Chapter 70

"Preparations for the plan are complete. It's time to make the next move."

Sora said as he walked along the path to the viscount's residence.

"First, I need to talk with Father and the others."

Sora, who was plotting with a bright smile, suddenly shifted his gaze to Gorge.

"Gorge, use a good horse, okay?"

"...I have already prepared one. But I think you should reconsider using Cole at the last moment. It would be easier if Zess delivered it directly."

"Zess is too well-known, so it won't work. Gorge is also famous, but Cole is the best choice. After all, he can't act."

"That's what I'm worried about."

Gorge stroked his chin, tilting his head as he couldn't understand Sora's intentions. One of the reasons Gorge was sulking was that the final key was Cole.

"Going right into the heart of enemy territory is the job of us Flame Corps, isn't it?"

"We're not going to cause a commotion. What we need is a surprise attack."

Sora chuckled.

Cole, at this moment, was probably being comforted by Zess in the river boat. Sora laughed, imagining how Cole would complain about always drawing the short straw. Gorge, while scolding Sora for his bad taste, smiled wryly. In reality, this was the most effective personnel arrangement for the plan's success. Gorge understood this, but he wouldn't take a job that involved sending an amateur right into the heart of enemy territory.

As if reading his thoughts, Sora's smile turned serious.

"Gorge, I'm not in a position to carry around dead weight. Cole may seem unreliable, but he's a wildcard. Otherwise, I would have been poisoned long ago."

Gorge was taken aback by Sora's words.

Reflecting on it, Sora had been in a very dangerous position.

For the Count of Kleinzelt and the Church faction, there was no need to go through the formalities of stripping Sora of his title. If Sora died, the inheritance rights would automatically pass to his younger brother, Salon.

So why didn't that happen?

Because the Flame Corps were there to prevent direct attacks.

And,

"Because Cole was there, they couldn't poison you...?"

Gorge muttered in a daze.

Sora grinned and nodded.

"Cole may seem unreliable and weak under pressure, but he's a wildcard."

"You can't judge a book by its cover."

Gorge had a new respect for the somewhat timid cook.

Upon returning to the viscount's residence, Sora wrote a letter requesting a meeting with the Count of Kleinzelt and the High Priest. Lazzette, beside him, was preparing indigo and black ink.

"Are you really going to do this?"

Lazzette asked, sounding thoroughly annoyed.

"Of course."

"...The Count's not a face you want to see, is he?"

Sora answered without hesitation, and Lazzette pouted.

"Don't say that, it's a necessary step."

"Maybe if you give us a raise or come up with a new toy for the kids, I might consider it."

"...I'll make you a Rubik's Cube."

Seeing Lazzette quickly pack away the two types of ink, Sora wondered which one would be used.

The Count of Kleinzelt and High Priest Leul received Sora's letter at the Grand Cathedral in the capital.

"What does he want to negotiate? What a joke!"

The Count slammed the letter on the floor and shouted.

The High Priest's attendant frowned, but Leul smiled, seemingly unconcerned with the Count's outburst.

"Given Lord Sora's nature, he must have set some kind of trap."

Leul, who had prevented Sora from interfering in the Kleinzelt territory for five years, tried to see through Sora's invitation.

"Perhaps we should ignore the invitation?"

"Are you telling me to run away from my incompetent son's trap!?"

The Count snapped at the High Priest's attendant, who had suggested that this was not a time for a half-hearted move. The attendant, about to tell the Count to shut up, instead turned to Leul.

Leul was playing with his golden bangs, which shone like the sun.

"If we don't accept this invitation, the viscount's technology will immediately leak out."

Leul's calm voice made the Count slam his fist on the table.

"Wouldn't that be a huge loss? We should accept the invitation and take everything."

"...Count, please be quiet."

Leul smiled pleasantly while giving the order, but his calm anger was like a quietly burning blue flame, which would be evident to anyone with a normal mind. Unfortunately, the Count had neither a normal mind nor the sensitivity to read the room.

"That man took my territory. And he's my son. Everything he has should belong to me!"

The Count's arrogant words made the High Priest's attendant look at him with disgust.

Leul's smile remained, but his eyes flashed with anger.

"Count, do you understand why I don't recognize your conversion?"

"Because we are equals."

The attendant gaped like a fish.

Even Leul sighed in exasperation.

"Count, you are not a believer. I could kill you at any time."

"That... No, do you mean to betray me?"

Perhaps it was a blessing that the Count still didn't understand his situation.

For Leul, it wasn't betrayal but abandonment.

It wouldn't be difficult for Leul to assassinate the Count now. The only reason he hadn't was that Sora's title hadn't been stripped yet. If the Count died now, Sora would automatically inherit the entire Kleinzelt territory.

Leul narrowed his eyes as he watched the Count's suspicious gaze wander and spoke.

"Very well. Taking the territory would be meaningless if the technology leaks out. The technology is useful for reviving the viscount's territory."

The Count nodded vaguely.

The Count had no interest in reviving the territory. His concern was that the technology would give him an advantage over other nobles and help him make money.

He had no understanding that his fate would remain unchanged regardless of whether Sora or Leul won.

So, the Count was still calculating the profits of a hypothetical future.

The High Priest's attendant, while despising the Count, whispered to Leul.

"Shouldn't we capture Lord Sora or his vassals and torture them?"

"Lord Sora's vassals have been with him for as long as the Flame Corps, who are relatively new. Have you forgotten the origins of the Flame Corps? Do you think the mouth of a vassal who has been with a charismatic leader for at least eight years will be broken?"

"...Even if it's difficult, perhaps—"

"It won't work. Lord Sora's vassals are extremely popular in the viscount's territory. Capturing them could spark a rebellion. Besides, the technology must be monopolized. I don't think we can seize it before the Duke of Bartz and the Count of Trinen, who have strong ties to Lord Sora. Moreover, Lord Sora is very clever. It's only a matter of time before he discovers our secrets."

"To avoid exposing our weaknesses, we should deliberately accept his invitation and divert attention. Is that what you mean?"

Leul nodded deeply in response to the High Priest's attendant's question.