Chapter 77

"Madam, would you like a refill of your tea?"

"I'll have some. Thank you, Naja."

It had been five days since Opal and Naja were transferred to the port of Passma. Nothing had changed, and Opal was at a loss for what to do with her free time. However, this was only the case for Opal and Naja; Cole and the other anti-royalists were moving restlessly, growing increasingly frustrated. It had already been eight days since the rebels rose up in the capital, yet there had been no progress reports.

"The port near the capital is only a three-day journey by ship, yet there's been no contact. Perhaps Conary is wandering around inside that precious Pearl Palace of his."

"What's happening? Is Master safe?"

"Claude will be fine. But, even though Naja made those trousers for me, I couldn't escape with Claude."

"I haven't given up hope yet. Master will surely come and sweep you away!"

"Then, when that happens, Naja will have to escape with us."

Opal playfully winked at Naja.

She did this to give the impression that she was at ease.

In reality, Opal was optimistic about the current situation.

There were always guards watching outside the windows and doors, day and night, so even though the room was on the second floor, it was impossible to escape by climbing down the trees.

However, Opal had decided that there was no need to do so.

All she had to do was wait here.

According to the plan Julian had mentioned, if the uprising failed, the soldiers would still escape to Passma port by ship and take refuge in the Duchy of Bottselli, where they would continue to fight.

During the previous civil war, the mountainous region bordering the duchy had served as a natural fortress, and the port had been effectively blockaded.

This time, they intended to use the same strategy.

The reason they hadn't been able to completely eliminate the anti-Alessandro faction at the time was that pursuing them further was considered too dangerous.

But Alessandro wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.

It was now clear that over the past four years, while pretending to initiate land reforms, he had secretly sent many people to the Duchy of Bottselli.

(Really, we were used so well...)

Opal, with her assets and accomplishments, had started moving for the land reforms.

In other words, from the moment she went to inspect the mines—when she entered the Duchy of Bottselli—she had been playing a decoy role.

However, this was only possible because the situation was considered safe enough.

"---Why! Why haven't the soldiers reached the port if the uprising failed!?"

"Oh dear, you're shouting so loudly, you must be quite frustrated."

"Madam, Cole is saying the uprising failed, isn't he?"

Hearing Cole's angry shouts from the next room, Opal and Naja exchanged glances.

Opal smiled, and Naja's face lit up with joy.

"Like how Claude escaped to the Lead Mine, I think the rebels' plans are failing in various places. But the information was manipulated to make it seem successful. This news has finally reached us via land. By now, Conary must be furious too."

"So, the rebels won't come to Passma port?"

"Almost certainly not. It's impossible to have ships ready at the port near the capital for the soldiers to board. Even if they were disguised as merchant ships, His Majesty would notice immediately. And... well, if I were in charge, I would have the crew restrained, infiltrate my own men, disable the ship's engines, and wait for the remaining soldiers to board."

"That's a total sweep!"

"Yes."

Naja answered with sparkling eyes, as if listening to a story.

Opal nodded in agreement.

"Most likely, the sea—Passma port included—has been blockaded without the rebels knowing. So, Cole and the others can't escape by sea either. Of course—"

Opal was about to say more, but the door to the room suddenly opened, and she fell silent.

Julian, who had brought in a tray of food, had a swollen cheek.

"Did you get hit?"

"It seems Master is in a bad mood."

"But... shouldn't you ice it right away?"

"Leave it."

Julian casually waved his right hand at Opal, who had stood up to wet a handkerchief.

Naja, who was about to take the tray, was irritated by his attitude.

"Julian, you're being rude. Madam is worried about you."

"Does being worried make me feel better?"

"Stop being silly and let's ice it."

Opal tried to apply the damp handkerchief to Julian's cheek, but he grabbed her hand.

"Pretty relaxed, aren't you? Is this the time to worry about others?"

"You're the one who's not relaxed. Why don't you give up soon?"

"The internal collapse will start soon."

"Hasn't it already started?"

Julian released Opal's hand as if pushing her away and snorted.

Naja hurried to support Opal, who stumbled.

"Hey, Julian!"

"Shut that insolent mouth of yours. You're making Master angry."

Julian responded to Naja's protest and left the room.

The handkerchief remained in Opal's hand, unused.

"Really! I'm so angry! Are you okay, Madam?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Thank you, Naja."

Opal, who had regained her composure and stood straight, hung the damp handkerchief on the edge of the basin.

She stopped Naja, who was about to clean up.

"Let's have dinner first. It won't be tasty if it gets cold."

"...Okay."

Now, Naja was so bored that the only thing to look forward to was the meal.

So, she obediently followed and set the food on the table before sitting across from Opal.

Normally, sitting in the same seat as the master would not be allowed, but given the situation, Naja accepted Opal's invitation.

"Finally, Cole and the others have realized that the sea is blockaded. That's why they're so frustrated that they can't help but hit Julian."

"Did you know this from the beginning, Madam?"

"Whether by land or sea, cutting off supply lines is a basic principle of war. Conversely, it means that the rebels' commander is either inexperienced in war or has already lost the information battle."

"Information battle..."

Naja murmured, as if swallowing Opal's words.

She seemed to have swallowed the bread in her mouth as well.

Opal smiled at her and took a sip of fruit wine.

Julian only brought fruit wine during dinner.

Even with the tea, Julian was considerate in his own way.

"Eight years ago, during the chaos caused by the epidemic, this country fell into civil war over the succession to the throne. I was angry at how foolish it was, but the people of this country—especially those who cared about the people—must have felt the same way. But at that time, the prince, who claimed to be fighting for the people—regardless of the truth—was the symbol. After that, there was the powerful Duke of Bottselli. But now?"

"Huh? Oh, right, who is the highest-ranking person in the rebel army? It's not Conary or Cole, is it?"

"No, they can't lead the rebel army. And most of the rebels don't know who their leader is, just as we don't."

"That would make me lose motivation. I enjoy my work because I'm doing it for Madam."

"Thank you, Naja."

Opal thanked Naja and tore off a piece of bread to eat.

That was the crux of the matter.

Each of the rebel commanders probably knew who the ringleader was, but for the soldiers, it was unclear why they were raising their swords against the king.

There was no way their morale could be high.

The rebels' efforts to avoid drawing attention from the Alessandro faction had backfired.

"Then, does His Majesty know? What about Master?"

"He must know for sure. Claude must have confirmed it when we returned to the Kingdom of Sosie."

"In the Kingdom of Sosie?"

"Yes. That's why Claude couldn't come with me to this duchy and had to pretend to be dead and appear at the Lead Mine."

Opal smiled happily.

It was a smile like a child who had successfully pulled off a prank, and even Naja, who didn't understand, felt happy.