Chapter 162

Ed Rosstaylor Contest (2)

The prestige of the Cloel imperial family is sky-high.

If you look through the history books this wasn’t always the case. Margraves who held military power and formed private armies of their own or grand dukes who invaded deep into the central power of the imperial family sometimes enjoyed power comparable to that of the emperor.

However under the authority of Emperor Cloel who is said to be the most perfect emperor in history no noble was able to raise his standards.

Starting with ending the war with the demi-humans he re-established the logistics distribution and currency system to increase the efficiency of commerce regained territory in the northern grasslands and directly intervened in the establishment of the imperial army’s training process to raise the level of troops.

In addition he was sincere enough to personally coordinate the large and small disputes that occurred between his fiefdoms and when hiring his subjects he only looked at their abilities. He was always kind to the empress but strict to his subjects.

“It’s been two years since Brother Lindon locked himself in his room.”

“Hmm... .”

The emperor’s private garden.

It was excessively large for a garden managed solely for the emperor. It seemed reasonable to call it a park rather than a garden.

In the wooden pavilion in the center 2nd Princess Persica and Emperor Cloel were playing chess.

“I hope you can cheer up a bit... “That would be nice.”

Emperor Cloel was famous as a monarch who was perfect in everything but there was one thing he lacked compared to others. The heir who would take over the throne had not yet been clearly determined.

It’s been a long time since Prince Lindon gave up his right to succeed to the throne and locked himself in his room. If he came out right away and declared that he wanted to succeed to the throne Emperor Cloel was ready to immediately call in a kingship teacher.

However since some time I have been eating only the food given to me while covered in a blanket in my room... It was a very painful problem for Emperor Cloel.

“My only brother is not in good health and my two sisters are not in good health... I feel very lonely because I have no one to talk to openly. “Abama.”

“You’re so cunning when you usually stay in the library and don’t come out. Persica.”

“Still I still want to see my family’s faces. That’s why I came here to have an audience with Abama Jonan.”

Persica smiled at Emperor Cloel like that.

Most of the imperial castle’s high authority and power comes from Emperor Cloel.

In addition to the imperial central army commanding the imperial capital all kinds of famous wizards/alchemists belonging to the imperial family. They are all people who look up to Emperor Cloel.

All subjects of the imperial family respected him for running the government smoothly for a long time.

The problem is its successor. So which of the three princesses will inherit the noble name of the imperial family?

At first Fenia’s power was the highest and after she entered Sylvania Selaha’s power rose rapidly.

Key personnel of the imperial family... Everyone from the prime minister to the knight commander and chief deacon was close to Selaha.

Each of them is a person with tremendous experience and power. Selaha’s momentum was such that everyone wanted to line up against Selaha.

Only Magnus the commander of the northern steppes and Delum the imperial chief alchemist remained silent and did not support anyone.

The two have a stubborn personality and only care about the emperor’s will. I’m not the type to worry about who will be the next emperor and how to line him up. Except for those people everyone joined the side of Selaha who moved quickly.

All Persica did so far was to stay in the library and read books.

‘I guess I have to move slowly now.’

In any case the Cloel Imperial Family has proven its track record and power over a long period of time and has come to wield omnipotent power. There were many times when the three princesses benefited from that power.

Who would inherit that enormous power was a matter of utmost concern. It was soon time to start Persica too.

“By the way Abama have you heard the story about the treasure that Great Sage Sylvania left behind?”

It was the moment when Persica was about to make her fortune in earnest.

Before Emperor Cloel could respond a soldier suddenly ran in bowed politely and reported something.

Reporting so suddenly late at night means that the agenda is obviously urgent.

Princess Persica and Emperor Cloel both hardened their expressions as they heard the story about the tragedy at Rosstaylor Mansion from the soldier.

Both looked like they were in deep thought.

* * *

“You saved our lives so you deserve to be rewarded generously!”

“Thank you so much... . “I will personally report this to the princess and her majesty so that you can receive a grand response!”

“I owe you my life... ! If I made a mistake I would have fallen into the hands of those Los Taylor guys... . this... Ugly guys... .”

Yenica Palover was wiggling her fingertips not knowing what to do.

If you look here you’ll see a Baron. If you look there you’ll see a Count. High-ranking people all flock to say something to Yenika one by one... It was an unfamiliar situation for Yenica who had lived her entire life as a commoner.

I saw a lot of nobles at Sylvania Academy but most of them were younger children of nobles and due to Sylvania Academy’s policy there was no need to be so polite.

However since I had come out of Sylvania and was being praised so highly not only by the children of the nobles but also by the nobles themselves I was confused and did not know how to behave.

‘I’m tired... .’

People stationed at Ross Taylor Mansion awaiting the arrival of the imperial army. Jenica caught in the center was shedding a cold sweat.

After the nobles’ tour ended the last person to arrive was Claris a saint from the Order of Telos.

“You are here Senior Yenika.”

“Ah... Holy woman. I was grateful just now. Thanks to the saint... .”

“We have to steal senior Ed away.”

Since there wasn’t enough time Clarice talked straight to the point. Of course he had just made sure that no one was around to listen.

“... yes?

“Senior Ed is now in a perfect position to be used as a political word. Of course Senior Ed himself will behave well but he is unconscious right now. First you need some time to gather yourself understand the situation and reset your course of action.”

Clarice whispered looking directly at Yenica.

“The public opinion of the Rosstaylor family among the affected nobles is very bad. I may be able to calm negative public opinion with my testimony and influence but it will only be a temporary phenomenon. “First of all the family has committed treason against the emperor.”

“That’s not it... . Ed was the one who fought most actively against the matriarch Crepin... The saint also witnessed it. Not only I but also Princess Fenia saw it clearly... .”

“If necessary power can twist even the truth.”

I know this better than anyone else as Clarice has lived at the pinnacle of power.

If Clarisse decides to cover him it will be a great help but if the princess pops out from the other side things get complicated. The moment the problem spreads due to the conflict between the imperial authority and the religious authority it is no longer a problem that will end along the lines of Ed Rothtaylor. That would probably have a negative impact on Ed himself.

Ed Rosstaylor’s position is a very special one.

Rather it would have been a cleaner and quieter way to seize any justification and take Ed Ross Taylor to Seonghwangdo.

“There is no reason to execute Ed. This... “It’s a little strange saint.”

“Senior Ed is the person who most strongly inherits Ross Taylor’s blood.”

Perhaps starting from this incident the vested interests within the imperial family will try to completely erase all traces of the Ross-Taylor family.

Not only those who hold important positions within the imperial family but also those who are closely related to the Ross-Taylor family will all have to relinquish their public positions.

There will be a battle of wits among those in power to fill the vacant position with someone of their own. There is no need to explain in words how much it means to have someone in a key position.

In that case from their point of view it would be better to definitely get rid of the remnants of Ross Taylor. If someone who can succeed and lead Ross Taylor’s glory appears power will not be reorganized and will simply be maintained.

Therefore those in power will never make this incident ‘Krepin’s personal aberration.’ There was a high possibility that they would necessarily expand the interpretation and develop it into a ‘problem for the entire Ross-Taylor family’ to bring down all of its power.

When their power and prestige are high everyone supports and praises them but when they see a corner to bring them down they rush in like hyenas and bite them. It’s always like a power struggle.

Saint Clarisse has seen quite a few such ugly power struggles while sitting atop the Holy Emperor’s Temple. Just because she was a high-ranking priest made her no different.

I didn’t want to be polluted by such realistic logic so I just kept my mind clean and always focused on prayer but that doesn’t mean I’m completely unaware of times when I’m tainted by power.

No one knows how the unconscious Ed will be used in this situation. However Clarisse’s intuition was whispering something ominous.

“So if you see an opportunity and catch something that can serve as a justification... .”

“It’s called Seonghwangdo... Would it be different... ?”

Those are words that should never be uttered in front of the saint who represents the Church of Telos.

The reason she can say those words which imply disbelief is because Yenika is not a Telosian.

yes... ?”

“I don’t think the saint will try to take advantage of Ed or harm him. but... “A person higher than the saint may have a different opinion.”

Yenika is pure. That’s why she stabs into the story’s blind spots without hesitation.

Is there anyone in the Church of Telos who has a higher status than Saint Clarisse? If I had to choose there is only one person.

This is the prosperous Eldain.

A mouth-watering horse named Ed Rosstaylor has come into their possession. Are they really going to treat his wounds let him recuperate and welcome him away from Seonghwangdo?

If you think about it with common sense it can’t be that way. Group decision-making is not determined by human feelings. It follows efficiency and rationality.

All high-ranking priests can be controlled in the Saint Clarice line but not as much as Saint Eldain.

If Eldain has a different mind from Saint Clarice there is no way to stop it in the Clarice Sun.

However Eldain’s character is not that wicked. Although he is well-versed in real-world politics he is not a person who has sold his soul to the secular world. He feels uneasy about having to rely on Jung... He felt that if Clarice appealed directly it would work. He was a possibility worth walking around.

however... Yenika does not trust Eldain. It has to be that way.

Ed Rothtaylor had the experience of getting seriously injured while fighting with the Apostles of Telos and it was the Holy Eldain who allowed that to happen.

Eldain’s appearance at Sylvania Academy was indecisive and compromising. Yenika is one of the people who saw this up close.

that... Even though... .”

But if you really kill Ed Rothtaylor... Lortel Kecheln’s own life will not be safe. There is no way Lortel Kecheln does not know that fact.

So does this mean that they have prepared additional means to subdue the two? Fenia couldn’t imagine it.

“Lortel... you are... .”

Princess Fenia felt anger rising up her back.

From the beginning I was aware that I did not have a good human compatibility with Lortel Kecheln.

Still I thought that no matter how cold-blooded Lortel was there was at least a line.

However Lortel was a person who crossed even those lines without any hesitation for the sake of profit and power.

Could it be that a merchant who was poisoned to the core was such an abominable being?

Fenia’s cold eyes turned straight to Lortel at that fact.

One day towards Fenia who was in confusion with Tarkan in front of her... This is the look of disdain that Lortel showed.

This time Fenia expresses unprecedented sincere contempt toward Lortel.

Fenia and Lortel are humans running on parallel paths. The two lines will never touch.

Realizing that fact once again Fenia let out a deep sigh.

Then he stood up and spoke clearly in a cold tone.

“Don’t think I’ll just stay still.”

Fenia quietly turned and left the tent indicating that she did not want to talk any more.

Her eyes burning with anger do not fit her nickname Princess of Mercy.

But Fenia could not sit still.

“He has an eye for people which is probably why he was able to become such a big hand at such a young age.”

“The desire for power and success is natural human nature. Those who try to hide such desires are even less trustworthy. So in a way it is only natural that I felt a sense of kinship with Princess Selaha.”

After Fenia left the atmosphere in the tent with only Lortel and Selaha remaining was much more relaxed.

There was no such positive news for Selaha who already wanted to open a relationship with Elte Trading Company.

The fact that he openly took Selaha’s side between Fenia and Selaha means that at least Lortel the real power of Elte Chamber of Commerce will not stick to Fenia’s side.

Needless to say it is nagging how much significance this has in the competition for imperial power.

“If you were to ask which of the two would be more likely to become emperor I would definitely pick Princess Selaha’s hand.”

okay. Fenia lacks the qualities to be an emperor. “She is perfect as a benevolent princess.”

Selaha took a sip of tea and spoke regretfully.

“Penia should know too. Just playing in the flower fields won’t make the empire richer. “A monarch is someone who follows his own path.”

“Living life as a princess is worthwhile. “Princess Fenia will also know that.”

okay. “It’s a good thing.”

Selaha smiled in satisfaction then turned to Lortel and spoke.

“It is quite trustworthy that Elte Company takes your side. “If I take the throne I can dream that the port west of Oldek will become the site of Elte Trading Company.”

“I just do my best. However you must not completely ignore Princess Fenia.”

“Yes I know it well. “There are many forces that support Fenia.”

Selaha pursed her lips and took a moment to gather her thoughts. Lortel took advantage of that opportunity to put down his teacup and speak in a soft tone.

that’s right. So blindly bringing Ed Rothtaylor to the Imperial Palace could be a handshake. “It is a place where Princess Selaha’s power and influence is the strongest but at the same time it is a place where Princess Fenia’s voice becomes stronger right?”

“Fenia lost a lot of her power while attending Sylvania Academy.”

“However there is also the variable of Princess Persica. In any case if you are thinking of using Ed Rothtaylor as a source of material for the imperial power dispute putting him in the presence of rivals may actually provide new excuses and excuses.”

okay... That level of risk... I was guessing... .”

Lortel speaks quietly and slowly like a whisper. The voice that slowly seeps into Princess Selaha’s ears cannot be rejected.

This is the one who openly took Selaha’s side even when faced with Fenia the princess of mercy. It is as if he has already crossed a river of no return.

Words that such a girl utters in a sincere tone as if seducing her.

“Furthermore the variables Jenica Failover and Lucy Mayril are harder to control than you might think. They are more powerful and demanding than Princess Selaha thinks. “To control them you have to hide Ed Rosstaylor’s location and give the impression that his life can be taken at any time.”

“Hoo... .”

“If you openly reveal that he is in the imperial family it is actually a handshake. “These are people who if pushed into a corner could break through the front gate of the imperial family.”

Selaha also confirmed the powerlessness of Yenika and Lucy. I know well that Lortel’s words are not just nonsense.

They are opponents that cannot be easily defeated even if one borrows the authority of the high-ranking Cloel Imperial Family. I was aware of that fact but I never thought that he would throw away everything including the authority of the empire and his future life and break down the imperial gates.

“Then it would be more appropriate to hide the man somewhere other than the imperial palace. “In a place where no one can easily find it.”

“Princess Selaha.”

Lortel’s voice continues to seep through.

She grew up attending numerous negotiation positions since she was an adult... It is the price of negotiation.

“If you go all the way up along the western bay of the commercial city of Oldeck you will see a wide open space filled with large warehouses.”

However there is a difference between a negotiator and a fraudster.

Although she is a great negotiator she is also a natural conman.

Negotiation or fraud?

Navigating between those ambiguous boundaries and controlling contracts is the quality of a great merchant.

“It is mainly a place where trade products traveling across the continent are loaded and as Old Deck’s trade volume is large the warehouse complex is also very large. There are so many warehouses and the items being loaded change every day so even warehouse owners often don’t know what’s inside. “If you’re not the owner of the product you don’t even go near the warehouse.”

“Oh I see... .”

“The complex is so large that people get lost inside at least once a week. Who cares what’s inside those warehouses? No one cares. Whether it’s fruit destined for the Western continent fashionable clothing these days books or minerals... .”

Lortel smiles and hints.

“Or a person.”

There was no need to say more about who that person was.

“If we could manage Ed Rothtaylor’s recruits so secretly we would have an advantage in many ways. Depending on the political situation in the future if it becomes difficult to gain political advantage by publicly burning someone at the stake they could poison or strangle someone and pretend that they died from excessive blood loss. Even if there is controversy over his death Princess Selaha will not have to take the risk if the Elte Company overturned it.”

“Are you saying it doesn’t matter if the Hoo Elte Company overturns all the charges?”

“We thrive on relationships of trust. And I would like to form a new relationship of trust with Princess Selaha. “This is the verification process.”

It means that when that time comes I think Princess Selaha will cover it well. It’s a stance that seems to assert itself at a disadvantage. It is natural that there is a difference in status and authority.

It even contains the meaning of helping each other and continuing a long-term symbiotic relationship.

There is no other relationship as trustworthy as a relationship in which both parties take advantage of each other’s weaknesses.

“If you want to run a large business risk management is important. “It’s what we do best.”

Jang Sa-chi’s three-inch tongue enters Selaha’s ear little by little.

He took Selaha’s side even while opposing Fenia.

She is a girl who understands the importance of power better than anyone else and is ready to sell her soul for profit.

“Would you like to buy it?”

Selaha responded by gently pushing up the corners of his mouth.

Lortel smiling quietly under his robe nodded and stood up.

“――Then Ed Rosstaylor’s new recruit will be guided by our Elte Company and taken to Alldeck.”

When I come to my senses everything I want is in my hands.

Anyone in the world who gets caught by that three-inch tongue will fall for it as if possessed and take the treasure in their hands and offer it up. I mistakenly thought this was a reasonable choice.

That’s how scammers prey on their victims.

Ed Rosstaylor takes us to Alldeck.

Lortel came out of the tent shaking off the hem of his robe... He was smiling sinisterly like a fox.

* * *

“... .”

Lortel who came out to the central garden to check on Ed’s condition was completely speechless.

When I saw Ed in a state of complete disrepair and loss of consciousness I gasped but I didn’t lose my senses.

No one in the world can match Lortel’s ability to maintain composure.

Even more troubling was the sight of Jenica and Clarisse raising their eyes at each other and having a nervous battle.

Even if I only listened to the story for a moment I could roughly guess why they were fighting.

“Uh huh... .”

“Lortel... Seniors... ?”

Clarisse and Jenica held their breath when they saw Lortel appearing on the scene.

Just by looking at that scenery my head was already starting to pound.

This... It’s not an easy fight.