“Seeing that you ca all this way alone, it doesn't seem to be for an ordinary reason.”
Arthur entered the office with Ingenium.
Ingenium chuckled and sat in a chair.
Arthur also sat calmly, facing him across the table.
Ingenium looked at him and opened his mouth.
“You don't look like you're afraid of .”
“There's no reason to be. You couldn't have co here under the Emperor's orders, and besides, it's strange for anyone to see the heir secretly visiting , soone branded as a 'follower of the devil'.”
Ingenium replied with a flushed face.
“Not a bad guess.”
“Is it because you're young? You can't control your expression yet.”
“Hmph…”
Ingenium let out a groan, showing his displeasure.
Nevertheless, Arthur continued without batting an eye.
“Don't waste my ti. If you have sothing to say, say it. I'm not free enough to dawdle here.”
“How arrogant. No one has ever treated like you have.”
“You still haven't grasped the situation. You're not eting a subject; you're eting the head of the enemy. You should be grateful I'm not killing you. Got it, brat?”
“What did you say?”
Ingenium scowled.
Arthur smirked, leaned back in his chair, and crossed his legs.
“I'll give you one minute. Get your thoughts in order.”
“This bastard, to the very end!”
Ingenium shot up, shouting in anger.
“Ram!”
At his shout, Ram appeared to Arthur's left and thrust a dagger.
Just before the dagger reached Arthur's neck!
Ram grimaced and froze.
Then, he slowly lowered his head.
A weapon that had appeared from nowhere was poking his side.
It was the muzzle of the K1.
‘H-How…’
Bewildernt was clear on Ram's face.
Arthur looked at Ingenium and said calmly.
“Tell him to back off.”
Ingenium narrowed his eyes and asked.
“How long have you known?”
“From the beginning.”
“Damn it.”
“Did you think I'd believe a ten-year-old ca all this way by himself?”
“…”
“They said you were smart. The rumors were exaggerated.”
“Ugh.”
“Wipe that look off your face and sit down.”
“I will never forget what happened today.”
Ingenium said as he flopped back into the chair.
“Now, let him go.”
Arthur said without even glancing at Ram.
“Get lost.”
“Hmph.”
Ram glared at Arthur and walked toward Ingenium.
Ingenium, keeping his eyes on Arthur, said to him.
“Don't let anyone in.”
“Yes.”
Ram disappeared, and the door opened and then closed.
“I'm curious what problem is so serious that you had to co see .”
Ingenium opened his mouth heavily, his face serious.
“There is sothing I need you to do.”
“Sothing you need to do… Well, let's hear what it is first.”
“No, it is sothing you must do.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you plan on screwing over to the end…”
As Ingenium gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, Arthur crossed his arms and said.
“Try asking politely. Maybe then I'll change my mind.”
“Politely?”
“Yes. I'd think a smart kid like you would know what to do.”
“Hmph…”
“But you don't have to force it. I don't want that either. So, what will it be?”
“…Fine.”
Ingenium replied in a barely audible voice, staring at the table.
“I have… a request.”
“Again.”
“Really…”
Ingenium scowled at him.
“I have a request.”
“Is it common to scowl when making a request in the Imperial Palace?”
“I will never forget your arrogance.”
Ingenium took a deep breath, smoothing his expression. Then, he spoke again with a polite attitude.
“I have co… to ask a favor.”
“That's a little better.”
Arthur continued, looking satisfied.
“Shall we hear what this favor is?”
Ingenium just stared at him silently.
After a mont.
He opened his mouth heavily.
“My father is strange.”
“…!”
In that instant, a glint appeared in Arthur's eyes.
“Since so ti ago, he's been acting like a different person.”
“For example?”
“Everything has changed, but the strangest thing is that whenever we were alone, he would always call by the nickna he gave , not my na. But a while ago, he started calling by my na.”
“That doesn't seem like much to be suspicious about.”
“I suppose not. So I called myself by my nickna in front of him, as if calling a puppy we used to raise. I was certain after seeing his reaction then.”
“Of what?”
“That he is being controlled by ‘that person’.”
“Controlled? Who on earth could control the Emperor…!”
Suddenly, one person ca to Arthur's mind.
Altaros!
Just as he had entered Arthur Julius, he had expected that fiend to have entered either the Emperor or that guy.
If the Demon King had entered Altaros's body…
But there was also the possibility that the fiend had entered the Emperor and was showing such behavior.
For now, it was difficult to make a rash judgnt based solely on Ingenium's words.
“Hmph…”
Seeing Arthur's face darken, Ingenium said.
“That's why I ca to you. If you grant my request, I will surely repay the favor.”
“What is the request?”
Ingenium t Arthur's eyes and opened his mouth heavily.
“Kill him.”
“That's not an easy request.”
“In return, I will prepare the ti and place.”
“You? How?”
Arthur tilted his head.
“I have sothing in mind. If it proceeds as planned, we should be able to eliminate him.”
“You're taking him too lightly.”
Arthur scoffed and continued.
“You seem to think I can handle soone called the Grand Archmage.”
Ingenium shook his head, his eyes cold.
“That's not it. No matter how strong he is, he won't be able to face a large army alone.”
“A large army? If you're counting on the forces here, you'd better think again.”
“You're not the only one who will help .”
“…!”
A glint appeared in Arthur's eyes.
The more people who knew about this, the more the Imperial Family's authority would fall, which would be bad for both the Emperor and him.
No matter how young, he was brilliant enough to be nad heir at the age of seven.
He must have considered this much.
Looking into his cold, deep eyes, it was clear he had an ulterior motive.
Arthur thought he might get seriously burned if he let his guard down.
First, he needed to find out who had joined hands with him.
“Who else is there besides ?”
“I can't tell you that. From now on, you just have to prepare as I instruct.”
“I'm sure I heard the word 'request,' so why does it sound like an order?”
“Ugh.”
Ingenium scowled.
Honestly, he hadn't expected a situation like this when he ca here.
He thought he could easily persuade him, based on his informants' reports that Count Malcolm's youngest son was effectively leading House Julius.
But eting him in person, he was not only as difficult to deal with as the sly Duke Shazana, but he also managed to get under his skin.
He wanted to storm out, but he desperately needed House Julius for his plan.
Suppressing his boiling anger, he forced an awkward smile.
“Of course not. It must have sounded that way because of my stiff tone.”
“Hah.”
Arthur grinned and continued.
“So, who is this person you've joined hands with?”
“I'll tell you when the ti is right.”
“Must be a very important person.”
Arthur was lost in thought for a mont.
Currently, his most threatening enemy was the Emperor.
It was advantageous for him to deal with the Emperor's side before the war with the Demon King began, so he decided to take the hand offered to him.
“Alright, I'm in.”
“A wise decision.”
A smile spread across Ingenium's face.
Arthur also smiled slightly and asked.
“So when does this plan of yours start?”
“If there are no variables, I plan to make a move in three months.”
“What?”
Arthur's face hardened.
Ingenium nodded as if he knew why he was reacting that way.
“You can rest assured that the Emperor will not attack House Julius until then.”
“How?”
“A strategy eting should be underway at the Imperial Palace right about now, and the person who agreed to work with has promised to buy us so ti.”
“That much ti?”
“It's more than possible for Marquis Valtre.”
“What!”
He never imagined that man's na would co from his mouth.
Ingenium grinned at the wide-eyed Arthur.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, they say.”
“Don't tell you…”
“I had a suspicion when you brought down Count Yarve, and it seems he did confess about Marquis Valtre. He was more loose-lipped than I thought.”
“You're quite clever at tis like this. The person you joined hands with must be at least a marquis.”
“You seem to be as clever as I am.”
Ingenium grinned and continued.
“I know Marquis Valtre is preparing a coup d'état, so I plan to use him.”
“As long as you're alive, he can't beco the Emperor. I'm curious about his motives for helping you. If it were , I'd get rid of you both.”
“If you're worried about , don't be. What he wants isn't the throne of the Oscar Empire.”
“Then what does he want?”
“Land.”
“…!”
“He plans to create his own country. So, on the condition that he forms an alliance with after the war, I promised to give him half of the Empire.”
“I see.”
Arthur nodded and fell into thought for a mont.
Ingenium expected Arthur to propose a condition for joining him.
Thus, he waited silently for him to speak.
A few seconds passed like that.
Arthur opened his mouth heavily.
“You said you would repay the favor if I granted your request, right?”
“Of course. If there's sothing you want, just say it. I'll accommodate you as much as possible.”
“My request is simple. When I contact you, you will provide military support at any ti.”
“What do you an by that…?”
It was an unexpected answer, and Ingenium's face hardened.
He thought he would want gold or a promotion in rank.
If not that, he was even willing to give so land if he wanted it, like Marquis Valtre.
Unlike his father, he was very interested in the developnt of the empire and had no greed for territory.
But to ask for military support?
That also ant that House Julius was preparing for war.
Could he be planning to fight Marquis Valtre?
If not, it was highly likely he was thinking of the Namshar Empire, like his father.
However, even with the support of the Imperial Palace, conquering the Namshar Empire was impossible.
He couldn't figure out what on earth he was thinking.
Ingenium asked with a very serious expression.
“Why do you need troops?”
“Because I have an enemy I must fight.”
“It's not Marquis Valtre, is it?”
“Unless he makes a move because of what happened with Count Yarve, I have no intention of fighting him.”
“Then who is the enemy?”
“Just as you told , you'll find out when the ti is right. So just give your promise.”
“Hmph.”
He answered in the sa way Ingenium had hidden the identity of his partner.
As long as he didn't answer his question, Ingenium had no choice but to wait until the ti ca.
“Then I have no choice.”
“So, what's your decision?”
“I will provide military support. However, I will refuse if it is related to an unjust cause. I might even stand in your way.”
“That won't happen, so you can rest easy.”
Arthur stood up and extended his hand for a handshake.
“Let's work well together.”
“Agreed.”
Ingenium also stood up and took his hand.
It was when the two had finished their talk and stepped out of the office.
A knight was rushing toward them from the end of the hallway.
It was the knight who managed information from the agents deployed in each region.
‘What's going on?’
Arthur's face tightened slightly.
A mont later.
The knight stood before them, panting.
He glanced at Ingenium standing next to Arthur, then carefully opened his mouth.
“News from the Nivon territory, sir.”
“Speak.”
“Beside you…”
The knight hesitated slightly, looking at Ingenium.
“It's fine.”
“Understood.”
The knight bowed respectfully and continued.
“It is reported that Count Yarve's castle caught fire and has been reduced to ashes.”
“…!”
A glint appeared in Arthur's eyes.
Ingenium also looked at the knight with a slightly surprised expression.
“Was it attacked?”
The knight answered Arthur's question.
“According to the report, there was no external attack. It is believed to have started from within.”
“From within…”
As Arthur narrowed his eyes, deep in thought, Jakal suddenly ca to mind.
‘Could it be him?’
He was the one who had left for the Nivon territory to save his beliefs and Count Yarve.
‘What on earth has happened…’
Arthur's mind grew endlessly complicated.
***
At that mont.
Around sunset, Jakal, having left the castle, entered the entrance of the beggars' village.
His body was covered in blood, and blood dripped from the dagger in his hand.
One of the beggars' eyes widened as he shouted.
“Who are you!”
Jakal revealed a vicious killing intent as he walked toward him.
“I've co to make you pay for your sins.”
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