Chapter 95

Seeing the real thing, General Wageris also took action to improve the situation, receiving reports of the mishandling.

Since it would only cause trouble to suddenly reduce personnel while on the way, he promoted the deputy to take on the responsibilities and demoted the person who led the mishandling, stripping them of their authority.

"Sure enough, there are people with the title of Duke in the military too."

In the finally properly set up tent, I was ruminating over the contents of the report I heard today. Nomailora was preparing for bed for me, so all I had to do was wait.

She had always been the one to prepare the bed and set up windbreaks around it, but after she finished, I would immediately send her away to do her own preparations. However, with the overall improvement for my squad, we now have more time, so I don’t need to rush her.

"This time it was the Duke of Eulasion. Perhaps it’s becoming harder to cover up with just pretending to be slow."

Vearel listed the background of the person who led the harassment against me in the facility battalion, looking worried as he lowered his gaze. But I thought the opposite.

After all, just being from a noble family affiliated with the Eulasion faction doesn’t mean it’s a direct order from the Duke of Eulasion. There’s no solid evidence of that.

"Thinking they wouldn’t get reprimanded for such blatant actions is partly due to General Wageris. But I think they also underestimated me, thinking I wouldn’t complain because I’m slow."

I’m not isolated in a corner of the palace right now. This is a problem that will surface eventually, even if I don’t say anything.

After all, the job of a military official is to report. When these officials report and request action, and no improvements are made, it all gets recorded and submitted to higher-ups. These records are official and used for merit awards, so it’s impossible for the issue to be ignored.

"This harassment is too sloppy to be the work of a duke. They might think I’ll somehow be fine by luck. Like, if I’m in a corner where no one can see, and a beast suddenly jumps into my poorly guarded tent?"

"Prince Aisha... If you think so, please don’t disappear early in the morning."

Iktu pinned me down. Sefira has disappeared to find rare materials more than once.

Even Sefira, who was upset when her optical camouflage failed, is now determined to be prepared for any situation and keeps inviting me along.

"I don’t think they intend to get their hands dirty, so I don’t think we need to be that cautious."

"Indeed, it’s not direct harm. However, Prince Aisha, don’t forget the guards who hold swords."

Vearel also added a warning.

To be honest, my solo excursions haven’t been successful. My attendants have stopped all my attempts before they could happen and insisted on coming with me. This has only made Sefira more determined.

"But the Duke of Eulasion is serious about the throne. He might aim for indirect methods but won’t resort to direct killing."

In the history of the empire, those who have killed other heirs have been shunned as successors. When rumors of Fehr’s assassination surfaced, the Duke of Eulasion was one of the suspects, second only to me. The sophistication of the method, which couldn’t even identify the poison, led to suspicion.

That’s why I was calm when I was called to the square.

"Master, I want to stand guard tonight."

"Nomailora, you don’t need to worry. Get some rest."

I sent Nomailora out of the tent with a firm expression.

"For a countess, she’s quite tough."

"She hasn’t shown any weakness."

Iktu and Vearel nodded in agreement. Indeed, Nomailora didn’t complain about the unfamiliar travel or the haphazard setup.

That doesn’t mean she doesn’t feel anything. She’s quite emotional, especially when it comes to worrying about me. She followed me, partly because she was grateful for the improvement in her sister’s condition and partly because the increased money from being a spy for Duke Lukaios allowed her to hire a maid for her sister.

"Well, let’s go get Helkof."

At my words, Sefira activated her optical camouflage.

"Then let’s go. Please bring the belt."

While Iktu responded, Vearel stayed behind and headed for the bed. Using the extra pillows Nomailora had prepared, he started to create a fake me.

Actually, Helkof is currently absent, having received a personal summons from General Wageris.

"There. There are soldiers around. Let’s go quietly so we don’t get noticed."

Iktu warned us as we approached where Helkof and General Wageris were sitting by a fire. They seemed to be drinking, as their voices were louder than usual.

"What’s the problem with that prince!?"

Suddenly, General Wageris shouted at me in dissatisfaction.

"It’s strange that only the guards are lounging around in the camp, right!?"

"That’s what I’m saying! Why don’t you notice, General!?"

"What do you mean, that’s what I’m saying! You can’t even control the guards!"

"Ha!? You know how difficult it is to deal with high-ranking military officers!?"

It seems Helkof’s voice has also gotten louder in the argument. The surrounding soldiers, tense and fearful, haven’t noticed us.

"The guards are always attached to the imperial family. If they turn away, it’s because of their bad behavior!"

"Are you kidding!? The guards are attached to the emperor, not the prince! The emperor only meets them a few times a month!"

"That’s exactly the talk of a bad child! A prince with only bad reviews must be pretty bad!"

"You really don’t understand the nobility! Besides guarding the palace, they also guard the gates, patrols, and the left wing. What can they do wrong on top of that!?"

It seems General Wageris doesn’t understand my current situation of being pushed to the edge of the palace.

While military personnel rarely enter the palace, that’s a different story. General Wageris is a self-made man. From what I’ve found out, he only has a knight’s title, which is a one-generation title, even though he is married to a noblewoman.

"Don’t think I don’t know! I know that this deployment was decided because that prince was being selfish!"

"Ha!? How did it come to that!?"

Helkof was momentarily speechless at General Wageris’s finger-pointing.

"I heard it from my father-in-law who serves the court! That prince convinced the emperor to deploy himself!"

"Idiot! The dukes proposed it! How could you misinterpret it so maliciously!?"

"It’s that prince’s decision! Because of him, we’re overworked with a ridiculous schedule! And there’s no clear plan for the operation!"

"Don’t blame the child! You always handle things carelessly, push the trouble onto others carelessly, and fail to escape carelessly! Rock!"

Wait, is that careless handling always the case?

"Recently, he’s been demanding to be treated the same as his younger brother, bothering the empress!"

"That’s been strange all along! The gap between him and the other princes is still severe!"

"He says alchemy is faster and does it the hard way to get praise from the younger princes, enjoying the trickery!"

"By the way he explains alchemy, it’s clear his understanding is poor!"

The argument has turned into a barking contest, typical of beastmen. A deep growl, rivaling the bear’s bass, rises from General Wageris’s broad nose.

"You’re too blinded by favoritism!"

"You’re too gullible, believing everything you hear from your family!"

Iktu sighed at the endless argument. He calmly addressed them, causing the surrounding soldiers to tremble in fear.

"Both of you, that’s enough reminiscing. It’s already dark."

Helkof, who had been warned in advance, immediately stopped barking. He seemed to be looking for me, aware that he had been caught in an embarrassing situation.

But he still didn’t seem to swallow his pride.

"Anyway, you need to be more aware of your own failures."

"Hmph, if you want to report my petty harassment, go ahead."

In the end, Helkof and General Wageris ended up in a shouting match. It seems General Wageris had been fed negative information about me beforehand. No matter what I said now, it wouldn’t be accepted.

Perhaps I should consider a strategy to move freely on my own rather than trying to align with them.

Regular update

Next: Aligning with the General 1