Sword Emperor, Becoming the Young Lady of a Viscount House

Chapter 63: Calm Before the Storm (1)

“The words of the Viscount's daughter, whom you all so disregarded, were correct.”

“……”

The Crown Prince swept his gaze over the nobles, as though finding them amusing.

However, the nobles also had their grievances.

‘Who could have imagined such a thing? This is simply absurd.’

The control device was an artifact that had disappeared since the Age of Magic.

It was an artifact created from a mineral called 'Eternium.'

This Eternium was not only scarce but also subject to immediate isolation upon discovery.

This was a law established jointly by all the continents.

Though there were occasional rumors of small amounts of Eternium being smuggled to make illegal swords, using it on a national scale was inconceivable.

“…How could…”

One of the elders opened his mouth heavily.

“How could a mere viscount's daughter uncover such a fact? Logically, this does not make sense.”

It wasn’t without reason that the elders had dismissed Beatrice’s report.

It lacked credibility.

It was merely a report from a sixteen-year-old girl, filled with seemingly absurd and highly unrealistic content.

Expecting action based solely on such a report was unreasonable.

And in this case…

…Even if they had known, they wouldn’t have been able to prevent it.

Only Arvanceco could have stopped this disaster.

“Are you admitting that you are inferior to a mere sixteen-year-old girl?”

Luel sneered as he spoke.

“If Arvanceco had not taken this report seriously, Krapos would have been in great danger.”

“We are ashamed, Your Highness.”

“That’s enough. Well, I didn’t take it all that seriously myself. I only left room for the possibility.”

Although Luel was somewhat aware of Beatrice's abilities, he hadn’t fully trusted the report.

Even to him, much of it seemed implausible.

“…Then, why are you so certain that Central is behind this? If the information is wrong, Krapos will face severe backlash.”

Using a control device was a serious crime.

If it was used on a national scale, the empire would not stand by idly.

The Prime Empire, which held the continent’s hegemony tightly in its grasp, would never tolerate such a variable.

The control device was not omnipotent either.

While it could restrict mana and spirits, it couldn’t withstand an overwhelming numerical advantage.

“It’s Rockefeller’s information, so it must be accurate.”

“…!”

At the mention of Rockefeller, the nobles' expressions changed immediately.

Count Rockefeller’s family.

The most mysterious family in Krapos, possessing immense wealth and power.

Their intelligence network, in particular, was reputed to surpass even that of the empire.

It was said they could identify the species of birds flying overhead after only a few days.

“…If it’s Rockefeller’s information, then it must be reliable.”

They had no choice but to accept it.

“By the way.”

The Marquess of Edelttaine asked curiously.

“It’s been quite some time since we’ve seen the head of the Rockefeller family.”

“Hmm, now that you mention it, it’s been about 20 years…”

The Elder Council.

A meeting in which only the influential families of Krapos could participate and which decided national affairs, of course, included Rockefeller.

Yet, the head of the Rockefeller family hadn’t shown their face for almost 20 years.

This only added to their aura of mystique.

“What has the head of the Rockefeller family been up to lately?”

“Hmm, I have no idea. I was quite young during the time Rockefeller was active myself.”

“…It’s not surprising. They’ve never been one to take action personally.”

The Marquess of Edelttaine threw out a topic to wrap up the meeting.

“Let’s inform the empire, Your Highness.”

It was a reasonable statement.

Now that a control device had surfaced, Krapos couldn’t handle it alone.

They had to join forces with the empire.

“Do you think the empire will just stand by? Those snake-like beings will pounce on us, the fools caught in between. We mustn’t give them an excuse.”

“But, Your Highness, we have no other choice.”

“Why wouldn’t we?”

Luel spoke quietly.

“We just have to win.”

“We don’t even know how many control devices the enemy has in their possession…!”

Krapos had already lost a significant number of troops in a recent civil war.

The only advantage they had in a war against Central was the elite knight orders nurtured over a long time by each family.

In other words, Krapos’ strength lay in quality. However, most of their regular forces had been lost in the civil war.

“We have no chance. If we lose our main forces to the control devices…”

That would undoubtedly be the end.

“If war breaks out like this, we must ask the empire for help. Prime is the homeland of our forebears. If the child cries out in danger, the parent will help.”

“That accursed empire. That empire.”

Luel glared coldly.

“Aren’t you tired of this?”

“There are tides of fate that cannot be resisted, Your Highness. Prime is the ocean, and we are but a river. How can a river defy the ocean?”

But the nobles didn’t back down easily.

‘I thought I had cut them to the core.’

Luel’s brow furrowed.

The Aristocratic Faction leaned toward Prime, while the Royal Faction opposed it.

The recent civil war had nearly wiped out the Aristocratic Faction.

Thus, those who could speak out in the Elder Council were mostly from the Royal Faction.

The one making a fuss now about reporting to the empire was the Marquess of Edelttaine—a Royalist.

“Moreover, didn’t you say a Master was discovered during the recent battle? That means Central has at least two Masters. Fighting a war in this state is suicide, Your Highness. We must seek the empire’s aid.”

Luel ignored the advice decisively.

Of course, he wasn’t unaware of the dangers.

Indeed, a war under these circumstances posed significant risks.

‘These people know only one thing but not the other. If we seek the empire’s help, we’re merely prolonging our lives by a little.’

However, the current emperor of the empire was an ambitious man.

Luel knew this firsthand, having met him in person.

Using a control device was a grave crime.

No country would let it slide, and the empire would undoubtedly lead the charge.

The empire would quickly swallow Central. Once they digested it, Krapos would be next.

From the perspective of the strong, creating a justification to strike the weak was easier than flipping one’s hand.

Shaking his head, he looked at Arvanceco and spoke.

“What are your thoughts, Lord?”

Carde spoke in a very soft voice.

“This is a war we must fight.”

“…Your Excellency.”

‘As expected, Arvanceco is different.’

Luel smirked.

In this chaotic Elder Council, he was a ray of light.

“Any objections?”

“……”

“…Then, the meeting is concluded. The plan remains unchanged. Proceed with war preparations diligently.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

‘When I spoke, they didn’t listen. Yet, they fell silent with a single word from Arvanceco.’

Luel felt bitter.

Though he was entrusted with the king’s authority, he was still merely the Crown Prince.

In practice, he held the king’s position, but publicly, he was not the king.

Though he understood, he couldn’t help but feel bitter.

‘The future of Krapos is bleak.’

Even in these circumstances, seeing the nobles steeped in their cursed traditions and pretenses only fueled his anger.

“I’ll be leaving now. Please forgive my rudeness.”

Arvanceco stood up abruptly.

Luel spoke with the intention of sharing a meal.

“Lord, if it’s not urgent, won’t you join me for dinner? I heard the chef is in excellent condition today.”

“I apologize, Your Highness.”

Carde replied courteously.

“There are two children waiting for me at home. I must return quickly.”

**

Beatrice was quite dissatisfied.

“I’m perfectly fine!”

She shot up from her bed and shouted.

“So, there’s no need for this! Send me to the battlefield, the battlefield!”

Beatrice had her arm wrapped tightly in bandages.

She waved her right hand frantically, unable to endure the itchiness.

“Hey, don’t move.”

Seria replied firmly.

She let out a deep sigh and grabbed Beatrice’s arm.

-Struggle, struggle.

Beatrice was trying her best to break free.

As Seria’s eyes narrowed.

-Smack.

She slapped Beatrice’s forearm.

“Stop it.”

“…Now even nobles are being hit.”

“…I hate to remind you, but my status is higher than yours, Beatrice. You should be grateful we didn’t meet at the tea garden.”

“……”

Seria was the daughter of the Marquess of Edelttaine.

She wasn’t exaggerating about her higher status than Beatrice.

Though priests were required to relinquish their titles, it was mostly symbolic.

Just as one would address a noble’s child without an inherited title formally, the same applied to priests.

No noble would foolishly call a formal priest like Seria a “commoner.”

Only nobles could become formal priests, after all.

Beatrice opened her eyes wide.

‘My authority… my authority is crumbling!’

[Shouldn’t you have just listened to her? She’s obviously a competent priest.]

As Solid pointed out, Seria began scolding her.

“What did I tell you?”

Beatrice replied in a barely audible voice.

“…Don’t overdo it. B-but it was an unavoidable situation.”

-Sigh.

Seria let out a deep sigh, filling her lungs with air.

Then she exhaled.

“Unavoidable? You should’ve taken care of yourself beforehand. If you had listened to me earlier, you wouldn’t be in this state from a little overexertion yesterday. How could someone act like this? I’m still a priest, yet you ignore the words of a priest? No wonder Duke Arvanceco had to drag you away!”

Beatrice’s head spun.

“War? Talking about war? Worry about your wrist before the war! Do you want to lose the ability to hold a sword for life?!”

But this was not something Beatrice could let slide.

She wasn’t a fool without plans. Even if her right wrist completely failed, she had a solution.

Beatrice declared boldly.

“I can fight with my left hand!”

Seria’s gaze filled with menace.

-Flinch.

[Young Beatrice, now I see. You’re the type to ask for trouble.]

For the next thirty minutes, Beatrice had to endure more scolding.

The only reason it stopped was because of a knock on the door.

-Knock, knock.

“Beatrice! Papa’s here.”

**

“The future of Krapos looks grim.”

Beatrice gracefully sliced her steak.

“An unsettling aura shrouds the kingdom. Even the birds in flight tremble in fear and fall from the sky. The omens of war are not favorable.”

“…I see.”

-Slice, slice.

“Airy.”

“Yes.” Airy adorably swallowed the steak Carde had cut for her.

-Chew, chew.

“It’s delicious, Papa.”

“Finish eating before you talk.”

Carde, with his usual stoic expression, wiped Airy’s mouth with his hand.

Though cold-hearted to others, his deep affection for Airy was evident in this moment.

“If this continues, a great disaster will occur. I can vividly hear the cries of innocent people. Just a week ago, it wasn’t like this. There was hope. The omens of war were favorable. But ever since Your Excellency confined me here…”

“Airy, eat this too.”

“But, but I don’t like vegetables.”

“You have to eat them anyway.”

“…Because Papa said so. Okay.”

“……”

-Clink.

Beatrice couldn’t hold back and put down her knife.

“Are you listening?”

She spoke through clenched teeth.

Carde nodded.

“So, what is it you wish to say?”

“Ahem.”

Beatrice cleared her throat.

“The God of War, Solid, appeared to me in a dream yesterday. ‘Beatrice, the battlefield needs you. Join the war at all costs.’”

[I-I never said such a thing!]

Solid was flabbergasted.

[Using a god’s name for personal gain… how blasphemous!]

Realizing he’d been used, he became angry.

Of course, Beatrice didn’t listen at all.

“Although this girl suffered a very, very minor… injury to her right arm. A warrior must overcome such things on their own…”

“Beatrice.”

“Yes, Your Excellency.”

Though he was her uncle, Beatrice wasn’t oblivious.

She had a secret about her birth that couldn’t be revealed to outsiders.

Whenever outsiders were present, she always addressed him as “Your Excellency.”

Though she usually spoke informally, she even used formal language with the Duke.

Because he was her uncle? Because of his high status?

That was part of it, but the main reason was…

“Go wash up and get some sleep.”

‘Damn, he really doesn’t buy anything I say.’

She wanted to get on Carde’s good side to escape this prison-like mansion.

“It’s not bedtime yet.”

Beatrice retorted sharply.

The sun had just barely passed its zenith.

“Sick children need to sleep early.”

“B-Beatrice. Today, will you… sleep with me?”

Even in this situation, Airy blushed and asked shyly.

“……”

Beatrice ultimately gave in.

“…Fine.”

Of course, there was no such thing as giving up in Beatrice’s dictionary.

She would try again tomorrow.