LIGHTNOVELSTORY Chapter 45
Chapter 45 Of course, there was also a very personal reason for Caesar to get to know the people who would eventually become his family.“Summerhill?”Caesar’s mind was racing, replaying his conversation with Evelyn, and was awakened by a voice speaking a familiar place name.The Emperor was looking at the Duke of Bryden with a face asking for an explanation. Apparently, the conversation had gone that far.“What family controls this region?”“The Barony of Chester.”“Baron Chester…”The Emperor’s face was still full of doubts. It was clear that he didn’t recognize the family, as he was not of a great family and didn’t frequent the palace.Caesar hurriedly intervened.“The Summerhill region is located very close to the Empire, and the culture is similar enough to make it a good place for a pilot project.”The Emperor seemed a little surprised by Caesar’s explanation, which came out as if he had been waiting for it.“Since it is surrounded by beautiful mountains, tourism business has been developing in recent years, but it’s not yet a place that has grown economically. But it is a very quiet and peaceful place. From what I’ve heard, the Baron of Chaster has been collecting taxes in a very common-sense manner, and the locals are very happy.”“I see…”“The lords are laid-back and not overly greedy, so there shouldn’t be any problems with counterfeit lucky tickets, and since they’re not financially strapped, it should be easy to sell.”The explanations that came out of Caesar’s mouth seemed to surprise the Duke of Bryden, too.“The Crown Prince seems to know the Summerhill area very well.”“No, I was studying it this time and stumbled upon… I’ve only seen it in pictures, but it’s a very beautiful place.”The area where Evelyn was born and raised was warm just like her. The distant future was a very suitable place to spend our old years together.The Duke of Bryden helped.“I’ve been there a few times myself, and it’s a beautiful place. The people are all good, too. How about this, Your Majesty? Baron Chaster isn’t a central noble, so a little empowerment won’t cause any chaos.”“Hmm…”“The sponsor will come from the Duke of Brayden.”The Emperor looked a little troubled, but then nodded. It was an offer he had no reason to refuse.“Oh, and the Crown Prince has decided to take full responsibility for this project.”“The Crown Prince?”The Emperor’s blue eyes turned to Caesar. It was hard to tell what he was thinking.“This was the first thing Your Highness suggested, and it’s not even past his fifteenth birthday. It will be a great experience to run a project at least once.”The Duke of Bryden argued strongly. It was clear from his tone that he had Caesar in his sights as the next Emperor. The Emperor must have sensed it, too.Caesar’s face hardened with tension. Perhaps he wouldn’t allow it. Or put other conditions.“Fifteen…. Yes, you are.”The Emperor’s gaze was still on Caesar, but he seemed to be looking off into the distance. With a small sigh, he finally answered.“… Yes, I see. I will leave this project to the Crown Prince.”The Duke of Bryden’s face brightened at once. The Emperor was about to say something more, but a cough came out and he covered his mouth.“Cough, then… you can leave.”“Yes, Your Majesty.”Caesar bowed and left the Emperor’s chambers with Duke Bryden.When Caesar turned around for the last time, the Emperor was staring in dismay at the blood on his hands. **** The lucky ticket project was carried out in an instant. The Duke of Bryden decided to invest all the capital needed to make the fortune ticket. On the day of the political meeting, it seems that Caesar’s appearance was very impressive.“Perhaps we should cut back on lessons and sword training for a while.”Caesar said as he returned to the Crown Prince’s palace after another long day of sword training.“To prepare for the project?”I poured the pre-prepared tea in front of him. It was accompanied by a cookie that he secretly loved but wouldn’t eat.“Yeah, I have a lot more work to do than I thought. There are many unnecessary procedures. I’d like to get it done this year, but the paperwork is the biggest problem. It’s best to use magic to prevent forgery, but the wizards of the magic tower don’t take kindly to me, do they?”“Well, yes, they are, since most of them are aligned with the aristocrats’ faction.”In particular, Lavies, the current owner of the magic tower, was even called Duke Spiegel’s henchman. As a result, even mages who aren’t interested in politics are unlikely to go against him and help us.“Isn’t there a wizard who doesn’t belong to the tower?”Caesar asked.“There must be, but most of them are either those who were fired for making a big mistake, or those who lack the ability to enter the tower? If you’re capable enough, why wouldn’t you want to go to the…”Huh? With a flash of thought, I put down the teacup.“Evelyn?”“There is!”“What?”“There are wizards who don’t belong to the tower! And a very powerful wizard!”Why didn’t I think of this in the first place?“Who is that? Do you know the person?”I nodded my head vigorously. ***** Late at night, Caesar and I sneak out of the imperial palace.It was to meet someone. A person in the most crowded street in the Empire, in a market alley, in a cabin.To meet Katana, who is not a member of the Magic Tower, but is an incredibly strong wizard!“Are you sure this bracelet makes you invisible?”Caesar asked, his robes as tightly pressed as mine.“Yes, because this was made for me by the same wizard.”I smiled confidently, put on the bracelet, and grabbed Caesar’s hand. A yellow bead was placed in the center of the magic bracelet that Katana gave her.“Everyone I came in contact with me would have the same effect.”“I see.”Caesar clasped his hands tightly together, as if he were afraid the effect would be lost if they fell apart.As the crown prince, Caesar was not allowed to leave the palace without an escort. To have an escort meant that the outing would be officially recorded.But he couldn’t afford to publicize his still-secret project. Nor did she want to give away Katana’s hiding place after fleeing the tower.“Isn’t anyone going to visit your room?”Even if they couldn’t find us outside, everything was in vain when they found out that the Crown Prince’s bedroom was empty. Just in case, I also matched up with Erinne, but I couldn’t help but feel anxious.“Don’t worry, you’re the only one coming to see me at this hour. No one cares about me.”Caesar, who spit out sad words, asked again.“I’m more worried about you than I am. Aren’t you sharing the same room with the other maids? She’d be worried if you didn’t come.”“Well, I’d be worried too, Devit is a bit talkative, but….”“Devit?”“Yes, the maid in the same room as me.”“Did there ever be such a maid?”“Don’t you know? She’s a maid at the Crown Prince’s palace…. Hm.. purple short hair?”“When you say that, I think I understand… She doesn’t seem to be a loud person.”“She’s very loud.”“Really? I’m afraid you are, and I think you should get your own room, preferably next to mine.”As if Caesar was waiting, he changed the subject. But I let his words slip out of my ears, lost in another thought.‘It’s strange that Caesar doesn’t know Devit. I thought Devitt would never stop talking, even in front of Caesar…’Either she’s a shy person, or she’s not comfortable in front of Caesar. If that’s not the case, I don’t know what is…“Evelyn, are you listening?”As Caesar grumbled, I saw a carriage in the distance.“Oh, we need to catch that carriage!”I took off the magic bracelet and waved my hand, and the carriage stopped. As I hurriedly climbed into the carriage, Caesar with a low sigh followed.“Oh, did you say something? I was thinking of something else for a moment.”Caesar shook his head as he regained his composure. ***** We exited the marketplace and entered a dark alleyway. I moved the familiar stone walls, and soon a hidden garden appeared.“Where is this place?”Caesar couldn’t hide his surprise at the sudden opening of a large garden.“Now is not the time to look around.”I led Caesar to the cabin and knocked on the door. Because Katana only dispels trap magic for me, I can now enter the cabin normally.“Evelyn, what are you doing at this hour?!”Katana opened the door and looked at Caesar’s face and stiffened. I said, glancing in front of Caesar.“Katana, I’m here to introduce you to someone, and I have a favor to ask.”“What? Who is he?”I managed to persuade Katana, who had a very wary face, to enter the cabin. Katana placed her hand on her waist and looked at Caesar.“So who are you, you?”“That is… the Crown Prince.”I said on behalf of Caesar, who looked around with a curious face.“… Crown Prince? The crown prince, the one in the palace?”“Yes.”Caesar, who had finished looking at the cabin, now looked Katana up and down.“This child… Isn’t that the one in your head?”“Huh?”“At the banquet.”Oh, come to think of it, I’d mentioned Katana while we were telepathic, and apparently he still remembered it.“A child? Funny. You don’t look that grown up either.”Katana puffed out her cheeks, perhaps more obsessed with his word choice than the stranger’s visit. As Katana said, the age difference between the two isn’t that big, but Caesar was still quite large for his age, and Katana was small for her age, so her retort didn’t really hit home.“What a rude child.”Caesar frowned, his brows furrowing deeply. It was only natural for him to be taken aback—an unknown child daring to speak so insolently to the Crown Prince.Caesar and Katana stared at each other. There seemed to be sparks between them.