Chapter 511 – The Great Commotion in the Royal Palace

Tauro and Aeris went to the royal castle.

At the castle gate, Tauro showed the insignia of his rank as an Honorary Viscount attached to the collar of his cloak, and the guards confirmed it and allowed them entry.

Aeris , accompanying him, was also checked and recognized by her insignia as an Honorary Royal Mage of the Kingdom.

Until recently, they had to present a short sword bearing the royal crest for verification each time before entering the castle, but now this hassle was no longer necessary.

“Again, it’s really convient isn’t it”

Aeris  looped her arm around Tauro’s as they started walking.

　Tauro was startled by Aerith’s sudden approach, but he didn’t let it show.

“Yeah, it is. Still, when we get to the royal palace, we’ll need to show the royal crest and formally request an audience with Prince Fleue, though—hmm?”

He suddenly became aware of Aeris ’s chest pressing lightly against his arm, but after taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.

As the two of them made their way inside the castle, they noticed people moving about in a panic on the road leading to the palace, and sensed that something was happening.

“There seems to be some kind of tense atmosphere coming from the royal palace…”

Aeris  noticed as well and let go of Tauro’s arm.

It seemed she realized that such affectionate behavior wasn’t appropriate for the current atmosphere.

When they reached the entrance to the royal palace, they showed the short sword engraved with the royal crest as usual to the guards and requested an audience with Prince Fleue.

Even if the prince was busy, they were usually allowed to wait in the reception room, and Tauro planned to ask the attendants about the commotion in the meantime.

“Sir Tauro, are you here to see His Highness today? I believe the prince is in his chambers, so an audience should be possible—but given the current turmoil, please allow me to confirm first.”

The guard, who recognized them, spoke politely.

“Did something happen? The atmosphere feels… quite tense.”

“I’m afraid I can’t speak about it. Something serious is going on, and there’s even talk of a gag order being issued. It would be best to ask His Highness himself.”

The guard handed his post over to another and hurried away to confirm.

After a short while, permission was granted, and Tauro and Aeris  were escorted inside.

When they entered the room, Prince Fleue was pacing restlessly back and forth.

“Your Highness, Honorary Viscount Girosugar and Lady Aeris  have arrived,”

Prince Fleue’s confidant, Sebas, reported.

“Ah, I’m glad you two came to see me! We’re in quite a crisis right now—there’s a major uproar in the palace.”

The prince seemed to calm down a bit after seeing the two of them, and he stopped pacing.

“What’s going on, Your Highness? Everyone seems tense. The guards even warned us a possible gag order may be imposed…”

“…the truth is, it seems my elder brother, the Crown Prince, is about to be stripped of his title.”

“Whaaat!?”

Tauro and Aeris  gasped and looked at each other in shock.

“Just a short while ago, my brother was suddenly relieved of his duty as guardian of the Saint and her companions and returned a while ago, and it seems that this matter came up after his meeting with His Majesty.”

Prince Fleue continued to explain.

According to what he’d heard, during the audience the King had asked:

“There are suspicions that you may be in contact with the Northern Empire. What do you say to this?”

It seems that this was confirmed.

The Crown Prince, instead of denying it at all, began to say that if they reduced the military presence on the border, which was causing tension and showing goodwill toward the Empire, the tensions would be alleviated.

He went on to say that If things went well, the Empire might respond positively, and that he himself could meet with the higher-ups of the Empire and establish friendly relations with them, he explained.

He even added that, although the Empire might at first send troops in caution and possibly attempt an invasion, if they were to welcome that army in the royal capital and shared a drink or two together, they could surely become friends. He passionately insisted that if he mediated personally, everything would be resolved peacefully.

Both the King and the Prime Minister were reportedly speechless.

And no wonder—what the Crown Prince suggested amounted to leaving the kingdom defenseless and allowing the Empire to invade the capital freely.

He then offered to act as an envoy to “mediate.”

If we did that, the Empire would just attack and seize the capital outright—there would be no room for negotiation.

Those present, the government officials and the prince’s other brothers, immediately realized something was wrong with the Crown Prince’s behavior.

The royal court mages who were present at the time, examined him and concluded that he might be under **mind control**.

The King and Prime Minister took the matter gravely and decided to announce that the Crown Prince had “fallen ill” for the time being.

But, as Prince Fluee told them, that was only a ostensible reason for the current commotion and that it would likely be temporary.

“Not only did he not deny his ties with the enemy nation, the Empire, but even defending it has led to suspicions of being brainwashed, which is dangerous, there’s no way he can remain Crown Prince… Most likely, after being ‘ill’ for a few days, an official statement will be issued saying he’s stepping down from his position due to being unfit for government duties.”

Tauro and Aeris  were speechless.

It’s true that the Crown Prince’s recent behavior during the Saint’s journey did seem a little strange, even erratic.

His jealousy toward the increasingly popular Prince Fleue had seemed excessive, and it bothered me that he was far removed from the image of the kind, rationale Crown Prince that Prince Fleue had painted him to be.

Now, hearing that he might have been brainwashed, everything began to make sense.

Prince Fleue sighed softly.

“He was such a gentle man… someone who truly loved peace.”

Tauro held Prince Fleue’s hand encouragingly, though his mind was already racing through possible explanations.

If the Crown Prince had originally been a kind, intelligent, and peace-loving person, that very nature might have made him vulnerable.

Perhaps the rise of his younger brother Fleue had shaken him emotionally, creating an opening that someone exploited.

By stirring the darkness in his heart, destabilizing his emotions, and then “saving” him with a completely different ideology—perhaps through magical means—they could have thoroughly brainwashed him.

But such a thing would require someone very close to the prince, someone he trusted deeply.

Since the Crown Prince’s main supporter was Marquis Haragura, he seemed the most suspicious candidate.

Still, Tauro couldn’t help but wonder—what reason would the marquis have to do such a thing?

“Your Highness, where are the Crown Prince’s close attendants?”

Tauro asked, his tone serious.

“They’ve already been taken into custody. Three of them have… taken their own lives. We have received reports that they may be spies for the Empire. But this cannot become public knowledge, so please—both of you—keep this a secret.”

Prince Fleue’s expression was filled with grief; the shock of losing his once-beloved brother was clearly weighing heavily upon him.