Chapter 91: Commoner A Pulls the Strings

“Good evening, Duke Schlestein.”

After weighing my options, I decided to approach the Duke.

I’d been eavesdropping on their conversation for a while, and it was clear the Second Prince was still far too green. The real power in this room rested with Duke Schlestein. If I wanted to get anything done, it made more sense to bring the proposal to the man pulling the Prince's strings.

With that in mind, I slipped into the Duke’s private chambers and spoke up.

“Who’s there?!”

Understandably startled by someone infiltrating his inner sanctum without a sound, the Duke whipped around, his eyes narrowed in a mix of shock and caution.

“A pleasure to meet you. I’m Allen,” I said, offering a polite bow. “Perhaps you’d recognize me more easily if I said I’ll be known as Allen von Ramslett by next year?”

“What?! Is this the extent of the Ramslett prodigy’s power?”

“You know what happened in Est, right?”

“Guh… W-what are you doing here?”

Schlestein’s face went pale the moment I hinted at the fact that I was the one who had taken the Est Empire’s Crown Prince's head. Good. The icebreaker worked.

“Rest easy. I’ve come to deliver a personal letter from His Majesty, King Gerhardt of the Kingdom of Ramslett. Please, have a look.”

I reached into my breast pocket, pulled out an envelope, and set it on his desk.

“Mm, this wax seal is… hmmm.”

The Duke broke the seal and began to read. It didn't take long for his brow to furrow into a deep scowl.

“Are you aware of the contents of this letter, Lord Allen?”

“I am.”

“Then… is what is written here true? This passage regarding the Witch?”

“Every word. If that woman is left to her own devices—consumed by greed as she is—she could dominate the entire continent. And she won’t even need an army to do it.”

“Muu… Then what Lord Oscar told us was…” Schlestein muttered, his voice a low groan.

“Yes. I’m the one who let Oscar go with that information in the first place; it was the quickest way to spread word of the woman's danger. Your own King has likely already been ensnared. I assume your intelligence network has suffered more than a few hits recently?”

“…”

He didn’t say a word, but his silence was as good as a confession.

“So, what’s it going to be? If you won’t act, we will. But don't expect the Kingdom of Ramslett to just hand over what we’ve won with our own blood.”

Schlestein’s expression darkened further as he stared at the letter. “Are you telling us… to move?”

“Yes,” I answered curtly. There was no need to feed him more information than necessary. It was better to let him fill in the blanks with his own paranoia.

“But can we actually win? Even the elites of the Est Empire are struggling to handle her.”

“We’ll assist you with that. We have a way to counter her brainwashing.”

“And what, exactly, is this power?”

The Duke was biting at the hook, trying to probe for our secrets. Naturally, I wasn't about to show my hand yet.

“I’m afraid I can’t reveal that here and now.”

“Guh… What are your demands?”

“That the Sentlaren Kingdom recognizes the Kingdom of Ramslett as an equal, unconditionally.”

Schlestein fell into a long silence before finally letting out a pained groan. “You’re telling us to act as your shield against Est?”

“No, no. Nothing of the sort. We simply wish to ensure the peace and safety of our current territories and the people under our protection.”

The Duke looked like he’d just swallowed a bitter bug. “Is this power of yours guaranteed?”

“A portion of our own military fell under her spell, and we successfully restored them. Furthermore, that power is exactly how I broke the brainwashing on Oscar—the man you’re currently sheltering.”

“I see…” Schlestein lapsed into silence again.

“Can you not decide now?”

The Duke shook his head at my question. “Supposing we do move, what will Ramslett provide in return?”

“We will restore any soldiers who have been compromised by that woman.”

“But you won't provide troops? I can hardly recognize us as equals if you won't commit men to the field.”

He was a persistent negotiator, I’ll give him that, but I already had him where I wanted him.

“What a strange thing to say. This is your country’s internal conflict, isn't it? My country is offering to remove the single greatest obstacle standing in the way of the Second Prince’s faction. Is that not enough?”

“Kuh…”

“Besides, if we were to send troops, we’d require further compensation. We aren't so soft-hearted as to bleed for your civil war for free. That wouldn't be an equal arrangement, would it? …Actually, now that I think about it, the southern portion of your western territory—the area bordering our country—would integrate quite nicely with our local industries. How about we discuss that instead?”

Schlestein’s face fell into an expression of pure resignation. “If we lose any more of our grain belt, the kingdom won’t survive.” He let out a heavy sigh. “Fine. I accept. However, the moment recognition is granted, you will sign a peace treaty. The borders stay exactly where they are now. I won’t tolerate any future territorial violations.”

“Of course. I’m glad we could reach an understanding. It’s a relief, really; it means I won't have to resort to measures I’d rather not… no, never mind. Anyway, may I have your written reply?”

The Duke flinched at my slip of the tongue, his face turning a shade paler. “I-I understand. Wait here.”

The Duke’s pen flew across the paper as he drafted the response. He sealed it with wax and set it on the table. I put on a pair of gloves, took the envelope, wrapped it in a cloth I’d brought, and tucked it into my pocket.

“We’ll begin our own preparations as well. My best guess is that we’ll be ready to execute the operation around the turn of the year, when the winter cold is at its peak. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“W-Wait!”

Ignoring his call, I slipped out of the room. Once I was sure the coast was clear, I activated Stealth and vanished.

Man, I'm exhausted. Negotiations are a mental marathon, and maintaining that formal, noble-ish tone made my shoulders feel like lead.

I spent the next three days gathering intel around the Ducal Mansion before finally starting the long trek home.