“Uh… Miss Emilia? Could you let go of my hand for starters?”
“No.”
“……”
*Thud* Something softly settled on my back.
As that *soft something* rubbed against my back, I had to focus all my nerves on figuring out what it was.
By the height and texture…
Is it a cheek?
Yeah. This texture can only belong to Emilia’s irresistibly soft-looking cheeks.
“I’ll stay like this a little longer.”
“……”
“It’s not fair that I didn’t know about it. While you, Hainkel, are dancing on the edge of life and death… It’s so frustrating. I can’t help but feel resentful.”
It’s not just that you’re dancing on the edge; you practically died and came back, but let’s not get into it.
By the way, it seems the strategy of the Intelligence Agency changed while I was out on practice.
Is Emilia starting an active beauty offensive?
Pretending to be an innocent maid while slowly closing the distance—did she really think she could woo me like this?
If I thought that, I’d probably be right.
My heart is still racing like crazy.
“If I don’t do this… *sigh*…”
“What do you mean ‘do this’?”
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s satisfaction?”
“Satisfaction?”
“Yes. It’s something even the noble offspring can’t do. I’m the only one who can hold Hainkel like this. Thinking about it gives me a sense of satisfaction.”
“……”
What a strange way of thinking…
*Weird*.
Is this also something the Intelligence Agency told her to say?
Emilia’s really going through a lot to say things she doesn’t mean.
At that moment, I suddenly released Emilia’s arm and turned around.
Wouldn’t this let me see Emilia’s flustered face?
“Whoa…”
But the surprising one was me.
Emilia was looking up at me with a dreamy gaze.
Right at my side.
As I stiffened in surprise, Emilia wrapped her arm around my waist and leaned in closer.
“*Huff*…”
I placed my hand on Emilia’s head to stop her.
Then slowly, gently, I started to pet her head.
Even I was surprised at how naturally my hand moved.
But I didn’t stop.
I figured Emilia would pull away, feeling flustered.
“*Mmm*…”
“……”
But Emilia just closed her eyes, tilting her head at an angle that made it easy to pet.
At this point, I became a bit competitive.
Let’s see who gives up first—me or you.
‘This isn’t right?’
As I continued to pet her for a while, I finally realized something felt off.
Wait, what is this?
Why am I petting Emilia’s head?
“*Ahem*…”
“Ah.”
I cleared my throat and withdrew my hand.
I was starting to feel a bit strange…
By the way, Emilia’s acting had evolved again.
Her expression when I pulled my hand away was nothing short of perfect.
“Hainkel, can you bend down for a moment?”
“Uh?”
I bent slightly at the waist, curious about what she meant.
Then Emilia pulled out a handkerchief from her pocket and brought it close to my head.
A handkerchief infused with mana.
Did I get something on my face?
“*Um…*”
Emilia started to wipe my head.
No, it was more like…
It felt more appropriate to say she was petting my head with the handkerchief.
I wondered what exactly she was trying to wipe off, and she rubbed my head for a while.
“Did something get on me?”
“*Uh…* I’m not sure.”
“……”
I was at a loss for words.
I almost wanted to question her about it, but looking at Emilia’s bright smile made me lose that urge.
“I’m going to go take a break now.”
“Ah… Sure. By the way, Hainkel!”
I heard a *scampering* noise from behind, and Emilia came back in front of me.
With a letter envelope.
“This letter arrived for you the day before yesterday.”
“Thanks.”
“Hehe, no problem.”
The sender? Holy Knight Commander Pelaine Armstrong.
The design of the letter was extravagant; the sender was no ordinary person.
The Holy Knight Commander was a quiet individual who hardly communicated unless it was regarding my investments.
It should be fine to show this to Emilia.
I subtly glanced at her as she tilted her head and began to open the letter.
– Dear Schlus Hainkel, I believe my letter will reach you before any official announcement. Yesterday, Duke Lorraine incited a rebellion in the Southern Colony. However, its scale seems significant, making civil war likely…
Well, here we go.
The civil war event.
The southern region of the empire was once a territory of subhumans until the empire forcefully invaded and made it a colony.
All the subhumans living there became enslaved.
The enslaved who could not forget their grudge, alongside the subhumans of the Great Forest, finally revolted.
Originally, it was just supposed to be a mere disturbance, but Duke Lorraine ended up deploying regular troops, joining the subhumans to declare independence.
This was the onset of the largest war since the Freya-Trud War.
– Therefore, I’m considering joining the suppression army and wish to inquire about your intentions.
What’s this?
Why are they asking me?
“Ah.”
Just then, it hit me.
Thinking about it, I was the effective owner of the Holy Knights, holding 90% of their shares.
As I kept buying shares while the Holy Knights faced difficulties and their stock plunged, I had ended up surpassing 90%.
All that investment was about to pay off.
The Holy Knights would showcase their potential during this civil war to the entire empire.
Once the civil war was over, they would be employed as the emperor’s guard, entering their prime.
“Can you bring me a pen?”
“Yes, of course.”
After receiving the pen from Emilia, I began to scribble down a response.
The answer was already set in stone.
– You may join the war. Feel free to contact me if you need additional support.
The subhumans and Duke Lorraine must have their own sense of justice and ethics to revolt, but it can’t be helped here.
The only response to those threatening the empire’s unity is a hammer.
The forces that can check the empire is just the Trud Kingdom.
There’s no reason to let the north and south harass us to the point of draining the empire’s strength toward a bad ending.
“Is it war?”
“Seems like it.”
“You’re not going, right, Hainkel?”
“……”
Emilia asked with a subtle gaze.
She sounded like she was worried about me, but her true intent was pretty obvious.
She wanted me to refrain from interfering while the southern colony, supported by the kingdom, tries to gain independence.
Sorry, but I will interfere.
One way or another.
“Yes. I’m not going.”
Not going.
At least not for now.
Of course, if the suppression army performs well, I might not need to go personally.
But in the worst case, I might need to go myself.
“I’m relieved. War is very dangerous.”
“Yes. I’m relieved.”
I hope the Holy Knights can perform well enough that I won’t have to trouble myself.
Things could get pretty noisy…
*
Lichtenburg Mansion.
A figure in a black nun’s outfit, Iris, slowly made her way inside.
As soon as the front door opened, someone burst out.
“Iris! Welcome! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
“Yes. I hope to intrude again after a long time.”
Iris smiled gently at Erica.
After that day, I worried she might still be down.
But thanks to the fact that Erica wasn’t that close to Schlus, she didn’t seem to be gloomy at all.
“Thanks to class cancellation, I have some free time. But do you know why we have a class cancellation today?”
“Well, there’s no exact information, but I heard rumors that the professors are having some kind of meeting.”
“Oh. Is it because of the rebellion…?”
Erica nodded in agreement.
The unprecedented situation where four castles fell into the hands of rebels had suddenly occurred.
Even though the Imperial University is quite far from the south, it was plausible they’d hold an emergency meeting to strategize.
“Let’s go. Julia is waiting.”
“Oh my. Isn’t this the first time meeting Julia since we were young?”
“Hehe. But honestly, I don’t think much has changed since then.”
Erica, excited, grabbed Iris’s hand and pulled her along.
Soon, they climbed the stairs and arrived at a balcony with a clear view of the lush garden.
There was already a table prepared with tea and snacks, and Julia in a wheelchair was waiting for them.
“I brought Iris!”
“Ooh! Sister Iris! I heard you became a Saintess! Congratulations, though late!”
“Thank you, Julia. You seem to have gotten even prettier while I was away.”
“You’re just flattering me…”
Julia smiled without a hint of bashfulness.
She had heard the compliment of being pretty numerous times over her dozens of reincarnations, so she was quite accustomed to it.
Still, given the fact that it came directly from the Saintess appointed by the Papal Palace, she’d probably mean it genuinely.
“We have tea and cookies. Help yourself.”
“I will enjoy them.”
“Come on, there’s no need to be so formal between us.”
“It’s become a habit, so this feels more comfortable now.”
As Iris sipped her tea, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her.
She had visited the Lichtenburg Mansion many times, but it was her first time feeling so relaxed.
I realized it greatly differs when Madam Lichtenburg is present or not.
Next time, I’m determined to come when she’s not around.
That person tends to entangle everything in political matters, making it really awkward to deal with.
“By the way, Schlus is in good health. I received news from Trie.”
“Trie? That girl with green hair and a sword?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Hmm, you’re quite close.”
“No, it’s just we’ve exchanged words a bit.”
Since she frequently visited Schlus’s mansion, Iris had to establish at least a minimal acquaintance.
“Schlus is healthy… that’s a relief.”
“Has something happened to Schlus Hainkel?”
“Oh, no. Iris, shall we change the topic?”
As Julia showed interest, Erica hurriedly tried to steer the conversation away.
Schlus was probably still eyeing Julia.
That *pederast*…
I didn’t want to bring anything up regarding Schlus for Julia’s sake.
“Is there any reason you need to feel uncomfortable?”
“I’m curious too. Iris, Iris sister! Please tell me what happened to Schlus.”
“Well, you see…”
Looking at Julia, who seemed unusually excited, Erica propped her chin up.
Is she thinking of telling Julia about the future sight?
“Do you know who Schlus likes?”
“I’ve only heard rumors, but I’ve heard he’s engaged to the Crown Prince. They supposedly wear matching rings…”
“*Hehe.* That’s probably a coincidence. Schlus loves his attendant, Emilia. However, the last time I tried to visit, they seemed to be getting along really well, and I just couldn’t bring myself to interrupt…”
“What nonsense! Schlus definitely likes Julia!”
Unable to take it anymore, Erica shouted.
Realizing too late that she had said something she shouldn’t, Erica abruptly covered her mouth.
Before long, Julia gazed up at me with a face so red it looked like it could explode.
“Is that true…?”
“Ah.”
Tears started rolling down Julia’s cheeks.
But her face strangely looked happy.
She was crying while also laughing.
Seeing that, Erica was left speechless.
It was the first time she had seen her sister like this.
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