Chapter 43

“How was your revisit to Feltan?”

“I already mentioned, it wasn’t bad.”

As I glanced around the Audience Chamber and gave a brief reply, Laura let out a small chuckle.

“That’s a relief.”

She gracefully sat on the sofa, her posture demure. The act of raising the teacup to take a gentle sip was smooth and elegant.

Even such a simple movement looked quite picturesque in combination with Laura’s striking appearance.

Despite her actions and looks resembling those of a high-noble lady, one shouldn’t be deceived by appearances.

The person before me is the ruler of the South, a noble and leader who maintained order so well that there was no fuss even when the previous Margrave stepped down abruptly.

After setting the teacup down silently, Laura spoke again.

“The business report is as you see. The current state of the fief’s management is also as witnessed. Do you require anything more?”

“It’s sufficient.”

Neatly stacked on the corner of the desk were documents detailing the progress of the Grand Forest projects, border defense updates, and the political climate of neighboring countries.

While savoring the somewhat bitter tea, I skimmed through the documents. Laura’s calm voice then interrupted my review.

“Your Majesty, may I ask a question?”

“I’m listening. Though I may find it hard to meet eyes as I’m reviewing the contents, you may proceed with your inquiry if you feel comfortable.”

“It’s fine.”

Laura lightly spoke.

“Why have you come here?”

“…”

I slightly lowered the document and looked at Laura.

The faint blue light hidden in her fierce, red eyes, characteristic of a mana-manifestor, caught my attention.

Recalling the rumors about her abilities and Feltan’s swordsmanship, I answered.

“Didn’t I mention it? The national project of developing the Grand Forest and encouraging the nobles and citizens in the border regions. The south has always worked hard.”

“Your Majesty, it’s rude to lie to a lady; it’s too obvious.”

“Lady… All I see before me is the Grand Lord of the South, Feltan Count.”

“Hmph.”

Laura was still smiling, but her eyes told a different story.

The blue light obscured by her red eyes became more intense.

After glaring at me for a moment, Laura sighed.

“How unexpected for someone so busy with state affairs…to have committed such a reckless act when there’s already so much to handle. It’s clear to me that the official documents stating the reason for your visit are merely a cover.”

“Hmm, aren’t you sharp. Predicting my moves so freely.”

“…Isn’t something necessary? The Southern faction.”

Behind the documents, Laura’s eyes softened.

Silently maintaining eye contact, she confidently continued.

“The Grand Duke suddenly became the Regent. In a short time, he ascended from a lower-level noble in the northeast region to the central figure of the Imperial Palace. There’s no established foundation.”

I nodded for her to proceed, and she did.

“Meanwhile, the Imperial Palace is split between the Lucanov and Schurantz factions, with other nobles aligning under them, taking control of the Inner and Foreign Palaces, etc. Essentially, the empire is divided between these two Dukes and their factions. Quite unfortunate indeed.”

Pausing briefly, Laura sipped her tea.

Her words summarized the situation of the Empire that had followed the death of the previous Emperor, a fact accepted by all nobles.

Placing the documents back on the desk, I looked at Laura.

Seeing my attentive expression, she smiled faintly.

“In trying to reduce influence through purging, the factions remain overwhelming. It’s hard to handle alone, and one might wonder how to proceed. Oh my, surprisingly, there’s a third faction, though small in numbers. And a very appealing one too, centered around the Margrave.”

“Clack.”

With a continued smile, Laura gently tapped the desk.

“You should enjoy some food and return.”

A declaration from the representative of the South.

In line with Laura’s intent, which represents the South’s, they intend to firmly uphold their position as the Third Faction.

“Hmph.”

However…she has misunderstood something crucial.

I didn’t come to convince the Southern faction to join me.

While it may come to that eventually, my purpose here is to defuse an unpredictable bomb.

Though I am the husband of the Empress, it’s quite disrespectful to be told to just have a meal and leave, even by the Margrave.

Given this, I have no choice but to apply Macbilian’s negotiation techniques, although it feels a bit cumbersome.

“You’re telling an interesting story, Count.”

Leaning back against the sofa with crossed legs, I organized my thoughts.

There were many topics to discuss.

There were the mercenaries, noble issues in the South, and the Human-Beast race, among others.

Though it’s possible to simply resort to the old method of wielding swords, it’s better if we can find common ground if possible.

More diligent subordinates are always desirable, so first, I need to unsettle Laura Felanter. Confirming her true intentions, if they’re something I can act upon, compromise would be possible.

If compromise isn’t feasible…

The southernmost region of Altain might need a new name.

“But you know what? Since coming to the capital, the word ‘faction’ has become nauseating. Frankly, all I see is vermin who exploit the country and disrespect Your Majesty. And these vermin…”

I lightly grasped the sword sheathe leaned on the armrest of the sofa.

“Are no different in the South.”

“…”

As I lightly touched the handle, I caught the tense gaze of Laura. Confirming the martial arts skills of Feltan, as well as the flow of nearby mana, I continued,

“Do you know? The Southern faction once placed a request with the Barhen mercenaries for the extermination of a noble and his villages. Coincidentally, that noble is now known as the Grand Duke.”

“That…”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ve already investigated both the mercenaries and the noble, securing all evidence and witnesses.”

“Gulp.”

The sound reverberated through the silent Audience Chamber. The mana flow began to accelerate in response to Laura’s enhanced will.

Observing her tense appearance, I continued my story,

“Due to the chaotic season and poor harvest, I’ve considered various methods to minimize the winter’s impacts. Though makeshift, His Majesty was satisfied with the policies implemented. Even so, the complaints continue.”

It truly is a tiresome world.

Traveling around the nation wielding a sword has led to no significant changes.

The only difference is that the number of excessive nobles in the Empire has decreased somewhat.

“The South isn’t much different from the rest.”

“I missed that, so I have no excuse. I’m sorry. Even now…”

“Thud.”

I lightly tapped the sword sheathe to interrupt her.

Looking into her fierce eyes, I slowly began,

“The South, regardless of its faction size, possesses a disproportionately large military force in the Empire. Especially since subjugating the Human-Beast Union beyond the Grand Forest, any localized conflicts have ceased, allowing them to maintain a considerable military power without significant losses.”

“…”

Laura’s hand slowly reached for her sword sheathe.

Her gaze was locked onto my hand that grasped the sheathe.

“Moreover, with the growth of mercenary work, they possess the strength to sweep away most domains effortlessly. This power is potent enough to shake the central authority. And they aren’t lacking in resources either. It’s quite a conundrum.”

“…We are loyal subjects to the Empress Your Majesty.”

“Everyone claims the same. Frankly, it doesn’t matter much what the South truly intends. It’s enough to provide some breathing room.”

Laura Felanter wasn’t smiling.

A small swirl of mana was forming around her. It was rather mild for a mana-manifestor, indicating she hasn’t fully awakened yet.

Monitoring this mysterious force slowly infiltrating the Audience Chamber, I tightened my grip on the sword sheathe.

“Once the center collapses, everyone will scramble to take its place, like in the East and West. Isn’t that the nature of us nobles? Self-interest always comes first.”

If the Margrave’s seat becomes vacant through an unfortunate event, many nobles will move to claim it.

Clutching the sword hilt, I questioned the Margrave, who had stopped speaking.

“Laura Felanter, ruler of the South and a focal point. What do you think my purpose is in coming here?”

“Hello, I’m the Grand Duke. I’m here to purge your faction.”

It’s merely a bluff; I have no actual intention of drawing my sword, but it seems the message has been accurately conveyed.

An oppressive silence filled the Audience Chamber.

Laura’s response to my question was a streak of swordlight.

“Whish!”

“Clang!”

The speed of the drawn swords was comparable.

The fragments from the hard-striken floor scattered in all directions, and the sofa, caught in the turbulence, overturned.

In an instant, a decisive strike towards the vital points.

The speed, from drawing the blade to swinging the arm, was identical, and the swords intersecting in the air aligned perfectly.

“Clang!”

The swords clanged together, repelling lightly.

“How…!”

With a step back from each other, we clashed again.

A streak of lightning tore through the air, shocking Laura as she attempted to reposition, but it was too late.

Feltan’s sword style involves a linked attack that deflects the opponent’s sword while simultaneously launching a counterattack.

It’s a technique that requires recognizing the incoming attack, assessing its momentum, and then countering with precise force.

Laura, not fully awakened as a mana-manifestor,

does not possess the skill to handle an incoming attack while maintaining a disrupted stance.

“Clang!”

Her sword blade was cleanly severed and plunged into the floor.

The distorted face of Laura greeted me as I closed in, tripped her legs, and muffled her voice as she hit the ground.

“Ummph!”

Her fiery red hair spread across the ground.

Her eyebrows furrowed, perhaps from the impact of her back hitting the floor.

The faint blue light in her crimson eyes flickered; she was enhancing her body with mana.

Even while pinning her down with my entire weight, the force pushing back slowly grew stronger.

“Stop resisting.”

I subdued the fiercely resisting Laura, whose mouth was covered, by striking my sword downward.

“Thud!”

She stopped struggling.

The white nape of her neck reflected off the sword blade embedded in the floor.

Tilting the blade closer to her neck, her resistance ceased.

“Huff… Huff.”

Facing her, her breathing became more even, separated by the sword edge.

She was close.

In her transparent and beautiful eyes, my face was captured.

“…”

Though there was a commotion, fortunately, no one came.

The mana-manifestors of Feltan might have noticed, but they seemed unaware due to either dueling with Cruel or conducting reconnaissance in the Grand Forest.

The situation was ideal for calm conversation.

As her breathing stabilized, I gazed at her for a moment before speaking slowly.

“If you scream or struggle again, I’ll immediately press the blade.”

I addressed her furious glare.

“If you’re ready to converse calmly, nod slowly. It’s best not to entertain any wild thoughts.”

“…”

A nod.

Satisfied with her positive response, I removed my hand covering her mouth.

“If you shout or struggle, I’ll immediately press the sword down.”

I warned the furious Laura, who was restrained with my knee on her chest.

“Take a deep breath and calm down. Let’s talk sensibly.”