A Different Kind of Independence

“Meat! Mee! I did it, mee!”

Ram was practically vibrating, leaping into the air with joy after hearing that we were holding a party tonight.

“We have fresh mutton,” I said. “Go find someone to carve a portion for you.”

“Understood, mee! …Wait a second, mee. You aren’t planning on eating me, are you?”

“……”

I met the question with a heavy, silent stare.

“I-I’m not food, mee! It’s cruel to turn a good-natured soul like me into a meal, mee!”

“You’re a sheep. Sheep are food.”

“Cruel! So cruel, mee!”

“Anyway, we have important matters to discuss. Go find Al and see if he’ll give you something to eat.”

“Understood, mee!”

I finally managed to shoo Ram away. Watching our exchange, Tia offered a strained, awkward smile.

“U-Um…”

“Don’t worry about him,” I said, dismissing the distraction. “It’s not as if we’re actually serving his meat.”

“T-That wasn't really my concern…”

“In any case, please come inside. I need to consult with a few others regarding this talk of an engagement.”

“I-I understand! I’ll give it my all!” Tia declared, clenching her fists with sudden determination.

What exactly is she planning to give her all to? I wondered. Isn't she just here to deliver a message?

No. Even the fact that I viewed her as a mere messenger might be exactly what my father intended. I doubted he would stoop to something as crude as having a Princess attacked, but this was different. If his actual tactic was to force me into a close relationship with Tia here in this town, it was a plausible move. The engagement business was likely just a garnish for that primary goal.

However, I had too little information to see the whole board. I needed to extract the finer details from her.

I decided that I needed multiple perspectives to properly scrutinize the situation. I sent for Elu, Luna, and Sasha. By the time I led Tia into the Reception Room, Elu and the others were already seated on the sofas.

Elu’s expression was the very definition of grim. Luna, conversely, was preoccupied with one of her dolls. As a Puppeteer, she could manipulate them at will. I made a mental note to stay alert—there was always the chance she might try to trigger an Assassination right here.

A moment later, Sasha hurried into the room.

“My apologies, Big Brother. I was delayed by some paperwork.”

“We only just arrived ourselves, so don't worry about it.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Sasha took a seat naturally right next to Tia. She likely realized that having the four of us lined up on one side facing the Princess alone would be too intimidating, so she moved to balance the room. I sat down between Elu and Luna, facing Tia directly.

Fee brought in tea and sweets, then took her place standing silently behind me. The discussion began.

“So, Lady Tia. What brings you all the way to a remote corner of the Frontier Region?”

“To see you, Yuri-sama. Of course.”

Looking at Tia’s clear, earnest expression, I didn't sense any deceit. The problem was that she was so vague that I still had no idea what her actual objective was.

“Does that mean you have specific business with me?”

“Yes. Oh, that’s right! I have a letter from my father.”

“Allow me to see it.”

I knew it. I had suspected this was the main event all along. My father’s true strategy would likely be hidden between the lines of this letter. I took the envelope from Tia and began to read.

『To Yuri Lousouth. In response to your request, and after careful deliberation, I have decided to grant you the lands surrounding Alf Village and recognize your nation’s Independence. Furthermore, as a pledge of friendship and goodwill between our countries, I desire an engagement between you and the Third Princess, Florentia Inraku. I have sent her ahead of time to serve as my Messenger. I do not insist on her being the First Wife, so I ask that you give the matter your consideration. Let us walk the path of peace together as good neighbors. —The King of Inraku』

Yes! I did it! I have official permission for independence!

With this, my Ruin is finally averted. I can stop looking over my shoulder and focus on being a Lord!

I barely managed to suppress the urge to pump my fist in the air. Beside me, Elu looked genuinely pleased.

“Congratulations, Yuri-sama. This makes you the King of your own nation.”

“Yeah… wait. King of a nation?”

I had been so fixated on the word Independence that I had skimmed over the most terrifying details. I read the letter again, more slowly this time. It didn't just say independence—it recognized us as a sovereign state.

He wants me to found a country? Here? While surrounded by hostile powers?

The territory was only the area around Alf Village. We were tiny. This wasn't a gift; it was a death sentence. Wouldn't this actually accelerate my ruin?

Elu and the others looked satisfied. Even Sasha was nodding as if this made perfect sense. But to me, this looked like my father was simply cutting me loose like a lizard’s tail. He couldn't handle me himself, so he had schemed to turn me into a tiny, sovereign target so that other countries would crush me instead.

This is bad. This is very bad! I can't possibly accept this kind of independence!

Faking a calm I didn't feel, I immediately began drafting a reply, my mind racing in a panic. I wrote that the reward was far too great for someone of my station and that I must humbly decline.

At the same time, I prepared letters to the Beast Kingdom, the Empire, and the Holy Principality. If I was going to be framed as a "country," I needed to get ahead of the narrative before the wolves started circling.

Author’s Note: Thanks to all your support, Reincarnated as a Mastermind Family, but I'll Ignore the Original Game and Become Independent is officially getting a Light Novel and Manga adaptation! Thank you so much. I'll report more on the label and specific details soon, so please look forward to it.

I also have news regarding my other works; if you’re interested, please check my recent activity notes. I look forward to your continued support!

A Request from the Author: I’ll keep doing my best! If you want to support the series or are curious about what happens next, please hit the "+" button in the "Praise with ☆" section below. Seeing the numbers go up is a huge encouragement!