Chapter 59

After Noah left, the emperor summoned his long-time confidant, the First Chancellor.

The emperor always acted or consulted immediately after seeking Noah's opinion.

Therefore, the First Chancellor, who had been waiting in advance, arrived at the emperor's study in less than five minutes.

"Congratulations."

After bowing according to etiquette, the First Chancellor deliberately said such words.

Even the emperor was surprised by this.

"What is there to congratulate?"

"I noticed that Your Majesty's countenance was particularly pleasant. I deduced that something very delightful must have happened."

"Hmm, it was that obvious, was it?"

The emperor smiled even more happily.

"Noah is becoming more and more promising."

"Indeed, I would like to hear more about it."

When the First Chancellor showed interest, the emperor, with the face of a father boasting about his child, recounted the conversation he had just had with Noah.

The First Chancellor listened attentively, nodding from time to time, and then said:

"Indeed, Your Majesty. The only one who can act solely on the principles of the nobility, even among Your Majesty's children, is Prince Sage."

"Indeed."

"Truly, he is a child of the royal family."

"That's why I'm using rice cakes to suppress the rebellion. I'm sorry to Henry, but I don't want to give him military authority right now."

"Understood. I will do as you say."

"... And one more thing."

The emperor paused, stroking his chin in thought.

This thoughtful expression was very similar to Noah's, and the First Chancellor secretly thought, "They are indeed father and son."

After a moment of thought, the emperor raised his head and said:

" Gather young people with potential and add them to the rice cake suppression force."

"Understood. For what purpose?"

The First Chancellor asked again.

Depending on the purpose, the people chosen would be very different, so he thought it was important to understand clearly.

"Anyone with potential will do. And they must not belong to any family."

"Understood."

"Hmm, you look surprised."

"..."

The First Chancellor blushed slightly and looked embarrassed.

"I want to cultivate young people who know military affairs and have combat experience, and who do not belong to any family, while they are still young. So that they can be used by the next emperor, whoever it may be."

"I see!"

A prince who becomes emperor can hardly favor the retainers of other princes.

Whether it's for ease of use or simply out of favor.

In the end, they will favor their own retainers.

The emperor holds military power and does not let it go.

Therefore, the retainers of the princes have almost no opportunity to gain combat experience.

The emperor wants to prepare neutral individuals who can be used by the next emperor.

This idea is very similar to Noah's.

The First Chancellor thought, "What would Noah do?"

"Also, there is one more important matter."

"Understood."

"I will become the retired emperor."

"---!"

It was a bolt from the blue.

The First Chancellor was visibly shocked.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't panic. This is a continuation of the previous discussion. To ensure the prosperity of three generations with a good grandson. That hasn't changed."

"Understood..."

The First Chancellor was somewhat relieved.

"But I am human. Although I can still do it now, my judgment will decline with age. It would be better for the empire to transfer the throne while my judgment is still sound—besides,"

The emperor smiled slyly.

"I realized the other day that it might not be bad to retire and watch my son rule as emperor."

"I see."

The First Chancellor nodded in understanding and bowed.

His face, which he could see himself, was clearly shocked.

(Noah-sama is truly remarkable, to change even the emperor's life...)

The First Chancellor was not dull.

In fact, as a chancellor, his main job was to mediate between the emperor and the ministers below him.

As a result, he was often skilled at reading people's emotions.

The First Chancellor immediately understood.

It was Noah who made the emperor think this way at this moment.

The emperor was thoroughly fond of Noah.

He wanted to see what kind of reign Noah would have as emperor more than he wanted to wield power as emperor himself.

Noah, who had made the emperor decide to abdicate on his own.

His talent was growing even more.

The First Chancellor secretly thought this.

☆

At night, at the residence of the Third Chancellor, Jean-Brad Raidoak.

When I returned to the mansion from the palace, I found an invitation from Jean.

He said he would set up a gathering and asked me to come.

Jean often held parties, but this invitation was a bit stronger than usual.

I was curious and arrived as the sun set.

As soon as my carriage pulled up to the front of the mansion, Jean came out to greet me.

"Welcome, Your Highness."

"What kind of gathering is it today?"

"Please, come inside."

Jean did not answer.

I did not press him.

I was led into the mansion by Jean and his servants.

I was shown to the grand hall.

"Oh! It's a pleasure to see you again, Thirteenth Prince."

In the hall, there was a familiar but unexpected face.

It was the envoy from Lucie Tsar, the man from the audience chamber.

Although unexpected, I quickly understood.

Jean was skilled at building connections and always devoted himself to it.

Knowing that the empire was about to decide to "use" Lucie Tsar, he was trying to win them over by hosting them.

I smiled at Jean and spoke to the man through Leviathan.

"I haven't heard your name yet."

"I apologize. I am Ivan. Please remember me."

"Ivan, nice to meet you."

"Yes, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Indeed, Your Highness. Your fluency in Lucie is impressive. Please, both of you, this way."

Jean joined the conversation at the right moment.

There was a large table in the hall, and he invited us to sit there.

I took the seat of honor, followed by Ivan, and Jean sat at the lower seat.

As soon as we sat down, the food was served.

Unlike the previous party, since the guests were only Ivan and me, the amount was less, but the dishes were extremely refined and expensive.

I, as a prince, was not surprised, but Ivan was visibly delighted every time he tasted the food.

I could tell he was genuinely happy.

Through my link with Leviathan, I could read the emotions of the other person.

Not their thoughts, just the general emotional state.

Ivan was as happy as he appeared, and Jean, while maintaining a smile, felt relieved that the reception was going well.

Suddenly, Ivan looked at one of the serving maids.

The emotion I sensed was pink—lust.

Seeing this, I gave Jean a meaningful look.

Jean, skilled in hosting, understood everything from that look alone.

"Please tell the envoy that we will send a lady to his room later."

"--- That's what the Third Chancellor is saying."

"Oh? No, ha, ha, this is awkward."

Ivan laughed, scratching the back of his head.

His words and emotions were in perfect sync, and he seemed extremely pleased.

Jean was secretly delighted, though he did not show it on his face.

For the host, if the guest is pleased with the "bed technique"—that is, if they are pleased with the women provided—there is nothing easier.

Feeding, drinking, and bedding.

This is the golden pattern of hosting, which has not changed for ages and will likely never change in the future.

I suddenly noticed one of the maids.

She appeared normal on the surface, but she was extremely nervous and tense.

She brought wine and poured it into Ivan's glass.

Her tension and fear only increased.

I was wondering what was going on when—

"Wait, don't drink!"

The words came out reflexively, and Ivan flinched.

I stood up, said "Excuse me," and took the glass from Ivan.

Then, I smelled it.

"... It's poison."

"What?"

Jean was shocked.

I stared at the glass more closely.

Even inorganic objects can retain residual emotions.

The wine was filled with intense murderous intent.

It was the same kind of intent that the assassins who had tried to kill me had on their daggers.

Neither Jean nor Ivan understood the situation and were confused.

☆

In a different room from the hall, Jean came to me, looking somewhat complicated and apologetic.

"How did it go?"

"The maid confessed everything. She was paid to mix poison into the envoy's wine."

"Remarkable that she agreed to do such a thing."

"She was told it was a slow-acting poison that would take effect after a night."

"I see, so he thought he wouldn't be suspected."

"That's what he said... I only realized how remarkable Your Highness is in this situation."

"What do you mean?"

"I heard about the aftermath of the Almeria rebellion. The maid betrayed the conspirators and reported them."

Ah, you mean Zoe.

The rebels tried to bribe Zoe, but she, who could not betray me, reported it to me.

"I also had some confidence in the loyalty of my subordinates, but I couldn't match Your Highness."

"More importantly, we need to catch the person who planned the assassination."

"Yes, but the maid said the person was wearing a hood and robe, and she couldn't see who it was..."

"That's not a problem."

I picked up the glass that had been poisoned, which I had held since then.

I linked with Leviathan.

A "thread of water" extended from the bracelet and moved through the air.

"Is this...?"

"It's a guide. If you've heard about the aftermath, you know I remotely attacked the conspirator, right?"

"Yes."

"That was technically a failure. This time, I'll use it as a guide. The thread of water will move slowly and target the conspirator's feet. If we follow it, we can catch them."

"Amazing! You thought this far ahead."

"I'll leave it to you. Gather people and follow it."

"Understood!"

Jean bowed and ran off to gather people.

With the help of Leviathan and me, Jean successfully captured the conspirator who planned Ivan's assassination.