Freed from the men in loincloths, I started recounting the whole situation inside the mansion as the moving process continued.
But this is difficult.
I can’t just tell everything—yet I have to explain enough to make them feel the urgency.
However, their appearance hadn’t changed at all from just a moment ago.
Even if those guys look like they’re in costume, their serious faces lack any persuasive power.
«The heir of the Lauter family is even more dangerous than we heard. —Attacking the Bartforts? Are they out of their minds? No, I mean attacking a foreign dignitary, that sort of thing.»
The fact that he’s even saying it shows he thinks picking a fight with me is stupid.
Is my reputation among you all not weird?
Erik hid his face with both hands, looking embarrassed.
«Until a little while ago, he was a bit more decent. Actually, we care more about the family’s opinion than foreign ones, so we don’t worry much about what outsiders think.»
Because the country makes a fortune exporting magic stones.
They’re stronger than the neighboring nations, and they even have a
The nobles chosen by the Sacred Tree hold a supremacist mindset, actually gaining great power, so telling them not to get cocky is a lost cause.
Julius’s «Are you sane?» question toward others left a face that just wouldn’t settle.
I felt the same.
«You guys were sent to this country because you’re not sane. Don’t forget that.»
Angelica turned her gaze to Claire, who was floating beside me.
«If Claire’s analysis is correct, the Republic is about to march on the Kingdom. They’re said to be assembling airships and armor never seen before, preparing an army far superior to the Kingdom’s, right?»
Claire seemed to nod, as if she were shaking her head vertically.
‘I think my analysis hits with high probability.’ More than Serge, the problem lies with
He swore that after conquering the Republic, he’d set his sights on the Kingdom,
«That’s the part I can’t believe. Serge originally plans to rule the whole country through the Lauter family, right? Civil war is inevitable. Even if he manages to unify the nation, it’ll take at least ten years. The real issue is what comes after. Do you think a guy like Serge can actually pull off governing? Even if he does, there’ll be resistance.»
Greg seems to have thought this through; he believes that even if you suppress the nobles with force, the subjects will push back.
«I agree with Greg. First of all, Claire’s analysis is off. I can’t believe Serge could dominate the Republic in two years.»
‘Oh dear, excuse me. It’s entirely possible.’ Libya wore a troubled expression.
«Claire‑chan, I get that even I find this hard.»
Angelica nodded in agreement.
«It’s hard to imagine the Republic, which has been squabbling internally, getting its act together in just two years.»
But—
«Brad‑kun thinks it’s possible? I’d love to hear your reasons.»
«I’ve thought this since Pierre. Those guys—no, the whole Republic—have huge pride. The nobles recognized by the Sacred Tree, of course, but isn’t there an ‘undefeated myth’? The Republic has never lost a defensive battle, so the whole nation’s self‑esteem is sky‑high.»
Julius seemed to notice.
«—
When my name came up, everyone’s eyes turned to me.
Brad laid out his prediction.
«Exactly! A Republic that’s ever been beaten feels its pride crushed. They can’t afford to be bickering internally; they sense a crisis, right?»
Brad looked at Erik.
Erik lowered his head a bit and said, «The crisis is there. Actually, ‘fear’ might be a better word. To put it bluntly, the Kingdom never even crossed the Republic’s radar. It was just another neighboring country. And we lost to a single count of that country. Our own family was terrible, too.»
Claire spun around in the air and declared, ‘Correct! It’s no coincidence that the Master’s presence was crucial in uniting the Republic! There’s even evidence they tried to stir up a crisis to bring everyone together.’ Alberk‑san was trying to unify the Republic.
Whether he wanted to shape things his way or truly act for the country—since he’s the final boss, you could say it’s the former, but it still nags at me.
Jilk shrugged at me.
«
«That’s a nasty comment, you sly green‑horn.»
«Ah, you noticed?»
When I glared at Jilk, Angelica threw a lifeline.
«Even so, we can’t blame Leon for everything. He overstepped, sure, but Serge’s actions are outrageous. I can’t believe the Republic would even allow that.»
Erik speculated on that.
«—Probably, the defeat was a huge shock. For us, loss carries another meaning: the Sacred Tree. You all know what happens if you betray the Tree’s trust, right?»
Losing a heraldic crest like Pierre could happen.
For the Republic’s nobles, that means death.
«One time we lost, and then Serge beat Baron Bartfort when we were already on shaky ground. It makes us want to see a clearer outcome, a decisive victory.»
Angelica spat at Erik.
«Fool. You allowed the raid just for that flimsy reason?»
Pride, huh.
—It’s a pain.
«It’s a serious issue for us.»
Brad, feeling his prediction hit the mark, started sounding overly confident about the future.
«So! The Republic is scared of the Kingdom—of Bartfort—so they band together. Pierre losing to Bartfort and losing his crest might also be a factor.»
Erik nodded.
«Probably. For us, it’s like death. When I lost my crest and my protection, I was—well, I was really down.»
When something valuable disappears, the loss feels huge.
Libya looked at me and said, «Leon‑san isn’t at fault.»
Claire laughed.
‘Huh? Really? I think you’re pretty bad. Always cutting corners and getting hurt is a nasty habit.’ Does this guy hate me that much?
Julius wrapped things up.
«Anyway, that reckless guy Serge is very likely to unify the Republic and then attack the Kingdom. I get that. I get it—but the Kingdom may not be able to resist.»
Jilk followed Julius.
«Yes. The troublesome thing is the Kingdom is still in chaos. We don’t know how many years it’ll take to settle. In the meantime, the Republic could finish arming itself and launch an attack—nightmare material.»
The Kingdom does have forces that could resist, but they’re built to face an enemy of comparable level.
I can’t imagine the Kingdom defending against an army Serge and Ideal have amassed without restraint.
Libya stared at me.
«But the Kingdom has Leon‑san. The partner sank, but the Einhorn is an amazing ship. The Kingdom isn’t losing!»
Chris, with a nasty grin, asked, «Sure, it’s a great ship. But how many can Bartfort’s factories produce per year?»
«Um, well—»
«Even if they could, the Kingdom won’t buy airships from Bartfort. No, they can’t. Other nobles and merchants with factories will get in the way. It’s not just about performance for official adoption.»
When I tried to help the flustered Libya, Claire looked impressed.
‘Ah, you figured it out.’ «Even I can see that.»
Chris, still smug, muttered, «
Chris stood firm.
«I wasn’t deceived. I chose Marie. I don’t regret that choice!»
Everyone—from Julius to Erik—nodded approvingly at those words.
Angelica furrowed her brows and glared at Chris.
«These idiots.»
I covered my face with my right hand and said, «Please, at least feel some remorse, you fool.»
Julius was watching me.
Jilk gave Julius a nod, then turned his gaze to me.
«Baron Bartfort—why not seize power in the center?»
«Huh?»
I didn’t get what Jilk was saying.
Angelica stayed silent.
Libya…
«Um, what does that even mean? Why would Leon‑san take power?»
Libya asked, and Marie snapped at her, «Don’t you even understand that? …Leon becomes Grand Marshal and fights the Republic like he did back in the Principality.»
—What the heck? I’m not that convenient a tool.
Both Libya and Angelica shot sharp looks at Marie’s outburst.
Marie whispered, «S‑sorry,» in a small voice.
Seeing Marie like that, Julius said, «Even clueless Marie is cute.»
—You all need to wake up already.
«Marie, the reason we want Bartfort to hold central power is because he can match Serge’s capabilities. To counter Serge, we absolutely need Bartfort’s strength. Then—if we’re going to fight the Republic quickly, we’ll have to take some risks ourselves. For that, we need someone who knows the inner workings at the center.»
Angelica’s cold stare swept over the five of them.
After scanning them, «Technically, this was supposed to be Julius‑sama’s job, you know.»
Julius seemed a bit guilty.
«Ah, right, yeah. But now we have no choice but to rely on Bartfort. Our help is limited—but will you do it, Bartfort?»
It was as if he expected me to nod.
I gave Julius a smile.
«I decline.»
The five stared in shock. Someone blurted out, «Eh?»
«What’s so sad you have to grab power? I have loftier goals. I’m always thinking about how to get demoted so I can live a lazy country life. And now you want me to seize central power—totally the opposite. I hate it.»
‘Master is wonderful! That anti‑promotion spirit is solid. I’ll respect the Master’s opinion!’ «Feel free to praise me more.»
Angelica and Libya laughed wearily.
«Typical Leon.»
«Yes, this is just like Leon‑san would be.»
Julius and the others closed in on me.
«You, you! How can you be so carefree about this crisis! You have responsibility too, you know!»
«Don’t mess with me! I don’t want to work! Those things should be left to the people in power!»
«That’ll take time! Even if we explain the situation, first we have to investigate whether you’re trustworthy! Then the endless meetings drag on, and before you know it years have passed. But if you take central power, everything will be solved!»
«Who’s going to solve my happiness! You guys made Marie fall and lose status, that’s why it’s a mess! Do it yourselves!»
«If you’ve risen, take responsibility!»
«You too, you useless prince!»
«You said it, you scum! Today is the day!»
«Are you coming at me? I was just about to punch you back!»
When we grabbed each other, the fight turned surprisingly fierce and stubborn.
Just like a game, finish them fast! Why are they so stubborn!
«We can’t handle this, so we’re counting on you!»
«I don’t care! Do it yourself!»
«I’m saying I can’t, you idiot!»
«Idiot? You’re the idiots! I’m just chasing a happiness that fits my size. I’m smarter than you!»
«You, even so, are a hero!»
«A hero is someone who’s done something great. I’ve already tried my best! I’m tired! Power doesn’t interest me!»
In the end, nothing was settled.
Libya looked at me.
«Angelica, can we just leave them be?»
Angelica stared at me and said, «—Let them. It’s just a bit of rough‑housing. Men say fighting makes them get along better. My father and older brother said that. Better not to let things fester.»
«Oh, that reminds me of how it was back home!»
«I thought they were down and discouraged, but they seemed surprisingly lively, which was a relief. Still, the Republic’s problem really gives me a headache.»
She muttered under her breath, «Why did these five end up like this—my head hurts.»
«Bartfort!!!»
Something clicked, and I kept punching the stubborn Julius.
«Here’s where I settle the old grudges!!!»