Chapter 53

* * *

【The Deceptive Smile】

The captain of the palace guard, known for his strict and upright demeanor, saluted solemnly.

"Following your orders, we have reinforced the security, but nothing has happened. We apologize for the inconvenience."

"That's right, it seems we were overly cautious. Thank you for your hard work."

The Duke of Retrau responded calmly to the captain, who was from a noble family, and saw him and his subordinates off. Then he took a sip of tea and smiled at the elderly servant who had been waiting.

"This tea is quite poor. Please fetch some better 'leaves.'"

"I apologize. I didn't have the luxury to choose the 'origin.' Besides..."

"What is it?"

The white-haired servant slightly twisted his lips.

"The guest was quite difficult, so the 'hospitality' didn't go well."

"...I'll acknowledge that."

Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz.

Born a commoner, he was a shadow figure in the Fifth Division but had outstanding military achievements. A fearless and brave soldier.

However, he had no ambition or desire for advancement, and his private life was impeccable. He was completely unaffected by other families and politically neutral.

He was the perfect candidate to be used and discarded.

But it seemed that wasn't the case.

"You have a keen sense of danger, not just on the battlefield."

Despite being a brave soldier, he thought the commoner would easily fall for a plot to bring him down, but he was tougher than expected.

The servant asked.

"Shall I fetch new 'leaves'?"

"No, let's not. It would be impolite to insist."

In the game of intrigue, an ill-considered move can lead to self-destruction. Wait for the enemy to show a weakness.

The Duke of Retrau has many enemies. It's not worth dwelling on a mere commoner lieutenant. The man's political influence is limited.

Moreover, if he could weaken Colonel Altsar, there would be no need to be wary of Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz.

"Just leave him alone. ...Yes, leave him alone."

But he felt a nagging unease and hesitated.

Is this really the right approach?

The unease remained, but pressing the issue further could sour his relationship with Colonel Altsar, which would be dangerous.

It's best to abandon the hunt for now and wait for the prey to show a weakness.

"I will recommend to His Majesty that Lieutenant Colonel Chrombertz be promoted to major. Contact the Fifth Division commander."

"Yes, Your Excellency."

The servant promptly retrieved a pen and ink.

As he wrote on the high-quality paper, the Duke of Retrau asked,

"Did the Duke of Zihotberg receive the letter from Colonel Altsar?"

"No, I have testimony from the palace guards."

"Very well."

The Duke of Retrau didn't know the significance of the wax seal. She had taken the family's leadership from her father but hadn't inherited the necessary knowledge.

"The Sixth Special Task Brigade seems to have avoided approaching other families, but continue to monitor them."

The servant shook his head.

"With all due respect, we lack the manpower. We need informants in such remote areas."

"Then use the peasants we've bribed. Minimal surveillance should suffice for now."

"Yes, sir."

Even the Retrau family has limits to their spies and cannot maintain a complete surveillance network. Trustworthy and capable people are rare.

"Monitor the Zihotberg family's movements for the time being."

"Understood."

This should be sufficient for now. The Duke of Retrau sighed in relief and added a drop of perfume to the letter. The scent, though not visible, served as a personal signature. It was a special perfume created by a professional perfumer using a secret recipe.

"By the way, where are my 'spare clothes'?"

"They should be arriving at 'Number Six' about now."

"Good."

* * *

I returned safely to the Sixth Special Task Brigade headquarters with Colonel Altsar and immediately received an order: "Recognized for outstanding service in the Kionis campaign, promoted to major."

It seems a bit late, so it's probably due to the Duke of Zihotberg or the Duke of Retrau's recommendation.

If it's the Duke of Zihotberg, it's a simple act of gratitude. If it's the Duke of Retrau, it's to make me complacent.

Since the Duke of Retrau failed to bring me down, if this is her doing, she probably wants to keep me around to observe.

Either way, I can't do anything about it, so I'll accept the promotion. Colonel Altsar is also smiling.

"Congratulations, Major Chrombertz. I look forward to working with you."

"Thank you, sir. I will continue to serve diligently."

After a sharp salute, I smiled wryly.

"I wish I had been promoted right after returning from Kionis. It's hard to be genuinely happy about this."

I looked at my shiny new rank insignia. The period as a lieutenant colonel was too short, and it feels a bit like a demotion.

Colonel Altsar also smiled wryly.

"Well, don't say that. It's rare for a commoner to become a major in their early twenties. You'll be a role model for the Imperial Army."

"Given the political motives, I doubt I'll be a role model."

Considering my age from my previous life, I feel more like I'm ready to retire.

Colonel Altsar tilted his head as if reading my thoughts.

"You sometimes have the same expression as my late father. Are you tired of life?"

"Somewhat, yes."

This man is unnervingly perceptive. He must be from one of the Five Royal Families, with a keen eye for people.

Colonel Altsar smiled.

"Then I rely on you like my late father. Live longer than he did."

"I'll try."

But wait, his father remarried in his later years, so he must have lived quite a long time...

* *

After that, I enjoyed a period of peace. Today, I attended a meeting with the brigade commander and other officers. The other officers are mostly Lieutenant Roz and Sergeant Major Hanna.

Colonel Altsar seems intent on making Hanna the first commoner female officer and has been actively including her in officer meetings.

According to Lieutenant Roz, the political situation is becoming increasingly unstable.

"There seems to be some movement between the Mildor family and the Zihotberg family."

"Yes, sir... as you say."

Colonel Altsar asked, and Lieutenant Roz looked troubled.

I waved my major's insignia and pressed Roz.

"We're still friends, right, Lieutenant Roz?"

"Cut it out, that's not funny."

Roz, who missed the promotion while on duty, cleared his throat.

"I received a private letter from my stepmother to my wife, which contained some relevant content. Here it is."

Roz's wife is the daughter of the Duke of Mildor's younger brother. Therefore, letters from her family are from the Mildor family.

However, this letter was from the wife of the Duke of Mildor's younger brother to one of her daughters.

At this level, even the Duke of Retrau can't monitor everything. The sheer volume of correspondence is too much for the Retrau family's intelligence network to cover.

The content was a typical letter asking about the well-being of the daughter and grandchildren, with warm and caring advice on sewing and child-rearing.

But since Roz showed it, there must be something more to it.

Sure enough, Colonel Altsar had a serious expression.

"The 'green embroidery thread'... that's from the 'Berngen Epic.' The 'golden-haired sheep embroidery' refers to Emperor Gusta's anecdote."

What does that mean?

Colonel Altsar looked pleased and turned to me.

"An allusion that only those well-versed in classics can understand. The wife of the Duke of Mildor's younger brother seems to enjoy the late Eovenian dynasty literature."

I looked at Roz, who shook his head.

"The books I've read are 'Adventures of the Street Fortune Teller' and 'The Great Merchant's Tale.' They're popular among the common people, but only those who can afford to visit lending libraries in urban areas."

Hanna, hunched in her large frame, said apologetically.

"I've only read manuals on Five Royal Chess and artillery... I didn't even learn to read and write before joining the military, so I think it's impressive that I can read this much."

We commoners can't understand this.

That's why I dislike the nobility. They have their own inside jokes that only they understand.

Indeed, this would be incomprehensible to informants and spies, most of whom are commoners.

"So, what does it mean?"

As the representative of the commoner trio, I asked, and the colonel answered with a slightly stern expression.

"The Mildor family seems to be actively exchanging information with the Zihotberg family. However, there's a somewhat ominous atmosphere. Words hinting at the Duchy of Bruges and the Kionis Federation are scattered throughout. It would be safer to keep our distance from this plot."

The content was more serious than I thought. If it involves other countries, getting involved would be dangerous.

Roz sighed, waving the letter.

"Nobles communicate in all sorts of ways."

Colonel Altsar nodded.

"Yes. Nobles and commoners, upper and lower nobles, family and other families. They create barriers in every way possible to exclude outsiders and monopolize benefits within their own circles. That's the Imperial nobility."

I find the commoner society too barbaric to like, but the noble society seems equally distorted. Where do I belong?

In any case, I said this.

"And the Duke of Retrau is the current head of the family but didn't receive the necessary education. So, she doesn't know what the head of the family should know?"

"Yes. For example, that woman probably doesn't know about the late Eovenian dynasty literature. It's not highly regarded within the empire and is not considered part of the basic education for nobles."

The Schwaidel people tend to praise their own culture and view other countries' cultures as inferior. It seems that even among the nobility, few read the classics of neighboring Eovenia.

"Does Your Excellency know about it?"

"I consider myself a literary girl. But I prefer the early Eovenian dynasty literature. I like happy endings more than tragedies."

It seems the late dynasty literature is full of tragedies. Perhaps it reflected the social conditions of the time. I'm interested.

"You look interested. Would you like to borrow a translated version?"

"Please. Something as bright as possible."

"Leave it to me. I think you'd like 'The Ghost Knight of Ulka' or 'The Hunter of the Magic Bow.'"

"Are they really that bright?"

"Of course. Both are excellent."

The colonel suddenly seemed in a good mood. What's up with this guy?

In any case, it seems the Duke of Retrau is gradually being surrounded. It's unlikely she will quietly let her influence be reduced, so something will happen.

"I hope the future of the empire has a happy ending."

"At least we must avoid a tragedy. One tragic hero is enough, and that woman is it."

I nodded deeply in agreement with the colonel.