12:00 update. It's uncertain if I can update at 24:00.
After the conversation with Fine, Linphia joined us.
Linphia noticed that Fine's eyes were slightly red and gave me a sharp look.
"What's going on?"
"A sea dragon has appeared in the south. By the way, you should understand how serious the situation is, right?"
"S-Sea dragon!?"
"Sir Silver can't move unless there's a request from the Adventurer's Guild..."
"The situation is different from when we defeated the vampire in the east. The two southern countries have formed an alliance and are on the move. If I intervene personally in this situation, it could complicate things in a different way. Besides, a sea dragon is several times more troublesome than two S-class vampires. I need support to take it down for sure."
"Of course, when the opponent is a dragon."
Linphia immediately understood the severity of the situation.
She's a capable adventurer, after all. Well, dragons are so dangerous that even non-adventurers would understand.
"So, what's your purpose for coming here?"
"There's a Holy Sword user in the south. If she can use the Holy Sword, she and I should be enough. That's why I want the Empire to send an imperial representative."
"The Holy Sword of the Amsberg family can't be used outside the Empire, right? How did you know that? I didn't know until the princes told me."
"Once you become an SS-rank adventurer, you can learn things that ordinary adventurers can't. Is that explanation unsatisfactory?"
"Can you even learn state secrets of the Empire?"
"The restriction on the Holy Sword isn't a state secret. It's not hidden; it just hasn't spread widely. There are few opportunities to use the Holy Sword, after all."
"......I see. I understand."
Linphia still gives me a suspicious look, but she doesn't press further.
It's probably because pressing the issue now wouldn't help.
It's more important to deal with the problem in the south than to ask where I got the information.
"Since you came here, you must have a request for Lady Fine. Does this mean the upper echelons of the Empire are trying to get involved in the southern issue?"
"You're perceptive. Yes, that's right. For some reason, the secrets of the Adventurer's Guild have leaked to the Empire. The Adventurer's Guild is wary of the Empire's intervention. They don't want the Empire to intervene at all, but I want permission to use the Holy Sword. However, the Empire will likely send a royal representative and the military. The military is unnecessary. I want to separate them."
"To do that, you want to use Lady Fine? What kind of trick do you have in mind?"
"The three princes vying for the throne are probably saying they want to be the representative. The most likely candidate is Prince Gordon, the general. However, even if it's one of the other two, the military will move. I want to avoid that. What I need is a royal representative who can function as the emperor's proxy and a few skilled guards to protect them. That level of force can be transported quickly with my teleportation magic, and it should be enough to resolve this issue."
"In other words, you want Lady Fine to persuade a prince who isn't involved in the succession struggle?"
Linphia is as perceptive as always.
It's a relief to have her on my side.
When I nod, Linphia seems to be convinced.
The problem is who to persuade.
"The three princes vying for the throne will never accept my proposal. They won't get credit if a Holy Sword user resolves the issue as a representative. They will definitely want to lead the military. Even if the Holy Sword user ultimately succeeds, they won't get all the credit. The ideal candidate is a prince not involved in the succession struggle."
However, such princes are rare.
Most are aligned with Eric, Gordon, or Zandra through their mothers.
There is one best candidate among them.
"Then the Fourth Prince would be ideal."
"You're right."
The fact that she came up with such a specific answer shows that she's studied the current succession struggle.
She's diligent.
The Fourth Prince's mother is the Empress, so he shares the same mother as the Crown Prince and is not involved in the harem's power struggles.
He finds his purpose in writing and shows no interest in the throne.
To put it bluntly, he won't resist a mundane role like transporting the Holy Sword.
The question is whether he will go to a place outside the Empire, especially where a sea dragon is present.
That will depend on Fine's persuasion.
"Then, let's go."
Fine says this.
Her eyes are full of determination.
Well, let's get to the negotiations, then.
***
"I don't want to."
The large man immediately refused.
That said, he's not as well-built as Gordon. Well, he is well-built, but he has a big belly.
He's the largest and fattest among the royal family.
He's just big and round.
This is the Fourth Prince, Traugott Recks Ardler.
Brown hair, blue eyes, and a dorky glasses.
I'm probably the most looked down upon in the royal family, but the one who is laughed at the most is probably this guy.
His older brother was a slim and handsome guy, so you can't help but wonder how he turned out like this.
"However, Your Highness—"
"Even if Lady Fine asks, I can't do the impossible. I'm in the middle of creating a masterpiece."
Traugott shows us the unfinished text.
Fine takes it politely and reads it briefly but soon loses interest. That's right. Unfortunately, Traugott lacks talent in writing. He's better at horseback riding and swordsmanship. At least he has better physical coordination than me. Why, though...
Traugott looks at me, who is feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Are you the famous Mr. Silver?"
"Indeed, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Is it your plan to bring me a request, Mr. Silver?"
"Pretty much. It would be troublesome if the military is sent to the south with a sea dragon appearing. I thought you would agree to go to the south as the emperor's representative with a small escort."
"Good point. However, I'm in the middle of creating a masterpiece. I can't leave it, so please leave."
Traugott has a ridiculous appearance and a ridiculous way of thinking, but he's not stupid. After all, he's the younger brother of the eldest prince. He's not that foolish.
He understands my intentions well and is refusing with this ridiculous reason.
Why, though...
"Your Highness! Please, for the sake of the many people in the south and the Imperial Navy soldiers!"
"I would like to accept Lady Fine's request, but I am an imperial prince, and the people in the south are citizens of another country. I have no obligation to go that far. Besides, they chose to become soldiers. If I moved every time they were in danger, there would be no end to it, right?"
It's a subtle and sharp response.
Why can't he apply this to his writing?
"That's..."
"Please leave. I have no intention of moving."
"...What about your brothers and sisters in the south?"
Even after being refused, Fine persists.
She realizes that appealing to the people and soldiers won't move Traugott, so she brings up me and Leo.
This moves Traugott more than before.
"That hurts. However, Arnold and Leonard are adults. They can handle it on their own."
"What about those who are not adults? If you refuse, you will have to rely on those you should protect."
Fine is probably referring to Krista and the youngest brother.
She's saying that if he refuses, he will have to drag one of them into it.
The moment she says this, Traugott glares at Fine.
"Are you trying to threaten me with my younger siblings?"
"Feel free to interpret it however you like."
"...Krista is one thing, but Lady Krista is a treasure of our royal family. I don't want to put that beautiful blonde girl in danger, and I would face criticism from my fellow humans if I did."
"Ha... ha..."
It's exaggerated and makes no sense.
Moreover, is it okay for the youngest brother? He's only ten years old.
I almost sigh but manage to hold it back.
"However, it's also true that I'm in the middle of creating a masterpiece... I'm torn."
"If you're torn, you should move! Since ancient times, those who write good works have had good experiences! If you help your sister and gain good experience, it's a win-win! Besides, if you stand up for the south, your reputation will rise! Many writers will be attracted to your reputation! That might be more valuable than writing a masterpiece!?"
Fine lists the benefits one after another.
Traugott ponders for a moment.
Then,
"May I ask one question, Lady Fine?"
"Yes?"
"Why are you doing this? Is it for the succession struggle? Or is there another reason?"
"Do you need a reason to save someone important?"
It was a straightforward answer.
Traugott was a bit surprised and then nodded.
"Noble. Very noble. Fine, I'll do it. To be moved by such a straightforward and beautiful answer is a shame for a writer. I'll take that phrase as my reward."
With that, Traugott pushes up his glasses and stands up.
I don't understand at all, but something must have moved inside him.
And so, thanks to Fine's persuasion, we gained a key person.