By Zephyria 
“Ugh……”
After parting ways with the Crown Prince, Elian returned to his temporary lodging in the Imperial Palace and stomped his feet.
He recalled himself, who had gotten carried away for a moment and blurted out an incredible statement, and had to try to calm his burning face.
“You must like him a great deal. I am curious why you accept my proposal despite that, but I will not ask. It is because I fear my heart might waver if I hear it.”
…Thankfully, he didn’t ask for the reason. I hadn’t even considered that he might be curious from his perspective.
Isn’t it strange?
Even if it’s to prevent war, accepting it without a moment’s hesitation.
In a normal situation, I would have despaired at my circumstances, cried for a long time, and then accepted the situation.
Of course, I couldn’t imagine myself crying my eyes out, but that’s what a normal person would do.
‘He seemed to think there was a reason so heartbreaking it would be difficult to even speak of…’
It wasn’t entirely wrong, but even if I heard it, it wouldn’t be something that would change the Crown Prince’s mind.
In any case, to prevent war, Radion’s power was needed, and the surest way to secure that relationship was a marriage alliance.
It was just that three lives were at stake there.
‘Yes. This is the only way. If I prevent the war, everyone will live.’
No matter how I thought about it, Radion didn’t seem to want anything other than a marriage alliance. There was nothing as simple and certain as a marriage alliance.
‘And I don’t think he would have wanted another noble either.’
The aspirations for the future the Crown Prince revealed. After hearing that, it became even clearer. Radion needed Elian.
Therefore, the current choice was the best.
“But why……”
Elian buried his face in the bed. Despite making the best choice, something was bothering him.
Was it because of Kirendis?
He knew it was the best choice, but perhaps his heart couldn’t accept it, which is why he felt this way.
‘Love is truly… difficult.’
Nothing was going as he wished. It was useless even though he already knew it. His heart seemed to move on its own, and his body felt like it would follow suit with action.
It felt like he could make the wrong choice at any moment.
Did Kirendis feel this way too? Was he suffering this much?
‘Where… where is he now?’
The cold face he saw at the end couldn’t be forgotten. Had he spoken too harshly?
Couldn’t he have spoken a little less hurtfully?
But he quietly shook his head. If he hadn’t done so, Kirendis wouldn’t have given up.
It was all because of my own greed. A choice made to try and live under the same sky.
‘So…’
Elian quietly closed his eyes and thought.
‘Forget about someone like me quickly, Kirendis.’
Throb.
His chest ached as punishment for thinking thoughts he didn’t mean.
Indeed, his heart knew no lies.
“There is not much time left. You must make a decision quickly, Your Majesty.”
“That is correct. If it continues like this, the damage to the people will be immense.”
“Your Majesty.”
“Your Majesty.”
The ministers bowed their heads and strongly appealed to Lion. Despite the considerable time that had passed, Lion’s will was too strong, causing them to grow impatient.
However, they could no longer afford to postpone it. A decision had to be made in some form. After all, the arrival date of the Spandia delegation was fast approaching.
If so, the only explanation for Lion dragging his feet like this was that he had already made up his mind but was delaying it.
‘I’m okay, Lion.’
He sent a glance, praying his feelings would reach him. Then, he let out a sigh and finally opened his mouth.
“I understand your concerns well. However, is there not someone who has yet to declare their intentions?”
Someone who hasn’t declared their intentions?
Elian and the other nobles tilted their heads in confusion.
“Duke Lipen.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
Everyone fell silent at Lion’s words.
‘Now?’
The sentiment of ‘Now?’ was visible on everyone’s faces. Elian was no exception.
He couldn’t help but think that it was understandable that he wasn’t attending the meeting, regardless of where he was or what he was doing.
Moreover, since Lion knew the relationship between the two, he had assumed Lion had been tacitly allowing the meeting to proceed until now.
But for him to bring it up now…
“Knock, knock.”
The sound of a knock on the conference room door was heard. As everyone’s gaze turned there, the door opened, and a servant delivered unexpected news.
“Your Majesty. Duke Lipen has arrived.”
Elian, flustered, quickly turned his head. As Lion’s voice, ordering him to enter, was heard, Kirendis appeared.
“You’ve arrived just in time, Duke Lipen.”
Lion greeted Kirendis warmly, as if he had been waiting.
“I am late, Your Majesty.”
Surprisingly, Kirendis was not alone. A woman wearing a neat uniform instead of a dress followed behind him.
‘That person is…’
Her hair and eyes were a bluish-green, reminiscent of emeralds. A woman who always tied her long hair back and preferred practical uniforms over fancy dresses.
‘Isabella Yurvel, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel.’
As she was such a famous figure, Elian recognized her at a glance.
The Kingdom of Yurvel was not a country that could be called a great power, but it possessed a unique competitiveness that made it impossible to ignore.
‘Why is the Princess of Yurvel here…’
‘A combination of Yurvel and the Rippen Ducal Family…’
‘Ominous.’
‘Ominous.’
Everyone narrowed their eyes and scrutinized the unfamiliar figure. It was understandable, as the Kingdom of Yurvel was known for its arms exports.
‘Could it be…’
Elian conjured a far-fetched assumption. But he quickly shook his head. It was too early to jump to conclusions.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Isabella Yurvel, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel. It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty.”
“Welcome, Princess. You must have had a long journey. Please, have a seat.”
Lion seemed to have known of her visit beforehand. Far from being flustered, he greeted her warmly and guided her to a seat.
‘It can’t be… it must not be.’
His face hardened with a growing sense of dread. At the crucial moment of decision, the appearance of a princess from a country famous for its arms exports.
It was a perfectly timed combination, as if preparing for war.
“Your Majesty. I apologize, but may I ask what is going on? You are allowing an outsider into a matter of grave national importance.”
“That is correct, Your Majesty. Welcoming the Princess can wait until after the meeting.”
The nobles, feeling the same anxiety as Elian, spoke up quickly. Their expressions suggested they wanted the Princess to leave, as the feeling was not good.
However, if it were something that would be accepted, they wouldn’t have let her in in the first place.
“Princess Isabella is someone who will provide important assistance, so she is not an outsider.”
Lion retorted, then turned his gaze to Kirendis. As if waiting, Kirendis spoke.
“Everyone here is well aware of what the Kingdom of Yurvel is famous for. That is, weapons.”
The weapons of the Kingdom of Yurvel were special. Not just ordinary weapons, but weapons processed with Magic Stones, boasting immense destructive power.
When war broke out, the strongest destructive force came from mages, followed by Magic Stone weapons.
It was no exaggeration to say that Yurvel was the only country capable of producing weapons of good quality and overwhelming firepower.
The delicate craftsmanship and the first-grade Magic Stone mines that supported it had elevated the Kingdom of Yurvel to its current position.
Kirendis was now reinforcing this fact for everyone.
“If war breaks out with the Spandia Empire, what we will lack is the number of soldiers. The difference in numbers will be significant, and we will be at a disadvantage in a prolonged war. That is why we have specially invited the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel, Isabella Yurvel. With the Kingdom of Yurvel’s Magic Stone weapons, our forces will not be significantly outmatched.”
Kirendis’s words were persuasive. With the introduction of Magic Stone weapons, warfare capable of immense firepower with fewer soldiers would be possible.
While diplomatic efforts could not prevent war entirely, at least there would be no fear of morale dropping.
Elian, having already seen a peaceful future for the Arpen Empire, found these words convincing.
However, his words had several problems.
“No one here is unaware of that. Magic Stone weapons? They are excellent. But our country cannot afford such weapons. It is embarrassing, but this is the reality.”
That was right.
As powerful as the weapons were, their cost was beyond imagination. Moreover, to face the Spandia Empire, the quantity required would have to be enormous.
And there was one more mountain to climb.
“That is correct. Furthermore, we have another option besides war. If we form an alliance with Radion, war can be avoided solely by that fact.”
Yes.
Since the Crown Prince of Radion had proposed a marriage alliance, war was not inevitable. Even if diplomatic advantages were utilized, the effect would be difficult to match that of the Fern Knights Order.
The nobles did not want to risk war, and they wanted to send Elian away on this opportunity. So, if they just pushed forward…
‘Wait.’
Elian, suddenly recalling something, hastily looked around.
Kirendis and the nobles were engaged in a heated debate, each presenting their arguments. However, only the anti-Emperor faction nobles were getting heated.
The key nobles, Lion’s loyalists, remained silent, watching.
Only then did Elian realize that Lion and Kirendis had prepared more than he thought.
‘Could they have persuaded them?’
What method did they use?
From a long-term perspective, I was a hindrance to Lion. It was too dangerous to go together.
That’s why they were advocating for a marriage alliance, but their attitude changed overnight.
‘How on earth…’
Did they have a hidden card?
His heart began to grow anxious. If it continued like this, the direction seemed to be heading towards war.
‘If war breaks out…’
He naturally pictured Kirendis and Jade dying. His vision blurred, and a sense of horror washed over him.
Elian decided he needed to leave the current situation. But…
“So, to import Magic Stone weapons, we need funds…!”
“Funds are not necessary.”
Kirendis silenced the conference room.
‘Funds are not necessary?’
Just as he wondered how that was possible, Kirendis looked at the Crown Prince of Radion, who had been quietly observing the situation, and said, “Because the alliance… will be with Yurvel, not Radion.”
Wait.
‘What on earth does this mean?’
Elian couldn’t help but be bewildered. Unlike Radion, Yurvel had nothing to gain from forming an alliance with Arpen.
Magic Stone weapons were already exorbitantly priced, and they maintained active trade with other countries. There was no reason for them to form an alliance.
‘But why with the Kingdom of Arpen…’
As if anticipating this situation, Kirendis declared with a resolute face.
“I declare, with everyone present as witnesses. Isabella Yurvel, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel, and Kirendis Lipen, Duke of the Kingdom of Arpen, have promised to share a future for the harmony of both our nations. Given the circumstances, the engagement ceremony will be replaced by this declaration today, and the wedding ceremony will be held after the war is concluded.”
“……”
“……”
“……”
The conference room was engulfed in a long silence. Everyone was stunned by Kirendis’s shocking statement, their mouths agape, unable to move.
Elian was no exception.
‘Do as you please. I will do as I please too.’
Kirendis’s last words from a few days ago echoed in his mind.
Was this the meaning of those words? Had he been planning this situation since then?
What on earth was he thinking…
Various thoughts tangled complexly.
“The Kingdom of Yurvel will spare no support for the Kingdom of Arpen.”
Kirendis drove the point home, and Princess Isabella smiled softly and continued.
“The Kingdom of Arpen will gain overwhelming weapons, and our Kingdom of Yurvel will gain a strong ally in the form of a Sword Master. It will be beneficial for both nations.”
As she said, it was undoubtedly beneficial for both nations.
With the full support of the Kingdom of Yurvel, their military strength would rise dramatically.
Even if war broke out, it would be a country that could lead to victory, albeit with some casualties.
This was a significant boon for the politically unstable Kingdom of Arpen.
However, it wasn’t all advantages.
“I admit that an alliance with the Kingdom of Yurvel would be helpful. However, Your Highness has not yet relinquished your claim to the throne, have you?”
A noble, having regained their composure, pointed out the exact issue.
“That is correct. We do not know what the future holds, so if things go wrong, it could result in the loss of Duke Lipen, a Sword Master.”
“In comparison, an alliance with Radion has no such risk factors. We can exert positive influence on each other.”
“Indeed.”
“That is correct.”
“Please reconsider, Your Majesty.”
The anti-Emperor nobles protested from all sides. However, the Princess, as if expecting this, replied with a face full of smiles.
“There is no need to worry about such matters. The situation is urgent, so I have not yet handled it, but I intend to relinquish my claim to the throne after the war is over.”
“No…”
“Such…!”
Even though the desired answer was given, the nobles were still not satisfied. After all, the Princess’s words were no different from an empty promise.
To relinquish her claim after the war? How could they know she wouldn’t simply forget about it once it was over?
“I don’t understand what the problem is.”
At that moment, Lion spoke with a coldly hardened face.
“Haven’t I been saying it all along? Archduke Esiton is a valuable talent, so I cannot allow it.”
Seeing Lion’s cold demeanor for the first time, the nobles were struck dumb.
“Therefore, I have specially prepared a secondary plan. The best way to not lose both Archduke Esiton and Duke Lipen.”
“B-but Your Majesty!”
“Or… do you not trust the promise of Princess Isabella Yurvel, the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel?”
“……”
“……”
The nobles could not say a word. Elian was no exception. If they said they didn’t trust her here, that would be a problem in itself.
The person before them was the First Princess of the Kingdom of Yurvel. As her succession rank was high, she could not be spoken to carelessly.
“Then, I will proceed with the meeting, assuming there are no objections. And…”
Lion looked directly at the two and said,
“I would like the Crown Prince of Radion and Archduke Esiton, who are not involved in this matter, to leave the room.”
A clear dismissal.
With Lion’s firm decision not to accept any other opinions, war… was confirmed.
Bang.
Elian and the Crown Prince were kicked out.
‘I’ve been tricked.’
Looking at the conference room door with a bewildered expression, the only emotion felt was one of defeat.
Defeat.
The first taste of defeat in this life. Never having failed before, I was so easily defeated.
‘Where did I go wrong?’
Was it because my emotions were involved?
Elian admitted his mistake. Thinking about Kirendis was agonizing, and I didn’t consider how he would act.
No, even if I had considered it, could I have predicted it?
‘I couldn’t have.’
He was the only unpredictable person. His emotions were so deep that even trying to think rationally was difficult.
I had overlooked that.
“Haa…”
Elian sighed and turned away. There was no answer to be found by staying here.
‘First, I need to go somewhere quiet…’
I had to make a new plan. There might still be… there might still be a way. A way to avoid war…
‘But…’
Elian stopped walking as a scene flashed through his mind.
‘Is it true? Really, the Princess of Yurvel and…’
As he thought that far, his mood sank. He was in no position to say anything to him, so his mood soured.
The image of the Princess and Kirendis sitting side-by-side flickered before his eyes.
Kirendis had only done the same thing Elian had done. He had even been the one to say harsh words first and end their relationship.
This was a situation where such feelings shouldn’t arise.
‘How pathetic, truly.’
Elian ran his hands through his hair, messing it up. Absurdly, an unexpected emotion was blooming in his heart.
The emotion of ‘jealousy’.
Why act like this now, after he was the one who had abandoned and let go first?
He hadn’t intended to do anything about it, but he wondered if Kirendis had felt this way too.
Was it sincere?
Were his words genuine?
Or was it merely an impulsive act born of anger?
‘Or perhaps….’
Elian thought of the most plausible assumption. The possibility that Kirendis’s feelings had completely soured after being pushed away so harshly.
‘He must have gotten tired of me, of course.’
After speaking so harshly, he couldn’t blame Kirendis if his heart had grown distant along with a sense of betrayal.
Perhaps Lion had simply been firm, preventing them from accepting Radion’s proposal. After all, if war was unavoidable, forming an alliance with the Kingdom of Yurvel for support would be the best course of action.
Elian’s head swam with confusion. His judgment was also a complete mess. His sharp intellect had vanished the day he had the dream.
‘I don’t know.’
The future was dark. He was paralyzed by a feeling he had never experienced before.
He wanted to change the future, but the more he tried to intervene, the more it felt like he was rushing towards the future he had seen.
‘What should I do….’
It was then.
“So, the person you like is Duke Lipen.”
The Crown Prince’s voice could be heard. Elian quickly turned his head.
“…Since when were you here?”
“From the beginning… I’ve been here?”
Unbelievable.
He had been so lost in thought that he hadn’t even noticed the Crown Prince following him. It would have been proper to exchange a few words and part ways, especially since they had been expelled together before.
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s alright. If someone I liked acted like that, I would have been shocked too.”
“….”
Elian couldn’t say anything. It was his own doing.
However, the Crown Prince seemed to think differently, and after some thought, he continued.
“I am curious about what happened between you two, but I won’t ask. Still, from a third party’s perspective, I have one thing to say…”
“….”
“Please fix it before it’s too late.”
Fix it?
Elian couldn’t understand the Crown Prince’s words. As if reading his expression, the Crown Prince let out a laugh, finding it amusing.
“So you have this side to you too? This is all I can say. If I say any more, I’ll be at a disadvantage. Consider this a favor, so please think carefully.”
“No….”
“Then, I’ll be going.”
The Crown Prince turned and quickly walked away. Then, as if remembering something, he turned his head slightly and said.
“One more thing, our Radion is always open, so we’ll be waiting for good news.”
What… was that?
He told him to fix it, and now he was waiting for good news?
Elian felt himself sinking deeper into a labyrinth.
He heard the news that the meeting had concluded the next day.
Given the urgency, the meeting had been lengthy, and Elian had no choice but to wait.
‘First, I need to talk.’
No matter how he thought about it, the only way was to change Kirendis’s mind. Since the incident involving Princess Isabella had occurred because Kirendis had brought her into it, that matter needed to be nullified.
It wouldn’t be easy, but the very thought of initiating a war was far too reckless.
‘Of course, if he says he’s fallen for Princess Isabella, this will all be useless…’
The possibility was low. If she were the protagonist, perhaps, but she wasn’t even a character who appeared in the original work.
It was highly likely that he had acted impulsively.
‘So, I’ll persuade him calmly.’
Kirendis would surely understand. He was a smart boy; he would realize and understand that his actions were reckless.
‘Alright. Let’s do this.’
Elian quickly finished his preparations and headed out. He had to meet Kirendis before he returned to the Rippen Ducal Family.
Once he left, the chances of meeting him would be slim.
‘The Imperial Palace is unavoidable, but at the Duchy, they could use various excuses to refuse a meeting.’
He had to finish the conversation before then.
Fortunately, Kirendis hadn’t boarded his carriage yet. He was with Lac, engaged in some conversation.
“Kirendis. Can I talk to you for a moment?”
“….”
Kirendis didn’t reply. Instead, he stared intently at Elian. Elian felt anxious, unable to read his thoughts at all.
“I have nothing to say.”
“It’ll be brief.”
As Elian quickly added, Lac offered to wait, excusing himself. Elian was relieved that he seemed to have some sense.
“Haa. Alright.”
He led Kirendis, who let out a short sigh, to a secluded spot. Since someone was waiting, the conversation couldn’t be long.
Therefore, he had to convey his thoughts concisely and clearly.
“I don’t know what you were thinking when you did that, but it’s too reckless. Stop it, even now.”
“….”
“….”
“….”
Was his voice too quiet?
Kirendis simply looked down at Elian without any reaction. Then, with a soft exhale, he spoke.
“Is that all you have to say?”
Was he expecting a different conversation?
Whatever Kirendis had been expecting, Elian quickly conveyed his intentions.
“No. There’s more. It’s not too late to cancel the alliance with the Kingdom of Yurvel and lend your support to the alliance with Radion. There’s a way to avoid war, so there’s no need to take the difficult path.”
Elian’s judgment, clouded by lack of sleep, was completely blurred. Thus, he carelessly uttered words that could hurt Kirendis.
This pushed Kirendis’s buttons, who had been trying hard to maintain his composure.
“That’s truly cruel. Are you asking me to not only approve but also persuade the person I love to marry someone else?”
“Ah….”
Only then did Elian realize his mistake. At the same time, he felt relieved to realize that Kirendis still harbored feelings for him.
It was truly disheartening. How could a person be so selfish?
“After what happened with you, Elian, I thought a lot. Why did I do that? Why did I say those words? Why did I make that choice? Truly… truly I…”
He was suppressing his emotions. He gazed at Elian, holding back his overflowing heart.
“Then I came to a conclusion. I decided to believe in everything I felt. Because the you I’ve known wouldn’t sincerely say such things.”
Ah…
His heart ached as if being pricked. He couldn’t speak in the face of his pure, unwavering love. Despite hearing harsh words, he still spoke of love.
“There must have been a reason you had to do it. That’s why you’re trying to sacrifice yourself, just as you always have.”
It was accurate. Elian had always rushed forward for his goals, unconcerned with his reputation. He had lived believing that some sacrifice was inevitable.
The only difference now was that he had someone more precious than his own life.
‘For you, I…’
However, Kirendis didn’t just passively accept. Instead, he roughly pushed it away, protesting that it was unnecessary.
“That’s why. No matter what happens to you, I absolutely cannot stand to see you sacrifice yourself. The same goes for you going to someone else.”
“….”
“If that’s the case, I’d rather…”
“….”
“Choose death.”
Kirendis’s resolute voice struck Elian’s heart.
He could feel it instinctively. The futility of saying anything more.
Kirendis had already made up his mind. He considered arguing that it was a misconception, but he knew it wouldn’t work.
But he couldn’t give up. He had to stop it somehow. If war broke out, Kirendis would die.
That was the future. An unchangeable future.
So, he had to say something.
“What you’re doing… it’s a terrible thing to do to her, too. Do you know that?”
If Kirendis still had feelings for him, it was a grave insult to the woman he was about to enter into an alliance marriage with.
But Elian hadn’t realized it yet.
“Isn’t that the same for you?”
“…What?”
“You’re also agreeing to an alliance marriage with Radion without any intention of doing so.”
“I…!”
“Are you going to say it’s different? Don’t try to deceive me. Lies won’t work.”
“….”
He felt completely exposed. The mask he had painstakingly worn was torn off, revealing his vulnerable face.
At this rate, he couldn’t save Kirendis. He could do nothing. Kirendis was too resolute, ready to walk confidently towards death.
He was moving forward, steadfastly reaffirming his beliefs, without fear.
‘At this rate…’
Elian’s lips parted. But no words came out. What more could he say here?
His firm resolve had cornered Elian.
“I told you. I’ll do as I please.”
Kirendis, no longer wanting to continue the conversation, brushed past Elian and uttered his final words.
“So… I’m just doing as I please, too.”
Left alone, Elian slowly collapsed. Leaning his back against the wall, he remained motionless for hours.
Completely lost, he didn’t know what to do.
‘Has this… ever happened before?’
It seemed it never had. While his lack of sleep might have contributed to this tendency, it was a significant shock to Elian.
A feeling of having become useless.
‘Is this how the war…’
Will it happen?
‘Is the future unchangeable?’
His ability, which he had once considered convenient, became hateful. He wondered if he wouldn’t have died a happier death if he hadn’t possessed such a power.
Such thoughts drove him further into a corner, but Elian still didn’t know. He simply spent his time thinking, and thinking, about the bleak future.
“What are you still doing here? I’ve been looking for you for ages.”
A familiar, yet irritating voice was heard.
It was Lac.
“People, you know. If they’re curious and worried, they should look for themselves, but they always bother people like this.”
Who was he talking about?
Elian stared blankly at Lac’s playful face.
“Wow. What happened to your face? You look like you’ve aged ten years? I’ve lived a long time, and I’m still seeing things. Even a Grand Duke like this.”
Elian’s annoyance flared at Lac’s rough hands patting his face from side to side.
“Go away.”
He lashed out, showing his emotions, but Lac’s eyes sparkled.
“No way. For a moment there, the Grand Duke looked a little human.”
“…I’m always human.”
“No, no. Until now, the Grand Duke was a cold-blooded, heartless man.”
“….”
Since that was also true, Elian couldn’t retort. But Lac nodded as if seeing him anew and continued.
“Now I see, the Grand Duke was human after all. You were a truly perfect person.”
“If you came here to say useless things, get out immediately. I’m not in the mood for jokes.”
Elian felt as if he had woken from a long slumber, thanks to Lac’s unchanging demeanor.
His head was still heavy, but he felt he had regained enough strength to stand up again.
“That’s harsh. Saying that to someone who came all the way to find you.”
“I never asked you to.”
“Sigh. Now you’re finally acting like your usual self, Grand Duke.”
Lac shook his head and said. Elian’s gaze was icy, but Lac was undeterred. He smiled as if relieved and stood up.
“Why do you oppose the war so much?”
“….”
The reason for opposing the war.
It was obvious to Elian, but to those who didn’t know the reason, it seemed strange.
While nobles might understand due to their own interests, Elian’s case offered no such obvious reason.
He had even accepted Radion’s proposal as if he had been waiting for it.
To say it was out of love for the country wouldn’t fit, as those around him knew Elian well. He was the type of person who would find a way to win the war rather than escape through self-sacrifice.
Therefore, he couldn’t help but seem suspicious.
“You know, don’t you? With our country’s current strength alone, we can’t defeat the Spandia Empire.”
“So His Majesty brought a second option?”
“….”
“It’s true that we’re at a disadvantage against Spandia, but with the help of the Kingdom of Yurvel, we have a chance. Not just a chance, we have a high probability of winning.”
This was something Elian also acknowledged. The country had three Sword Masters, so with weapons support from the Kingdom of Yurvel, the chances of victory were high.
But…
“That doesn’t mean no one will die. War inevitably causes casualties.”
Yes. It was best if war never happened in the first place. This was common sense that everyone knew.
But Lac casually dropped a word that hit the core of the issue.
“Are you perhaps afraid Duke Rippen will die?”
“….”
“Wow. It’s true. So this is who you are?”
Lac exclaimed in exaggerated surprise and stood before Elian.
“I see. It’s not just Duke Rippen you like; you like the Grand Duke immensely too. That’s what it was.”
He nodded to himself, acting as if he had figured it out. Then he looked at Elian again, expressing further surprise.
It was incredibly annoying and irritating. But Elian suppressed his anger, knowing it would only amuse Lac further.
“Oh? Then why on earth did you make such a strange choice?”
Elian no longer wanted to continue the conversation. With a mountain of problems to solve, he felt he wouldn’t accomplish anything if he stayed with Lac.
He needed to organize his thoughts quickly and make a plan…
“No, that’s not it. Knowing that you like each other, why would you make such a strange choice?”
“What’s strange about it?”
“Then it’s not strange?”
“Not at all. It’s to prevent war. To minimize casualties.”
“Uh… you really don’t know, do you?”
He had no idea what Lac meant by “don’t know.” It was humiliating to hear such words from Lac.
Elian turned his body abruptly. But he couldn’t walk forward.
Lac had thrown a shocking statement.
“There isn’t only one way to prevent war, is there?”
Only one… way… not…?
“I thought you wanted to retire. But if it’s to prevent war, there are plenty of other options besides that choice.”
“There are other ways?”
He couldn’t believe it. Lac had thought of a method he himself hadn’t considered? And he had kept quiet about it all along?!
Annoyance surged, and he demanded to know, “Why didn’t you tell me?” The answer he received was outrageous.
“Why didn’t I tell you? Well, if the Grand Duke left the country, I was going to leave too… Ouch! No, why are you kicking me all of a sudden? You know it won’t hit me anyway…”
Elian, filled with rage, thrashed about, trying to kick Lac.
‘What? Leave the country?’
Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Lac in the future he’d glimpsed. Elian’s suspicion grew more rational.
“Stop. Stop. I know the Grand Duke doesn’t have that intention, so it won’t happen. If the Grand Duke stays in this country, I’ll stay too.”
“….”
How was he supposed to interpret this?
At first glance, it sounded like a statement devoid of patriotism, but from Elian’s perspective, it was a weighty word that resonated deeply.
“The reason I’m staying in this country is because of the Grand Duke. Ah, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying it out of romantic interest; it’s just that interesting things happen when the Grand Duke is around.”
“….”
He retracted that. What was weighty about it? The latter reason was far too trivial.
‘Sigh. Right. What can I expect from Lac?’
Elian quickly resigned himself and asked.
“Never mind that. So, what is this method you’re talking about?”
Yes. The important thing was the alternative plan to prevent war.
Since Lion and Kirendis opposed it, the alliance with Radion was difficult. The alliance with Yurvel was based on the premise of war, so he could never agree to it.
Nevertheless, both proposals were attractive. Therefore, he looked forward to the third option that would come from Lac’s lips.
But…
“Why are you asking me?”
“What…?”
Lac looked genuinely bewildered. It wasn’t a mocking expression, but sincere confusion.
“No, you just said a moment ago that there was another alternative.”
“Ah….”
Only then did Lac let out a small sigh as if he realized something. And then delivered the answer clearly.
“Well, the Grand Duke should start thinking about that from now on.”His face… shone brightly without a trace of deceit.
“Huh?” No to violence! Listen to what I have to say first.”As Elian twisted his ankle and warmed up, Lac quickly stopped him and added.”
“Think about it.” The Grand Duke always found a solution even in the worst situations. Even impossible tasks were calmly figured out.”
“…….I quietly reflected on the past. According to him, Elian never gave up and always found a way.
Whether it was due to a determination to survive, skill, or simply luck, it has always been that way.
“Isn’t it strange?” Why did you accept it right away without even thinking about it? There might be a better way than forming an alliance with the Radiants.”
“…….”Now that I think about it, I hadn’t thought of that a moment ago.” He says that he is someone who will find a way to win in war rather than escape through sacrifice.
Elian blankly recalled that time.
‘Why… did that happen?Why did they accept the alliance so readily?
Did they not even think that there could be another way?
Why… did I not even try to recall it?
“If you had accepted it after thinking it through, that would be different.” But that’s not it.”That statement was correct.” Elian made a hasty decision. I had never done that before, but I urgently made a decision and took action.
‘Why…?There was no need to think too much. It was because of a dream. Kyrendis and Jade were frightened by the future they saw without themselves.
Elian’s vision became blurry from that moment, and his judgment was ruined.
“Sigh…””It was unbelievable.” I can’t believe I’m realizing this fact only now.
‘That is also due to Lacro…….Even though it’s annoying, there haven’t been many people who look at the world with the same perspective all the time. The unwavering gaze illuminated the lost path for Elian.
Although the light was narrow and I had to work hard to navigate through it, it was a success in that it provided some direction.
“The day will come when I will receive help from you.””I always feel like I’m being helpful.” There is no one as helpful as me.”He still spoke in a light voice.” Elian’s heart also became lighter.
As my heavy head cleared, it felt like the blood was circulating again.
“Let’s wait until the work is finished to show our gratitude.””You know I have a good memory, right?””Okay.”Elian smiled faintly and took a step forward after a long time.
The destination was the palace of Lyon.
Elian walked boldly. Countless ideas came and went. I couldn’t find anything useful, but both my heart and steps were light.
“I have been too tied up with the word war all this time.”When the war breaks out, Kirendis will die, Jade will die, and he will also die.
Elian was too immersed in this fact. I only saw the wide and straight road. If you look closely, there might be countless detours.
“It would be great if there were a shortcut, but it doesn’t really matter if there isn’t.” We just need to create a future where no one dies even if a war breaks out.Thinking that way made everything feel easy. Even though I still haven’t found a clear answer, I did that.
Now, all that is left is to move forward, and the first step was to have a conversation with Leon.
“Your Majesty.” Duke of Ashiton…”The attendant announced Elian’s arrival, but the response was a cold rejection.”
But it was already within the expected range. Leon was intentionally keeping his distance from Elian. It’s obvious that if we meet, we’ll just have frustrating conversations, so I prefer not to meet at all.
“You must be angry with me too.”Who would like it when the person they respect and love the most says they will sacrifice themselves without a word?
At that time, I thought it was useless to speak, and my perspective was narrow. But looking back, it was truly a foolish action.
“There’s no guarantee that the answer I thought of is the correct one.”Elyan bitterly smiled and said to the attendant.
“I will take responsibility, so you should step back.””Hao na…””There will be no reprimanding you.” I swear on my name.The attendant hesitated for a moment, but opened the door at Elian’s firm gaze.
Click.
Elian stepped inside. Then, Leon raised his voice, not expecting anyone to come in without permission.
“Great public, what is this…””I saw the future.””Before he could say anything, Elian made the first move.” The word “future” momentarily softened Leon’s momentum. The ears of Barthelias, who was with him, also perked up.
“A future where a war breaks out… Jade dies, Kirendis dies, and I die.””
“…….”So I guess I was impatient.” I was so focused on the thought of needing to prevent the war that my perspective had narrowed.”
“…….”You shouldn’t behave like that.””
“…….”So give me just one day.””
“…….”I want to find a proper answer in the end.””
“…….Even after finishing his words, Leon said nothing. I was just staring at Elian. Then, after letting out a deep sigh, he said.
“I thought there would be some reason…”A look that I never thought would be for such a reason. He suggested it to Elian with just that expression.
“First, please sit down.” Please sit down and speak in detail.”Thank you.”With a softened voice, Elian finally felt relieved and sat down. Since I have opened my mouth, it was no different from taking a step forward.
“Okay.” Did you see the future?”Barthelias seemed intrigued and asked with curiosity.” Elian nodded and explained about the dream.
“If you judged that dream to be the future, then it will be the future.””I wondered if I was overreacting to my anxiety, but it seemed that wasn’t the case.”
Can it be changed? No, is it possible to change it?New thoughts began to take root in Elian’s mind. I have never seen such a clear future before; a feeling of fear washed over me.
At one time, it was even more so because I had foreseen a future where I would win in a battle against the Black Dragon.
Even the vague predictions turned out to be spot on, and I wondered if I could change such a clear prediction.
“It can be changed.””…Huh?””Elian, who had read my true feelings, opened his eyes wide.”
“Tsk tsk.” How desperate must you be to show it so clearly? If you had asked me earlier, it could have been done easily. And Leon, you too. Shouldn’t you have consulted me about this matter earlier?”Barthelias clicked his tongue as if he found it pathetic.” In any case, they complained without fail about how much effort it took and how annoying it was.
“Can you change it?””It seems like the conversation is getting lengthy, so I quickly took the lead and asked.”
Although I gained insight due to the lacrosse, that didn’t mean that my anxiety completely disappeared.
“Isn’t it obvious?” If you can’t change it, why would such things be visible? What you see is just one of countless futures.”Among countless futures…””One?”Leon also tilted his head and expressed his doubts. Elian heard those words and frowned as he pondered over them.
“Wait a moment.” Is it one? One?!One of countless futures. Elian instantly realized the true meaning of those words.
“Are you saying that there could be many other futures?”!”
“Isn’t it obvious?” The future is originally not predetermined. It’s about creating and making it happen.”
“…….Elian’s back of the head felt numb. If this is true, I couldn’t understand what he had felt until now.
Even the future didn’t exactly match the feelings he had received.
The eye of truth is the power that shows what is close to the truth. But there is no truth in the future.”Once again, feeling as if her thoughts were read, Elian grimaced and spoke again.”
“…it was a useless ability.””I thought that being able to see the future was because something would definitely happen or at least had a high probability of happening.”
‘But it wasn’t?’I wondered what on earth I had done. I felt like I was going crazy because I was so ashamed of my past self.
However, Barthelias seemed to think otherwise, clicking his tongue as he spoke.
“Why is it useless?” Haven’t you been able to prepare for aspects that you never even thought of before, just like now?”
“…….”Seeing a future where I die means I should move towards eliminating the possibility of death.”It was indeed a clear answer. But it was of no help at all. I wondered if they were actually teasing me.
“Who doesn’t know that?” Who fights a war to die?! That’s something you can do without looking into the future!”Elian’s words were also correct.” One of countless futures. That was something that could be thought about without needing to look into the future.
If a war breaks out, anyone can die. So prepare. It was a thought that could be sufficiently made without looking into the future.
However, Bartharias squinted and said “Hmm,” then asked Elian in return.
“That word.” Are you sure?”
“…….Elian could not clearly answer yes. Would I have worked as hard as I do now to create a future where no one dies, even if I hadn’t seen a future where three people die?
‘It wouldn’t have been like that.It wasn’t because of the inside. If they had believed in Jade, believed in Kirendis, believed in Leon, and believed in themselves, they would not have thought like they do now.
It was clear that they would have pushed forward even more boldly and confidently to seize victory.
“Even if there are countless futures, the fact that it was seen means that it is a future that holds significance for you.” Rather, if I hadn’t seen it, a truly dreamlike future might have unfolded.”Then…”Elyan’s heart settled quietly. Barthelias brought him one profound realization.
“From the moment you saw that future, the future is destined to run in your favor.”
Favorable… future.
Elian pondered deeply over those words. The more I pondered over it, the more I felt it was an extraordinary ability.
In other words, it means that if you only look at the future, the future you do not desire will not come.
“But if you keep stumbling around like a fool, things might get complicated.””Ah….””What would have happened if time had passed without me realizing my foolishness?”
Jade may not know, but the relationship between Kirendis and Leon has undoubtedly become irreparable. War would have happened as well, and then eventually…
I almost created that future myself.Elian thought that this ability might be dangerous for the first time.
“Therefore, you must think carefully.” It is not an all-purpose ability. Use it as a reference, but do not think that it is everything. The future is divided into countless paths.”Elian clasped his hands together and buried his face in them.” It was pathetic. I couldn’t lift my face because I felt so pathetic.
‘Still, it’s okay since I’ve realized it now. Just do well from now on.He chose the path of quickly acknowledging and moving forward, as he always did. First, I looked at Leon and apologized once again.
“I’m sorry, Leon.” Making me suffer without even knowing the English.”I won’t say it’s okay.” Because my uncle’s relentless execution was frustrating for the first time.”Ha ha…””Unstoppable execution power.”
Because of that, I was able to rise quickly to this position. But once I went down the wrong path, the descent became maddeningly fast.
“Still, it seems that my uncle was also confused, and since it’s the first time, I’ll forgive you.” Don’t make such decisions alone again. You understood, right?”Yes…” I’m really sorry.”Elian once again asked for forgiveness in a sulky voice.”
“And please make sure to tell this to Kirendis as well.””Huh?” Uh… right… that’s it.”Elian stammered and faltered in his speech.” I was going to say something. But for some reason, it was difficult to answer clearly.
‘Why… is it?”I tried to find the answer for myself. But there was no need to ask the question.
It was because I did not know how Kirendis would react when I spoke the truth and asked for forgiveness.
An unpredictable event tends to be accompanied by anxiety, making one want to procrastinate endlessly.
“The situation has escalated, and I don’t know how far I can manage to handle it.” There isn’t much time left.”…That’s true.”The alliance marriage between Kirendis and Princess Yurbel.
How far can I turn back?
Can we prevent war?
If we cannot stop it, what should we do to save everyone?
How should I…
‘Can I restore my relationship with Kirendis?Elyan’s mind became tangled once again. The answer to the ability to see the future was found thanks to Barterias.
But the cleanup for the things he had ruined was still ongoing.
The relationship with Kirendis had soured, and the war was leaning towards continuing.
At that moment, Bartherias tilted his head and said.
“I really don’t understand why you’re worrying so much.” If you want war, you can join hands with the Yurbel Kingdom, and if you don’t want it, you can join hands with Radion.That was the correct answer. For now, there was no other way.
The problem is…
“To ally with Yurbel, Kirendis must enter into an alliance marriage, and to ally with Radion, my uncle must enter into an alliance marriage.” The method we are looking for now is a way for two people to avoid an alliance marriage while also preventing war.”Hmm?””Leon pointed out the problem exactly, but Barterias still had a look of confusion.”
It was not a difficult meaning, yet it was so. Elyan, having confirmed this, asked just in case.
“Do you know how to form an alliance without getting married?”What they wanted was a solid alliance. Among them, an alliance marriage was the most certain method.
Why do nobles engage in arranged marriages?
That is what is most certain to do.
But that’s only from the perspective of humans. Sin Soo-in might have had other ideas from his perspective.
Elian decided to pin his hopes on it.
“Isn’t it enough to form an alliance through a pact?””Pledge?””Pledge?”Elyan and Leon tilted their heads at the same time. It felt like the pact he was talking about was different from what the two people knew.
“Have you never heard that a dragon can never break a vow made in my name?””Hmm….”I felt like I had heard those words somewhere before.” No, do you know this from somewhere you read?
Information about dragons was inaccurate because it remained only in mythology.
“There is magic in my name.” So, when you swear by your name, it creates an effect that you can never break. It may not be something I do often, so you might not know.”Barthelias then realized that his common sense might not be the same as ours, and continued speaking.”
This power also applies to promises made with others. All I have to do is put my strength into my heart.”Is that what they call a pact?””Okay.””What happens if one side breaks the promise?””The heart of the one who breaks it will burst.””Ah….””Leon opened his mouth and let out a small gasp.” Imagining the scene where the heart bursts, her brows furrowed.
“If that’s the case…””It must be certain.””Elian also nodded in agreement.” I can’t believe that’s possible. It was a more certain method than an alliance marriage.
Marriage is a matter of the future; there is always the option to betray, but the vow mentioned by Barthelias can never be broken.
Then, there was only one thing that Elian had to do.
“That pact, I’ll do it.”It was a natural choice for Elian. It is best if a war does not occur, so the place to form an alliance is not Yurbel, but Radion.
And what they desired was Elian.
A clear preparation or advice regarding what can happen when the country’s doors are wide open.
What was needed was Elian’s knowledge, not Elian himself.
“Getting married can have a similar effect.”That is why the proposal for an alliance marriage must have been thrown out. And from Radion’s perspective, there was a higher probability of preferring an alliance marriage over a pact.
Even if they form an alliance, there may come a situation where they have to break it.
The human heart is unpredictable, and even more so when it is intertwined with politics.
So I might not have accepted it positively.
But isn’t it the case that the alliance has completely fallen apart now?
This side is advantageous.’
With the appearance of the Kingdom of Urbel and their formation of the same alliance marriage, the alliance with Radion was nullified.
For them, it was a situation where even a second-best option had to be positively reviewed.
Had the Kingdom of Urbel not appeared, it would have been difficult to even make the proposal.
‘With the talk of an alliance with the Kingdom of Urbel emerging, I’ve been able to bring up the conversation from a favorable position.’
From the moment I saw the future, didn’t they say I would rush forward in a direction favorable to me?
At the time I heard those words, I was unsure, but now that it has come to this, it sounds quite convincing.
Hasn’t it actually become favorable?
‘Just because it’s favorable doesn’t mean an alliance can be formed, though.’
Elian walked towards the palace where the Crown Prince was staying.
Favorable circumstances did not automatically equate to an alliance. Radion would have to bear the risk of an unbreakable pact.
How could they make such a pact without knowing how the future might change?
Perhaps they would even retract their policy of opening their gates.
―Will they try to form a pact? It’s too dangerous.
The pact was certain, yet dangerous. To have one’s heart explode. That danger was something not only Radion but Elian as well would have to bear.
Lion, concerned about that point, suggested finding another method, but Elian firmly refused due to lack of time.
Of course, he also felt confident in his ability to persuade them.
―How many contracts do you think I’ve successfully concluded?
―Don’t worry. I’ll see this through successfully this time as well.
Elian cited his own experience. As long as the promise wasn’t broken, there was no danger.
Nevertheless, Lion worried about any unforeseen circumstances that might arise. But that was something to worry about when it happened.
In other words, it wasn’t something to worry about now.
At least, that’s what Elian thought.
―Knock, knock.
When he knocked on the door, a voice from inside invited him in. Upon entering, he was told to sit without any sign of surprise.
“It was worth the wait.”
The Crown Prince made a cryptic remark.
‘Come to think of it…….’
Did he say he would wait?
Had the Crown Prince anticipated this situation that was about to unfold? That he would make a new proposal?
If that were true, he was truly a formidable opponent.
Elian, re-evaluating his assessment of him, spoke.
“I apologize for making you wait so long. Let us form the alliance you proposed.”
As soon as he sat down, he opened his mouth, and the Crown Prince, with a surprised look, said.
“I didn’t expect you to be so direct. It’s quite unexpected.”
Naturally. Such negotiations usually involved laying a lot of groundwork to avoid losses before getting to the main point.
“When both sides have revealed their hands, is there a need for such formalities?”
“Does that mean that we, too, have a compelling reason to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Arpen?”
The Crown Prince asked back with a cryptic expression.
The reason why the Kingdom of Radion absolutely had to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Arpen. In fact, without it, this conversation could not even have begun.
A pact carried inherent risks, so if it didn’t have to be with the Kingdom of Arpen, they wouldn’t have to force an alliance.
But Elian was confident. He believed there was a reason why Radion absolutely had to form an alliance with Arpen.
“Your Highness the Crown Prince stated that your goal was to make Radion a safe country.”
“I did say that.”
“Therefore, Radion has no choice but to form an alliance with us.”
“Why do you think so?”
“If we do not form an alliance, war will break out, and regardless of whether we win or lose, Radion will suffer damage.”
As he stated his opinion firmly, the Crown Prince finally dropped his smile and asked.
“…Is this a threat?”
A threat.
Elian’s words could indeed be perceived as a threat. If they lost the war, Radion might become Spandia’s next target.
Conversely, if they won, Arpen, having absorbed the Spandia Empire, might threaten Radion.
Therefore, from Radion’s perspective, they had to form an alliance with Arpen no matter what.
“Surely I wouldn’t threaten the one who made such a generous offer first.”
However, what Elian had in mind was not just this. He believed there was a more important reason.
“We, Arpen, do not have grand plans like unifying the continent. However, if the war drags on, it will become difficult for Radion to open its gates. In that case, your dream will be further delayed.”
“…It will only be delayed, not rendered impossible.”
The Crown Prince retorted, but he was a beat too late. That alone was enough to know that he did not want it delayed.
Elian smiled faintly and continued.
“You might not see it in your lifetime. Would that be acceptable?”
Only then did the Crown Prince furrow his brow as if troubled. Through that expression, Elian gained further certainty. They had a pressing reason that could not be passed on to the next generation.
‘Right. If I think about it coolly, it’s strange.’
Why would a country that had lived peacefully with its gates firmly shut suddenly try to open them now?
Even with the appearance of the Gold Dragon and the threat of the Spandia Empire, it wasn’t an issue that the Crown Prince himself would need to handle.
There must be a critical problem internally.
‘I don’t know what the problem is, but I can pretend to know.’
This was what was called ‘bluffing.’
If it wasn’t known, it wouldn’t be a bluff, so Elian smiled slyly.
A subtle war of nerves ensued between them for a moment, but Elian gained the upper hand.
The Crown Prince threw up his hands and said.
“As expected of someone who owns the world’s best information guild. That’s right. We have internal issues, and Radion must open its gates. If the war drags on, it will become even more difficult.”
“Then it must be a food shortage.”
Elian crossed his legs with a silent cheer. The Crown Prince was momentarily speechless, staring blankly, then asked with a sense of futility.
“…Were you just testing me?”
“Your training is insufficient.”
He had only guessed, how could he know the detailed situation?
Even with the world’s best information guild, Phantom, it was difficult to obtain information about Radion.
Especially if the Imperial Family was involved.
“To be outmaneuvered like this. I was careless.”
“You don’t need to be disheartened. Regardless of the reason, I was certain that there was a problem.”
“How is that possible if you don’t know the problem?”
“My intuition is exceptionally good.”
Elian smiled leisurely. Now that they were on equal footing, it was time to negotiate.
“Therefore, I will make a proposal. The Kingdom of Arpen desires an alliance through a pact, not an alliance marriage.”
An alliance through a pact.
Upon hearing those words, the Crown Prince’s face was filled with confusion. Naturally. He likely didn’t understand the difference.
For him, Elian explained the pact procedure, its effects, and what needed to be endured, as told by Valterias.
“Indeed…”
“If you have no intention of breaking the alliance, there’s nothing more certain than this.”
“…”
If broken, one’s heart would explode, so there was nothing more certain. However, if there was even the slightest plan to break the alliance, one could not easily nod in agreement.
In other words, if they refused the alliance here, it would be tantamount to Radion declaring its intention to break the alliance.
“I’ve been tricked.”
Realizing that fact, the Crown Prince smiled faintly.
With the emergence of the Kingdom of Urbel, they had lost their advantage in the alliance negotiations. On top of that, Elian’s skillful rhetoric had cornered them into a position where they could not refuse the pact.
“If we form an alliance, I will always stand on Radion’s side.”
Elian smiled once more. The ability that the Crown Prince valued so highly would also come with the alliance.
As long as they didn’t harbor ill intentions, it was not a loss for Radion. Rather, it was a gain. They would be able to form a more certain alliance than a typical one.
“Very well. I accept the alliance with Arpen.”
The Crown Prince extended his hand with a relieved expression. Elian clasped his hand and replied crisply.
“You will not regret this.”
The pact proceeded at lightning speed.
The pact was spearheaded by the Crown Prince and Elian, and various conditions were set through a brief, decisive meeting.
Among them was the following clause:
The reason given was that once he became Emperor, the balance of the contract would tilt too heavily to one side.
Currently, it was a contract between the Crown Prince and the Archduke, but if he became Emperor, it would be a contract between the Emperor and the Archduke.
While it might seem trivial to weigh lives, it was a fact that in this world, the life of an Archduke was considered less valuable than that of an Emperor, so it was unavoidable.
Of course, Lion nodded with great joy.
‘In that case, I must be the one to forge the next pact.’
With that, Elian set off to meet Princess Isabella Urbel.
Having overcome the first hurdle, it was now time to tackle the second.
While the alliance with Radion had averted the immediate crisis of war, the alliance with Urbel was still pending.
‘This is something I’m doing out of my own greed.’
In truth, from the nation’s perspective, it would be beneficial to form alliances with both Radion and Urbel.
Radion was a given, and Urbel, as an exporter of powerful weapons, could contribute to national strength.
Even without war, more high-quality weapons were always better.
Furthermore, as an ally, they could receive preferential import rights and purchase them at a lower price than other countries.
Having promised full support during the alliance marriage with the Rippen Ducal Family, it was a significant benefit.
‘Of course, they must have their own agenda for accepting it.’
The situation where the nationality of Duke Rippen, a Sword Master, could shift to another country.
This could not be ignored, so internally, there was no opposition to breaking the alliance.
‘The question is, under what conditions will they break it?’
Even if the alliance were broken, they would have to present a very attractive offer.
‘What kind of offer would be good?’
Elian fell into deep thought inside the carriage on his way to meet the Princess. Various methods came to mind, but this time, he felt he would have to bear a loss.
‘I can’t help it.’
A transaction he would never normally make.
However, his heart felt lighter than ever. Despite his reputation as a money-grubbing miser, he didn’t begrudge spending the money he had saved for such occasions.
He could only hope that she was someone who could be bought with money.
‘In the unlikely event that the purpose of the alliance marriage is something else…….’
The Isabella he saw was not someone who would ever give up the throne. However, the emotion of love could make the future unpredictable.
Unexpected feelings could arise. They could deepen quickly. Even if she had approached him for personal gain at first, her feelings might have changed now.
‘Kirendis… has that much charm.’
He was the chosen male protagonist of this world. Even knowing that, he had fallen for him; wouldn’t others fall for him even more easily?
Elian stepped out of the carriage, more nervous than ever.
The place he arrived at was in front of a dilapidated, old building located in a secluded area.
It was a building owned by the Phantom information guild, used for receiving clandestine requests.
Its security was so tight that there was no risk of information leaking.
“You’ve arrived.”
Upon entering, an employee who recognized Elian greeted him. The interior was empty, as per instructions to prohibit entry to others.
No one would visit this place today.
“Please show me the way.”
The employee guided him to the guest who had arrived earlier. Opening a secret door and descending underground, there was another heavy door.
Upon entering, the Princess and the knight guarding her were visible.
“I apologize for being late. I am Elian Eshton.”
“I am Isabella Urbel. Thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful place.”
The Princess replied with a smile, showing no signs of being intimidated. Her bright smile was befitting a princess aiming for the next throne.
“Do you perhaps have any idea why I invited you here?”
Elian asked subtly after taking a seat.
Although the Princess had announced the alliance marriage with the Rippen Ducal Family, this was information known only to key individuals.
It had not been widely announced, so it could be retracted at any time. The content could also be changed as needed.
Moreover, the Princess had readily agreed to Elian’s request.
This implied that if he presented better terms, she could change the alliance’s content.
‘Perhaps I’m just wishing for that.’
Hoping it wasn’t the case, he waited for her answer, concealing his anxiety.
“Well. You are such a famous person, I wanted to meet you in person.”
The Princess evaded Elian’s question and smiled. It was a way of telling him to reveal his hand first.
Although he didn’t particularly like it, the Princess of Urbel was in a different situation than the Crown Prince of Radion. She didn’t have to accept Elian’s proposal.
Therefore, he had to present a tempting offer first.
“I’ve just come from forming an alliance with Radion. The Kingdom of Arpen will not engage in war.”
“Oh, my. That’s wonderful news. I was quite worried, as there was a possibility of war.”
She said, feigning ignorance. A Princess of Urbel should have access to relevant information, yet her composure was excellent.
Of course, her ability to remain so calm was also partly because the alliance’s purpose was not war.
On the surface, it was an alliance for the harmony between the two nations. Weapon support was one of the effects stemming from that.
“That is fortunate. If we receive weapon support from the Kingdom of Urbel as well, the word ‘war’ will only exist in history books.”
Elian was fully aware of this point as well, so he slowly opened the conversation.
Fortunately, she didn’t seem inclined to prolong the conversation either, creating an opening for him to interject.
“Indeed. Weapons wield their greatest power when they are possessed, not used. It seems I can communicate with the Archduke.”
“I feel the same. That is why I am saying this…”
Elian shifted his posture. Crossing his legs, he spoke with the face of the owner of the world’s best information guild and a merchant managing vast capital, not Archduke Esiton.
“To firmly grasp the sun, shouldn’t you keep a trump card hidden?”
“…”
A meaningful statement.
No, from her perspective, it was no different than a direct question.
It meant, ‘I know your claim of giving up the throne is false, so why not try holding my hand instead of Duke Rippen’s?’
“Only a deep shadow can coexist with the sun. I will be your shadow, Your Highness.”
Elian spoke with the certainty that she could not refuse.
She had no choice. For her, Duke Rippen was a coveted holy grail that could not be hidden.
If she could have him, he would be helpful, but he was also an attractive holy grail that would draw much scrutiny.
However, Elian was different. He possessed the power to move quietly in the shadows, and proportionally, he could move capital.
Quietly, without anyone knowing.
This could be her trump card, and a lifeline in times of crisis.
‘If she truly aims for the throne, that is.’
A sufficiently attractive offer, provided her mind hasn’t changed.
Simultaneously, a meaningless offer if her mind has changed.
Because he couldn’t be 100% certain, his heart pounded several times faster than usual.
“What do you say? Will you take my hand?”
Nevertheless, Elian acted nonchalantly. His demeanor suggested it was fine whether she took it or not.
“…Indeed, it is an attractive offer.”
Fortunately, her expression was favorable. It was a signal that she was accepting it positively. Elian breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, but it wasn’t over yet.
“Before I decide, there is one thing I would like to ask.”
“I will answer anything I can.”
“What will the Archduke gain by taking that hand?”
“…”
Elian could not answer immediately.
What he could gain. It was an offer made because he stood to gain something, but there was no clear profit.
It was a purely personal gain.
You would take risks for that, supporting the Princess?
Anyone else might have asked why you would go that far. Lending your support openly was on a different level than doing so secretly from behind the scenes.
“I like honest people. Especially if they are the ones meant to walk with me.”
The Princess urged him for an answer. It was a clear sign to abandon any thought of a clumsy lie.
Since a lie didn’t seem like it would work, Elian confessed honestly.
“What I can gain from this is one person’s heart.”
Kirendis’s heart.
He wanted to win back the heart of the person he had hurt with a wrong choice. He didn’t know if he could, but he wanted to make this deal to create even a chance to win it back.
That was all Elian wished for.
“I lost one person’s heart due to my mistake. I want to win it back with this.”
He emphasized it once more, meeting her eyes. The Princess, perhaps not expecting to hear such words, wore a rather surprised expression.
“You must like him… a lot.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a remark murmured as if to herself. But Elian clearly conveyed his answer.
“Yes. He is a person too precious to me.”
A small smile bloomed on his lips without him realizing it. Just thinking of Kirendis made the corners of his mouth turn up.
How could he have thought of letting go of such a person so easily?
In the past, his choice was not one to protect him, but one to let him go.
Elian knew now. He finally realized it after making the wrong choice.
“I see. Very well. I will take the Grand Duke’s hand.”
She nodded without asking further questions. Only then did his heart settle. It seemed Kirendis hadn’t developed feelings for him as he had feared.
“However.”
The Princess looked at Elian, her eyes gleaming sharply.
Gulp.
He had thought it was all over, so he involuntarily swallowed dryly.
A moment of tension flowed between them, but what came out of her mouth was something Elian could handle.
“If I take the Grand Duke’s hand, I cannot publicly guarantee anything. If you cannot give me strong assurance, I would rather choose the chalice that anyone can covet over the shadow that no one can.”
Her words were valid. No matter how good Elian’s conditions were, they were useless if not trustworthy.
In fact, announcing an engagement with Kirendis and building power while facing opposition might have been better.
But Elian already had the answer.
“You need not worry about such matters. I know how to forge a contract that can never be broken.”
“Is there such a method?”
The Princess tilted her head. At that moment, a golden furball wriggled from Elian’s embrace and popped out.
“Ugh. I thought I’d die of boredom waiting. Let’s hurry this up.”
It was Valterias, who had hidden in Elian’s arms and accompanied him.
The contract with the Princess went smoothly… or so I’d like to say, but it took quite a long time.
This was because the meticulous Princess wanted to establish detailed terms from one to ten.
Learning why Elian was making such a contract, she used her advantage to thoroughly fleece him.
“She was a truly ruthless human. To think there was someone worse than you.”
Valterias shook his head, sighing with weariness.
Elian nodded with the same sentiment. He felt a sting in his heart from being fleeced so much by her.
“Still, it’s fortunate. You got what you wanted.”
“That’s true. Even though I was blindsided.”
Elian recalled the words the Princess had said after all the vows were exchanged.
—I’m saying this now that it can’t be undone, but the contract with Duke Lipen was actually an engagement.
—…What?
—I mean, I never intended to actually marry him.
—…….
—I am greedy, and the throne is more important to me than a charming man. If things went wrong, I might have had to marry him, so I was wondering if I was doing the right thing. It was fortunate that the Grand Duke made a good offer.
—…….
—Thank you so much, Grand Duke.
—…….
—I hope you can hold onto the heart of the person you cherish. Just like I did.
—…….
Her departing steps, accompanied by a bright smile, were truly light. It was natural for the feeling of ‘being tricked’ to surface in Elian’s mind.
However, it soon scattered with a small smile, like a puff of air. Even if he had known, Elian’s choice would not have changed.
‘Even if the contract was made with the understanding that it might be broken, an engagement is an engagement.’
He didn’t want to see Kirendis standing next to someone else. Even if it were a false relationship.
‘Was Kirendis… feeling this way too?’
Anxiety.
He felt he could somewhat understand what Kirendis had been anxious about all this time. The fact that someone else was standing beside him was terrifying and frightening.
If he hadn’t known that Kirendis’s heart was still his, he might have lost his reason, consumed by jealousy.
‘I can’t even predict my own feelings.’
Elian shook his head and skillfully climbed over the wall. It was the high wall of the ducal mansion.
“Do we really have to go now? Can’t we go when it’s daylight?”
Valterias asked with a hint of doubt. Elian understood the question perfectly, but understanding didn’t mean he could act on it.
“I want to tell him as soon as possible. Because I… think I hurt him too much.”
“Tsk tsk. If you had consulted me from the start, this wouldn’t have happened. You’re so foolish.”
“If I had known there was such a way, I would have told you!”
“Do you at least realize you’re talking nonsense?”
“……Yes.”
Elian quickly tucked his tail between his legs and agreed. If he had known there was a way, he would have consulted him.
To say such nonsense. He must have really hated admitting it. That he was a stubborn person who didn’t communicate at all.
“Your flaw is that you try to bear all your burdens alone. From now on, whatever it may be, you should practice speaking up.”
“I know. I felt it keenly this time.”
If only he had confided in someone when he had that dream.
He felt that the outcome would have been better than it was now, no matter what.
‘No, perhaps my mistake is also a process of creating a better future.’
Didn’t Valterias say it?
From the moment he saw the future, his future began to run in a favorable direction.
‘I just need to not make mistakes from now on.’
Elian straightened his shoulders and walked with confidence. Seeing him, Valterias clicked his tongue, but Elian ignored it and stood before the mansion.
“Do I just need to get you inside?”
“Yes. If you go through the front gate, he won’t see me.”
“And you’re sure he’ll see me if I go this way?”
“That…!”
Elian couldn’t answer with a definite yes. Even if he entered through the window, would Kirendis listen to his story?
It was an unknown.
Unless he was tied down so he couldn’t move, he couldn’t be 100% sure.
“……Won’t it just work out somehow?”
“What a hopeless fellow you are. Is this how a Grand Duke should be?”
“That’s a different field from this, you know?”
Elian bristled at the condescending tone. But all of it was true, so he couldn’t refute it. It was frustrating how he turned into an idiot whenever Kirendis was involved.
His mind, which usually worked well, turned into the worst kind of fool when he was involved…
“It’s fortunate that you at least know your place.”
“…….”
His expression must have been quite telling. Or perhaps Valterias was hiding his mind-reading abilities.
“There. I’m leaving now, so you handle the rest.”
“Thanks, Val.”
“Right.”
With that, Valterias brought Elian to the balcony connected to Kirendis’s bedroom and then vanished.
He had received so much help. Elian thought he would give him a thorough special massage once everything was settled, and turned around.
“Hoo.”
Taking a deep breath, he stood before the window. Carefully opening the window, he was met by the curtain blocking his view.
If he just pulled back the curtain, he could meet Kirendis. Thinking that, his heart began to pound.
He could already feel Kirendis’s scent, even though they hadn’t met yet.
Swish.*
“Oh…?”
As he slowly pulled back the curtain, an unexpected scene unfolded before his eyes.
A solid wall blocking his path.
Lifting his head, he saw Kirendis looking down at him, disheveled.
“Ah…”
Elian opened his lips wordlessly. He hadn’t expected to meet him so directly.
‘Right. He’s a Sword Master, so he would have known someone had intruded immediately.’
Not just known.
He would have known the intruder was Elian. That’s why he was standing there with that expression, wasn’t it?
“What is it?”
His voice was deep and husky. The emotions contained within were so chaotic that he couldn’t discern anything.
‘No. What’s chaotic is….’
…Me?
Elian felt like he couldn’t breathe.
How should he start? He should apologize first, right?
Organizing his thoughts, he opened his mouth.
“I’ve decided to form an alliance with Radion. The alliance with Yurvel is also nullified, and we’ve made a different contract. A contract where neither of us needs to be bound by an alliance marriage.”
This wasn’t it.
Elian regretted it immediately. He had decided to apologize first, but only the conclusion came out of his mouth.
“I sought advice from Valterias. He said that with his help, we could forge a pact that could never be broken.”
Because he had made the wrong first move, words that hadn’t gone through his head tumbled out.
“It’s a contract where we bind each other’s hearts, and if the promise is broken, they explode. Even if it’s dangerous, there’s no more certain contract than this. A contract that absolutely cannot be betrayed.”
And so, Elian spoke words he didn’t need to say right now. He hadn’t considered at all what the other person would think upon hearing them.
“Both of them were things I wanted, but Radion’s will be transferred to Lion when the Crown Prince becomes Emperor. Of course, I’ll look into ways for me to hold onto it as much as possible. It’s… dangerous, after all.”
Elian quietly closed his mouth. The longer he spoke, the more unsettling Kirendis’s aura became.
Kirendis remained silent for a long time. Elian, unable to continue speaking, fidgeted nervously.
When the heavy silence finally reached its limit, a low voice finally emerged.
“So… you’re saying you’ve entered into a contract where your heart might explode right now?”
“Huh? Uh… yes…?”
Flustered, Elian nodded affirmatively and looked up. Then, Kirendis sighed and covered his face.
“Haa…”
He felt like indescribable emotions were flooding him like a tidal wave. Thick, heavy feelings were engulfing Elian.
“You truly are….”
Kirendis raised his head. He looked angry, perhaps sad, perhaps tormented.
A face that couldn’t be defined by a single word was etched into his heart, refusing to leave.
‘I really should have apologized first.’
Elian spoke quickly, before it was too late.
“I’m sorry. My thinking was too short-sighted. I saw a future where you died. So I thought I had to stop the war first. I was impatient… so….”
“……So you made that choice.”
“…….”
“And you came here to correct it after realizing your mistake too late.”
“…….”
Elian couldn’t say anything. His voice, calmly stating the truth, was tinged with pain.
‘Why…?’
He was confused. It was late, but he had apologized and revealed the truth. Yet Kirendis’s face remained dark.
Was it too late after all?
Can spilled water never be gathered again?
‘Are we… here.’
Is this the end?
—Plop.
His fist, clenched tightly with tension, loosened, and his strength drained. Kirendis’s emotions weighed heavily upon it.
“You truly are….”
Even after he had told him all the truth, he was still…
“Cruel.”
…tormented.