Rebirth in a Ruined Nation! The Life of a New Strategist Starting From Now - Chapter 114
The Empire’s Turmoil (1) – The Emperor
“What? Can you repeat it? What did you say Prince Tsetsedra told you?”
Because of how anxious Das-san looked, I figured he must have something terrible to say, so I took him to Rays-sama’s office before listening to what he had to say.
After seeing Das-san’s expression, Rays-sama immediately set up a place for me to listen to him.
“Prince Tsetsedra told me that he wanted to set up a meeting with the Rudek Kingdom!”
…So I didn’t misheard him. Now I understand why Das-san looked so anxious.
An imperial prince requested a meeting with our kingdom, which was at war with the Empire. That was normally impossible to happen. But after listening to Das-san’s explanation, I realized that this seemingly impossible thing happened because of none other than me.
The letter I gave Luluria back then was read by her and Prince Tsetsedra together, just like she promised me to do.
It seemed like at first, Prince Tsetsedra was skeptical about the content of the letter. But Luluria said to him, ‘It’s fine if the information was wrong, but it wouldn’t hurt to investigate it, right?’ so the Prince began to secretly investigate the 2nd Imperial Prince, Philemas, and his ally Minister Basor.
The result of the investigation was obvious. After all, it was information from the future.
When the Prince reported his finding to his father, Emperor Drac, the Emperor’s reply was quite surprising.
‘If you notice it, then solve it by yourself’
Or so the Emperor said.
The current Emperor of the Greedl Emperor, Drac.
He was said to be the reincarnation of Gransweul, the person behind the creation of the current 16 Countries. He used to be nothing but a lord of a small fief, Greedl, located in a small country in the eastern part of the continent. He expanded his power in the blink of an eye, took over his original country, and built the current massive Empire within only one generation.
Similar to Gransweul, Drac would welcome anyone with the ability no matter their background, a meritocrat through and through.
Thus, many people with talents from different backgrounds, even bandits and nomads flocked to Drac after they heard about his policy. The fact that he was able to unite these people was also a testament to his extraordinary ability.
His mindset that valued ability over anything else also extended to his sons.
Each of Drac’s four sons was entrusted with the management of a fiefdom at an early age, and if there was a problem in the fiefdom they ruled, the Princes and their subordinates would be mercilessly reprimanded. At worst, the prince’s subordinate would be dismissed…and sent to the afterlife.
In short, Drac was basically telling Tsetsedra to ‘prove your ability’
Prince Tsetsedra, who thought the matter would be settled after he reported it to his father, was confused. As the youngest son, the Prince had a gentle personality and had no ambition to become the Emperor. He was content with just becoming a local fief lord.
The other princes who were fiercely competing for the throne knew this and they never saw Prince Tsetsedra as a competitor. So Prince Tsetsedra and his brothers have a quite normal sibling relationship.
Even Emperor Drac didn’t seem to regard Prince Tsetedra as a potential successor. That was why the Emperor spoiled him.
However, the youngest son whom he spoiled showed his talent. Therefore, the Emperor wanted to see the extent of his ability
Prince Tsetseidra was in a bind, but an unexpected turn of events happened.
A messenger came from the 2nd Imperial Prince, Philemas.
‘I have some urgent matters to discuss with you regarding my future. Depending on the situation, I might have to withdraw my right to succession. For this reason, I would like to consult you in the capital. I am asking this of you as you are the only brother I can trust.’
In the history that I knew, the reason Prince Tsetsedra was at the capital in the time of rebellion remained unclear. Now, I finally know the reason. He was summoned by Philemas. Philemas intended to drag Prince Tsetsedra to the conflict from the beginning.
The Emperor and the 1st Imperial Prince had just departed on an expedition against Zanadefol and with the information he had from my letter, even Prince Tsetsedra understood that the message was a trap so he and Luluria devised a plan.
The Prince would pretend to be deceived by the message and would work together with the Emperor’s main army to surround Philemas’s army from all sides. The Emperor agreed to help with the Prince’s plan, as long as the Emperor’s army wouldn’t be the main force of the attack if a battle happened.
(T/N: In short, the Emperor was telling Tsetsedra that you defeat him yourself if a battle happened. The Emperor wants to see Tsetsedra’s ability after all)
There was one thing that bugged me. At the part where Das-san was telling me about the Prince’s plan, he suddenly mentioned Luluria’s name. Don’t tell me the person who devised the plan was actually….
Regardless of my suspicion, Das-san continued his story.
When the day of the rebellion arrived, Prince Tsetsedra captured Minister Basor and waited for Prince Philemas.
Philemas went to the capital, unaware that his plan had been exposed. In the end, he was besieged by the Great Sword, Gafor and his army, and the Emperor’s main army before he even managed to step foot in the capital.
Caught by surprise, the rebel army crumbled without being able to give a meaningful resistance. The matters were settled before any significant battle could begin.
Thus, the rebellion was prevented, but in the confusion of the battle, Philemas escaped and fled the Empire by ship.
“I see. I understand your story, but how does that lead to Prince Tsetsedra wanting to meet us?” Rays-sama’s question represents the confusion of everyone here…or to be more precise the confusion of everyone except Drew, since Drew didn’t seem to be interested.
“Philemas has fled to Gorber.”
“To go to Gorber via ship from the Empire, he needs to pass through our sea, so how does he…” Rays-sama wrinkled his brows.
To hear someone being able to pass through our sea without permission wasn’t pleasant.
“I don’t know the details of how he managed to arrive at Gorber. Perhaps, he was just lucky. From what I knew, he disguised his ship as a merchant ship,” Das-san replied with a bit of an uncomfortable expression.
“…Well, in any case, the fact he fled to Gorber, not to the southern continent or anywhere else must mean he was working together with Gorber.”
“Yes, that’s what the Empire’s side thought too, so they questioned Philemas’s people who didn’t manage to escape and found that the Prince was indeed working together with Gorber. When the Empire questioned Gorber about this, Gorber claimed that they were also puzzled by an Imperial Prince who suddenly said he wanted to immigrate to Gorber and would be willing to hand him over to the Empire if the Empire wished so.”
“So Gorber abandoned him.”
“Most likely.”
“Then, the matter should end with him dying in an ‘accident’ in the middle of the handover since Gorber must have wanted to silence him and…”
Das-san continued Rays-sama’s words, “And it was the best result for both countries. Well, the Empire might be angry at Philemas’s action, but even if he managed to return to the Empire, he would be sentenced to death. If the Emperor sentenced his son to death, people would talk so it’s best to just let him die in a foreign country.”
“But Philemas didn’t die. Is that what happened?”
“That’s correct. That’s why the situation changed.”
After saying that much, Das-san cleared his throat and continued his story. It looked like the story was about to reach its climax.