The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Episode 18
Hidden Truth and Revealed Facts (3)
The sound of chirping sparrows. The waves of dusk rising softly.
“Phew.”
I stretch, taking a deep breath of the cool dawn air into my lungs.
I went out early in the morning to practice to change my mood, and even though it was late spring, my body felt quite cold.
Knock- Knock-
The cold drizzle touches my fingers.
The timing was good, it was raining right then and there.
I muttered without realizing it at the tingling sensation I felt at my fingertips.
“I guess I should go in soon.”
He tied his coat around his neck to keep his sword from getting wet and walked into the palace.
Even though it wasn’t the sword of the first prince that he had used before, the attitude towards swords was already ingrained in him.
“Oh, are you back?”
Baron Vidor, who had been tidying up his office since dawn, greeted me by putting down a bundle of documents.
As I approached, I noticed that his eyes were unusually sharp, as if he hadn’t slept a wink.
It wasn’t difficult to guess the reason.
“The party is ready.”
“Whew… … I think I can somehow make it to the scheduled time.”
“I guess so.”
As I was walking down the hallway, I saw the servants moving their hands more busily than usual.
For me, having to struggle from the crack of dawn for something like a diplomatic mission wasn’t a very welcome story.
I said, roughly scanning the piled up documents.
“Did you hear from them?”
“Those guys… … Ah, are you talking about the Federal Empire’s delegation?”
“hmm.”
A private meeting with the delegation that had been promised to my father.
Fortunately, the answer that came out of the Baron’s mouth was exactly what was expected.
“As long as it’s before the party starts, any time is fine.”
“… … Is that so.”
It would not be an exaggeration to say that the actions up until now were a process of waiting for that moment.
What they were thinking and how they would move in the future… … The conference was not the right place to find out such facts.
“Then call me to the office in two hours.”
“All right.”
I slowly unbuttoned my rain-covered coat.
I felt the Baron’s gaze moving along the tattoo revealed through the open sleeves.
“Preparing for the bath.”
“… … George has already told the maids to prepare the bath water. She has left for a moment to prepare a change of clothes.”
“It seems like you’re adjusting well. What do you think?”
“It’s amazing how quickly you acquire knowledge. It’s no exaggeration to say that if you teach one thing, you learn ten.”
“I see.”
Although it was a minor matter, it was clear that it was difficult to act naturally unless you had some experience, as it required understanding the schedule and coordinating labor.
If the Baron, who is in the position of teaching him, praises him, then his abilities must be outstanding.
“Take care of George’s education. Shouldn’t you also be finishing up your duties as temporary assistant soon?”
“Ah… …! Yes, I’ll keep that in mind!”
“Send it up as soon as the guy comes.”
Then he headed to his room without looking back.
The face I saw in the mirror looked even more hopeful than before, which was just a pity.
‘He didn’t say a word about letting me return to the territory… … .’
Even to myself, it seemed like the devil was laughing while thinking like that.
* * *
with a splash-
“Hmm.”
The hot bath washes away the rain-soaked body.
Immerse yourself in water up to your head and then take it out, it couldn’t get any better than this.
It was then that I felt presence.
dripping-
“I have prepared a change of clothes.”
A grumbling voice is heard outside the door.
I responded as if I was annoyed by the uninvited guest who came before I could even enjoy my rest.
“Just leave it alone.”
Then, along with the sound of tongue clicking, the sound of clothes falling to the ground was heard.
He really did throw it on the floor, saying he was just going to leave it alone.
I chuckled at the scene that seemed so vivid even without having to check it through a camera.
“I guess I’ll have to cancel the award.”
I laid my head down and surrendered myself to the water that gently enveloped my body.
But unfortunately, the excitement that satisfied my heart like just now did not come.
It’s all because of those intruders grumbling outside.
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In the end, I had no choice but to finish my short break by roughly wiping myself down.
“So, what do you think?”
“Everyone was silenced.”
“… … Tell me more.”
“All the employees of the association who knew the truth were given a reasonable amount of money and immediately dispatched to the northern outback as investigators.”
“It’s a reasonable gag order.”
This will keep word of the Mithril mine quiet for at least a month.
And that period was enough time to fully absorb the ownership of the plains.
But it seems that it was an area that George could not understand.
“It’s nothing more than a Mithril mine. Wouldn’t it be better to just shut it up permanently?”
Shin Sung-cheol.
This ore, otherwise known as mithril, was a precious item whose value could not be compared to that of gold or the like.
Its hardness is comparable to that of a diamond, and its aura conductivity is a treasure that is unparalleled.
“If that was also the land of the Federal Empire, it would be impossible for there not to be conflict.”
“I guess so.”
The benefits that the Mithril mine would bring to Esteban are too numerous to count.
If you consider that the origin of the Hundred Year Crusade, one of the great wars that took place on the continent in the past, was to seize control of the Mithril Mines, you can easily guess its value.
And what the guy just said was, he was just picking on that part.
But my thoughts remained the same.
“It doesn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t matter… … What, are you thinking of going to war with those Federal Empire guys?”
“From the moment they planted the seed and incited rebellion, the relationship between the two countries was already in disarray. This agreement can only be considered a show.”
“That’s true, but… … .”
“War is bound to happen. The timing is just unclear.”
I thought back to the war with the Federation Empire before the return.
Even though he had been fooled by Asus’ scheme and had decided to go to war with them, it could be said that the war was inevitable.
For a very long time, those guys had been planning to eat Esteban… … .
Of course, it was also true that even for me, all the puzzles were completed only when I was on the verge of death.
“If war is unavoidable, it would be better for us to hold the reins.”
“… … .”
Anyway, the moment the distribution route of Mithril was discovered, rumors were bound to spread.
As before, I had no intention of just sitting back and watching them discover the mithril mine.
Even though it is unknown whether its existence will ignite the fuse of war.
‘But. That’s why I’m just moving.’
For a better tomorrow for Esteban.
To live the present without regrets.
This issue was directly related to my goal of not repeating past mistakes.
“But this way, I guess I’m just like a light in the wind.”
I nodded as I finished my short bath.
My eyes reflected in the water were sparkling.
* * *
“Your Highness, thank you for inviting me to breakfast.”
Countess Esula is a perfect example of a breakfast setting, with depth but never heavy.
After that, a person who appeared to be an attendant nodded his head.
I gestured to the seat across from me and said.
“Take a seat.”
“thank you.”
Knock knock-
The count pulled out the chair with a slow gesture and sat down carefully.
Then, as if she had been waiting, the maid came over and started placing dishes on the table.
“Do you have a favorite drink?”
“I’m mainly looking for the 80-year-old Corte Dame.”
“Then let’s do that.”
It was a great taste to enjoy as an aperitif.
As the drinks we ordered arrived and our lips were wet with the alcohol, the real story began.
“I read the letter sent by the Federal Empire. So who in the Federal Empire do you think is behind this?”
“Based on the information we have confirmed, we are certain that it is the Holy Empire.”
“Are you saying that, as a result, the two countries are falling into a trap set by the Holy Empire?”
“That is exactly what you said.”
I gently swirled my wine glass and asked the question again.
“What do they gain by doing so?”
“The Federal Empire is probably using this incident as an excuse to interfere in internal affairs under the pretext of protection.”
“Hmm.”
“Therefore, His Majesty the Emperor sent me back to his country with the goal of strengthening friendly relations with Esteban while also uncovering the atrocities committed by the Holy Empire.”
Esteban, which serves as a sort of peace zone between the Holy Empire, the Federal Empire, and the land of the barbarians.
If you only listen to this story, it could really seem like the Holy Empire is trying to indirectly gain benefits by sowing discord between Esteban and the Federal Empire.
“But for that, I think they handed over the land they requested too readily.”
If they had truly come to help uncover the truth, they would not have responded to the request for land.
As a result, the current situation appears to be no different from giving money in exchange for an agreement.
The answer to that was simple.
“This is just the foundation for building friendship. Of course, apart from that, information gathering to uncover the truth will continue.”
“I see. Externally, it is a support area, but is it really a picture for the future?”
“That’s correct.”
It’s a conversation made up entirely of lies.
As if it were a choreographed play, they faithfully followed the script while being aware of each other’s intentions.
And the ending was already decided.
“Then Esteban must also follow that will and try to uncover the truth.”
“His Majesty the Emperor will be pleased as well.”
For me, who knows everything, it was just a boring guess.
‘Disgusting.’
Why did you give the land?
From their perspective, they readily gave it to me because they thought they could get it back at any time.
Rather, they may think that they got a bargain if they were to cover up this incident in exchange for giving up about 20 kilometers of land that is difficult to even manage.
‘A rough land because of the existence of the Holy Empire.’
In reality, that was the position Esteban held.
‘But what about this life?’
Their scheme was discovered long ago, and they even took over the Mithril mines.
Unlike the past, the causal relationship that creates the future has been completely shattered.
At that moment, the food the maid had brought began to appear on the table.
An exclamation flowed from the count’s mouth.
“Whoa!”
“A bacon dish with Esteban’s specialties. Specially prepared for the delegation.”
“This food is so good it’s almost too good to be true.”
It wasn’t sarcasm.
He personally ordered that the best food ever be prepared.
My hands that stroked the knife were cold.
“But, doesn’t the person behind you fit into ‘this kind of seat’?”
“……yes?”
“Haven’t you been standing behind me all this time?”
I turned away from the bewildered Count and looked over my shoulder at the man.
“I’ve prepared some nice food, so how about we eat together?”
“… … Ahem! How can I allow my attendants to join you in a meal with His Majesty?”
“okay?”
I put down the knife and stood up.
Then she looked at the smiling face of the man as if she didn’t have to worry and smiled back.
“You must be bored from standing around for so long. Why don’t you take a seat?”
“… … .”
“Or is it really that you don’t belong in ‘this kind of place’?”
And then he whispered softly.
“Your Highness, Raiden del Carrot.”
