After the meal, Elias stepped out of the dining hall, patting his stomach.
"Ah, that hit the spot. Whatever else you can say, the Imperial cuisine never disappoints."
"Didn't Your Highness say the same back in Bavaria?"
"Your memory is annoyingly good."
Tuning out their banter, I ascended to the upstairs banquet hall.
Since it wasn't a ballroom-style party, people were gathered in groups, chatting or playing simple games.
Noticing a group of politicians approaching us, Leo turned and spoke.
"I'll be moving separately for now."
"Go ahead."
Contrary to my expectations of a playful remark, Elias nodded coolly.
'Makes sense.'
It wasn't in anyone's best interest for the crown prince of the Empire's central nation to be seen lingering too long with a cousin under the Emperor's scrutiny.
While Leo interacted with Elias, he always maintained political neutrality. That neutrality was part of why Elias managed to ascend to the throne.
As Leo walked away, Elias watched him for a moment and then spoke.
"Sir."
"Yes?"
Elias grinned and gave me a hearty pat on the back.
"You're not nervous, are you? Just relax—nothing's going to happen."
"I will."
Elias nodded with satisfaction before leaning in to whisper.
"…Let me know everything they say when you're done."
The smile was gone from his tone now. Naturally.
The Emperor was bound to act to hinder him. Perhaps he'd even decided to sway Nicolaus to his side.
I gave a slight nod.
At that moment, a servant of the Emperor approached from a distance.
"Sir Ernst, please follow me."
I exchanged a glance with Elias before following the Emperor's servant through a warp.
***
"Here you are."
With the Emperor's voice, a strange room came into view.
Under the soft lighting, the Emperor looked younger than I had expected.
Personally, I thought Elias had the better looks, but their shared blood was undeniable—Elias's confident, bold demeanor also lingered in the Emperor's expression.
"It is an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
"The honor is mine. I moved up the schedule because I was eager to speak with you, and I'm glad you agreed to meet so readily."
The Emperor took a sip of tea before continuing.
"So, how was today's event? Were there any inconveniences?"
"It was a great opportunity. I've never participated in social activities within the Empire, but thanks to Your Majesty's consideration, I was able to make an excellent start."
"Indeed. I thought such an occasion would be essential for you. I'm pleased to hear it was satisfying."
When I responded with a slight smile, the Emperor's lips curled upward as well.
He smoothly transitioned the conversation.
"I've heard much of your achievements. Personally, I find it hard not to admire your decisions."
It was his way of signaling approval, even if it didn't extend to other anti-Emperor politicians.
'Now he's about to start persuading me.'
After all, I was aligned with Elias, the figurehead of the anti-Emperor faction.
I was curious how he'd attempt to pull me away.
I smiled and replied.
"Your praise humbles me, Your Majesty."
"Oh, think nothing of it. I only wish to exchange opinions with you as equals, sincerely."
Ah, the first step—building familiarity.
***
The conversation shifted toward domestic and international politics and issues surrounding Pleroma.
The Emperor laughed heartily, much like Elias.
"Speaking with a talent like you truly broadens my perspective."
"That's entirely thanks to Your Majesty's skilled guidance in leading this conversation."
"Hahaha! I'd like nothing more than to keep you at my side for constant advice. I've often heard that others find it easy to speak when conversing with you, haven't you?"
"Thank you for your kind words, but this is the first time anyone has said that."
"Really? That surprises me. Surely others are just too shy to mention it. By the way... there's something I've been personally curious about. May I ask?"
The Emperor was surprisingly humble for someone of his rank. His openness was almost disarming, as was his directness about his desires.
'He's good at positioning himself.'
He clearly understood what approach would bring him closer to me.
The nobles who didn't support the Emperor were often disillusioned by the conservative establishment and tended to prefer straightforward discussions over flowery language.
I nodded at his request.
"Of course, Your Majesty. Feel free to ask anything. If it's something I can answer, I'll do so sincerely."
"Where did you first meet Duke Elias?"
Ah. Finally, the question I'd been expecting.
"I was introduced to him by Crown Prince Leonard Wittelsbach of Bavaria."
"I thought so. What kind of person does my nephew seem to you?"
"A man of integrity. Playful at times, which makes him seem his age."
"Is that so? I'm glad to hear such a positive evaluation of him."
As I quietly observed him, the Emperor fell silent, gazing off into the distance with a warmth that seemed genuine.
"That boy has immense potential. People judge him lightly based on his attitude, but they're wrong. The way he's stirred the entire Empire shows just how deep and capable he truly is."
'…No matter how I see it, this Emperor isn't as foolish as Elias claims.'
It seemed the Emperor assumed Elias spoke poorly of him. Instead of defending his own image, he praised Elias, presenting himself as magnanimous.
It was a smart move.
Criticizing someone I'm aligned with would only lead to negative results.
***
"Ah, it's already 11 o'clock. It's a pity; there's so much I'd like to discuss."
"If Your Majesty's schedule allows, I'd be happy to continue."
In the novel, the Emperor had revealed his true colors as soon as Elias graduated, so as a reader, I'd only seen his worst traits.
I needed to keep the conversation going to discern what plans he might have.
"I feel guilty keeping you so long, but there is one more topic I'd like to discuss. Would that be alright?"
"Of course."
"What do you think of the extent of Pleroma's influence?"
"It exists everywhere. There are no exceptions."
The Emperor nodded.
"I believe so too—from the surface to the depths below."
The depths.
That word stuck in my mind.
I was starting to piece together his intentions and what he truly wanted from me.
The Emperor clasped his hands and leaned forward, his expression serious.
"What are your thoughts on the Catacomb?"
"...."
The Catacomb was a group of commoner mages.
Having suffered long-term persecution by nobles, they had gone underground—literally—and the name stuck, likening them to a crypt.
'…Surely he's not planning to touch that.'
While magic was considered the exclusive domain of nobles, occasionally commoners were born with innate magic.
This challenged the ruling class's ideology that magic justified their dominance over others.
Child commoner mages were often absorbed into noble families, but older ones were stripped of their magic and executed.
'The Empire hardly has the moral high ground to criticize Pleroma.'
The Emperor had asked what I thought of the Catacomb.
If I answered honestly, I would risk provoking him, and his unilateral actions might follow.
"The group of commoner mages, I presume? I hold no particular opinion on them. Does Your Majesty believe they are connected to Pleroma?"
"To be blunt, yes."
So, my earlier neutral response had been sufficient. Likely because of my unique position as someone from outside the Empire.
"I'm not trying to vilify commoner mages. I worry this might come off as harsh, but I hope you understand that from the standpoint of ensuring public safety, we must observe them with great care."
"I understand completely. However, I'd like to know what led Your Majesty to suspect a connection between the Catacomb and Pleroma."
"The nature of the Catacomb is quite similar to that of Pleroma. Both operate entirely outside the law and are exceedingly difficult to track down."
That was true.
Their survival depended on complete secrecy, and they excelled at hiding their existence. If the Catacomb were to plan something, detecting it would be extraordinarily difficult.
"The accomplishments you and Duke Elias have achieved are undeniably remarkable. However, that also means Pleroma may lash out in desperation to avoid destruction."
"So, you're suggesting they could ally with the Catacomb."
"Exactly. That's why I have a request for you."
The Emperor tilted his head slightly, his eyes serious.
"Go ahead."
"I'd like you to investigate the movements of the Catacomb. Prussia will provide any support you need."
"..."
'So this is how he plans to bring Nicolaus into his fold.'
The Emperor wanted to forge accomplishments with me in place of Elias.
If this could delay hostilities between us, I wouldn't oppose it. However, the real issue lay in the Emperor targeting the Catacomb.
While the Catacomb was unified by their shared identity as "commoner mages," beyond that, they operated independently, which meant there was no guarantee Pleroma hadn't infiltrated them.
The moment the Emperor found even a single instance of wrongdoing, he would brand the entire Catacomb as part of Pleroma and wipe them out.
'The potential gains are enormous.'
The Emperor could win the support of citizens who despised Pleroma while eliminating the bothersome commoner mages in one fell swoop.
In doing so, he'd earn favor from both the safety-conscious lower class and the authority-hungry ruling class.
'It's a sound strategy.'
For the Emperor and the nobles, anyway.
"Your Majesty, has any investigation into the Catacomb been conducted so far?"
"Regrettably, none. This is the first time I've spoken of this matter."
"The first… I'm honored. However, even locating individuals from the Catacomb will take considerable time. Given the high degree of uncertainty, I can't promise definitive results. I hope you understand this isn't because of any ill will on my part."
"I understand. If even you can't accomplish it, it must be impossible to begin with. I don't intend to ask for miracles. I merely trust you as one of the few people I know who truly prioritize the safety of our subjects. What matters is that you do your utmost. Results are secondary."
His gaze brimmed with feigned sincerity.
For a ruler, good intentions weren't enough—they had to achieve outstanding results. Yet here was someone cloaking himself as a paragon of virtue while subtly avoiding responsibility.
"I understand Your Majesty's intent. It will take some time, but I'll bear your words in mind and work for the safety of the Empire's people."
The Emperor beamed, nodding.
"That's a most welcome response. Consider this a personal request, not an order. Don't let it weigh on you too heavily."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
"I've enjoyed our conversation, Sir Ernst. If there's ever another matter to discuss, don't hesitate to bring it up. I'll do the same."
"I will. It has been an honor to meet you, Your Majesty."
I bowed and left the room.
***
I had two choices: follow the Emperor's request or refuse it.
'The decision is already made.'
I would not comply.
Helping the Emperor consolidate his power would only tighten the noose around both Elias's and my necks.
The Catacomb was too valuable to discard.
Their efforts to survive had led to remarkable advancements in magic. In the novel, Elias saw this potential and made the Catacomb part of his support base. I planned to follow that path, not deviate from it.
There was another reason I needed to secure the Catacomb.
My brother had never succeeded in utilizing them.
In fact, "could not utilize them" would be more accurate.
Until now, I'd absorbed the support bases my brother had cultivated. To create a power gap, I needed to secure those he couldn't reach.
'That said, I can't openly antagonize the Emperor in the process.'
I'd said I wouldn't follow his "request," not that I'd turn my back on him outright.
There was a way to satisfy the Emperor without exterminating the Catacomb.
***
"Sir Nicolaus."
Upon returning to the banquet hall in search of Elias, several nobles began approaching me.
By the time I managed to catch my breath, it was already midnight.
As the guest of honor, it was only polite to converse with the major nobles, but I'd spoken to enough people for one evening.
The Emperor wouldn't engage further with me tonight, so it seemed fine to leave now.
'…If only I could shake that gaze.'
I glanced at one side of the hall.
The young prince I'd greeted during dinner kept sneaking glances my way, even as he talked to others.
'He was quite the significant antagonist, but seeing him like this at fifteen is novel.'
Two years younger than Elias, he was currently a first-year in the Imperial Second Academy's magic department.
Thanks to his exceptional talent, he'd advanced grades early.
He had no ambition to claim the throne himself, but he fervently wished for his elder brother to ascend, which made him harbor consistent hostility toward Elias.
In the novel, he'd eventually become a loyal supporter of the crown prince, attacking Elias until he was imprisoned once Elias seized power.
'For now, though….'
He looked more like an awkward middle-schooler than a future antagonist.
Even now, he seemed eager to talk to me but was held back by the people around him.
Not my problem. I turned and headed for the stairs.
"Let's go, Duke Elias. It seems no one else is looking for us now, so we can leave."
"Ah, let's do that."
"Sir Ernst."
A call came from afar. I didn't even need to turn to know who it was.
Adalbert approached awkwardly, smiling.
"It's the first time we've spoken since the banquet."
"That's correct, Your Highness. Is there something you wish to say?"
"Well…."
The prince hesitated, blinking nervously despite his composed exterior.
"Um, no, nothing. I just need to think for a moment…."
"Pfft!"
"...."
Elias stifled a deliberate laugh, covering his mouth with his hand, earning a glare from the prince.
'So he's another one like Melvin, huh….'
For some reason, only students reacted this way around Nicolaus, not adults.
Perhaps it was due to his air of mystery or simply their youthful aspirations.
Elias shrugged under the prince's glare and smirked.
"No greeting for me? I'm invisible to you, I see."
"…Have you been resting well, Duke?"
"Nope."
"...."
The prince's frosty gaze lingered on Elias before he turned back to me.
"I've wanted to meet you… ah, I mean, I'd like to speak with you if that's alright."
I felt a strange sense of déjà vu, recalling how his father had said something similar earlier tonight.
Still, this was a fifteen-year-old, not the Emperor. It felt different.
The person who would later attack Elias without mercy seemed to hold a good impression of me. It was likely because he was still young.
There was no harm in hearing him out.
"Of course," I replied, looking at the prince, who awaited my answer nervously.