4 (Duke’s point of view)
Late at night, Toko’s first words upon visiting the Sakuragi Duke family were truly surprising to the Duke.
“Wait a minute. What did you just say?”
“I totally get why you’d want to ask that, but it’s true. the head is in action. In fact, he came to see me!”
“Confirming, by the ‘head,’ you mean that Kingmaker guy…?”
“Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come all the way here urgently, even though I’m super busy!”
──In this country, merchants, or rather, the economic sector, is dominated by a figure known as the ‘head.’
This person avoids standing out, never appears on the stage, and even rarely takes actions that would reveal their identity.
Therefore, their existence is mostly unknown.
However, there is an undeniable fact known only to a few nobles.
If the head gives an order, every major merchant obediently follows, almost like slaves.
The head possesses an unimaginable wealth, probably surpassing even the royal family.
And.
“So… the Kingmaker has finally made a move.”
“That’s the gist of it.”
In the past fifty years, it’s been rumored that the head has acted only three times.
Each time was related to a dispute over determining the next king or attempting to change the reigning king.
In each case, the side aligned with the head emerged victorious, and a new king was crowned.
Hence, the head is also nicknamed the Kingmaker.
“…We won, huh.”
Although the Duke was confident in the final victory and sided with the princess, the existence of the head had been stuck in the back of his mind like an irritating fishbone.
The head never appears in public, never issues statements.
It means that third parties cannot confirm which side the head is supporting.
However, if the first or the second prince were to win the support of the kingmaker, he would immediately make a public announcement, and since he has not done so, it was assumed that the kingmaker is neutral in this battle for the throne.
However, speculation is just speculation.
The Duke had tried several times to somehow contact the head but failed every time.
“So, the Kingmaker came to greet us, which means he’s on our side, naturally.”
“…Hmm. But, wait a moment… it’s a bit…”
“What’s wrong?”
Though the Duke thought he had made a natural confirmation, the unexpected response made him furrow his brows.
On the other hand, Toko wore a complicated expression.
“Well, you see, the Kingmaker told me something like this. ‘[I’m currently on your side, but it doesn’t mean I’ve become your ally.]'”
“…What does that mean?”
“I asked the same thing! Then that old man said, ‘[Because you’re an ignorant child, I couldn’t choose you until now.]'”
“…What does that mean?”
The Duke groaned.
He just couldn’t understand.
What’s clear is that it’s too early to consider the head completely on their side.
“By the way, where’s Yuzuriha today?”
“That girl is in her room.”
“Why didn’t you bring her to the study?”
“She’s not going to be of any use today anyway.”
“Why not?”
“─During the day, she went shopping with that guy. Since she came back, she’s been smiling non-stop, spending hours looking affectionately at the cheap hair tie in her hands.”
“…Could it be that Suzuha’s brother gave her a present?”
“It’s highly likely. The reports from the guards also suggest that.”
“Uh, I’m jealous. I want a present from Suzuha’s brother too─ Ahhh!?”
At Toko’s sudden loud exclamation, the duke frowned.
Even though the study was soundproof, Toko’s visit was a top-secret matter.
Especially at night, sounds tended to carry. Just because it’s soundproof doesn’t mean it’s okay to shout loudly.
“Keep it down. What on earth happened?”
“Sorry. But, you know, I’ve been thinking all the way here. Why did the head suddenly switch sides to our side now?”
“…Hm.”
Toko’s words made sense.
Like anything else, declaring cooperation or allegiance is most impactful when done early, before a large group is formed.
This is even more crucial when it comes to the upcoming struggle for the next king.
And if the head is as sharp as he seems, once he calculates that aligning with us is beneficial, it makes sense for him to quickly declare his support.
“Hey, Duke, think about it. What cards have we recently acquired? What’s the turning point that changes our future?”
“It’s clear. The defeat of the Ogres in the Great Ogre Forest.”
“Yeah, that’s what I thought too. The epoch-making event that changed the course of the era with a massive subjugation in the entire continent. The two foolish princes came up with an unreasonable expedition plan. That’s why the head joined us, I thought.”
“That’s right.”
“…But what if it’s not that?”
“What other possibilities are there?”
“For example, maybe the head learned about Suzuha’s brother, his strength, or influence… or something like that.”
“…………”
A bead of sweat appeared on the duke’s forehead.
The subjugation in the Great Ogre Forest is currently a major topic shaking the nation.
The fact that a monstrous army of monsters capable of wiping out all of humanity was organized deep in the Great Ogre Forest.
The fact that five young individuals, led by the so-called War Maiden Yuzuriha, annihilated it.
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The fact that they formed a friendly relationship with the Amazoness, a group known for their isolation, and events of that nature.
The duke knows.
──All of those events.
They would never have happened without one young man.
“In my opinion, the head might have made contact with Suzuha’s brother somewhere.”
“…I haven’t received any such reports.”
“Are you sure? If you think about it that way, everything fits, doesn’t it?”
“Yuzuriha and the guards haven’t mentioned anything like that. Besides, even if they went shopping, it seems they went to the royal-approved shop in the noble district. The only other person there besides Yuzuriha who could have made contact with that man is probably a clerk at the accessory shop.”
“I see. Then, maybe that line of thought is wrong─”
“It’s probably wrong. After all, according to the story, that man was apparently discussing his sister’s hairstyle while choosing a hair tie with an elderly clerk.”
To Toko’s casual words, Toko’s entire body stiffened.
“That’s it.”
“What?”
“Even if you bring Yuzuriha, I know the shop very well. It’s the only one in the capital that sells high-quality magically enhanced accessories.”
“So, what’s the issue?”
“That’s what I’m saying. I know that shop, but the thing is, they only hire young female staff. The owner is adamant about it, emphasizing that it’s an accessory shop, not a magical tools store. No matter how high-ranking nobles come seeking employment, men are turned away.”
“…That’s undoubtedly the case, right…?”
“Of course. Because of that, there was a time when Princess, that’s me, had to intervene in a dispute between nobles.”
The middle-aged store clerk was reported to be a man.
If he could impersonate a staff member, something even high-ranking nobles couldn’t do, then basically—
“In that case, the clerk is the head, right…?”
“Most likely. The head contacted Suzuha’s brother and provided an answer. That’s why he sided with us. No, that’s not it—”
Toko shook her head,
“Considering the way that message spoke, it feels like he’s not allied with us, but rather with Suzuha’s brother side, doesn’t it?”
“It doesn’t matter either way.”
“Right now, maybe. But if Suzuha and her brother ends up siding with either of the princes, then the head—”
“It’s a pointless assumption.”
The Duke firmly asserts.
Indeed, considering the current situation and that man’s personality, the possibility of him siding with either of the princes is practically zero.
“The problem lies in what comes after.”
“Does it?”
“Of course. In the unlikely event that that man desires the throne—”
“I’ll give him the throne if it comes to that?”
“…What did you say?”
“Suzuha’s brother is probably the strongest in the country, and with the head and even the Amazoness backing him up, not to mention Yuzuriha. If Suzuha’s brother were to rule, he would govern justly, be invincible in foreign wars. So, I see no reason for me to remain as the queen.”
“While that may be true… However…”
To Toko’s declaration of easily relinquishing the throne, a statement inconceivable in noble values, the Duke raises an eyebrow.
Of course, these words are the unfiltered truth from Toko.
However, Toko hasn’t revealed everything about her thoughts.
(Although, if Suzuha’s brother becomes king, marrying me would be the quickest and reasonable way. Poor Yuzuriha, she’ll probably cry… Well, there’s no helping it, right?)
Royalty cannot marry commoners. That is the law and tradition of this country.
However, if, at the moment of marriage, the queen were to renounce her status…
There’s no law prohibiting marriage then, is there?
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