“If I may be so bold as to return those words to you, Your Majesty – could you provide an explanation for the outrageous actions your Empire has taken against us?”
“…Indeed, it would seem this is no simple matter to settle.”
Seeing that Feiyu did not falter despite addressing her assault, Klaus received the situation gravely and nodded solemnly.
“Then let us hear both sides in detail — Grand Duke Ornament.”
Calling out the name of the party Feiyu mentioned, Klaus glared silently.
However, Zervis’s expression did not change.
“That matter is related to the agenda Ornament intended to present today.”
Prefacing it thus, Zervis rose calmly.
“Recently, an auction house owned by Lord Ureki, part of my household’s faction, suffered an arson attack. During the investigation, Lord Baris was implicated as a suspect and detained. At that time…he confessed that the one he attempted to purchase at auction was the Lady Blaskas, whom we had reduced to slave status.”
At those words, Feiyu’s brow twitched slightly.
“According to Baron Baris, the currently missing Viscount Ureki has been in contact with the noble faction opposed to the Sylvayu royal family. He claims Ureki proposed abducting Lady Blaskas to undermine the monarchy, allowing the ‘ethnic cleansing’ advocated by the noble faction to be realized.”
“You’ve certainly done some foolish things,”
“LordUreki was dissatisfied with his standing within the faction, and tried to establish his position by forming ties with the forest-dwelling Elven race. And Lord Baris was approached by Lord Ureki to ‘purchase an Elven slave’ so he could secretly auction off the kidnapped Lady Blaskas to cover up her identity. By doing so, he intended to frame Lord Baris for this extermination plot by setting the fire himself, according to the his own confession.”
“I had heard about the fire incident, but this is the first I’m learning of the details.”
“Since this matter could potentially strain our diplomatic relations with Sylvayu, my Ornament household has been investigating Duke Ureki’s whereabouts and examining the facts. And having confirmed the truth, I was planning to report it at today’s meeting.”
With a stern expression, Zervis explained the circumstances.
However…beneath that stern look, he was likely smiling that things had unfolded as expected.
For his statements were entirely factual.
Lord Ureki had indeed contacted the aristocratic faction and carried out the kidnapping, while Lord Baris had merely attempted the purchase, having no involvement in Lady Feiyu’s abduction whatsoever.
From the start, the two had been designated as sacrificial pawns.
And–
“Not only the key witness Lord Ureki, but regarding Lady Feiyu’s whereabouts as well…the Ornament made efforts to locate her for her protection. Being able to confirm your safety has allowed my household to take this opportunity to apologize for our foolish actions.”
With a somber expression, Zervis respectfully bowed his head towards Feiyu.
A long time had passed since the fire, enough time to confirm that the body identified as Duke Ureki’s was indeed him, and that Feiyu’s death had been staged.
And…the investigation had brought certain suspicions to light, which prompted him to raise this issue.
“The one who rescued you–they must surely be rewarded accordingly.”
Zervis was likely half-convinced that the existence of the accomplice who rescued Feiyu
and staged her death belonged to another ducal household.
Having the authority to know part of the plan, being aware of when the regular meetings took place, and being able to make their way into the palace despite causing a disturbance would certainly serve as proof.
Which is why Feiyu proceeded according to their pre-arranged discussion.
“The one who rescued me was the daughter of the northern mercantile giant, the Mercator Company. Her keen eye saw through my true identity, and she expended her wealth to rescue me. But the fire broke out just as she was in the process of doing so, forcing her to flee and seek help.”
Not a single part of that was untrue.
Since those present had witnessed Edel making the purchase, it was clear that she was the one who rescued Feiyu.
And because Zervis was focused on which ducal household Edel was affiliated with, Feiyu did not elaborate further and steered the conversation in a different direction.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT LOCALIZERMEERKAT.PAGES.DEV
“After making this incident public, I intend to reward her as someone who earned merits in rescuing a member of the royal family, as well as grant her trading privileges.”
“…Does your statement imply you intend to sever ties with the Empire?”
“Of course not, Your Imperial Majesty. Even if there are faults on our side for failing to rein in the aristocratic faction, it is only proper that we take the hand of the friend who rescued me over those who took advantage of the situation, is it not?”
Feiyu’s words had shifted the atmosphere for more than just Klaus.
The forest nation of Sylvayu was the first other-race country to establish diplomatic relations with the Empire.
This incident risked severing ties between the two nations. And if the reason was made public, it would undoubtedly impact other demi-human nations as well.
Not just visible losses in trade, but restrictions on travel to other countries, as well as impacts on the various businesses the ducal households are involved in.
However–the Ornament household, possessing the ‘Philosopher’s Stone’, was an exception.
The Philosopher’s Stone has the property of absorbing and then generating magic of the same quality after absorption.
Using this regenerated magic, they can employ alchemy to break down and reconstruct materials nearly equivalent to the magic-imbued resources imported from demi-human nations. This means their business and research would be virtually unaffected.
Which is why…while other ducal houses scrambled to deal with impacts of severed ties, the Ornaments could surpass them completely unhindered.
It was with this foreseen that they had instigated the ‘Lady Blaskas Kidnapping Desecration Incident’.
“…Does the Duke of Ornaments have anything to say regarding Lady Blaskas’ wishes?”
“This incident occurred due to my negligence in fully grasping the movements within my own faction as its head. As such, the Ornament household is prepared to accept any reparation demands…however, the humiliation and suffering Lady Blaskas endured in this matter is beyond what we can make amends for.”
“You are correct, Duke of Ornaments. This was an act of disrespect towards the Sylvayu royal family. Had I not been rescued, the truth would never have come to light, and I would have met my end as an enslaved woman.”
This incident would cause an irreparable rift between the two nations’ relations.
Even if Feiyu had survived, the deterioration of relations and severance of ties could not have been avoided – everything was unfolding according to the Ornaments’ designs.
Which is why Zervis bowed his head while inwardly smiling–
“–Well, that was merely a joke, of course.”
With a casual wave of her hand, Feiyu declared so.
“…What did you just say?”
“I was simply presenting one possible scenario that could have unfolded.”
Though expressing dissatisfaction, Feiyu took a deep breath before continuing.
“However, I too carry the blood of Sylvayu’s royalty, and must prioritize the nation’s prosperity and its people above all else. Allowing personal sentiments to sever ties with the Empire would undoubtedly impact our citizens and undermine our national interests.”
Her statement likely came as a surprise not just to Zervis, but to the others present.
It was well-known that Elves possess pride and a strong sense of self-respect as a race.
This incident could be seen as a slight against not only Feiyu personally, but the royal family itself. Everyone expected that even if severing ties harmed national interests, Elves would prioritize their pride.
“I will publicize the incident to impose sanctions on the aristocratic faction’s members. However, it is my official stance to conceal the fact that the Empire’s people were the instigators.”
“…I am grateful for your magnanimity. But may I inquire as to the reason?”
“As I mentioned earlier, putting national interests first. And because the Duke of Ornaments has acknowledged the facts as the faction’s head, expressed willingness to take responsibility and apologize, and committed to reparations. Even though I did impose upon the palace in an unbecoming manner, I shall offer my own apologies for that.”
With a superior air, Feiyu bowed her head towards everyone present.
This allowed Feiyu to seize complete control of the situation.
She showed her hand of severing ties, extracted an official statement of willingness to pay reparations from the Ornaments, and demonstrated her prioritization of national interests over her personal humiliation.
In other words–she had paved the path to her intended conclusion.
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