Chapter 65

A few days later, the Marquis Strateg brought Levan to explain the situation.

"Do you know the Edenbar family? If you don't, just think of them as greedy people who own good land in the southeastern part of the capital."

The Marquis Strateg, who seemed to be a rude person, just like Levan.

"Edenbar, that's the name of our comrade, Retorio Mas, right?"

"The Edenbar family has a tight grip on their privileges. Even the church tries to interfere with their interests. To prevent this, they send in relatives to manipulate the situation."

From Levan's explanation, it became clear that those two were the next candidates for bishop.

Furthermore, the Edenbar family's biggest political rival was the Duke Lukaios.

And the emperor, my father, who wanted to reform the old system, was trying to interfere with the traditional privileges, which the opposing forces were trying to hinder.

"Their territory is a fertile grain-producing area. They work the peasants like draft horses, bring people in and enslave them with debt, and exploit them. It's a classic case of bad governance."

According to Levan, the Edenbar family was a notorious family of corrupt nobles.

However, they had a tight grip on their privileges, making it difficult to take action against them. Although they were doing terrible things, they were within the bounds of a lord's discretion, so they couldn't be stopped.

That's why my father and Duke Lukaios teamed up to apply pressure from above to strip away their privileges.

There has been political strife for several years, which I have heard about, and I thought it was one of the reasons I decided to stay quiet to avoid hindering my father.

"In other words, the target wasn't me, but Terry and the others, who would inherit my father's blood and continue Duke Lukaios's policies."

They took drastic action because they saw that they were going to lose.

My father, while slower than previous emperors, was steadily gaining power.

If the throne were to pass from my father to Terry, there would be no future for the Edenbar family and their allies.

"They have the strength to carry out a coup. But it's too short-sighted. Don't they have other plans?"

When I asked, the Marquis Strateg reluctantly told me.

"They intended to kill everyone at the scene and eliminate the witnesses, making it look like the First Prince's crime. It was also discovered that the area around the cathedral was cleared of people on the day of the incident."

"Isn't that a bit far-fetched? Oh, that's why the church knights. I killed Terry and the others first, then called the knights to punish me. If Retorio Mas had survived, he could have said anything and opened the path to becoming a bishop."

Incidentally, Tadare, who was cut, is still alive.

Since the target, Terry and the others, had escaped, the focus was on pursuing them, and he was not finished off. He was seriously injured but managed to receive treatment in time.

"So, what about the escaped knight? You didn't use your own knights, did you? On the contrary, if it was known that they were all lined up, it would be a source of suspicion. So, did someone lend a hand to the church knights?"

It seemed that my guess was not far off, as the Marquis Strateg now had a troubled look on his face.

"The clothes were real, but the contents were mixed with something else. The mixed part has escaped and is currently being searched for, but it is certain that they have fled the palace."

The Edenbar family had arranged for skilled killers to be mixed in, but they had escaped.

I don't know who they are, but from the way it was said, it seems they have a good idea.

By the way, Sefira is following them without being noticed and has already found their hideout.

I should tell the Marquis Strateg, but I can't reveal my source of information.

"Have you made the Edenbar family talk?"

"We are currently interrogating Retorio Mas. However, it seems that another member of the Edenbar family arranged it, and they deny involvement. The Edenbar family is acting to protect themselves by abandoning Retorio Mas. Also, the religious forces have factions, and we must first determine who is the enemy and who is the ally."

"Let me make it clear, the Marquis and the Edenbar family have no common interests. If the princes, who are being protected, are attacked and the problem is not resolved, it would be a disgrace, so we are not showing favoritism."

From the conversation between the Marquis Strateg and Levan, it seemed that the resolution would take some time.

"I understand that the factions are complicated. But can the palace guards take action against the escaped person who is outside the palace?"

"Normally, it would be impossible. However, this time, due to the various elements involved, such as the crime inside the cathedral, the power struggle within the church, the political strife within the palace, and the armed attack on the prince, we can exceptionally take action by pulling in forces with similar interests."

It seems there are various factions involved.

If that's the case, if I tell them about the hideout, the Marquis Strateg might be able to take action after doing the groundwork.

On the other hand, my father might also have people who would become enemies.

While I was thinking, I heard a commotion from the stairs.

"......We've been through this before, haven't we?"

"I don't have any reason to be scolded this time, do I?"

Before, it was the empress, but now we are on good terms. Listening carefully, I could hear the palace guards, who were placed by the Marquis Strateg, shouting.

"It can't be! Your Highness!"

I immediately headed for the door at the sound from outside.

When I opened the door, I caught my younger brother, who was charging in like a bull.

I almost fell over, but Wearel, who was standing by the door, supported me.

"Terry, what's wrong?"

I thought it was my younger brother when he was called "Your Highness," but I didn't expect him to be the one to come.

"I heard that you were being interrogated! I thought you might be accused of something you didn't do again!"

"Thank you for worrying about me. I appreciate it."

My younger brother is too good, isn't he? Even though he himself had just been targeted for assassination......

"I'm sorry, it's because I invited you......I'm sorry......"

"There's nothing to apologize for. You realized that I hadn't been to the cathedral and set everything up for me. The ones who are wrong are those who tried to use it."

He was teary-eyed, so I held him and stroked his head.

He's still smaller than me, but for being three years younger, he's surprisingly close in height.

Will he surpass me during his growth spurt?

And isn't this a very big-brother-like situation?

"I wanted to make you laugh, brother......I......"

Terry, who was trying to say something while sobbing, surprised me.

I remember the day I was exposed for not going to the cathedral, I talked with the twins about wanting to make them laugh instead of being sad.

It seems he thought the same about me.

He seems a bit fidgety.

I'm happy, but I feel a bit uneasy.

"Even though you're better than me, they say you might attack! And even when you say you protected me, they tell me not to trust you! Everyone is so mean!"

It seems he was told something by the people around him.

And when he heard about my interrogation, he came to worry about a false accusation.

My younger brother is too good, isn't he?

I want to say it over and over again.

While I was moved, Terry continued to plead.

"Even though you saved me with amazing magic, they say that someone who is obsessed with alchemy can't use magic! They say it's just a facade!"

"That's a bit harsh, isn't it?"

"Isn't it!"

"It worked because I understand alchemy."

"What do you mean by that?"

The Marquis Strateg, who had been watching, interjected.

He must know that I scattered sparks during the report, but I don't intend to mention Sefira.

"Do you understand the concept of reproducibility? It means making the same result happen consistently. That's the basis of alchemy. If you apply this thinking to magic, you can make even basic magic work densely without interfering with each other."

When I said this, Wearel nodded in agreement.

"So, if you practice, Terry can do it too."

"Me? Really?"

"You can. I'll teach you next time we meet."

"Okay!"

"Alright, I still have some things to talk about. It's okay, the Marquis Strateg is a good listener. I'm glad you came to see me, Terry. Be careful on your way back."

I calmed him down and saw him off until he disappeared down the stairs, then closed the door.

In the room were my aides, the Marquis Strateg, and Levan.

"......Alright, let's crush it."

"Scary! Why do you say such things after your response just now?"

Levan was being noisy.

"What, because we don't need a criminal guild in the capital of the country Terry will rule in the future, right?"

"How did you know!?"

The Marquis Strateg was surprised by the identity of the enemy who had infiltrated the knights.

It seems he had a good idea after all.

"Yes, I investigated. I found the hideout, and let's discuss the personnel to send there and the excuses to make."

When I said this, the Marquis Strateg looked at my aides for an answer.

But they all averted their eyes and pretended not to notice.

Regular update

Next: Cool Maid 1

Updated: 9/20

Idle Talk 11: King Lukiusaria