There are those in the world who understand the premise correctly but cannot arrive at the right answer.
　Alfort is supremely straightforward in that regard.
　He leads to incorrect answers because he does not understand the premise correctly.
　There could not be a more seamless logic.
　Why?　That's the thought.
　Even though he was a concubine's child, he must have been blessed with a good environment.
　He was properly educated and had enough insight to be able to interfere in meetings.
　And yet, Alfort is always misguided.
　Bethyl let out a sigh, wondering if Princess Tilia had some similarities to him.
　In that sense, it could be said that Alfort is a degraded version of Princess Tilia.
　I guess I don't understand, Betil judged in light of his own experience.
　When he was young, Betil had assumed that the world worked like gears meshing together.
　Not so now.
　The natural world may move according to the order created by God, but the human world does not.
　It is only on the surface that there appears to be order, and the human world is driven by emotions and interests.
　A knight messes with another man's wife and is uncooperative for emotional reasons.
　The opinions of the loudest idiots take precedence over reasoned opinions.
　Some people don't, but they're very few.
　And the bad money drives out the good money.
　Such human stupidity seems to have amused Count Rio Chiron.
　However, he didn't want to get caught up in the stupidity of humans since he hadn't heard from them in more than a month since they ran away to the Marquis of Erakis.
　After all, neither Princess Tilia nor His Highness Alfort understands reality very well.
　For example, starvation, for example, poverty... Betil hadn't actually experienced it, but he had seen the reality created by starvation and poverty many times.
　You don't even know how Betil feels writing letters to the families of his dead men.
　Betil may accept bribes and qualify for entry exams.
　If he doesn't have prospects, he won't hire them, and if they aren't useful if he does, he'll make them horse caretakers and get rid of them as soon as possible.
　Bethyl frowned as he remembered the faces of his former subordinates.
　One was a man of superior skill, but he didn't like the fact that he didn't want to understand reality.
　The other was transferred to another battalion at the busiest time.

'Pi, Count Piske, oh, by what standards are those who work there employed?'
We believe it's the Treasury Department that's arranging it, but I don't know all the details.

　I wouldn't know, I blurted out in my mind.
　Betil is the Commander of the Kingsguard.
　I can guess if it's a military service bureau job, but I can't even do that about the other bureau.

''I see. Heh, if only the commoners could be given a job.''
I think it's a good idea.

　Glad to be praised, Emperor-elect Alfort smiled with a sly smile.

*

Oh, I've been waiting for you.
"Ralph, Count Libra.

　When Betil returned to his office in Alfirk Castle, he was greeted by a bald-headed old man.......Count Ralph Libra.
　To be honest, Bethyl is not good with Count Ralph Libra.
　It's because he feels like he's being probed in the back of his mind even when he's having a normal conversation.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of your time in the world.

''Wasn't Count Libra in charge of guarding the area around Alfilk?''
What, you don't know?　The Kingsguard is being reassigned. By His Highness Alfort's order, of course.

　Betil almost fell to the ground on the spot.
　As shocking as it was that Alfort had decided to reassign him without consulting him, it was equally shocking that Prime Minister Alcor had approved it.
　Staggering to his own desk, Betil sat down in his chair in a slumped position.
　If it weren't for the presence of Count Libra, he would have put his head in his hands.

I'm not sure how I feel about it, but it's an official order. I can't refuse.''
....

　The imperial army is arranged like a net.
　This arrangement is based on the assumption that they will be invaded by the enemy, but the key locations are manned by the Kingsguard, which are more skilled than other battalions.
　It sounds good to say that the defenses of the imperial capital have been fortified, but the loss is immeasurable when the harbor under the direct control of Emperor Kai, which is guarded by Baroness Nam Corne, and the mining city of Kinza, which is guarded by Count Lucas Lesato, are taken.

''Count Ernat and Count Lesat aren't working. We can't afford to get our heads around it.

　Count Libra handles his beard and smiles like a good-natured old man, but Betil can't trust the old man in front of him at all.
　There is no doubt that he has the future of the Empire in mind.
　But Bethyl can't help but see that Count Libra is not genuinely thinking about the future of the empire, but about the future of the empire for his own benefit.

I am too old. I'm old enough to be your last official post. Speaking of which, where have Count Chiron and Viscount Hammar gone?
They're on an errand to the Marquess of Erakis, sir.

　Ho, said Count Libra, narrowing his eyes.
　Perhaps Count Libra would know of their absence.
　Anxiety welled up in Bethyl's chest as he wondered how much information he had given this old man.



　Count Libra stood up in a grand manner and handled his beard again.

'I have a lot of work to do.

　Bethyl let out a deep sigh as he saw Count Libra leave the room.

''Utterly troublesome old man,''

　Count Libra may or may not have come to explore Betil, but he must be wary.
　I can't just say I'm not good at this, Betil said, reaching for a stack of paper on the desk.
　Use paper instead of parchment.
　This was another suggestion Alfort had made at the meeting.
　According to Alfort, it was more economical than killing sheep to make parchment.
　I can't help but wonder if the paper imported from the Free City States is cheaper than the parchment made in the Cepheus Empire.



　When Bettyr visited his office, Viceroy Alcor was in the middle of processing paperwork.
　Since the lifetime of King Ramal V, Viceroy Alcor had been the sole person responsible for the national government of the Cepheus Empire.
　He owed this to Lamar V's total trust.
　If Alfort formally succeeded to the throne, the authority of Vizier Alcor would be greatly limited.
　Bettyl respects the fact that Prime Minister Alcor continues to work in such a precarious situation.
　Well, there's also a feeling that Vizier Alcor is the seed that he sowed himself.

''Prime Minister Arkol.
Is it Count Piske, or is he protesting the way he moved the Kingsguard?

　When I called out to him, Vizier Alcor said as if he could see through Bethyl's mind.
　He must have anticipated the matters that might be asked.

''Something like that,''
How is His Highness?

　Bethyl let out a sigh as he remembered Alfort's condition.

'His Highness must be so buoyant that he can't see his feet underneath him.
'Such a man would take over the throne. Shouldn't he be able to meditate on a few disadvantages?

　Are you thinking about what happens after your Highness succeeds to the throne?　And Betil looked at Vizier Alkor.
　If he succeeded to the imperial throne, Alfort would have the right to command the Kingsguard Order.
　Even though it was the Kingsguard Order, its maintenance and operating expenses were paid by the Military Affairs Bureau, so it couldn't move only on the Emperor's orders.
　However, much of the land guarded by the Kingsguard is rich enough to generate funds to support a thousand generals.
　In other words, if push comes to shove, the Kingsguard can move without a budget from the Military Affairs Bureau.
　Although he understood Vizier Alcor's intentions, Bethyl felt uneasy.
　The reason for this is because he felt that Vizier Alcor was only focusing on the inside of the Cepheus Empire.

I'm thinking not only of the inside, but also of the outside. "I'm thinking not only about the inside, but also about the outside.

　Vizier Alcor said as he muttered to himself.
　You mean to say nothing else?
　No, Prime Minister Alcor wouldn't trust Betil that much.

''The other day, the Holy Argo Kingdom asked me to do something for them. They want us to help them reduce the power of the temple.
Now I'm not going to let you get away with it.

　Like the Cepheus Empire, the Holy Argo Kingdom is not monolithic.
　The conflict between the royal family and the temple forces is particularly serious.
　It's so serious that they are willing to take advantage of Cepheus' empire.

"Despite his age, King Magnus is not a man of wisdom. He may be plotting a confrontation between the Cepheus Empire and the Temple, pretending to ask for help. I can't help you publicly.

　At least," continued Vizier Alkor, "I don't mind cooperating with you in secret.

'I don't mind cooperating in secret, I suppose.

　Cooperation would be a construct, Betil concludes.
　Like King Magnus, Vizier Arcol is also planning something.
　As for who to send, since he's even talking to Bettyr, it's probably someone from the Kingsguard.
　Bethyl wouldn't choose Count Ernat of the Second Kingsguard, Count Roy Akbens of the Fourth Kingsguard, Count Neige Hyades of the Sixth Kingsguard, Count Ralph Libra of the Seventh Kingsguard, or Count Lucas Lesato of the Eighth Kingsguard.

''But to send the Kingsguard knights at the sole discretion of Vizier Alcor,''
You could ask his highness for help in that regard. Any cooperation must be done in secret.

　In other words, you want me to go and take a word, and Bethyl judges Vizier Alcor's words as such.
　It's not a move you would use against a child, but Bethyl has no reason to refuse to do so.

''Then, as such,''

　With that, Betil left Prime Minister Alcor's office.

*

　I don't want to have to go back and forth between the two chambers, though, Bethyl said as he headed to Alfort's office.
　Well, it's not the first time that the two factions have been batting back and forth between them, but the scale of the story is apparently too big for them to be comfortable with.
　If Alfort's mother, Fana, were not a member of the Alcor Prime Minister's faction, she would have resigned from her position.................and refrained from acting even if she didn't go that far.
　It's also significant that the deputy commander of the Ninth Konoe Guards will turn away a nobleman who has no plans to climb the castle.
　Could it be that he's not coming back?　And Betil let out a sigh as he remembered Count Rio Chiron's character.
　With that man, it's no wonder he didn't come back.
　That's more like Count Rio Chiron.
　Bethyl stopped in front of Alfort's office and knocked on the door.
　After waiting for a while, the door opened.

''Oh, Count Piske,''
Where is His Highness?

　Fana smiles and urges Betil to enter the room.
　Betil enters the room and salutes Alfort.
　Alfort's office was far larger and more luxurious than Vizier Alcor's.
　The carpet on the floor is so soft you'd think you could sink your ankles into it, and the desk at the end of it is nothing short of luxurious.
　The same goes for the chairs.
　Alfort buried himself in the chair and greeted Bethyl.
　The reason for the thin coldness is probably because the office is very similar to the room's owner, Alfort.
　 ...

Hey, Count Piske, what do you want?
I just wanted to say hi.

　Alfort looked down, clearly disappointed.
　He may have imagined himself solving one problem after another that the Empire had, but if it was a problem that could be solved with a single word from Alfort, other people would take care of it.
　Betil waved an appropriate topic at Alfort.
　He talks about the weather, the progress of building the mausoleum, and praises the idea of using paper instead of parchment where Alfort looks lazy.
　Fana, who had been holding back, looked reluctant, though.

'Speaking of which, did you meet with Count Ralph Libra?
Did he say anything?
No, nothing.

　Flicking through Alfort's questions lightly, Bethyl continues the small talk.
　After a good amount of time and seeing that Alfort's eyes have begun to cloud over with fatigue, Bethyl decides that it's an opportunity.

''I heard that.......the Holy Argo Kingdom asked for your help.
Yeah, I haven't heard anything.

　'Oh, I see,' said Bethyl, nodding.

''It's just unconfirmed information. But for the sake of friendly relations between our two countries, I suppose we can't let the offer go unchallenged.'
....

　Bethyl said, and Alfort nodded with a divine look on his face.

'If such an offer was made, would you be willing to cooperate if it was your highness?
Yeah, yeah.

　I see, Bethyl nods and resumes his small talk.
　On the way, as I remembered, I asked about the selection of people.

''Then, please leave the matter I mentioned earlier, including the selection of the person, to me.
Count Piske will handle it.

　After a long, long greeting, Bethyl asked, and Alfort nodded, looking completely unaware of the situation.
　Bethyl walked out of Alfort's office and into the hallway.
　He expected her to follow him, but Fana didn't.



　I report to Vizier Alcor and return home after finishing my various chores.
　Bethyl's residence is located in the Third District of the Imperial City.
　The Piske family is a court noble whose only claim to fame is that they are old.
　Even if you unravel the family's history, it doesn't look good at the moment.
　They have never reached the height of their prosperity, and conversely, they have never declined to the point of downfall.
　For the most part, the successive heads of the family have performed well as court nobles.
　No, as far as prosperity goes, Bethyl's generation is the most prosperous in the history of the family.
　My life has been smooth sailing, Bethyl used to feel proud every time he looked up at the mansion, but these days he often let out a sigh.
　My life has been smooth sailing, but it's been a rough ride.
　Maybe it would be good to act a little more pious, Bethyl opened the front door.

'Welcome home, dear.'
I'm home.

　It was not a maid that greeted Bettyl, but his wife.
　His wife is the daughter of his last boss, and his boss is living a comfortable life on his paltry territory.
　Since my wife has no siblings, the fiefdom should be Bethyl's, but for some reason, I think that a leisurely life is not so bad these days.
　My wife is ... well, she's just an ordinary woman.
　She's not beautiful, but she's not ugly either.
　Her eyes are a distinctive feature.
　Roughly, she is not a noblewoman, and she goes out of her way to greet Bethyl when he comes home.
　A woman who doesn't understand well is a thought that I've been holding on to since I met her to this day.
　He feels inadequate and keeps his mistress around, but after a while he will have to leave her.
　For some reason, I can't stay with my mistress for long.
　He keeps his mistress around, he thinks to himself, but Bettyl seems to be in love with his obscure wife.

'Would you like to bathe in the water?　Would you like to have a meal?
Bathing.

　The usual way of doing things.
　Bettyl takes a bath in the right temperature of water as usual and eats a simple but stomach-pleasing meal.
　On days when he finished his paperwork, he had a light meal, and on days when he exercised for exercises, he had a salty meal.
　After bathing and eating, Bettyl lies down on his bed in his bedroom, completely satisfied.
　Feeling his wife's warmth Betil falls asleep in a happy mood.