[Raul's PoV]
I don't know exactly what happened to Elena earlier to make her feel this down. However, as her supporter, I must motivate and assist her both physically and mentally.
Right now, she is resting her head on my shoulder. It seems she is quite stressed by the succession race and the betrothal she mentioned earlier. Regarding that—did the Emperor fast-track the engagement between Elena and Prince Vlad of the Draconia Kingdom? If so, it means the war between the Empire and the Venetian Republic isn't far off.
I glanced at the headstone beside us. The name 'Liana de Grantz' was inscribed upon it.
This character was an "Easter Egg" my friend created to mock me when Liana and I ended our relationship. He intentionally placed this reference in the game to rub salt in the wound after Liana left me. For some reason, holding another woman in front of this grave makes me feel a slight twinge of guilt, even though we ended things over a year ago.
"Hey Raul, are you going back tomorrow?" Elena asked, still leaning on my shoulder. "If so, we should head back to the academy together."
It's true; academy activities will resume in a few days. Most students will likely start heading back from their hometowns as the holiday ends.
"But don't you still need to be here to talk to other nobles? To pull them into our faction?"
Immediately after I asked that, her head shook, followed by a cute little laugh. Elena raised her face and looked at me with those beautiful blue eyes.
"What? I thought you said you were going to cover for my shortcomings?" Elena said, smiling. "I'm not exactly an expert at talking politics with nobles, you know."
"Ughhh... won't it be obvious that my family supports you in the election if I do that?" I replied, not particularly fond of the idea.
"Fufufu~ I'm just kidding," Elena said, stepping back. "Alright, let's head back to the Palace. Staying out here too long will give us a chill."
***
[Alisha's PoV]
This is my first time leaving the Slavic Tsardom. Currently, we are at the border of the Aragon Empire and the Venetian Republic—specifically at the port of Lorentia, a Republic territory located on the coast of the Gulf of Cosentia.
We arrived here after sailing for 18 days. The journey wasn't very comfortable, as we had to navigate around a storm in the Weimar Sea. Unlike my homeland, the weather here is quite warm despite the approaching winter. Numerous ships are docked at the port, and merchants are overflowing onto the city streets, making the atmosphere incredibly vibrant.
This nation truly could be called the center of the world; its strategic position is nothing like my own country's. I suppose traveling abroad once in a while will be good for Anastasia to broaden her perspective on the world.
Tok! Tok! Tok!
I heard a knock on my inn room door.
"Come in, it's unlocked."
The door opened to reveal a gray-haired man dressed in butler attire.
"Ah, Leon. Back from your investigation?" I asked. "I told you, didn't I? There's no need to go to such trouble."
Why bother investigating my fiancé-to-be? As long as the cooperation remains intact, everything will be fine. Duke Alvaro promised that the first cargo shipment to our country would depart today. I've already seen the cargo containing the equipment Duke Alvaro promised at the port. It seems he truly intends to cooperate with us. Duke Alvaro's envoys will head to the Slavic Tsardom to begin building production sites in areas safe from monster raids.
"I have to make sure this Raul de Garcia isn't a scoundrel, Alisha," Leon replied, approaching me as I sat by the window.
"And if he is a scoundrel, what then? Cancel the cooperation our country so desperately needs?" I asked in return.
Hearing my words, Leon could only look down in silence. I could only sigh at his overprotectiveness. I stood up and touched his cheek, prompting Leon to look into my eyes.
"Hey, I appreciate your efforts to protect me, Leon," I said softly, stroking his cheek. "But have a little faith in me, okay? Whoever this Raul is, I'm sure I can handle him."
Leon wore a look of resignation.
"Besides, I've found something far more interesting than my fiancé, Leon."
"Huh? What kind of interesting thing?"
I then explained the situation with the merchants here. Upon closer look, there isn't a single caravan or official merchant from the Empire present. After looking into it, I found it's because the Venetian Republic authorities impose high taxes on merchants from the Empire, making them think twice before opening trade posts here.
Furthermore, they harass cargo originating from the Empire intended for export to other nations—like Duke Alvaro's cargo meant for my country. They held it at the port three times longer than usual.
"If this continues, conflict between the Republic and the Empire will break out soon," I explained to Leon. "Do you know what this means?"
"Oh ughh... I don't follow, Alisha," Leon replied, looking confused.
"It means war, Leon!" I exclaimed. "My prediction: war will break out by mid-next year or earlier, given the conditions here."
However, I still don't know if this war will be good or bad for my country. The Slavic Tsardom has good relations with both the Empire and the Venetian Republic. However, our main mining exports go mostly to the Republic. Will they demand we cut ties with the Empire if war starts?
I don't know...
"Leon, how much longer until we reach Grunbelt Academy?" I asked.
"If I'm not mistaken... about 12 more days of travel, Alisha."
Ughh... still that long? I suppose I'll have to buy some books to kill the boredom during the trip.
***
[3rd PoV]
The Kingdom of Draconia is a nation founded by the Wallachian people and surrounding tribes 400 years ago. It borders the Empire, the Grand Duchy of Wiena, and the Kingdom of Pulishia to the south; the Republic to the west; the Novgorod Federation to the north; and the Kingdom of Britonia to the east.
This strategic location makes their nation vital for connecting the Western and Eastern continents. This is why many nations seek an alliance with the Kingdom of Draconia. Currently, Draconia holds no formal alliances with its neighbors. Their last alliance with the Novgorod Federation ended following the death of Princess Diara mel Dracus—the sister of King Radu mel Dracus, the current ruler—two years ago. That alliance had been built on a marriage between the two ruling families.
At the moment, King Radu was in his study with a mysterious man wearing a black turban.
"Karim, is there a report important enough to bring you here?" the King asked.
"Forgive the interruption while you are busy, Your Majesty," Karim said with a bow. "We have received a letter from the Empire."
Karim handed over a piece of paper sealed with the Imperial crest. The King opened the letter and read its contents. His expression shifted once he finished.
"Our prediction seems to have been correct, Karim," the King said, stroking his chin in thought. "The Empire is inviting Vlad to be an exchange student at their academy."
"Does that mean war is truly coming, Your Majesty?"
"You're right. Begin the plans we prepared immediately," the King commanded. "This is our chance to weaken that nation."
"Understood, Your Majesty."
As Karim was about to leave the room, the King suddenly stopped him. "Karim, call the boy. Tell him to face me here immediately."
Karim nodded and left the King's study. He walked toward the palace dungeons. He knew well that the boy the King referred to loved staying in the dungeons to pass the time with his unique hobbies.
Before long, Karim arrived at the dungeon door. He paused when he heard the screams of someone inside.
"Aggghhh! Please, please, please! Stop this!"
—Splat!
"Scream louder! Only then will I forgive you!"
—Splat! Splat! Splat!
"Aghhhh! Stop it! I beg of you, Prince!"
Karim knocked on the dungeon door, causing the sounds from within to cease.
"Prince Vlad, you are summoned by His Majesty," Karim announced.
"Come in here and speak to me," the Prince answered from inside.
The moment Karim opened the door, he was met with the metallic scent of blood filling the room. Several human corpses lay scattered across the floor of the pitch-black chamber.
Tap... Tap... Tap...
The sound of footsteps approached. Cold sweat began to bead on Karim's body as he felt a powerful magical aura in the room.
"Ah, it's you, Karim. Why is Father calling me at this time of night?"
A man with jet-black hair appeared before Karim. His face, drenched in human blood, gave him a terrifying appearance.
"It seems the Empire is approaching us for an alliance, just as you predicted last year, Prince," Karim revealed.
"Guuaahahahaha!"
Upon hearing Karim's words, Prince Vlad burst into laughter. He clutched his face, unable to contain his peaking excitement.
"Excellent, excellent! Well then, are they betrothing me to Princess Elena immediately, or just inviting me to join their academy?" the Prince asked.
"They have only invited you to study at Grunbelt Academy, Prince," Karim answered.
"Heee~ They are being quite cautious," the Prince muttered. "But no matter. I'll have some fun at that academy before the war begins!"