Chapter 69

“…It seems that the Demon King and his twin horns have passed through that checkpoint.”

Upon hearing the report about the Demon King, Her Majesty the Empress began to ponder with a serious expression.

“Indeed, this is no ordinary matter. To think even the soldiers at the border have fallen so far into corruption.”

“It seems the corruption from the previous era still lingers.”

“…Sigh. No matter how much we deal with this cursed mess, new problems keep piling up. It’s becoming unbearable.”

Given that the already corrupt nation had gone through a total war, this outcome was inevitable.

If it weren’t for Her Majesty and Camilla’s brother, the situation would have been far worse. If the concubines who had been draining the treasury hadn’t been dealt with, things would have been even more dire.

Camilla and I also had to suppress the chaos by killing their relatives and private soldiers who had risen up.

Although our reputation suffered because of it, we had no choice but to dirty our hands and honor for the sake of the country.

“By the way, shouldn’t we head there? If the Demon King and his twin horns are there, even you can’t handle it alone…”

“No, Your Majesty.”

Her Majesty, who had suffered a painful defeat, seemed to sense something amiss.

“It’s suspicious that they revealed themselves so blatantly. If they wanted, they could have moved more covertly. And if we move there and the capital gets attacked, it’s over.”

That was a valid point. Layla’s death was the same. They deliberately exposed a weakness, then exploited our reaction to it.

Moving recklessly would play right into their hands. If the capital were attacked while empty, the Empire’s fate would be clear.

So, mobilizing the army now would be premature. We needed to observe the situation a bit longer.

“Camilla left for that area this morning, so the two of you keep an eye on things. I’ll send troops there for now. We still don’t know what the enemy is planning.”

Her Majesty had become overly cautious after losing Layla.

As if determined not to make the same mistake again.

“Raul. I’m truly sorry to force you into another fight. But…”

“I know my position better than anyone. Fighting is the only option.”

My life had already lost most of its meaning. If I could use this life for their sake, it wouldn’t be so bad.

“Sigh. Solving one problem just creates two more. At this rate, it’ll take 20 years to properly secure the succession.”

“Your Majesty…!”

“Didn’t I try yesterday too? Making an heir. I’m exhausted today because of it, yet somehow Her Majesty’s skin looks even more…”

“Hey!”

Her Majesty, seemingly losing her composure, began strangling His Majesty.

Watching a murder scene in real-time was interesting, but I didn’t expect them to be at it already.

I brought it up, but I didn’t think it would escalate so quickly.

“You should try to work things out with Camilla too.”

“…I will.”

“Ah, damn it.”

A familiar yet irritating male voice grated on our ears.

“Did I teach you to flaunt your love life in front of a man whose wife cheated on him or talk about romance in front of a father with a daughter?”

Heron Argos. Our mentor and the current Minister of War, also Camilla’s father.

He had originally dumped all responsibilities on Camilla’s brother and wandered around drunk, but after the incident, he returned to the capital and dedicated himself to his duties.

In short, he was a man we all disliked.

“……”

“……”

“……”

During the meeting, he lit a cigarette and vented his frustrations.

“In short, let’s observe the situation for now. That’s it. We need to move cautiously. But there’s definitely something fishy near that fox brat. Sending troops instead of us two brats is also a consideration. If it were me, I’d cut off those troops in the middle.”

It was annoying that even drunk, he could still make sense.

“So, what are you suggesting, Minister Argos?”

“We should put on a show. If we lie down and play dead, something will come out, right?”

I couldn’t understand the point of his statement.

“Stop pretending to be cautious and let your guard down. Then that lizard brat will show himself in front of you.”

It was clear they were waiting for me to let my guard down.

“…It might be good to think of a way.”

“Then, with that, this old mentor will return to his duties.”

“Return to duties, my ass. You’re just going to drink yourself silly again.”

“…Your Majesty. This old mentor hasn’t disconnected the communication yet.”

“I’m surprised you even noticed.”

After the Minister of War left, Her Majesty muttered curses under her breath, cursing him.

“Your Majesty, he is still our mentor after all.”

We survived the battlefield thanks to his teachings. Although those teachings included beatings and harsh treatment.

“Mentor or not, that damn bastard…”

“Enough about the damn bastard. So, is there anything else you’re curious about?”

“…How is everyone doing?”

“Well, your sister is still diligently learning from Her Majesty. And as for the rest…”

His Majesty, his throat dry, gulped down a large glass of cold water.

“Your… no, Rizel’s mother is currently searching for your whereabouts. If even my indifferent ears have heard about it, that says enough.”

“…She is a woman who has nothing to do with me now.”

“And as for Lady Rosie Nevermore, she’s in seclusion. We’re investigating, but there’s no substantial evidence. She seems innocent… but also ignorant.”

“…I see.”

His Majesty spoke sharply, but his expression was filled with irritation.

“By the way, Raul.”

Just as I was about to disconnect the communication, Her Majesty suddenly spoke to me again.

“Is there something else you need me to do?”

“Your birthday is coming up, right?”

Come to think of it, my birthday was just a few days away. I’m not the type to remember such things, so I had forgotten.

“I’ll send you a gift soon. I’d like to throw a party, but given the situation, it’s not feasible.”

“I’d prefer to decline Your Majesty’s gifts if possible.”

Her Majesty’s gift choices were notoriously terrible. Lion’s teeth, whale gallstones, rhinoceros horns, pink leopard skins, and ancient human remains… all sorts of incomprehensible things.

“My apologies! Anyone would think I only give troublesome gifts!”

“……”

“……”

“Hey, you people!!!”

By the way, a birthday… It might not be a bad idea.

If I throw a banquet for my birthday, the enemies might think I’ve let my guard down. They wouldn’t expect me to hold a banquet while being cautious.

I explained my plan to His Majesty and Her Majesty, and they nodded in approval.

“Not bad. A sudden banquet would raise suspicions, but a birthday is a valid reason.”

“But won’t there be too few people for a banquet?”

“We can invite the villagers. Of course, it’s a banquet, so there’s no obligation.”

At that, His Majesty and Her Majesty began to look uneasy.

“Anyone would think I’m a socially inept fool.”

“…..”

“……”

The two remained silent, and I glared at them with resentment.

“Honestly, it’s not wrong, is it?”

When Kyle chimed in annoyingly, the two nodded.

“…Layla would have understood.”

“No. Layla would have told you to stop talking nonsense.”

Further conversation seemed pointless, so I disconnected the magical tool.

“As expected of Your Majesty. You knew exactly what Layla would say.”

“Kyle. Remember that the mouth is a door that invites disaster.”

“That’s not something you should be saying, Raul.”

“……Enough of this nonsense. Prepare for the banquet in a week.”

“Well, if we do it outside, it should be fine. Preparing ingredients and alcohol, preparing tables and chairs, decorations and utensils…”

Kyle smiled and held up four fingers.

“If you hire four strong men, four days should be enough.”

“……”

“If you hire two…”

“If you just give me one assistant…”

“……”

“So, you’re telling me to prepare all that alone in a week?”

“Yes.”

“While also keeping an eye on that damn alchemist?”

“You catch on quick.”

“You damn bastard!”

Leaving the fuming Kyle behind, I returned to my room to stroke the crow’s beak.

The slightly hard yet smooth texture was truly satisfying to touch.

But the crow, seemingly displeased, began to grumble.

“Ah, damn… what’s that smell?”

“An incomprehensible question. I bathe diligently, so there shouldn’t be any foul odor.”

“No. It stinks.”

The crow’s voice carried a strangely familiar malice.

“The rotten stench of that damn bitch.”