~ Chapter : 24 ~
Rosio accepted the request as if it were nothing unusual.
“I will recruit mages and knights who can counter each magical beast’s attributes. They are people you can trust.”
The students Rosio supported were unwaveringly on his side.
It wasn’t merely because of financial sponsorship. He had acted as a mentor who helped them consider their future paths, and through thorough consultations, he placed talent exactly where it belonged.
Beyond recommending them to serve as imperial mages, he also wrote letters of recommendation to the mage towers guarding the borders, or nurtured them as scholars while supporting their individual research.
“Good. There’s no one I can trust more than you. Bring a few of them along as part of the delegation.”
“I will carry out Your Majesty’s command.”
Rosio spoke politely yet confidently. He had already been part of dozens of delegations, and there had never been a failed trade.
“Oh, and while you’re here, there’s one more matter I’d like to discuss.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“The Scallen Hotel that Nasian invested in is running a deficit.”
Nasian was the imperial princess most likely to succeed the throne. She had invested in hotels and the apparel business, but the Scallen Hotel in particular had been struggling financially for quite some time.
Rosio found this strange as well and had already examined its finances. At first, the hotel had earned praise for its excellent facilities thanks to the princess’s investment, but management had been poor.
“It managed to turn a profit through its casino, but this time it was caught rigging results, which damaged its credibility among foreigners.”
“What a shame.”
“The Heshaer family has already completed a hotel expansion project, and they are also considering other newly constructed hotels.”
Rosio carefully suggested that investing in other hotels might be a better option.
“Well, Nasian will surely have learned something from this failed investment. What about the employees of the Scallen Hotel?”
“Some will be rehired at newly built hotels that are still short on staff. The locations are close, and while the designs differ, the furniture materials and layouts are similar, so they’ll adapt quickly.”
The emperor continued exchanging opinions, and Rosio answered without hesitation.
“It’s reassuring to have the Agnis family.”
“You flatter me. I only worry that I may fall short compared to my mother.”
“The former duke wouldn’t have raised you that way.”
Victoria smiled, as if recalling fond memories of the former duke.
Though the former duke’s methods differed greatly from Rosio’s, neither of them had ever failed to meet expectations.
If the former duke was the type to wage all-out war, Rosio was more restrained yet unyielding.
“Is the former duke still traveling?”
“Yes. She is expected to return next month.”
“When she does, tell her to visit the imperial palace at her leisure. Now that you’re here, there’ll be no need to overwork her anymore.”
At the emperor’s joke, Rosio smiled lightly and bowed in acknowledgment.
“You’re also nearing marriageable age, aren’t you? Since you haven’t chosen a political match, let me know if marriage talks begin.”
At the mention of marriage, Esmeralda’s face immediately flashed through Rosio’s mind. Though he had just been all but rejected by her and was still hurt, the thought of her left him flustered.
“Oh, and there’s one more matter to discuss.”
Fortunately, the emperor swiftly changed the subject, sparing Rosio from having to respond about marriage.
“What is it?”
“Since you’re already here, I’d like you to meet the commander of the Third Knight Order. It seems the Kingdom of Rosema and the Kingdom of Jasmi are forming an alliance.”
The two kingdoms—whose names brought to mind herbs—were neighboring states to the Pepperminty Kingdom, a border vassal of Erdesia.
“You know Rosema well enough, don’t you?”
Rosio nodded with a serious expression. It was a kingdom the emperor had chosen to observe rather than immediately subjugate as a vassal.
Believing itself free from the threat of becoming a vassal, King Rosema had begun aggressively developing his kingdom.
Thus, conquering it now would be akin to harvesting fully ripened grain. From an international standpoint, not merely an imperial one, the emperor was weighing his options.
The emperor summoned an aide and ordered the knight commander to be brought in.
“Your Majesty, thank you for granting me this audience.”
It was Jeff, commander of the Third Knight Order. He knelt before the emperor, then rose and offered Rosio a brief greeting. With the emperor seated between them, the duke and the knight commander faced one another.
“Speak freely.”
The emperor stroked his chin as he listened. Jeff unfolded a map from his coat.
“Very well. To begin, between Rosema and Jasmi, Rosema holds the initiative. To dismantle Rosema’s key facilities, we plan to request support from the Pepperminty Kingdom.”
Jeff gestured toward Pepperminty on the map. Rosio asked, puzzled,
“Who will command the operation?”
“The First Knight Commander of Pepperminty and I will conduct it jointly. He seems quite eager to participate.”
Rosio agreed that Pepperminty’s knight commander knew the terrain well—but he also knew why the man was so eager.
He’s planning to request a reduction in next year’s tribute.
Moreover, Pepperminty had few outstanding knights. Even if they offered support, it wouldn’t be of much help. They would merely claim credit afterward to reduce their tribute—such was Rosio’s judgment.
His Majesty intends to collect even more tribute from Pepperminty next year to trade with other empires. It’s better not to rely on them.
With conviction, Rosio spoke.
“Support from the Pepperminty Kingdom is unnecessary.”
He believed that the Erdesian troops stationed there, along with a small number of mages he personally supported, would be sufficient.
Besides, having two commanders in a battle where every moment mattered would only delay the chain of command if opinions differed.
“What? But, Duke, a frontal assault requires sufficient troops.”
“There’s no need for a war of attrition. King Rosema forced rapid development upon his kingdom and ruled through fear.”
While the kingdom’s situation improved, the lives of commoners—save for the king and a few nobles—did not.
Worse, the king had threatened to kill knights’ families if they refused to fight, breeding resentment among the knights. Once conquered, it would be easy to incorporate them into Erdesia’s forces.
“Take five mages I recommend. Send two skilled in movement and fire magic to infiltrate the city and draw attention from the rear. That will minimize direct engagement.”
“The terrain is rough. Can movement magic even be used there?”
Jeff asked skeptically.
“I’ve already identified locations with secured lines of sight. Bring a ring imbued with my mana as an artifact and deploy a magic circle—it will reveal hidden spaces. I’ll send the ring through the mages.”
Rosio answered as if it were trivial. Such illusionary manipulation of terrain was possible only for him. Jeff nodded, then asked one more question.
“But if they teleport in and cast magic, won’t the mages be discovered immediately? The forces inside the city would overpower them.”
“This month, Rosema is shrouded in fog twice a day. Wait for the fog, then cause disruption within it.”
“Then the knights can strike the front gate at that moment.”
Jeff and Rosio continued refining the plan. Rosio believed that once Rosema’s leader fell, Jasmi would surrender.
“The Kingdom of Jasmi’s contaminated zones are expanding. I’ve heard they’re searching for new land to relocate to. That’s why they targeted Pepperminty’s outskirts.”
At Rosio’s explanation, the emperor nodded lightly. As he said, Jasmi had never previously provoked Erdesia.
Though Pepperminty lay far from Erdesia’s center, it was still a vassal. Attacking it would only be a desperate move. Rosio turned to the emperor.
“Jasmi has many skilled artisans. Accepting their refugees would benefit the empire as well.”
Rosio possessed deep knowledge of every kingdom’s geography, environment, and military strength. Jeff marveled at the insight and capability of the much younger duke.
Though a vague sense of resistance stirred within him, he kept it hidden.
The emperor nodded in satisfaction.
“Duke Agnis, you’ve done well. You may go.”
“I’m glad if my opinion was of any help.”
Rosio glanced toward the window. Dawn was beginning to break.
After paying his respects, Rosio left the imperial palace.
As he headed toward his carriage, Jeff hurried after him, matching his stride.
“Duke Agnis!”
Rosio cast him a sidelong glance. Jeff thought this was his chance to grow closer to a man of real power. Swallowing his pride at bowing to someone much younger, he smiled ingratiatingly.
“Well… since you helped us today, I’d like to offer a small token of gratitude. I hear Lady Rose is quite beautiful—shall I send her to your estate? Whatever your preference may be…”
He began with a topic commonly shared among his comrades, watching Rosio’s reaction.
“I’ll decline that sort of reward. Are you finished?”
Rosio rejected him with a cold gaze. Jeff faltered.
“…Pardon?”
“I’ll be on my way.”
Jeff stood stunned, staring at the carriage door slammed shut before him. Rosio dismissed both Jeff and his worthless talk.
He remembered that Esmeralda had said she would come to the duchy today. If she truly came, he didn’t want to keep her waiting.
✦✦✦
The morning after Ript left for the imperial palace.
My mana had fully recovered while I slept, and I was excited at the thought of heading to the duchy. I’d visited the imperial palace on a tour before, but this would be my first time going to the Agnis Duchy.
They said it was as large as a kingdom. Would there be divine beasts besides Ar? Would it be okay to pet them? Questions bubbled up as I prepared to go out.
“Miss, you look especially cheerful today. Your mood is completely different from when you went out yesterday.”
Since Jenna hadn’t returned yet, another maid gently brushed my hair.
I also wore the necklace Rosio had given me. It paired well with my long, comfortable navy skirt and the decorated-sleeve blouse.
“Do I? I have no idea. More importantly, isn’t this necklace amazing?”
“Yes, it suits you perfectly. And honestly, Miss, everything shows on your face. Duke Agnis gave it to you, didn’t he?”
“What are you talking about? I bought it myself.”
Yet in the mirror, I was grinning broadly. I quickly forced my face neutral, looking a bit foolish, which made the maid chuckle.
“Please enjoy your visit to the duchy. And if you’re delayed, be sure to let us know.”
“Got it.”
Half-listening to her affectionate reminder, I departed from the count’s residence.
The plan was to travel by carriage to the capital’s observatory first, then use teleportation magic from there to reach the duchy.
Come to think of it, Ar didn’t come last night…
Ever since we started our secret relationship, we’d been exchanging messages through Ar.
A good-morning greeting, a reminder to eat properly at lunch, a wish for sweet dreams at night. Ar would sit by the window holding Rosio’s letters or small gifts, waiting while I wrote my replies.
There was no message this morning either. Did Rosio get back safely? He didn’t stay the night at the marquisate, did he?
I couldn’t stand how much I missed him. I’d sent a carrier pigeon to the duchy that morning, but there was no reply.
At least Beatrice hasn’t chased after Ar anymore… but surely she didn’t get so furious yesterday that she captured Ar, did she?
As anxiety slowly crept in, I decided to see Rosio in person as soon as possible.
