Summit eting.
This event remains unforgettable.
The reason this eting, where high-ranking officials gather to discuss matters, stays in mory is simple.
— [Breaking News] Death of a high-ranking official during the summit eting between Holy Constantine and the Empire.
This event doesn’t always occur across every playthrough.
However, it is an extrely important event.
Whether this event happens or not determines whether war breaks out between Holy Constantine and the Empire.
This event always triggers the war between the two nations.
The difficulty of the ga changes entirely as a result.
Unfortunately, this was an event that players couldn’t interfere with.
There’s no way a re cadet—like the player—could participate in such a high-level eting of dignitaries.
But now…
An unexpected opportunity to intervene has been handed to .
◆
The ruler of Lichten, Mayor Offen Lipenstein.
I looked at the elderly man before .
Even at a glance, he radiated dignity.
A perfectly tailored suit that fit flawlessly. His slicked-back white hair, not a single strand out of place, looked like it wouldn’t tolerate even the slightest disorder.
His physique, which suggested surprising muscular strength for soone his age.
What should I call this?
Even at first glance, his composure and authority clearly marked him as soone extraordinary.
‘Is it because an elected ruler carries a different air?’
An elderly man who knew how to present himself impeccably.
Whether by habit or intent, it was enough to indicate that he was no ordinary person.
You could sense the eccentricity that ca with age.
“Those brats from that rich school have quite the eye, I see.”
Did he just call the Lichten Academy “that rich school”? And on an official occasion, no less? Doesn’t he realize how significant the academy is to Lichten? What if soone overheard?
Lipenstein chuckled as he noticed my puzzled expression.
“You’re looking around, which shows you have a bit of political sense. Good, very good. Hahaha! Don’t worry too much. There’s no one around to hear, so what’s the harm!”
Hmm.
My internal score for this eccentric old man just rose considerably.
I had observed enough.
As he watched with an amused expression, I finally opened my mouth.
“Was this a test?”
“Indeed.”
“Why?”
He grinned and gestured for to follow him.
“You seem sharp enough, so I’ll get straight to the point. This eting is a state summit—a very important one.”
“Yes.”
“Most people think the most important part of a summit is the ‘leaders’ eting. But do you know why that’s not the case?”
“Because that’s just when they take photos?”
“Hahaha! Exactly. By that ti, all the real discussions have already been worked out by the underlings who broke their backs preparing for it. This eting is critical for that reason. It’s where the people who do the real work gather.”
He paused briefly before concluding.
“This is, in other words, the eting of the real power holders.”
Yes.
I already knew that.
I also understood that this event was directly linked to the peace of the continent.
The problem was: why was I, of all people, brought here?
What role could I possibly play in this?
Lipenstein seed to pick up on my unspoken question.
“You look rather bewildered.”
“I don’t see why I’m needed here. After all, this is a place that not just anyone can—”
“That’s exactly it. You’re right.”
“…?”
Swish.
He opened his mouth, pointing to the eting room.
“Very few people are allowed in here. There’s the Empire’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Holy Constantine’s Archbishop under the Vatican, and , the Mayor of Lichten, acting as the diator. Normally, these three are the only participants. And yet, you’ve been added to the list.”
A perfectly sealed, private eting.
Having two of the continent’s top ten power holders in one place was already extraordinary. Lipenstein’s role as diator made sense.
But why ? To these influential figures, I was nothing but a cadet from the academy.
“It’s precisely because you’re ‘nothing special.’”
“Pardon?”
“Ian Blackangers, you are nothing special—politically speaking. You are rely a student of Lichten Academy with no significant family backing. Your political influence is virtually zero. That ans neither side has any reason to reject you. Furthermore…”
Lipenstein subtly grasped my arm.
“Security is paramount here. You are not strong enough to assassinate anyone in that room. Or rather, they will assu you’re not. You’re just a cadet, after all. It’s a cognitive trap.”
Tap.
He lightly tapped his temple with his fingertip before continuing.
“You also carry the symbolism of having captured a high-ranking mber of the Bloodstone Cult recently. That makes you a credible witness who can enter that room. You are, therefore, the perfect candidate.”
“The perfect candidate…?”
“The candidate who will bring peace to the continent inside that eting room.”
I narrowed my eyes, staring back at Mayor Lipenstein.
What nonsense is this old man spouting?
No, to be fair, he has read correctly. I’ll do whatever I can once I’m inside.
War between the Holy State and the Empire?
I need to stop it.
Preventing the war would make the future scenarios much easier to manage.
But to him, I’m nothing more than a cadet. Objectively, he’s overestimating .
“Why ?”
At my question, Count Lipenstein smirked.
“You’ll find out once you go inside.”
“…?”
“Ian Blackangers, you have the greatest potential to be at the center of this eting.”
◆
‘…I’ll be the center of the eting?’
Mulling over Count Lipenstein’s cryptic words, I entered the conference room.
Unlike its ornate exterior, the interior of the eting room was starkly simple.
Chairs for the representatives.
A table with an open bottom, leaving nothing hidden.
A small chair sat conspicuously below—clearly ant for .
Each piece of furniture was luxurious and antique, yet the room still felt empty.
I could guess the reason.
‘It’s probably to prevent assassinations.’
The design left no space to hide anything.
After all, relations between the Empire and Holy Constantine were tense, ready to ignite at any mont.
In the end, my goal aligns with theirs.
Preventing any assassination here was my primary objective.
— Creak.
Before I could think further, the door opened.
The first to enter was a plump man dressed in golden robes. I barely managed to keep my eyes from drifting toward his bald, gleaming head.
I had to remind myself: that man was Blitter, the Foreign Minister of Britannian Empire.
He glanced at , ignored my polite bow, and took his seat.
— Step.
Next, a man in white robes adorned with violet entered the room.
The violet signified his rank—an archbishop directly under the Vatican.
One of the top five figures in the Holy Constantine, the archbishop greeted with a benevolent smile.
“It’s good to see you.”
“It’s an honor.”
He patted on the shoulder lightly before sitting in his designated seat.
Finally, Count Lipenstein sat at the diator’s chair in the center. With that, the doors closed.
◆
There was nothing unusual.
Under Count Lipenstein’s diation, the atmosphere remained smooth.
“In that case, the territory will effectively be under the Empire’s governance while its official religion is designated as Deus. Such an arrangent would minimize influence from neighboring states…”
Count Lipenstein.
He’s far more capable than I’d anticipated.
He saw through the situation between Holy Constantine and the Empire, crafting proposals that neither side could refuse.
‘If the assassination event doesn’t occur, this old man must be the reason the war is avoided.’
With that level of insight, it’s no wonder he managed to elevate Lichten to a state-level power.
During a brief recess, Blitter, the Foreign Minister, spoke irritably.
“So. Why is that kid just standing around here?”
He was looking directly at .
Count Lipenstein chuckled, introducing .
“This is Ian Blackangers, a student of Lichten Academy. He recently played a pivotal role in capturing a high-ranking mber of the Bloodstone Cult.”
“Ah. I’ve heard of him. A promising candidate being eyed by the administration.”
Blitter gave a once-over, his gaze frank but not particularly unpleasant.
Then, he spoke.
“Not bad-looking. A face perfect for propaganda.”
There was no point trying to match wits with him.
Despite his deanor, this man was both a Duke and the Empire’s Foreign Minister.
I gave him a polite bow.
“Thank you.”
“Thank you isn’t enough. Evan’s death has political significance. The death of a Bloodstone Cult executive—universally reviled as ‘absolute evil’—is politically invaluable. Once the news spreads, everyone will take notice.”
“I see.”
“Yes. You’ll soon be a hero.”
A hero? ?
Before I could process that, the archbishop broke into a slightly awkward smile and spoke.
“Holy Constantine has a differing opinion. We’d prefer that the student’s custody be handed over to us.”
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