"Hai, I will be your eyes and ears, and expose any wrongdoing."
"Good."
With that, Leo received a purple cloak from his father.
It was the symbol of an inspector.
As long as he wore this cloak, nothing would stand in his way.
"Compromise is not an option. Investigate thoroughly until you are satisfied."
"Hai."
Leo put on the cloak and left the throne room.
The others also left, but I stayed behind.
Father had a look on his face that suggested he had something to say to me.
"Are you worried?"
"Not at all. Leonardo is excellent."
"But he lacks flexibility. You have been the one to compensate for that. However, you won't be by his side this time."
"If you want to see how much he can do on his own, it won't go well."
"Hmm? Why is that?"
"He's good at getting help from others. He's the kind of person who makes people around him want to lend a hand. So even without me, someone will help him."
"I see. If that's the case, then it's fine. But what about you?"
I frowned at Father's words.
Like Leonardo, I have been given a task. It's too trivial to call it a mission, though.
"I'll do what I can, but don't expect too much."
"That won't do. The marriage negotiations for the eldest daughter depend on you. If she doesn't get married, Zandra won't either."
"That's a big responsibility. But don't be angry if I fail. The other party is your eldest daughter, after all."
"I understand that. But, Arnolt, I'm over fifty. I don't have much time left. I want to see my daughters in their wedding dresses."
"I haven't heard that you're ill, though."
"I'm not ill. But as I grow older, my control will weaken. Eventually, I will be removed. No matter who becomes emperor. I was the same."
Father looked out over the town visible from the castle, his eyes distant.
He might be thinking about how much longer he can see this scene.
The struggle for the throne is currently taking place among the children, but Father sits in the seat that is the goal.
Naturally, the victor will remove Father. When that happens, there will be no time to see his daughters in their wedding dresses.
"You seem unusually pessimistic today."
"Today, I had a dream about the second empress and the crown prince. It was nostalgic... I wonder how many more people I will miss."
"If you don't like it, you could stop the struggle for the throne. Appoint a crown prince and send the other children to the provinces while you still have the power. That would save their lives, at least."
"I can't do that. The value of something won and something given is different. The throne must be won. That's why strong emperors are born. That's why the empire can be protected."
"Then stop being so pessimistic. You have the power to stop it but choose not to. Because of that, my brother is caught in a ridiculous family struggle. Many people think like you, but no one speaks up because you tolerate the struggle. You've rationalized it as necessary and convinced yourself of it. Your pessimism is an insult to all the participants. I won't allow you to back down now...!"
If the emperor appointed a successor, such struggles wouldn't happen.
But a successor who wins is stronger than one who is appointed. I understand the logic. A winner won't allow what they've won to be taken away. But someone who is given something doesn't feel as strongly that it belongs to them. This difference in mindset is why the struggle for the throne is necessary to produce an emperor who can protect the empire. Under this belief, countless ridiculous struggles have been waged.
"...To be lectured by my son, and by Arnolt of all people."
"Please forgive my impertinence."
"It's fine. It seems I become pessimistic when Franz isn't around. I'm sorry. Forget what I said earlier."
"Hai."
"...Arnolt, do you still remember the way I used to be?"
"Rest assured, I haven't forgotten. I remember your words from that time as well."
"I see... then I'm relieved."
With that, Father dismissed me.
With the struggle for the throne intensifying, Father must be thinking a lot.
If Leonardo becomes emperor, Father will be safe, but he won't appoint him as crown prince for his own safety.
Despite showing signs of pessimism, Father is bound by his duties as emperor.
"Looks like there's no choice but to win."
Muttering that, I headed outside the castle to see Leonardo off.
ā ā ā
"Take care of yourself."
"Un, you too, brother."
"I'll do my best, but not too much."
With that, we said our goodbyes.
We didn't need a long conversation. It's not like this is our final farewell.
"Your Highness, Arnolt."
"You're still so formal, Linfia."
"I'm not in a position to call you by your first name like others."
"Titles don't matter. But if you prefer it, that's fine. I'm sorry it took so long to get here."
"No, thank you for everything."
"This is to thank you for saving my life and protecting Fiene and the others while we were away. It's not nearly enough, though."
"I didn't do much. Yet you've done so much for me. I feel guilty."
Linfia lowered her eyes.
But that was just modesty.
She had protected Fiene and the others perfectly. That had saved us during our greatest crisis.
Sending adventurers to the village and exposing the corruption wasn't enough to repay our debt to Linfia.
"Well, it's up to you, but we are grateful. We'll definitely solve the village's problems."
I handed Linfia a bag about the size of a fist.
She peeked inside, feeling its heavy weight.
It was filled with gold coins.
Moreover, the bag was much larger inside than it appeared.
"T-this...!?"
"It's a bag created with enchantment magic. It's ten times larger inside. The gold coins inside are mine. I didn't have many opportunities to use money, but the state provided me with funds. This is that money. I thought about using it for the struggle for the throne, but since you've connected us with the merchant guild, I don't need it for now. I'll entrust it to you."
"S-such a large sum! How am I supposed to use it!?"
"Leonardo wouldn't use it effectively. But you will. Leonardo always prefers the straightforward approach. I want you to help him. I think that will save your village too. And remember, money is only useful when you use it. You don't have to pay it back. Use it to rebuild the village, okay?"
"Your Highness..."
"I'd like to go with you, but I can't. I'm sorry I can't see this through to the end, but I want to do this much for you."
"...I am grateful. I will never forget this kindness. I will definitely be of assistance to His Highness Leonardo."
Linfia bowed deeply.
Of course. The bag contained about ten years' worth of funds provided to me as a prince.
Handing it over so casually might seem odd, but I have money I earned as Silver. Sebastian manages it, but I have more of that than the funds provided to me as a prince.
Still, it's not like it's pocket change. But with this money, I can influence the southern nobles. Linfia will use it in ways Leonardo wouldn't think of.
"That's too much. We owe you. This is just a thank you. Don't worry about it."
"...It might be inappropriate to say this now, but I'm glad you were attacked that day. Because of that, I met you. And you reached out to me. The relief and joy I felt then are something only I can understand. Now I understand why Fiene trusts you. When the village's problems are resolved, I will definitely return and be of assistance. Please leave His Highness Leonardo to me."
"Haha, you're so formal. But that's why I can trust you. Take care of my brother."
"Hai, I will."
Linfia bowed deeply and climbed into the carriage where Leonardo was already seated.
The royal guards were around the carriage, but personal security was entrusted to Linfia. That shows how much Leonardo trusts her.
"See you later!"
"Un. If it gets too difficult, come back."
"Ahaha, you should do the same, brother. The eldest sister is tougher than the southern nobles, you know."
"You're right."
As I talked with Leonardo, who was sticking his head out of the carriage, I watched the carriage slowly move away.
Well, there's no point in worrying now.
"I'll focus on my own tasks."
First, I'll meet with the potential suitor for my eldest sister. After that, I'll write a letter. I'm sure that will move her heart.
It's going to be a busy time.
The next chapter starts a new arc.
Finally, the person who might become Al's stepbrother appears.
By the way, I checked the access analytics and saw that the number of unique visitors per day exceeded 40,000.
Thinking about that many people reading, it feels amazing (laughs).