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Due to this incident, the relationship between Sanburgh and the Empire, which was on the mend, took a drastic turn and the treaty was annulled.

Since it was directly overseen by Rudella Bismarck, her already poor reputation in the Council of Elders sank even lower.

Although it was an accident that occurred on the Sanburgh side, the fact remains that Rudella Bismarck is held accountable.

In truth, there was a significant push to elevate Fransia Ferbache, an expert in rare healing magic who was well-regarded in high society and the Council, to the position of Empress.

Anyway.

As a result, it wouldn’t be surprising if war broke out between the Empire and Sanburgh at any moment.

The reason a war had yet to erupt was that they were still gathering details from the parties involved and investigating traces to ascertain exactly what had happened.

Crown Prince Fedelian Rojino insisted that they should immediately declare war for the sake of the Empire’s pride, but Rojino’s Emperor appeared to want to avoid war as much as possible.

And so today.

The Emperor summoned Johan to the Imperial Palace himself. The Crown Prince and the head of the First Public Affairs Officers were also present.

They arrived at the Emperor’s audience chamber located in the center of the palace.

The massive golden doors swung open, spilling forth dazzling light.

White light poured down from the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling, casting a star-like glow on the floor.

A red carpet stretched straight to the throne, flanked by marble columns that resembled divine figures.

It felt like a privilege only granted to those who were allowed to step foot here.

“Raise your heads.”

As Johan and the others summoned knelt and bowed their heads, the Emperor raised one hand.

“Let the Crown Prince speak first.”

“Yes.”

Fedelian, who stood at the front, opened his mouth.

“My fiancée and the promising Johan Harsen of the Empire were involved in this incident. This scratched the Empire’s pride and challenged Rojino’s authority. I believe we cannot let this go unpunished.”

Fedelian’s opinion was still strongly in favor of declaring war. There were many benefits for him if war were to break out.

He could lead the charge in the war, enhance the Empire’s prestige, and at the same time solidify his own standing and increase his influence.

“Is that so?”

The Emperor, resting his chin on his hand atop the throne, slowly opened and closed his eyes, waving his hand. Fedelian stepped back in response to the gesture.

“Head of the First Public Affairs Officers. What do you think?”

The head of the First Public Affairs Officers, Duke Lenokhnen. He is the father of Kasys.

Curious, Johan sneaked a glance at him.

His bushy beard and side hair gave him a lion-like appearance.

Though his hair had turned completely white from the ravages of time, one of his purple eyes still seemed to burn fiercely.

“I believe it is best to avoid war as much as possible. The southern front had only recently stabilized, and they have just finished organizing.”

Duke Lenokhnen opposed the war. His faction was still not yet fully prepared, and the First Public Affairs Officers were the ones heading into the most dangerous frontlines, so it was understandable.

“Is that so?”

The Emperor slowly nodded and then turned his gaze to Johan.

“It seems it is now time to hear from the parties involved. Johan Harsen, Archmage. Do you know how this incident occurred?”

Johan raised his head slightly. However, he did not look up at the Emperor. Doing so would be against palace etiquette.

“I believe Sanburgh is also a victim caught in someone else’s scheme.”

“Oh?”

The Emperor briefly pressed his lips together, slowly scanning Johan with his gaze.

There was something in that gaze that indicated it was more than simple curiosity.

It seemed to beckon him to continue speaking, so Johan quietly continued.

“There were other unfortunate events besides this one. From the Archdemon manipulators during the last dungeon reconnaissance mission to the current incident. I believe there’s a presence causing chaos in the Empire. A particularly high-ranking one.”

The Emperor’s eyebrows twitched.

“Is there someone audacious enough to meddle in my nation?”

“Yes.”

Johan answered.

“The one orchestrating this likely stands to gain the most from disposing of Lady Bismarck while simultaneously igniting a war with Sanburgh. That person is probably still wishing for war at this very moment.”

Johan’s statement was somewhat ambiguous, but upon closer inspection, it pointed to one individual.

The person who could benefit most from both disposing of Rudella Bismarck and instigating war.

There could be only one person in this room who fit that description.

The Emperor slowly stroked his chin with his fingers as he mulled over Johan’s words.

“Is there a clear mastermind? If they are merely underestimating Rojino with a mere scheme… it cannot be overlooked lightly.”

The Emperor momentarily glanced at Fedelian. Johan followed that gaze. The Crown Prince averted his eyes slightly.

“Though words remain unseen, they are by no means light. Archmage Harsen, can you take responsibility for what you have stated?”

He looked deeply into Johan, as if trying to read his true intent.

“This is not speculation, Your Majesty. I am certain that there is a mastermind behind this incident.”

The Emperor slowly nodded. A brief silence thickened the air in the audience chamber.

“….”

Johan’s gaze subtly shifted sideways, skimming over Fedelian. In that moment, his expression hardened, and his fingertips trembled slightly.

Fedelian tried to avert the Emperor’s gaze by lowering his head, but the tension flowing down his cheek could not be concealed.

“Hmm.”

The Emperor rested his chin on his hand. It seemed he realized, from listening to Johan, that the Crown Prince was possibly behind this incident.

There were just too many connections.

Johan’s maneuver had been a success. He had incited suspicion in the Emperor concerning Fedelian being the root of the Empire’s turmoil.

“Your opinions have been duly noted. I also understand how this incident unfolded.”

With a rustling sound, the Emperor rose from his throne.

“War will not occur.”

“Your Majesty…!”

“Silence, Crown Prince.”

“I must protect the pride of the Empire…!”

“I said to be silent.”

“……”

As the Emperor’s brow furrowed deeply, Fedelian bit his lip and swallowed his words.

“We shall express our regrets to Sanburgh and offer proper compensation. Yet nothing can satisfy the Empire, so we should accept part of the territory as restitution.”

The Crown Princess, whom Rudella Bismarck was supposed to be, almost faced death but survived, so acquiring territory in exchange for her would be quite a gain.

“You must not consider this decision as weakening the Empire’s might. We will demand compensation from Sanburgh, but we shall thoroughly investigate the true threat that exists within the Empire and pursue them without fail.”

The Emperor spoke with a warning gaze that shone brightly.

“I do not know who has stirred trouble within the Empire, but once they have launched an incident such as this, they must not allow it to come to light. Whoever it is shall be promised the gravest of punishments by the Empire.”

Everyone, including Johan, who had quietly listened, bowed their heads deeply.

Johan’s gaze rolled over to Fedelian beside the Emperor.

“……”

His face bore a shadow. It wouldn’t please him. Being exposed by the Emperor as the mastermind behind this incident, his schemes had evidently failed.

“Thank you, Head of the First Public Affairs Officers, and Crown Prince. You have journeyed a long way. Johan Harsen, you have also worked hard. You may leave.”

Johan stood up, offered a polite royal bow, and exited the audience chamber.

The tense space, where even breathing felt cautious, faded away, and Johan smiled a suppressed smile. A thrilling sense of accomplishment coursed through him.

‘At last, that noble face of yours has a shadow upon it.’

This recent incident was undoubtedly Johan’s victory. The Crown Prince would no longer be able to escape the watchful eye of scrutiny.

Though ultimately, it would be shadows acting on his behalf, so direct oversight might not be necessary, but the fact that he was under watch would surely restrain his movements.

‘I’ve served him a proper dish of dirt.’

Johan suppressed the desire to cackle right away and stepped out of the Imperial Palace.

*

Crash!

“Damn it!”

As soon as Fedelian arrived at his quarters, he was engulfed by uncontrollable rage and swept everything off his desk.

An ink bottle toppled over, leaving a black stain on the floor, while documents fluttered through the air.

His fingers strained as anger manifested visibly, and his face, biting down hard, quaked with deep fury.

“Johan Harsen…”

Fedelian slammed down on the desk, yet he still couldn’t shake off the anger as he paced around the room. His trembling fingertips. Rage erupted from deep within his chest.

‘How dare you.’

He never anticipated that Johan would single him out in that moment. He could easily be charged with insulting royalty, how could he make such a choice?

However, his father—the Emperor—had understood Johan Harsen’s words in an instant. That must be why no punishment was meted out.

Now, his situation would be under deeper scrutiny, and the distrust planted in the Emperor would shake his position.

Would that be all? If the tail got stepped on or evidence was discovered, he would be deposed from the title of Crown Prince and confined in the prison tower where royalty would be held.

“I’ll have no choice but to act cautiously for a while.”

While he didn’t worry about evidence being discovered, one could never be too sure. What if Rudella Bismarck held evidence?

“Haah.”

Fedelian let out a breath, trying to calm his pounding heart. Anger still simmered within him, but he needed to remain as composed as possible.

‘I need to find a way to deal with Rudella Bismarck soon, but it’s complicated.’

With the eyes of scrutiny deepening, it would not be easy to eliminate Rudella. If she were harmed at this juncture, he would be the first suspect.

The Emperor was keeping a careful watch, after all.

‘Johan Harsen…’

Fedelian clenched his teeth.

He not only lost the Princess Ferbache, but now even his own position as Crown Prince was being shaken.

‘You shall not have peace easily.’

*

At the moment Johan was calling for a carriage to return as a Public Affairs Officer.

“Archmage Harsen.”

“Oh, Lady Bismarck.”

Rudella, who was supposed to be at Topaz Palace, had come directly to the Imperial Palace and called out Johan’s name.

“What brings you here?”

“…Just.”

“Just?”

Johan tilted his head slightly at Rudella’s uninteresting response.

In a somewhat childlike manner, Rudella spoke cautiously, yet with a bit of a tremble in her voice.

“Just, I wanted to see you…”

Her voice flowed out like a whisper.

As soon as she finished speaking, her face flushed red, startling even herself. She looked away as if trying to flee.

Rudella unknowingly clenched her hands wishing the words she just uttered wouldn’t reach his ears.

Yet, she also held a hope that he would hear them. She was curious about how he would react.

“Lady Bismarck seems to have some peculiarities at times.”

However, it seemed he didn’t hear her. He was smiling lightly, gazing at her.

In response, Rudella felt a sense of relief wash over her while also feeling a twinge of disappointment.

“Were you trying to be coy?”

“…I’m thinking about it.”

“Is that so.”

Johan maintained his smile while tilting his head slightly. As his deep blue eyes locked onto her, Rudella swallowed hard.

“Please call on me anytime. Though I am an Archmage, I have nothing to do other than handle trivial documents.”

Rudella shifted her gaze slightly and nodded. To hide her excitement, she absentmindedly rubbed her wrist with her fingertips.

“I shall do that.”

“Is that all you wish to say?”

“That would be it, but…”

“Then I shall take my leave.”

“Ah…”

As Johan attempted to climb into the carriage, Rudella stretched her hand out with a look of disappointment. Her fingertips lingered momentarily in the air. It was an unconscious gesture attempting to hold him back.

“…Did you have something more to say?”

“No, it’s just, um, ah.”

Rudella hesitated for a moment, then cautiously spoke.

“…Would you not stop by Topaz Palace?”