Chapter 134: Your World (2) ······One day, while I was preparing for my trip to Zerpa, nobles from the Imperial Palace paid a personal visit to the Knights' headquarters. They were fairly low-ranking in the palace hierarchy, but they came bearing expensive gifts—which I naturally refused—and a question.
"Sir Knight. There is an unwritten rule in the palace that no matter how heated our conflicts become, we never go so far as to dismiss someone from the House of Nobles."
It was because of trashy unwritten rules like that that the palace had become so stagnant.
"I'm sorry, but no such unwritten rule exists."
"For nearly a hundred years, there hasn't been a single case of dismissal—"
"There were cases before that. Quite many, in fact."
"Ahem······."
Deep anxiety clouded the nobles' faces. I could practically hear the gears turning in their heads.
"But, Sir Knight. Surely Duke Reutern does not truly wish for Duke Julius's dismissal. He has always—"
"If that's what you think, you've misjudged him."
I stood up from my seat. Exhaling a soft breath, I poured hot water into my coffee cup.
"······Hmm. I wonder what the world actually thinks of me."
I took a leisurely sip of coffee. The nobles' eyes remained fixed on me as I continued in a low voice.
"Well, some call me a monster, some call me a knight, and others call me a maverick. Let me be clear: I am not the meticulous, calculating person you think I am."
I let out a short, dry laugh.
"I'm merely a novice knight entering his third year."
At that, the nobles' expressions shifted. Their faces grew even more fraught with worry.
"Th-then, are you saying Duke Reutern himself orchestrated this entire scheme?"
I raised an eyebrow slightly. There was no need to leave a lie in words. Non-verbal communication is the best way to let others interpret a situation exactly how they want to.
"How could I possibly fathom the full extent of his Grace's intentions? But perhaps... he might have anticipated all of this from the very beginning."
I talked up Reutern II. I played up his capabilities to the fullest.
"Heh······."
The best outcome for me was for them to tear each other apart in the mud until they all collapsed. Therefore, it wasn't a bad thing if Reutern's reputation was inflated with such hollow prestige.
"Phew."
"Haaa."
The palace nobles, seemingly having never expected such a reaction from me, merely blinked like goldfish, exchanging meaningless glances. I looked down at them indifferently.
"Time's up."
"Ah, yes. We shall take our leave then."
"Thank you for your time."
They hurried out, retrieving the wristwatches they had left with the administrative officer.
There was a mandatory requirement for entering my office: no one was allowed to wear an analog watch in my presence.
* * *
The transport ship crossed the western border and reached Zerpa. First, I visited the border village beyond the canyon that Lieutenant Colonel Han had once traversed.
"······This place has grown quite a bit."
The money I had provided to buy hundreds of cattle had multiplied into thousands within a year. Herds of grazing cattle stretched endlessly toward the horizon, and the village itself seemed to have expanded, brimming with vitality.
"This village currently supplies the logistics for our unit. The quality of the beef is excellent, and above all, the villagers are so eager to learn the Imperial language that communication is no issue," Lieutenant Colonel Han reported. "Also, the grass in this area grows exceptionally fast."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Thanks to the terrain being surrounded by the canyon and the Alberon Mountains like a folding screen, the mana in the atmosphere pools here, making the soil fertile."
The nature of mana varies by terrain and space, and here, it benefited the grass and nature. It was a natural-born pasture. If it had been bombed as it was before my regression, it would have been destroyed forever, becoming a barren wasteland······.
"Interesting."
The flow of history that I had twisted was slowly gathering small streams to form a river. I turned my gaze to Lieutenant Colonel Han.
"Are the preparations for the operation ready?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then, let's go."
I boarded the transport ship once more. The annexation of Zerpa—the first button to be fastened in the history of the continent by my own hands. If possible, I only hoped that Crown Prince Alonso would follow my lead without any trouble.
······.
"Duke Maximilian! You've finally come!"
"Yes. It's been a while."
The Zerpa Royal Palace, Alonso's reception room. Crown Prince Alonso welcomed me with a face brighter than ever.
"Has it been nearly a year?"
"Yes. It was winter back then as well."
"Ah~ that's right. Please, sit, sit."
We sat across from each other at the table and exchanged light pleasantries.
"Thanks to the Empire maintaining Zerpa's security and taking responsibility for supplies, the Royalist Faction is holding strong."
"······That is good to hear."
I picked up my teacup and took a sip. The black tea tasted quite good. No matter how I thought about it, Zerpa had too many excellent ingredients.
The Crown Prince watched my reaction and tentatively broached a subject.
"However, I sometimes find myself confused as to whether this devoted assistance to Zerpa is your personal decision, Duke Maximilian, or the will of the Imperial Household······."
A faint trace of suspicion flickered in the Crown Prince's eyes. I looked at him steadily.
"Ah~ of course, I trust the Empire, but that is the slogan of the Republican Faction. That the Empire intends to swallow Zerpa whole."
"Do not be swayed by the enemy's agitation. That is exactly what they want."
There was no need to answer his question directly. I simply conveyed my sentiment.
"I sincerely respect you, Your Highness."
"Eh? No, well, why so suddenly······."
"As you know, there are numerous royals within the Empire."
The Empire began at the center. Originally, only the current central district was the 'Empire,' but it grew by expanding endlessly into the east, north, west, and south. In that process, the royalty of fallen nations who 'cooperated' with the Imperial Household were incorporated as palace nobles.
"However, currently, those people in the palace are, compared to you, Crown Prince Alonso, very······."
I looked into the air and closed my eyes for a moment. In the past, royalty were used as chess pieces by the Emperor to check the power of the Empire's meritorious subjects, and the side effects of that were now manifesting. Alonso would likely know that history as well.
"They are utterly corrupt, nothing more than insignificant parasites."
"······Now, now. I'm sure they have their own admirable qualities."
"No. My suspicions have only grown stronger recently. You will be shocked when you hear the full story later."
I let out a deep sigh, pretending to be weary.
"A very large incident has broken out in the palace, and it looks like one of the very high-ranking seats in the House of Nobles might be wiped out entirely."
I was planting an escape route for Alonso. Even if you abandon this palace, there is a place for you in the Imperial Palace.
"······Though, as always, it will likely be slowly filled by someone else over time."
However, seeing Alonso's face, he didn't seem interested yet, so I took a step back.
"I suppose so."
Alonso licked his dry lips. He had other worries. Likely his disgust with the Royalist military. Yet, being weak-willed, he couldn't bring himself to say it out loud.
I said it for him.
"Your Highness. I have heard rumors that the Zerpa military is embezzling the supplies I provide."
"······."
Alonso nodded as if he had expected this.
"I have heard as well. From my close aides."
Indeed, it seemed Alonso had gained 'close aides' before I knew it.
"Yes. Then you must know why I am here."
"Of course I know. I have no intention of betraying you."
"In that case, will you, Crown Prince Alonso, be my justification?"
I intentionally drew out my voice. I didn't hide my appearance—looking exhausted, as if sick of politics.
"If you provide the justification, I will deal with them with my own hands."
Alonso nodded confidently.
"Do so. I have already told my aides to follow your will. They will be of great help to you."
Alonso emphasized his aides. Hiding a smile, I pulled a document from my coat.
"And this is a roster of names to replace the vacated military positions."
I placed it on the table.
"Please take a look."
At that moment, Alonso's face stiffened. I continued, pretending not to notice.
"Please refer to this when leading the political situation in the future. If you place them in key positions and keep them by your side, they will be able to assist you perfectly."
The Crown Prince's expression wavered coldly. He glanced at me and took another deep breath. He straightened his clothes for no reason, trying to maintain the dignified face of a royal, and spoke softly.
"······I am sorry."
His voice trembled slightly.
"Sir Maximilian. This is an act of interference in the sovereign right of the Zerpa government to appoint its own officials."
"······."
I stared at him quietly. Alonso met my gaze only halfway as he spoke.
"However, Zerpa still possesses its own sovereignty."
As the Crown Prince of a nation, he had developed a sense of pride.
"I have received immense help from you, Sir Maximilian, but I cannot hand over the nation's right to appoint its officials."
My eyes sank low.
"My nation. Our Zerpa's······."
Alonso clenched both hands tightly under the table, but he couldn't hide the trembling. He was truly a fragile man.
"Soul, heart. Those still belong to us."
"······."
I remained silent. Without a word, without showing any expression, I simply maintained the stillness. I waited until Alonso's breathing grew ragged, then I flashed a bright smile.
"Yes."
I nodded readily.
"Your Highness is indeed of noble blood."
As if acknowledging him, I picked up the roster.
"If I were to interfere even in this, as you said, it would be an impious act that clearly infringes upon Zerpa's sovereignty."
Riiip— Tear!
"Then, please consider this as a token of my heart as well."
I tore the paper in half.
"I respect, honor, and trust you, Your Highness."
"Uh, oh······."
Did he not expect me to back down so easily? Alonso's eyes went wide.
"Sir Maximilian······."
He even looked deeply moved, nearly tearing up. However, there was a reason for my withdrawal. It was because the 'work' had already been completed quite perfectly.
──Eight months ago.
Maximilian's mansion. I personally interviewed agents recruited from all over the Empire.
"Your Zerpa is at a native level. The accent is perfect."
Since there were quite a few people of mixed Zerpa descent in the Empire, I selected them thoroughly and laundered or forged their identities. For several months, they received rigorous training from Engie at Ebenholtz Castle. After completing vocational training, cultural studies, and a thorough verification of their ideologies, they left the country disguised as Zerpa elites from Imperial universities, businessmen, and experts.
They were all 'my people.'
They bribed the pro-Imperial factions within the Zerpa Palace and naturally seeped into the core departments of the palace. There was no limit to the operation funds, and they scattered money as easily as breathing. My money didn't stay in one place. It circulated through the entire palace like blood vessels, and the reputation of my people rose day by day.
"Is this person really that capable?"
Crown Prince Alonso is a pure and naive man.
"Yes. He is an elite from the Imperial Central University. The Empire offered him naturalization, but he reportedly returned home specifically for the sake of Zerpa."
"Ho. Such a loyal subject······. I must meet him."
When the majority praises someone as competent, he believes it without suspicion. He doesn't think to look deeper himself.
"Your Highness. This is a fine liquor I brought back from my recent trip to the Empire."
"······Oh? Isn't this the Snow Perique from the North?"
My people presented him with fine liquors, gifted him beautiful sculptures, and occasionally, at official functions where the Crown Prince was present, they pretended to care deeply for Zerpa, using brilliant expertise and difficult vocabulary to leave a deep impression of being 'capable loyalists.'
Furthermore, by occasionally fighting against the palace nobles and military who ignored the Crown Prince, they built up a faction solely for Alonso.
As a result.
"Nice shot!"
The caddy who clapped and helped with the swing every time Alonso played golf. He was highly skilled and a good talker, earning the Crown Prince's special favor—he was my plant.
"Your Highness. It seems the capital's finances will finally turn a profit this quarter."
The official in the Ministry of Finance whom Alonso trusted implicitly was also my person.
"A profit? A profit, you say? Is that possible?"
"Yes. The emergency fiscal plan I proposed four months ago has proven effective."
They cleverly manipulated the numbers. They reduced the deficit on the ledgers as much as possible and inflated the massive support funds secretly brought in from Maximilian as if they were the results of their own policies, acting the part of capable loyalists saving the kingdom.
"Ha······ well now."
The people I sent all became Crown Prince Alonso's close aides. After all, they were recruited specifically to become his aides.
"As expected. You all are my treasures."
The Chief of Security who protected them by his side, the Chief of Staff who coordinated the Crown Prince's schedule, and even the Head Chef who managed the palace's food supplies. They were all 'my people.'
──In this way, the Crown Prince's surroundings were already filled with my people. Since Alonso had come to trust them completely, he likely didn't have a clue. It would probably be better for him to never know.
"······When I look at you, Crown Prince Alonso."
Back in the reception room of the Zerpa Palace, I gazed at Alonso and smiled gently.
"For some reason, I am reminded of my past self."
At those words, Alonso wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and waved his hand dismissively.
"Now, now, why say such things again."
Relieved that I hadn't been as difficult as he feared, and feeling that his worries had been for nothing, he resembled my weak self from before the regression. He resembled my past, where I was merely dragged along because I knew nothing.
"Thank you so much for understanding. I thought you would understand, Sir Maximilian."
"Yes."
That is why.
"If not me, who else would understand you, Your Highness?"
It will be much better for you to live happily in your own world, knowing nothing. Because for a person like you, this world is far too cold and cruel······.
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