Chapter 83

After being freed from the men in loincloths, I found myself in the mansion where the moving work was progressing, and I began to explain the situation so far.

However, this was difficult.

I couldn't tell them everything—yet I had to make them understand the sense of crisis.

Julius and the others had serious expressions on their faces.

But their attire hadn't changed from before.

Even with their serious expressions, they lacked persuasiveness, looking as if they were in costumes.

"Rault's heir is even more dangerous than I thought. —Attacking Baltfalt, are you out of your mind? No, I mean, attacking a foreign dignitary, but still."

The way he said it suggested he thought it was foolish to pick a fight with me.

Don't you think my reputation among you is a bit off?

Erik was hiding his face with both hands, looking embarrassed.

"Until recently, he was a bit more normal. But, you see, we place a lot of importance on family evaluations and don't really care about foreign opinions."

It's a country that makes a fortune exporting magic stones.

Not only does it have a stronger position than neighboring countries, but it also has the Sacred Tree.

The nobles chosen by the Sacred Tree have a sense of superiority and actually wield great power, making it hard to tell them not to be arrogant.

Ange sighed.

Julius, with a look of disbelief, seemed to be questioning the sanity of others.

I feel the same way.

You guys were sent to this country because you were insane.

Don't forget that.

Ange turned his gaze to Claire, who was floating beside me.

"If Claire's analysis is correct, the Republic will invade the Kingdom. They are said to be preparing an army far superior to the Kingdom's, equipped with unprecedented airships and armor, right?"

Claire nodded with her single eye.

"My analysis is highly likely to be accurate."

The problem is not Serge but Ideal, who is behind him.

Luxion also stated that if Ideal dominated the Republic, he would target the Kingdom next.

Gregg, sitting in a chair with his legs crossed, folded his arms.

"That's hard to believe. Serge intended to rule the Rault family, right? Civil war is inevitable. It would take at least ten years to unify the country. The problem is what happens after that. Do you think someone like Serge can successfully unify the country? Even if he does, there will be resistance."

Surprisingly, Gregg seemed to think that even if Serge managed to unify the country, the nobles and citizens would still resist.

Chris leaned against the wall with his arms folded.

"I agree with Gregg. To begin with, I find Claire's analysis questionable. I can't believe Serge can unify the Republic in just two years."

"That's rude. It's entirely possible."

Livia looked troubled.

"Ale, even I can see that it's difficult."

Ange also agreed.

"I can't imagine the Republic, which has been internally chaotic, unifying in just two years."

But—Brad, adjusting his hat and pulling it down deeply, said,

"—No, I think it's possible."

Zirk asked with interest.

"Do you think it's possible, Brad? I'd like to hear your reasons."

"Since Pierre's time, I've thought that they—no, the entire Republic—have a high sense of pride. Of course, the nobles recognized by the Sacred Tree, but also the 'invincible myth,' right? The Republic, which has never lost in defense, has a high sense of national pride."

Julius seemed to realize something.

"—Baltfalt?"

At the mention of my name, everyone's gaze turned to me.

Brad began to explain his prediction.

"Exactly! A Republic that has lost once is like having its pride shattered. There's a sense of crisis that it's not the time to bicker internally, right?"

Brad turned his gaze to Erik.

Erik, looking down slightly, said,

"There is a sense of crisis. No, it might be more accurate to say they are afraid. To put it bluntly, the Kingdom was never on the Republic's radar. It was just one of the neighboring countries. Losing to such a country—just one of its barons—was a huge shock. My family was also in a bad state."

Claire spun in the air.

"Correct! Master's presence played a significant role in unifying the Republic! There are also signs that they tried to stir up a sense of crisis to unify."

Alberk was trying to unify the Republic.

Was it to do things his way, or for the good of the country—since he's the final boss, it's probably the former, but I'm a bit concerned personally.

Zirk looked at me and shrugged.

"I admire the bravery of Baron Baltfalt. You instilled a sense of crisis in the Republic and managed to unify it."

"Are you being sarcastic, you sneaky green guy?"

"Did you notice?"

When I glared at Zirk, Ange came to my aid.

"Even so, it's not like Leon is at fault. While he did overstep, Serge's actions were outrageous. It's hard to believe the Republic would condone such behavior."

Erik began to speculate on the matter.

"—I think the defeat was a significant shock. For us, defeat has another meaning. The Sacred Tree. What happens if you betray the trust of the Sacred Tree, you know?"

Like Pierre, they might lose their crests.

For the Republic's nobles, that means death.

"Once they lost, and with Serge defeating Baron Baltfalt, there's a sense of hope and a desire for a clear resolution."

Ange spat at Erik.

"Idiot. Did they allow the attack just for that reason?"

Pride.

—It's a problem.

"It's an important issue for us."

Brad, thinking his prediction was correct, seemed quite pleased as he speculated about the future.

"In other words! The Republic is unifying out of fear of the Kingdom—of Baltfalt. The loss of Pierre's crest might also be influencing this."

Erik nodded.

"That's possible. For us, it's like a death sentence. When I lost my crest and my blessings, I was deeply depressed."

Losing something you've had for a long time, especially something of great value, can be a significant loss.

Livia looked at me.

"Leon isn't a bad person."

Claire was laughing.

"What? Really? I think he's quite bad. Always cutting corners and ending up in trouble is a bad habit."

Does she really dislike me that much?

Julius summarized the discussion.

"In any case, the reckless Serge has a high possibility of unifying the Republic and invading the Kingdom. I understand that. But—whether the Kingdom can resist is uncertain."

Zirk followed up.

"That's true. Complicating matters, the Kingdom is still in chaos. It's unclear how long it will take to stabilize. During that time, the Republic could prepare and attack—nightmare scenario."

The Kingdom has the capability to resist, but it's designed to handle enemies of equal strength.

Against the army Serge—Ideal—has assembled, it's hard to imagine the Kingdom can defend itself.

Livia looked at me.

"But the Kingdom has Leon. The partnership ship sank, but Einhorn is an amazing ship. The Kingdom isn't losing!"

Chris, in response, asked a pointed question.

"Indeed, it's a great ship. But how many can be built annually at Baltfalt's factory?"

"Um—"

"Even if they could, the Kingdom won't buy airships from Baltfalt. No, they can't. Other nobles and merchants with their own factories would interfere. Performance alone doesn't guarantee official adoption."

Trying to help the confused Livia, Claire was impressed.

"Oh, you knew that?"

"Of course I did."

To Chris, Ange muttered,

"It's hard to believe you were deceived by Marie."

Chris was confident.

"I wasn't deceived. I chose Marie. I don't regret this choice!"

At her words, Julius and even Erik nodded in satisfaction.

Ange, frowning, glared at Chris.

"These idiots."

I covered my face with my right hand,

"Please, at least feel some regret, idiot."

Julius looked at me.

Zirk, glancing at Julius and nodding, turned his gaze to me.

"Baron Baltfalt—would you consider taking power in the capital?"

"Huh?"

I didn't understand what Zirk was saying.

Ange was silent.

Livia—

"Um, what do you mean? Why should Leon take power?"

Marie, biting back, said,

"Don't you get it? Leon will become the supreme commander and fight the Republic like in the duchy."

—What? I'm not that convenient.

Livia and Ange were giving Marie sharp looks.

Marie, in a small voice, apologized,

"Sorry."

Seeing Marie, Julius said,

"Even naive Marie is cute."

—You guys need to wake up.

"Marie, the reason for asking Baltfalt to take power in the capital is that he can do what Serge can or something close. To oppose Serge, we need Baltfalt's strength. Also, to fight the Republic in a short time, we need to take some risks. For that, we need someone who knows the situation in the capital."

Ange gave Julius and the others a cold look.

"Normally, this would be the job of Prince Julius and the others."

Julius, feeling guilty, said,

"Ah, yes, that's true. But now, we can only rely on Baltfalt. We can only do so much to help—will you do it, Baltfalt?"

It was as if he expected me to nod.

I smiled at Julius.

"I decline."

The five of them were stunned. Someone said,

"Huh?"

in a surprised voice.

"Why should I take power and be sad? I have a higher purpose. I'm always thinking about how to demote myself to live a peaceful life in the countryside. Taking power in the capital—no way. I don't want to."

'Master is great! Your aversion to advancement is steadfast. I respect Master's opinion!'

"You can praise me more."

Ange and Livia were smiling tiredly.

"That's like Leon."

"Yes, that's the usual Leon."

The five of them approached me.

"You! How can you be so relaxed in this crisis? You have a responsibility too!"

"Stop it! I don't want to work! You should tell the people in power!"

"That takes time! If we explain the situation, it will start with an investigation to see if we're telling the truth! Then there will be endless meetings, and before you know it, years will have passed. But if you take power in the capital, everything will be resolved!"

"Who will resolve my happiness? This is because you lost your status to Marie! You do it!"

"If you're in a position of power, you should take responsibility!"

"You should too, you incompetent prince!"

"You said it, you scoundrel! Today is the day!"

"Are you going to fight? I was thinking of hitting you too!"

When we started fighting, it turned out to be unexpectedly strong and stubborn.

It's like a game where you can quickly defeat the enemy! Why are you so stubborn?

"We can't do anything, so we're relying on you!"

"Go do it yourself!"

"You can't, you fool!"

"Fool? You're the fools! I'm just pursuing a happiness that suits me. I'm more sensible than you!"

"Are you still a hero?"

"To be a hero, you need to do great things. I've already worked hard! I'm tired! I have no interest in power!"

In the end, we couldn't reach an agreement.

Livia looked at me.

"Ange, is it okay to leave him alone?"

Ange looked at me,

"Let him be. This is just play-fighting. Men become closer after a fight, my father and brother said. It's better not to hold grudges."

"Yeah, that's how it was in my hometown too!"

"I thought he was depressed, but he seems surprisingly energetic, which is a relief. But the Republic's problem is a headache."

He also muttered in a low voice,

"How did these five end up like this? It's a headache."

"Baltfalt!"

It seemed like a switch had been flipped, and I ended up in a fistfight with the stubborn Julius.

"Let me vent my frustrations here!"