Price of Management

“Moreover, if things go wrong again with the landscape, there is no risk that even the remaining four families will be transferred to the Horn Empire when the war breaks out. ”

“Then what do you think we should do with the money? ”

“According to Duron, I'll try to avoid the envoy's presence for now. We need to get to Earl McDell so he can't do anything else. That way, you have to connect with the aftermath between times. I am determined to go to war with the Horn Empire. ”

When I finished, King Erik entered his mind quietly.

Emperor Kars.

Hundreds of thousands of troops.

After school.

I didn't even know why the world was such a complicated relationship.

Soon, King Erik said.

“Diplomatic memorandum.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

Bird of Hazel Duron bows.

“Go to the aftermath and strengthen your relationship with the royal family. Ask them not to be fooled by the plans of the Horn Imperial Court. ”

“I will accept your name. ”

“And the Chancellor. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

“Jim will now rule out the disease as an excuse. Ask the state to take care of him while he's away, and especially hold on to Earl Charles McDell for as long as you can. ”

“Leave it to me.”

* * *

Earl Charles McDell, an Imperial envoy of the Horn, arrived about two days later in the afternoon.

Earl McDell was 75 years old when he arrived later than I expected. It seemed to be an old man walking around with a cane on his parched body.

“Earl McDell, who serves the Great Horn Empire. It is an honor to meet Prince Ligand, the wise man of the illustrious Kingdom of Leaden. ”

The old man greeted me with a very gentle and respectful attitude.

He was a very gentle nobleman for a man who had come to plot just before the war.

“Greetings, Earl McDell. You must have suffered a long journey. ”

“You're welcome. This body is old, but it's still worth it. ”

“Have you eaten? It's lunchtime and you won't be joining us. ”

“We haven't eaten yet, but more importantly, we are conveying the will of the Great Emperor. First of all, I need to learn about King Leaden's Underground Landfill. That's common courtesy, isn't it? ”

“You are right, but unfortunately, I cannot allow you to lay down as a disease. ”

Earl McDell stared at me, I said. He looked like he knew everything.

“…… Is that so? ”

“Something like that. ”

I laughed.

Earl McDell notices the situation and kicks his tongue lightly.

“Then you can't do it. I'm going to eat.”

“Very well. Follow me. You won't be disappointed with the royal chef's skill. ”

“Glad to hear it. ”

“Look forward to it. I'm still a retired and illustrious royal chef. ”

Earl McDell laughed lightly at my jokes.

In a restaurant dedicated to the highest management, we started eating together. Starting with the soft bread and the warm beef soup, the dinner was on course.

Earl McDell suddenly said while enjoying his meal.

“I'm worried that healing potion won't heal well enough. ”

“I see. Everyone is concerned about the Heart syndrome that doesn't even heal potions. ”

“So, how long are you planning on having that cardiogenic disease? ”

Earl McDell directly asked me how long I'll keep playing tricks.

I shrugged.

“I don't know. I think he'll lie down for a month or so. ”

Earl McDell stares at me for the right answer.

“That worries me. We wish you well within the week. ”

A week?

You can't have that.

Hazel Duron was short on that to make contact with the aftermath.

“I appreciate your concern. Your Majesty will be refreshed in the full moon, thanks to your strength. ”

“No matter how heavy the sickness is, he's young and healthy, so I think it'll only take ten days. ”

“What, are you going to get sick just because you're so worried? I have to watch.”

Earl McDell's eyes gleam in horror.

“I see. I will act in my own way to keep you well, my king." ”

“Thank you for telling me. ”

That's how the meal ended.

* * *

After a meal, I examined Earl McDell's group with shared senses with the spirits.

Senior Spirits' senses could cover the entire Kingdom of Leaden, allowing them to be monitored, not only when working in the Kingdom, but also when playing at home.

Even in his sleep, he asks that Earl McDell or his group wake him up immediately to let him know if anything suspicious happens.

Earl McDell stayed in the palace and did nothing suspicious. I didn't even know I was being watched by an animist.

However, Earl McDell returned one of his acolytes to the Horn on the second day of his visit to King Leaden. I feel like I'm delivering a letter to the Horn Empire.

“I will act in my own way to restore your king's well-being. ”

Earl McDell said something that made my heart tremble, but I decided to watch for now.

And a week later, Evan comes back.

“Lord. I've been investigating Earl Charles McDell as instructed. He was bigger than I thought.”

“What kind of person is he? ”

“He was the forefather of Emperor Kars. ”

“What, what?! ”

I woke up surprised.

That was surprising.

I can't believe Emperor Kars' blood still exists.

No, of course I thought about it. It was natural for me to go out because I had a mother.

However, the emperor Kars, who I remember, was a very lonely man, so I did not think about the existence of extravagance.

“Earl Charles McDell's ceremony is the second emperor of the former Emperor, who has not been in and out of the Imperial Court since the second emperor and his brother died of an assassination. ”

“As you cut ties with the Imperial Court, you're here because someone suddenly became an Imperial Lion? ”

“Yes, the Seal is urgent, and I've gathered only what is commonly known, so I don't know the details. Did you investigate properly?”

I shook my head.

“No, you don't have to. ”

I didn't think there would be any kind of lining. It was understandable, given the circumstances, that Earl McDell had severed his ties with the imperial court. The daughter who became the Empress was assassinated, and one of her grandchildren died. The other one is crazy. It was natural to want to stay away from the Imperial Court.

Today, however, Emperor Kars summoned an outsider whom he had never seen since the nightmare that day and sent him as a lion.

It was just an intuition, but I felt it was a whim of Emperor Kars.

Then what is the transformation?

This is what Emperor Kars would have expected if he had fearsome wisdom. King Erik refuses to play tricks, and I will take care of the state and confront Earl McDell instead.

Then what message did Emperor Kars send me?

Kars Hornt.

Maybe the subconscious behind the emotionless mask wants to talk to me about something?

I feel confused when I think of Emperor Kars.

* * *

It was only ten days after Earl McDell's visit.

The spies from the Ledon Royal Army, who have been dispatched to oversee the Horn Empire, have sent word in unison.

The Horn Empire Army shall unilaterally commence the March. Duke Rompel, Duke Rängen, Duke Kaison, and the Duke of Juden join forces as commanders. The force is estimated to be more than 500,000 people across the water.

"The Horn Empire is divided into two groups.

Of course, the royal family was in chaos. The guards are nervous that the war has finally broken out.

In order to calm the turbulent Royal Court, I was cautioned by gathering all senior officials of Class 3 or higher.

“War is not yet. Focus on what you need to do, without shaking! ”

Then the flutter calmed down.

I, the wise man of Leaden, noticed that everyone was relieved to believe me. My reputation, which seemed useless, was also surprisingly useful.

Of course, the war was not yet.

Emperor Kars and Earl Halstein are still not moving from the Palace of Isabella.

This large-scale military action by the Horn Empire was deployed in preparation for an invasion.

It was also a threat to King Erik, who was playing tricks on me, to stop waking up.

I went to see King Erik first. It was because he might be worried when he heard the news.

Thankfully, King Erik is not in a great state of shock.

“Your Majesty, is the illness in much remission? ”

King Eric, who was lying on the bed with my question, laughed.

“The news of the 500,000 troops surprised me so much that I ran away. ”

“As long as Emperor Kars doesn't step forward, there's no need to worry about war yet. ”

“I know. But it's really scary. 500,000 troops. ”

“Yes, I'm afraid. We can still fight, Your Majesty. ”

“I know that too. ”

Then King Erik smiles. It was a bright smile that grabbed a person's heart.

“Do we still have to play tricks on Jim when he's so strong from over there? ”

“I don't think we should deal with Earl McDell until Earl Hazel Duron returns. ”

“I see. I'll leave the matter to you. ”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

King Erik should be fine.

Then I guess I'll have to see Earl McDell again.

Earl McDell enjoyed reading with a relaxing tea time in his cabin.

When I came to him, he got up, covered the bookshelf, with a cane.

“Welcome, Earl Ligand. How are you doing, Your Majesty? ”

“Much better. I thought you'd be better in a few days. ”

“That's a relief. ”

“By the way, can I ask you a personal question? ”

“Tell me.”

“How has it been since you've seen your grandson? ”

I decided to ask him directly.

If Emperor Kars has any messages he would like to send me through Earl McDell, I would like to see them here.

Questions that hurt.

Earl McDell's eyes widen.

He stared, and I did not avoid that look.

After a awkward silence, Earl McDell opens his mouth.

“How was it? What do you think? ”

“ ……. ”

Earl McDell squeezes his staff tightly.

“Scared. The man he turned into. The years have changed so much. ”

* * *

The cloudy water vapor filled the bathroom.

The maids who diligently took a bath touched the small body of King Kars.

With a expressionless face, Emperor Kars kept silent.

After finishing my bath, I got up and came out of the bathroom, and the maids hurriedly wiped me dry with a cloth and put on my robe.

In the meantime, Emperor Kars glanced at the full-length mirror before his eyes.

I saw his face in the mirror.

He also looks in the mirror.

Why does he have such a vacant face?

Not in the old days.

My mother used to give me sweet candy. When I ate it, my mother smiled at me widely. Then I laughed too.

I learned to smile like that again.

I must have learned...

“Your Majesty, please take your seats. ”

The Maid of Honor has spoken to Emperor Kars, who is in mind before the mirror.

I was distracted, but Emperor Kars didn't mind.

“Back off.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. ”

After the maids disappear like a tide, Emperor Kars looks in the mirror again.

Then I turned around.

…… I don't remember anymore.

I don't know how to smile.

I was smiling then.

Suddenly, I remembered what I said to Caroc Ligand years ago.

“I don't need joy or sadness or love or despair. ”

Emperor Kars turns away from the mirror.

“I was only reborn to complete an unfinished work. ”

I am Crost. Bezalius.

-15 volumes (Complete).