Chapter 27: The Honest Ivern
“Hey, did you hear?”
“What is it, merchant?”
“…Enough with the teasing. I’m getting tired of it.”
“Teasing? I’m just sharing my honest thoughts.”
“That’s still annoying. So, what information did you bring this time?”
One day, Ivern came not only to visit Yulia but also to deliver supplies. He mentioned he had some new information, so I decided to hear him out.
“Weimar declared war on Admos.”
“Oh? Did they actually handle it properly this time?”
As I said that, Ivern slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
“Is it really your fault…?”
“Well, yeah. I told them I wouldn’t mind if they attacked Admos, but they begged me to stop that. So I told them to handle it themselves.”
“…You really know how to threaten people.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. Admos was targeting you, but they were also after Meileen. I can’t imagine you hesitating against such an opponent. You were planning to turn Admos into a wasteland, weren’t you?”
“Oh, you figured it out well.”
When I confirmed Ivern’s words, he gave a wry smile.
“…Well, we’ve been friends for quite a while now. To Weimar, Admos is a neighboring country. If that country were to disappear…”
“They’d be in trouble with the Demon Tribe invading Weimar, right?”
As I said that, Ivern shot me a pointed look.
“You… you knew that, didn’t you?”
“Not really? At that time, I was genuinely considering going to crush Admos, but taking down an entire country takes a lot of effort, you know? It started to feel like a hassle, and if I destroyed a country, I’d just be labeled a villain again. It’s Admos that’s the real bad guy.”
“…Isn’t that why you’d be seen as a villain for taking down an entire nation?”
“Is that so? Ah, maybe you’re right. So I thought if I let Weimar handle it, the hate would be directed at them instead.”
Honestly, that was about all I had considered.
“Ugh… Well, Weimar probably thought that if they let you attack, Admos would be turned to ash. They must have thought it was better to deal with it themselves…”
“But what?”
“Unfortunately, it seems the hate didn’t end up directed at Weimar.”
“Huh? Why not?”
“Apparently, the rumor going around is that Weimar declared war on Admos because you ordered them to.”
“Huh?”
Why did it turn out like that?
Did Weimar do something unnecessary again?
Is this another case where Weimar needs to be punished? Just as I was thinking that, Ivern began to explain the situation.
“You made Princess Victoria perform dogeza in front of a crowd, right?”
“That’s not true. She was the one who started with dogeza.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah.”
“Well, even if that’s the case, a lot of people saw the princess bowing down. Then Weimar declared war on Admos afterward. It’s not surprising that the public would think that way.”
“Seriously? That royal family really doesn’t do anything right.”
Should I really crush them?
“Hey, don’t get any weird ideas, alright? If you do that, the World Union will be formed to take you down for real.”
“What? Have you learned to read my mind now?”
That’s creepy.
“I told you, we’ve been friends for a while. Seeing that bad look on your face makes it obvious you’re considering ‘Should I crush Weimar?'”
“Oh, you hit the nail on the head.”
“Ugh… Not something to be happy about. Seriously, stop it, okay? You might actually win against the World Union, but if that happens, the world would truly end. Then Meileen and the kids wouldn’t get their supplies.”
“That would be a big deal. I’ll hold off.”
Making Meileen and the kids suffer is out of the question.
“…Honestly, using family as leverage is the most effective way to stop you.”
“Is that something I can say to the person in question?”
I know Ivern is an honest person, but isn’t that a bit too honest?
“I don’t mind. I only speak the truth.”
“You’re too honest, Ivern.”
I feel like he’s going to end up regretting this someday.
“It’s fine. I’ve decided to live honestly. I don’t want to lie.”
“Oh?”
I get the feeling there’s a backstory behind Ivern living so truthfully.
Well, I don’t want to pry and get dragged into something weird, so I’ll keep my mouth shut.
“So, the honest me has one more rumor to share with you.”
“What is it? There’s still more?”
I asked, feeling a bit exasperated, and Ivern grinned.
“Apparently, Weimar has submitted to your military command.”
…Huh?
“What!?”
Another troublesome rumor is spreading!? Come on!!
“Is Weimar just ignoring that rumor?”
“They’re probably too busy preparing for war to care.”
“Seriously… Should I go ask them again?”
“That’s more of a threat disguised as a request. Just drop it. Besides, it’s probably more convenient for you this way.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
Genuinely confused, I asked Ivern, who suddenly wore a mischievous expression.
“If everyone believes Weimar has submitted to your command, fewer countries will try to approach you, right? After all, this is Weimar territory. If they want to get close to you, they’d have to invade Weimar. If they think Weimar is under your command…”
“…They’ll be too cautious to make a move, huh?”
“Exactly.”
Ah, I see.
Even false rumors can be used like that.
“How do you come up with this stuff?”
I’m all about combat strength.
I don’t understand anything about politics or military strategy.
…Wait? Am I becoming a musclehead?
As I trembled at this shocking realization, Ivern continued speaking.
“Since Yulia is here, I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.”
The look on Ivern’s face was one of determination.
“Oh, you’re starting to sound like an evil strategist.”
“That would make you the evil leader, but is that okay with you?”
“…Sorry, I went too far.”
That’s a bit too much of a chuunibyou moment.
Anyway, I decided to leave the rumors about Weimar alone.
It seems more convenient that way, and besides, I didn’t spread that rumor in the first place.
Let them misunderstand all they want.