Published: January 4, 2026
Leaving the great hall, I returned to the study with Your Majesty.
I was the only one summoned to come along.
As usual, Your Majesty sat back down at the desk, and I took a seat opposite, with the desk between us.
"Now then, Noah."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"It's about the hostages. To gain favor with the other side, I’m thinking of assigning one of the princes’ concubines to them. What do you think?"
"A concubine, Your Majesty?"
"Rather than just taking hostages, it would be better to make them concubines of one of the princes—my sons."
It was a political marriage, a standard tactic.
I thought for a moment.
Your Majesty said "to gain favor."
That was the general policy Your Majesty had in mind.
Taking that as the starting point—or rather as the fixed endpoint—I considered something that would further benefit the empire.
After a flash of ideas running through my mind like lightning, I bowed to Your Majesty and answered.
"I think it would be better not to accept any hostages."
"Oh? Do you have some interesting idea?"
Your Majesty looked at me with keen interest.
"Yes. Firstly, we don't need hostages. A mother and sister—no matter how necessary, very few can completely detach themselves emotionally when they are taken hostage."
"Naturally."
"Therefore, we will send them back. Instead, as I suggested earlier, we will send food supplies."
"Food supplies every week?"
"Yes. Just enough to barely feed the people of Russi Tsar, sent weekly."
"And what would happen then—"
Your Majesty started to ask and then suddenly paused.
At first surprised, Your Majesty then smirked and looked at me.
"You’re ruthless, Noah."
With those words, I was sure Your Majesty understood my intent.
I nodded and continued.
"Yes, in essence, it’s baiting. If we bait them, over time they will increasingly depend on these rations. If we consider cutting off the supply in an emergency, this effectively becomes a hostage."
"Indeed, that makes sense."
"Furthermore, if they become completely dependent on this bait, and in case they try to find a new supply—"
"A second thought—this could be a sign of betrayal. Is that what you mean?"
I nodded quietly.
"Send food, no hostages. While gaining favor, we simultaneously control their lifeline. It’s a two-birds-one-stone strategy."
"Good. As expected of Noah. Very well, let’s proceed with that plan."
Your Majesty seemed satisfied with my proposal.
☆
The next morning, at Prince Thirteen's Residence beside the palace.
After settling into my fief, I entrusted management of this place to Dylan.
Dylan, who had long served Prince Thirteen—and by extension, me—had been maintaining the city mansion flawlessly.
Since I still had business in the city for a while, I decided to stay in this residence during that time.
Waking up in a room I had been familiar with for over a decade, I had the maids I left behind here help me prepare.
Now then, what should I start with today...?
"Call Shirley and the others."
I gave the order to the maid, who quickly went to summon them.
I moved to the living room and waited, drinking the tea the maid served.
After a while, two women entered the living room.
Shirley Grans and Sheryl Hyde.
Shirley was the only knight I had taken when I served as an examiner for the first time. Sheryl was a woman aspiring to be a knight whom I met before meeting Indra. Afterward, seeing her strong ambition and potential, I infiltrated the knight selection as a guest examiner and promoted her.
As soon as the two entered the room, they knelt on one knee and bowed their heads to me seated on the sofa.
"Your Highness, did you call for us?"
"Ah, yes. I want to see the results of your training. Consider it a homework check."
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood."
They exchanged glances. Shirley drew her sword first.
"Ah, both at the same time is fine."
"Eh? But—"
"Then..."
"No problem. Come."
I said so and stood up.
Taking a step forward, I faced them head-on.
Exchanging glances once more, they nodded to each other, shaking off hesitation.
Sheryl also drew her sword.
"Yaaahhh!!"