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Chapter 69. The Brain Behind It All

"...So, the person we have to fight is the Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama?"

"No? I didn't say that. It's just that the person Jeremiah and I were chasing was Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama. To ordinary citizens, he's not exactly an enemy... well, it might be a country that's always at war, though."

"Isn't that enough to make him an enemy?"

Well, not really... in reality.

"There are surprisingly many people who think it's fine to go to war if it benefits their country. Thinking about it that way, Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama might not be strictly an enemy, right?"

"Whose side are you on?"

"I'm Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama's enemy."

Of course, I am. We faced each other, and he declared me an enemy. There's no way I wouldn't oppose him now. Unless he gives me the entire southern Aklaren Peninsula and a title, allowing me to live in peace for the rest of my life... but I'd still be pissed off.

"...I... I can't go to war for my country's benefit..."

"Of course. Elixira, you're from the Bifrans family, so if a war starts, you'll naturally be held somewhat responsible."

"That's right! That's why I hate it but have no choice but to oppose him!"

The Bifrans family has the bloodline of the first head of the Magic Knights, so they still hold a strong influence over the Magic Knights. If Minister of the Interior, Frodil's coup succeeds and he starts a war under a policy of national enrichment and military expansion, the Bifrans family will definitely be held responsible. Frodil isn't lenient enough to overlook that.

"He might not ask for military force, but he could demand money, supplies, or even war leadership since the current head of the Bifrans family holds the title of Magic Knight."

"Why... why is this happening to me..."

Well, I'm the one who got you involved, but you can't change the bloodline you were born into. Escaping a complicated fate isn't easy.

"Either way, Elixira, you only have two choices: join us or side with Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama. Your family's title is too high to turn a blind eye."

If it were a new family like the Garndi, it wouldn't be such a big deal, and they could retire quietly. But the Bifrans family... it's different.

Similarly, the Frisberg family can't ignore this... apparently, Jeremiah and his father, Duke Robert Frisberg, intend to confront the enemy. Even though the throne would fall into his lap if the royal family died, Duke Robert prioritizes loyalty to the king. He's a good man... or should I say, Jeremiah's father.

"Ivy and Nina... they have options because they're commoners."

"Aren't you a commoner too?"

"In status, yes. But I've already been noticed, so it's impossible."

Also, I hate the idea of my country starting a war. I don't want to get dragged into it. No matter how strong I am, I can't destroy a country, and I don't know when I'll die. I'm absolutely against war. Even if it means the country's decline, I think a country that can't sustain itself without war should perish.

"...Understood... I'll help somehow. What should I do?"

"I don't want you to fight. I want you to act as our strategist."

"Strategist?"

"Yes."

Jeremiah and I are already strong enough as a force. With the backing of the Frisberg and Bifrans families, and especially Princess Elissa, we can make any excuse to confront Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama. All we need is a brain to counter that man.

"I was planning to ask Ivy, but if she sides with Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama, we have to respect that."

"Because she's a commoner?"

"I've made quite unreasonable requests too."

But if Ivy joins the other side, we don't stand a chance.

"...I think she'll stay with you."

"Why?"

"She appreciates you, including the fact that you don't understand women's hearts."

"Does that matter?"

Why would Ivy side with us just because I'm insensitive?

"If it's brain work, I can help... but you want to pit a Bifrans family dropout against the country's best politician, Lord Frodil of the Interior?"

"It's fine. The Bifrans family dropout is brilliant."

Despite everything, I rate Elixira highly. She often belittles herself, but she's strong-willed enough to manifest a grimoire.

That's a compliment, you know?

"So, what do you want to know?"

"First... if my guess is correct, the target is the Founding Festival."

"Because the royals gather there. And he could give a good speech to the public... even though the royals were killed, we should unite as a country."

"Hmm?"

Unite as a country?

"To control the country as he wishes, he won't let go of public support. If it were me... I'd say the prince from the Elgrant Empire, who was going to marry Princess Elissa, orchestrated it and stirred up hostility against the Empire, then invaded and conquered them."

"..."

That's quite ruthless... could you be a spy for Minister of the Interior, Frodil-sama?

"After conquering the Elgrant Empire, next would be the Krostal Kingdom. Saying they were allied with the Empire would be enough reason. Then we'd declare we won peace after conquering the Krostal Kingdom and end the war."

"Why conquer the Elgrant Empire and the Krostal Kingdom so quickly?"

"Because if we leave them for later, the public will oppose it. Negative emotions drive people, but they don't last long."

I see... that's why they plan a blitzkrieg using the excuse of the royals' assassination.

"Indeed, if we're to blitz, the Kuria Kingdom, with its monstrously strong division leaders, would have the advantage. Overwhelming quality with a small elite force could crush them like a surprise attack."

Moreover, the Elgrant Empire is at war with the western countries and doesn't have much leeway, and the Krostal Kingdom's land isn't very fertile, so it hasn't fully recovered from its war with the Curia Kingdom decades ago.

"...What you're saying is pretty ruthless."

"Don't tell me that."

You said, "if it were me."