Chapter 20

"Hey, were you guys probed again?"

"This time, it seems a bit different from probing."

Wearrel said this to me, who was dumbfounded, on an ordinary morning.

The last time, there were no signs either, right?

"I received an offer to return as a teacher at the Luciusaria Kingdom's school."

"I have a request to serve as an instructor in the military, so it's about returning to the military."

"I was offered a promotion in the palace guard, but I heard some inside information from Levan."

Herkoff and Ikt also said they were probed like before.

The difference this time is that there seems to be a leak from the side that initiated the probing.

"It seems the Duke of Eulasion is behind this time."

"Does that mean the last time, it was just the Duke of Strategus?"

Ikt nodded in response to my question.

At that time, it was certainly the beginning when I first met my younger brother Terry in the garden.

Because I drew my sword against Terry, the palace guard on Terry's side resigned, so it's understandable that the Duke of Strategus, who oversees the palace guard, would probe.

"But why Eulasion now?"

We met at the tea party welcoming the Luciusaria royal family last year.

Moreover, at that time, I was supposed to act as a prince who could be left alone, speaking in a manner reminiscent of a battlefield photographer.

I want to be left alone.

Right now, I'm busy because I found out that there are entertainment novels in this palace that I've never touched before, and I'm having Sefira read them to me.

To be honest, they're like Meiji and Taisho literature, but since I've only seen academic books, they're very fresh and interesting.

"Is it about that territory?"

I didn't have any idea, but Harti muttered something.

I felt like I heard a word that seemed distant from me, a prince, just by name.

"If you say that, it must be related to me, right?"

"Yes, that's right. I haven't told you yet, but there are clauses regarding the inheritance of the territory."

According to Harti, the emperor is obligated to inherit multiple titles, territories, and national customs.

I'll skip the details about history and authority, which are complicated.

The problem is that there are several territories that my father has yet to acquire, which are supposed to be inherited by the imperial family.

"Is that okay? Could it be used for some evil deed to topple the emperor?"

"From what I hear, since the previous generation, the successor has not met the requirements for inheritance, and instead, a steward who meets the requirements has been appointed to inherit."

In my father's case, there was a lack of preparation when he ascended to the throne.

The inheritance of other territories has been gradually sorted out over several years to meet the conditions.

After five years as emperor, the Duke of Eulasion, the nephew of the previous emperor, wants to hinder the inheritance that reinforces the legitimacy of the throne.

The Duke of Lucaios, the emperor's in-laws, assisted in the inheritance.

It seems that while powerful figures were clashing behind the scenes, my father was desperately advancing the inheritance and has mostly completed it.

The territories and titles he has yet to acquire are said to be lands that have become less important over time.

"One of them is a territory where it is stipulated that the heir must be proficient in alchemy."

"Really, such a thing exists?"

"In the past, alchemy transformed the imperial territory, and it was so important that it's hard to imagine in today's age of magic's prosperity."

Wearrel spoke as if giving a history lesson.

I've read about this in alchemy-related books.

First, alchemy was born in the empire to enrich the undeveloped inland territory.

The central part of the continent had extreme environments, including wetlands, plateaus, and arid lands.

They filled in the land, improved the soil, and constructed canals.

It's said that people who were not adept at magic used their wisdom to create these things.

"Now that it's known that humans can use all magic and the methods to harness it have been systematized, humans are more dexterous in using magic."

Herkoff, who can only use body enhancement and is a layman in flashy magic, said this as if it were someone else's business.

Until the empire was established, the central part of the continent was inaccessible, and magic was thought to be a single type for each race.

Humans and the empire overturned this and developed it.

Alchemy is a technology that evolved from the immature application of undeveloped magic techniques and trial and error.

In other words, the rules for the inheritance of that territory are outdated and have fallen out of use.

"Maybe they found out that I'm interested in alchemy and want me to inherit it?"

"Yes, well. I heard that the one who suggested it was a minor trying to use the emperor's prestige to their advantage."

Ikt said this, which suggests either a significant figure or an impolite source like Levan.

"......From the looks of it, the idea of me getting a territory is off the table?"

"Yes, it seems the Duke of Eulasion and the Duke of Lucaios have unusually teamed up for the imperial inheritance."

Just from those words, I can tell what the two ducal families think of me.

"Well, if they can support the emperor, that's fine. But why is the Duke of Eulasion probing?"

"No, this time it's about separation."

When Harti asked on my behalf, Ikt clearly stated the other party's intentions.

"The Duke of Eulasion probably dislikes his low succession rights. The prince is the most annoying and easiest to target. He wants to quickly exclude the prince from the imperial family. But he can't stand the idea of the imperial family losing something for that."

I nodded in agreement with Herkoff's frank opinion, and he continued.

"So, last year when I met the duke, he pretended to be dull and deceived me. If there's no one to elevate me this time, it's fine. To defeat a general on horseback in battle, you have to make the horse stumble first."

"Wow. Dukes are important, right? Are they bored?"

Wearrel laughed at my displeased voice.

"Aisha-sama is of good character. Even if bad rumors are spread, the emperor, who knows Aisha-sama, won't take them seriously. Therefore, there's no direct way to attack."

I'm just a recluse.

Also, it's a bit awkward to admit that I've been using Sefira to read letters secretly.

But if I think about it, it's not just me who would be troubled by this.

"Returning to teaching and the military with a promotion isn't a bad thing, right? If that's the case, I won't stop you. I've been treated well by everyone, but I have no way to repay that kindness. If you want it, I hope you accept the offer."

That's all I can say.

As a recluse with no backing, I don't have the connections to make everyone great.

Asking my father would be different, but even if I did, the Duke of Lucaios would interfere through his aides.

"It's impossible. To leave Aisha-sama behind. Moreover, as someone who serves by her side, I have no such favor. This is the way I choose for Aisha-sama's sake."

Harti strongly denied this.

"Hey, did Harti get a good offer too?"

"Aisha-sama need not worry about such matters."

It seems I won't be told.

But if it affects Harti, it might be related to her viscount family.

Perhaps the noble connections were targeted.

"Well, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Even if I say I'll be an instructor, I'll probably be sent to the fringes of the military. The same goes for Wearrel."

Wearrel nodded in agreement with Herkoff and turned to Ikt.

"If you received an offer from the Duke of Strategus, it shouldn't be a bad thing, right?"

"From what I hear, they are willing to provide a position that matches my abilities if I accept the promotion, but they want me to properly lay the groundwork with the emperor."

Ikt was appointed by my father's designation and resisted when the Duke of Strategus tried to move him. Perhaps he's being careful about this and trying to avoid trouble.

"Is everyone okay with it?"

"If you want to return, I'll use my connections. Don't worry, Aisha-sama."

"I feel the same. If I return, I'll go back to the country. It would be good if the prince came too. The capital of the beastmen isn't bad either."

"I only serve here because I received a title. I don't want to serve anywhere else."

Everyone is so cool.

But Harti just smiles, and it's different.

Unlike the usual eyes of a nanny watching over me, there's a hint of worry and hesitation.

What kind of conditions did the Duke of Eulasion present to Harti?

I'm curious, but I can't get too involved like last time.

It was because Sefira read Harti's letter that I finally found out.

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Next: Nanny Independence 3