Published: July 4, 2025
The morning after Prince Lyun and the Darwei Negotiation Group arrived at the Autonomous City of Kubevasa.
In the courtyard of the "Inn of Free Winds," a solitary swordsman was swinging his sword.
A little distance away, a robed mage was reading a book at an ice chair and table.
At that moment, two women approached.
“Duke Rondo, may I have a moment?”
“Princess Shio Fen, of course, please have a seat.”
Ryo said this, generating two chairs with ice cushions.
One for Princess Shio Fen and one for her maid, Mifa.
“Please call me Shio.”
“And please refer to me as Ryo.”
Although they had known each other for a while, their change in status seemed to have compelled them to use the most formal titles.
“Ryo-sama, you have previously stayed in Kubevasa, haven’t you?”
“Yes. Before going to Bosunta Kingdom, I stayed in Kubevasa.”
Princess Shio Fen hailed from Bosunta Kingdom.
“I heard that during that time, Kubevasa was annexed by the Duchy of Atinjo.”
“That’s right. The main fleet of Kubevasa was... destroyed due to various circumstances, leading to the annexation with almost no resistance.”
“Do you believe the destruction of that fleet was a scheme by the Duchy?”
With a casual tone, as if asking whether pasta and spaghetti were the same, Princess Shio Fen inquired, showing no change in expression.
Even Ryo momentarily struggled to grasp what was being asked due to the disparity in tone and content.
However, he had thought about that matter many times.
“Perhaps it was a plot by the Duchy. Of course, they didn’t know exactly what was there. They only knew something was wrong and moved the Prime Minister to dispatch the Kubevasa fleet...”
“So, if they hadn’t been destroyed, they would have still contributed to information gathering upon their return,” Shio Fen interjected.
Ryo nodded in agreement.
Indeed, no matter how things turned out, it wouldn’t be bad for the Duchy.
Furthermore, if they could be destroyed without a sacrifice, the Duchy could obtain Kubevasa without any cost, which they had sought to acquire for a hundred years.
“Considering that, the current situation seems to align with the Duchy of Atinjo’s plans.”
“Yes, it does. Regarding this conference, the Duchy took the initiative to host it and provided Kubevasa as the venue. At this point, it seems plausible they were aware of the Chououchi Empire's southward advance from the very beginning.”
Both Princess Shio Fen and Ryo nodded in agreement.
It was unlikely that Grand Duke Atinjo and Duke Helb were connected with the northern Chououchi Empire.
However, it didn’t seem that the movements of the Chououchi Empire came as a complete surprise.
“What will be discussed at this conference is a united front against the Chououchi Empire. No nation would oppose that in itself. Geographically, Darwei will take the forefront. That’s alright. However...”
“I don’t think the conference will proceed smoothly,” Ryo remarked.
After Princess Shio Fen and her maid Mifa left, Abel approached Ryo.
“Were you talking about some complicated matters?”
“It was a gathering of schemers,” Ryo replied, making a gesture as if adjusting his glasses.
Perhaps in Ryo’s mind, people referred to as schemers always wore glasses...
“Princess Shio Fen seems capable of handling that sort of thing, but Ryo, you can’t, right?”
“I’m aware of that. But if we’re going to mention it, Abel, it applies to you as well.”
“That’s true. I’m not good at that sort of thing either.”
Both Ryo and Abel were likely the farthest from being schemers.
They were fundamentally kind-hearted and good people.
“I believe that schemers are necessary for the management of a nation.”
“In the kingdom, that role is held by Count Heinlein.”
“Exactly. Abel, always remember to be grateful to the Chancellor!”
“I am grateful. Ryo, make sure not to trouble Count Heinlein.”
“I am always a model first duke, so I’m fine.”
Ryo stated confidently.
Abel tilted his head, casting a skeptical glance.