Still, it was also true that as long as he remained a duke, it would be difficult for him to act against us directly.
After all, we had already become an Independent State.
I couldn't imagine my father, who had reigned as a Mastermind for so long without anyone ever noticing, committing such a foolish act.
He would be dealing with an entire nation.
Most likely, he would first aim to overthrow the nation and seize control before making his move.
Since the Original Game Characters who had served as a deterrent in the Original Game were now in my country, things would become troublesome if the nation were carelessly seized.
Right now, I could warn the King without any unwanted spies overhearing.
And with the matter of my engagement to Tia on the table, I could broach more sensitive topics as well.
"Excuse me, may I have a moment?"
"What is it? Is there something you wish to know about Florentia?"
"No, it's about something else entirely. It concerns my family."
At that, the King's brow twitched for a moment.
"Did something happen with Duke Lousouth?"
"I'm not sure you'll believe me, but he is plotting to overthrow the kingdom."
"...I am aware."
"Huh?"
I was caught off guard by the King's unexpected response.
"It is entirely my fault that things have come to this. He leaves no evidence whatsoever, and Lousouth House is not small enough to be brought down by rumors alone."
"I see. So that was the reason."
"Besides, they know far too much about this country's internal affairs. We can't afford to let them slip away to another country, either. When the time comes to capture them, we have to do it all at once."
Thinking about it that way, Lousouth House truly was a troublesome one.
They were directly tied to the kingdom's dark underbelly, and any clumsy attempt to capture them could easily invite a counterattack.
"I do intend to deal with them eventually, though."
"Then please exercise caution. Most likely, because I declared Independence..."
"I see. That is certainly plausible."
The King nodded, then turned to face me once more.
"Is there anything you have that might serve for defense?"
"Even if you ask that, I've only just begun developing this territory, so I don't have much to offer."
"Is that... so."
"In case of emergency, please take refuge in the leaning tower I recently built. They won't be able to attack in large numbers there, and the Top Floor is virtually impossible to enter without knowing how."
"How to enter the Top Floor? Can't you simply climb up to it?"
"Correct. The Top Floor alone is not connected to the lower levels. The only way in is directly from the outside."
"I beg your pardon?"
As I explained with a smile, the King's eyes widened in surprise.