Of course, the chances of this Grand Duke suddenly going mad and attacking me or destroying the capital are about as low as the Demon King coming back to life and volunteering to become my vassal.

But if, by some one-in-ten-million chance, that did happen, I’d have no means to restrain the Grand Duke.

If Xian were here, it might be different, but in the current situation, I can’t let the Grand Duke enter the capital.

“There’s another reason. Even if you, my Master, bring no harm to the Empire, just the fact that I address someone with respect and call them my master undermines my authority.”

“Are you saying that your authority is more important than being with me…?”

“What could be more important than the Emperor’s authority…?”

Without authority, the Emperor is just a nobleman with more retainers.

I’ve worked so hard to establish my authority so I wouldn’t be disregarded for being young. How could I just give that up?

Honestly, this entire situation is stressful for me.

Instead of simply deciding to go alone, I’m in a position where I have to persuade and convince the Grand Duke.

“Hoo… Master, for now, I’ll be taking my leave. It’s not much, but I promise to keep in touch often.”

“You didn’t contact me even once in the past year.”

“From now on, I’ll be in touch regularly.”

“…If that promise turns out to be a lie, I’ll come to the capital myself.”

“Please, do as you will. Then, until we meet again.”

With those words, I activated my spatial magic.

If I hadn’t reached my current level, I’d need the Grand Duke’s help to return to the capital, but that’s no longer necessary.

I closed my eyes and pictured my destination.

I can’t go directly to the capital, so I set my destination just outside it.

The distance between the North and my destination was vast, but it was no longer an issue for me.

As I willed myself forward, the space that had separated me from my destination willingly fell silent for me.

“Minister, report on what happened during my absence.”

As soon as I arrived at the Imperial Palace and sent Frio back to his domain after enduring his endless complaints, I summoned Dia.

“Yes, Your Majesty. The southern territories that have now become Audas are recovering quite well. Marquis Grepa selected an administrator acquainted with the hero to temporarily govern the territory until the hero’s return.”

“Anything else?”

“The Grand Duke of Giore, who had fled, has taken his knights and sought asylum in Daman.”

“And Daman accepted them?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The King of Daman even bestowed him a count’s title and land.”

Taking in a rebel from the Empire was bad enough, but giving him a title and land, too?

This was practically begging for war.

“Was the King of Daman always that foolish? I knew he was lacking, but this is beyond my expectations.”

“That… do you remember the Master we reported on last time? The one Daman recruited…”

“The Platinum Knight, right?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. According to our intelligence, that person played a significant role in the decision.”

“What? No matter how talented, it’s absurd that a knight they’ve known for less than a year could influence such a major national decision.”

“I find it hard to believe as well, but that’s what the reports indicate. Lately, the King of Daman seems unusually reliant on that knight.”

“Is there a chance he’s under a mind-control spell?”

“We’re focusing our investigation on that very possibility. While researching gem magic, as you instructed, we discovered a link to the old kingdom of Edelvine…”

Oh, they’ve gotten that far already.

“Edelvine, huh? The Grand Duke mentioned them to me as well. Given the circumstances, it seems highly likely that their descendants are involved.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. The Intelligence Department searched the records and found no officially surviving royals from Edelvine. However, there was a passage hinting at the existence of an illegitimate child of the royal family.”

“An illegitimate child of the royal family, huh? It seems the Empire was aware of that individual’s existence at the time. So why wasn’t that person pursued?”

“Well, forgive my impudence, Your Majesty…”

The minister trailed off, seeming hesitant to speak, which made me curious.

“Minister? It’s just a report. Speak freely.”

“It seems… that the mother of the illegitimate child was a member of the Imperial family.”

What?

“So, you’re telling me that the descendant of Edelvine, who now threatens the Empire, is a distant relative of mine.”

“That is correct, Your Majesty.”

“That would explain how they managed to stay hidden within the Empire all this time.”

Most of the Empire’s checkpoints have exclusive routes for members of the royal family, and only those with dragon’s blood can pass through them.

Most likely, a trace of dragon’s blood flows within that person, allowing him or his retainers to move freely in and out of the Empire by traveling with him or carrying his blood as proof.

“Order the closure of all royal checkpoints across the Empire and station guards around them. Also, send a message to Fael, instructing him to refrain from using these exclusive checkpoints for the time being.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“At least now we know who the enemy of the Empire is.”

The descendants of Edelvine, carrying the blood of Arhan.

Highly likely to be the Platinum Knight or the one commanding him.

“But Minister, if this person truly bears the blood of Arhan…”

“Speak, Your Majesty.”

“Is it not possible that the person threatening the Empire is not a distant descendant, but rather the runaway illegitimate child themself?”

“Edelvine’s fall was three hundred years ago…”

“I’ve heard that the current Tower Master was already an Archmage back then. If that illegitimate child also reached such a level, it’s not impossible.”

While death by aging is a law of the world, if he’s managed to break free from such laws, it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still alive.

In fact, it would be more reasonable to assume that he is an Archmage or at least a Master of comparable level, which would explain his audacity to challenge the Empire.

If this person is indeed an Archmage or a Master of such power, how should I respond?

“Minister. What do you believe this person’s objective is?”

“The restoration of Edelvine and revenge against the Empire, Your Majesty.”

“Specifically?”

“… This individual has enticed Empire’s nobles to incite rebellion. After that, he manipulated Daman into provoking a war with the Empire, which suggests that his goal is to weaken the Empire’s power.”

“Indeed. Throwing Daman away as a disposable pawn implies that their main forces are stronger than Daman itself.”

It’s clear they believe that if they weaken the Empire enough, they’ll have the strength to engage us head-on.

“Minister, do you believe it’s the right time to strike Daman?”

“Since Daman has provided us with such a strong justification, if we strike, the Holy Kingdom is likely to remain silent. However, if other kingdoms feel threatened and decide to intervene, it could escalate into a full-scale war. This is, in fact, what Your Majesty has been hoping for…”

“If that happens, it would mean we’re playing right into that Edelvine scoundrel’s hands.”

“That’s correct.”

“What do you think the chances are that the kingdoms led by Jer will join the war?”

“Given the current unity among the kingdoms, I believe it’s almost certain they’d intervene. The real question is the scale of their involvement. If we make it clear that our objective is purely punitive without any plans to occupy Daman, then at the very least, Jer might only put on the appearance of participating. Recently, Anon, who aligns with Jer, is also expected to act similarly.”

Hmm…

This is an excellent opportunity to strike Daman.

Simply cutting off Daman’s support would yield benefits far exceeding the cost of war, even without occupying their territory.

The justification is perfect, and with skillful negotiation, we could keep the focus solely on punishing Daman.

Even if things go awry and it escalates into a major war, there’s no significant issue.

Even if it occurs earlier than I’d originally planned, I’ve reached a level of power where I can control most variables.

Also, since this is a clear response to Daman’s provocation, I should be able to convince Xian as well.

As long as we prioritize civilian protection and promise to administer well in any occupied regions, there shouldn’t be interference—and there might even be support.

But the fact that such an ideal situation has been orchestrated by my enemy gives me pause.

“Minister, what are the odds that the Arhan blood flowing in that scoundrel’s veins has led him to feel a sense of patriotism for the Empire, and that this situation was created out of loyalty to me?”

“Considering he instigated rebellion through Lute and Giore, it’s reasonable to say that possibility is non-existent, Your Majesty.”

Ah, I made a joke to lighten the mood, but he’s taking it seriously.

“Well, that’s enough. I have no intention of dancing to his tune, so we won’t be launching a war right away. But we can’t overlook this incident entirely, so I’ll form an envoy to send to Daman to formally protest.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. How would you like to organize the envoy?”

“Is Duke Fael still unoccupied?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. According to reports, he spends his time meeting acquaintances or training at his estate.”

“Then it would be best to ask him. I’ll personally inform him during our supper tonight. Aside from the Daman issue, is there anything else to report?”

“Yes, there’s a letter from Count Darhan.”