Emilina's Scheme?

At Yuri’s request, Fee had immediately masked her presence and taken up a position near Emilina.

It’s been so long since Lord Yuri asked me for a favor. I have to do my best!

However, she could find nothing suspicious about Emilina’s behavior. The woman maintained a constant, radiant smile, never letting a hint of displeasure cross her face as she navigated difficult conversations with poise.

“We are grateful not only for the talk of Lord Yuri and Lady Elu’s engagement,” one official noted, “but also for the honor of the Saint’s presence.”

“Oh, please,” Emilina demurred. “I am merely a young woman who happens to be able to use a bit of Holy Magic.”

“That Holy Magic is exactly what makes you so magnificent. If only our country possessed someone as wonderful as you, Saint…”

“But you have Lady Elu, do you not?”

Listening to their dense, serious political talk was making Fee feel drowsy. Even so, this was Yuri’s request. She pushed through the boredom, staying sharp as she watched for any sign of a slip-up.

...Still nothing.

If Emilina were the type to show her hand so easily, Yuri wouldn't have bothered sending Fee to watch her. This was likely going to be a long game.

Wait... did Lord Yuri only give me this job to get me out of his hair?

No, that couldn't be it. She could easily imagine him giddily celebrating the fact that he could now craft Magic Tools through the night without interruption. But had he ever given her a truly pointless task? Every instruction he’d ever given had eventually connected to a greater purpose. She probably just didn't understand the goal yet.

“Right. Keep it together!”

Seeing Emilina move again, Fee shadowed her. The Saint’s next stop was a private meeting with the Beast King’s daughter, Elu.

“I’m so glad things went well,” Elu said.

“It was only possible thanks to your cooperation, Lady Emilina,” the Saint replied.

The two laughed together, looking like close friends. It was clear they had concocted some kind of scheme that had just reached fruition. At this specific time, Fee could only think of one possibility: the engagement.

Was Lord Yuri... deceived?

Anxiety surged through Fee, but the feeling was short-lived as the conversation continued.

“Lord Yuri’s goal is national independence,” Elu said. “He wants to create a Multi-race Coexistence State. The first step—persuading Father—was the highest hurdle, but it seems my father has taken a genuine liking to him.”

“I do feel a bit bad for Fee-chan,” Emilina added, “but a primary wife needs a status befitting her rank. It's necessary to ensure other nations don't look down on the kingdom.”

“I wonder if Lady Fee will be angry?” Elu’s expression clouded with worry. “She’s been by Lord Yuri’s side for so long…”

Wait. Did Lord Yuri foresee this and send me to watch Lady Emilina on purpose?

Fee realized this was a problem only she and Elu could truly resolve between themselves. But if that was the case, why hadn't he just told her to go talk to Elu?

Was it to make me realize he’s serious about becoming independent?

As a mere Lord, it was fine for Fee to simply stay by his side as a personal attendant. But a sovereign nation demanded something more. Perhaps he was trying to teach her that in his own roundabout way.

“In that case, I have to work even harder!”

Fee was bursting with new motivation, though she was naturally miles away from the truth. Her sudden resolve to make Yuri act more like a proper King would eventually become a massive headache for him, but oblivious to this, Fee revealed herself and joined the girls.

It was the exact moment the investigator was inadvertently recruited by her targets.

Fee, whom I’d specifically asked to perform a Stealth mission, was now chatting happily with Emilina and Elu.

Then again, since Fee already knew them, she might actually have a better shot at digging up info that way. I watched them from a distance, feeling a bit proud that she was taking her own initiative, while I secretly funneled Magic Power into a stone that looked like a Magic Stone.

I’d found this strangely beautiful rock at the site of the former Sage's Tower. Oddly enough, no matter how much mana I poured into it, it never reached capacity. It was a mysterious object that seemed to consume Magic Power indefinitely.

Even for me, the risks here were high. If I tried to charge a standard Magic Stone and it accidentally detonated, I’d be executed on the spot for attempted regicide or state subversion. I’m already committed to a path that isn't in the Original Game, but if I’m dead, none of that matters.

So, I’d settled for using this Infinite Magic Power Absorption Stone (which was, for all intents and purposes, just a stone) to vent my excess energy as a form of training.

Luna approached, watching me with a curious tilt of her head. “What is that?”

“This? It’s just a stone. Want to feel it?”

“Is it dangerous?”

“Not at all.”

In my experience, the stone was harmless. I handed it over to her without a second thought. The moment her fingers touched it, her eyes widened and she collapsed to her knees.

“Ah…”

“Hey! Are you okay? What happened?!”

“My… my mana is gone…”

It seemed Luna had accidentally poured her Magic Power into the stone just like I do. Since it has no limit, you have to be careful with the output. If you lose control for even a second, it’ll drain you dry in an instant.

“You’ll be fine after some rest. Want me to take you back to your room?”

“Mm… please.”

Since this was technically my fault, I reclaimed the stone and hoisted Luna up to carry her. Naturally, the stone continued to drain my mana as we walked. Honestly, it was a great way to manage my levels at first, but my natural recovery rate had recently started to outpace the stone’s absorption. I was beginning to wonder if this "training" was even doing anything anymore.

Suddenly, a thunderous boom echoed through the castle.

“What was that?!”

I looked around. Beastmen were sprinting through the halls in a panic. Through the chaos, Fee came dashing toward us.

“Lord Yuri! It’s bad!”

“What’s going on?”

“A rebellion has started! We have to get out of here!”

The word triggered a memory of a specific plot point from the Original Game. In the game’s lore, the ruler of the Huge Beast Kingdom was a man named Guiche. The reason was that a rebellion had broken out, the Beast King had been killed in the fighting, and Guiche had seized the throne after "suppressing" the uprising.

It was just a small piece of flavor text I’d read, so I didn't have all the details, but I hadn't expected it to happen right now. With Guiche currently rotting in a cell, the next in line for the throne would be the Second Prince, Lennon…

But there was no way he could put down an insurrection. He had a reputation as a tactician, sure, but his physical frailty was a massive liability. That meant the burden of stopping this would fall on… Elu?

She didn't have the raw power to handle this alone. If we wanted this over with, we’d have to intervene.

I hated the idea of following the Original Game’s script, but look at it pragmatically: this was the perfect chance to put the Beast Kingdom in my debt.

“Alright. Fee, find Fritz and the others. We’re holding a strategy meeting.”