Political Shifts in the Kingdom

The next morning, I woke to a visit from Mari.

“I offer my congratulations on your marriage,” she said.

“...So, it wasn’t a dream. Besides, I haven’t actually tied the knot yet.”

“Is that so? Perhaps I was a bit too hasty, then.”

Mari let out a small laugh, but I found myself completely unable to join her.

“Please, rest assured. Once I return to my country, I will secure permission for us to use the Cathedral.”

The venue wasn't actually what was bothering me. My real concern was whether I could actually achieve Independence. That was the thought that weighed on my mind.

Since Noris, the Second Prince, had been the one to suggest it, there probably wouldn’t be any issues—but I couldn't help but worry nonetheless.

“It will be fine,” Mari continued. “If they refuse to grant you Independence, we will simply apply pressure from our side...”

“If—if you do something like that, it'll only make my Independence even more impossible!”

“In that case, you should just give up and take my country instead.”

“Stop with those kinds of jokes.”

Even as a jest, talk involving the sovereignty of nations was dangerous; it invited suspicions of treason. All I wanted was to avoid my own Ruin, so I intended to resolve this as peacefully as possible.

Yet, contrary to my wishes, the situation was about to shift drastically—driven by a group of people already acting on their own misunderstandings.

◇　◆　◇

It did not take long for the letter from Noris to reach the King of the Kingdom of Inraku.

It had been sent via the fastest Magic Transmission. Because it merely conveyed the text rather than being a handwritten document, it was a method reserved for specific times and places, but in this instance, it proved invaluable.

“Mmm... As I suspected, this Yuri fellow has indeed established ties with other nations. The Beast Kingdom and the Empire have offered him their princesses. Furthermore, there are even whispers that the Principality intends to hand over their entire country. Given this, how should we move?”

The King was currently consulting with his gathered council. Among them was the Prime Minister—who was, naturally, Yuri’s father, Balan Lousouth.

I know well enough that he was driven out to the frontier, Balan thought.

He had attempted to erase Yuri as his greatest stain, yet the boy had evaded every attempt. To make matters worse, even Sasha, who had always adored Yuri, had followed him into the Barren Land.

Perhaps I have grown senile.

Balan had never imagined the boy would become such a pivotal figure. It was precisely because he lacked such foresight that he had lost the succession to his older brother, failing to claim the throne for himself. He truly lacked the ability to read the tides of the era.

However, Yuri did not take after me.

The boy had built a network of connections so vast it was no exaggeration to call him a Great Noble.

Instead of trying to seize the throne in my own generation, perhaps the shortest path is to let the crown naturally pass to him.

“Now that he has amassed this much power, it would not be surprising for the other nations to apply pressure if we leave things as they are,” Balan spoke aloud. “We must grant him a suitable status.”

“However,” the King countered, “the Second Prince reports that Yuri desires Independence.”

The nobles in attendance were instantly incensed.

“Does he intend to betray the crown?!”

“The insolence!”

“We must reject such a demand immediately!”

As the nobles hurled their vitriol, the King spoke quietly.

“Balan, what are your thoughts?”

“To flatly reject this demand now would be synonymous with making enemies of the Beast Kingdom, the Empire, and the Principality. Do the rest of you intend to wage war against three nations at once?”

“Ugh...”

The nobles fell silent, their voices caught in their throats. If their words triggered a war, they would likely be held responsible for the fallout of a defeat. While the Kingdom might stand its ground against any one of those nations, there was no hope of victory against all three simultaneously. Exposed by that harsh reality, they had no room left for rebuttal.

“Then, what should be done?” the King asked.

“It is simple. That territory was originally a Barren Land—a place of little consequence to us. Why not recognize his Independence with that land as his center?”

The nobles began to stir again at Balan’s suggestion.

“Knowing you, that isn't the end of it, is it?” the King asked.

“Indeed. As it stands, he is only tied to foreign powers. If we leave it at that, our country will likely face condemnation. Therefore, why not send a Princess from our own Kingdom as well?”

“...I see.”

“Your Majesty?!” a noble cried. “Surely you don’t mean a royal Princess? The boy is merely the son of a noble. Wouldn’t the daughter of some other noble house suffice?”

“No,” the King replied. “That might be perceived in a wind of making light of him compared to the other nations who are sending their own royalty. To remain on equal footing with the other powers, we have no choice but to offer a Princess. Very well. I shall draft a reply at once.”

And so, entirely unbeknownst to Yuri, a new bomb was about to be delivered to his doorstep.