select (3)
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Rey sighed and walked over to Ernst.
Rey knew that Ernst wouldn’t let him go easily.
On the contrary, if Ernst had not come, I would have been even more anxious.
Ernst walked slowly around the fence with Rey beside him, bringing up the point.
“For the time being, please stay in the Frislan family estate with Spera. It is near the Albemina area.”
“Well…”
“The Empire is in turmoil. It’s not the right time to travel long distances to the Earl of Phillips.”
“…”
Ernst’s words were right.
It was not a good decision to travel a long distance in a sensitive time like now.
If Rei had quietly visited the Imperial Palace and then left quietly, it would not have mattered much if bloodshed was caused by the power struggle.
However, Ray was now attracting a lot of attention, and this eventually acted as a personal threat.
And it was none other than Ernst who created this situation.
Ray sighed again.
At the last meeting, Ray asked Ernst to wait for the Empire’s power structure to stabilize, and Ernst accepted.
However, Ernst did not leave Rey alone.
From the outside, Rey was made to look like Ernst’s man, and he was also trying to keep Rey close until the Empire stabilized.
It was coercion, not coercion, and it was a choice without a choice.
“…Ernst-sama, I want to ask you something.”
“Tell me.”
“I want to know how the current situation in the Empire is going.”
While the emperor made a decision, Rei asked for information about how each noble family was coping with the situation and what the imperial family was doing.
Ernst, of course, was going to refuse.
Rey didn’t have to know such information, nor did he need to know it right away.
If Ray Jeong was curious, it was okay to hand over the information after the war was over.
However, Ernst looked at Rey’s eyes quietly, and then turned away.
“Follow me.”
*
Ernst took Ray to one of his offices.
Rey entered the office and could see a huge map hanging on the wall.
Although Rey had seen maps of the Empire a few times in books, the map hanging in Ernst’s office was much more detailed and accurate.
Ernst pointed to four places on the map.
“Two of the four royal families who have been ordered to return from the Emperor’s Majesty are ready to go to the Imperial Palace and are about to depart, while the other two are hiding among their supporters.”
Rey stood still and looked at the map.
The imperial family and the major noble families of the empire had artifacts or magical means that could communicate with each other in real time.
It had not been long since the emperor officially announced the blockade and return orders, but everyone was busy moving according to their own judgment whether they had heard the information in advance.
“…”
Ray was worried.
It was not easy to make a decision.
Is it advantageous for the empire to remain stable under a strong central government, or is it better to be ripped to pieces?
If Rey can only get Ernst’s cooperation, it is far more advantageous in the long run for the Empire to remain stable.
However, if Rey became hostile to the Empire because of elements such as ‘Lea’, it was easier to survive if the Empire was torn to pieces.
However, if the empire enters a state of civil war, even the neighboring kingdoms will be in chaos, and if the evil gods in the meantime use their tricks, mankind might end up self-destructing.
“…”
Ray grabbed the back of his nose.
Is it possible that Leah’s existence is not discovered until the very end, or even if it is discovered, it is possible to survive?
Is it possible to prevent disaster with a divided empire and neighboring countries in chaos?
Rei, who had been standing there for a while longer, moved her dry lips.
“How will you bring out the royal family who are noticing… you’ll figure it out.”
Ray noticed Ernst’s interest in looking at him and coughed for nothing.
“Ernst-sama, the two royal families who immediately responded to the Emperor’s return order, is there no possibility of deception?”
“deception?”
“Swap people, things like that. You can put the disguised person in the wagon and do other things behind the scenes.”
“After the First Prince Incident, the pursuit and monitoring of the Imperial Family has been strengthened. The Imperial Forces will personally meet the Imperial Family heading to the Imperial Palace and confirm their identity.”
So, originally, there was no way for a clumsy deception to change people.
But Ernst knew.
The authority of the emperor, who had little life left, was not the same as before, and the designation of the successor was delayed, and cracks were formed here and there, revealing loopholes that could not have been imagined in the past.
“…If there was an imperial family who stood up as you said, what do you think they were aiming for?”
Rey moved her finger in a southeast direction on the map.
Soon, Rey’s finger pointed towards the border guarded by the Empire’s second Swordmaster.
“If the imperial family flows here, wouldn’t it be a pain in the ass?”
There was a high possibility that Mare Byeong-baek, who was often told that he was ambitious, would not let go of the royal family easily.
It was not easy for the emperor to raise an army just because the frontier and the imperial family were in a quarrel and violated the emperor’s order.
This is where the elite soldiers of the Empire and the Sword Master exist.
At this time when the emperor’s power was weakened, if the emperor could not kneel and the throne was transferred to Phoebus, the empire could be divided.
Ernst shook his head while listening to Rey’s opinion with some interest.
“Prepared. The main road to the southeast is guarded by elite soldiers, and their numbers have been reinforced recently.”
The imperial family was also wary of the frontier, so they controlled the passage of goods and people to the southeast recklessly.
That is why the first prince in the past went to the Signy Mountains, not the southeast.
Ray understood Ernst’s words, but couldn’t shake off his discomfort.
The Crawfords’ estates, with their luggage removed from the ecliptic, were located very close to the southeast.
Therefore, I thought that if the forces adjacent to the southeast were doing their best, there was a high probability that it was related to the frontier.
Ernst looked at Rey’s expression and nodded.
“I will send a separate person to re-verify the identity of the royal family who responded to the emperor’s order. We will also reinforce the troops on the border to the southeast.”
Ernst was also feeling a sense of uneasiness that was close to intuition.
The structure of the empire’s succession had been unstable for so long, and it was no wonder that those with ungodly hearts had planned a daring and deadly operation in preparation for such a time.
Ernst thought that other nobles could not cope with his and the emperor’s radical move, but he reminded him once again that the opposite should also be taken into account.
“Thanks for the advice.”
Ray couldn’t tell how seriously Ernst had listened to his opinion, but he nodded with satisfaction.
There was no information and no power, so even if I got involved in such a political battle, there was nothing more could be done.
Ernst pondered for a moment, then pulled out an icosahedron-shaped jewel from his pocket.
“Take it.”
“What is this…?”
“Ask Spera.”
“Can I tell Spera?”
“No, you have it until you see me again.”
Ernst, who gave Rey the icosahedron-shaped jewel, placed his hand on Rey’s shoulder.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me. What you have may make someone feel uncomfortable, but I’ll help you, who haven’t grown up yet, not be torn by other people’s teeth. So trust me and work with me.”
“…”
“Well then, I’m looking forward to it.”
Ernst turned around without having to listen to Rey’s answer.
Ray took a deep breath as he left Ernst’s office.
It might sound obvious to Ernst, but even if he hid the tension anyway, he wasn’t a hidden opponent.
‘I don’t know how things will turn out…’
One was certain.
Rey had to accompany Spera.
*
“…and so I guess I’ll have to follow Spera.”
After hearing Rey’s story, Luna came up behind her and grabbed Rey’s finger tightly.
It meant that we would unconditionally follow along.
Mohammed was worried.
After sending Rayman to the Albemina area, the rest of the party could not immediately decide whether to head to the Earl of Phillips, or whether they should all move to the Albemina area.
“…the distance to the Count of Phillips is far away, so it’s not a bad choice to entrust yourself to the Frislan family for a while at a time like this.”
However, if the Emperor or Ernst tried to dispose of the existence of Rei, there was no answer at that time.
Even if he left Rey as if he were running away to the Count of Phillips, it was only for a moment that the Count of Phillips was wiped out when Rey fell out of the eyes of the Emperor or Ernst.
An army will arrive before Count Phillips hears the news and can respond.
“…”
After all, it was like there, so Mohammed asked with the last wish.
“Rei, are you confident that even the young lady can escape safely if the situation gets worse?”
“there is.”
It was not known whether Rey’s answer was bluff or not.
But Mohammed, satisfied with Rey’s determination, nodded.
“Then let’s go together.”
Rey’s party, who contacted Count Phillips separately, joined Spera’s party.
Spera was very happy to join Rey’s party.
Jenkinson roared in pain as he rode alongside Ray.
“What are you doing when you come to the emperor?”
“That’s it.”
Read at n̲o̲b̲l̲e̲m̲t̲l̲.̲c̲o̲m̲
Neither Jenkinson nor Reid had expected that they would be swept away from the bottom of the ecliptic like this.
In the Countess of Phillips, he reigned supreme, but in the end, it was proof that he had lost sight of the world without knowing anything about the world, like a peasant.
Jenkinson did not resent Ray, but he was very concerned about the current situation.
“Ray, are you confident that you will return safely to the Count of Phillips?”
“Uh… I honestly can’t say.”
“How many lives do you have right now and you’re saying you’re not confident?”
“Oh, yes. I’m confident. I’m confident, Master.”
“Are you serious?”
Ray smiled and replied.
“Is it even for my mother’s honor?”
“…”
Jenkinson turned to Ray, who was playing with his hand.
After Bella retired, Ray’s frequency of making jokes like that increased.
It seemed pretty good that Bella wasn’t working there any longer, but Jenkinson frowned at a remark that might have scratched Ray’s nerves, and then shook his head.
I didn’t want to be beaten by a servant in front of others for making fun of my mouth for nothing.
Ray chatted a little more with Jenkinson before asking Spera for a solo session.
Alesia and Shay had ax eyes at the same time, but Spera allowed her to stand alone with a bright face.
Rey, who briefly entered the carriage and deployed a soundproof barrier, took out the items Ernst had given him and showed them.
“Ernst lent it to me, do you know what it is?”
“…!”
Spera was startled and answered.
“This is something related to triggering a warp gate.”
*
Currently, Mardonis, a member of the royal family, was staying in the lord’s castle of Marquis Mathias.
In addition, the noble officials who had supported Mardonis as the next emperor were gathering at the lord’s castle to continue their meeting.
The emperor, who had been delaying the designation of a successor to the next child, suddenly began to take a hard line.
Everyone was at a loss as to how to deal with this situation.
Of course, there were only a few people who had grandiose thoughts to openly rebel against the emperor.
Everyone was contemplating how to finish the situation without causing damage as much as possible after looking at the emperor for a while.
Meanwhile, Mardonis was rolling her head to keep her life safe on her own.
Mardonis also knew that he would be in a situation where he would be overwhelmed if he left.
One opinion shared by everyone in this room was that there was still plenty of time.
Right now, the emperor came out strong, but the old emperor was very weak.
Time might be on our side, everyone had such an easy thought.
“…for awhile.”
Marquis Mathias went outside to refresh his head.
However, a commotion began to rise above the wall.
Marquis Matthias, frowning, climbed the wall with his knights.
“Why?”
“Ah, me, over there…”
The soldier, who received the gaze of Marquis Matthias, pointed his finger at the bottom of the wall.
A dwarf man with a black robe covering his face was approaching the wall.
The soldier who went out to confirm the man’s identity was silent, lying on the floor.
“What is that guy doing?”
Unless you wanted to commit suicide, there was no reason to come all the way here alone.
The moment when Marquis Matthias, who thought that some kind of psychopath had come to him, was about to give him such an order to shoot him out with an arrow.
The man took off his robe.
A crack appeared in the face of Marquis Mathias.
“…Ernst Frieslan!!”
Wasn’t he the one who was reported to be in the ecliptic a few days ago?
It was impossible to travel from the ecliptic to here in just a few days.
Of course, a sword master called a superman could move a long distance in a short time with the help of a few, but the real problem was the purpose of Ernst’s coming here.
Marquis Mathias forcibly calmed his embarrassment and tried to ask Ernst about his purpose in a loud voice.
But before that, the air had changed.
“…!!!”
The moment when Marquis Matthias reflexively took a step back.
Ernst pulled out the sword from his arms without saying a word.
Marquis Matthias, realizing what the act meant, shouted to the knight.
“I must assemble all the troops in the lord’s castle right now …!!”
