"I understand your intentions, Ash."
After a long silence, the Emperor finally spoke.
"Breaking free from the 'Piece' trapped in the 'game' and becoming a 'Player' yourself, quite ambitious, isn't it?"
...Piece? Player?
Suddenly, game terminology was mentioned. I was so surprised that my eyes widened.
"What do you mean by that, Father?"
"It means exactly what it says."
The Emperor calmly smiled and sat back down.
"On the chessboard called the world, not just a Piece controlled by others, but one who carves out their own destiny."
In his hand was suddenly a chess piece - a black king.
"Discussing the fate of the world, commanding others' lives with words, fighting for control of the world itself - a being of a higher dimension. One who is qualified to play chess."
Crack!
The Emperor loudly set the black king on the armrest of his chair.
"That is what a Player is."
"..."
"To put it more simply, one could also call it a King."
I thought of the chessboard placed next to the Emperor's throne.
The chessboard, the pieces, the players.
Then those who have been calling me a Player all this time...
"The youngest, the most foolish, and the most fragile of you have grown to this extent! As a father, I am pleased."
Thump!
The Emperor's hand fiercely clenched the chess piece, and he growled.
"But as an Emperor, it's hard to forgive easily."
"..."
"There's no parent who wouldn't welcome their child's independence, but this place is the Imperial Family, and I am the Emperor. The declaration of independence in the southern front means, in other words, that this territory will escape the Empire's jurisdiction."
A chilling aura emanated from the Emperor's entire body.
"Do you think I would allow such a thing while I'm still alive and breathing?"
"...The southern front is undoubtedly the land of the Empire, and your territory, Father. However, for the next 3 years."
I stood firm, unshaken, and raised my voice.
"For 3 years only, as a completely independent front, I ask that all the struggles and governance of that area be entrusted solely to my hands."
Whatever I did or caused in the southern front, the Imperial Family would not interfere. That was all I wanted.
But, of course, the Emperor was not going to permit it just like that.
"Why should I do that? What benefit would it bring to the Imperial Family, to the Empire?"
Yes.
In the end, what moves people is not reason, but real benefit. I had to persuade them with this benefit.
"I will offer the magic stones acquired in the southern front to the Imperial Family."
My words caused the Emperor's straight eyebrows to furrow.
"Magic stones? From Crossroad?"
"Yes."
A source of magic power obtainable from monsters - magic stones were the largest strategic resource produced in Crossroad.
However, most of its production was consumed in the southern continent.
Because Crossroad was such a remote place, distribution was not easy.
The merchants in Crossroad take the magic stones to other cities and countries in the south to sell them. There's quite a demand for magic stones there as well.
But now,
"The monsters' invasions are getting more intense. In other words, the amount of magic stones that can be collected is increasing."
After I took office as the lord, the production of magic stones skyrocketed. It was because monsters were pouring out like mad.
Right now, the warehouse in Crossroad is filled with unsold magic stones.
While I refrained from selling some for profit control, the demand in the southern continent could no longer keep up with the supply.
I will provide these magic stones to the Imperial Family for free.
...Not all of them, maybe about half?
"With this amount of magic stones, we should be able to operate the Dark Black Water Everblack without human sacrifices," I said.
"..."
"That means you no longer need to harm innocent lives. Prisoners of the Bringar Duchy, citizens on the outskirts, there's no need to capture and burn them as fuel."
A smile flickered across the Emperor's lips.
Whether it was a jest, sarcasm, or some other meaning in his smile, I found it hard to guess.
"It's an interesting proposal. But the distance between the Imperial Capital and Crossroad is great. The road is not well-maintained, and the security is unstable. How do you plan to transport the magic stones to the Imperial Capital?"
The thought of transporting them via airship crossed my mind first, but...
That's not possible. Airships are a vital resource, few in number even within the Empire.
We can't deliver packages with a fighter jet. He'd surely rather refuse the magic stones than do that.
Transportation by sea is also difficult. Crossroad is an inland city, and the southern seas are swarming with pirates.
So we must transport overland.
"Father is right. Although the national road project is in its final stage, the road to the southern front is not well-maintained. It was a remote area that wasn't even included in the road project in the first place."
"That's true."
"So, I've already spoken to the head of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild."
Here, Silver Winter is needed.
"Silver Winter Merchant Guild will take responsibility for building the road to the southern front, and also handle the distribution of the magic stones entirely."
"Ho..."
"If it's Silver Winter Merchant Guild that has been in charge of the national road project, they will surely pave the way to the remote south, and with their vast distribution network, transport the magic stones safely to the Imperial Capital."
The smile on the Emperor's lips grew deeper.
Ignoring it, I turned my eyes to Lark.
"Furthermore, Silver Winter Merchant Guild has promised to supply the necessary supplies to the western front at cost."
Lark, who had been listening with arms crossed, showed interest.
"Then there's no more need to set fire to the Bringar Duchy. No need to plunder innocent citizens."
I looked at Fernandez next.
"Also, Silver Winter Merchant Guild's intelligence gathering is at a considerable level. They have informants all over the country. Today's sources of the information I spoke were all from Silver Winter Merchant Guild."
Of course, the information Silver Winter brought was just fragmented circumstances.
But I, who could string together various events that would occur in this world, had little difficulty in figuring out the truth.
"..."
Apparently quite upset at being caught for the dark deeds he's done in the Imperial Capital, Fernandez kept glaring at me.
I smirked at Fernandez.
"Aegis Special Forces seems to have expanded hastily, leaving considerable vulnerabilities."
The Emperor had said. Aegis Special Forces had swelled to three times its size to maintain the central front.
Such hasty expansion had left it riddled with gaps.
The priest they had used as a spy was discovered, the attempt to kill Serenade with fire had failed, and even minor information was leaking to the Merchant Guild...
The name 'Special Forces' had lost its prestige, becoming a mess.
Repairs were needed.
No one would feel this more acutely than Fernandez, the commander of the special forces.
"If the Silver Winter Merchant Guild cooperates in gathering information for the special forces, it will help fill these gaps."
"..."
"Instead of randomly arresting and torturing innocent citizens, we could identify suspects with strong evidence."
The Emperor, who had been quietly listening to my story, was now not just smiling but grinning, teeth bared.
"Ash, my son. So, your point is, by sparing the Silver Winter family, it will benefit all your fronts, and there will be no need to snatch innocent lives?"
"That's right."
"So you're asking me to call off the plan to crush the Merchant Guild and save your former fiancée?"
I nodded my head honestly.
"Yes."
"Ahahahahaha!"
The Emperor, laughing heartily, looked at me closely.
"Your proposal seems appealing at first glance, but why bother? Killing the countess and absorbing the Merchant Guild into the Imperial Family are things we could do afterward."
- Killing you and absorbing the southern front into the Imperial Family are things we could do afterward.
That was the implication I felt.
"Because there is no need to kill and seize control."
I shrugged casually.
"The current usefulness and efficiency of the Silver Winter Merchant Guild are all due to the Countess leading as the head."
The current usefulness and efficiency of the southern front are all due to my leadership.
"There's no need to clumsily oust the countess and put someone else in her place, reducing efficiency. Leave them alone, and they will surely be loyal to the Imperial Family."
There's no need to oust me and put another commander in the southern front, reducing efficiency.
After all, the southern front is ultimately Imperial territory.
"The countess and Silver Winter Merchant Guild will be useful. To all your fronts, and to the Empire here."
I too will be useful to you.
There is no one more capable of controlling the southern front than me.
No one can kill monsters more efficiently, mine magical stones, and offer them to you.
"Please spare Silver Winter Merchant Guild. Also, permit the independent route of the southern front."
Acknowledge my usefulness.
Acknowledge Serenade's usefulness too.
Serenade and I - you need us in your Empire.
"..."
The Emperor, his smile vanished, stared at me expressionlessly.
It was a golden gaze that seemed to scan not my appearance but my soul. I did not back down and met his eyes.
"Very well."
Finally, the Emperor spoke.
"But the decision will be made after I meet the Countess of Silver Winter. Where is she?"
"She has not arrived at the party yet."
Fernandez's eyes flashed sharply.
"I've dispatched the special forces. She won't make it back alive."
"We'll see."
I smirked.
"We'll have to wait and see."
***
Then Serenade arrived at the grand banquet hall.
Though she had suffered through chaos and turmoil, she had kept her promise and entered this place.
Before greeting Serenade, I approached Princess Yun.
I knelt on one knee before her and carefully took her hand.
"I'm sorry, Yun."
Her eyes widened at my unexpected apology.
"We had a good time, though it was short. But I guess this is where it ends for us."
"...?"
Shock filled Yun's yellow eyes in an instant. The princess was quick-witted.
"You're not going to ditch me right after announcing our engagement, are you?"
"That's how it is."
"Didn't you say you were marrying me?"
"Sorry, but I never said that."
I had said to my brothers that I would break off my engagement with Silver Winter, and that I'd meet you. But I never said I'd accept the marriage, did I?
"The engagement announcement was something Father did on his own, and I never once gave the okay sign. Though I did enjoy dancing."
"No..."
"You wanted this marriage, didn't you? I hope you meet a muscular man who fits your taste, not a bad-reputation scoundrel like me."
Standing slowly, I left Princess Yun standing with her mouth agape.
"Don't worry. The alliance between Ariane Kingdom and the Empire will remain strong. Not through an old-fashioned strategic marriage, but a clean contract for a functional alliance. Let's go for a relationship as refreshing and crisp as the snow in summer."
"..."
When I threw her words back at her, Yun finally spoke.
"Prince Ash. You're really a shameless bastard."
I shrugged.
"I've heard that before."
Then I walked down the stairs, heading towards Serenade, who was standing by herself.
***
Now.
In the center of the party hall, receiving everyone's attention.
Dancing barefoot with Serenade, I whispered softly in her ear.
"...That's what went on between Father and me."
I told Serenade about the conversation that had taken place at the Guardian meeting a little while ago.
While dancing a gentle waltz with me, Serenade listened quietly to my story.
Her face was pale, but her silver eyes were bright.
"Serenade. This is the final trial you must overcome."
For you to survive. And for me to survive.
The music was coming to an end.
Before finishing the dance, I looked straight into Serenade's eyes and asked,
"Are you ready to defy the highest person in this country?"