When I Infiltrated the Enemy Nation as a Slave, the Yandere Beauties There Started a Civil War Over Me - Chapter 43: Coincidence

Chapter 43: Coincidence

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A room surrounded by red walls.

The windows were covered by curtains, and the only light came from a small lamp. Being nighttime, the room was dimly lit, with just enough light to see.

In the quiet space, the sound of a chess piece being placed on the board echoed softly. A white-haired girl, Cecifelia, spoke as the sound settled.

“Wanting to play chess while talking… Margaret, you’re as predictable as ever.”

Shortly after her comment, another sound resonated, this time of a black piece being placed on the board. 

The crimson-haired girl, Margaret, crossed her legs and smirked slightly.

“Don’t complain. There aren’t many who can match me in chess, after all.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.”

With a sigh of exasperation, Cecifelia moved her piece forward as she replied.

Margaret came from the Valenford ducal family, a renowned line of strategists in the Elenorde Empire. The Valenford family was already known for their exceptional strategic prowess, but Margaret’s abilities far surpassed those of her predecessors.

Among her hobbies, chess was one where she had few equals. While Cecifelia could manage to play against her, her chances of winning against Margaret were not particularly high.

“So? This is our monthly report meeting, as we agreed to hold at least once a month. Do you have anything to report?”

As Cecifelia asked this while advancing her chess piece, Margaret responded.

“We’ve been able to proceed with our invasions of the neighboring small nations without issue… but the Sandrotheim Kingdom remains troublesome.”

“Didn’t you say before that they were close to collapsing?”

“That was the case, but they’ve suddenly changed their tactics. Until recently, they engaged in counterattacks, partly as a show of force. However, over the past month, they’ve shifted to a defensive stance, performing only the minimum necessary countermeasures.”

“That does sound suspicious.”

“Indeed… The Sandrotheim Kingdom is known for its strong defenses. Switching to a defensive posture while at a disadvantage isn’t a bad decision. However, abandoning any chance of counterattack and focusing solely on defense is essentially admitting defeat.”

As they discussed this, Cecifelia attempted to gain an advantage in their chess game by moving a piece strategically. However, Margaret skillfully blocked her move.

“Well, maybe they just gave up when none of their strategies worked?”

“It’s a country that values the lives of its soldiers and even tries to avoid unnecessary deaths among enemy troops. Knowing that surrender would lead to their own ruin, they wouldn’t give up so easily.”

“If they haven’t given up and it’s not just a lack of options as the war drags on… could it be a diversion on a national scale?”

“Impressive. That’s what I’m thinking as well.”

Margaret nodded in satisfaction and continued.

“However, even with my skills, I still can’t figure out the specifics of this diversion.”

“Really? It’s rare for you to admit something like that?”

“Yes, and that’s precisely why I’m exhilarated. When I finally uncover this unexpected tactic, I’m sure it will leave me in awe. I can’t wait for that moment.”

With those words, Margaret closed her eyes, seemingly imagining the scenario they had been discussing. Her lips curved into a faint, amused smile.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s hope that moment comes for you.”

Cecifelia casually brushed it off as she advanced her piece.

Margaret opened her eyes, moved her piece, and spoke.

“Talking about something as profound as being moved, yet your response is so casual.”

“If I took your excitement about strategies seriously, I’d lose my mind. So, still not interested in men?”

“Not at all. If an unexpected strategy took the form of a man, perhaps I’d feel some curiosity. But as it stands, I have no interest in men—just as you don’t, I assume.”

Hearing Margaret’s words, Cecifelia shook her head and said,

“Actually, that’s not true anymore~.”

“What…?”

Margaret seemed more shocked than merely curious as she listened to Cecifelia’s response.

“You know, I recently bought a male slave. Did you hear about that?”

“Ah, yes, I remember there was some buzz about it not long ago. Even I was surprised when I heard that Claire had gone out of her way to purchase a slave.”

“Exactly! And let me tell you, that slave boy is seriously handsome and adorable~! Right now, I’m completely obsessed with him.”

“Interesting. For him to captivate Claire to such a degree, he must be from another country, given his status as a slave. I suppose that foreign element gave you a fresh perspective.”

“Maybe~. He’s so different from other men. I mean, his appearance is obviously my favorite, but it’s not just that. The strength in his eyes, his aura—there’s just something so magnetic about him!”

“…”

After a brief pause, Margaret spoke.

“Now that you mention it, a few days ago, I came across an interesting man at the church.”

“The church? Stellara’s place?”

“Yes. I went there to request her cooperation in ending the war with the Sandrotheim Kingdom quickly. As usual, she refused, but there was a man with Stellara at the time. For some reason, I found him intriguing.”

“Wow, that’s rare. What kind of man was he?”

“He had a well-defined face, but that wasn’t what caught my attention. What stood out was the brief yet intense gaze he directed at me, filled with something powerful, and the strong will in his eyes. He also had an unusual air about him, one I’ve rarely encountered before.”

Hearing Margaret’s description, Cecifelia couldn’t help but speak up, recalling the similar impression she’d had when she met Luke not long ago.

“What a coincidence~! I felt the same way about the slave boy I recently bought!”

“Is that so…? Well, unlike you, Claire, I doubt I’d ever get so infatuated with a man.”

“Yeah, that sounds about right~.”

Nodding in agreement, Cecifelia suddenly thought of something and decided to ask.

“So, what did the boy who caught your attention look like, Margaret? I mean, if I ever get the chance to meet him, I’d like to talk to him too~.”

“His appearance… Let’s see. He was a little shorter than me.”

“Well, Margaret, you’re pretty tall~.”

“And… he was a blonde.”

“…Oh?”

Hearing that he was blonde, Luke’s image briefly flashed through Cecifelia’s mind.

However, since Stellara herself had blonde hair, it wasn’t particularly rare in this country. It wasn’t enough to be surprising.

“The most notable feature, though, was his red eyes.”

“!? R-Red eyes!?”

“Yes. Why are you so startled?”

“…Oh, no reason.”

If it had just been the blonde hair, it wouldn’t have narrowed things down much. But blonde hair combined with red eyes…

Moreover, the details Margaret shared about the man were strikingly similar to the impression Cecifelia had of Luke.

There was no concrete evidence, but such coincidences were hard to ignore. If the man Margaret was describing really was Luke, and he had gone to the church without Cecifelia knowing—

“Check.”

Margaret’s voice, accompanied by the sound of a chess piece being placed, jolted Cecifelia out of her thoughts.

“You’re as relentless as ever… I’d like to think about all this more, but first, I’ll make sure I win this game!”

“Heh, interesting. Then I’ll give it my all to ensure my victory as well.”

The two of them continued clashing their strategies across the chessboard for a while.

If Luke really had gone to the church without Cecifelia knowing and met Stellara… when that time comes—