Chapter 34
Alistair lowered his hand from his forehead and offered a faint smile.
“I have never been an advocate for conflict.”
“You know that I wasn’t honest, so why?”
What led you to back me?
Alistair lowered his hand from his forehead and offered a faint smile.
“I have never been an advocate for conflict.”
"If that’s true, then why haven’t you tried to persuade the prince?”
Cielo wasn’t trying to place blame. He was merely curious about why Alistair hadn’t taken steps to convince the prince to avoid conflict, especially since they seemed to have a close relationship, one that would lead Konstantinos to listen to Alistair.
“Don’t you have a good relationship?”
“Certainly, we share a strong bond. We grew up together, after all.”
This much was obvious, considering the depth of their relationship and the trust they had in each other.
“Konstantinos has been raised to prioritize the needs of his people over his own, which accounts for his struggle to dismiss the war his people wanted.”
The unexpected use of the prince’s true name caught him off guard, but he held his tongue, understanding that Alistair still had more to express.
“May I ask what motivates the young master to involve himself in political affairs when you have consistently opted to avoid them?”
Alistair had been watching the young man since his awakening from coma and he had never once brought up the prince’s political challenges. Addressing this matter should have been a priority when entering into a contract, especially since he would inevitably find himself caught up in it as the prince’s close aide.
Additionally, Cielo had also avoided reading any political literature, which intrigued Alistair about the nature of his past experiences.
The sudden change in topic caught him off guard, but he still managed to respond.
“…I’ve had some bad experiences with it. You could call it trauma or whatever, but I don’t want to get involved.”
He let out a deep sigh while staring at the ceiling.
“I genuinely despise it, yet I can’t understand why I continue to revert to my previous statements…”
Surprise flashed on Alistair’s face. Could it be that the Traveler loathes seeing others suffer? That he stands against death and destruction?
A genuine smile spread across Alistair’s face.
“The young master has a truly compassionate heart.”
Cielo’s expression darkened at the misunderstanding.
“My actions are driven by my wish to prevent the creation of weapons that could be used in war. If it weren’t for that, I would remain apathetic even if millions were to die.”
He replied, his voice steady but edged with a hint of frustration.
“Is that so?”
Alistair regarded his statement with skepticism.
“Yes, so please don’t misinterpret my motives. I would resort to violence if it became necessary, but…”
Cielo insisted, his gaze dropping to his unmarked hands, the very hands that had never known the burden of violence.
‘My mother is a pacifist.’
She would detest the idea of him tainting his hands with blood.
He clenched his fist tightly, feeling the tension ripple through his body, and took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. In reality, he cared little for others. The truth was stark and unyielding: he did not see himself as a good person, not at all. His motivations were rooted in a desire to protect his mother’s ideals, not out of a genuine concern for the suffering of others.
Noticing the unusual look on Cielo’s face, Alistair’s expression softened, and he nodded in understanding.
“If the young master says so.”
“Thanks for your understanding.”
“Nevertheless, His Imperial Highness is not easily swayed.”
Alistair warmed up his cold tea and decided to steer the conversation in a different direction, a change that Cielo welcomed.
“For the last three years, the Saoirse Alliance has increasingly displayed aggression and violence in their efforts to breach the Empire’s defenses.”
Three years prior? The timeline struck him as particularly troubling.
He was unsettled by how everything seemed intertwined with his arrival in this world. Did his presence unintentionally escalate the existing tensions? Was he, in some way, a catalyst for the conflict that now overshadowed them all?
‘It’s not just that aspect. They are furthering the defense of the empire—the same Empire where I arrived.’
Cielo entered this realm as a meteor, and everyone would notice his arrival and the place he landed. This thought troubled him profoundly, lingering as a persistent uncertainty in the back of his mind.
“Consequently, public tension has escalated. The people of the Empire have been anxious, looking for reassurances that everything will be alright.”
Alistair finished his explanation, his handsome features overshadowed by a look of worry.
Cielo sipped the hot tea while posing his question.
“So he is trying to use my weapon to reassure them?”
“Indeed. A newly developed weapon would certainly generate excitement among all. However, we cannot accept the options you have proposed, as the other kingdoms, which have remained silent thus far, would become apprehensive once more.”
A weapon capable of wiping out an entire nation would undoubtedly instill fear in neighboring countries.
“His Imperial Highness is anticipated to devise something, given his position as the Head of the Magic and Research Department, and as a prominent figure within the Empire. There is considerable pressure on him to deliver the desired outcomes.”
And he likely can’t refuse due to obvious reasons.
Konstantinos had been molded by the responsibilities of his role, burdened by the obligation to safeguard his people, even at the cost of his own ideals. This reality was both noble and tragic.
‘A person unable to break free from the notions that have been instilled in his mind…’
A brief vision of a woman, her silhouette looming over him, surfaced in his thoughts, accompanied by a gentle smile as she stroked his head.
“… .”
“… … .”
“…It must be difficult.”
Cielo set down the cup and examined the documents he had provided.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
“I didn’t explain it clearly, but the hand grenade would have been the best option among all the alternatives I proposed. It causes less destruction and has a smaller blast.”
Alistair let out a laugh at his confession.
“I was under the impression that you preferred to keep your hands clean, young master. Did you have any remorse regarding His Imperial Highness?”
Cielo responded with a sharp exhale.
“Not in the slightest. I’m simply presenting an idea, but I won’t be making the hand grenade myself.”
Essentially, they would have to create it entirely on their own, as he wouldn’t be providing any samples. This way, he could claim no responsibility for any resulting bloodshed.
“Additionally, there’s a related device: smoke bombs.”
He was willing to create a prototype for this.
“It works similarly to hand grenades, but instead of an explosion, it releases a continuous stream of smoke. This can be used for various purposes, such as marking enemy locations, creating visual distractions, indicating wind direction, and producing a smoke screen.”
“While it might not spark excitement among individuals, it certainly has practical significance.”
Once the nobles become aware of this information, they are likely to acknowledge their value, suggesting that they may avoid putting substantial pressure on Konstantinos and instead concentrate on the large-scale production of smoke bombs and hand grenades.
Alistair watched Cielo with an amused look on his face.
“I must commend your skill in defying the orders of your superiors, young master.”
“I’m aware that you won’t be letting me go anytime soon, which is why I’m pushing the limits.”
He merely shrugged.
“You exhibit great wisdom, young master.”
Cielo stayed quiet as he watched Alistair take notes. When Alistair finished writing, the man offered a smile.
“I must admit, I’m quite impressed by your home world, young master. It’s remarkable that such powerful weapons can be produced in what seems like an ordinary realm.”
“Hm. Humans are quite remarkable.”
Cielo is not familiar with the methods and efforts the government uses to develop those weapons, but he became intrigued after reading about them online.
“Unfortunately, the Empire’s influence limits our ability to develop advanced military weaponry through any means, as other kingdoms would become overly wary. While we have significant strength, we would find it difficult to defend ourselves if the kingdoms to the East and South decided to attack.”
“Oh.”
This explains why the Empire is falling behind in technological and military advancement, despite being the most powerful nation in this world.
“The concept of nuclear weapons has previously been proposed as a secretive means of power. However, Nature’s Will opposes the widespread destruction and loss of human life, leading to the complete abandonment of the project.”
It is only natural that they would considering mana originates from nature, and any damage done to it would also affect them.
“Is there anything else you’d like to discuss? If not, I should take my leave to speak with the prince.”
“Oh, no, I have nothing more to bring up. I will head back to my room and rest.”
“Very well. Good night, young master.”
“Goodbye.”
Cielo stood up from his chair and left the office. Having not had a good night’s sleep in a while, he planned to enjoy a full night of rest, but only after he finished his bathing routine.
The moment Cielo left the office, Konstantinos emerged from the shadows like a ghost.
“Ending the conflict was never part of your plan, Alistair.”
The prince said casually, taking a seat in the chair he had used during his previous conversation with the traveler. He picked up the documents Alistair had written and started to read through them.
“However, it’s rather amusing to watch your efforts to win over the Traveler.”
“It’s not entirely true, but he was rather adorable. What choices do I have?”
Alistair nonchalantly tidied the cup that Cielo had used.
The prince gently hummed as he organized the finished documents on his lap.
“How can he help dismantle the three factions when he dislikes politics? He would not allow himself to be manipulated.”
Alistair displayed a sly grin.
“While he is indeed quite clever, I’ve noticed that he tends to be a bit reserved. He typically adheres to our orders, and the only time he showed any resistance was when he exited the maze.”
The second instance was when he left the Haunted Palace to go to Faye’s Garden, but that was entirely due to Newcastle’s influence. Cielo wouldn’t have gone out on his own without that person’s help.
“Moreover, the greenhouse and Saint Amira’s garden are under your authority. They are simply separate property from the Haunted Palace.”
Konstantinos stayed quiet as he watched the person he had grown up with, who still wore that sinister smile.
‘It appears he is pleased with today’s result.’
Even though the Traveler didn’t deliver their desired result, he was slowly becoming more open to the group. It seemed that Alistair considered this as a win.
The prince decided to leave Alistair to his own devices and called for someone. The individual quickly arrived and knelt, waiting for the prince’s instructions. However, Konstantinos looked upon this gesture with disapproval.
“I have already made it clear that kneeling is unnecessary.”
The woman, with her long, flowing hair and deep, dark eyes, raised her gaze to meet the prince’s eyes. Dressed in a sleek black gown, she radiated an air of danger.
“I cannot accept the offer from His Imperial Highness. I would appreciate your understanding of my non-compliance.”
Her tone suggested a definitive stance.
Alistair emitted a soft chuckle in response to the lady’s reply to the prince.
“If that is what you wish.”
Konstantinos relented.
The woman nodded her head in appreciation for the Imperial Prince’s thoughtfulness.
“Concerning the purpose of my summons today, I have another task for you.”
“Understood.”
***
“The founding day?”
“That’s right! The founding day, which falls on December 14, is the Empire’s most important celebration, and preparations are already in full swing.”
Rene replied with palpable excitement.
A few days had gone by since Cielo’s meeting with the prince. As he headed to the dining room for breakfast, he noticed that everyone seemed busier than usual. It was due to a major festival approaching.
“The Founding Festival is scheduled to last a full month, drawing a wide array of attendees, including commoners, merchants, nobles, and royalty from different nations.”
Even with the ongoing conflicts in the West, other kingdoms seem to have enough faith in the Empire’s stability, easing their worries about taking part in the festival.
“They will be arriving by ship, docking at the Lake Port next to Faye’s Garden.”
Lake Port is the Empire’s largest public port, located in the northern part of the territory. The original port was destroyed in a conflict around 7,000 years ago, resulting in the creation of the current port, named after Navy Commander Lake, who died in battle.
‘I used to mock the name, but I now feel rather foolish after discovering the reasoning behind it.’
Due to this experience, he has memorized most of the locations within the Empire and their historical importance, ensuring that he doesn’t unintentionally ridicule the names and offend anyone.
“Even though it’s still three months away, it’s an important day for everyone.”
After all, it’s the day of the Empire’s founding. It is only natural that its citizens would be enthusiastic.
“By the way, aren’t you excited? All staff members working in the Imperial Grounds get a few days off, a pay raise, and a bonus so they can fully enjoy the festival.”
“Me…?”
As Cielo thinks about it, he realizes that he has never actually attended a festival before.
‘I’ve heard that it’s quite fun.’
However, he doesn’t have any friends or family to celebrate with.
Alistair will surely be busy with the festival preparations. Konstantinos will certainly be busy with the Imperial Family and hosting dignitaries from different countries. Newcastle, a nobleman who has not yet officially cut ties with his family, is expected to attend a banquet or a similar gathering, and Doctor Happy has already expressed her plans to visit her family in December, suggesting that she will also be occupied.
‘I might consider celebrating with Fisher.’
The elderly gentleman has indicated a desire to steer clear of crowded places, which will probably limit their time at the festival to the palace. Furthermore, Fisher’s age makes it difficult for him to walk long distances.
‘I’m not even sure if the prince would allow me to leave the Imperial Grounds or even the Haunted Palace.’
The festival is anticipated to be very crowded, and there’s a chance that someone could accidentally reveal his disguise in public.
“What about you?”
Uncertain of how to reply, he asks a question in return.
Rene fortunately didn’t question why he didn’t reply to her question and casually answered.
“Isn’t it obvious? I’m going to be with my lover.”
“Pardon? What about your family?”
Rene winced at the mention of her family.
“They’re irresponsible people who keep wasting my money on gambling and expect me to pay off their debts, so I’ve cut all ties with them.”
“O, oh…”
She shared this information quite casually, which took him by surprise.
“Is that really surprising?”
“Maybe just a bit?”
He had expected a more intense reaction from her, but she seemed mostly unfazed.
Rene simply laughed at his reply.