperial castle becoming a battlefield.

That experience had taken this form.

"Don't stare around too much."

"Why? Since we've gotten inside, I want to see as much as—"

"There are assassins doing security. You don't want to be suspected of anything, do you?"

When Finn said that, I looked around again, but couldn't tell at all.

Soldiers, nobles. Then merchants making deliveries and people who seemed to have come to petition.

Everyone looked suspicious.

"You won't be able to tell just by looking. There are things only those in the same profession can recognize."

"I see, so if they spot someone suspicious, they'll haul them away."

"Exactly. Though we have proper credentials this time, so there shouldn't be any problems."

I hoped so. Just then, the receptionist woman came over to us.

"Yohane-sama. His Majesty has agreed to see you. Please come this way."

"Thank you."

It seemed I would be able to meet with him right away.

I had expected to wait several days, so this was lucky.

I led Azu and the others as we proceeded inside.

Along the way, a man we passed fixed his gaze on us.

Since we had a party of beautiful women, we probably stood out, but they might have thought I was an envoy who kept women at his side.

However, considering our safety, bringing everyone was definitely the right choice, so I decided not to worry about it.

We were shown to Crown Prince Kelves's office.

They had called him "His Majesty," so he must have effectively taken control of the Empire.

Like Princess Tianis, he probably just needed to wait for the coronation.

"Ah, Yohane. I'm glad you came."

Crown Prince Kelves called out casually while seated on a sofa.

His attendant and guard, Gloria, stood behind him.

He promptly invited me to sit on the sofa, so I took a seat without hesitation.

"Your Highness Crown Prince Kelves, may your…"

"Come now, given our relationship, there's no need for such stiff formality. I haven't forgotten my debt to you from Iselia."

"I'm glad you feel that way. However, this time I'm here as an envoy from the Kingdom, so there are formalities to observe. I hear you have pacified the Empire. My sincere congratulations."

"It was quite the ordeal. I felt my life was in danger many times, but getting through the Iselia attack in one piece was crucial. That allowed me to rapidly expand my forces."

Crown Prince Kelves laughed heartily as he opened his clothes.

Then he pointed to the area around his collarbone.

There was a large scar there.

"Look at this wound. It's not often you get to see blood spray from your own body."

"That's… you're fortunate to have survived."

"It must mean I have a gift from the heavens. Though Carolus did give me trouble."

Crown Prince Kelves stared at me intently.

The smile from moments ago had vanished, revealing the face of a ruler.

"The Kingdom wishes to maintain the same friendly relations with the Empire. I've brought a letter from Her Highness Princess Tianis. We have also brought art objects as gifts."

"From Princess Tianis, is it? I gratefully accept. The Empire also wishes to continue getting along with the Kingdom. After all, we are neighbors."

"Yes. Indeed."

"It seems you're having quite a bit of trouble with the Church of the Sun God. If you want a helping hand, just say the word. We always welcome it. Please convey that to Princess Tianis."

"Understood. I will convey that offer."

I wondered how much Crown Prince Kelves knew.

He was only hinting, but his words seemed to contain the implication that he was in the know.

Though I held the position of Kingdom envoy, I hadn't been given decision-making authority.

I should remain faithful to my role as a messenger.

After all, merchants and kings alike are bound by their promises.

That said, I didn't think the Kingdom would borrow the Empire's power no matter how much trouble they were in.

Once Imperial soldiers set foot in the Kingdom, there was no guarantee they would return to the Empire after the problem was resolved.

If they occupied the territory, it would effectively become land under Imperial control.

In that case, the Kingdom would have no choice but to go to war with the Empire, but if they had called on the Empire because they lacked military strength, it was hard to imagine they would have enough to fight the Empire.

There's even a saying about lending your porch and having them take the whole house.

That concluded the political talk, and afterward I was subjected to progress reports… or rather, boasting.

Though he spoke cheerfully, the content was extremely cruel.

Essentially, it was the story of how he had killed all his rival siblings and relatives with his own hands.

An imperial prince that Carolus had apparently backed was still not even four years old.

He surely died without understanding anything.

The wine and grape juice I had brought personally seemed to suit Crown Prince Kelves's taste, and I think he was pleased.

"The Empire's succession dispute caused the people some anxiety. To address that, we've decided to hold the coronation ceremony on short notice. I sent an invitation to the Kingdom as well, and it says you'll be attending as their representative. They trust you, don't they?"

Attending the coronation. I hadn't heard anything about this.

I thought it would end with words of congratulations.

In my heart, I complained to Anatia-sama and Princess Tianis, who weren't here.

Neither of them was in any position to come, and the other royals were either dead or sent away to recuperate.

Rather than sending some random noble, they figured they might as well send Yohane, their own man who was already acquainted with Crown Prince Kelves.

"I would be delighted to attend."

"Please do. I'll prepare a room for you in the castle. Rest and recover from your journey until then."

That concluded the meeting, and I expressed my thanks before withdrawing.

It didn't look like I'd be returning home anytime soon.

But spending some time in elegant comfort at the imperial castle wasn't so bad.