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Chapter 57. Let's Use The Princess

The other day, Jeremiah talked about someone plotting a civil war... Quite an interesting story. I absolutely don't want to get involved, but if it's just about the kingdom being destroyed, isn't it a fascinating story?

There weren't any major wars when I was alive in my previous life, and while it's just out of curiosity, the idea of a war so significant that it could destroy a country piques my intellectual curiosity. I'm only interested; I don't want to get involved.

Even though it might be doomed... if the Kuria Kingdom were a sinking ship, it wouldn't be surprising, but it doesn't seem that fragile in terms of its structure. So, finding the cause of its potential downfall and dealing with it secretly would ensure a more secure life.

"I believe humans are creatures that seek security. If fear is the opposite of security, then humans live to overcome fear... The reason why those in power obsess over immortality is that the strongest primal fear for humans is 'death'. This might be disrespectful to say to you, who holds the grimoire [Sariel]."

"Really? To me, that just sounded like someone else's problem."

Why... If you weren't here, I'd just be a weirdo talking about some incomprehensible philosophy by myself. I didn't even know Ivy was here and was just talking randomly... Well, she was here.

"So? What did you think of Jeremiah's story?"

"I didn't hear it."

"No excuses."

"No, really, I didn't hear it. His grimoire is of a higher rank than mine."

I didn't know there was such a concept as grimoire ranks.

"If you really didn't hear, that's fine... As I asked before, take care of the Empire."

"Sure, but... You called me suspicious, yet you're the one doing the most suspicious things."

Mind your own business.

A relatively large number of magic knights were patrolling the academy for security. Well, it's not long since that cult terrorist incident... but I think it's a waste of manpower.

That terrorist group was used as scapegoats, but I think they attacked this academy, which is quite far from the capital, to evaluate the students' combat abilities... or so I believe. Perhaps there's a hidden secret in this academy that no one knows about... but probably not.

"Theodore, can I have a moment?"

"Princess Elissa?"

What's this about... another pretend lover talk?

"Recently... my brothers' relationship has worsened rapidly."

"You mean the first and second princes?"

"Yes... They were never close, but now just seeing each other creates a tense atmosphere, and I've even been caught in the crossfire."

"Let me guess... Stop aiming to be a magic knight and get married already?"

"No. Only you would say something that cruel to me."

Huh? Completely wrong... I thought one of the princes might have said something like that and made her feel bad... What's going on?

"They told me not to meddle in politics as a student... I thought I realized how foolish and dreamy I was as a princess after you told me, but I didn't think my brothers saw me that way too."

"Ah... Yeah. You shouldn't meddle in politics now."

"The other day, you told me to be aware of my status as a princess."

Is she all or nothing? That's why they call her headstrong.

"Listen, the reason the princes' relationship has worsened recently is because of the succession to the throne. If the current king dies for some reason, who will take the throne? It's not clearly decided, right?"

"That's true. Initially, it was said that Brother Aldini would succeed, but Father said he couldn't let him succeed just because he was born first."

Well, while it causes sibling rivalry, what the king says is reasonable. Historically, the children of wise kings are generally incompetent, and the adopted children of wise kings are usually wise. Succession by bloodline often leads to bad outcomes... But it's also difficult to neglect the eldest son. Hence, the current quarrels.

"But, Father is still active... isn't succession something for more than ten years in the future?"

"That's the normal way to think. But what if someone desperately wants the throne?"

"They would kill Father."

Assassination is inseparable from the royal family. There are too many who target the king—those aiming for power, those with grudges, hired assassins, lunatics...

"It's quite a dangerous time. Because your royal succession rank is the lowest, you're not targeted yet, but if you stand out too much, Princess Elissa, you could be killed or married off to another country."

"So, the talk of marriage with the Empire came up because of my succession rights?"

"That's exactly it."

That said, continuing to act incompetent won't do. If you stand out too much, you'll be deemed a hindrance and eliminated, but if you're seen as completely useless, you'll be exploited and framed, ending up exiled.

"Power struggles are always like walking on thin ice... Carefully and surely choose only the paths you can tread... I'm not experienced in power struggles either, but one thing I can say for sure is if you make the wrong choice... Princess Elissa, you won't have a bright future."

"It's difficult..."

But conversely, if Princess Elissa can strike a delicate balance, she can delay the plans of those trying to control the country from behind the scenes. Their goal is for the first and second princes to destroy each other, obscuring the succession dispute.

"The other day, I told you to be aware of your royal status. To risk your life for this country, even if it means marriage... But now, you need to stay in this country, risking your life. That's the clue to defeating those trying to manipulate the country from the shadows."

"Manipulate the country from the shadows? Wait... where did that come from?"

Oh, shoot... I hadn't told Princess Elissa about that yet.