Chapter 63: The Illusion of a Superpower

Following Heinrich’s remonstrance, Lute releases the frozen siblings.

After that, he called his servants and ordered them to take care of Natra and Rick as much as possible.

Having completed various miscellaneous tasks at the same time as moving, Lute arrived at Liselotte’s place.

“──I’m going to interrupt.”

“Oh, Master. I see you’re already home.”

“Oh. Are you still working? It’s unusual for you to be in the Oval Office at this hour.”

“While waiting for the report, I extended the time for government affairs just a little. As long as husband who is a demi-god, was working, I expected it would not be that late.”

“…… diligent. I bow down.”

The important matter of dealing with intelligence agents. She said she had gone out of her way and lost time on other jobs just to hear that report.

Lute, who believes in laziness, is too much the opposite of a worker.

“You’re that kind of master. I am very grateful to you for personally cleaning up the territory. As you can see, I’m is not suited for rough work, so husband’s presence is very much appreciated.”

“I was just trying not to be an ornament. I didn’t do much.”

“I would like to ask you to be humble… but it must be true for you, Master. Even a blessed warrior of a demi-god cannot be a threat. That is truly encouraging.”

Liselotte said so and smiled politely. She has a beautiful smile. She is full of dignified elegance, yet soft and fragile.

Two “beauties” that should be contradictory. They are in perfect harmony and melt into the girl named Liselotte.

I don’t think it’s a natural thing. It is not an area that can be completed by itself. It is not a realm that can be perfected on its own. This behavior is a weapon that she has acquired through her bloody efforts, in addition to her innate beauty.

“…”

──I should learn from Liselotte-sama.

“Husband? Is something wrong?”

I had a momentary flashback to Heinrich’s admonition.

Lute shakes his shoulders with a wry smile, apparently having been caught by Liselotte’s perfect smile.

“No, I was just admiring you a little bit. You smile so beautifully.”

“Maaah. ……. I can’t believe husband said that to me. My face got hot, even if it was just a little.”

“You’re used to hearing this level of flattery, aren’t you?”

“It matters whose words they are. Even if it is a simple word, if it is spun from the mouth of a loved one, it is enough to make a maiden soar, don’t you see?”

“If you say so, then it’s worth all the nonsense I’m spouting.”

Liselotte let out a small giggling voice. Even her appearance is beautiful.

I can understand why Heinrich says to use her as a model. Because the intention to keep backlash to a minimum is included in every move.

In tough situations, Lut’s way of being would be preferred, but in everyday life, Liselotte’s way of being would be preferred.

And if asked which scene is more common, rough things or everyday life, it would be overwhelmingly the latter.

Considering the future, I guess I should follow Heinrich’s advice.

“──Now then, Master. If I were to express my personal feelings, I would like to continue to have a friendly conversation with you, but… Unfortunately, my position as a feudal lord does not allow that. May I cut to the chase?”

“Yes”

──But that can wait. We have more important things to do now.

In an instant, the sweet air of a social world switches to a chilling atmosphere.

The conversation so far is just the opening act. It was an extension of the greeting that accompanied the entrance. The main subject is from now on. This is what we need.

The atmosphere surrounding each other also changes. Liselotte went from a gentle lady to that of a feudal lord. Lute from her fiancée to that of the grand duke.

“First of all, let’s start with the conclusion. The harassment was successful, although I forced Natra to take on a tougher role. We secured a name, and the assassination was forced into a manhunt. We believe we have captured everyone associated with the Triston Trading Company.”

“That’s great. How did you find the divine soldiers, which was a concern?”

“I hunted everyone in town. Eight in number.”

“…… I see.”

Liselotte’s eyebrows twitch slightly at the number of divine soldiers announced.

She was surprised by the number of people who were there, more than she expected. ─ ─ No. She did not deny that she was surprised, but more than that, the presence she gave off was telling.

“Unpleasant. Yes, absolutely unpleasant.”

There is irritation. Even if it is unbecoming behavior for a lady, as a lord and as a person of the noblest blood of the empire, she cannot help but feel uncomfortable.

“The sending of forces comparable to tactical-level magicians to other countries, unauthorized and in secret. A large number of them. This is an outrage tantamount to a declaration of war.”

“It’s impossible to prove that they’re divine soldiers. They must be convinced that it can’t be traced.”

Their official position is the Kingdom of Zeon, to which the Triston Company belongs. They would not leave any evidence that would lead to the Republic state.

As for divine authority, which is proof of a divine soldier, it cannot be evidence as long as it can only be recognized by the status of a demi-god.

There are only three demi-gods on the continent, and two of them belong to the empire. If you raise your voice, you will be cut off by the Republic state as a false accusation.

“It’s a shame, but it’s impossible to pursue this with the Republic state. No matter how hard we try, it will be futile.”

“…Is that so?”

“Ah. It would be best to change our minds and focus on the Kingdom of Zeon. We’ve already secured their best diplomatic cards.”

“What is the best card?”

“One of the divine soldiers who fell for my harassment. I froze him in the attack position. Add the fact that I was the target, and you can boil or bake the rest. Nice souvenir, huh?”

“Well, that’s a very nice gift.”

The unpleasant look on her face changes. Liselotte’s face breaks into a big flowery smile.

A smile that can only be described as dainty. But behind that smile, I wonder how much calculation goes into it.

“”Let me write to His Majesty that the Master has given him a wonderful gift. It’s a bit modest, but I’ll brag a lot about how much he loves me.”

“Just don’t go overboard on that one.”

It would be a very smug content for a letter to one’s father. It would be an irony that is not easy to describe a diplomatic firestorm as a love affair.

“…… Hmmm. Despite the unpleasant facts, it seems to be a very satisfying outcome in terms of the harvest.”

“Yeah. That’s a lot of money in the real world.”

Eliminated most of the disgruntled elements. On top of that, we got  diplomatically effective material.

As Liselotte said, the result could be called a great success. ……It is just an evaluation at face value.

“──The problem is that it is difficult to determine the purpose of the Republic state.”

“Yes. It’s too disturbing. The timing, the number, the quality. The list of oddities is endless.”

It hasn’t been long since Lute belonged to the Empire and reigned over Sandelica.

In spite of that, the great power of the divine soldiers was sent from the Republic state. It’s also a state where there are multiple people and untraceable identities.

The two countries do not have direct territorial contact, and multiple satellite countries spread between them. A terrifyingly quick and thorough move that jumped over that distance constraint.

“… I was also a princess of the Empire, but I’m not that bright when it comes to espionage. Even so……”

“As Colonel Landvald analyzed, it is highly likely that they are working for some purpose. But what is it? Even if they have the power of an apostle, this is an excessive mobilization. I don’t know the slightest thing about the intelligence situation in the Republic state, but even I can understand that.”

Lute is from the Kingdom of Land. It’s a small, humble country, and not a country that the superpower of the Republic state cares about.

There are also geographic implications. The Empire exists between the Land kingdom and the Republic state. In that sense, the Land Kingdom has little relationship with the Republic state.

That’s why Lute doesn’t know. He doesn’t have that kind of knowledge, such as how many spies the Republic state has released to other countries.

Still, I can’t help but feel a sense of discomfort. Even though common sense cannot be relied upon when a demi-god called the apostle is involved. I can’t stop the creepy chill.

“I’m very aware that we don’t have all the information. We’re going to draw it out. I know that.”

── On top of that, Lute chanted. He still stares at the illusion of a superpower whose full picture cannot be seen.

“What is their purpose? What are they doing, damn it, Republic state”

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter