19-4 Part 2
Imperial Capital Turmoil 2/2
Translator : PolterGlast
Just a little more.
If I keep going like this, I'll eventually break through the wall of the
Imperial Capital's sewer system. Hopefully, I want to pray it's not a giant
crocodile's nest. Aneue helped me on
the first day of work, but due to the impact of the turmoil over there, her
hands were tied with matters on the surface.
「Ashley.
Ashley, oi, realize it already! You are more inflexible than a wild
boar!!」
That's why, using
the Sun Stone as a light source, I silently tunnel through the ground. There is
a sense of tension thinking that if I mess up, I might pierce the bottom of the
sewer and get covered in sewage. Silently, silently, I tunneled through the
dirt wall.
「What
is it, don't get in my way, Zirant.」
「I am
telling you to realize it! Are you a deaf protagonist!?」
「You
too, if you don't want to be covered in shit, don't break my concentration.」
「This
is no time for that! Georg has been kicked out of the Imperial Capital!」
「That's
why, for that Georg's sake—what did you say?」
「I am
saying that the First Imperial Army led by Georg has left the Imperial
Capital by order of the parliament!」
Is the noble
parliament filled with idiots...? If they do such a thing, every conceivable
faction, from knight orders to the private armies of powerful nobles, will
bring their military forces into the Imperial Capital.
「Indeed.
Do you understand the situation now?」
「Yeah...
So what is Aniue doing...?」
「It
seems he dispersed the army to garrisons in the outskirts of the Imperial
Capital. A fraction of them has come here to Erin as well.」
「Doing
such foolish things...」
Without Aniue and the Imperial Army, who is
going to protect the Imperial Capital?
「Hmph...
that is the other way around. Georg is order itself. The guardian of the
Imperial Capital. That existence is likely nothing but a hindrance to those
conducting political strife in the Imperial Capital.」
「I'm
worried about the kebab sandwiches...」
「Umu,
you should correct that to the auntie at the cafe. Wagahai is also
particularly worried about that part.」
Stopping my work, I
returned to the lord's mansion. Carrying the potatoes I had dug up and stored
on my back, of course. Then, an even more absurd report came in.
「The
Crown Prince held the coronation ceremony himself. Without receiving approval
from anywhere, it seems he declared himself the Emperor of A-Zir. And it
appears a hidden treasure called the Tear of Demiurge is involved in this
series of incidents.」
As always, I can't
tell which one of us is the lord. When I jumped into the study, Puis
informed me of this matter-of-factly.
「Tear...
the name of a jewel?」
「Correct.
This is information from him, the double spy, and he says it's a magic stone
that drives people mad.」
There are many
jewels with histories of bringing misfortune to people. But I had never heard
of a stone with that much power.
「According
to Yumil's story, it seems to be true. That stone apparently shows the
wielder convenient dreams.」
A man who dabbles in
drugs despite being in the position of the next Emperor. If that's true, he
probably jumped at it with joy... Perhaps becoming anxious, Aneue snuggled closely next to her
younger brother. People might be attracted to this side of Aneue. Though I can't show it to
outsiders...
「It
seems that was the reason the Crown Prince became a shut-in. However, it was
apparently stolen, and for some reason, it ended up in the hands of the third
son, Olive.」
「Did Aureus
provide that information too?」
「Yes.
He is working quite well for us.」
Showing the wielder
an ideal dream. In that case, even if Olive knew it was a stolen item,
he definitely wouldn't have tried to let it go. He was originally a man with a
habit of collecting things. That is why the Crown Prince slashed at Olive.
To take his dream back. And I suppose he falsely claimed the title of Emperor
to protect himself and the Tear of Demiurge.
「However,
this doesn't seem like Yord's way of doing things.」
「I
think the one who orchestrated it was Julius-oniisama... That person
never chooses his means, after all...」
「It's
speculation, but I believe the possibility is high. Well, either way, we will
have to take countermeasures towards this new situation. Especially regarding
the supply aspect of the First Army led by Georg-sama...」
Georg-aniue
and the First Imperial Army he leads are the strongest in the world. But Puis
says that a stable supply is necessary to maintain that army's independence.
Even so... Even if we've become somewhat flush with cash from crushing corrupt
merchants, it's an entire army. There is absolutely no way Erin alone
can cover it. It's fine for now since the budget is still coming from the
country. But going forward, there's a possibility that the budget will be cut
completely.
「It's
certainly a huge minus for the Empire that they were kicked out of the Imperial
Capital. But on the other hand, it's also true that it's become easier to move
than before. Let's somehow make full use of underhanded tricks and build a
foundation where we can maintain the First Army ourselves.」
This is also a chance. Now that royalty has slashed royalty and a false Emperor without approval has appeared, laws no longer exist. Let's make the First Imperial Army independent with our own power.
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