Chapter 35. Again, to the Capital
Early in the morning, within the office of the head of Azureocean Castle, a middle-aged man asked an elderly figure in a worried tone, "Father, is Caron really safe?"
"He completed his mission excellently. There's no need to worry. He returned without a single injury," the old man reassured him.
"The moment the incident occurred, you should have called Caron and Leo back to Azureocean Castle immediately," Fayle said, clenching his fists as he looked at Halo.
But Halo firmly shook his head and said, "Fayle, as a member of the Leston family, it's only right that he avenges his subordinates with his own hands."
"But Caron is only thirteen years old!" Fayle protested.
"Age doesn't matter when it comes to carrying out a mission, only skill," Halo said, his voice unwavering.
As Fayle heard Halo's resolute tone, he forced himself to calm his mind. The moment he'd heard that his son had been attacked, he'd wanted to rush to Thebe right away. But it was Halo who had stopped him.
"Fayle, don't get worked up, and have a sip of tea. It's Snow White tea from the North Sea," Halo offered with a tone that was more soothing.
"...Father," Fayle began, but Halo interrupted him.
"If Caron didn't have the ability to resolve this incident, I would have summoned him back to Azureocean Castle, just as you suggested. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Halo asked.
Fayle understood. As his son, he knew Halo's mind well. He knew that Halo had great confidence in Caron's abilities. But this was an event in which Caron had nearly lost his life. If he could stay calm in this kind of situation, he wouldn't be able to call himself a father.
Who could remain still when their child's life was in danger?
Halo observed Fayle's troubled expression as he slowly sipped his tea. Then, he continued quietly, "The reason why I called you at this early hour is because of Caron's plan. In matters like this, you're better suited than my first or second son. Caron has delivered his thoughts through Zerath. I want you to review them yourself."
As Halo spoke, he handed Fayle a report that had been placed on the table. It was a document transcribed by Heinrich from a message Zerath had sent through a communication orb. Until now, only Halo and Heinrich had been aware of its contents.
"You're saying this is all Caron's plan?" Fayle asked as he narrowed his eyes reading the report.
The summary of the report read as follows:
"Among those found guilty, a member of the Thebe Council is included. Additionally, there was an attempt to cover up the incident. So, in the morning, the plan is to announce the attack on the Ducal Family of Leston. The mayor of Thebe will announce his intent to cooperate with the investigation by the Leston family."
Fayle was able to quickly grasp the potential impact of the plan. He said, "So, it means we're going to be able to appoint leadership in Thebe..."
Thebe was a city governed by the influence of its council members. However, this incident would bring down one of the significant powers that had been consolidating influence there. That would definitely cause a crack.
Caron was suggesting that the Leston family exploit that crack.
"Grine, who is the mayor right now, is said to be a close acquaintance of my brother-in-law," Halo continued.
"I also have ties with Mayor Grine," Fayle added.
"By empowering a puppet mayor, we're going to take control of Thebe. That's the picture Caron is painting," Halo said.
"Turning a crisis into an opportunity," Fayle mused.
"Talking about it is easy, but putting such a plan into action is far from simple. He's quite extraordinary, Fayle. I had some expectations from Caron after the way he handled things at Belrus Barony, but he has far surpassed them," Halo remarked.
He took another sip from his cup, and the fragrant scent of Snow White tea sharpened his senses.
Even if Caron hadn't taken the initiative, Halo had already thought to exert some form of influence over Thebe. After all, the incident was practically an affront to the Leston household, an attack on a direct descendant. However, his grandson was thinking far beyond mere influence. He wanted to take over the Thebe Autonomous Territory entirely.
"It's a plan overflowing with greed," Halo said.
Despite being in a situation in which his life was threatened, Caron had turned his thoughts toward seizing an entire city. Excessive greed often led to one's downfall, but Halo found his young grandson's ambition to be quite appealing.
"A man without greed can never ascend to greater heights, don't you agree, Fayle?" Halo remarked.
He was well aware that both his first and second sons harbored ambitions for the household's power. The reason why he hadn't done anything about it was because he believed that their competition, fueled by that ambition, would ultimately benefit the family. However, the kind of ambition Caron was displaying in such a short time was different.
"Using the family's name to fill his own plate. Is that not what he's planning?" he continued.
Such an approach could have been problematic in times of peace, but right now, it was different. Caron's emergence in such turbulent times could even be seen as a blessing from their ancestors.
The owner of Guillotine had to be someone with boundless greed. After all, Guillotine was as much a cursed sword as a renowned one. Only someone more voracious than Guillotine itself could wield it, and perhaps even subdue it.
"I'm satisfied with the plan. It should be enough to serve as a strong warning against those rotten scoundrels in the central government," Halo said, his voice laced with a grim certainty. He had instinctively sensed that powerful figures in the central government were behind this incident. There was no way those scoundrels would have left any evidence behind. They were too cunning for that, always ready to cut their losses and sever ties when necessary.
"After all, I'm guessing the Imperial Guards made moves to eliminate evidence," he mused.
"It seems the internal strife within the Imperial Guards is growing more severe," Fayle added.
Halo clicked his tongue and shook his head with a bitter expression. According to the information Caron had sent, it was clear that the imperial guards had ulterior motives.
"If he had been here, he would have cut them all down without hesitation," Halo said.
"Are you referring to Lord Cain?" Fayle asked.
"Yes," Halo replied.
His friend, Cain, had died a loyal knight of the empire. Halo wondered how Cain would have reacted to the current state of affairs.
"Responsibility always falls on those who survive. He might be cursing me from the afterlife for allowing the Imperial Guards to fall into such disgrace," he remarked.
Halo was ready to face Cain's wrath when he met him again in the afterlife. As he thought of his old friend, he slowly gathered his thoughts, then said to Fayle in a low voice, "For the empire and its people, we have endured for a long time."
It had been a long time indeed. They had lived quietly in the western part of the empire, maintaining peace and prosperity. They had also dealt with the monsters that descended from the North Sea and sent out their knights to aid those in need.
And yet, the only thing they had received in return was this situation. Those who were blinded by greed had finally dared to target his grandsons.
"Fayle, prepare for the storm that is coming. Reorganize the family's structure and start making moves to enter the central political arena," Halo instructed.
"It will take time," Fayle cautioned.
Halo closed his eyes slowly and responded with a weighty tone, "That doesn't matter. Patience is something we have mastered over the years, is it not?"
The giant that had been laying low had finally decided to take a step forward.
***
When morning dawned in the central plaza of Thebe, Mayor Grine stood on a raised platform in the middle of the plaza. With fiery conviction, he called out in a booming voice "I could never tolerate such an atrocity happening in this proud and magnificent city! This is the city that our citizens have built with their blood, sweat, and tears! A city where anyone can find opportunity, where fairness is the foundation!
"Is this not Thebe, my fellow citizens? And yet, a member of the council, a so-called representative, was involved in an abhorrent act that nearly claimed the life of the great hero Duke Halo's grandson. I, Mayor Grine of Thebe, promise you that I will make sure such an event will never happen in our city again!" Grine declared passionately.
"Grine! Grine!" The crowd chanted his name fervently.
"Take down those rotten council members!" someone shouted.
The citizens of Thebe roared in approval, swept up by Grine's impassioned speech. From the third floor of a nearby restaurant, Caron watched the scene unfold while eating breakfast.
"He looks like a fish in water," Leo remarked, his words slightly muffled by the steak he was chewing.
When Gyle heard Leo's comment, he let out a hearty laugh and nodded in agreement. He explained, "That man knows the art of politics well, Leo. He's fully aware that this is a tremendous opportunity for him."
"Are all the politicians and nobles in the capital like this?" Leo asked.
"Not all of them. But there's a reason why Grine has managed to reach such a high position," Gyle replied as he wiped his mouth with a napkin, then turned toward Caron.
I can never quite figure you out, he thought as he looked at his grandson.
This entire spectacle had been orchestrated by Caron. It wasn't just about revenge for the Leston family; Caron had tied that vengeance to the greater benefit of the family.
Through Zerath, Gyle had heard that Duke Halo had approved of Caron's plan. A plan devised by a mere thirteen-year-old had been given the green light by the head of the powerful Leston family.
Gyle couldn't help but think, So, my brother-in-law trusts Caron's abilities.
It could be good news or bad news, depending on how one looked at it. But it meant that Halo was supporting Caron.
It also suggested that Caron could soon become involved in the battle for succession within the Leston family, because the position of heir had not yet been decided. But Gyle found the prospect unsettling. Being drawn into the succession would only increase the possibility of danger.
"Grandfather," Caron suddenly called out.
"Yes, my child?" Gyle replied.
"Is this too much of a burden for you?" Caron asked.
"Hmm? What do you mean?" Gyle asked.
"Mother mentioned that you always follow the principle of not letting personal interests interfere with your duties. I just don't want you to feel as if you're breaking that principle because of me," Caron said.
Gyle had always maintained a reputation for conducting fair investigations without regard to personal interests, a principle that had allowed him to endure as the head of the national tax office for so long. Caron was clearly aware of that and was now gently probing that very point.
What a clever boy, Gyle thought, a proud smile spreading across his face as he reached out to pat Caron's head.
"Let me tell you something, as your grandfather. Principles exist so we can break them when necessary, my dear," he said.
"But still..." Caron hesitated.
"And besides, this situation isn't exactly breaking with principle. His Majesty was already planning a comprehensive tax investigation in Thebe. All that's changed is that the timing has been moved up a bit," Gyle continued.
Caron's eyes widened in surprise and exclaimed, "His Majesty, the emperor?"
"He likely intended to keep the powers in Thebe in check. So don't worry too much. This old man isn't one to be easily underestimated. Haha!" Gyle replied.
Simply put, all this meant was that a card had come into play sooner than expected. The only difference was that the ones who would benefit from the recent attack had changed. Since the Leston family now had a legitimate reason to involve themselves in Thebe, no one would be able to stop them.
Caron must have already calculated that much, Gyle thought.
Caron was a boy who had always been quick-witted, and while the attack could have been coincidental, everything that followed was certainly not.
Gyle patted Caron on the back with a proud expression and said, "I have some matters to attend to before I return to the capital, so I'll be leaving first. Take your time with breakfast and enjoy the dessert."
"Yes, Grandfather!" Caron replied cheerfully.
"See you later!" Leo added.
"You've got good manners, Leo. It's nice to see," Gyle commented.
As soon as Gyle left, Leo glanced back out the window and remarked, "The citizens sure are enthusiastic."
"Of course they are. The mayor just announced he's going to tear down some deeply entrenched powers. This city runs entirely on vested interests. When the big players fall, it opens up opportunities for the newcomers, doesn't it?" Caron remarked.
"...I still don't really get it," Leo admitted, looking puzzled.
"That's because you've been raised like a pampered flower in a greenhouse. Those born with silver spoons in their mouth never understand such things," Caron shot back.
Leo stared at Caron, slightly offended, then countered, "You were born with that same silver spoon, you know."
"It's different. You grew up in the main house, but I was raised outside. Who do you think had it harder?" Caron insisted.
"Well, I heard that your father had more money than mine," Leo countered.
That was true. Fayle had accumulated the most wealth among Halo's sons. Although Halo's influence certainly helped, that had mostly been achieved by Fayle's own efforts.
But Caron dismissed that with a straight face, retorting, "Who said that?"
"My mother did," Leo answered.
"Anyway, what I say goes. Got it? Don't get all uppity, young master of a noble house," Caron said.
At this point, it was clear Caron was being unreasonable. Leo could only sigh, realizing that trying to understand his cousin was pointless.
"...Let's just drop it," Leo muttered.
"You always pick fights even though you know you're going to lose," Caron teased.
"I only let you win because I'm older—" Leo began, but he was rapidly cut off.
"How about a morning duel? The training ground at the mansion looks pretty nice," Caron said.
He easily dismissed Leo's resistance, then took a spoonful of wine sorbet.
If it's Thebe, they'll probably forgive me for using the Sixth Prince as a hostage, Caron thought to himself.
Of course, such gifts never came without a hidden purpose.