Chapter 88.2

If Julian was doing this knowingly, he was crazier than the emperor.

If he wasn’t, then he was a natural-born innocent devil.

“In any case, Duke Entir, thanks to your perilous journeys to the North, the exchange between the North and the Empire has flourished. On behalf of His Majesty and the Imperial people, I once again express my deepest gratitude.”

Whether or not Julian was aware of Entir’s and the others’ feelings, he continued speaking with a radiant smile.

“You flatter me. I simply followed my instincts as a merchant, chasing the scent of money like a moth to a flame.”

Entir deeply resonated with the phrase “one cannot criticize a smiling face” as he dealt with the innocent devil before him.

“In truth… I know a little. About what happened between the Empire—specifically the Imperial family—and the Renslet Grand Duchy.”

“?!”

“!!”

At that moment, the atmosphere, which had been on the verge of imploding from Julian’s naive antics, shifted dramatically.

“My father… I mean, His Majesty’s tyrannical policies are gravely misguided. Instead of breaking the chain of resentment that began during the late emperor’s reign, they’re only deepening the hatred…”

‘So, he had another purpose all along.’

‘It makes sense. There’s no way such a timid crown prince would meet us without a reason.’

The shift into a serious discussion was something that Entir, Gard, and Carpe could all feel.

“My grandfather, the late Emperor Soled, was a conqueror. During his reign, the Empire acquired vast territories and strengthened the once-puppetlike imperial authority.”

Julian’s words seemed to praise his grandfather, but the nuance was far from boastful.

“Internally, he liberated serfs to weaken the power of the nobility and the clergy while expanding the direct domains of the Imperial House. Externally, he extended the Empire’s influence.”

His tone conveyed these statements almost like a confession of guilt.

“But… in doing so, he created far too many enemies.”

“Indeed… Among those countless enemies, we of the North are included.”

This prompted Gard to deliver a sharp, provocative response.

“I find that truly regrettable, and I apologize deeply.”

Julian, as he said this, clasped Gard’s hand.

“!!”

Both Gard and those watching—Carpe and Entir—widened their eyes in surprise.

“No matter how fiercely a cold wind blows, people will only bundle up more. I believe what the North needs now is warm sunlight. Would you not agree?”

“Well… Yes, I suppose so…”

Gard, startled, nodded his head.

Internally, he recalled Arad’s words before he had left the High Tower.

– “If you get a chance to attend the coronation, make an effort to speak with Crown Prince Julian.”

A clear instruction to establish contact with the Imperial House, especially Julian.

‘So Count Jin had a reason for his interest. This royal feels very different from what rumors suggest!’n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

As Gard conversed with Julian, he broke out in a cold sweat.

Meanwhile, Entir was scanning the surroundings.

‘What is the crown prince’s real objective? All these conversations will surely be reported to the emperor.’

From the Imperial knights guarding Julian to the maids and attendants serving him, Entir estimated that at least half of them were informants planted by the emperor.

His gaze then shifted to Gard, whose face revealed an unusual level of fluster and confusion.

‘Surely he’s not falling for this?’

Seeing this, Entir couldn’t help but feel a sense of competitive unease.

“Your Highness, the banquet is about to begin,” said a man who appeared to be a chamberlain, notifying Julian of the time.

“Is it that late already?”

Julian smiled brightly and nodded at the report.

“Let us go. I shall escort you. Ah! And bring along the others waiting outside.”

With graceful movements, Julian rose and began leading Gard, Entir, and Carpe.

“Understood, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Entir and Gard bowed simultaneously.

Julian walked a few steps ahead, while the three men followed closely behind.

“Duke Gard,” Entir said quietly, almost in a whisper, as they walked.

“The Northerners’ creed is to always repay kindness and vengeance, correct?”

“Indeed, it is.”

“Then let me tell you the creed of the Empire—specifically, of Imperial merchants.”

“Oh… What is it?”

“Beware of kindness above all else.”

Entir spoke these words while watching Julian’s back, then quickened his pace to catch up with the crown prince.

***

Pre-Coronation Festivities

Even before the coronation, grand banquets were being held.

There were feasts to honor the late emperor’s achievements, wish him peace in the afterlife, and pray for a smooth coronation.

The reasons for hosting such banquets were abundant.

“Arad salt! Where’s the Arad salt?!”

“We’re bringing it now!”

“Hurry! If we don’t have it, use spices from the East!”

“We’re running low on porcelain dishes for the food!”

“Then bring celadon from the North! Save the porcelain for the Imperial family and royalty!”

As a result, the servants, maids, chefs, cooks, chamberlains, and attendants working in the Imperial Palace were overwhelmed with work, day after day.

Meanwhile, there was another branch of the Empire just as busy as the palace:

“The Queen of Eska is sending Princess Aska to attend the coronation personally!”

“Request Sigma to dispatch female knights and mages! Disguise them as attendants and extract as much information as possible!”

This was none other than the Imperial Foreign Ministry and the Empire’s intelligence agency, Sigma.

“A delegation has arrived from Daejin, a powerful nation in the Eastern Continent.”

“Hmm? The Eastern Continent is far; news must have only just reached them.”

“It seems the embassy at the Free Port of the Empire acted promptly.”

“Treat them with the utmost respect.”

“The Holy See has sent Cardinal Longos, disguised as an inquisitor!”

“Absolutely ensure they don’t encounter the Imperial clergy—especially Archbishop Teresia!”

“From Scania, Prince Isilus has arrived for the coronation.”

“The Grand Duke Sephiros of the Nobles’ Council is meeting regularly with the Holy See’s cardinals!”

“The Kingdom of Gargant has sent Duke Harold, the king’s uncle…”

The coronation had drawn the major powers of the continent into one place.

This meant that the stage was set for both diplomatic and espionage battles.

However, all the efforts of the Imperial Foreign Ministry and Sigma soon began to lose direction.

“Reporting! Interceptions reveal that the Scania delegation is primarily discussing matters related to Renslet.”

“From royal envoys to members of the Nobles’ Council, everyone’s focus seems to be on the North.”

“???”

In this grand spectacle of diplomacy and espionage, the most frequently discussed topics were not the emperor or the Imperial family.

It was the Northern delegation from Renslet and Entir Bishop.

Neither the emperor nor the archbishop received this level of attention.

“What in the world is… happening…?”

For the thoroughly prepared Imperial Foreign Ministry and Sigma, the situation was simply exasperating.

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