NOVEL NEXT Ch. 50
The regular Council of Dukes meeting brought crowds to the Imperial Capital Conference Hall.
Normally, only political enthusiasts or nobles with stakes attended, but this time, various people came.
‘With an Emperor emerging from Schwaben, its natural interest would surge.’
Overlooking the entrants, Johann Geller stroked his beard.
It was much better than just idle nobles or greedy businessmen coming.
Weeks had passed since Blaiher effectively became Emperor, and the resulting chaos had mostly subsided.
The military’s loyalty oaths were complete, so all that remained was announcing Blaiher as the legitimate heir at the Council of Dukes.
Replacing the incompetent Emperor was something Johann had also desired, so he had no objections to recognizing Blaiher as Emperor.
The problem was that Valheit’s influence had grown too much since Blaiher’s ascension.
During the coup, Geller and the other Dukes had contributed nothing beyond passive financial support.
They had planned to intervene if the chaos in the capital dragged on, but that opportunity never arose.
Their interests aligned for cooperation, but Valheit belonged to no faction.
He acted independently for his own reasons.
‘I’ve put insurance in place… but the options will depend on how he moves.’
It was unclear how Valheit felt about restoring the Council of Dukes’ authority, which the previous Emperor had arbitrarily diminished.
It was fortunate that Valheit had reached out first to meet.
It meant he had no intention of running wild with the new Emperor behind him.
“Oh… I’m a bit late. Have you been well?”
“Neither good nor bad.”
Johann replied flatly to the frivolous voice.
Valheit approached with his usual wry smile.
“That’s good news. As you know, the capital has been quite busy.”
“You handled it cleanly.”
“I know, so no need for compliments. Though the conclusion was a bit regrettable…”
“The conclusion being the Emperor’s death?”
“Well, it was wrapped up as a suicide. I planned to finish him myself, so it’s a pity.”
“Is that so?”
Valheit, who had made an exaggerated sad face, quickly returned to his usual cheerful demeanor.
“Let’s stop with the old tales. It’s dreary for old men to dwell on such things.”
“Any plans going forward?”
“Well, I’ll keep my place as the Imperial advisor, as always. Meddling gets tiresome after a while, doesn’t it?”
‘Stepping back….’
He typically didn’t interfere in politics unless it suited his interests, so it was like returning to normal.
“Planning a break?”
“Unfortunately, that seems difficult. I’ve got a lot of work, you see.”
“Anything I can help with, Count?”
A courtesy question.
He’d likely say it’s personal or he’d ask when needed.
“It would be an honor if the First Duke helped.”
“…Speak freely.”
I’d been too complacent thinking he’d fully step back from politics.
The old snake presented the bill sooner than expected.
“It’s not a difficult request, so no need to tense up. How could I dare trouble the First Duke?”
Valheit’s smile subtly changed after the quip.
A change only those long acquainted with this old snake would notice.
Definitely not a good sign.
“First, I’d like you to cooperate with the agenda His Majesty raises today. Honestly, it’s a bit embarrassing to call it a request.”
“What agenda?”
“His Majesty will explain it himself. It’s not for a mere advisor like me to prattle about.”
Since he said he’d step back from politics, it was a reasonable response.
Perhaps it was to bolster the illegitimate Emperor.
“And the other one?”
“Purely personal curiosity, unrelated to politics. You can refuse if you want.”
“No need to beat around the bush.”
“Then I’ll ask directly. Who killed the Emperor?”
Johann slowly turned his head, seeing Valheit’s playful expression waiting for an answer.
The bustle of the Imperial Capital Conference Hall filled the hallway.
“Wasn’t it a suicide?”
“We wrapped it up neatly as a suicide, but it was clearly murder. Someone butchered him.”
“In the Vestol embassy? If true, that’s a diplomatic issue.”
‘How much does he know to ask?’
Feigning surprise, Johann tried to glean clues from the inscrutable face, but it was no use.
“That’s not an answer to my question.”
“Sorry, but I only heard it from you just now.”
“Is that so? I thought the First Duke would know something…”
Victor said he left no trace of being followed.
Not just anyone, but Victor, the strongest Dagger of the Three Blades, so it couldn’t be wrong.
“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that question.”
“For now, we should bury it. For His Majesty and the Dukes.”
“Indeed.”
Seeing Valheit enunciate “Dukes” clearly, Johann was certain.
No proof, but he’d caught a whiff. Moving carelessly could put them in trouble.
‘Using the dead fool to shake things up, huh.’
Originally, he planned to raise suspicions of the former Emperor’s murder at today’s Council to pressure Blaiher… but he’d hold off.
“Then my requests are done. Good luck at the meeting today. Let’s keep it amicable.”
Valheit extended his hand for a shake. Meaning keep quiet for now?
“Understood. Let’s keep it amicable, Count.”
After the handshake, the two passed each other like strangers.
‘Where did the info leak? Victor said no witnesses, so perhaps the other Dukes… I need to silence them for now.’
Johann knew well what happened when acting rashly with Valheit as a variable.
* * *
In the Imperial Capital Royal Hospital, more people left dead than alive—it was an open secret.
The lower floors reeked of dying patients with various ailments.
But the upper-floor wards were clean, and the special rooms rivaled any noble mansion.
Bright sunlight and cool breezes filled this room, with doctors visiting almost excessively. Compared to the lower floors, it was hard to believe it was the same building.
For Werner Chartra, used to field hospitals, it was uncomfortably considerate, but knowing the lower floors’ state, I had no complaints… until an hour ago.
“Looks fine. Just whining.”
“Is that what you say to your father who was on death’s door, daughter?”
“Hahaha, my apologies for my rude subordinate, Lord Werner.”
“…Why are you here in the first place?”
Til’s visit was understandable.
Probably Joseph or Helmut nagged her to go.
But this guy next to her—why on earth…
I’d rather move my bed to the stinking first floor than be in the same room as these two.
“With so much happening in the capital while you were bedridden, I could only visit now.”
“No need to come.”
“Come on, how could I not? Right, Til?”
“Who says I wanted to come? I wouldn’t be here if Anne hadn’t asked me to visit her.”
“That’s what she says, Lord Werner.”
My healed side wound felt like it might reopen.
The doctor had said it was miraculous no organs were damaged, but surviving to see this made me wish I’d died.
“I’m no longer a Duke. If there’s business, go to Joseph.”
Today’s Council should’ve approved Blaiher’s ascension and Joseph’s succession as Fourth Duke.
So why were they here bothering me?
“That’s exactly why I came now that you’re not. Heard about today’s Council agenda?”
“No.”
“Vestol requested mediation from His Majesty and handed over a list of those in illegal business as payment.”
At “Vestol” and “list,” Werner shot up.
“Got the list?”
I grinned, and Til grumbled as she handed over a sheet.
Scanning the densely packed names, Werner’s face darkened.
“Just small fry? The ones I know alone are double this!”
“They’re the ones Vestol officially cut loose, so naturally small fry.”
“What did Blaiher… I mean, the new Emperor says?”
“He delegated it.”
“To whom?”
As Werner pressed, my grin widened.
The old man getting riled up was amusing.
“That’s why I’m here. You’ve been entrusted with full authority to handle this list.”
“…What?”
Til pulled out another document. Unlike the list, it was crisp, with a subtle, sharp scent.
Recognizing the paper used for Imperial Appointment Letters, Werner took it with a complicated expression.
The letter instructed to arrest only those on Vestol’s list.
“You’ll be disappointed, but if you purged at the scale you intended, Vestol would panic and cut ties.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“It says to arrest only those on the list, but it doesn’t say to investigate only them, does it?”
Werner stared at me for a long moment, then burst into hearty laughter, clutching his side soon after.
“I’m discharging myself.”
“That’s for the medical staff…”
Before I could finish, Werner stormed out.
Watching, Til clicked her tongue.
“He’s spry. He’ll live another 30 years.”
“Good for us, isn’t it?”
“Shameless, tricking an old man.”
“Tricking? Most on the list are genuinely Vestol’s bribed lackeys. I just slipped in a few who hinder the Eight Council.”
The Northern Federation’s Cesare-led illicit trade was a big part of the Eight Council’s finances.
Cutting competitors would boost income.
“We’ll need more money soon, so I’m paving the way.”
“For what?”
“What else? Our dear, constantly bickering comrades.”
“Oh, the professor and Avantnik. They do burn through cash.”
The only thing Professor Zain and Avantnik had in common was spending money like water.
One squandered it on experiment materials and equipment, the other on controlling tribes… or rather, indulging personal greed.
Unlike others, their constant borrowing from the Headquarters’ Finance Department aged the Finance Head rapidly whenever letters came from Vestol or Charnirasho.
“But can money solve it?”
“It can’t, so I brought in Blaiher to raise the stakes. Money’s just one tool.”
I sighed deeply and glanced aside.
Til didn’t notice, but I was looking at a screen.
[Relationships]
▶ Professor Zain (-87)
▶ Avantnik (-92)
‘Damn unpopular bastard.’
I muttered inwardly.