Chapter 71:

Chapter 71:

The situation was unfolding in an unexpected direction, and Elric could no longer just sit idly by after discovering that the assets Elbus had casually mentioned were now a 6% stake in EW.

‘It’s a significant amount of money, considering what I’ve saved over the last ten years.’

Elric thought.

“...Then, our conversation is concluded. You may leave!”

“Yes! Call me anytime you need!”

Edward, still kneeling, shuffled backwards and exited the room.

Elric watched him go, thinking,

*I hope his knees hold up... well, that’s the least of my concerns right now.*

He sighed deeply and massaged his temples.

“You could have mentioned this earlier.”

Elbus just replied, “You didn’t ask.”

Elbus’s face, alight with amusement at the unfolding drama, said it all.

Elric, having neglected his finances while they were managed by Elbus, felt it was pointless to complain further.

Elric finally turned to Credon.

“Now, can we have a proper discussion?”

Credon nodded, and Elric’s focus sharpened.

What exactly was going on that the prince himself had come all this way to this remote location?

His curiosity peaked, and then Credon dropped a bombshell.

“The Empire is about to enter a civil war.”

This answer came in a form Elric had not anticipated.

Credon continued at length. Even though he outlined only the essential causes leading to the conclusion that “the Empire is splitting apart,” he spoke until the tea had completely cooled, and still he wasn’t finished.

Elric, feeling a headache coming on from the intensity of the information, did his best to summarize.

“So, internal factional competition within the Empire has intensified, and one of the factions includes key figures from the previous administration. The conflict is on the verge of leading to a civil war. Have I got that right?”

“You have understood perfectly,” Credon confirmed.Updated chapters at novelhall.com

“What is the Emperor doing about this?”

It was a logical question.

These were not times of peace, but of war.

It was precisely now, when the balance of power in the west was about to tip.

It was unthinkable that they wouldn’t unify their strength, yet they were planning a civil war?

Could they have possibly been sensing an imminent victory in the war and be plotting for what comes next?

That made no sense.

Though the war seemed to be nearing its end, that really meant the real battle was just beginning.

Indeed, wasn’t this a time when the Seven Powers were truly beginning to fight on the battlefield?

The upcoming situation was like a lit fuse.

It was only getting more intense; the likelihood of it weakening and reverting to a standoff was extremely slim.

In such circumstances, what exactly was the Emperor, who should have been coordinating internally, doing?

To this obvious question, Credon answered:

“My father is only a puppet”

It was a statement that suggested much.

Elric’s gaze grew stern.

His mind was racing. He had information from a decade on the battlefield, experiences etched into his body, and an understanding of the causes and effects of the wars he’d observed.

From this, he could make an educated guess.

“...The situation, did he plan this?”

Elric listened to the entire conversation with his mouth shut.

He still couldn’t give an answer.

As his hesitation deepened, Elbus grimaced with a bitter smile.

“...It’s sudden, so I won’t expect an answer right away. But I hope you’ll at least consider it.”

Elbus then spoke to Credon.

“Your Highness, our business here is done, let’s return.”

Credon seemed reluctant to leave right away but soon agreed.

It seemed he didn’t want to impose any further.

“...I’ll think about it.”

Elric felt a lump in his throat as he asked for a reprieve.

That was all he could do.

*

After the two had left, Edward was sitting there.

He was kneeling, his eyes still sparkling brightly.

“Master, did you enjoy the conversation?”

His demure bow, like a shy bride, somewhat alleviated the severity of the moments before.

Yet it wasn’t entirely welcome.

“Are you still here? What are you doing?”

“Where my master is, that is where I belong.”

The speed of this attitude change was baffling.

While his emotions surged, Elric looked down at him for a moment and then thought.

‘He might have information about the imperial civil war.’

Edward White, the Goldsmith, was an exceptional man in all respects except for physical strength.

The same was true for intelligence gathering.

Given that he operated a continental enterprise, the quantity and quality of information he possessed were incomparable even to a national intelligence agency.

‘As a master’s request.’

Could he obtain that information?

Elric soon gave up on that idea.

Carelessly speaking and leaking today’s conversation would be wrong to both men.

“...You should go now.”

“Master?”

“I don’t have the time to deal with you right now.”

His mind was too cluttered.

Too much had happened today already, and the information brought by Credon and Elbus was too heavy.

As Elric subtly showed his fatigue, Edward nodded frantically.

“Then rest easy!”

With a swish! Edward again demonstrated the strange skill of moving while kneeling and disappeared.

Normally, Elric might have chuckled and clicked his tongue, but he couldn’t do that today.

His hand was once again caressing the dulled dagger in his pocket.

Sitting on the sofa in the reception room, he closed his eyes and soon fell into a deep sleep.

“Milord?”

It was another hour before Tyria arrived.