The Royal Military Academy's Impostor Owns a Dungeon [BL] Chapter 615: The Illusion of Peace

Sure.

Provided he doesn’t ask his spirited sworn brother, who was now so fired up he looked like he might try to build ten more surprise projects before dinner.

After the excitent over the weapons finally waned just enough for everyone to calm down, the group turned back to talk about the auction. They ca to the conclusion that it would be best to hold it next week.

As agreed upon, they would send invitations to the master chanics, a decision that already felt like throwing oil onto fire. Killian added grimly that he’d also recomnd opening the clearance ports three days before the auction itself.

Because really, who wanted to go through another round of frantic alarms and soldiers shouting about an "attack" when it was just everyone else arriving in their battleships all at the sa ti? The last thing anyone wanted was to explain to the capital that, no, this was not a coup, nor was the Empire falling apart.

But... considering the kind of items being sold, didn’t it already sound like a riot waiting to happen?

While they didn’t want criminals to have ti to prepare, they also didn’t want the entire capital to collapse in panic before the first weapon was even sold.

By now, there were only six people left in the eting room.

Initially, several had wanted to stay behind to see Kyle’s new weapon before leaving, but the adjutant cut that thought down imdiately. Calmly, with that slight curl of his lips that made Ollie’s mop bristle, Kyle declared that if a certain blonde wanted to see it, he had to co to training.

Only then would he show it.

Ollie choked on his own saliva, spluttering like he had just swallowed a bucket of sand. But the faint upturn at Kyle’s mouth made it clear. There would be no free show. If Ollie wanted to see sothing exciting, he would have to earn it at practice.

"B-but... later! Yes, later!" Ollie announced dramatically, slapping his chest as though he’d co up with the perfect plan. For now, he decided he would test what Luca said about the inventory instead. Looting, after all, waited for no man.

Marquis Osmond nearly keeled over right then and there, clutching at his neck like he needed divine intervention. His son was now running around shouting about the joys of being able to communicate with D-64, and the Marquis had to chase him before he discovered sothing even more dangerous.

The others, like Jax, dashed out the mont permission was given to start practicing with their chas and weapons. Of course, they had to rember Noah first, since the poor man who was still on his shift at the Daycare still needed to receive his biocha so he could join them when he was done.

But this—this was exactly what Killian wanted. The room cleared, leaving fewer people to overhear.

Because he had no desire to dump his next words on the entire group.

Ideally, he wouldn’t even say them at all. But considering Xavier was the Imperial Crown Prince, and Luca was clearly the brightest target painted across the Empire, keeping silent would only invite disaster.

And if he stayed quiet for confidentiality’s sake, and then sothing happened? Then wouldn’t the bla fall squarely on him?

No. Better to say it. Better to share the burden now.

After all, this was sothing he had found out through his own efforts.

And it was exactly the kind of knowledge that made his blood run cold.

"Not long ago, I received a tip about movent in the Federation."

Luca’s golden eyes widened. For a very long ti, the Federation had only been sothing he read about in texts. He had always been warned about it, but hearing soone report on it in real ti was another matter entirely.

"The Federation?" Duchess Alia asked, her tone sharp with suspicion. Even she had marginally forgotten about their existence after what felt like years stranded in the dungeon.

"Yes, Your Grace," Killian replied evenly. "From what I’ve gathered, it began as a motion. But one that, unsurprisingly, has gained a frightening amount of support in a short span of ti."

The room went still.

"Allegedly, a motion from Cassian Veyra, sole heir of the current Federation President, has been building traction. Normally, we wouldn’t care, but it concerns restarting peace talks."

The Duke’s eyes narrowed. His voice cut like steel. "Peace talks? Is that bastard Alaric about to die? Is that it?"

Killian shook his head. "No, Your Grace. From what I’ve heard, the President has been against this from the very beginning."

"Then why now?" Luca asked, brows furrowing. Most of what he had studied about the Federation was history. How it ca about, the break from the Empire, the endless disputes. But after learning how unreliable "history" actually was, he couldn’t help but wonder what the Federation was really like.

Surprisingly, it was Xavier who answered. "Probably growing discontent."

"Huh?" Luca blinked.

Killian gave a sharp nod. Of course, Xavier would catch on instantly. That was why he was the Imperial Crown Prince.

"Word is, their most powerful families are unhappy about the Empire’s ability to procure goods they can’t touch."

"...?!"

"From the Star Mall Online store, to the auctions, and especially access to the daycare and its VIP mbership," Killian continued, "their elites are furious. They’re clamoring over the Federation’s failure to secure those goods."

Luca stared at him in disbelief. "Wait. Big Brother. Are you saying they’re passing a motion for peace talks... because they want access to the food???"

"In essence, yes." Killian’s tone was calm, but his eyes glimred with amusent. "But knowing the Federation, they probably only reached this point after failing to gain direct access to you. By now, many are making correlations between the Star Mall store, the daycare, and House Kyros. Which is exactly as planned."

Luca paled. "But... but..."

"They’re only speculating, much like everyone else. They probably believe you’re connected to the vendor, but they don’t have proof. The upper ranks of the Military know better, but to outsiders, the fact remains—the Daycare is located beside Military HQ, it’s owned by an academy guild whose leader happens to be the heir of House Kyros. So with that alone, it is natural to assu it has ties to a major Imperial power."

"So, because of that, it won’t be easy to convince to cater to them? Is that what you’re saying?" Luca asked, his voice half-confused, half-surprised.

"That would be an understatent," Killian said dryly. "Considering your father’s reputation, it would be close to impossible. They’re not even sure if the vendor is one person, or if it’s House Kyros itself."

Kyle leaned forward, arms crossed. "They were probably prepared to offer sothing substantial to the source. But after realizing it’s likely House Kyros, they figured it couldn’t be done that way."

"But if it’s like that..." Luca bit his lip. "Then what about the peace talks? Are they planning on rejoining the Empire?"

"No." Killian’s tone was clipped. "They’re buying ti. And just cause for legal entry. If they’re here on legitimate business, they’ll be able to scout faster. Or buy by proxy."

"WHAT?!" Luca almost fell out of his chair. "Is it really that bad?! All that trouble...?!"

His voice cracked, his expression torn between horror and utter disbelief. Although considering the existence of corruption, who wouldn’t be this desperate?

"True. I thought the sa at first," Killian admitted grimly. "But they’re taking a different route now. There are talks of the Federation sending a delegation to the Astral Cup. They’ll send cadets, under the pretext of sportsmanship, to lower suspicion."

"!!!"

The room erupted in shock.

Kyle groaned quietly and dragged a hand down his face. His instincts told him what this ant.

If practice already consud fifty percent of his life for training, he was now certain it was about to rise to eighty.

He closed his eyes, sighing deeply. At least he had his little star to keep him company, right?