Category: mastermind

 
“In that case, Your Imperial Majesty, may I present the reparation demands from our side that the Duke of Ornaments must meet?”
 
“…Very well, I shall receive your official proposal.”
 
“Rest assured, while there were indeed faults on our part in imposing upon the palace, my demands will be reasonable in light of you graciously overlooking that transgression.”
 
While Feiyu offered Klaus a serene smile, inwardly Zervis was likely feeling anxious, though not overly apprehensive.… Read more

“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.… Read more

 
By using the “Philosopher’s Stone” sleeping in Felmund’s lands and ensuring operational use of the magitek weapons, they could seize the initiative and surpass the other ducal houses.
 
For that, House Ornament had bided its time.
 
Taking utmost care never to let the Stone’s existence be discovered, pouring their house’s lifeblood into researching it, inheriting the will of generations of heads to realize this plan, they had strained every effort.
 
No unexpected event was enough to shake a house not so weakly soft.… Read more

 
“No…I just felt like I saw you give a genuine smile for the first time.”
 
“I do smile normally too, you know.”
 
“Mostly just wry smiles, cold smiles, and scoffs towards me though.”
 
“That’s because everything you say is so dull that I can’t help but make those faces.”
 
“You don’t have to put it that bluntly! Granted, I may not be good at that sort of thing, but I was trying to make conversation thinking of you cooped up in the capital!”… Read more

Chapter 6
 

 
It was a cloudless sunny day.
 
For that reason, Artesia decided to hold today’s meeting on the palace terrace.
 
“You really haven’t changed a bit from usual, have you Artesia?”
 
As he was about to tilt his teacup, the man sitting across from her gave a wry smile.
 
Seeing his demeanor, Artesia responded in her usual manner.
 
“You seem more tense than usual, Klaus.”
 
“Ah…just thinking about today’s meeting was enough to keep me up with stomach pains…”
 
“Then you can just sleep during the meeting.… Read more

“…So the actual Philosopher’s Stone exists?”
 
“Yes. At the very least, it’s considered close to a substance meeting their definition.”
 
Minerals imbued with the land’s magic power are called ‘magic ores’ and gain properties like absorbing, releasing, and storing magic power.
 
Devices incorporating these magic ores as power sources are called ‘magic tools,’ allowing simplified magic use despite being expensive, with their magic power replenishable.
 
Moreover, the entire Empire is constantly bathed in abundant magic power from the World Tree.… Read more

The elves had reasons they could not refuse.
 
Through trade with humans and other races, their living standards had risen incomparably higher than in the past.
 
But if they closed borders, they would lose that prosperous, convenient lifestyle.
 
To maintain their current living standards, the noble faction made an exception allowing trade with House Ornament, monopolizing the profits as part of the deal.
 
But…for Ornament, it was merely a stepping stone.
 
“With your death and internal strife, Sylvayu would temporarily cut ties with the outside world.… Read more

 
After the war, the founding lord of Eisenhud visited the land of the elves for diplomatic reasons.
 
There, seeing the mistreatment of the prince of Blaskas, he proclaimed that future human-elf relations would be conducted through the Blaskas.
 
“He said, ‘If your brethren loathe you, then find friends outside of them. Find those who favor you over those who hate you. The world is vast with all sorts of people, so venture outside and find those who favor you.'”… Read more

In this situation, what Kurtz should do next is–
 

“–It was absolutely HORRIBLE!!”
 

Listen to Feiyu’s complaints as she openly displays her anger with a pout.
 
“…I can imagine your feelings. Lady Feiyu, you are after all a noble person.”
 
“Isn’t that right!? Not only did they kidnap me, but to try to degrade me to slave status and sell me off – I won’t be satisfied until those noble faction fools are torn to pieces!!”… Read more

“—Ornament is unlikely to make a move.”
 
While explaining his prediction of Ornament’s movements, Kurtz walked alongside Lucia.
 
Listening to his explanation, Lucia nodded in understanding.
 
“Well yeah… Even if they say misfortunes keep piling up, if their investigation turned up nothing, they’d write it off as coincidence. And in their position as a ducal house, they’d get arrogant too, wouldn’t they?”
 
“Less arrogance and more an unwillingness to act rashly and draw the other ducal houses’ attention.… Read more