Ken yo, kaku katariki – 105
#13 – The Empire’s Shadow
Even after I explained how I had met Ms. Sumia on the train, Gileus Marion was still glaring at me.
“I hope you have not been bothering her?”
“I haven’t!”
Apparently, he was incredibly protective of her. Well, I suppose it wasn’t that surprising.
After a moment, he shrugged and turned away. Which is to say, he looked towards Ms. Iria.
“I suppose if you already have a wife like her, you would be satisfied.”
“Wi-wife.”
Ms. Iria looked embarrassed. ‘We’re not…’ I protested with a sigh.
“Brother! Will you stop teasing Mr. Yukito?”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Ms. Sumia looked at him with annoyance as he drank from his cup of wine.
They did seem to get along very well.
However…
“We don’t look alike, do we?”
It was as if my mind had been read.
Yes. Their skin was different. I had not even realized that Ms. Sumia was from Yugrile.
“Well, it is little wonder. Since we are not related by blood.”
Ms. Sumia nodded.
They were both laughing.
…Well, there must be a reason. And regardless of that reason, they were close siblings right now. There was no need to pry.
And so I changed the subject.
“By the way, you won the tournament, didn’t you? I heard that you fought with a spear.”
“Yes! I was rooting for him!”
Ms. Sumia said proudly. Gileus chuckled.
“You were so loud, much to the annoyance of the others.”
“Hey, you!”
She pulled his ears and berated him.
“Yes, Mr. Gileus is known for being the being spear wielder in the whole empire.”
“Well, that is what it takes for someone like me to become an officer in the army.”
Said Gileus, not bothering to disagree with Ms. Iria.
Right after that, our eyes met.
He seemed to say…
—I know. You want to fight someone strong. Test your strength.
It was the character of a warrior.
Sensing the other.
At its core, to fight was to kill.
And yet, you still wanted to do it.
For a moment, we understood each other, sharing the feeling. And smiled.
Ms. Iria then clapped her hands together.
“Ms. Sumia. Did you see the cakes over there? They are from a famous pastry chef. Would you like to have some?”
“Oh, re-really? Yes, please.”
“Then I’ll go…”
“It’s fine. You can stay here, Mr. Yukito.”
They smiled and left.
“Don’t worry. No one will be stupid enough to cause a scene here again.”
“I know.”
My role as a guard was finished.
We watched the two girls happily talk and taste the cakes for some time. And then Gileus suddenly opened his mouth.
“Could it be that you don’t have friends your own age?”
“Why are you asking that all of a sudden?”
“Ah, I see.”
He nodded understandingly and turned back to the others.
And then I realized it. She had done it on purpose. She was telling me to befriend someone my age.
“Well, I am still older. So you can call me sir if you want.”
“…Not by much. And you just asked me to talk to you casually.”
“Hmm. Hmm.”
Gileus hummed to himself as if he couldn’t hear.
This guy had the air of a meathead…
“Well, leaving that aside. Let me give you a warning, as your predecessor.”
While still holding his cup, he pointed at the rest of the party. The nobles.
“This is serious. When it comes to nobles in the military faction, they are not all the same.”
I turned my eyes to the men in women in their uniforms, tuxedos and dresses. While they were smiling, it was clear that it was just on the surface.
But that was expected.
“The empire’s policies are currently heavily focused on economic measures. While the military budget has increased, it has actually gone down in proportion to the size of the economy.”
So, GDP ratio?
But Gileus shook his head.
“The northern continent is not at peace. Especially on the south side.”
“South… Is that the Secilia Kingdom?”
I heard the name. From the Count.
The assassin organization that killed Ms. Iria’s older brother. He had said that the Secilia Kingdom was likely behind it.
It was a country that was said to be the entrance to the south continent.
The continent to the south north was cut off by the sea. However, the southern shore of the north continent and the northern shore of the south continent was close enough to see during good weather. And now, there was a giant bridge that connected them.
The only point of contact in the north-south trade. It was the Cecilia Kingdom.
“Ah. Since the Yugrile war, the opposition between that country and the empire had been growing more serious. Around Racrode to the south, there have been known to be spies. Well, it happens both ways.”
Racrode.
That damned margrave. He had recommended it for sightseeing.
There had been friction between them since before the war.
On one side, there was the empire, with the northern continent and the golden road. On the other side, the south, the kingdom that controlled trade. They had fought many times.
They had interfered during the Yugrile war, by imposing an economic blockade, going against the trade agreement, in an attempt to weaken the empire.
But the empire had won in the end. Their grip on the channels and gold road was what allowed them to keep their lead to this day.
“The empire intends to continue like this, and sign a trade agreement. However, some of the military faction thinks they should invade, in order to control the trade with the south continent. “
Some were concerned that the treaty would just be broken again anyway.
“If it came to war, the empire would win without a doubt. …But what then?”
“What then…”
“Think about it. The Cecilia kingdom is the only entrance into the south continent. Without it, the empire will share a border with it.”
I nodded.
The country was a defense against the threat that was the south continent.
“However… Many are not satisfied with the approach that the empire is taking. Though, they don’t express it too openly. Especially the people who knew the previous emperor.”
The empire had fought many wars and won. And grown. But that glory left a trail of blood and bones.
It was only a few decades ago that things had changed.
And so it was no wonder that some people were not able to keep up with the changing times.
And some of those people would have extreme ideas.
Then it came to me.
For how long could I stay away from all of it?
“Don’t get too involved, Yukito.”
Gileus whispered.
I could tell that he was very serious.
I never meant to get involved.
But the reality was that I was here right now. And if Ms. Iria, Ms. Size, and the Count were in danger, I would not ignore them.
Perhaps he sensed this.
…In that case…
“…You have a soft head as well.”
Gileus raised his glass and laughed.
“Well, enough of that. Let’s drink! It’s free, after all!”
“Hey, don’t pour that into my cup! I don’t even drink…”
“Just shut up.”
He laughed. And though I protested, it was the beginning of two ill-mannered men drinking raucously together on the terrace.
Well, I suppose it was better than being in that stiff party.
