Chapter 284
Leo was now naturally calling the Crown Prince "Abraham." I could feel how much animosity that implied.
As we warped to the coordinates the Crown Prince had provided, I saw a familiar lemon-colored hair in the distance. Leo greeted the Crown Prince with a suitable smile.
"It's been two weeks, Your Highness."
"You've arrived. I sent for you two hours ago; thank you for coming."
The Crown Prince smiled and greeted Leo, who had approached first. The weight I had felt in public was gone, but it was clear she had intentionally erased it.
"I heard you recently returned from New Guinea. You must be very tired, coming back and imdiately handling the Pentalon affair."
"I can't deny that. But it's alright, as I have people like Your Highness around whom I can always ask for help."
Listening to their ensuing conversation, I took in the surrounding scenery. We were on a plateau owned by the imperial family. Along with three horses.
Since it was past lunchti, the Crown Prince suggested we talk while riding.
‘Hmm.’
Surprising. To call us all the way here. This was a space exclusively for the direct imperial family, and while they might invite collateral family mbers for leisure, it wasn't used as a social venue to entertain people from other countries like this. Of course, diplomatically, it was a good thing.
Just then, the Crown Prince looked at and greeted .
"It's good to see Sir Askanian again."
"It's an honor."
"You've done many things since Pentalon."
"I am rely doing what I must as a mber of a ruling family."
"I'm relieved to see you're doing well."
The Crown Prince said, showing a gentle smile instead of her usual unhinged one.
‘Since when was she worried about ….’
I was doing perfectly fine, so there was no need for unnecessary concern. I didn't store her words in my head and gave a moderate reply.
"So, what brings you to call for us today?"
"No matter how I look at it, this recent scandal seems to have been caused by you, Sir."
“……”
The fact that she started with such a topic showed that her essence hadn't changed, no matter how much she acted like an ordinary person.
This was a fact unknown to the public. Leo's gaze turned to the Crown Prince. He was looking at the Crown Prince with the sa expression as before, but it was easy to see that all his attention was focused on her.
"Starting from the hospital and spreading to the Federal Council, the executive branch, and the judiciary... you've made a grand debut in the political world just to send your brother away. Of course, no one knows it was your doing."
This was the first ti Leo was hearing a conversation between and 'Abraham' in person. As soon as he heard the words 'to send your brother away,' the magic power flowing around Leo's core subtly wavered. The fact that soone other than Elias, Narce, and himself knew about this situation seed to strike him as strangely unfamiliar.
"Councilman Marlene Stauffenberg has a quick temper and is hot-headed, so she has many enemies. The policies she promotes are also extrely biased. It was a great effort to send a copy of the letter exchanged between Friedman and Councilman Stauffenberg to the office of her political rival. You must have entrusted it to soone who could pressure the Imperial Newspaper, knowing there was a high chance it would be buried if you reported it anonymously. To cleanly expose a scandal using a third party's hand, the thod is neat and certain, I like it."
"Praising here won't do you any good."
I neither actively affird nor denied the story about the starting point of the scandal, maintaining a moderate distance with a smiling face. I had no intention of affirming or denying it. It didn't matter if she knew or not, but there was no reason to give her a definite answer. The Crown Prince raised an eyebrow and said.
"The problem is that it didn't stop with just those two and the matter blew up exponentially. The people involved in this incident have sothing in common. No big shots were swept away, and mostly up-and-coming politicians or those with weak foundations have fallen. And such people commonly follow one person."
She crossed her arms and smiled.
"Your brother, I an."
“……”
Her tone changed. She had used 'du' instead of 'Herr Askanier' and 'Sie'. It was an expression mainly used between friends.
Leo smiled faintly. His displeasure as a politician was expressed in that way. Leo was also wary of the Crown Prince's approach to us. Since Leo didn't reveal anything more than that and quickly returned to his original expression, there was no problem.
"How could I not know when Adrian Askanian's supporters were swept away in large numbers? It was impossible not to know. Besides, who else has the guts to expose such a major incident without any hesitation?"
I didn't give a definite answer and just tilted my head and smiled.
"Well, if nothing else, your expectations of my capabilities seem quite high, I don't know where to put myself."
"Besides, your thods always have a characteristic. Where on earth did you get information no one else knows? How did you know there was data left at Andreas Friedman's house? It was the sa when you baptized , and it's the sa now…."
Abraham's eyes shone coolly in the shade under the tree.
"You live as if you can move ti itself, don't you?"
“……”
Ti. That was information she couldn't possibly know. And she never would. It was just a guess exercising her insight.
I raised the corners of my mouth at those words. I could feel Abraham's golden eyes tearing through my facial muscles and beyond my irises. Then her eyes slowly turned to Leo. My eyes were still on the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince had been smiling leisurely all along, and it was the sa even now as she observed Leo's expression. She was trying to confirm her deduction through Leo's reaction.
"You have a rich imagination. I will have to try harder to et Your Highness's expectations."
“……”
Whether she achieved what she wanted or not, the Crown Prince stopped her analysis and said with a gentle face.
"I'm curious to see what will happen if you try harder from here. Now, today I called you to briefly discuss matters of state and to ask Eschet to take on a task. Of course, I also have sothing to talk about with Sir Askanian separately, but let's do that a little later."
The Crown Prince grabbed the reins of the horse behind her and handed them to .
"I heard Sir Askanian doesn't own a horse, so I brought one that would suit your disposition. Do you know how to ride?"
If you don't have a personal horse, you usually can't ride. When would Luka have learned to ride? Look at her, knowing that and still calling here. These nobles and their antics are all the sa.
I smiled and tilted my head, saying.
"I know how to ride."
"That's a relief. Did you learn from His Highness the Crown Prince?"
"That's right."
"Good. Let's take a slow ride."
I infused the horse with magic power once to calm it down, then adjusted the stirrup straps. Leo had his own horse brought to Berlin, so he could ride imdiately without such a process.
And so, we rode across the plateau. They said we'd take a slow ride, but they were just running. Since it wasn't a horse I had trained, I observed the Crown Prince's aids and the horse's reactions that followed and mimicked them. I could roughly match their speed. The Crown Prince, who glanced back at , said.
"Sir Askanian is talented in horse riding."
"Is that so."
I didn't have much to say, so I gave a rough answer. The Crown Prince slowly reduced her speed.
"I've been tired lately from having many things to think about, but coming out here and getting so fresh air feels a bit better."
"I can imagine."
At Leo's simple reply, the Crown Prince turned her head towards him.
"I've just co from reviewing the punishnts for the scandal's subjects, so before we get into the main topic, I'd like to hear your opinion lightly. This scandal is causing even greater ripples as it's linked to the Pentalon terror. What do you think about choosing one person as an example and issuing a death sentence?"
Usually, a death sentence is not issued unless it's for murder or regicide. This was also the case in the history of my world, and it's the sa as the original history here, except that a death sentence is also given for the cri of 'damaging the authority of magic'. Legally and customarily, leaving ethics aside, it's not a matter that warrants the death penalty.
Leo stiffened for a mont, then shook his head.
"Support gained by blood does not last long. It could even harm Your Highness."
"Hmm. Blood begets more blood. That is your aning, Your Highness."
"That's right. I respect Your Highness's decision, but in a situation where you can quell public sentint by other ans, you must be cautious."
"I understand. Then, this ti I'll ask Sir Askanian. In this situation, what thod do you think should be used to defend the approval rating and prevent the recurrence of corruption?"
“……”
It feels like a test. Or she's laying the groundwork.
She isn't the type to ask because she doesn't know. Leo seems to have felt the sa way. Leo smiled an inscrutable smile and looked at . I looked at the forest spreading in the distance and said.
"I would recover the money used in the corruption and invest it in a visible governnt project. If you want to prevent recurrence, it would be good to confiscate their assets. Of course, if you want to be a little safer, you should create the sa effect by imposing a fine that exceeds their wealth, not 'confiscating assets'."
"Visibility, fines... good. You're saying I should pay attention to appearances."
"I simply think that to quickly overco the current situation, one must 'also' pay attention to appearances. If there is no tangible benefit or concrete improvent from a firing squad, the subjects have no reason to send their long-term support. The important thing is to restore the previous state of trust by putting tangible benefits in the hands of the subjects or by giving them the belief that it will happen soon."
I said that, paused for a mont, and looked at the Crown Prince.
"I believe Your Highness is already aware of this."
"Haha."
The Crown Prince laughed briefly and said, looking ahead.
"No matter how much one knows, politics must be approached with caution. Gaining conviction through the advice of political partners is an important matter."
I see. It must be important. Verifying whether her own choice is correct is a secondary matter. Even if she listens to advice, she is not a person who would change her choice because of it. This conversation is in itself diplomacy, and as she just said herself, it ans she acknowledges us as political partners. As she has always done on the surface, she is either intending a friendly relationship with Bavaria or trying to expand her influence over the countries associated with Eschet. Considering she called here with them, it's closer to the latter.
"In my father's era, our empire beca more ethnically unified. In the era that will follow, our imperial family hopes that the constituent states of the empire will fully assimilate into a single nation."
She's laying the groundwork again. I thought and lightly patted the horse's back. The horse I was riding moved forward, matching the speed of the two ahead. The Crown Prince went straight to the main point.
"I would like to entrust the vacant position at the Imperial Central Hospital that has recently opened up to the magic dical scientists of Bavaria. What do you say, Your Highness?"
Leo, as if accustod to such verbal agreents, didn't panic and smiled.
"That is a delightful proposal. I will discuss it with His Majesty King Hildegard."
"Good. I will be waiting."
The Crown Prince said that and then turned her head slightly towards .
"Even excluding the recent scandal, I was impressed by the various projects Sir Askanian has prepared for Anhalt recently. Your concern for the subjects reminded of Vice Minister of Magic Adrian Askanian."
"Is that so."
"I have no intention of directly intervening in the Anhalt succession battle. Whatever happens, Adrian Askanian is my close friend and a precious subject."
And a competitor at the sa ti.
I suppressed that thought and just looked at the Crown Prince.
"But I am willing to level the starting line. I cannot stand by and watch when I know the reason why Sir Askanian had to blow up the political world so spectacularly. Wouldn't you need the help of the Hohenzollerns to start on equal footing with Adrian Askanian?"
“……”
"Do you like the horse you are using now? I chose it carefully for you, Sir."
"I'm overwheld. I like it."
I can see Leo giving a sidelong glance at my dry tone and expression. The Crown Prince, having already figured out my style, didn't pick on it. She just stared at and said.
"I will give it to you as a gift from the Hohenzollerns."
"To ?"
Why would you? I didn't say the words out of politeness, but the Crown Prince quickly caught on.
"Please allow the Hohenzollerns to do this much for a mage they trust. Anyway, Prussia will soon award the Order of the Black Eagle to you, Sir."
“……”
The highest order of Prussia.
Certainly, in terms of legitimacy, nothing can surpass this.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Because of the achievents of Sir Lukas Askanian, of course. I have no intention of treating precious partners like the two of you poorly. As it is an order that Vice Minister Adrian Askanian also possesses, I hope you will like it."
I answered with a smile instead of words.
The Crown Prince, seeming to have no intention of saying anything more to build a relationship with us, changed the subject.
"I ntioned I had a mission to ask of Eschet. I thought it would be better for to tell you in person rather than through soone else, so I called you here."
"Yes, please speak."
"A jewel owned by a branch of the Habsburgs has been stolen in the German Empire."
“…Yes?”
Leo said, as if bewildered. I felt the sa way. A jewel. Is she saying she's going to entrust a theft case to Eschet?
"It is an inheritance passed down from the ti of the Holy Roman Empire. There is a possibility that it will turn into a diplomatic issue with the Austrian Empire, so I would like Eschet to take on this case."
"...Why is a Habsburg item all the way here... more importantly, it seems better to entrust the search for stolen goods to an investigative agency. We have received military and espionage training, but we have not received stolen goods recovery training."
Leo said with a polite face, but his personality was showing. The Crown Prince, acting like a nice person, smiled gently.
"It is a matter that has already been entrusted to all investigative agencies, but there has been no significant progress. I am just hoping that Eschet can provide additional help."
"I repeat, we are not optimized for such tasks."
"On the surface, that may be so, but there is no one more suitable than Eschet. Perhaps Sir Askanian will also want it later. We also need the ability of Sir Heike Ainsidel on that team."
"Why do you think I would want that? Is it not what Your Highness wants?"
"You'll know when you experience it."
The Crown Prince seed to have no intention of compromising any further. She and we just rode around—which is usually all there is to it—and when a suitable amount of ti had passed, we prepared to leave.
The Crown Prince stopped on her way back to the starting point. When Leo looked back at her, the Crown Prince said to him.
"Lastly, I have sothing to talk about with Sir Askanian. Could you wait?"
“……”
Leo's expression hardened for a mont before quickly relaxing.
"I apologize, but I have things to do with Sir Askanian when we get back, so I cannot spare much ti."
"It will only take a mont."
"Then please do so."
Leo, having regained his composure, didn't cause a scene like before. The Crown Prince smiled and replied, turning her horse around.
"I'll be back."
I nodded at Leo's words and followed the Crown Prince. As we were about to enter the forest, I said to her back.
"I think you've already said everything you wanted to say?"
"You beco remarkably impolite when we're alone, Sir Nicolaus."
"The sa goes for Your Highness."
"Haha."
As we passed through the forest, a scenery I hadn't seen before unfolded. Another plain was visible below the cliff.
"It's a refreshing sight, isn't it?"
"It is."
"It's the perfect height to drop a carriage from."
“……”
I tilted my head. As I stared at her face without blinking, she pulled the reins and signaled the horse to co closer to .
Then she smiled as if her suspicion was not a delusion.
"You've beco stronger. Has the rumor beco true?"
“……”
Did she notice sothing about the magic power flowing through ? I imdiately knew what rumor she was talking about. This is why guys with good insight are tricky to deal with.
"I was examined at the Imperial Central Hospital a few days ago. If you have any doubts, I will have the results sent to the imperial palace."
"The test results were clean, I see."
"The test results are everything. Are you not going to believe anything I say?"
"Have I ever told you? Pleroma is a group that is all show. They advertise that they can save people through blood, but in reality, they don't know how to use magic through blood. They are just a bunch of people who are desperate to have the power to control people through blood, but there is no one there who can actually control blood."
"I am well aware that they can beco stronger and maintain their lives by drinking blood."
"Ah…."
The Crown Prince narrowed her eyes as if in pity.
"You're confusing sothing. How can a re human possess the power to control blood? They are not in control of the blood, they are just subservient to it."
"The more I listen, the more absurd every syllable is. Your Highness seems to want to believe that you are not a 're human'?"
I knew it from the mont she started using the na Abraham. She was like that from the beginning. She thinks that she, who has the ability to control blood, is not a being to be left to rot in Pleroma. 'Unlike them, I can take blood and get closer to another's life', 'the ability that Pleroma truly does not possess'. That's what she told in a ti that has already disappeared.
"Aren't you being too sharp? You're complete with this. You should be happy, why are you reacting like this?"
"Delusion is also a disease."
"You seem to be worried that I might betray you again. Do you need another confirmation to trust ?"
“……”
The Crown Prince rolled up her sleeve and gestured at the bracelet I had seen before. It was a tool she had made for truth verification.
"I intend to harm you."
Her sleeve is turning red. The sll of blood stings my nose. Abraham smiled and said.
"See, it's a lie. I sincerely wish you well. I just want to be of help to you."
"Then you should know that this situation is not helpful at all. I have no reason to drink blood."
"Keep saying that. I understand. We just have to say what we each have to say. By the way, isn't it a bit much to always be indebted to your friend?"
“……”
She must be talking about the blood.
She doesn't have the ability of insight, yet she acts as if she does.
To answer the question myself, I can't say no.
Humanly, with what kind of mindset can I keep asking my friend for blood? Yesterday, I reluctantly asked for blood to disrupt the information that would be delivered to my brother and to advertise that I was healthy by nullifying Andreas Friedman's machine, but now I don't want to do that anymore. This is sothing I shouldn't do to Leo.
But there is no reason to let her know that. I turned in the direction I ca from.
"If you're only going to have this kind of erratic conversation, I'll be going now."
"I'll give you my blood."
I reinterpreted this absurd statent two or three tis and turned my head.
"...What did you say?"
"I said I'll give you my blood. Drink my blood, not your friend's."
"You're the one who eats blood. There's a limit to treating like a Pleroma."
Abraham maintained a calm expression despite my words and took out a syringe and a vial from her clutch. I know why she carries that around. She carries it to use when she wants to control soone's body. I opened the Probability of Change window and stared at her.
She drew blood and threw the vial at .
"Take it. Tell anyti if you need it. It's fine even without a reward."
"Your Highness seems to be ignoring everything I say. If nothing else, it's worth a try for an experint."
"Haha."
She laughed briefly and lowered her sleeve.
And I stared straight ahead with a smile on my face.
‘What is this.’
For a mont, I got goosebumps.
The Probability of Change has increased by 1%p. It increased just by receiving Abraham's blood. How is this possible?
‘Should I divide it and use it for experints?’
Or, is it really worth drinking? Giving this is not sothing that is done without a price. There must be a reaction that Abraham expects, whether it's observing my progress after drinking the blood or sothing I don't know about. And yet, the Probability of Change increased?
As I was thinking that, the Crown Prince glanced around and then turned her head back to .
"I don't have ti to hold you any longer, so let's et again soon."
“……”
"Tell Sir Leonard that I left first."
For a mont, the space she was in distorted as if it were collapsing, and then returned to its original state. She must have broken through the space magic.
I turned my horse and went back to Leo, and we warped directly to the imperial palace. It didn't take long to pass through the security at the imperial palace and return to the mansion.
‘Blood.’
I need to do sothing about the blood. That was the only thought in my mind.
To sort out what happened today, I returned to the room with Leo, and I saw Narce.
"Oh, you're here."
"You're here too."
It seems my room has beco a place where people can just co and go freely.... I'm sure I've had this thought before, and it's still the sa.
"Hmm, I have sothing to tell you. Do you have ti?"
"Of course."
Is it the thing the Papal State asked him to do? I didn't expect him to co looking for today. I hadn't heard this news before turning back ti, but it seems he didn't tell then because my health wasn't good.
I washed up briefly, changed my clothes, and sat down in front of Narce.
"What is it?"
"Are you done? Actually, there's a task the Papal State has entrusted to this ti... Ah, you heard from Leo."
"Stop using your insight."
“Haha~”
Narce pulled a chair closer to and continued.
"Anyway, I ca to talk about that. First of all, this ti…."
Narce moved his lips to say sothing, then let out a deep sigh.
“Haa….”
"What's wrong? Is it sothing difficult to talk about?"
"Not really.... But since it's my organization, I feel a bit embarrassed to talk about it. I wanted to only bring you good news if possible."
Narce let out a hollow laugh, pressed his face with his hands, and then said with a grim face.
"A holy relic that was being kept at the Papal State has been stolen."
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