Chapter 25
“So what?”
“In the midst of all this, if you send a Gears Spirit to handle the anti-aircraft, there could be another diplomatic friction with Kartar.”
“And?”
A smirk slowly crept up on Johann’s lips.
As if he expected this response. However, Anel continued with determination.
Stopping in the middle would only arouse more suspicion.
“I planned to invite Kartar’s ambassador’s wife for a tea party. While I persuade the ambassador’s wife, I thought Your Majesty could meet with the ambassador alongside the anti-aircraft.”
“What happens next?”
Johann, unlike the widened eyes of Gezel and Samuel, seemed to have already anticipated this to some extent.
“Dealing with two countries simultaneously is exhausting. First, send the Border Defense Unit and the neighboring territory’s Changbaek and Teke Viscount to the Gears Territory. I think it would be appropriate for Your Majesty to meet the ambassador only after the relationship with Kartar has solidified.”
With a response thoroughly focused on the Empire’s perspective, Samuel fell silent, seemingly feeling a complex emotion.
Anel’s heart ached seeing Samuel in such a state, but there was no other choice.
At this moment, Stein was completely in Johann’s hands.
Even if he were to kill Samuel alone, there was no one who could dare to speak out.
To protect Samuel, Anel couldn’t afford to go against Johann’s intentions.
So, did Anel’s strategy work?
With bated breath, Anel observed Johann’s reactions.
“Duke.”
Johann lowered his gaze with a difficult-to-read expression on his face.
After a moment of silent contemplation, he lifted his head.
“I will give you three days.”
Johann’s green eyes, now seeming dull, met the gaze with boredom.
“Reassure the pigs of Cartar and return to the Gears Territory.”
“Your Majesty!”
Whether Anel shouted or not, Johann didn’t give her a glance and continued speaking.
“And don’t just end it by preventing the invasion of the Horses Kingdom; go ahead and slaughter those barbarians altogether. Don’t even think about coming back until you’ve taken control of the Kinton region in Horses. And don’t even think about returning until you’ve seized the Kinton region of Horses Kingdom. It’s solely your responsibility to convince the Changebacks to participate, taking into account the advice of the Empress.”
The command was utterly absurd. The Kinton region was not only a border area with Stein but also a place where over half of the Horses’ forces were concentrated.
Occupy such a place and come back?
That would require the help of the gods of war.
“I will accept the Empress’s advice and grant you 30% of the command of the border defense forces. However, convincing the Changebacks to participate is entirely your duty.”
“He’s gone mad.”
Anel glared at Johan, who was spouting nonsensical words.
At first listen, it sounded like he was offering military support, but in reality, it was quite different. It was nothing short of an order to occupy the Kinton region with the tattered Gears territory soldiers alone.
“I will accept the task, Your Majesty.”
However, Samuel seemed to have expected that, responding with a lonely smile as if saying so.
Anel began to wonder whether the insane one was the emperor or himself.
He had the intention to let Samuel die without dirtying his own hands. Anel couldn’t bear to witness such a sight, and was about to speak up.
But then, at that moment,
Samuel, who had never looked back at her before, turned to her for the first time and spoke with his eyes.
‘It’s okay.’
With a gaze that she could never resist.
In her childhood, there was a small mistake when she spilled water during her first encounter with Samuel.
Morata Duchy, blaming it on the lack of proper education, tried to slap Anel’s cheek. Even then, Samuel blocked the Duke’s way.
‘I accidentally hit Lady Morata’s arm, resulting in this.’
‘Honorific Prince, I was impressed by the consideration to protect my daughter, but this is Morata’s family education.’
‘Lady Morata is a Morata person, but she is also my fiancée. So, it’s also a matter concerning the Huang family.’
‘…!’
At that moment, Samuel also sent a smile to Anel.
“It’s okay.”
It was a very brief moment, but Anel completely yielded to that smile.
Because she had no qualification to defy Samuel’s will.
Samuel immediately turned his head to face Johan.
“Please allow me one thing, Your Majesty.”
Samuel began to speak calmly.
“If I fulfill Your Majesty’s orders and return, please allocate double the usual budget to the Gears Territory.”
“I refuse.”
Johan rejected it flatly, as if it was not worth listening to.
But Samuel did not give up.
“It’s not for my greed. The Gears Territory is on the verge of collapse. The imperial citizens are suffering from the aftermath of the war. It is to rescue them. Please, show mercy. I will use it solely for the relief of the people, not for military expenses. I will report all usage details thoroughly. I will even accept an auditor to ensure compliance.”
Johan did not respond.
As if waiting for something more. Sensing this, Samuel spoke with a trembling voice.
“…Also, if you permit, I will stay within the Gears Territory and behave myself, never stepping outside.”
In the end, Anel closed her eyes.
It was because she sensed that this was what Johan had been waiting for.
“Repentance.”
Johann recited quietly.
Then he raised his head to look at the Empress.
With eyes tightly closed, she ignored the situation, perhaps under the mistaken belief that what he had been waiting for was this.
However, Johann had not been waiting for something as trivial as Samuel’s repentance.
Repentance?
That was something he could command immediately, even without such ridiculous conditions.
Johann found Samuel amusing.
It was still amusing to see him acting as if he mattered in any way.
Other nobles didn’t dare to impose conditions in front of Johann.
The Gears Territory belonged to Samuel. It was only natural for Samuel to protect it.
The order to occupy the Kinton Province and return victorious was, of course, intended for him to die in the process.
But wasn’t it something to be grateful for that he had spared the defeated noble in the succession battle until now?
Johann didn’t feel the need to keep Samuel alive.
From the beginning, everything belonged to him.
Samuel D’Nego, his fate should have never existed.
Even if Kartaar hadn’t allied with Horhes, devouring the strength of Stine, Stein’s power would not have diminished.
The Sun Empress would have become not Kartaar’s princess but his mother, Maribella Magni.
Maribella wouldn’t have had to end her life in shame and injustice.
“He seems to be firmly under a serious misconception.”
“!”
But to persuade someone like Kartar, setting such conditions?
Kartar was Samyu’s cousin.
To see him, who had just barely escaped the status of a vassal state, assert himself in such a manner over the topic of a small country was audacious.
If he had shown a bit more audacity, he might have issued a command to Samyu to personally trample on his own cousin.
Seeing him demand more without even knowing the concept of mercy, it was enough to make one feel nauseous.
Prince Hwang, who had grown up gracefully without knowing anything about the ways of the world, clearly had yet to grasp his own position.
“And.”
In front of my eyes, daring to attract the attention of the Empress.
Johan realized that he had lived too graciously.
“When did I say I would let the Duke die peacefully on his fiefdom?”
Gasps were heard from Jigel and Garden.
“Whether he dies honorably in Kinton or elsewhere.”
“Johann did not speak while looking at Samuel.’’
Similarly, he was speaking while looking at his empress, who was unaware of the subject.
My empress, who should never have been born, yielded to the gaze of the unwanted Crown Prince.
“Or die by hanging on the capital city walls as punishment for the cowardly escape.”
Will he submit to my words as he did to Samuel’s gaze?
Or will he lift his proud head again and turn away, as he has done before?
Regardless, anger filled the air.
Johann was watching Anel’s antics with a certain fondness.
It was natural for a human to resist, and it was even enjoyable to watch.
Quite skilled in maneuvering through the greenhouse-themed conversation.
But.
To forsake life just to take his side? Only for that guy?
If Anel tried to stop him, Johann had already thought of immediately hanging Samuel on the capital city walls.
But Anel-
“What are you doing, Your Grace?”
He didn’t disappoint.
“Not accepting Her Majesty’s command.”
