Chapter 260: The Emperor’s Invitation

In the office.

I read every single word of the letter from Her Majesty the Emperor aloud for everyone to hear.

After finishing, I nodded and addressed the assembled subordinates.

“That being said, we’ve been invited to a long-term stay at the Emperor’s residence. She apparently has plenty she wants to discuss. What shall we do?”

“We should go.”

In response, Martina asserted.

The seal on the letter definitely matched the Emperor’s crest.

The text made no effort to hide its unabashed delight and its overt fondness for Valiere.

I have no reason to be resented—and it’s probably nothing more than a token of gratitude for avenging her father’s death, not a trap.

That may be so, but still, I’m at a loss as to how to respond.

“What do you expect me to say if I go? I can’t possibly come up with any pleasant topics to discuss with the Emperor. Who would be interested in hearing about my life?”

“No, I think plenty of people will find it interesting… In fact, perhaps I should even compile it into a book for posterity. In any case, it will most likely be me—Martina—who speaks with the Emperor. Valiere-sama, please rest assured.”

The mere nine-year-old Martina answered proudly.

I suppose that’s likely.

Perhaps Emperor Maxine will only offer me praise, while the real interest lies in Martina—the one who apparently wrote a book to be presented to the Emperor.

I’ve heard that Duchess Astarte had already submitted it.

That’s what Valiere thinks, but what kind of book is it?

I find it rather intriguing.

If the opportunity arises, I might ask Duchess Astarte or the Emperor if I could take a look.

“Of course, Berlichingen and I will accompany you—consider us your attendants. The Emperor won’t refuse, after all.”

“Indeed.”

Sabine and Berlichingen raised their hands.

Well, that’s fine.

I don’t have any personal attendants, so two should suffice.

Now that the row with Landsknecht is behind us, entrusting the future subjects of Lord Polydoro to the personal guard and Lady Pretihya won’t be a problem.

“Of course, Faust has also been invited—but he’ll come, right?”

“Well, if Martina is going, then I suppose I’ll go too…”

The roles of the knight apprentice and the knight have been reversed.

Normally, it should be the other way around, but this time Martina has been specifically summoned.

“We’ll also bring Yue-dono, you know? Honestly, I’m not so free as to stay by the Emperor’s side all the time. I don’t have the leisure to fool around.”

“Yue-dono of Virendorf?”

“Yes. I’ve already asked her to have us train in Feiron martial arts. Oh, and it seems that the ‘Rampaging Boar Knights’ led by Duke Temeraire will also take part—probably Baumann and Miss Nina as well.”

In any event, it never hurts to have a bunch of powerful superhumans in the empire.

I intend to have them teach us the techniques of the Feiron superhumans—and even instruct us in Qi Gong.

“Your Majesty, will you allow the superhumans of the Temeraire faction to come and go from the residence?”

“Well, I suppose you will.”

At Valiere’s query, Sabine replied in a reassuring tone:

“Frankly speaking, neither the Emperor nor Duke Temeraire is fixated on the imperial throne anymore; their interest has waned. Duke Temeraire is hardly even plotting to assassinate the Emperor.”

“Has everyone already concluded that everything will be handed over to Queen Katarina of Virendorf?”

“It will be so.”

Sabine then added,

“Well, at least Duchess Astarte still seems to hope that the Emperor will take matters into her own hands.”

Duchess Astarte does have a penchant for capable people.

After all, Emperor Maxine is undoubtedly competent, with both the qualities and the lineage to stand at the pinnacle.

Certainly, it would be best if she herself took the initiative.

But—

“But she isn’t motivated, is she? I’ve heard that from Onee-chan. If she’s never been driven from the start, then it’s hopeless.”

“Well, that seems to be the case.”

I really have no idea how this will turn out.

Sabine tilted her head as if to say so, though I can’t quite grasp what she’s getting at—in fact, I have no clue what she’s thinking.

“Hey, hey, go ahead and scheme as you please. If you need anything, just let me know.”

“Understood.”

I’ll let Sabine do as she pleases.

I nodded and decided to write a reply to the Emperor.

“Well then—since we’re arriving in such a large entourage, I wonder if it might be considered impolite?”

But perhaps it’s not something to worry about.

Most of my problems have already been resolved.

There probably won’t be any more bizarre developments.

“After all, our counterpart is the Emperor, isn’t she? Even if we show up with a hundred people, it’ll be fine. Ah, I must also prepare.”

“What kind of preparations is Sabine making?”

This one’s up to something strange again, isn’t she?

I looked at her suspiciously.

“This is something Duchess Astarte requested: to show the Emperor the new bullets from the Cologne Sect.”

Duchess Astarte has been up to all sorts of things lately.

In some ways, she’s even more reckless than Sabine or Berlichingen.

I wish she wouldn’t do anything bizarre that might trouble me—but honestly, my expectations are low.

“Oh, and I almost forgot: we’ve also acquired cannons from the Cologne Sect, so we’ll be showing those as well.”

“I suppose it’s considered a necessary expense, though…”

My Second Princess’s Personal Guard just keeps growing on its own.

Before I knew it, their numbers had increased, and they’re now equipped with the Cologne Sect’s latest firearms—and even cannons.

I don’t have the ability to command such forces myself—but I’m sure Sabine and Berlichingen will manage.

It’s rather pathetic to leave everything entirely to my subordinates.

“Very well then. All we need to do is comply with the Emperor’s wishes. I’ll do my best to keep her in good humor by providing excellent service. Martina and Faust will explain the book that was presented, while Sabine and Berlichingen will explain the latest firearms and cannons. That about covers it?”

“That’s about all we need to do. Well—”

Sabine tilted her head again, hinting at something further.

“I’m not sure what the three prince‐electors—Anhalt, Virendorf, and Mainz—are planning. I suspect they might be scheming something else that could cause us trouble. Moreover, the Emperor likely has plenty she wants to say, so I think she’ll appeal to the three prince‐electors through Valiere-sama.”

“Yes…”

Once again, I wonder if I’m just being used in someone else’s schemes.

Well, if it’s necessary, I suppose I can’t complain.

But honestly, I wish they would communicate directly with the Emperor instead of going through me.

“Valiere-sama, matters like these tend to go more smoothly when handled through an intermediary. Please, do an excellent job as the mediator.”

Sabine seemed to have already given up on further argument—in fact, she appeared to be thoroughly enjoying my predicament.

“Alright, alright, I understand. Enough already.”

I rested my chin on the desk.

I braced myself for becoming a pawn in various schemes.

I probably won’t die.

Probably.

Clutching my stomach as a dull pain twisted within me, I let out a long sigh.