The Rusworth royal castle.
May and I headed for the room where Elza Rusworth was, following the instructions of the adventurer who had taken over the letter exchange.
Detecting the movements of those around me, I used my Skills — Dimension and Spec — to identify individuals.
(Good thing I'd already confirmed the responses on the battlefield beforehand.)
Once I confirmed Elza's response, I pulled my hood over my head and tossed a pebble at the window.
The curtain was drawn back and the window opened. Elza was there in casual clothes, and upon seeing me riding on May, she tightened her grip on the staff in her right hand.
She seemed wary — my Skill displayed her response shifting from yellow to red.
I pulled a letter from inside my coat.
"A letter from Gracia. I'll be handling the letter correspondence from now on."
Still on guard, Elza pushed her light-blue hair aside and regarded me with her violet eyes, ever cautious.
"Hand over the letter first. If you make any suspicious moves... I'll kill you."
That sharp gaze was laced with unmistakable killing intent, and for a split second I genuinely considered reaching for the katana at my waist.
With Elza, who carried a cold aura so different from Gracia's, I threw the letter toward her.
The letter spun sideways as it flew toward Elza. It stopped, caught between her fingers, and was immediately opened.
While keeping her eyes on me, Elza read through the contents and let out a sigh.
"...Understood. So the previous adventurer is no longer usable. But I'd heard you were a renowned adventurer?"
The queen directed a provocative smile at me, so I pulled off my hood.
"Did the letter say anything about me too?"
And then, Elza smiled.
"No. It's just, when it comes to Kirin, the only one who's been making a name for themselves recently is Holy Knight Lyle, so… I'll have a reply ready right away. Go inside and wait."
There was a balcony in front of the large window. I set May down there and decided to wait.
But then there was Elza.
"Come inside. That spot is too exposed."
When she said that, I headed inside, then looked back at May and gave a nod. May jumped, did a full spin in midair, and shifted back into human form.
Elza watched May's transformation.
"…So Kirin can disguise themselves as humans?"
The room inside was spartan. It had a bare-bones feel to it — the furniture was undoubtedly expensive, but it was far too austere for a woman's quarters. A stylish little vial of medicine on the table caught my eye.
(A gift from Gracia?)
I joked:
"Is it really alright to let a man into your bedroom?"
Upon hearing that, Elza showed no interest whatsoever, pulled some papers and such from a drawer in the desk, and sat down in a chair.
"It'd be a major scandal. If I were found out, it'd be torture followed by execution. So be careful."
The fact that she was smiling told me she was somewhat accustomed to this kind of back-and-forth. Maybe she'd exchanged words like this with her previous adventurer too.
She prepared a light with the tools on the desk, then reread the letter several times.
"…There's something I want to confirm. Gracia-ch… Gracia's younger brother seems to have achieved success in land development — were you the one supporting him?"
Elza's cheeks flushed slightly as she almost called Gracia "Gracia-chan." She looked at me while seeking confirmation.
It seemed Leold's name was starting to gain some traction over at Rusworth too, and in good fashion. The speed of this information also clearly proved there was a mole inside Galleria.
"You get your news remarkably fast, don't you? That's right. I was the one who provided the support."
Elza nodded and said, "I see."
He tried to use the letter issue as leverage, but the current state of both nations rests on a fragile balance. I'd appreciate it if you didn't stir things up too much. I don't want to fight you either, Sir Holy Knight.
Faint smiles touched both their lips.
Miss Gracia and Miss Elza were the type to exert wide-ranging influence. Their individual combat strength was likely high, but what made them even more troublesome was their unique magic.
If it came to a fight, I'd need to gather substantial intelligence and devise countermeasures to face such dangerous opponents.
"I'm not leading either nation toward ruin, you know. If anything, considering the future, it might even help resolve the conflict between them," I offered.
Miss Elza chuckled softly at my words. Unlike Miss Gracia, there was a hint of coldness about her, and her smile felt like she was looking down on me from above.
"That's impossible. Both Rusworth and Galleria want this war. For Rusworth, the damage is limited to the border regions. And who benefits from war? The central knights... the military officers, that is. Plunder and promotion... Galleria is the same, isn't it? Without war, internal strife would erupt immediately. The only reason our regions don't rebel is because Galleria presents such a threat."
So, both sides desired this war, and it was being repeated over and over.
Well, for me, this situation was problematic. I couldn't use it.
"That fragile balance will soon tip. Within two to three years, Galleria's national strength will grow. With a bit of luck, even if not quite double, we'll see results close to that. In another ten years, closing that gap won't be easy, don't you think?"
Miss Elza's eyebrow twitched slightly.
The Fourth Generation laughed out from within the Jewel. But only I could hear that voice.
*"That won't do. Even if it's just a figurehead, you need to explain things properly! Don't assume that wars are won and lost solely on the battlefield."*
Leaving the gleeful Fourth Generation to her own devices, I smiled slightly.
"Then, might I have your answer? Also."
"What is it?"
I pulled a small perfume bottle from my breast pocket.
"It's a perfume that's popular in Baim. A token of our acquaintance, please accept it."
As I handed it over, Miss Elza's expression turned slightly confused. It wasn't the look of someone unaccustomed to receiving gifts.
"...I've accepted it, but I can't use it?"
If I used a perfume different from the usual, the bewildering prime minister who managed everything so thoroughly would surely grow suspicious.
"Well, the prime minister doesn't come inside the room anyway. Besides, it's not a strong fragrance. It's a token of our closeness, so if you don't like it, just throw it away."
Miss Elza put a letter into an envelope and handed it to me. I accepted it and stepped out onto the balcony with May. The Fourth Generation spoke nostalgically.
*"That Rael giving a present so naturally... There's nothing left to teach him anymore."*
(Well, rather than teaching, wasn't she more just vetoing everything? ...Ah, whatever.)
Mounting May, who had taken the form of a Kirin, I scanned our surroundings before launching into the sky.
It was the next day that I returned to Galleria and delivered Miss Elza's letter.
I asked Miranda to hand over the letter along with the small perfume bottle.
I also made sure not to forget distributing souvenirs to Miranda and the others. I hadn't forgotten — Miranda was simply the last.
"So the new girl gets perfume, and we get sweets? ...This debt will cost you dearly."
Being told that with a smile, I just laughed and fled.
As for May:
"I'd actually be happier with sweets, you know. Wasn't there just not enough to go around?"
She said things like that. I thought I wanted May to stay exactly like this, forever.
And so, upon returning to the village where Rolfis was staying, I received reports from Novem and Eva.
As for Eva, it concerned the spreading of rumors in Galleria and Rusworth that I had commissioned.
In the rebuilt house, I sat in a chair and listened to Eva and Novem, who sat across the table from me, as they recounted their progress so far.
"We spread the rumors about Leold in Galleria. As expected, stories of him smashing Monsters got a much better reaction than his domestic policy. Maybe it's just the nature of the country? Well, even in songs and tales, a dashing fighter always gets more attention."
I checked on the Rusworth side.
"What about the prime minister?"
"It won't work in the capital. His approval is too high, so even if we spread bad rumors, no one will believe them. And even if they did, it wouldn't serve anyone's interests. But out in the provinces, there's been a lot of resentment building up, so it's working quite well. 'A monstrous villain secretly pulling the queen's strings,' and all that. ...Seriously, Leold is as awful as ever. Even we wouldn't go this far."
We spread rumors about the prime minister. Most of them were actually true, of course. We put out the story that he was a monstrous villain using the queen as a figurehead to do whatever he pleased.
On top of that, we also spread rumors that Galleria was strengthening its ties with Zayin and Rolfis.
"Say what you will. I don't believe in half-measures. If things go well, we might get contact sooner than expected."
The reason we were deliberately staying in such a conspicuous place was that we were waiting for contact from Rusworth.
Just then, Novem spoke up.
"Leold, recently there have been people lurking around the village and posing as traveling merchants, investigating us. Rauno, who visited a little while ago, said they were Rusworth's agents."
It seemed they were thoroughly looking into us.
"They're quick to respond. On that note, Eva?"
"I haven't let anything slip. I've been subtly spreading rumors about us too — playing up the angle of a group paralyzed by disagreement. But their appetite for it is surprisingly strong. I think it's because we're somewhat popular."
We had also spread a rumor that we were stuck in a desolate village, unable to act due to differences of opinion. We had hoped they would take the bait, and it seemed they moved on it right away.
It looked like there was no need for us to go pitching ourselves.
I brought my hand to my mouth thoughtfully.
"Eva, you did spread the rumor that the prime minister and the lord of Galleria are connected, right? If that flows together with how they'll act on the next battlefield..."
Novem followed after me with a serious expression.
"...Will they move the way you want, Leold?"
They would move. Or rather, the plan had always been to exploit whatever chaos arose. Rusworth was a harder country to infiltrate than Galleria. Because the entire nation was unified around the prime minister, even if we — as adventurers — formally entered service, we would have started as low-ranking officials.
But as long as we could create a state of chaos — that was the strategy of the Successive Heads.
A voice came from the Jewel — the Fifth Generation.
"I will do everything within my power. Now, let's see how they move from here..."
It was a few days later that Rusworth made their move.
A few days later, a messenger from Rusworth arrived at the village where Rolfis was staying.
The ones who showed up at the house we were borrowing—trying to keep a low profile—were eight in total including guards. It felt like one mid-level official, one low-level official, and the rest in that sort of capacity.
They left a letter beforehand announcing their visit, and when night fell, three representatives and one guard entered the house.
Facing the four of them with their solemn expressions, I met them in a casual outfit without any weapons.
Naturally, the rebuilt house had been fitted with traps, and in hidden positions, the Valkyries stood armed and ready.
May and Eva were outside, keeping watch on the movements of the other guards.
It was me and Novem who would speak with the representatives.
"...I heard as much, but you really are quite young, aren't you? Several years younger than the Queen, in fact."
The mid-level official made that observation upon seeing me. In truth, I wanted to casually brush it off with something like "Yeah, things have been pretty tough lately," but the atmosphere didn't really allow for that, so I sat in my chair with a relaxed smile.
"So, what brings you here?"
The low-level official and the three guards remained standing rather than taking seats. They looked tense, their eyes fixed on me. Then the mid-level official spoke up.
"...It's about Galleria. You've placed an associate in Galleria's service and are even providing behind-the-scenes support, we hear. If an adventurer bearing two titles and a hero who saved a nation were to make such moves, we would naturally grow suspicious. We ask that you share your true intentions with us. Rumors have already spread throughout the country that Galleria intends to form an alliance with Zayin and Rolfis. There are even reports of plans to support Baim as well."
I didn't let my smile falter. The man took a sip of the tea Novem had prepared and steadied his breathing. He had been getting a bit worked up toward the end, so he was probably tired.
In the glow of the lantern placed on the table, I gazed up at the ceiling.
"It's all true. I can't just leave Rolfis exposed to the threat of a neighboring country forever. Rusworth, you've looked into Galleria's internal affairs, haven't you? If so, then choosing a side to back and striking the other isn't exactly a bad option, is it?"
That was essentially how I framed it—as if to say, you lot keep fighting your little war of camaraderie and Rolfis grows uneasy, so I'm going to do something about it.
In reality, Rolfis hadn't asked me to do any of this, and neither Zayin nor Rolfis would actually go to war. If pressed, maybe they would, but the benefits were slim for both countries. Rolfis was already maxed out just managing its expanded territory. Forcing more land on them would push them over the edge.
"...So Rusworth wouldn't mind if Galleria were crushed?"
One of the low-level officials took a step forward, and a guard put a hand on his shoulder. They had their eyes on the surroundings—and ahead of them, the Valkyries were positioned. It seemed he had noticed they were surrounded.
"Galleria was simply more flexible, that's all. Or are you suggesting that Rusworth would stop the war and come to the negotiating table? You said you understood the internal affairs of both countries. I'm also aware of the reality that the war cannot be stopped."
The mid-ranking official who was sitting had his head lowered. Then he looked at me with sharp, piercing eyes. He probably didn't mean anything by it. There was no killing intent behind it.
"...Then you must also understand that Rusworth is currently pushing a Central-centric, skewed policy? That's why the provinces are neglected, no one thinks about the places that become battlefields, and the Central reaps all the benefits of the war?"
"Of course. The Prime Minister is enormously popular in the Central. Quite troublesome."
I kept my expression unchanged. Novem stood beside me holding her staff, maintaining a blank face so she could respond to the guests at the slightest provocation. If any of them made a suspicious move, Novem would lead the Valkyries lying in wait to pounce on them.
"Currently, Prime Minister Letol's faction dominates the Central. You could say every high-ranking official belongs to his faction. There is no faction putting up resistance. Among the high officials there are those of noble character, but under the current circumstances, there is nothing they can do."
I listened to his words with a smile.
"That's terrible. But it has nothing to do with me."
The mid-ranking official looked at me.
"...We also understand that Her Majesty the Queen alone cannot fight against multiple countries. Could you please help steer things toward Rusworth's survival?"
"That's a problem. I have my own plans, you know. Besides, wouldn't it be difficult with the Prime Minister still in the picture?"
By repeatedly stating that things were difficult because of the Prime Minister, I was implicitly telling them: "Get rid of him."
The mid-ranking official spoke to me with a look of resolved determination. He straightened his back and ignored those around him who tried to intervene.
"Among officials, there are those from the Central and those from the provinces. The majority are provincial, but most have stalled at mid-level ranks. The Prime Minister favors Central-born officials and is unpopular with the provincial ones. We couldn't act while Her Majesty was in his grasp, but... if the national hero who recaptured Zayin, Lord Rael, would cooperate with us, there is a possibility. Could you lend us your strength?"
I reached for my cup and sipped my tea. I'd anticipated as much when I heard the words "provincial-born." It seemed those dissatisfied with the Prime Minister had come to make contact.
I had a feeling they would come, and they'd done well to find their way to me. The Jewel was buzzing inside.
The Third Generation was overjoyed.
*"A coup d'état invitation? That's right up my alley!"*
The Fourth Generation was calculating something.
*"You said it's a gathering of low- and mid-level officials... If there are enough of them, sweeping away that lot might actually work."*
The Fifth Generation also seemed to be warming up, shedding her usual listless tone.
*"Hmm, when should I strike?"*
The Seventh Generation was practically buzzing with excitement. She'd been this animated even during the domestic policy debates, but once a fight was on the horizon, her spirits soared.
*"If we take down the Prime Minister right away, there'll be major pushback from the central government. So why don't we remove the key players first, and in the process make it look like we've been connected with Galleria's lords the whole time? It wouldn't even be a lie! Then we can expose their misdeeds, ruin their reputations, and move toward executing them!"*
Mireia was also looking positively giddy.
*"Let's bring the provinces to our side while sealing off the Prime Minister's movements. And while we're at it, have those bad lords of Galleria conveniently disappear."*
At Mireia's words, the Third Generation laughed.
*"That's not quite right. There aren't any bad lords. There are only lords who made the wrong judgment. Well, they've been sucking up the easy profits until now. It's not as if they didn't consider the risks, so let's just have them quietly step aside. We can't deal with all of them, so let's pick out the ones who look most troublesome!"*
The Fifth Generation suddenly had an idea.
*"Having Leold lead the subjugation army against Galleria would stir up resentment... Alright, let's have Gracia lead it instead. That way we can clean house on both fronts with a single move."*
My head was starting to hurt. I let out a sigh, and one of the mid-level officials looked at me with a hint of worry.
"Lord Lyle?"
I put on a smile and declared that I would go along with the proposal.
"I'm fine with that. It sounds better than crushing an entire nation. However, you'll need to follow our plan."
The lower-level officials were visibly excited and pleased. The display on my Skills — Search — was glowing blue, the color that indicated allies.
*(No, this is way too soon. Let's stay on guard.)*
I smiled and addressed everyone.
"However, we should keep the Prime Minister in his position for now. Could you compile a list of important figures among the high-ranking officials? We need to start by drastically cutting down the Prime Minister's power."
One of the mid-level officials looked at me with some doubt.
"If we don't remove the Prime Minister, he'll just expand his faction again."
I tilted my head down slightly and spread my mouth into a wide grin.
"That's fine. In the meantime, we just need to seize control of the center. Besides, the Prime Minister is popular among the people of the capital—the central district. If we suddenly removed him, it would cause problems."
The mid-level official looked troubled.
"Th-that's true."
I raised my face back up with my usual smile.
"Well... let's just enjoy ourselves. So, we'll hammer out the details at a later date."
And with that, I brought the meeting to a close.