"Father, the mysterious tower has indeed been completed!"
Marco reported, his voice thick with panic.
"And? What was the interior like?"
"T-That is..."
Marco fell silent.
I glared at him. He couldn't possibly be telling me he didn't check the inside.
"Hieee! T-The truth is, monsters are prowling the tower. It's taking time to subjugate them."
"Monsters, eh?"
Was this an invasion by the Demon Race? We were working with them from the shadows until quite recently, but they were enemies in the end. It was a common enough tale—pretending to be allies only to stab someone in the back.
"Subjugate them immediately!"
"B-But the casualties would be immense..."
"Are you suggesting you are incapable?"
"Hieee! I'll go at once!"
Marco scrambled out of the room in a frantic rush.
How did a tower like that appear so suddenly? There shouldn't be anyone capable of such a feat in so short a time.
Then, Yuri’s face flickered through my mind.
"Tch. Leaving that brat alive has only brought me more trouble. 'Independence,' indeed. He’s likely basking in his little dream right now, which means there might be an opening. Very well—I’ll head there myself under the guise of a celebration. The King won't object to my visit."
The sudden appearance of the tower was a concern, but it didn't directly threaten me yet. Dealing with that nuisance was more important.
"No, it’s a fledgling country. It might be better to pull the strings from the shadows and goad them into a conflict. Ingratiating myself first might be an interesting diversion. I’ll provide aid for whatever they lack while slipping in agents from our underworld business."
After refining several schemes, Baran boarded a high-speed carriage and departed for Yuri’s country with a small escort.
◇ ◆ ◇
I had finished launching the leaning tower as the King had requested. Just to be safe, I sent Fritz to confirm the construction was complete.
"Why do I have to go!?" he complained.
He could grumble all he wanted, but if the tower had flown to the wrong spot, Fritz and First were the only ones besides me who could move it.
"Don't worry, I'm sending Melty with you."
"M-Me too!? Why?"
"What do you mean 'why'? No one else can handle the magical finishing touches, right?"
"W-Well, that's true, but I'd rather stay shut in my own tower..."
"You know, once this job is done, we'll be looking at a significant payout. That means your research funds for the time being would be—"
"I'll do it! I'm going! Come on, let's move! Let's get this annoying job over with!"
Suddenly full of energy—I wondered where she hid all that strength—Melty dragged Fritz along as she hurried toward the direction the tower had flown.
Once I saw them off, I went to meet the King to report the results.
◇ ◇ ◇
"Well now, Lord Yuri. What brings you here today? Are we here to discuss the tower's layout?"
"No, it's already finished. I just sent my subordinates to handle the final touches."
"...Wait. It's finished already? How on earth?"
"That... is a secret."
It wouldn't exactly reflect well on the King if people found out the tower I built for him was completed by being launched like a piece in a game of Daruma-Otoshi. I had to keep the construction method confidential.
"Technology beyond imagination... To think you possess such power. As I thought, Lord Yuri, would you consider the engagement with Florentia again? Of course, I would need to confirm it with my daughter first."
"If Tia is willing, I have no reason to refuse."
I was already engaged to Elu from the Beast Kingdom and Luna from the Empire. Marina from the Holy Principality of Ames also courted me with frequent enthusiasm.
Now that I had committed to running an independent state, forming strong bonds between nations was essential for our protection.
Especially since the members of the Mastermind Family were all still alive and well.
I had no idea what kind of trouble they might be cooking up—