Survival 98

Prev I TOC I Next

“So, can you tell me what your scheme is? I have no doubt that you will handle it well, but I am very curious about the method.”

Satisfying the lord’s curiosity is indeed the duty of a subordinate.

“Righteousness is easier to draw upon in a greater conflict than in a petty quarrel.”

“A greater conflict?”

“In short, I’m talking about making a big move.”

Those creatures band together to check the northerners?

Then, similarly, if those who agree with us counterattack together, that will be sufficient.

“Ah, indeed. Forming a coalition against them is a good idea.”

“Exactly.”

And the most fitting person for the leadership position is naturally only one person—beautiful, mighty, and of high authority.

“The leader is the face of the group, and an insult to the group is an insult to the leader. By using this as a pretext for a duel, they will be helpless.”

“My kin, but truly a terrifying strategy.”

Bathory added a remark from the shadows.

“The despicable Levains did the same. They behaved arrogantly first and then swarmed in causing trouble.”

“Ah, you got seriously tricked by the Levain side. It’s a tactic often used by overwhelming forces or power brokers. They deliberately show weakness or a reason for dispute, and then use it as a pretext to swallow everything up.”

His teeth gnashed together as if his jaw would shatter from the tension.

“If I had made you my kin earlier, I wouldn’t have been unknowingly harmed. It’s regrettable.”

She clutched the sleeve of my arm tightly.

As if she would never let go of an opportunity caught in a foreign land, her gesture was desperately earnest, almost invoking sympathy.

“Let go right now.”

The touch was frozen by Luciana’s icy voice.

“Who decided he’s your kin? Don’t drag my exclusive servant into your world. How dare you, a demon.”

“…Descendant of the warrior. It’s not your place to interfere. This is Hans’s decision alone, and I am just following it.”

But today, Bathory did not back down either.

She exuded a dignified spirit, even in a maid’s attire.

The look in her eyes was clearly mocking.

“She doesn’t even know you’re from Evildon, yet she babble on as if you’ll be by her side forever,” she whispered so that only I could hear.

But her attitude already revealed her true thoughts.

“And what if you get fired?”

The two continued their silent battle.

Honestly, getting involved in their fight would just be like a shrimp getting crushed in a fight between whales.

So there was only one answer.

“Since you both seem to have different opinions, I will excuse myself. There is much to prepare for the completion of the great plan.”

Now was the perfect time to leave, as they were both too busy with their own disputes.

“Both of you seem busy. Then, I’ll go spend some quality time with my fiancée.”

“What?”

“You, just now, didn’t you mention the completion of the great plan? Where is the time for that?”

Luciana looked at me with a cold expression.

Bathory could not hide her confusion.

I just smiled silently at them.

Imagination is free.

It seemed I had successfully diffused the tense atmosphere just before it erupted.

Of course.

I really did have to meet my actual fiancée.

“Well then.”

As the argument ceased, I turned my back on the women staring blankly at me.

Elizabeth was not only my fiancée but also a devoted follower of Luciana and a good business partner.

“What should I do?”

She was nervously biting her nails.

“Lady Elizabeth?”

“You startled me! How did you get in here?”

“I guess you forgot I’m the successor to the empire’s greatest thief. There was no answer, so I just came in.”

Elizabeth looked at him with a lost expression.

“How can I wait indefinitely when the matter is urgent?”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t afford to wait. You’ve felt the current atmosphere, too. They’re unusually rejecting those from the North, even the noble Baltreion.”

Elizabeth’s expression turned very serious again as she bowed her head and murmured to herself.

Indeed, a significant political acumen.

She intuitively sensed the crisis just from the atmosphere, despite the lack of information.

“Are the central nobles being territorial? No, that can’t be it. Then the nobles from the south or east wouldn’t be this united. Is it the noble faction? But then, Baltreion’s involvement doesn’t make sense…?”

I quickly grabbed her arm as she tried to bring her nails to her mouth again.

“That’s a bad habit. Doesn’t it damage your nails? Maintain the dignity befitting a noble lady.”

“What does it matter? If I handle this wrong, it could even affect Lucy. No, it most likely will. I focus better this way, let me be.”

Elizabeth snapped back.

Given her much harsher than usual response, it seemed difficult to dissuade her until she found a solution to the current situation.

“If you are indeed a servant of Lucy, instead of trying to stop me, try figuring out what’s happening.”

“I have already identified all the key players involved.”

She paused.

Elizabeth halted all her movements, her arm, which was moving towards her mouth, included.

“Of course, Lady Luciana is also aware and is contemplating solutions. So, there’s no need for you to agonize over this alone.”

“Then tell me quickly!”

Ah, that sensitive reaction!

Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment!

It was undoubtedly enjoyable to see the stark difference between her serious and her breaking moments, much like Bathory.

“First, look at this.”

“A dove emblem? They dare show their teeth to Lucy?”

As expected of Elizabeth, who had been interacting with nobles from a young age, she immediately understood the current situation just by noticing a small detail on the envelope.

Her face soured as soon as she saw the contents.

“…What should I do?”

She was incredibly intelligent.

Just from a glance at the letter, she discerned all the facts and figured out what her role should be.

“Are you asking me? Surely, you’ve already derived a few solutions yourself.”

“That may be true. But at the end of the day, could it be compared to the deep and cunning plots of a demon who has lived for hundreds of years? Everything is planned, isn’t it? Give me a hint, I’ll learn from it.”

If she indeed wanted to see the correct answers.

Then, I showed her my blueprint directly.

“Only you, Lady Elizabeth, can do this task.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Only you, having expanded your social network through numerous social gatherings, can do this.”

To expand influence, one needs members.

“Please unite the nobles from the north and west.”

The north, like Luciana, is isolated, and the west, predominantly loyal to the emperor, has been marginalized in the alliance.

They needed to be gathered to bulk up the force.

Unfortunately, Luciana was not very sociable.

And I, being from a lower noble background, did not have the extensive connections suitable for this role.

At least within Luciana’s forces.

Elizabeth, who had consistently interacted with other nobles, was the right fit.

“Alright. First, I need to arrange a meeting with Lady Roberk.”

“I didn’t know you had become so close to Camilla.”

When we raided the thieves’ guild, they seemed to bicker with each other.

Still, it’s good for me if the allies are getting along well.

“Hehe, I trust you.”

‘But it’s better to offer some encouragement.’

It’s for Luciana’s sake.

Like me, Elizabeth, who is devoted to her, would not take this task lightly.

“I will also speak specially to Lady Luciana. I’ll tell her that you’ve been a great help!”

Sweet rewards soon become a powerful motivation.

This was confirmed once again through Elizabeth, who now turned her head back towards me with sparkling eyes.

“I’ll manage! I can bring about better results than you think. Considering how Baltreion has been treated, the nobility from the north could be swayed to our side.”

“Are you talking about Sir Dmitri Baltreion? I’m not sure it’s possible. Based on previous incidents, he seemed to hate Lady Luciana.”

The gentleman who was deceitful and had thoroughly deceived by me.

Would he genuinely cooperate?

Whether at a social gathering or in his own residence.

Even in the original work.

Having seen his twisted sense of inferiority towards Luciana with my own eyes, I was skeptical.

But then,

“Hmm. It seems you also haven’t read his emotions correctly? Well, he is a complex character.”

“…What?”

“No, just trust and leave it to me.”

Rarely, Elizabeth turned towards me with a provocative smile.

“Shall we make a bet then? If I manage to recruit him, you’ll grant me a wish. Otherwise, it’s the opposite, like last time.”

Hmm, not a bad idea.

This would also serve as entertainment and provide her with additional motivation.

“Ha ha ha! A bet on reading emotions! Miss Elizabeth, stepping into a clearly losing battle is not like you!”

“Hehe, well, we shall see who has the last laugh, won’t we?”

Even if by some chance she manages to recruit Baltreion, it wouldn’t be a problem.

‘It’s just a verbal promise.’

If it’s an excessive wish, I can just feign ignorance.

If she successfully brings in Count Baltreion, it would actually enhance our faction’s strength, which is a good outcome.

“I’ll take my leave then.”

“Oh, leaving so soon? …How about a cup of tea before you go?”

“As much as I regret missing time with my fiancée, you know as well as I do, we are still short in numbers.”

Even if she successfully unites the nobles from the west and north, they have gathered nobles from the central, eastern, and southern regions.

What good would it be to fall short in numbers?

If the aim is to push through with a strong justification, we must thoroughly overwhelm them in numbers.

Elizabeth looked at me with wide eyes, then with sparkling eyes.

“That’s true. Don’t tell me, you also have connections in the east and south?”

“How could that be? I’ve never even been there in my life. That’s not what I’m aiming for.”

Academy’s first principle:

Here, social status matters not.

“Surely, the commoners?”

“If it’s for my goal, there’s nothing I can’t do. I must go now. For the completion of the great plan.”

***

To be honest, I was hopeful.

No, beyond hopeful—I was certain.

And why wouldn’t I be? My connections include none other than Oparn.

As befits his noble lineage as a prince of the Gargoyle race, it’s almost shameful to compare him with other NPCs given his impressive specifications.

In the original work, he was reliable enough to take on the vanguard, and in the coliseum, he defeated Georg and won the championship with his excellent swordsmanship.

With his charisma, he should have easily won over the commoners, having more than enough charm to spare. I had been coaching him continuously, so I expected that by now he would have taken control of this dormitory.

“Sorry, brother!”

But here he was, unable to raise his head in front of me, admitting his failure—a scenario far beyond my expectations.

“I haven’t even said anything since I arrived.”

“……”

“Why? Was it so difficult to sway mere human commoners?”

Despite my reproach, he remained silent, as if accepting responsibility.

It wasn’t entirely fair to blame him though. Commoners aren’t just one or two individuals. Considering mercenaries and adventurers, with their varying personalities and backgrounds, truly commanding their respect and allegiance would indeed require substantial charisma—a difficult task indeed.

‘But you’re a candidate for the male lead!’

Shouldn’t you be able to handle this with ease?

“I’m sorry. I failed to meet your expectations.”

“…Are the people at this dormitory particularly difficult? Being mercenaries and adventurers, they would normally be more inclined to respect strength.”

“It’s embarrassing to say as an excuse, but the saintess made her move first.”

“…What?”

Prev I TOC I Next