Chapter 119

“I must have a way to hold Lilithia Baimery in the palm of my hand.”

 

Lilithia Baimery was currently staying in the Kingdom of Pearching. Ivailo needed a valid reason to summon her back to the Empire—something that would leave her helpless and forced to obey his words. As Ivailo agonized over the problem, his secretary approached him.

 

“…Your Highness, I have an idea….”

 

Ivailo furrowed his brow at the secretary’s approach, which had broken his train of thought. Sensing the tension, the secretary squeezed his eyes shut and blurted out, “D-do you remember? Back when we assisted a proxy with building rentals in the Kingdom to lure Baron Percival back to the Empire….”

 

“Do you think I have the leisure to care about some place that sells paltry textiles?”

 

“T-the thing is, I believe the documents submitted back then might be of use.”

 

The secretary cautiously placed the documents he was holding onto the desk. Ivailo thought that even after all the mistreatment, the secretary’s infinite courage—or perhaps his lack of place—was quite remarkable.

 

Soon, Ivailo checked the documents and let out an exclamation that was half-horror and half-admiration.

 

“A magic stone mine…?”

 

“…I-it seems the primary commodity of the Baimery Merchant Guild’s branch in the Kingdom of Shutra was magic stones….”

 

This explained the series of events and the reason why Lilithia Baimery had been able to obtain top-grade magic stones so easily.

 

“But you know, private ownership of magic stone mines is impossible in the Empire.”

 

“Strictly speaking… since it is a mine located in the Kingdom of Shutra, there is no issue…. However, we can use it as a pretext.”

 

Because the secretary was not particularly reliable, Ivailo stared at him with cold, indifferent eyes. The secretary pointed to one of the documents in Ivailo’s hand.

 

“…Currently, a mine belonging to the Baimery Merchant Guild is located in an area that is under dispute with the Kingdom of Shutra….”

 

Ivailo’s eyes curved with a hint of a smile.

 

“You’ve actually been helpful for once.”

 

 

***

 

 

Percival Baimery had been selling small amounts of magic stones over time, planning to use the profits to give Lilithia a grand gift. Feeling that he had never given a proper present to Lilithia—who had grown up without a mother and without a single pretty dress—he decided on expensive jewelry.

 

While Percival was looking at a jewelry catalog at his manor, he was suddenly seized by knights who stormed in. Forced to his knees on the floor without knowing why, Percival resisted fiercely and raised his voice at the imperial deputy.

 

“What is the meaning of this!”

 

“Do you know what happens if one possesses a magic stone mine within the Empire?”

 

“…….”

 

“Percival Baimery. You are under arrest for the illegal mining and supply of magic stones.”

 

“There is no problem!”

 

Percival showed them the documents related to the magic stone mine. The mine owned by the Baimery Merchant Guild was a considerable distance from the Imperial border; it was not Imperial land, so there should have been no issue.

 

“This mine is not in Imperial territory; it is located in the Kingdom! Private merchant guilds are allowed to own magic stone mines there!”

 

The deputy looked at the map with pitying eyes and pointed to the mine.

 

“Here.”

 

Where the deputy pointed was the starting point of the mine. He drew a line along the coordinates listed in the documents. It sat on a delicate point where the borders met.

 

“We have arrested the miners working here. These men ignored Imperial law and entered the Empire without authorization. Furthermore, there are charges of illegally mining Imperial property and selling magic stones without a permit.”

 

Percival was placed under arrest for a total of five legal violations.

 

“Such crimes are a rejection of the Empire’s sovereignty. We could carry out the sentence immediately, but—”

 

“…T-that cannot be! How is this Imperial land!”

 

Percival argued passionately, his spit flying.

 

“Have you not heard the news? A portion of the Kingdom of Shutra’s territory has been incorporated into the Empire.”

 

Percival’s face froze. The cause was a territorial dispute. Territorial disputes were common conflicts between neighboring nations.

 

Going back into history, the region where the Empire was currently located was once shared by five nations. The Empire’s territory had shrunk under the invasion of great powers, but after a change in the throne, the new Emperor sought hardline reforms, pushing other nations out and monopolizing the land to create the current borders.

 

Because of this history, the Kingdom of Shutra and the Empire had continued to dispute specific regions. Even after signing a peace treaty, the territorial dispute persisted because the Empire could not prove its ownership of the area. Based on geological, historical, and diplomatic arguments, the region was claimed to be Shutra’s land.

 

However, Imperial ruins were recently discovered near an active volcano, confirming that the area was Imperial territory. After negotiations, the two countries concluded that the Kingdom would transfer the territorial rights to the Empire. The Kingdom of Shutra did not want to escalate conflict with the Empire, which held dominion over the continent. Another reason was that the territory was home to a volcano and thus could not be developed.

 

“I haven’t heard anything about this.”

 

Percival’s face hardened grimly. If there was such an important issue, it should have been communicated through the branch deputy, but in his recent correspondence, he had only heard that there were no problems.

 

“Regrettably, it seems you didn’t.”

 

Percival bit his lip, his eyes clouding as he stared at the floor.

 

“I understand your sense of injustice, but had you not carried out illegal mining on Imperial land, you would not have been dragged away.”

 

And so, unable to resist the strength of the knights, Percival was dragged to the dungeon.

 

 

***

 

 

Clang! Clang!

 

Percival struck the iron bars hard and shouted.

 

“This is something I didn’t know! I wasn’t told!”

 

“Shut up! You’re too loud.”

 

“To think someone was bold enough to illegally mine magic stones. You’ve got guts.”

 

The guards burst into laughter, pouring ridicule upon Percival.

 

“You should have been executed on the spot. His Highness the Crown Prince is truly broad-minded.”

 

“Anyway, he’s from a family that barely even exists on the noble registry.”

 

Though they were minor nobles now, the Baimery family had once been a family with deep roots. Unable to stand by while they insulted his family, even if they insulted him, Percival glared and raised his voice at the guards.

 

“How dare you say such things!”

 

“Since Baron Percival Baimery has been captured, the Baron’s daughter will soon be brought in as well.”

 

“They say if you mine magic stones illegally, every direct bloodline is put to death, right?”

 

Percival’s body collapsed onto the floor.

 

‘Li-Lilithia.’

 

The guards, who had been picking their ears and complaining about the noise, suddenly bowed their heads toward the sound of approaching footsteps.

 

“We greet His Highness the Crown Prince!”

 

“The Crown Prince…?”

 

“I have matters to discuss with Baron Percival, so leave us.”

 

The guards left immediately, and Percival began to wail toward Ivailo.

 

“I-I am fine, but please save my daughter. I beg of you.”

 

“Baron Percival. I, too, find it very regrettable that this has happened.”

 

“N-no! I did not mine within the Empire; I mined within the Kingdom of Shutra!”

 

Ivailo let out a deep sigh and produced a box.

 

“These were found at the Baron’s manor. One top-grade magic stone and six high-grade stones. These are all illegal stones mined from a mine on Imperial territory. Since evidence has been found, there is nothing that can be done about the violation of the law.”

 

These were the stones Percival had sent to the manor, telling Lilithia he had mined them. At some point, the Imperial army had thoroughly searched his home.

 

“Those stones were mined within Shutra territory before the land was incorporated!”

 

“Can you prove those words right now?”

 

“…I-I cannot right now, but if you give me time, I can show you proof! No, if you release me, I will bring the mining records from the branch!”

 

Percival had ordered the deputy to record the status of the magic stone mining. If he couldn’t contact him, he just needed to go to the branch himself and find the evidence.

 

“It would be different if someone else brought the evidence, but it will be difficult to release you. Within the Imperial Palace, the execution of Baron Percival is currently being discussed.”

 

“There really is evidence! Truly!”

 

“I am sorry.”

 

Between the discussion of execution and the evidence already produced, there was no one who would believe his words. Percival’s eyes grew dim with helplessness.

 

“One good method has occurred to me. Would you like to hear it?”

 

“A… a method?”

 

Percival clasped his trembling hands together and looked at Ivailo. Ivailo’s words were like rain in a drought.

 

“If the Baron’s daughter, Lilithia, becomes a member of the Imperial Family, the problem disappears.”

 

“…Are you telling me to use Lilithia as a sacrifice?”

 

“A sacrifice? Baron Percival.”

 

Ivailo smirked, and that smile felt like chains tightening around Percival’s entire body.

 

“I am fond of Lilithia Baimery, so she wouldn’t be a sacrifice, would she?”

 

As Ivailo looked at him with a deceptive, gracious smile, Percival’s focus blurred and his eyes went blank.

 

“It hurts my feelings that you would disparage my heart’s desire to protect her.”

 

“Are… are you sincere?”

 

“I saw Lady Lilithia at the Return Banquet and fell for her at first sight. If I didn’t truly care for her, I wouldn’t have made such a proposal to you, Baron Percival.”

 

“You are proposing… an arranged marriage.”

 

“Is it not a wonderful opportunity?”

 

It was an opportunity more than he deserved. Yet, was it because his pride wouldn’t allow it? Or was it because he felt utterly loathsome for using his daughter as a bargaining chip? Percival stared at the floor as if nailed to the spot.

 

Words did not come easily. He should have said he was grateful for the opportunity, thanked him for saving a criminal like himself, and thanked him for liking Lilithia—but his mouth felt as if it were locked shut.

 

“You seem conflicted, so I will give you a day.”

 

“…….”

 

At Ivailo’s following words, Percival bit his lip hard.

 

“I hope you make a good choice, Percival.”

 

Ivailo turned his back with a smile playing on his lips. Even as he heard the sound of someone collapsing onto the floor, he did not look back.