I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

Chapter 143:

Gellihau was a territory granted to the Geller family about 60 years ago.

The fact that they received two small kingdoms whole was enough to guess the First Duke’s influence, but there was another reason.

It was the plan of the emperor of that time to weaken the most powerful First Duke by handing over the two nations that had resisted fiercely to the end.

“It's peaceful for something like that.”

That was my impression after looking around Gellihau’s main city.

It was a completely different picture from the old reports that mentioned intense rebel activity.

According to what Regina sent, there were definitely rebels, but there was no sign of them in the main city.

“Is it because they managed it well, or because they hunted them down like rats… or are they both the same thing.”

There was a reason it was called a model region.

From the perspective of an Imperial citizen, that is.

“I understand why he volunteered to be investigated first.”

“There’s no time to be impressed, Mr. Ede.”

“Yep.”

There were two reasons I came to Gellihau in person.

One was to prevent Johann Geller from being assassinated.

He was certainly an annoying old man, but if he died, an even more annoying situation would erupt.

The second was because the next chapter was slowly approaching.

It was now episode 135, meaning there were 15 episodes, 5 days, left until I die.

It might seem like a lot of time, but a novel could have years pass in a single chapter, or not even half a day, so I couldn't be complacent.

‘Besides, I still haven't resolved the issue with the Three Blades, which was given as a keyword.’

There were certainly many things involving the Three Blades, but the status window showed no reaction yet.

I had captured one of the three commanders of the Three Blades, and I had faced another, albeit briefly.

Did I have to face the last one, Victor of the Dagger unit, for something to change?

In any case, when Johann moves, the Three Blades follow, so we'll clash one way or another.

There was someone I brought along for that purpose.

“How is our Ms. Semia doing?”

“I’ve stored her securely!”

“…Please don’t treat her like an object.”

“Hey, what do you take me for?”

I felt a slight chill seeing Ede shrug.

The memory of him tossing Semia around like a piece of luggage when she couldn't even move properly was still vivid.

Though Semia was tough for not uttering a single complaint even in that situation.

She was a means to pressure the Three Blades as a hostage if necessary, so she needed to be handled with care.

“Has the First Duke arrived?”

“The investigation team sent from the Imperial Capital just arrived yesterday. It will take about 5 days for the investigation to finish, so he'll probably come then.”

According to Hugo, the First Duke would visit Gellihau on the last day of the investigation.

He would arrive before then, but he would only move publicly on the last day.

“How are the Three Blades moving?”

“They've deployed all their personnel and are scouring Gellihau.”

It seems they're moving based on the information I gave them.

I hope this makes the Duke give up on the assassination plan.

“But wouldn't it be a good thing if the Duke took care of the Duke for us?”

“…Are you being serious?”

“In the end, the focal point of the Dukes is the First Duke. A lizard with its tail cut off can come back alive, but a lizard with its head cut off, right on the spot….”

Ede made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand and stuck out his tongue.

Coming from a person who had cut off countless heads in the original story, it didn't look playful, but bizarre.

“Certainly, considering the current solidarity of the Dukes, they probably won't be able to immediately challenge the Emperor just because the First Duke died.”

“Right? So we can just stand back and….”

“There’s no way the Duke didn't consider that as well.”

There was one thing I realized while investigating the frontier regions on the way to Gellihau.

Except for Gellihau, the rest of the frontier regions were a complete mess, five minutes before disaster, no, just a complete mess.

“Where do you think the Duke’s power comes from?”

“Uh… military force?”

“That mindset of yours, that military force can solve anything and everything, is truly very Chartra-like.”

“Well, I learned it from the Chartra.”

For some reason, Ede puffed out his chest.

That wasn't a compliment.

“Since the Dukes were forbidden from possessing knight orders or private armies, military force has ceased to be a symbol of their power. Unless you're the Chartra, who are closely associated with the Imperial Army.”

“Then is it money?”

“Half right. All seven of the Dukes are magnates buried in money. But I want you to think about where that money comes from.”

“Um, land?”

Correct.

The Dukes’ money ultimately comes from the land.

They are the ones who have grown by buying or seizing the lands of other nobles, and by being granted territories gained through war.

“There's a reason the Emperors didn't dare touch the land. Because even the most docile Duke would throw a fit.”

“So, you're saying the attack on the First Duke is related to land?”

“Probably so.”

I wasn't sure, but if he was targeting Johann using a cumbersome method like assassination, this had to be the only reason.

To provoke the Dukes' obsession with land and drive them to civil war.

It was indeed the method that would put me in the most trouble.

However, there was a problem with this conjecture as well.

“How.”

“I plan to find out as we go.”

“…You mean you don't know, right?”

“Yes.”

I couldn't figure out how he would provoke the Dukes.

Was he just hoping to highlight the problems in the frontier regions and have the Emperor pressure the Dukes?

No, that's too convenient.

“It'll come out as we investigate. What about the Ravens.”

“The Ravens who followed the Three Blades in are quiet. The ones that came in through other routes are suspicious, though.”

The other routes Ede mentioned were the rebels.

As a frontier region where most of the land was conquered through war, there were many large and small rebel organizations.

All the nations that hated the Empire were clinging to them and providing support, but the biggest sponsors were, of course, Vestol and Leitche.

“Continue to track their movements.”

“Do you think they are directly related to this incident?”

“I don't know yet. But it's true that something is bothering me.”

“It’s the Count’s gut feeling, so it must be right! I'll investigate a little more.”

“Wait, has there been any news from His Majesty the Emperor?”

Ede, who had answered cheerfully, was called back just before he went outside.

Ede, with a bewildered expression, ah! and nodded.

“He contacted me saying he will meet with Vestol and Leitche as scheduled.”

“Understood. You may go.”

The joint patrol I had proposed to the Vestol Ambassador before seemed to be bearing fruit somehow.

I had finished everything I intended to prepare before Johann Geller arrived.

In fact, I had time to spare.

‘Since it’s come to this, should I try having a talk with the Silver Dagger.’

Whether it was the status window or the assassination case, I needed more information.

Semia had kept her mouth shut until now, but she might have had a change of heart now that she was outside.

‘Though I don’t have high hopes.’

I didn't think she would start blabbing just because she was outside.

Still, I might be able to read something from her expression.

With a light heart, I headed down to the basement.

***

The Duke of Leitche popped a grape from the tray into his mouth.

It was boring beyond belief.

The idea of the Empire, Vestol, and Leitche joining forces to counter the pirates sounded plausible, but the reality was different.

Boring discussions continued among the working-level officials to seize even a little more initiative, and this inefficient process of getting confirmation from their respective leaders was repeated.

‘An unexpected side effect.’

Normally, he would have entrusted such matters to his children, but since the Emperor himself was stepping forward in the Empire, the Duke had no choice but to step forward as well.

Something about matching diplomatic ranks.

After a long yawn, he spat the grape seeds onto the tray.

“You seem bored, Duke.”

“Not at all. I'm wide awake. Though I think I'd be even more awake if the Empire handled things a little faster.”

“It’s not a matter that can be decided easily.”

Watching the new Emperor of the Empire smiling brightly, the Duke glared.

He certainly seemed smarter than that idiot before, but for an Emperor personally chosen by the Count, he had a somewhat dazed feel to him.

‘Well, it doesn't matter much. He'll soon be too busy dealing with a civil war anyway.’

It was about time for the Ravens' regular report.

Without asking the person sitting in front of him, the Duke rose from his seat.

“Where are you going?”

“Grand Duchy business.”

“The discussion we are having now is also the Grand Duchy's business.”

“We can't have a discussion or wordplay until those Vestol folks finish their whispering, can we.”

“Then let’s talk amongst ourselves.”

“It will only take a moment….”

“Please sit down.”

The Duke’s eyes twitched at the firm tone.

How dare he, having been on the throne responsible for a nation for such a short time.

Was he acting so cocky because he had Valheit behind him?

But his anger quickly subsided.

If it were a matter between two nations, he could have stormed out, but Vestol was also involved.

One wrong move and it would only benefit the Empire and Vestol.

“I hope you have something worthwhile to say.”

The Duke, having sat back down, returned to his indifferent expression.

This is why I hate diplomacy.

“You seem to be very interested in matters beyond the sea.”

“Is there anyone not interested in how the hegemon of the Black Continent moves.”

“I appreciate the interest, but being so interested as to support rebels is, after all, a bit burdensome.”

So the information leaked and already reached the Emperor’s ears.

Well, if it reached Valheit’s ears, it would have reached that puppet’s ears too.

“Isn't it the nature of state affairs to be dirty sometimes. Are you planning to preach a sermon on morality?”

“No. Isn't the one who gets duped the fool.”

The Emperor replied lightly.

It was a completely different answer from the anger or arrogance the Duke had expected.

“However, I hope you remember that anyone can become a fool.”

“……”

For a moment, he recalled what Ivan had said before about the Demon Tribe's movements being unusual.

He thought it was just those beastly bastards causing some trouble as usual, but could it be….

The moment he was about to retort, the door opened.

It wasn't the Vestol people returning.

“For a messenger to come in person, it must be quite an urgent matter. If it's that urgent, let's talk. I'll wait a moment.”

The Emperor smiled lightly and gestured as if to say, talk as much as you want.

It was different from Valheit's creepy smile, yet similar.

As the Duke leaned back, the messenger heavily suppressed his voice with magic.

“What is it?”

“Your Grace, urgent news from Gellihau and the homeland.”

“Speak.”

“Here?”

“Yes.”

If one tried to break the magic and eavesdrop, they would inevitably be caught.

Unless they were simply sharp-eared like Valheit.

It was less suspicious to speak openly.

“The Demon Tribe is causing a disturbance in the south.”

“Suppress it as quickly as possible.” ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ NoveI★Fire.net

“Yes? Ah, understood.”

Normally, he would have told him not to worry about it too much, but what the Emperor had just said bothered him.

“In Gellihau… they say the preparations are complete.”

Hmm.

This was good news.

He looked at the Emperor, who had a placid expression, and smiled brightly.

Let’s see how long you can keep smiling like that, kid.

“Proceed.”

“Yes, but to respond to the Demon Tribe's disturbance, we need to divert personnel to the homeland….”

“Handle the Gellihau matter first.”

Once the 1st Duke immolated himself, they wouldn't have the mind to play with fire in another country, so it was right to handle the Gellihau matter first.

Besides, it would take ages to send back the Ravens spread throughout the Empire because of this damn treaty anyway.

“Then let us be careful not to become fools to each other.”

“Of course.”

The leaders of the two nations exchanged smiles, but the atmosphere in the conference room continued to sink.

The Vestol people who entered a short while later came to the conclusion that these fussy foreigners had fought again and let out a long sigh.

***

“So… you're telling me to be wary of those called the Black Hand.”

“Yes.”

“And the reason you're telling me this out of the blue is…?”

“Because the only ones in Gellihau who can threaten the Duke are the Black Hand.”

Semia said, looking straight at me without a single change in her facial expression.

Honestly, I'm flustered.

“Why are you speaking up now after keeping your mouth shut during all the interrogations until now.”

“Because we’re in Gellihau.”