The Tyrant Empress is Obsessed with Me - Chapter67

67 – The Whatever of the Night

The Allied Nations.

A wonderful community where countries on the continent fill each other’s military and economic shortcomings, creating a beautiful harmony.

However, that’s only nominal, the real purpose is.

“The elimination of the empire”

The common goal of the allied nations was to completely collapse the evil empire, which was as annoying as a sore thumb.

But.

“The empire has made a lot of money from the patent for the enhanced sorcery stone!”

“Shouldn’t we also get at least one jewel frog?”

“Goodness, the number of people subscribing to the empire’s newspaper is increasing even within the allied nations!”

It wasn’t easy.

The empire has been doing too well lately.

Just a few years ago, the empire was unstable. The economy, diplomacy, and military were all shaky. So, the allied countries waited.

Just a little bit more, just a little more patience was needed to collapse the empire.

“But to ascended to the sky from the ground all of a sudden? Like a hibernating dragon surfacing.”

Reinhardt, the well-known genius tactician of the allied nations, pressed his throbbing temples.

The empire has now become too big to contend with.

A strong domestic market, an unshakable military power, and even a fairly good reputation.

No weak points are visible.

Perhaps just a few years ago, if it were known that the Allied States declared war on the Empire, people would react:

-It’s the Empire, so it makes sense. I’m not sure, but anyhow, I support the Allied States.

That would have been the response.

Now?

-Are they crazy? We can’t imagine a life without Updated Magic-Stone Weapons now. Protect the Barba Empire. Save Ascal.

“Groan…”

Knowing what we know now, there could have been a bit of bigotry, but we should have attacked the empire about a year ago.

Reinhardt, who missed the opportunity, was contemplating the cause of how things ended up this way.

Firstly,

The Prince, and not the inept Emperor, is leading the nation.

The Prince was pretty impressive. According to the report of the Allied States, his overall rank was A.

He had the qualities to be considered a decent leader if he were to lead a nation.

However, it was not enough to revive the already deteriorating Empire.

＜Count Ascal Erindale＞

The young nobleman with an inexhaustibly mysterious mountain and the ability to read the political landscape was called the sleeping dragon of the Empire, and he was reputed to have lifted the deteriorating empire into the force it is currently. Afterwards…

Overall rank: S+

From Noble mtl dot com

“Ascal Erindale, this beast…”

The main culprit who rejuvenated the Empire was Ascal Erindale himself.

Without him, everything would have gone smoothly.

Reinhardt swallowed his anger with a groan.

‘Why am I so angry?’

One of the conditions of being a great staff officer was equanimity. No matter the situation, one must not lose their cool and should be able to think of the next move.

Reinhardt took slow, calming breaths.

His mind began to clear.

And then he realized.

‘So, I had been harboring feelings of inadequacy towards Ascal Erindale.’

A cool self-analysis.

‘Huh. I can even objectify my own feelings of inadequacy.’

Reinhardt regained his composure.

Believing that his ability to objectively appraise himself was superior to Ascal’s.

“Yet, he is still an extraordinary figure.”

In comparison to a group, an individual often appears insignificant.

However, there are times when a single individual can completely transform a group.

A singer with captivating charisma, a painter who leaves a masterpiece, a leader who stirs courage into people. These are commonly referred to as great figures.

Reinhardt dared to assess.

Ascal Erindale is a great figure and a hero of the empire.

Around him as the center, the empire was revived.

If he wasn’t taken down, or at least if the Allies didn’t have anyone on par with him, they were incapable of standing against the Empire.

“We need a hero.”

A figure who could become a hero in the Allied nations… but the general is too old, and Reinhardt himself shines only as an advisor operating from the shadows.

“If only there was some young talent from within the empire we could utilize. Say, a rebel for instance.”

Up until a few years ago, the reports indicated unusual signs occurring all around the empire.

…These strange signs simply disappeared.

“Hero… Where is a hero who can stand up to Ascal. Just a moment.”

Just then, an idea sparked in Reinhardt’s mind.

Recently, the Holy Kingdom fell.

Because it happened so abruptly, the specific details were known by few. Like someone intentionally wiped out the evidence.

According to the people’s testimonies, a series of groups outraged by the corruption in the Holy Kingdom thoroughly exposed and retaliated their corruption.

Reinhardt paid close attention to the classified report about the Holy Kingdom’s collapse.

– About the invaders of the Holy Kingdom.

– They referred to themselves as ‘The Knights of the Night’.

– They wore black clothes and masks, so their appearance couldn’t be discerned.

– Their leader is referred to as the ‘Prince of the Night’. From testimonies, he’s believed to be a young man.

The individuals who appeared overnight to punish the corrupt Holy Kingdom and then disappeared. Had it not been for the few eyewitness accounts, even Reinhardt would not have been aware of their existence.

“The Prince of the Night. If it’s him…”

The Allies needed a face.

An icon that can paint the Empire as evil and the Allies as good.

If the Prince of the Night were to stand with the Allies.

And if he were to denounce the wicked Empire (with a little bit of distortion, of course)

The Allies might have the potential to collapse the Empire.

＜The Prince of the Night vs. The Dragon of the Empire＞

The backbone of the plan was revealed.

The General of the Allies, Reinhardt, began to sketch a grand scheme, marveling at his own genius.

Askel returned from the north and went to report to the Imperial Palace immediately.

As a courier sent by Duke Felix had already provided most of the reports, his job was merely to occasionally add his commentary.

The Crown Prince was deeply moved and awarded Askel a medal and reward.

After brief preparations, Askel returned to the Evaluation Department. Lia also came back around that time. Askel somewhat noticed that several keen-eyed Evaluation Department employees somewhat seemed to view Lia differently.

And, subtly observing, Sisia came to the office to visit him again.

“I’ve brought a gift, Sisia. An ice dessert from the north. Oh no, it melted on the way here.”

“How could you, sir. I’ve been so worried, waiting for you.”

“Just joking. Here is a scarf made of wool. The sheep from the north have especially thick wool, which boasts excellent insulation properties.”

“Wow, it doesn’t have much romance, but it’s practical. I don’t know what comment to make……”

Sisia wrapped the scarf around her neck as she spoke.

Besides that, Askel also distributed gifts to the employees. It was technically a business trip rather than a vacation, but after the hot spring incident, giving out gifts had become a tradition in the Evaluation Department.

“You actually saw the frost giants. How big were they?”

“Even larger than our agency.”

“No way. That’s a lie.”

“You don’t have to believe it, it’s your loss.”

Sisia was mumbling and fumbling.

Seeing this, Askel recalled Sisia’s actions before he departed for the North.

She seemed to hesitate as if she had something to say.

This was similar to Lia’s behavior pattern before the princess’s coming out.

“Speak if you have something to say.”

“Well, it’s a little tricky to say it here. Hm. I have tickets.”

And Sisia timidly extended the tickets.

＜The best actors! The best theater! An irresistibly engrossing performance! Meet it tonight at the Golden Theater!＞

-Royal seat, for two.

“Would you like to watch it together? I think I could tell you then.”

And Sisia started to fiddle with her ear.

“Does it have to be here?”

“Yes, it has to be here.”

Ascal got up from his chair.

He then approached Lia, who was busy with her work.

“Sushia said so. Would it be okay if we go there, Lia?”

Lia’s blue eyes looked up at Ascal.

“Yes, please enjoy the play.”

“Seems like the two of you have gotten closer. There used to be a little distance before…”

“It’s a matter of course to report the schedule to the assistant. Let’s get off work.”

The secret office in the imperial palace.

“Is this information reliable?”

“Yes, Your Highness the Crown Prince. The Allied Nations are making moves. They are looking for the ‘Prince of the Night’.”

The Crown Prince always kept an eye on the movements of the Allied Nations. The Empire had many enemies. If they didn’t move quickly, they could get caught in a trap at any time.

“If it’s the Prince of the Night, which royal family does he belong to?”

“No, he is the leader of a group called the Knights of the Night. It is said there is also a Princess of the Night.”

“A Princess of the Night… It’s a bit blush-inducing.”

But the Crown Prince hit a wall.

This matter was top secret among the Allied Nations. They only knew that the ‘Prince of the Night’ was being sought after, they could not gather any more information.

“However, seeing that the Allied Nations are looking for them, it’s clear that it’s a significant matter.”

The Prince of the Night.

A person hidden behind a veil.

What kind of potential he might possess, they could not tell for now.

One thing was certain; they should never be taken by the Allied Nations.

“We must find the Prince of the Night before the Allied Nations do. Of course, in secret.”

Going back to the past for a moment.

After successfully saving the kingdom, Ascal.

Someone had to write a report. Even if you only looked at the position and seniority, Serena Barba was the highest, but naturally, she couldn’t make the royal family write reports.

Ryka and Zyrob were, of course, excluded.

Arthur Dever’s writing was terrible. Exclude him.

Then only Devon and Caine were left.

The two people looked at each other.

And after a fierce rock-paper-scissors and coin toss, Cain eventually lost. It was a beautiful custom of throwing each other’s gauntlets in a rating class.

I skimmed through the report that Cain, the 1st manager of the appraisal department, was writing.

“The members of the day used aliases in the kingdom to prevent their identities from being revealed, and each of their aliases are,

Laika (Assassin of the Night)

Jerome (Berserker of the Night)

Cain (Staff of the Night)

Devan (Guardian of the Night)

Arthur Dever (Knight of the Night)

Serena Barba (Princess of the Night)

Ascal Erendeil (Prince of the Night)

Princess Yulia Barba has refused to use an alias to the very end……”

Devan reading the report remarked,

“Indeed, the Staff of the Night. A report without any superfluous detail.”

Cain rubbed his temple.

“Surely, fitting for the Guardian of the Night, your perspective is clear.”

Devan twitched his eyebrow.

“Who was it that first suggested using aliases?”

“Princess Serena…”

“…”

“Normally, I don’t mention this, but it’s quite embarrassing.”

“In reality, the aliases aren’t that important.”

Their eyes met.

They agreed silently.

Swish.

The report, thrown into the fireplace, turned into ashes.

In the end, the report was delivered only after the section about the Night Knights was entirely removed.