Chapter 877

In any case, Ian finally began reading through the main points.

—Even with the capital in such a state, my brother has grown quite curious as to why Your Grace's journey has dragged on for so long. I imagine he has begun to doubt my true intentions as well. It is sad, but those born in the capital can never escape the curse of suspicion and distrust.

Of course, even now, the letter was filled with unnecessary personal remarks.

Perhaps the princess was using the scroll as the one place where she could most comfortably reveal her true thoughts.

—If I tell him this news, he will not only understand but be delighted. When I explain the situation, and later when I deliver the report, I will be able to meet Father in private. Father will be pleased as well, since the report will be one Your Grace submitted of your own accord.

She didn’t seem to know about the connection between the Black Isles and the Great Church, but Ian had no intention of telling her.

Even if she learned of it, it would only give her more unsolvable worries. Besides, the Emperor would notice the heart of the matter even if she did not mention it.

—Even I feel the same, in fact. Especially the part where Your Grace wishes for this matter to become known to the world. In that sense, may I make a few small suggestions?

At the next line, one corner of Ian's mouth twisted.

She was unnecessarily enthusiastic. He could almost hear the anticipation in Seras's voice.

Bringing the bottle to his lips, Ian immediately read on.

—First, please allow me to review the report you sent one more time. Since it will be recorded in history, it may require appropriate revisions. As you already know, I am rather confident in that regard.

It is a tempting offer...

Ian narrowed his eyes.

Diana would certainly censor any problematic parts and embellish things where needed, but she would not exaggerate too much.

If it passed through Seras's hands, however, he could not be sure how it would be packaged. It would not be strange at all if the result ended up sounding more suited to a holy scripture than a history book.

—And please allow me to personally refine and censor the story that will be spread through Lord Simon's social circles as well. Lord Simon is already an excellent gossip and storyteller, of course, but with my touch added to it, I believe I can give it even greater wings.

That there was no need to give it even greater wings.

Ian smacked his lips.

In truth, he had been the one to mention Simon first. After all, Simon was perfectly suited for a battle of public opinion.

Of course, Ian had also added that Simon should be warned of the risks beforehand, and that if he refused, he should not be forced. However, judging by this, Simon had clearly accepted the proposal without hesitation.

From Seras's tone, it seemed he had never left the capital in the first place.

—Of course, you need not worry about the report being leaked. I will send it through the scroll I share with my brother for emergencies. His Highness the Prince will personally deliver it to His Majesty the Emperor, and no one else will lay a hand on it.

Even as he continued wrestling with the decision inwardly, Ian kept reading the letter.

There were still quite a few words left. At this point, the sheer amount she had to say was almost impressive.

—As for the story to be delivered to Lord Simon, I will omit the appropriate parts and add the details you requested. That is the extent of my proposal. I believe it will certainly be helpful, but I will accept it even if you refuse. Your Grace always sees through even the things I fail to consider. Please think it over before replying.

Ian nodded readily. Diana would clearly need another day or two before finishing the report. And Diana was not the only one with work left to do.

—In the meantime, I will be bringing this tiresome parliamentary debate to a close. Thanks to the answer Your Grace gave me, I believe I can make my decision with a lighter heart.

The supplies Ian sent had arrived in the North, but the letter had been written before news of the battle reached them—shortly after he had informed them of his journey to the Black Isles.

Fael, leader of the Hexagonal Alliance and master of the Ark Caravan, had not only completed the commission personally but had politely declined the additional reward offered by the princess before returning.

He could've just accepted it. He's stubborn in the strangest ways.

Even as the thought crossed his mind, a faint smile touched Ian's lips. It wasn't simply because he approved of Fael's decision.

If Fael had arrived safely, then it also meant that Mev and Nasser had likely reached the frontier without trouble.

The survivors of Glumir had likely finished relocating by now as well.

Moreover, Seras had not used the enormous amount of gold, jewels, food, and artifacts now in her possession as political weapons. Instead, she had convened the council and proposed deciding their disposition together.

—As you suggested, we will distribute the relics only to those who will one day fight at the head of the legion alongside Your Grace.

Perhaps it was only natural that the council had split into two fiercely opposing factions.

The representatives of the Autonomous Territory had confidence in the North's regular army. The barbarian elders took pride in Ian's personal legion.

—If it is Your Grace’s will, the councilors will not object. Of course, I intend to use the news from the Black Isles as bait as well.

That was why Ian had offered an alternative himself, partly to ease Seras's burden and partly because it would further strengthen her position.

—Thanks to the gold and jewels you sent, our finances have become considerably more stable. I will put them to good use. I pray for your safe return to the mainland and look forward to your reply. If any new developments arise before then, I will write immediately.

Reading the familiar closing words, Ian lowered the bottle to the floor. Then he pulled out a pen from between the scrolls of the magical correspondence.

—I accept the Acting Regent's proposal. The review, revisions, and even the embellishments.

The dilemma that had occupied his thoughts finally came to an end. Still reclining sideways against the chair, Ian continued writing.

—As I said before, don’t forget to tell Simon that I was acting under a secret order from His Majesty. I was investigating and dealing with the aftermath of the Black Wall's collapse.

He intended to spread false information through Simon to shift public opinion back toward the Emperor and throw cold water on the plans of the Great Church and the Round Table.

And, to some extent, to restore the tarnished reputation of the Platinum Dragon. The more captivating Simon's story became, the greater the effect would be.

—Once the report is ready, I will send word immediately. Take care of your health.

After sliding the pen back into the scroll, Ian began rolling the Scroll of Correspondence shut. Even then, his thoughts returned to the idea that had surfaced earlier.

If the princess and Simon completely turn public opinion across the Empire around...

Should that result in the Great Church losing its influence for a significant period, the outcome might go far beyond merely postponing a civil war. Hyked's proposal, that he would shoulder responsibility for the chaos if the returnees were accepted, would still hold.

From everything Ian had seen, Hyked was the sort of man who could willingly set aside even his desire for vengeance for the sake of the people. The Emperor, too, would likely prefer accepting that proposal over plunging the Empire into civil war.

Though the chances of things working out that perfectly aren't high.

Still, if they did, the civil war itself might never come to pass. It would mean changing a massive current of history, one that had never been diverted before.

Of course, even if the Dark Prince and his legion departed for the Black Lands, not all problems would disappear.

The Round Table Parliament won't quietly accept its downfall...

Nor were they the only variables. Beyond the Southern deserts, ancient ruins would soon reveal themselves, and the demons still roaming the Black Lands remained a threat.

The Black Lands were effectively ownerless territory now. It wouldn’t be surprising if a new archdemon emerged there at any moment.

And if the Dark Prince transcended while exterminating them.

The scattered fragments of the Heaven Defier were undoubtedly plotting their resurgence as well. There was also every possibility that, once the Emperor had eliminated his political enemies, the blade he wielded would eventually turn toward Ian's own faction.

The flow leading toward the ending won't change entirely, which means something is bound to...

Still lost in thought, Ian tossed the scroll into his pocket dimension and naturally reached for the bottle again.

The knock on the carriage door shattered his train of thought. One of Ian's eyebrows rose slightly as he opened the door.

A blue-eyed girl with messy hair hidden beneath a hood was staring up at him expressionlessly.

"What happened to Miguel? Why are you wandering around by yourself?" Ian asked as he pushed himself upright.

Lily, one hand pressed against her stomach, winced. It was enough to make Ian chuckle.

"Don't tell me he got food poisoning..."

First motion sickness, now an upset stomach. Maybe Miguel truly wasn't meant for life at sea.

Lily's face immediately returned to its usual blank expression. Raising her right arm, she pointed off to the side.

After taking a sip from the bottle, Ian sat up completely. "You want me to come out with you?"

Lily nodded and immediately stepped back.

"If you came yourself, then it can't be an emergency... and it doesn't seem to be mealtime yet either..."

Tilting his head, Ian nevertheless stepped out of the carriage without complaint. Diana and Elia couldn't have returned already.

If they had, they would have come to him themselves.

"Right. I'll find out once I'm there."

He glanced down at Lily and stretched lazily. Despite resting for only one additional day, his body felt noticeably lighter.

Of course, that was partly because he had finally removed his armor and was wearing only a shirt and trousers.

Snort!

Nila let out a puff of breath from among the warhorses, chewing hay with melancholy eyes.

After all the excitement had passed, it had reverted to its usual listless state.

"Just hang in there a little longer, Nila. We're heading for the frontier."

Suppressing a laugh, Ian walked toward the closed stable door.

When Nila merely lifted its head to glance at him, he added calmly, "You'll be seeing that one again before long."

Nila clearly understood exactly whom he meant. Yet it neither brightened nor denied it.

Its jaw simply stopped chewing for a moment as it blinked, almost as though it had only just realized the reason for its own gloomy mood.

That thing is basically a person at this point...

Chuckling again, Ian opened the stable door and stepped outside.

Warm, salty air greeted him. Beyond it stretched a deck bathed in the glow of sunset.

"The hour of the hunt approaches."

"And that's really all that comes to mind when looking at something so beautiful?"

Fairies and beastfolk were scattered across the deck, drinking as they watched the crimson sunset beyond the port side.

Most were still growling and snapping at one another, but it sounded more like ordinary conversation than genuine hostility. That alone was tremendous progress.

Some of them seem to have actually become friends.

Ian glanced briefly at Idris, whose arm was draped over Phoebe's shoulders, before naturally turning his gaze ahead.

Swoosh—

The sky ahead had begun filling with dark clouds, obscuring the horizon with a dim, looming coastline.

Though the frontier was finally coming into view, that couldn't be the reason Lily had come running for him.

Sanford and Nehat, standing near the central mast, were both staring beyond the starboard railing.

Lily, still beside him, tapped his arm and pointed toward the starboard bow.

Following her gesture, a smile spread across his lips.

"Oh?"

Far across the rolling sea, a line of ships came into view. They were sailing in a loose formation toward the coast.

Spotting a familiar flagship among them, Ian slowly curled his lips into a grin.

"I didn't expect them to come here instead of heading south..."

It was unmistakably Hector Drapier's fleet, the very fleet that had sailed away to serve as bait.