After some physical training and endurance training in other private training rooms, I met up with Rachel.
We came back to the dorm and after a satisfying bath, Rachel informed me about the situation in the slum of the imperial capital.
"There is no tax on water, not in the capital nor anywhere in the world." Rachel stated.
"So why he was taking copper coins for five buckets of water? Is this some kind of plan from the nobles or something else?"
"I don't know Your Highness but whoever is behind this is an imperial court member, which can reduce the number of suspects."
[Yes, she is right, there are only Nine Grand Cross Knights in the empire. So the rest of the court members can be suspected behind all this.]
Grand Cross Knights are top nobles in the Imperial court beside the four Royal families of the kingdoms and four Domain lords under the Emperor.
They are the sword and shield of the Emperor against any threat or conspiracy.
[But they are the most loyal subordinates across the empire, they can't harm the empire. So who?]
"Rachel, what about the girl I talked about?"
"She is in the Royal Mansion of the imperial capital and being treated well as per your orders."
"Humm... Send 'Darkmoon' to investigate the missing dweller's whereabouts, they have been recruited by the Knight Wilson."
"Yes, Your Highness."
After saying that she left to complete the task I had given her while I relaxed on the sofa and sighed.
[Today's meeting might bring some more workload to my shoulders.]
~sigh~
[Knight Wilson, tax on water, imperial noble, slum and five buckets for one copper coin... What is the connection between all this?]
___
In the evening Rachel stood beside me as we welcomed guests for dinner. First was the student council president 'Vasu Earthborn' the crown prince of the Divine Relic Empire with his sister Princess Veronica.
"Welcome Your Highness and Princess Veronica." I said while giving him a respectful bow.
"Thank you for the invitation, Prince Finn." He said with a kind smile and Princess did a courtesy bow.
Vasu Earthborn is one of the most dignified individuals in our Empire's young generation. With two Archduke backing him, he is the top candidate for the throne.
Prince Vasu has Lavender blue hair and black eyes, he wore a long blue kot with matching pants while Princess Veronica wore a beautiful purple dress matching her hair.
[sigh~ her hazel blue eyes are so beautiful and charming.]
"Please this way Your Highness." I said while showing the way.
Soon Prince Alfred and Princess Sydney also arrived with their servants.
Prince Alfred wore a black cape with a brown shirt and black pants matching his hair and eyes. While princess Sydney wore an orange dress matching her hair colour.
After greeting each other we made our way to the hall where at the round table Prince Vasu and Princess Veronica were sitting.
Everyone greeted each other and took a seat while I hinted at Rachel for starters. As I took the seat of honour, I offered some drinks with snacks.
"So, how is your relationship progressing with my sister Prince Finn? I heard both of you had quite an adventurous date."
"Oh, some juicy information we have here." Princess Sydney said with a smile.
"It's not like that, we had just run into some trouble." Princess Veronica replied in a hurried tone.
"But from the looks of it, there was something more." Princess Sydney said in a teasing tone.
"My apologies Princess Sydney but aren't you delving too deep into our relationship?" I said in a plain tone but she must have got the meaning.
~sigh~ "I was just interested because you both are the first to have a fiance but unofficial. You both got the chance to date, unlike other Royalties and Nobles." Princess Sydney explained her reasons with a sigh.
"Let's not delve into this matter and hear the main reason for our presence here." Prince Alfred said in an annoyed tone.
Prince Alfred has always been a straightforward person and a battle junkie. He used to challenge everyone and only focused on his training, not even attending his classes. But after losing to me he has changed quite a bit and started improving his other traits.
"Okay okay, don't make me a bad person." Princess Sydney pouted cutely.
"Now Prince Finn can you explain the reason?" Prince Alfred asked.
"Okay, but before that..."
~snap~ I snapped my fingers and two servants came with two trays on which a cloth shrouded the thing inside.
Rachel took it and placed it on the round table while revealing the contents. On the trays are a bottle of shampoo, soap, a sword, a shield, a magic wand, a book, accessories and some beautifully designed dresses.
I gestured to observe carefully the items and scanned their actions quietly.
Prince Alfred took the sword, President Vasu took the shampoo bottle and Princess Sydney and Princess Veronica took the book and accessory respectively.
After observing all the contents, President Vasu spoke up.
"What's wrong with these things? They are perfectly fine."
"The problem is not with the things, the problem is from where they came from. See the red triangle mark in them." As I said, they all noticed the mark and stared at me for more explanation.
~sigh~
"58 years ago The knight commander of Divine Alchemy Kingdom found a person from the North Eastern continent while protecting the Research ships from sea monsters. And we found out about the existence of another continent where people live.
The king sent his Duke as a representative to investigate and form a friendly connection but they took him hostage and within a month 200 ships full of soldiers came to invade. They had almost conquered 5 port cities, but the last remaining knight commander stopped them till the army of the empire arrived. After that by the orders of the Emperor two Grand Cross knights were deployed with 700 ships full of soldiers to conquer the Eastern lands..."
"wait-wait-wait why are you narrating the whole history? We know that already." Prince Alfred interrupted and frowned at me.
"You should just tell us the reason straight." Scanning all the faces I saw everyone giving me a weird look except Princess Veronica who seemed to be staring at me in a daze.
~Ahm~
"It seems I took it off-topic, my apologies." I said while scratching my head.
"It's okay you can continue." President Vasu gestured for me to continue.
"Thank you President, so the motive behind the meeting is the upcoming war." My words made their eyes widen in surprise.
"Keep your mouth in check Prince Finn, Do you know what you are saying implies?" President Vasu narrowed his eyes and frowned slightly.
"Yes, Prince Finn check and rephrase your words correctly." Princess Sydney said.
Only Prince Alfred was grinning with a maniac-like expression and Princess Veronica gave a confused look.
"Yes, I understand what the word 'war' means, President, I was taught well in this sort of matter."
[Once we have a war there is only one thing to do and that is to win. For defeat brings worse things than any that can ever happen in war.]
My words made them silent as they both gestured for me to speak further.
___
"So, you are saying that they want to take over our Financial system?" Princess Sydney asked.
"Yes, they are masking their intentions in the name of friendly trade." I answered to which President Vasu asked.
"How so?"
"You see when we started trading 50 years ago in the name of goodwill to decrease the enmity of war, we introduced them to our culture and products that they had never seen.
And in return, we also learned about their culture and traditions, but now they are using our products to overtake us.
See this shampoo, this originates from our Empire but they made it better and now selling it back to us, see this wand they didn't know that a magic staff can be shortened to make a wand and now they are selling this back in even better quality."
My words made them frown more.
"Please don't give me that look, I am not jealous. I am just explaining what I had predicted from facts. You will see, they will soon monopolize the trade of these products. And our merchants will seek help from them and the economy will shift drastically."
"I understand what you are saying Prince Finn but still you should give us proof of sorts." President said which only made Princess Sydney nod in agreement while Princess Veronica had lost the track long ago.
"Wait, you are saying that this is not a physical war or battle?" Prince Alfred interjected with a scowl on his face.
"So what were you assuming till now? A war to the death?" Princess Sydney said in sarcasm.
"Prince Alfred, please can you stay silent for a minute?" President Vasu said which made Prince Alfred annoyed but he still stayed silent.
"Okay, President if you need proof then listen to this, after a month... No in two months check all the weapons of adventurers as a survey and you will find what a threat this can be."
"Even if the weapons are widely used by our kingdoms, what is the threat in it?" Prince Alfred intervened even with the warning the president gave him.
"Prince Alfred, let's assume I gave you a weapon in trade and you used to fight against me but it exploded, causing your death. Then is it a strategy or a coincidence?"
"Humn... It's an obvious strategy."
"That's what I wanted to imply. They are giving us wine as a gift but a poisoned one."
"You know, you have such an evil mind to come up with such an explanation and prediction." Princess Sydney said and in reply, I asked.
"Why do you think I have an evil mentality?"
"Because..."
"I think Prince Finn can never have an evil mentality."
Princess Veronica interjected softly in a meek tone which invoked something unknown in me.
[Aah~ she is... So cute.] I thought as I saw her small blush which even she was not aware of.
"Oh, you think so. But I believe he is just acting like a graceful person so that he can put his fangs on you."
Princess Veronica's face became red when Princess Sydney teased.
"Oo, how cute. Isn't she Mr. Evil?"
"Well... Umm..."
"Don't lead there thoughts Princess Sydney, my father The Emperor is very strict in their case, not on them but on us. He even threatened those old fogies of the Imperial court to not meddle in their relationship for politics." President Vasu revealed.
~sigh~
At first, when I heard that the emperor agreed for us to date I couldn't believe that, because noble, royal or imperial no one was allowed to date. Either they get a fiancee or get married, was such the system in high class.
"Is that true Princess Veronica?" Princess Sydney blinked in surprise.
"Well... Yeah."
"Wow, now even the emperor wants to let Prince Finn put his fangs on you ~he~he~"
"That's enough Princess Sydney, we should discuss the matter at hand that I proposed." I said to stop her teasing.
~Humph~ "Okay I will agree with your proposal after I see what happens in two months." she said and sat quietly.
After that, I glanced at Prince Alfred who looked sideways and said.
"If you defeat me in another duel then I will grant you one favour, that's my deal."
I replied with a smile.
"Okay deal but the duel should be after fifteen days."
"Okay."
"What about you President?" I looked towards the president who had a thoughtful look on his face.
"After two months if your words come true then I will first hear your suggestions and solutions and then I will give my decision."
"I~I fully support Prince Finn." Princess Veronica also gave her answer.
"ah... Okay, now the meeting has reached its conclusion so let's have dinner." I said which concluded the end of the meeting.
___