I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

Chapter 138:

“Congratulations on your Independence Day.”

“…Thank you, Count.”

As I offered the gift, the Vestol Ambassador managed a smile in response.

I could see he was trying to maintain a warm attitude somehow, but at the same time, his irritation at my presence was plain to see.

“Were you perhaps thinking of me as a heartless fellow who wouldn’t even show his face at a friend’s celebration after finishing his business?”

“To be called a friend, I don’t know where to put myself. It seems it hasn’t even been five years since the Empire and Vestol could speak with smiles.”

“Why be so petty and nitpicky about such things?”

As I cheerfully patted the ambassador’s shoulder, even his iron-clad expression faltered.

I figured I should stop teasing him here.

“I heard a distinguished person is participating as a speaker today, and I am looking forward to it.”

“You mean Professor Zain. We were also surprised when he suddenly said he would attend a few days ago.”

“Is that so? That is surprising.”

I felt a little embarrassed saying it was surprising.

After all, I was the one who had asked him to participate in an event held in the Empire.

Unlike Cesare or Avantnik, who had clearly sided with me, the professor still maintained an ambiguous distance between the Duke and me.

It wasn't that he wouldn't help, but he didn't actively do anything either.

Though it felt less like he was performing a political tightrope act between the two and more like he was just buried in his research.

‘If only the professor comes over, I can completely isolate the Duke within the Eight Council.’

Looking at the members of the Eight Council, they could be divided into two groups.

Til and Kaseph, who moved independently.

The Duke and Valheit, who had clear spheres of influence.

Professor Zain’s style didn’t fit neatly into either of these.

Seeing him cooped up in his lab, doing everything by himself, he seemed like the type to play alone.

But if you looked at it slightly differently, there were few people in Vestol with as much influence as the professor.

The power of a single word from Professor Zain was immense, not just to politicians and intellectuals, but also to merchants and the general public.

It was only natural, as it was thanks to the numerous works from the professor's research lab that Vestol could hold its head so high between the two great powers.

“Do you know when he will be arriving at the venue?”

“Well. He is a very free-spirited person. He’s not one to break time commitments, so he will be here before his speech.”

“When does he speak?”

“He’s scheduled right before the official event ends.”

“Isn’t the event scheduled to end in the early evening? It’s morning now.”

“Yes. He will arrive sometime between now and then.”

The Vestol Ambassador nodded as if this sort of thing happened all the time.

Was this what it was like for every event the professor attended?

“We don’t know when the professor will arrive, but please enjoy the event. Unlike yesterday, today is purely a day for fostering friendship.”

“Haha, of course. Unlike yesterday, there are no complicated matters to attend to.”

I nodded obediently at the ambassador’s powerful gaze that screamed, ‘just stay quiet’.

I wasn’t a fighting cock, and there was no reason to go around picking fights for no reason.

However, I was a bit worried about how to spend the time until early evening.

Unlike in reality, there weren't many ways to melt away time in this world.

It wouldn't do to come to a party and pathetically read a book in a corner.

And spending the time chatting was exhausting, considering the faces of those who had come.

I didn’t have the slightest desire to wedge myself between the Northern Federation businessmen huddled together and whispering, or the Vestol merchants who were already quite drunk.

The Imperial nobles, who were the most familiar, were busy awkwardly smiling and avoiding me as soon as they saw my face.

They didn't want to be caught by Count Valheit.

I understood.

…Should I really go back to the carriage and read a book?

If I knew this would happen, I should have loaded the carriage with the novels I bought last time.

“You seem bored, Count.”

A familiar voice came from behind me.

Normally, it wasn’t a very welcome voice, but given the circumstances, even that sounded welcoming.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen you since we parted in Ruhindorf, Mr. Hugo. Have you been well?”

Perhaps I had greeted him too warmly, as Hugo flinched slightly and took a guarded stance.

“Yes. My work has increased quite a bit, but I have been well.”

“What’s with all this talk of work here. Is there nothing else?”

“I thought you would say you’re busy because of us. You must have been really bored.”

Under normal circumstances, that’s how I would have answered.

Or I would have retorted sarcastically, asking who was making him so busy.

But now?

There was no need to provoke and chase away a conversation partner who had come of his own free will.

“If I knew only such uninteresting people would arrive first, I would have just slept in. I’d much rather chat with the Three Blades.”

“That’s interesting. I was having a similar thought.”

“That’s a good thing. Come, let’s grab a seat and talk. Somewhere with fewer annoying flies.”

Hugo shrugged and nodded.

Come to think of it, why was he here?

It didn’t seem likely that the First Duke, who scowled at the mere mention of Vestol, would have sent him.

“Don’t stare at a person’s face with such a suspicious expression.”

“It just occurred to me, did the Three Blades always participate in Vestol’s Independence Day events?”

“Not usually. Since the Duke is not on friendly terms with the Vestol folks.”

Hugo spoke carelessly as he sat down in a seat in a secluded corner.

The guards standing nearby glanced at him.

“Let’s not say things that could start a fight. It’s a hassle.”

“It’s fine. Vestol doesn’t pay much attention unless it’s related to their own country. Don’t you see, they haven’t even assigned a single spy when Count Valheit and the Three Blades are meeting.”

Hmm.

Now that he mentioned it, there was certainly no surveillance following us.

Were they choosing not to pick a fight with a guest on their Independence Day?

“Word is they create an environment where guests can talk comfortably. It’s a relief not to have the Three Blades, the Imperial Guard, or the Ravens around.”

“Even so, don’t the guards or embassy staff hear things?”

“Of course, they’ll gather what they hear in passing. But they don’t pay much attention if it’s not related to Vestol. It’s a kind of conviction I’ve gained while working as a Bisu of the Three Blades, so you can trust me.”

“Hmm….”

“If what was said here got out, those suspicious merchant fellows from the Federation wouldn't be here whispering to each other. You can trust me.”

Hugo said in a confident tone, looking at the guard.

The guard whose eyes met his just frowned slightly and turned his head away.

“So, is that why you came all this way? To talk comfortably.”

“Yes, after I heard the Count was attending, I also applied in a hurry. I’m glad there was a spot left.”

Uncharacteristically for a member of the Three Blades, he coolly admitted his intentions.

Since a search revealed nothing, I decided to believe him for now.

“I have something I’d like to say to you, Count….”

“Is it about work, by any chance?” Updates are released by NovєlFіre.net

“It is.”

“Then let’s talk later. I just want to pass the time right now.”

Considering the war of nerves I would have with the professor later, I wanted to be at ease for now.

Hugo, who was sizing me up, trying to gauge if I was serious, nodded with a sigh.

“Understood. Instead, I’ll just tell you what we will talk about later.”

I didn’t really want to hear that either.

But it was too late.

Before I could think of a refusal, Hugo had already spoken.

“I want to exchange information on the Ravens.”

“Later.”

“Yes, well then, let’s just chat. I’m not sure what we should talk about, though.”

“Then I’ll throw out a topic first. What kind of person was the old Til?”

“…I have a lot to say about that. What do you want to hear first?”

Hugo, who had been maintaining a tense expression, slowly smiled.

It was a strangely unpleasant, profound expression, but what did it matter?

There’s nothing better for passing the time than gossiping.

***

“Uh… taking this opportunity of Independence Day as a chance to establish a foundation for continuous cooperation and mutual prosperity between our two nations, the Empire and Vestol, I consider it an honor, uh….”

Wow, he’s a terrible speaker.

That was my first thought as I watched Chancellor Hendrick, who was participating as the Empire’s representative, stumble through his prepared speech.

It was a welcome face to see after a long time, but listening to him endlessly string together flowery phrases like a school principal, my annoyance began to flare up.

Others seemed to think similarly, as they were either whispering amongst themselves or staring ahead with blank eyes.

A few were even dozing off.

Hugo, who had taken a seat in a hard-to-see corner, was one of them.

To be able to put even a spy from the Three Blades to sleep was an incredible power.

Forcing back a yawn, I thought about the information Hugo had given me.

‘The gist was that the alliance between Johann and the Duke isn’t that solid, and the information from the Ravens is missing a lot.’

It made sense.

The Duke of Leitche was originally a man without any sense of loyalty.

Considering he had even backstabbed Valheit when they were on good terms, it was to be expected.

Johann Geller was, to put it nicely, old-fashioned, and to put it badly, a xenophobe.

There was no way he would trust Leitche, which had a history of conflict with the Empire just as long as Vestol’s.

The question was why two such people had joined hands….

Hugo couldn’t give a precise answer to this question.

“They probably didn’t join hands for profit. There’s no way the Duke, who holds the highest position in the Empire besides His Majesty the Emperor, would join hands with someone he dislikes just to earn a few pennies.”

“Then did they join hands because of the political struggle with His Majesty the Emperor?”

“Frankly, there was no need to borrow Leitche’s power to fight His Majesty. Not until you stepped in, Count.”

“Then what is the reason?”

“…It’s just my speculation, but I don’t think it’s an Empire problem.”

It’s not an Empire problem.

If it were something happening only within the Empire, there would be no need to seek an alliance.

If it were an internal problem in Leitche, Johann would have cleanly ignored it.

The Empire traditionally had little interest in the internal affairs of the White Continent.

It was unlikely that Johann, an incarnation of tradition, would easily change that stance.

Then what on earth could have happened to make Johann Geller take the Duke’s hand?

‘An issue urgent enough to affect both countries and force them into an unwilling alliance.’

I had a suspicion.

The world destruction that the Commander had prophesied when creating the Eight Council.

Naturally, the Eslick Empire and the Grand Duchy of Leitche would be included in that.

The rush to strengthen the authority of the Dukes and joining hands with another continent were both explained by that reason.

‘But he wouldn’t have been convinced just by the words that destruction was coming.’

Did that mean there was evidence solid enough for Johann to listen to the Duke?

“…That is all.”

“That was the opening statement from the Imperial Chancellor of the Eslick Empire, Hendrick.”

A perfunctory round of applause followed, filled with a sense of relief that it was finally over.

After the applause died down, the Vestol Ambassador stepped up to the podium.

“Before we begin the main event, I have some happy news to share. Professor Zain has graced us with his presence.”

The languid atmosphere changed in an instant.

I guess the rumored de facto ruler of Vestol was more interesting than a chancellor who was good in name only.

I thought he would come just before the event ended, so it was surprising to see him here since lunch.

“He has said he will be conducting meetings until the end of the event, so….”

“Ambassador, I’ll speak.”

Professor Zain, who had taken over the podium before the ambassador could even step aside, looked around the audience.

Just as everyone held their breath, waiting to see what he would say, the professor pointed his finger at me.

“Count Valheit. Let’s talk. Follow me.”

“Yes?”

“Right now.”

With those words, the professor left the podium.

Everyone’s eyes turned to me.

It was a common occurrence, but being singled out like this was a new experience.

‘…What is he scheming? No, he’s not the type of person to have schemes. Did something happen?’

I had a bad feeling.

Unfortunately, that premonition was not wrong.