"Also, if the time ever comes, you're welcome to come to this country at any time. I'll welcome you."
"I appreciate that. I'd like to leave Florentia here. If anything happens, I'll entrust her with everything concerning the kingdom, so I'd like you to incorporate her into your country, Lord Yuri."
That might have been the King's desperate resolve.
But I naturally shook my head.
"Do you really think I'd let that happen? This is a family matter for me, too. I'll cooperate—so let's settle this quickly."
"I appreciate it..."
But the enemy is the Mastermind who controls this country from the shadows.
Winning a head-on fight would be an enormous struggle.
I should go observe the situation first.
Having finished my conversation with the King, I went to see Ren.
◇ ◇ ◇
"So, what do you want me to do?"
Ren was a former member of a Dark Guild who possessed teleportation magic.
Usually, I had her focus on transporting goods and gathering information, but——
"I want you to teleport to my house."
"Wouldn't it be faster to just walk back?"
Ren tilted her head, puzzled.
"No, I mean my family home. The Lousouth Ducal House."
"...Isn't that extremely dangerous?"
Having been a member of a Dark Guild, Ren understood the current situation in considerable detail.
That was exactly why she was quick to grasp the danger of what I was about to do.
"Even so, it has to be done. That's why I want to go by teleportation—so we can escape immediately if necessary."
"...Understood."
And so, using Ren's magic, we teleported to the Lousouth House——.
◇ ◇ ◇
The Lousouth House was the same enormous mansion as when I had left it.
There were probably servants around, and for that matter, possibly even my siblings.
Erasing my presence and hiding my figure, I made my way to my father's study.
The moment I entered the room, my father, Baran, spoke.
"...Who's there?"
"Father, it's been a while. It's Yuri."
As I revealed myself, Baran's eyebrows shifted for just a fraction of a second—so subtle you'd never notice unless you were looking for it.
As expected of a Mastermind.
His refusal to show any weakness to his opponent, no matter the circumstances, was worthy of admiration.
"What do you want?"
"Is it true you're trying to take over this country?"
"I'm not taking it over. This country should rightfully have been inherited by us. The ones who stole it are the current Royal Family. The true royal family is our Lousouth."
It sounded like nothing short of madness.
But if he was that resolved, then perhaps he couldn't be stopped.
"...I see. Then I'll stop you with everything I have."
"Hmph. Don't delude yourself into thinking someone like you can stop me."
Baran sneered.
I could have struck him right then and there, but his composure was unsettling.
Still, as long as he was determined to act, there was likely no stopping him now.