Dream Life

Around 10 a.m. Feb. 4.

After Sharon left, the Commercial Guild's Plymouth Branch Manager, Wills Spencer, soon headed to the Duke of Charles Ingolslop's mansion.

Unusual behavior without prior communication (appointment) and without a souvenir, but he was anxious to share the information he had just obtained with the Duke immediately.

(A few days ago Lord Ezarrington is back in the Imperial Capital. It is likely that that duke has already negotiated with the Grand Duke of Langton and others. Not even a moment of respite......)

An interview with the Duke soon came true as to whether Spencer's impatience had been passed on to the servants of the Ingolthrop family.

"Something seems to be in a hurry, but is something wrong?"

The Duke was also suspicious because Spencer, who would normally visit from evening to night, offered to see him early in the morning.

"Actually..." I said and started explaining.

At the end of the explanation, the Duke was staring at the universe in a grumpy manner with his arms together.

"... that is. You mean not only does Ezarrington tie with Lockhart, but he turns to His Highness Leopold's support? I have also heard rumors that Ezarrington is using my daughter. Besides, that means it's working. But Ezarrington is not as prudent a man as the Chancellor. Is it possible that it could be a ploy to divulge information so easily?

Spencer realized he was in too much of a hurry for the Duke's words.

(No matter how the fiancée of the Lockhart family, she was danced to the words of fifteen or six little daughters. On second thought, it's impossible for that Lord Ezarrington to spread the information without any thought...)

Though I think so, my head turns to how to fix this lapse.

(If I am known to have committed such a lapse, I will lose Your Excellency's trust. Then Clark will plot to kick me down. Well, what's up...... no, this could be a good opportunity. Either way, we have to separate the prince from the neutral. It shouldn't be a huge failure if you think that just got ahead of you......)

He pretended to be calm and replied, "It is not there,"

"The information came from Zacharias Lockhart's fiancée's daughter. Lord Ezarrington wouldn't think that that girl would come into contact with me alone, either, and even if she were to use it for a plot, she would use someone more worthy. If you think about it, isn't it more natural to think of it as accidentally obtained information?"

Lord Ingolslop thinks by saying "uhm" to Spencer's description.

"It's inconceivable that Ezarrington would use that daughter, even if he did pass false information where it was. If I were to use it, I would be a trader with a deal"

"Yes, Robbins, who had a deal with the Seawell family, was accompanied, but nothing useful came out of him"

"So the information is true? Um, he told me so well. I will now summon Lord Edmond. Take your seats."

Lord Ingolslop sent a messenger to consult with the same Crown Prince Duke of Edmond Gabiston.

When contacted, did Lord Gabiston fly the carriage or arrive at the Ingolthrop residence in less than an hour.

"Something urgent, Lord Charles."

"Spencer brought information that he couldn't ignore. That information..."

Lord Ingolslop will tell you what Spencer has heard.

"... Ezarrington tied with Lockhart, and a party of prime ministers gained the power of a blacksmith guild. The military and the blacksmith guild are deeply related. It is fully conceivable to place your shoulders in His Highness Leopold."

Lord Gabiston is surprised to hear the story, but on the other hand he also has doubts.

"Will that prime minister abandon his position of neutrality just because Ezarrington has become a good relationship with the blacksmith guild? It's incredible."

"Sure, I thought the same thing, but if Ezarrington or the Chancellor is going to set us up with something, there's no reason for that. If His Royal Highness Leopold has won a great victory, I can't imagine the timing."

Lord Gabiston nods "indeed," to Lord Ingolslop's words,

"Isn't this Ezarrington's plot? I can't imagine that prudent prime minister going on an adventure. Isn't it possible that Ezarrington is going about things arbitrarily and crumbly trying to get the Prime Minister's approval?

"Uhm. Sure you can think about it...... Either way, it doesn't taste good to have a blacksmith guild and a prime minister joining hands. You should get your hands on it as soon as possible..."

Lord Gabiston also agreed, "You're right,"

"Why don't we put exploration in Ezarrington first? Neither would he expect us to move at this point either. From the alarmed Ezarrington, I wonder how far the Chancellor is involved."

"Mm-hmm. I just have a chance to talk to Ezarrington this afternoon. Let's explore there."

Lord Ingolslop gives instructions to Spencer.

"Use merchants to gather information. If there's anything strange going on in Imperial City, we'll get back to you as soon as possible."

"I understand. Use your hands immediately to gather information."

When Spencer returned to the Alliance branch, he ordered his men to gather information.

That afternoon Lord Ingolslop put in a subtle exploration of the Lockhart family in a forum of consultation with Lord Ezarrington.

"... With that being said, there seems to be rumor that your lord Laurencia and Lockhart's second son are close, but at last your lord is willing to let go of his beloved daughter"

When I hear that as I joke, Lord Ezarrington answers with a laugh as well.

"It's going to be hard. My daughters (...) seem ridiculous, but their Zacharias... I wonder if Lord Ingolslop has ever heard of Zacharias's nickname."

Lord Ezarrington darkens that Laurencia is not the only one.

"No, I don't."

Lord Ingolslop can't hide his confusion that the subject has suddenly changed.

"They have two names that will be Prince Harlem (All Range Prince) in all directions. My daughters seem to have been fascinated too. That's troublesome. hahahaha"

"Is Lord Etherlington good? Although the opponent will be a Viscount, he is only the second son of a knight. I don't think it's too good for you."

Lord Ezarrington instantly switches to a serious look.

"That's true, but I'm too spared to cut it off in my capacity, that guy. I told His Excellency the Prime Minister that he would summon him as soon as he arrived in the Empire City. If you were Your Excellency, you would give him a job worthy of his worth. I was wondering if time would solve things like identity..."

To Lord Ezarrington's words, Lord Ingolthrop strives to keep grinning while being shocked.

(Looks like Ezarrington is serious about tying with Lockhart. I'm getting into the Chancellor and getting ready to status...... I need to make sure that the story that the neutrals supported His Highness Leopold is true...)

He nodded "I see,"

"That's Lord Etherlington. I didn't know you already took in so many men. But wasn't Lockhart the main warrior against Lukes? I did hear you used your blacksmith's guild to insert the archbishop's neck. Your second son is not even twenty years old yet, and you're worried about clashing with the Chancellor."

"I do have that concern, but the Chancellor will only take it lightly."

I wonder how Lord Ingolthrop should perceive Lord Ezarrington's ambiguous words.

(Oops? I thought I'd flaunt my support for Prince Leopold here... but you're saying that the Prime Minister hasn't approved it yet? For example, Ezarrington's discretion. No, this guy can't be easy to reveal... the only thing I know is that Ezarrington and Lockhart have joined hands? Then we still have a hitter. If the Chancellor disagrees, Ezzarington can't push ahead either... be wary of any more clashes. Now we should let this go......)

Lord Ingolslop said, "You sure are. Hahaha," he laughed, ending the story there. He immediately communicated the information to Lord Gabiston.

Finishing his conversation with Lord Ingolslop, Lord Ezarrington was surprised that the Crown Prince moved faster than he thought.

(I thought it wouldn't work for at least a few more days, but it moves fast besides my thoughts. I just want to think that the rumors of the Laurencians have done their job, but don't feel that's all. Should I also keep it in His Excellency the Chancellor's ear...... no, it's still early. Things may get even more obstinate when your Excellency overreacts. You should see how it goes for a while now......)

He ordered his men to step up surveillance of the commercial guild.

That evening.

Danny Clark was at Lord Gabiston's mansion where he was being cordial.

He had his men go to the Spencer Chamber of Commerce to gather information, to get information that Virus Spencer had headed to Lord Ingolslop's mansion.

(Did it still work? I don't know what you're going to do, but I hope you don't blow the Chancellor into something that turns him against the enemy...)

He confirmed to Lord Gabiston what Spencer was going to do and was going to stop it if it seemed dangerous.

As soon as Lord Gabiston shows up, we get down to business.

"I heard the Spencer Branch Manager was met by His Excellency the Duke of Ingolslop,"

"Um. I'm seeing Spencer, too. It meant we got new information."

"If you don't mind, could you tell me about it"

"It wasn't that much information. The information Spencer brought was that Lockhart and Ezarrington tied together and that the neutrals decided to support His Highness Leopold. But Lord Charles put in an exploration, and it seemed to be Ezarrington's discretion."

"So does that mean we'll see how it goes for now?

"No, I move that the Chancellor not support His Highness Leopold. Specifically breaking the relationship between Ezarrington and Lockhart and losing the support of the Blacksmith Guild..."

Clark wanted to hold his head that it was an unsavory situation. But we summon our spiritual strength to disguise it as calm.

"I do have trouble with His Excellency the Chancellor being supported by His Highness Leopold. But I was wondering how it would be to break up with Ezarrington and Lockhart."

"Why is that?

"It's dangerous to turn Lockhart against the enemy."

"Dangerous? Isn't it just a rising Viscount?"

"It is that knight of civilian ascension who is inserting and replacing the head of the Archbishop of Light Divinity. To insult their power could be to tread on the same footsteps as Luke's fools."

Lord Gabiston thinks, "Sure, but..."

"Isn't this where we should be static? Except if there is because the Grand Duke of Langton and the others have moved out, but now Lord Ezarrington is still only moving alone. First of all, I don't think the Chancellor would move with it if the Lockhart family turned to the support of Prince Leopold."

"Lord Charles said the same thing about that. I don't think so either, but Ezarrington's not an insult."

"I was wondering if it would be more certain to step up surveillance of Grand Duke Langton and Lord Kendrew to move when there was contact with Lord Ezarrington. It's about Lord Ezarrington, so it's also possible we're aiming to move in a hurry. I was wondering if we should move lightly."

Lord Gabiston put his judgment on hold by saying, "Talk to Lord Charles," but in his heart he leaned toward Clark's words.

(It would be frivolous for us to move in the words of our little girl. If the Chancellor decides to drastically change the status quo, things won't move no matter what Ezarrington or the Grand Duke do...)

The following Feb. 5, Lord Gabiston met Lord Ingolthrop.

"I thought about it overnight, but I still thought it might be dangerous to move now"

"What's the matter with you?

"There is no reason for the neutrals to shoulder either faction at the moment. I was wondering if the Chancellor and Ezarrington expect us to react and move. We move inadvertently and use it as an excuse to sharpen the power of the commercial guild. It feels like what they're after."

Lord Ingolslop indulges in his thoughts.

(That's true. In particular, the Chancellor has plotted many times to sharpen the power of the commercial guild. Since we're interfering, there's a good chance you're about to take action after first diminishing our voice...)

That's what he thought. "That's Lord Edmond," after breaking up his rapport.

"You're probably hitting the Grand Dukes with something, too. It's not too late to figure that out."

Then came information from Spencer that the Mage Guild was about to make contact with the Grand Duke of Langton.

Lord Ingolslop is relieved that he was right when he overheard the information.

(There is no contact between Ezarrington and the Mage Guild. For example, it would be reasonable to see the Chancellor move. I almost got danced by the prime ministers...)

Sharon's measures were a brilliant success.

At the moment, however, the restraint against the Crown Prince was merely a success.