Chapter 81: Behind the Scenes of the Senate Council……
[space_man][space_man]A few days after the Vice-Captain suggested that the Knight King Festival should be considered for cancellation depending on the situation of the Empire along the way, and the festival-loving Captain Xenos made a reluctant face and pleaded, “At least postpone it”…
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[space_man][space_man]The council chamber in the imperial capital of Beril, located in the northeast and far from the threat of the “Hour of Ruin,” was bustling with people despite the slightly chilly season. In one of its rooms, the main nobles of the Imperial Faction had gathered.
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[space_man][space_man]With the end of the Senate session approaching, they had prepared to return to their territories, gathered around a magnificent oak table, and settled deeply into the provided sofas.
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[space_man][space_man]”Well… it took a considerable amount of time and effort, but it went as you planned, Lord Heisel.”
[space_man][space_man]”It was thanks to everyone’s help, I am truly grateful. Finally, we can eliminate that lowly Rare Human girl.”
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[space_man][space_man]The expression of the Rigsia lord, who nodded deeply, was somewhat stiff, and Duke Cristophe, the Prime Minister, who had initiated the conversation, also seemed to be lost in thought.
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[space_man][space_man]Although the establishment of the Inquisition to investigate Nina Valer’s alleged treachery had been decided as a result of successful lobbying of the majority… it was probably because there were almost no lords willing to send their giant knights when it came to concrete plans to dispatch a punitive force to Zephyrus Domain if she did not respond to the summons.
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[space_man][space_man]”In the end, only the Rigsia and Aidos territories will openly take action. Will that be alright?”
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[space_man][space_man]The slender noble who interjected the question with a wry smile was answered by a sturdy noble sitting diagonally opposite him, who closed his eyes slightly.
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[space_man][space_man]”Well, my Lindenbaum territory is also providing a few knights. I had the emblem of my territory engraved on their armor removed, but…”
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[space_man][space_man]”The Aberrations of the ‘Hour of Ruin’ are still swarming the western border. Even if Lady White Fox could recall the reinforcements she dispatched, it would only be a fraction of them.”
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[space_man][space_man]Elder Aldabert, the Senate President, concluded, bringing everyone’s attention back to Prime Minister Cristophe, who had been listening to the opinions and pondering in silence.
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[space_man][space_man]Cristophe, also the leader of the Imperial Faction, glanced at his compatriots and then asked Hazen, who owned the central trading and financial hub of Franc and had connections with the Neutral Faction and the three western lords.
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[space_man][space_man]”What is your view, Lord Hazen? I would like to hear your candid opinion.”
[space_man][space_man]”As long as the threat of the Aberrations remains, it will be difficult for Lady White Fox to bring back her reinforcements.”
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[space_man][space_man]While sighing inwardly that taking advantage of the situation on the front lines was a bit unprincipled, the shrewd lord noble spoke without showing any emotion on his face.
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[space_man][space_man]Most of the others nodded silently in agreement with his view, but the cautious Duke Prime Minister also addressed the mastermind behind the matter.
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[space_man][space_man]”If I recall correctly, you mentioned before that there was a prohibited transfer of magic core-related technology between Zephyrus Domain and the Lizel Knight Kingdom…”
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[space_man][space_man]”Indeed, if we can secure Lady White Fox and search her castle, we should be able to obtain evidence.”
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[space_man][space_man]Although they were unable to grasp the cleverly concealed tail, Heisel replied with unwavering conviction, based on how the Knight King had thwarted the carefully planned night raid on the central city of Winzard, which he himself had witnessed.
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[space_man][space_man]However, if that were true, it would mean that Zephyrus Domain and the Knight Kingdom had a close relationship, adding an unnecessary element of uncertainty.
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[space_man][space_man]”Lord Hazen, how about the matter I asked you to look into?”
[space_man][space_man]”I sent my second son because I’m busy, but it seems the Knight King is a man who understands his own interests.”
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[space_man][space_man]He wouldn’t deliberately pick up a hot potato and interfere in domestic affairs, only to be accused of doing so… His Marquis reported an impression different from the contents of the secret letter delivered by carrier pigeon and the rumors circulating among the merchants of the Lichtea Principality through river trade.
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[space_man][space_man]The Knight King’s statement, “If it doesn’t take much effort and benefits our country,” resonated with the self-serving aristocratic class and was accepted with some degree of empathy.
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[space_man][space_man]”Even if they were connected behind the scenes, would they abandon her, prioritizing their own interests…?”
[space_man][space_man]”The technology transfer has already been completed.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Even if they stand on principle, there’s nothing to gain beyond the loss of troops.”
[space_man][space_man]”It’s like a fire on the other side of the river, so to speak.”
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[space_man][space_man]Hazen, who chuckled slightly while listening to the surrounding conversation, was probably planning to secretly support the lovely lord’s daughter who was fighting against the invasion of the Aberrations, as his own territory was located in the central-western part of the country, close to the defense line.
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[space_man][space_man]As a precaution, he had lent military funds to the Rigsia territory and provided them with magic crystals for Clawsolas fuel, so as not to be suspected by his own Imperial Faction. Based on these objective facts, the cautious Prime Minister Cristophe also showed a certain degree of understanding of the notion that “the Knight Kingdom will probably remain neutral.”
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[space_man][space_man]”Thank you for your hard work. I will take your opinion into consideration. It is unpleasant to have a lowly Rare Human have so much influence, whether it’s the Knight King of the neighboring country or anyone else. I would like everyone to cooperate with Lord Heisel.”
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[space_man][space_man]Everyone nodded in agreement to these concluding remarks, and after discussing a few other matters… the Duke Prime Minister, left alone in the room, muttered to himself, holding the report to be submitted to the council.
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[space_man][space_man]”If it goes well, that’s fine. If it backfires, we’ll let her take the blame…”
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[space_man][space_man]The document, largely written to discredit Lady White Fox, the lord of Zephyrus, contained many unsubstantiated statements. If necessary, it would be possible to apologize for the problems with the Inquisition’s establishment itself and settle the matter.
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[space_man][space_man]Naturally, it was heartbreaking to abandon a known member of the faction. He couldn’t overlook a Rare Human from another world controlling the Aius Empire, but if he mishandled the resolution of the turmoil, it could shake the very foundation of the nation.
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[space_man][space_man]The elderly man, who held the reins of political power, let out a deep sigh, burdened by his responsibilities.
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[space_man][space_man]……………
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