Chapter 96

The morning after peering into the prince's debauchery, I decided to visit Klaus at the guild. I wanted to report that I could return to Japan using the shadow movement of dark magic and that I had decided to make the fourth prince, Diethelm, my puppet, and to hear his opinion. Especially, I wanted to know if there was anything I needed to be careful about when excluding the second prince's faction.

I thought it might be troublesome to show my face in the crowded guild, as I seemed to have become a bit well-known since the Great Occurrence, so I used shadow movement to go directly to the front of Klaus's office. After confirming that there were no visitors in the office, I knocked on the door.

"Who is it?"

"It's Kent."

"Alright, it's open, come in."

"Good morning. I'm sorry for coming so suddenly."

"Is something wrong?"

"Yes, I apologize for the late report. Actually, the night before last, I found out that I can return to my original world using the shadow movement of dark magic. I've been very grateful for all your help so far."

I straightened my posture and bowed deeply, and silence fell in the office.

"What? You can return to your original world? Hey, you're not thinking of going back, are you?"

I kept my head bowed deeply and remained silent, even as I heard Klaus's slightly flustered voice. I couldn't let him read my expression, as I needed to take a shot at the slightly devious father who had granted amnesty to the Hawk Mountain group and made me pay the compensation.

"Kent, what are you going to do about Beatrice? The state of the Dark Forest hasn't stabilized yet. Are you going to abandon Volzard?"

"Actually, the night before last, I went back to my hometown..."

I reported that my house was empty, what had happened in Japan after we were summoned, and that no one else had a way to return yet.

"I've been very grateful for all your help, but it seems there's no place for me in my original world. I've decided to work hard to be recognized as a man in Volzard. I hope to continue to have your support... Father-in-law."

After bowing again, I showed a sly smile, and Klaus crossed his arms and glared back at me. A vein seemed to be popping on his temple... Did I go a bit too far?

"Hmm... That's quite interesting. I'll make sure to use you to the fullest, so be prepared."

"Yes, I'll do my best to learn."

"Still, it's ironic that Kent, who doesn't need to return, can, while those who were crying to go back can't."

"True, but finding out that I can return to Japan using shadow movement is a step forward. If I can figure out how to bring others into the shadow world, the problem of returning will be solved."

"Indeed... Shadow movement, dark magic..."

Klaus uncrossed his arms and began to stroke his chin, deep in thought.

"Is there anyone knowledgeable about this?"

"Generally, the most common attribute is earth, followed by wind, water, and fire, with light and dark being rare. The stories that have been passed down are often like fairy tales, and it's hard to know how much to trust them."

"Is that so?"

"You... Using dark magic without incantation is a fairy tale-level existence to us."

"But... I managed to do it, didn't I?"

In fact, the first time I used magic was when I was being eaten by goblins, and I wasn't even aware that I was using magic.

"Since I managed to do it, can't I somehow bring the others with me?"

"I tried when we rescued the classmates, but it didn't work."

"I see... Dark magic... Wait, I remember, didn't Donovan send a report on the Great Occurrence to the guild headquarters?"

"Does the report have anything to do with it?"

"Yeah, it does. Your story is certainly included in the report. If that's the case, your promotion to S-rank will be discussed, and it's likely that the guild master from headquarters will come to Volzard..."

"Is that person knowledgeable about dark magic?"

"Yes, but Kent, be careful. He's over 250 years old."

"250 years? You're joking, right?"

"Not at all. You'll see when you meet him. If he doesn't come to Volzard, I'll write a letter of introduction for you to meet and talk to him. It might lead to a solution."

"Yes, please do."

Although 250 years is a bit concerning, I can't avoid meeting him if I want to solve the problem.

"Kent, is that all you wanted to talk about?"

"No, with me being able to return to my original world, it will become a negotiation between Japan and Reisenburg..."

"Ah, that will be a complicated matter."

As expected of Klaus, who handles the duties of a lord, he understands the complexity of negotiations between countries with different languages, customs, and values without needing an explanation.

"Yes, if I just make a claim, it's unclear when it will be paid, and it's questionable whether the royal family, other than Camilla, will even agree to negotiate. So, I plan to steal it ourselves and have Camilla approve it as compensation."

"Approve it... Will she really agree to that?"

"Yes, Camilla seems to believe I'm a demon king, so I've already made her submit and swear allegiance."

"Kukuku, really going for the demon king role, huh... Well, it's fine. It will speed things up."

"Regarding the negotiations with Japan, I'll handle it that way, but what about the Reisenburg royal family..."

I explained the current situation of the four princes I had seen and my plan to make the fourth prince, Diethelm, the next king.

"What do you think?"

"Well, I haven't seen them myself, but I haven't heard any good rumors about the second prince. It doesn't seem like a favorable situation for Volzard if they gain full control."

According to Klaus, in the regions governed by the second prince's faction, tax collection has become stricter. If heavy taxes spread throughout Reisenburg, it could affect the passage of Balshania's caravans crossing the desert.

"If high taxes are imposed on entering the country and on trade within the country, merchants will stop coming. Merchants not only transport goods but also information from other countries. If that information stops, we won't know what other countries are doing or thinking. The loss of information is more painful than the loss of goods."

Unlike on Earth, where information from the other side of the planet can be transmitted instantly, the information brought here is valuable.

"Considering my future in Volzard, I think it's better to exclude the second prince's faction, but should I avoid getting involved in the struggle for the throne?"

"Kent, that's something only you can do. Normally, no one would dare to interfere. You can't investigate the inner workings of a country, so you can only watch and see what kind of person becomes king. Once a new king is born, you can only respond based on their attitude."

As Klaus said, even if you send spies, it's difficult to infiltrate the royal family. I had taken shadow movement for granted, but it's a significant advantage.

"Normally, it's impossible, but if I can do it..."

"Of course, I'll lend you a hand, son-in-law. My priority is Volzard's benefit. First, gather more detailed information. I'll consider the approach based on that."

"Is there anything I need to be careful about?"

"Well, the struggle for the throne and the factional battles that come with it are a gamble with the rest of your life on the line."

"A gamble...?"

"Yes, if the prince you support becomes the next king, you might gain more land or move to fertile land. But if you're on the losing side, you might be stripped of your land or moved to barren land. Even princes who don't become king might be imprisoned or even killed. If you're going to interfere in a struggle that puts your life on the line, you'll get burned if you don't have the right resolve."

Hearing Klaus's warning, I felt a chill down my spine. Removing the second prince's faction and making Diethelm the next king... I had been approaching it with a game-like mindset, but it's a struggle that puts people's lives on the line.

"Maybe I should just give up..."

"You can't. You've already told me, so you have to do it."

"But... everyone is putting their lives on the line..."

"Idiot, we're putting our lives on the line too. Do you want to live in a city where you can't feel safe? What if the second prince goes crazy and starts a war?"

"That... would be a problem..."

"Then it's better to make the fourth prince, who you can control from behind the scenes, the king."

"You're right..."

Hmm? I thought that by handling the Reisenburg royal succession, I would gain some respect from Klaus, but it seems I've lost control of the situation...

"Listen, Kent. Even if you're dealing with an opponent, if you think they can be useful in the future, try to win them over and make them an ally. But if you determine that they will only be harmful to you in the future, don't hesitate. If you take a half-hearted approach, it will come back to haunt you, so make sure to finish them off completely."

"Is it really necessary...?"

"It is. They might not come at you directly. If you care about your family, friends, and important things, don't show them any mercy."

Swallowing hard at Klaus's unusually stern words, I nodded. I have a feeling that the second and third princes will be the ones I need to finish off.

"I don't think things will move quickly, but if you wait too long, it will be too late. Investigate the internal affairs of Reisenburg as soon as possible and report back."

"Understood, I'll start immediately."

"I'm counting on you, son-in-law."

"Ugh... Excuse me."

"Ah, right, I almost forgot."

"What is it?"

"The group we granted amnesty to showed up at the wall construction site yesterday."

"Really?"

"Yeah, the site supervisor said they're starting to work like pros. How about it, you should use them."

After bowing to Klaus's sly smile, I left the office. I felt like I had been turned into a porcupine with arrows shot all over my body. Despite my frustration, Klaus is clearly more skilled than I am.

"Mr. Kent, if we try to investigate the relationships among the nobility on our own, it will take too much time."

"Hmm, what should I do..."

"The quickest way would be to get the information from Camilla."

"That's true. Camilla should know not only about the first prince's faction but also about the second prince's faction. I'll try to get the information tonight..."

I decided to go to Camilla's place in Lastock. Fred is monitoring her.

"Fred, how is Camilla doing?"

"The materials have been secured, so she's calmed down a bit..."

The construction of the wall is proceeding according to plan with the materials for the Great Occurrence countermeasures in place. However, the absolute shortage of manpower means it will take a long time to complete the entire project. Camilla is checking the plans in her office with the door open as usual.

"Almost time for the site inspection..."

"If that's