There was a commotion in the imperial court.

The Prime Minister had gone out of his way to visit the room where Linus was.

"Your Highness Linus, do you have any idea what you've done?"

Linus was looking out the window.

The reflection of his face in the glass was smiling.

"Prime Minister, you held Count Banfield in high regard, didn't you? But you shouldn't show such favoritism."

"Is it Your Highness's way to impose sanctions on someone simply because they did not align with your faction?"

The Prime Minister held considerable power within the Empire.

However, there were factions that did not look kindly upon it.

Linus was one of them.

"The nobles have been voicing their discontent, you see. The Banfield house needs a little punishment. I'm just saying we should hold off on purchasing their rare metals for a while."

Not only the Empire, but also the trading companies associated with Linus were refraining from buying.

Taking advantage of this, Calvin and his associates were also holding back on their purchases.

The Prime Minister gave up, realizing that saying anything more would be futile.

"—Your Highness, sometimes, a person is born who has luck on their side. As long as that person is not abandoned by fortune, it is not a wise decision to fight them."

Linus turned to face the Prime Minister.

"Are you saying that I, born into the imperial family and within reach of the crown prince's throne, have no luck? That I would lose to some country noble from the frontier?"

The Prime Minister shook his head.

"It is you, Your Highness, who has been challenged to this contest. I shall say no more. But have you forgotten what it means to lose a fight?"

"As if I could forget. I am always staking my own life."

He had faced death more than once or twice in the succession struggle.

Linus, too, had his confidence.

"If he's strong enough to threaten me, then I'll be the one to bow my head and try to bring him to my side."

"—You have been warned."

As the Prime Minister left the room, he immediately sent a message to Serena, whom he had placed as a spy in the Banfield household.

◇

The day of my audience with Prince Cleo had arrived.

Dressed in ceremonial attire and accompanied by my knights, I arrived at a meeting facility located right next to the rear palace.

Since men unrelated to the imperial family are forbidden from entering the rear palace, any business must be conducted in a monitored facility.

As I waited there, my guard, Klaus, seemed to be in a bit of a panic.

This man was a knight recommended by Amagi.

He was a plain but diligent, craftsman-type knight, and Amagi held him in high regard.

Even I couldn't just dismiss Amagi's recommendation, so I placed this nice guy of a knight by my side.

In his place, I also summoned a knight named Chency, whom I had chosen for her looks.

A beautiful female knight is a must.

Balance is important, you know.

It's a downer when your guards are all just a bunch of sweaty old men.

"Lord Liam, an urgent message has arrived from the territory."

"Urgent?"

As I was elegantly sipping tea in the waiting room, Klaus brought me a troublesome report.

"Yes. There are rumors that the imperial court is leading an effort to impose economic sanctions on the Banfield house. It is said to be all but a done deal, and in fact, true."

"—The details?"

"Restrictions on the purchase of the Banfield house's rare metals."

To put it simply, it was as if they were saying, "We're not buying rare metals from you!" They also said they would impose enormous tariffs even if we traded through our purveying merchants.

It meant we would be unable to trade rare metals within the Empire.

"I see. —Who's the culprit?"

"It is said to be His Highness Prince Linus."

"Ah, that guy. Second in line for the throne, was it? This must be his revenge for me turning down his invitation to join his faction."

Klaus looked tense.

But I wasn't flustered.

With the Guide's protection, I cannot lose, and besides, I'm not someone who can be brought down by something of this level.

"What will you do?"

"Right now, my meeting with Prince Cleo is the top priority. We'll think of countermeasures when I get back—well, I suppose I'll summon the purveying merchants."

You've really done it now, Prince Linus.

You probably intend to bring me down, but it won't be that easy.

However, this has made it clear that Linus is my enemy.

"Do you really intend to fight with His Highness Prince Linus?"

"Klaus, you don't understand anything. They're the ones who picked a fight with me."

"N-no, I believe we were the ones who picked the fight. After all, we did turn down Prince Linus's invitation."

That's where he's fundamentally mistaken.

Since there were watchful eyes all around, I motioned for Klaus to come closer and spoke in a low voice.

"I don't like being summoned just to be made to bow my head. Well, if Prince Linus were the next emperor, I'd gladly bow to him."

"—He is a leading candidate."

"A candidate, not a certainty. And another thing, Klaus—it's not that I rejected the next emperor's invitation. The person I choose will become the emperor. Don't get that wrong."

If he wanted my cooperation, there was a proper way to go about it.

Who summons someone just to make them bow and beg to join?

Besides.

If I'm going to have a puppet, Prince Cleo seems easier to handle.

As it stands, I'm the biggest supporter in his faction.

Prince Cleo can't afford to be forceful with me.

If I'm going to make someone emperor, it's got to be Cleo.

And my true enemies—the ones with that potential, the Emperor, Calvin, Linus—those three will have to disappear.

If I don't do that, my peaceful life will slip further away.

For that reason, I intend to eliminate all three of them, no matter what.

The other two who aren't my true enemy will be collateral damage, but I couldn't care less about that.

Anyone who threatens my peace is an enemy!

As I waited, the knights guarding the rear palace arrived.

"Count Banfield, His Highness Prince Cleo is waiting. Also, please deposit your weapons here before passing through the gate."

The security was tight, but that was to be expected for royalty.

My knight escorts were tense.

Incidents like assassinations within the rear palace were not unheard of.

"I finally get to meet Prince Cleo."

With those words, I handed over my weapon, underwent an inspection, and passed through the gate to meet Prince Cleo.

◇

In the waiting room Liam had just left.

The escort knights were tense, surrounded by the knights of the Rear Palace Guard.

Their captain, Klaus, was no different.

(To say such disrespectful things so openly in a place like this. Is he a great man, or just a fool? I can't tell.)

Considering his past achievements, he was undoubtedly a great man.

Many knights had decided to follow such a man as Liam.

But there was one knight who wore a smile that was unsettling enough to make one recoil.

Chency.

"—This is so good. It gives me chills."

Cheeks flushed with excitement, Chency was fidgeting just from being near Liam.

If things had gone wrong, she might have even tried to attack Liam right there.

And Liam had specifically chosen this knight to bring along.

(Seriously, give me a break, Lord Liam! Why, of all people, did you have to bring her on such an important day?!)

His stomach aching, Klaus stood tall, holding it in as he straightened his back.

◇

For Cleo, his first meeting with Liam was a shock.

"A pleasure to meet you, Your Highness."

"—I've been wanting to meet you, Count."

As a member of the imperial family, Cleo had seen all sorts of people, but Liam's presence and aura made him momentarily speechless.

Occasionally, there are people who just "have it."

Superior abilities, great luck, and something incomprehensible to ordinary people.

Possessing even one of these was like a promise of success, but the man before him, Liam, had them all.

Cleo, being a trained man himself, understood immediately.

(If I were to draw my sword, even as a joke, I'd be killed in an instant.)

When he glanced at his own guard, Lysithea, he could see that while her expression was stern, she was flustered.

Liam sat down in a chair and began to speak, his attitude a bit rough for addressing royalty.

"Normally, we'd exchange greetings and small talk, but I don't have time. Let's get straight to the point. —What do you want?"

Being suddenly asked what he wanted, Cleo felt indignant, as if he were a beggar.

However, he quickly calmed down.

(Well, I suppose I am a beggar. Right now, I have nothing to offer the Count in return.)

As Cleo also took a seat, his eldest daughter, 【Cecilia Noah Albarate】, acted as a server and prepared tea.

Liam drank it without a hint of suspicion.

"You have steady nerves, Count."

Hearing this, Liam laughed.

"What's the point of being surprised by something like this?"

His words sounded as if he was saying that someone like Cleo was nothing to be afraid of.

And in fact, that was probably the case.

It seemed Lysithea was slightly displeased, but she didn't interrupt the conversation.

"I can't keep a busy man like you, Count, for too long. Then, here is my proposal. Join my faction and support me. In return, when I become emperor, you can have whatever you desire. But there's a high chance this will end up as an empty promise."

Both Cecilia and Lysithea were surprised by Cleo's attitude.

Liam's expression didn't change.

(Now, what will he do? If he gets angry and leaves, that's fine too.)

He couldn't figure out what Liam wanted.

That was the most frightening part.

However, it seemed Liam had taken an interest in Cleo's honesty.

"I like it. I like that you don't speak in empty platitudes. That's right. The current Prince Cleo probably can't offer me anything in return."

It was Cleo who had requested a more casual conversation.

He had no intention of reprimanding Liam for his impoliteness.

"It's the truth. I have no power. I'd like to hear what you seek from someone like me, and why you would support me."

"The answer is simple. It's to make you the emperor."

"What?"

Is this guy serious? Cleo stared at Liam in astonishment.

Whether it was due to immense confidence, Liam didn't flinch in the slightest.

"Are you sane? My position is a special one, you know."

"I've heard. That's precisely why I chose you. It wasn't you who chose me, but I who chose you. This part is important."

His arrogant attitude was beyond exasperating; it was almost inspiring respect.

"You're quite confident."

"We've already started a conflict with His Highness Prince Linus, you see. There's no turning back for us now."

Even as he said this, Liam seemed completely at ease.

"With my elder brother?"

"We will support you in earnest. Prince Cleo, please don't hesitate to ask me for anything. Anything you need to seriously become the emperor, that is."

He had heard Liam was a prodigy, but he was a man who surpassed the rumors.

Cleo felt his heart burn with a passion he hadn't felt in a long time.

(What an interesting man. There are confident men in the court, but none with such unwavering self-assurance. Even my brother Linus is anxious about whether he can become emperor.)

Cleo decided to bet his life on Liam.

"Let me give you my answer from before, Count. What I want is almost everything. Funds, personnel, and military power."

To increase Cleo's influence, not only vast funds but also manpower were necessary.

And the military power of the Banfield house was absolutely essential.

Liam answered while sipping his tea.

"While I'm on the capital planet, I have three thousand ships on standby at a nearby planet. If you need them now, I can move that fleet."

Upon hearing the number three thousand, Lysithea was astonished by its size.

To have three thousand ships freely at his disposal was an extraordinary offer for the current Cleo.

"Three thousand!? I-I mean, excuse me."

Seeing Lysithea hastily shut her mouth, Liam was amused.

"Oh, is that not enough? Then, I'll summon twelve thousand ships. Please use them to your heart's content to demonstrate Prince Cleo's might."

Hearing that number, Lysithea was left speechless.

Cleo was the same.

"—I am grateful. But will I be able to command such a large number?"

"I'd be troubled if you couldn't. Ah, perfect timing. I have a knight who's rather free at the moment. I'll place one of them by Your Highness's side. She can also serve as a liaison with me."

When Liam offered to place one of his knights by Cleo's side, a holographic image appeared in the air.

The faces of two knights appeared, and Liam chose one of them.

"Her name is Christiana. Her personality aside, she's an excellent knight, so please work her to the bone."

It was Lysithea who was surprised to hear the name Christiana.

"Christiana? Commodore Christiana!?"

When Cleo looked at Lysithea, she closed her mouth, looking embarrassed.

"—Is she famous, sister?"

Cleo addressed his sister, who kept interrupting the conversation.

Liam didn't seem to mind.

In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.

"Y-yes. She is a female knight who graduated from the military academy with outstanding grades. She is also highly regarded as a civil official and should have received numerous offers to become a direct vassal of the Empire."

To so easily place such a talented individual by Cleo's side.

That meant that the personnel Liam commanded were largely exceptional.

"Are you sure you can part with such a knight?"

When Cleo asked, Liam answered with a lack of interest.

"I don't mind. Shall I prepare others as well?"

Immense funds.

And exceptional personnel.

Finally, military power—and he even sent over the talent to utilize it all.

Cleo felt a shiver run down his spine.

(He certainly lives up to his name as a prodigy. But once I become emperor, what will this man demand afterward?)

"I don't want to talk too much about the future, but with what should I repay my debt to you, Count?"

A smile appeared on Liam's face at Cleo's words.

He was providing this much support.

Naturally, he would demand something in return.

An important post in the Empire?

Or perhaps—.

"I just want to do as I please back in my home territory. If you'll approve that, I'll make you the emperor."

—Cleo tilted his head.

"Is that all? Is that truly the only reason you would lend me your strength, Count?"

"Of course. Naturally, I'll be taking my share of the sweet profits, too. Let's cooperate and get along, shall we?"

He was being evasive.

Cleo sensed this and felt a sense of unease about the future.

(Does he intend to rule the Empire from the shadows? But perhaps that's not so bad. A man like this would probably do a much better job than I ever could.)

Even a simple investigation quickly revealed Liam's reputation as a wise lord.

He wouldn't know until he tried entrusting it to him, but the country would likely become far better than if he were to rule it himself.

"—First, we must focus on survival. Count, let us discuss your reward after that."

(Either way, once I survive, things will go this man's way. It's probably pointless to decide on a reward at this stage.)

Liam drained his tea and stood up.

"Let's do that. Prince Cleo, let us meet again."

Watching Liam's departing back, Cleo trembled.

(—Fearing my brothers, I sought help, but I may have just dragged an unbelievable man into the war for succession.)

Brian (´ω｀) "I've found a fellow stomach-ache sufferer. This Brian is delighted, despite his age."

Klaus :(；゛゜'ω゜'): "My stomach hurts so baaaad!"