Chapter 60

I, who received the imperial order to arrest Duke Litrayu, am now facing Duke Litrayu in the imperial capital.

"Thank you for your hard work in security."

Duke Litrayu, wearing a coat, is smiling thinly. He still has that scary smile.

However, the perfume scent emanating from today's Duke Litrayu is a clean, citrusy fragrance.

In other words, this Duke Litrayu is a body double, Ricoche in disguise.

Upon closer inspection, even in that cruel smile, there is a gentle expression in his eyes. The real Duke's eyes are more like those of a reptile or a bird of prey, much scarier.

Today is the day of the imperial council where the heads of the five royal families gather. Every six months, this council discusses important issues such as conflicts between the five royal families and diplomatic challenges.

Usually, Duke Litrayu would come in person, but wary of the situation, she sent a body double to this important meeting.

At the meeting, Ricoche performed admirably as a body double, firmly defending the interests of the Litrayu family.

However, since he is not a real politician, according to Colonel Altsar, "he lacks the final push." He could be a bit more brazen, but as a commoner, he tends to be overly cautious. Politics is complicated.

Relieved to see Ricoche safe, I salute him exaggeratedly as I see him off.

"Thank you for the long meeting. Please be careful on your way."

"Thank you. You too, stay well."

The fake Duke Litrayu got into the carriage and set off for his domain.

As I watched him go, wishing for his safety, Duke Zihiteberg arrived. This one is the real deal.

"Captain Chromberg, was it really right not to arrest him?"

"We must not arrest him. That is probably a body double."

Colonel Altsar and I know that it is a body double, but this is information that cannot be disclosed. We speak in terms of speculation.

"There is information that Duke Litrayu uses body doubles. If there is a risk of arrest, as in this case, he will definitely send a body double."

"Body double... I don't often see him, so I have no confidence in distinguishing the real from the fake."

Duke Zihiteberg sighed and then smiled at me.

"Truly, you are Colonel Altsar's excellent strategist. You see through everything. You are a reliable man with both integrity and wisdom."

Actually, it's not like that. The body double came to me for help.

I can't explain the situation, so I'll let him misunderstand.

"By the way, Your Highness, is it appropriate to be so friendly with a commoner?"

I believe the head of the Zihiteberg family is not allowed to have private conversations with commoners, right?

I call him "Your Highness," but in the actual Schweider language, there is a special title for the five royal families that falls between "Your Majesty" and "Your Highness," which I use.

After all, the five royal families are "royal families." Though they have different ranks, they are on equal footing with the emperor.

However, this important Duke Zihiteberg casually said something incredible.

"Do not worry. You are my Silndanyu."

Silndanyu? What's that?

As a Japanese speaker, it gives me the creeps.

Then Duke Zihiteberg said, as if he had just realized.

"Oh, right. It's an old term in the noble society, so even you might not know. It means something like a 'special guest' or a 'backdoor friend.'"

Special? Backdoor?

"In short, it is a treatment given to commoners with whom one wishes to be close, regardless of status. For example, a lover."

My back is getting more and more creeped out, man.

"Also, it is used to show respect to cultural figures like chess players or poets. It is a way to improve social relations while maintaining the class system. I thought you were already a Silndanyu of the Medilen family."

No, I'm not. Stop saying Silndanyu. I understand you don't mean it maliciously.

"You are a Silndanyu officially recognized by the Zihiteberg family. You are allowed to visit our house privately and will be treated like a noble guest."

It seems I have been given quite good treatment without my knowledge, but the sound of it is bothering me. This kind of thing happens frequently in this world.

At least, I should thank him.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

"Well, you saved my late father's honor. I would even like to give you a fief. Besides, I haven't given up on recruiting you."

I appreciate it, but I have no intention of leaving Colonel Altsar's staff.

The colonel trusts me and lets me work as I like. It's the first time I've enjoyed my job.

So I will follow him for life.

Duke Zihiteberg looked at my profile and chuckled.

"Don't say it all, loyalist. I don't think I can make you my vassal. But if you have any problems, feel free to talk to me."

"In that case, I have something I would like to consult about."

"Go ahead."

There, I explained the situation and asked Duke Zihiteberg for his cooperation.

He immediately agreed.

"That's no problem. For the peace of the empire and for my benefactor, I will do my part."

"Thank you, Your Highness."

When I thanked him, Duke Zihiteberg laughed happily.

"Perhaps I have repaid some of my debt. When this matter is settled, come and visit the graves of your subordinates. The Zihiteberg family guards the 'Grave of the Four Holy Maidens.'"

He patted my shoulder and left, his coat flapping.

* * *

After that, there were several court events, but I skipped all of them. After all, Ricoche would come as a body double.

However, the people who ordered me to clean up the mess seem dissatisfied with my work.

Colonel Altsar chuckled and waved the imperial decree.

"His Majesty the Emperor is angry. 'Why didn't you arrest him this time?'"

Shut up. Since you entrusted it to me, you should just watch and see. What a useless emperor.

...But saying that to the colonel wouldn't help.

"All the court events so far have been held annually according to the calendar. Since the schedule is known in advance, there is no obstacle to using a body double."

"True. As long as Ricoche is around, Duke Litrayu won't leave his domain."

That's right. On the other hand, we can't just eliminate Ricoche. Her safety is one of our top priorities.

"To make Duke Litrayu come in person, we need to call him on an urgent matter when a body double cannot be used."

We need to call him on a matter that absolutely requires his presence at a time when the schedule doesn't allow for a body double.

"When Ricoche is out of the domain on secret missions, that's the moment to strike."

Just by saying that, Colonel Altsar seemed to understand everything.

"I see. At that time, he cannot send a body double to the imperial capital. Moreover, he cannot say that he is 'out of the domain on a secret mission.'"

When the official and actual locations match, and a body double cannot be used, that is the only time we can arrest Duke Litrayu.

"Thanks to Duke Zihiteberg's cooperation, we were able to spread the information to Duke Litrayu that 'there is a rift between Duke Zihiteberg and his vassals, and many hereditary vassals have defected.'"

"When did you...?"

"I asked him the last time we met."

After all, I am Duke Zihiteberg's Silndanyu.

"If it goes well, we can lure Ricoche to the Zihiteberg domain."

Duke Litrayu has expanded his power by creating enemies and attacking them, but as a result, he has many enemies. He needs new allies, so if there is someone he can recruit, he will immediately reach out.

Of course, the body double of Duke Litrayu will go. When I met him, it was the same; the impact of making people believe "Duke Litrayu himself came" is significant. It's quite a shock.

Duke Litrayu is not incompetent and has her own way of managing people, making her a tough opponent.

Colonel Altsar nodded in satisfaction.

"The Zihiteberg domain is the farthest from the Litrayu domain, and the route passes near the Sixth Special Task Brigade. It is easy to monitor his movements, and if we arrest Duke Litrayu, we can protect him immediately. I think it's a good plan."

"I appreciate that."

Even as a strategist, I worked hard without sleeping. The hardest part was not coming up with the plan but making sure Duke Litrayu didn't find out. But that's part of a strategist's job.

"Next, we need to arrange for the great Emperor to call Duke Litrayu at this time. Only His Majesty can issue an imperial order."

I don't expect much from that old man, but at least he needs to do this much.

Colonel Altsar laughed.

"Don't worry, I will handle it. I apologize for making you do political work for so long. Next, we will move to the stage of mobilizing troops. I will have you prepare for war as a strategist. You will be happy, right?"

Please don't talk about people like they are war dogs.

"Your joke. I hate war more than anything."

"That's why you are my strategist. Stay that way. I like that about you."

The colonel smiled, and he looked a bit cute.

I feel safe next to this person... I want to be more useful.

That's why I need to plan the war against Duke Litrayu.

To prevent her from having time to resist, I will use everything at my disposal.