The Economics of Prophecy

"How dare you show your face before me. Guards... No, I'll follow you in front of Zangrich"

In the dark room, the masked man said. He has such a rough voice that the pattern covering his face looks distorted. Meanwhile, the man in the black robe overlooked by the mask doesn't make it slight.

A seemingly plain mansion on the outskirts of Wangdu's aristocratic district. This was the mistress's home of a masked man who knew only a very few sides.

Needless to say, there is no risk of intimate meetings with enemies during the war in the Wang capital. But there was no choice when he and his future father-in-law were shielded from the relationship that the Grand Duke of Kurtheit, Zangrich, had entered into with the man.

If Zangrich, the rear shield, were to reveal himself in a circumstance of prudence without taking part in the battle against the Empire, it could also be fatal for Prince Delnius.

In other words, his words earlier are clearly void.

"The Empire is not a single rock, either. We are only in a position to serve His Highness the Dagovard. The Kurtheit thing is the discretion of His Highness Maitir…"

Robe's man explained in a respectful manner.

"Faction? But that Dagobird is now Craig's prisoner. Thanks to him.................. No way, I've been crying for you to let Dagobad go. Ha, if the Imperial Army abandons Kurtheit and retreats all the way across the Great River, we'll think about it."

The man in the robe shook his head at Delnius, who turned and said with dignity.

"Then, of course, His Royal Highness Maitir is not convinced with his own country. At present, the Empire is oppressing the King's capital from left to right. More than food insecurity, the Empire can stay in the Kingdom forever."

"Well, it's not that easy. It should not be easy, for example, to keep soldiers in a kingdom with completely different geographical conditions for a long time. Once it collapses, the Royal Army will kick their ass."

Recalling two conflicting analyses of the Empire's ability to continue the war, which are taking place in the Chancellery, the Prince dared to speak strongly.

"I see." As long as there's a hero prince, he's not an enemy, such as an invader, "that's what you were talking about in Ichii. Craig is a living military god. You think I'm even starting to sound like I want His Highness Craig to be the prince, not the first prince of the disease? The Grand Duke of the West, who defeated the Western Marquis and Bertoldo, who were saved from the crisis. And the eastern lords are upset by the loss of the eastern Grand Duke. In this situation, the voice you said is not limited to Ichii..."

"Isn't it all their fault!!

Delnius slapped his desk.

"... such things, tradition and order do not acknowledge. There is an order in the kingdom. Unlike a barbarian country."

Unexpectedly managed to silence the absurd voice, Delnius said. However, his fists, still attached to his desk, continue to tremble fine.

"Let's just say that's a normal tradition. Sometimes things happen, they jump over those kinds of prebuildings."

"Shut up. What do you know when you're between empires? What can I do for you this time? All you have to do is tell them what your employer said."

"This was outrageous. In fact, what I have come to today is a suggestion that His Highness should not insure me against one. If the Empire controls the King's capital, I can assure you of His Highness's status and safety if you cooperate with me. No, it will be possible to place the weight on Your Highness even in post-war negotiations with the Kingdom."

"... I can't trust you very much. Zangrich would say the same."

With that said, Delnius' fist tremor had stopped.

"Ask for suggestions before you make your decision. As an empire, we crave Fulsey the Great Sage and Noel the Court Magician Apprentice."

"I'm not talking about it. That old man is now treated like a national master. Baron even if you just look at your identity. He is a beautiful nobleman. And even though apprenticeships, court magicians are official."

Delnius slapped his desk. Robe's man thought a little.

"Is there still a problem in those with rank.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... So what if it's someone from Shirai who's working with both of them?"

"... from Shirai."

"Yes, Your Highness is Antai if you give him one or two civilians. It's not a bad story. The collaborator is a man of the Chamber of Commerce called Vinder."

"Vinder, that's the name you heard somewhere..."

"It is a chamber of commerce awarded to Craig and the Grand Duke of the West. You were involved in the example carriage race."

"Speaking of which, you did. The Silver Chamber of Commerce... No, the Silver Chamber of Commerce means" just ”civilians..."

Delnius stroked his chin slowly.

"I wouldn't even bother His Highness if I were a civilian opponent. That's up to us. Your Royal Highness, if you'll excuse us after the fact about our escape from the King's capital."

"It's a much more generous story. On the contrary, I can't believe it. What are the civilians to them?"

"It is a poison that defeats an example dragon. I understand it was the Chamber of Commerce that set Craig up. Truth be told, that's why Craig beat Lord Dagobad's army of horse dragons."

"Well, you used poison in the war..."

"If it is poison to dragons, it is extremely valuable to the Empire. If we know how to get it, our faction will be honored."

"Is that your convenience?"

"Yes, we must keep our achievements widely known. It doesn't matter which way this battle leans.... What if, as with time, the” fact ”that Prince Craig was able to defeat the dragon was due to the poison spread to the kingdom? In the hero who fought the dragon with his sword and the schemer who poisoned him... the impression of the people is a lot different."

A man in the robe looked up and looked at the mask. The gaze, Dernius unconsciously avoided.

"Don't do anything fancy."

"Of course I am. What we want to know is information. There's nothing you can do about it. I want to transfer my personality to the Empire. That's why we need your help."

"............ Wang Du is in a strict state of precaution. Access is strictly controlled. But I'm busy for that matter. Or you might lose one or two of your papers."

"Thank you"

A man with his head down.

"By the way, does Your Highness really know anything about the Vinder Chamber of Commerce? He said he was in and out of the Chancellery."

"Can you remember the name of the Silver Chamber of Commerce?... No wait, speaking of which"

Delnius' eyes moved left and right under the mask.

"I've only heard such a name in the Chancellery once. I remember because I didn't put myself on too much ground."

"Hmm...... What is that name again Paul Vinder, chairman"

"There's no way I can remember a civilian's name or anything. But I guess not. Anyway, he was a student. The Sentence Administrator, the Prime Minister's secretary, is like..."

Delnius kept talking about rumors that didn't go down for him. It was out of recognition for him, such as the fact that the man's expression changed in the back of the robe.