I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

…Though I’d somewhat expected it, hearing it actually happened left me dumbfounded.

“Did Vestol kidnap him or something?”

“No, it’s not that…”

Helmut couldn’t continue at Blaiher’s question.

His face betrayed a whirlwind of emotions.

“Did he walk in on his own?”

“…As you said, Count Valheit.”

Helmut nodded at my question.

I could roughly picture the situation.

The Emperor must’ve shown up at the embassy begging for help, and they let him in but kept the Imperial Guard outside, citing diplomatic protocol.

The Emperor might think he’s being protected and have no complaints, but for the Eslick Empire, it’s as if their Emperor was suddenly taken prisoner.

“The Imperial Guard tried to contact His Majesty, but the Vestol embassy refused. Some suggested forcing entry to rescue him, but…”

“That wouldn’t end as a mere diplomatic dispute.”

I decided not to mention that Vestol was distracted with other matters.

There was no need to give the Imperial Guard an excuse to storm the embassy.

“You’re here asking us to solve it because the Imperial Guard can’t, right? Just beg for help honestly.”

“The Imperial Guard still serves His Majesty. Not the puppet you’ve put forward.”

Helmut raised his voice at the light provocation.

Blaiher’s expression didn’t change despite the insult thrown in his face.

“How can we assist you?”

“Get His Majesty out of the Vestol embassy.”

“He seems to have walked in himself—what could we do?”

“There must be people in the palace office or Bureaucrats’ Street friendly with Vestol.

Use them…”

“You’re saying we should mobilize Empire resources for someone who walked into an enemy nation’s embassy?”

Blaiher cut him off calmly, and Helmut’s eyes twitched slightly.

‘This is getting interesting.’

“Can someone who begged Vestol for help and ended up in their arms be called an Emperor?”

“You seem to think you’re the Emperor, but His Majesty is the only true Emperor.”

“You can think of it as the Empire’s subjects’ opinion. Should we use the Empire’s resources for such an Emperor?”

Honest Helmut couldn’t bring himself to say yes.

Even the most loyal Imperial Guard couldn’t defend the Emperor’s disastrous judgment.

Watching him struggle to find a counterargument was almost pitiful.

Unlike me, I don’t enjoy watching others suffer, so I figured I’d cut it off here.

“Now, now, let’s not get too heated. I don’t like seeing the Emperor held by Vestol either, do I?”

Helmut looked at me with puzzled eyes.

It wasn’t a surprising reaction.

“I’m not saying I support your side. I’m just worried about what Vestol might do with that fool.”

“Haa…”

Helmut sighed heavily, clutching his head.

“I agree we don’t know what Vestol will do.”

“Glad we see eye to eye. Let’s talk terms.”

“No condition that harms His Majesty will be accepted by the Imperial Guard.”

Of course not. Conceding that would negate the Imperial Guard’s purpose.

I had no intention of demanding that. At least not now…

“I demand the Imperial Guard disarm.”

“Impossible.”

Helmut shot back firmly the moment I finished.

“Then you’ll just camp outside the embassy? That doesn’t make me want to negotiate.”

“It’s a valid point, but if the Imperial Guard lays down arms, who will protect His Majesty?”

“You’re facing the reality that no one but the Imperial Guard supports the Emperor. That’s good.”

“……”

Even at my blatant sarcasm, Helmut showed no reaction.

I could feel his resolve to negotiate any terms slightly favorable to the Emperor, despite insults.

“You’re asking so-called traitors for help without even considering disarming? Why not come back with the basic posture for negotiation?”

“No condition that harms His Majesty can be accepted.”

The conversation ran parallel.

This tug-of-war might take longer than expected.

“Both of you, stop. This isn’t getting anywhere.”

At Blaiher’s point, Helmut, who’d been glaring at me angrily, took a deep breath and regained his composure.

“I’m not rejecting Count Valheit’s proposal out of pride. We just need assurance for His Majesty’s safety.”

“I understand. Count Valheit, may I propose a compromise?”

“Of course, Your Majesty.”

Helmut’s eyebrows twitched at “Your Majesty,” but he held his tongue this time.

His gaze fixed on Blaiher, who’d offered to mediate.

“I acknowledge there’s not enough trust to accept disarmament. So, I won’t demand it, but the Imperial Guard needs to give up something.”

“As long as it doesn’t violate our conditions, we’ll accept.”

“Except for one representative to negotiate, I want the rest of the Imperial Guard to return to the palace.”

“Return?”

I was as surprised as Helmut.

It sounded like giving up the hard-won palace.

“Staying near the embassy will be seen as a threat by Vestol, so you need to move. With us controlling the capital and most of the Imperial Army staying neutral, the Imperial Guard has few places to go.”

“So you’re saying return to the palace? Even if it means being surrounded by the enemy?”

“When everyone’s abandoned the Emperor, the Imperial Guard is surrounded wherever it goes. The palace, where you have a foundation, is better.”

Helmut fell into thought.

He seemed to be weighing the pros and cons of returning to the palace.

“Plus, if the Imperial Guard returns, the anxious capital citizens will feel the situation’s stabilized.”

“Then what’s in it for you? The Imperial Guard returning could take you hostage.”

A valid point.

If Helmut hadn’t said it, I would’ve.

If the Imperial Guard accepted Blaiher’s proposal, paradoxically, Blaiher would be the one in danger.

“There’s not much gain. But I don’t think I’ll lose anything either.”

“May I ask why?”

“Because I believe the Imperial Guard won’t take a reckless gamble that could throw the Empire into chaos.”

Blaiher said, meeting his gaze directly.

Unlike my words, always tinged with mockery, his tone was upright and honest.

Helmut, who’d been pressing, was left speechless.

It wasn’t easy to argue with that bold gaze.

After a long silence, Helmut finally spoke.

“…I’ll discuss it and return.”

“I hope it doesn’t take too long. If the Emperor flees into exile, it’ll be trouble for everyone.”

Words that would’ve normally set him off, but Helmut left without a word.

After Helmut left, I asked Blaiher.

“Are you really planning to stand alone amidst the Imperial Guard?”

“No way. I never said I’d withdraw Chartra’s forces. If they care about the Emperor’s safety, they won’t charge recklessly.”

“Your way with words has improved, Your Majesty.”

I’d planned to warn him if he was acting out of pure trust, but there was no need.

He was already a full-fledged politician.

“Who are you sending to negotiate?”

“You, of course, Teacher. Who else?”

“As you command.”

Joseph was busy filling his father’s shoes, and Hendrick was tied up lording it over Bureaucrats’ Street.

Til… was never suited for negotiations, and something else came up for her.

“I’ll tell Til to stick with you as an escort. She’s probably just polishing her sword with nothing to do.”

“Do as you like. Oh, about eliminating the Emperor…”

I’d planned to leave it to Til, but things had changed, so I had to adjust.

“I’ll handle it myself.”

* * *

Perhaps because the Imperial Guard camped outside the Vestol embassy had just left, the embassy’s security was far stricter than before.

Unlike last time, when they wore light gear, the guards were now heavily armed.

They looked even sharper with someone in an Imperial Guard uniform standing next to me.

“Stop scowling. No need to sour things, is there?”

“I’ll try.”

Helmut replied stiffly.

He clearly had no intention of stopping the staring contest.

I’d hoped for a more reasonable Imperial Guard, but of course, it’s a rigid Chartra.

“Are you really here to negotiate?”

“Why else would I be here?”

His matter-of-fact reply left me deflated.

As we glared at each other, I glanced at the Status Window.

[Relationships]

▶ Chartra Family (-22)

Helmut didn’t seem to have a separate Relationship entry, lumped under the Chartra Family, but the lack of change suggested his opinion didn’t carry much weight.

The problem was elsewhere.

[Relationships]

▶ Vestol Embassy in the Eslick Empire (-34 / Worsening!)

(+) Agreed to mediate the conflict with Charnirasho!

(--) Send the Imperial Guard to our side!

They must be seriously mistaken.

‘Why do they think I sent the Imperial Guard?’

I had a strong feeling the negotiation would be tough.

We’d been facing off for over ten minutes with no response from the ambassador.

I was starting to worry we wouldn’t even get a foot in the door when a guard, likely the captain, stepped forward.

“The ambassador will meet you both. You must follow our escort without exception.”

After an almost excessive search, we were surrounded by Vestol guards and allowed into the embassy.

As we entered the lobby, the ambassador’s grim face came into view.

Surprisingly, he didn’t bring the Emperor.

“Welcome.”

His formal greeting carried tension.

It was natural, assuming I’d sent the Imperial Guard.

“Where is His Majesty the Emperor?”

Helmut growled.

I stepped in before the mood got worse.

“We’re just here to check on the Emperor’s condition. Internal affairs are quite complicated.”

“His Majesty is resting in the VIP room. Frankly, I question your intentions, Count.”

“Me? What did I do?”

I replied playfully, but the ambassador’s expression didn’t soften.

I got the gist. The Emperor must’ve spouted nonsense, and the ambassador believed it for now.

“I hope you realize this situation alone could cause a diplomatic incident.”

“You mean a dethroned Emperor hiding in a foreign embassy? Quite the issue.”

My sarcasm darkened the ambassador’s face further.

To take control, I needed to press harder.

“The Imperial Guard has withdrawn for now, but depending on His Majesty’s safety, they could mobilize again.”

I didn’t know if Helmut meant to, but he backed me up.

After a moment’s thought, the ambassador gestured for us to follow.

Surrounded by guards again, we reached the VIP room, where he let out a long sigh.

“Don’t provoke him. He’s on edge.”

No subject, but it was clear who he meant.

As the door opened, someone sat in the dimly lit room.

Haggard after just a day, but his eyes still gleamed with the last shred of pride.

The Emperor’s face contorted upon seeing me.

“You traitor! How dare you show your face?”

Watching the screaming Emperor, I thought he was like a wild beast.

Amid the torrent of curses, one thought circled my mind.

How should I end this beast’s life?