I got up from my seat and carried Chiyuki in a Princess Carry style. The chess match that had previously reached a deadlock was won by us. I could see Mercedes staring at the chess board as if she couldn't believe she had lost.
Once again, I doubted Mercedes' abilities. Although in her previous life she was a troublesome enemy, after this match I became convinced that she was a troublesome enemy because our information always leaked to her.
Mercedes played with someone's mind and then used it as a basis for information that supported her steps. It was no wonder that Chiyuki was made difficult by her abilities.
Defeating Mercedes turned out to be very easy. With the small trap that I prepared, it turned out to be able to make her move according to what I wanted.
My thoughts and movements were divided into two parts. I had predicted that Mercedes would see my thoughts beforehand and know the tactics I had prepared to defeat her. That's why... a beautiful trap was made. My thoughts and handwriting were very different. Using my mind I thought of tactics to create a fake trap while my handwriting guided Chiyuki to create the real trap.
It's unusual for me to think hard like this. Two different consciousnesses at one time.
Mercedes is not our obstacle now, if she joins my side then it will be a double advantage. You could say this is a gamble against Mercedes' ego.
If she becomes an enemy, I can think of other tactics to outwit her mind-reading ability.
I walked towards the exit. Carrying Chiyuki who was covering her body because some of her clothes had come off her body. I could feel her body shaking in embarrassment.
As I was about to step out. Mercedes said something, "How did you do it?".
I was very sure she was confused by what happened. This incident further clarified our status. Getting Mercedes by my side or letting Mercedes go. Both did not cause great losses.
"You should understand, right?" My gaze fell on the book that was still lying on the sofa. The handwriting left inside was enough to tell her.
Mercedes seemed to understand my eye movements and shifted her focus to the book.
Before I left this room, I teased her a little.
"Mercedes... cooperation between humans involves trust. You can give me a reason why I should trust an Elf who can read minds. Your ability is very dangerous but.."
"It seems... you can be defeated too. You need something else to gain my trust" I walked away from this room.
I could feel Mercedes' piercing gaze.
In the middle of my journey after leaving the room, Chiyuki pulled my sleeve.
"Onii-sama? Is it okay to let such a unique ability go?" Chiyuki asked.
"With that ability, she can be an ally and an enemy at the same time. Her mind-reading ability will make her waver. Without mutual trust, I can feel hundreds of possible betrayals that might occur. The worst possibility is that Mercedes is a troublesome enemy in disguise."
"But, wasn't it Onii-sama who suggested Mercedes?"
"That's true... I suggested Mercedes because the royal family is also interested in Mercedes' ability. She has two choices, join us or the royal family."
I don't want her to become an enemy and I hope to be able to reconcile with her.
[...]
As dinner was about to take place, I was surprised by Mercedes' appearance in the family dining room. Mercedes knelt on top of the glowing magic circle.
"You still haven't returned?" I asked.
I was sure she would come back after hearing my harsh statement earlier. But, she persisted until nightfall.
"Karl-sama.. ah! No! Master Karl.. allow me to be your loyal servant!" Mercedes said.
I don't know what was on her mind. I turned to look at my Father and Mother. The expressions on their faces said, "I leave it all to you!".
I could only accept this situation.
Luckily, Mercedes chose me.
In this life, we allied. I guess this fits the proverb "The enemy of my enemy is my next friend".
In other words, we form a Master-Servant contract to achieve that goal.
I answered Mercedes' request and walked towards her. Mercedes pulled my hand and kissed my palm. A magic circle appeared on my palm and my bond with Mercedes changed into Master-Servant.
"I, Mercedes Lii Virerstas undis Relatis Oiur Pertanis Sier, hereby swear to hand over what I have to my Master."
After saying that sentence, the magic circle dimmed and ended the contract we made.
Well, for Elves.. accompanying the short lives of humans is just a way to fill their free time.
A contract like this might end in an instant.
But for me, this is an opportunity I can't miss.
"Mercedes, as your Master. I forbid you from reading my family's thoughts."
With this, the first order for Mercedes has been determined.
"As Your Command, Master Karl!" Mercedes replied.
[...]
In the palace of the Kingdom of Flora, the atmosphere seemed peaceful. From a distance, a King was seen alone in the living room while enjoying the calm and peaceful atmosphere. He raised a glass wine decorated with gold on the rim. He slowly drank the red liquid inside.
His peace was disturbed after the footsteps of soldiers walking towards him.
"Your Majesty!"
Hearing the commotion that disturbed his peace, the King raised his eyebrows as a sign of displeasure.
Seeing the King's reaction that seemed disturbed, the soldier who came immediately knelt and told the King some news that added to the King's discomfort.
"That elf is siding with Duke Flora."
"What?!" The King was shocked and dropped the glass in his hand.
"The spies we sent in the Duke of Flora's territory have been executed."
"Huh?!"
"The Duke of Flora sent a warning to His Majesty."
"Huh? Huh? What do you mean? Who sent the kingdom's spies to the Duke of Flora's territory?"
"..."
The soldier fell silent.
"It must be that damn kid who acted beyond his authority again! Call him now!" said the King.
With that order, the soldier left the King alone. With the atmosphere worsening and anger slowly rising, the King then stood up and left his living room. He rushed to the throne and sat on it.
"Even though we were brothers in royal family, why are we now enemies like this?"
"If only he wasn't my son, I would have cut off his head!"
"That stupid kid! He deliberately provoked that Duke!"
The quiet throne was suddenly crowded with nobles who rushed in.
"Your Majesty!!"
"Your Majesty!!!"
"Your Majesty!!! The Duke of Flora acted out of control! He beheaded my son!"
The atmosphere that had been peaceful slowly turned chaotic and tense. Several nobles came bringing their soldiers to the throne. It was not allowed to bring soldiers into the throne room.
Suddenly, a trolley filled with piles of paper entered the throne. Beside him was the royal judge who came together.
"Supreme judge?"
As if realizing the situation that was happening, the Judge then said a sentence that broke the atmosphere.
"Your Majesty, the Duke of Flora sent evidence of the kingdom's traitors. These papers contain reports of treason that had occurred in the Kingdom of Flora."
Hearing that sentence, the King's brow furrowed. He then looked at the impolite nobles and found their sweat pouring down.
"The Duke of Flora is also purging the kingdom's spies who entered his territory. Based on the old rules, the King and Duke were prohibited from spying on each other but that was violated by the one of Royal Family. So, with a heavy heart, the Duke of Flora carried out a possible purge."
"What the hell happened in their stupid head?" asked the King.
[...]
I slowly opened my eyes, I could feel my two hands feeling stiff.
Beside me were Chiyuki and Mercedes who were hugging tightly.
In short, Mercedes lived together in this room. For some reason, our relationship became Master and Servant, Chiyuki had become more aggressive than usual. She did not hesitate to emit a stronger killing aura than usual.
It was evident during dinner together that Mercedes was always attached to me. Even the knife she used was able to cut the plate that hold her food.
The changing emotions made me feel that there was an emotional limit that had to be maintained. For that, I made a special schedule to see the situation this morning.
They both woke up together.
"Good morning, Master!" With her sweet face, Mercedes approached me and kissed my cheek.
"Kuh !!" I could hear Chiyuki stunned by Mercedes' behavior.
"This is a normal relationship for Master and Servant," Mercedes teased.
Then Chiyuki pulled my hand and landed her lips on mine. This sudden feeling and the softness of her small lips were very easy for me to feel.
Chiyuki then let go of her kiss.
"This is a normal relationship for siblings!"
What??
What the hell happen?
This morning, I was surprised by their strange behavior,
"Master, what are we going to do today?" asked Mercedes.
"We're going for a walk today," I replied.
"A walk? Did Onii-sama think to do something?" Chiyuki asked.
"Of course, today we're going to look for investments that will benefit us."
Chiyuki and Mercedes had the same question, "Investment?".
Sooner or later, the current King of the Flora Kingdom who still sits on his throne will be killed by his son. Maybe I can increase his life expectancy or use his death to continue our plan.
With Mercedes on our side, creating three fighting forces will be a breeze.
I can't wait to find young, untainted seeds, develop their talents, and then harvest their talents.
I can't wait to find them!
[...]