NOVEL NEXT Chapter 14
The banquet held at the residence of Marquis Robgon has come to an end.
Everyone in attendance bids farewell with smiles on their faces.
“….”
However, among them, only Crown Prince Gnaius couldn’t bring himself to do the same.
He barely managed to nod in response to others’ farewells.
Seeing this odd scene, the nobles instinctively took a step back.
No matter how good-natured the prince might be, it’s best to steer clear when he’s in a foul mood.
“Sigh.”
Even after getting into the carriage, the prince’s expression didn’t soften.
“Your Highness, do you perhaps remember the day the Imperial Army, of which Your Highness the Princess and I were a part, entered the territory?”
The conversation he had earlier with Kael lingered in his ears.
“As Your Highness said, my strategies have allowed the Imperial Army to return without any significant battles. While morale is high, it would be an exaggeration to say, ‘We won!’”
“Nevertheless, the citizens showered the Army with praises and cheers upon their return. They even gathered to sing songs, mocking Nobogord with lyrics they crafted themselves.”
“That spectacle felt much like it was a grand victory for our Imperial Army. Perhaps they wanted to believe that they had achieved such a level of triumph, Your Highness.”
Recalling that moment, it was indeed true. Everyone in the territory was immensely excited.
It wasn’t that they had won the victory without suffering any losses.
Whether they had suffered or not, in the end, it was about having achieved a ‘victory.’
Yes. Our Empire has fought many wars and countless battles.
It’s only natural that we have lost battles. However, every war has been a victory for the Empire.
Even in encounters, we usually come out on top. Even if we lose, we will soon repay it with victorious tidings.
There may be moments when the enemy can hold their own and claim an advantage, or even win.
But victory itself will never be relinquished into the enemy’s hands.
Our Empire is certainly not a declining sun. That is the sentiment of the current citizens.
“So allow me to ask you this, Your Highness. When you declare in front of such citizens, ‘We must cease any further wars,’ if the opposing side mentions ‘past glories,’ what will happen when the Empire retreats? Those enemies, who have been overshadowed by those glories till now, will rise again. What say you?”
Upon hearing that, the prince finally began to recognize his own shortcomings.
After all, it is the hearts of people that decide everything. That was something he had never considered until now.
‘This is frustrating.’
It’s not just because the opposing faction could leverage the leftward faction’s aggression against us.
Kael. He must have seen this all along. And he even offered advice as if doing a favor.
No matter how the opposing side might levy an offensive, they could theoretically respond without much difficulty.
“Lastly, Your Highness, there exists a critical blind spot in your assertion. Just because our Empire extends its hand, who can assure that they will grasp it?”
“If you believe that the outcome will be decided based on weighing benefits and losses, you are mistaken. The most crucial factor in determining the course of events is ultimately the heart of the people. Nothing other than the essence of humanity.”
Just as the citizens of the Empire cannot give up the glories of the past and the present.
The instant that happens, their pride, the very foundation of their belief that the Empire holds a superior position over them, will vanish.
They may prefer a balanced tension with the Empire rather than aligning with it.
There have been past grievances. If they were to grasp that, it would confirm their inferiority.
‘Still, we are living well without yielding to the Empire.’ Losing such pride is unacceptable.
It’s not about the balance of gains and losses. In the end, emotion will prevail over reason.
“…Still…”
I dislike the idea of giving up without even a fight. Something about it feels incredibly unjust.
Let’s at least check. I want to see with my own eyes whether the citizens will express such reactions.
Who knows? They may show interest in eating and living well now.
Yes. Like Kael said, one never knows the heart of a person. So perhaps the citizens may…
‘What a timing, though.’
Having achieved a decisive victory over Nobogord and in a situation where everyone exclaims, ‘Indeed, those Demon Tribe bastards are strong!’
If, from that position, I claim that ‘the Empire must now engage in dialogue,’ who would take that seriously?
“Prince Kael. How far do you see ahead?”
What a shame. I absolutely must bring that person to our side.
The prince could only click his tongue in frustration as he thought about it.
*
“Prince Kael.”
The princess, who was walking ahead, suddenly stopped and called out to me.
I nearly bumped into her. Your Highness, stopping so abruptly is dangerous!
“Have you been observing everything this closely?”
“Your Highness?”
“Honestly, I’ll admit it. I was a bit shaken for a moment. My brother, the Crown Prince. I thought of the leftward faction as mere cowards, but that wasn’t the case. They presented their own reasons, justifications, and visions for the future.”
Is it because she was shaken by the fact that she, a supporter of the rightward faction and military, felt this way?
The princess seemed visibly upset, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.
What a pure-hearted person. In fact, that’s not a bad trait. It shows she has the ability to listen to the words of dissent.
“I barely got my wits back, but it’s already too late. If it weren’t for you, Prince Kael, I might have been the one getting convinced.”
“It’s alright, Your Highness. Rather, doesn’t that mean you are now ready to listen to others’ opinions?”
“…Are you saying I’m some kind of fool who easily swallows what I hear?”
“If you were truly that easily swayed, you wouldn’t have made it this far.”
Of course. Does she think being a supporter of a faction is something anyone can do?
Nobles aren’t fools. Just because they’re part of the military doesn’t mean they are uninterested in the political world.
If there were any real flaw in the princess, would anyone dare to receive her into their backing?
“Rather, I found it truly impressive how you kept offering opposing arguments even against a prince like His Highness.”
“…Hearing that from a genius gives me a bit of comfort.”
“I’ve told you numerous times that I’m not a genius.”
“I am merely someone who speaks whatever comes to mind.”
“Prince Kael, do you really think that will happen?”
“Whether it will come true depends on you.”
“The citizens moving that way, you mean?”
“Well, I can’t say I know for sure.”
“…What?”
The astonished princess blinked at me in disbelief.
It felt as if she was questioning whether what she heard was truly real.
“I… don’t know? What does that mean?”
“It means just what it says. Economic reasons and matters of pride. How will the citizens react between those? My answer to that is, ‘I cannot know. I don’t have an answer.’ Your Highness the Princess.”
“But! Just a moment ago, didn’t you speak with such conviction about it!?”
I shook my head. How could that be possible? Certainty in people’s hearts?
There’s a saying: “You can know the depths of water but never the depths of a heart.”
This is merely a prediction, and I only pressured the prince based on that.
“So… when it comes to discussing the hearts of people, nothing can be said with certainty.”
“Even in undoubtedly obvious situations, people may harbor doubts, and in situations demanding skepticism, they may believe with absolute certainty. That’s merely human nature.”
“With that one point, you spoke to my brother and managed to sway him in an instant?”
At that, the princess suddenly stared at me intently.
I was about to ask why she was looking at me that way when her next words came out faster.
“You used that psychology against Nobogord too, didn’t you? Along with various situations and pressuring enemies. A strategy to glean the maximum advantage.”
“Uh… Well, I suppose that’s somewhat accurate.”
Is it similar? I’m not sure. At that time, I was just recalling a memory from my past life.
It was merely an attempt at replication at a similar level.
There was no brilliant strategy or any keen insight into human behavior.
“I predict that the leftward faction will start moving within a few days.”
“Indeed. Considering they’ve achieved a victory without combat, this is an excellent starting point for change. I believe the citizens will find it persuasive.”
“Just act accordingly, Your Highness. There are instances where psychological aspects can hold far more power than practical considerations.”
The princess nodded her head in agreement.
“Prince Kael, I have one question for you.”
“Feel free to ask.”
“While ultimately agreeing with your brother’s conclusion, what’s the reason for reining in the leftward faction?”
What a natural question. It goes without saying that it’s for our family’s sake, doesn’t it?
Having only advanced as the Bertier Imperial House so far, will I now allow the leftward faction to rise?
I could very well show my parents that our family’s influence is waning.
“That’s—”
Of course, it would be a bit burdensome to say it outright.
Therefore, I decided to give an answer that suits my current image.
“His Highness’s plan is, for now, premature. It would be wiser to establish reality first before sketching ideals.”
“…Hypothetically speaking, Prince Kael, if what you said happens to be right this time, I might have to take a short trip with you.”
“Excuse me?”
What does that mean? A trip? You should at least tell me the destination!
“Your Highness? Princess?”
Ah, it appears I’ve gone too far. Still, considering our family, I figured the rightward faction might be better than the leftward faction.
I supported the princess for that reason, but if we turn this way, it’s quite concerning!