Chapter 86

Thus, the Medilen family found themselves aiming to become the rulers of East Schweidel amidst the chaos of the empire's collapse. This was all due to Emperor Pelden III being a ruler ill-suited for turbulent times, but even more surprising news came to us.

"The Emperor is missing?"

General Altsar's face of exasperation was intense. I handed him the secret letter that had just arrived from the capital.

"It's a report from Lord Brechen, the Imperial Herald. It's almost certainly true. It hasn't been made public, but the capital is reportedly in a state of continuous large-scale search."

The general leaned back in his chair, looking troubled. "It's an incomprehensible situation. For the three dukes of Bruges, the Emperor is an important hostage. I don't think they would let him escape so easily, nor do I think they would kill him and claim he's missing."

To be honest, I also thought the Emperor's safety was assured, so I was somewhat confused. Both Duke Zihltenberg and Duke Mildor prefer relatively moderate methods. "I heard that officers from the Zihltenberg army visited Lord Brechen's home and conducted an interview before leaving. They are reportedly even searching the sewers of the capital."

"Desperate measures, it seems. If they want to cover up the Emperor's disappearance, it's a bad move, but if they killed him and are pretending he's missing, it's a reasonable action. What do you think?"

Indeed, but I shook my head. "If I were to kill the Emperor, I wouldn't make it a 'disappearance.' I'd say he's 'recovering from an illness and refusing visitors.'"

"True, that would be more reasonable. They could just get a doctor to write a diagnosis." Our conversation, when thought about calmly, was quite terrible. Oh well.

"Originally, they wouldn't kill such an important hostage. The Emperor's authority is useful for pacifying the lords around the capital. The nobles of the imperial court are nominally the Emperor's agents, so if the Emperor orders them to return their lands, they can't refuse."

The general nodded. "Indeed, the Emperor's disappearance is inconvenient. If they were going to make him disappear, it would be more understandable to execute him and his family publicly."

That's true, but I wish he wouldn't say it with a straight face. It's eerie because he's handsome.

I cleared my throat. "If the disappearance is real, it might be the work of Duke Bruges."

"Duke Bruges?"

"For the Principality of Bruges, it's more convenient for the five royal families to remain divided. If the Emperor is killed and declared missing, the five royal families will just wait for his return. This would hinder the occupation and rule by Dukes Zihltenberg and Mildor, which would be advantageous for Duke Bruges."

The general sighed. "It's a good strategy if the goal is chaos rather than order. If his death were certain, they could immediately install the Crown Prince, but with a disappearance, that's not possible. Is there any other information?"

In that case, this information might be useful. "Lord Brechen is investigating to verify the disappearance, but the behavior of the Imperial Medical Corps is strange."

"What do you mean by strange?"

"Normally, if the Emperor is alive, they would conduct daily examinations, and if he's dead, they would perform an autopsy. But neither has happened. The health status of the Empress and other imperial family members is recorded by the Imperial Medical Corps, but the Emperor's section is reportedly blank."

General Altsar pondered again. "That is indeed strange. We can't be certain, but the possibility that the Emperor has truly disappeared has increased. When was the last time the Emperor appeared in public?"

I flipped through the documents and relayed the information to the general. "On the day the capital fell, he met with Duke Zihltenberg and ordered the Imperial Guard to cease fire. This cease-fire was not the Emperor's intention, so it was likely forced or a fake decree."

After the fall, no information about his whereabouts was available, so it's unclear when he disappeared.

"Three days later, a large-scale search began throughout the capital, so he must have disappeared during this short period."

"Ugh, what a troublesome Emperor." General Altsar sighed.

"Everything is uncertain, but we must decide on a course of action, and immediately. I'll consult with Lord Hafen."

"I'll accompany you."

The general and I rushed to the Medilen family's base in Portolite and held an emergency meeting with Duke Medilen Hafen. "We haven't confirmed the truth of the rumors about the Emperor's disappearance. What about you, Lord Hafen?"

"Please stop looking at me with suspicion, Aunt. I am innocent."

Duke Medilen looked visibly annoyed. But the heads of the five royal families are all conspiracy lovers... The Emperor, who was not suited for conspiracies, was captured and disappeared, so it's understandable that only a schemer can survive.

Seeing me look at him with such eyes, Duke Medilen cleared his throat. "I don't like being suspected by my allies, but that's your job. Duke Zihltenberg sent a secret envoy asking if we were hiding the Emperor."

They asked? Duke Zihltenberg is still straightforward. So, regardless of the truth, Duke Zihltenberg has announced that he failed to secure the Emperor, which is inconvenient for him.

Duke Medilen stroked his neatly trimmed beard and said with a wry smile. "Young Duke Zihltenberg may not be fond of the Emperor, but he wouldn't want to destroy the imperial court. As a member of the royal family, he is, for better or worse, a noble. If the Emperor's disappearance is true, this is a typical response from him."

The Zihltenberg family, which ranks just below the imperial court, doesn't want to go too far. Duke Zihltenberg is also a moderate politician, so he can be trusted.

I glanced at Duke Medilen. "Of course, the Medilen family isn't hiding him, right?"

"Of course not. If we were, we could do whatever we wanted. I wish he would come to us now." Duke Medilen sighed, looking genuinely disappointed.

What did you plan to do? No, I don't need to know.

"The Crown Prince and all those with succession rights are reportedly being held captive. Whoever ascends the throne will be a puppet of Bruges."

Why didn't they disperse? Are they stupid?

Thinking this, General Altsar chuckled. "So the imperial court was destined to fall. Our strategist says the same."

He didn't say that...

Duke Medilen also chuckled. "The imperial court cannot install the Crown Prince as long as the Emperor's death is not confirmed. They value formality and precedent."

I sighed. "With the Emperor missing and the capital occupied by the enemy, the country is as good as dead."

"Indeed. Therefore, as a member of the five royal families, the Medilen family must stand up to protect this great homeland. That's how it is, hahaha."

Oh, you're a bad person. But in turbulent times, a bad person is necessary. I'll join this plan. I smiled slyly.

"Your luck has turned."

Duke Medilen chuckled. "Since our luck has turned, we must move forward. We will retake the capital."

He then gave me a brisk order. "If we attack the Bruges army head-on, Duke Bruges won't budge and will use Dukes Zihltenberg and Mildor to bring us down. Therefore, we must act on both military and diplomatic fronts."

That's a reasonable judgment. We must avoid a scenario where only Duke Bruges benefits.

"I will create divisions within Bruges through diplomacy, so you, Lieutenant Colonel Krombertz, will focus on military strategy. You must prevent the Bruges army from advancing east and hint at a counterattack and recapture of the capital. However, the capital cannot be a battlefield, so this is just to create uncertainty."

Duke Medilen smiled at me. "I know nothing about land warfare. Our family's military officers are all from the navy. You are a valuable expert in land warfare. I'm counting on you."

"Hai!"

I see, that's why you're treating me well. I turned to General Altsar. "So, you'll help me."

"That's fine, but I'm your direct superior. Don't look so happy to receive orders over my head."

He's a bit sulking...