Imperial VI-4

Inside a room of a certain empire.

The young girl was deeply troubled.

Recently, she had visited a large-scale mining facility.

She recalled the events of that day.

"Madam Veronica, we absolutely must secure the new mining site at the border."

"But the existing mining sites are already operating at full capacity. The fire crystal mine was only just acquired recently..."

"Princess Veronica, forgive me for speaking plainly, but we must look ahead. Mines won't yield infinite crystals. It's never wasteful to keep reserves on hand."

"That may be true... but I don't wish to further strain relations with the kingdom."

"A king of the Empire must not act so timidly."

"You go too far. Even if you are an old noble, your words exceed your station."

The noble, chastised by the guard, shrinks back in embarrassment.

"Both of you, be silent."

At my words, the two fell quiet. I think my voice has become clearer lately. No, that's not important right now...

"I need to think about this. I'll relay my response shortly."

Returning to my room, I begin questioning myself.

I must avoid any further large-scale conflict at all costs. If we continue arguing, it will surely escalate into a full-scale war.

That said, I could understand the noble's argument perfectly. I believe I know what he's aiming for, and the justification he's using for his actions is entirely reasonable.

After much deliberation, I decided to head to the mining site.

I should have just vented to one of the guards who’s always nearby.

On the day of departure, a crack appeared in my usual cup first thing in the morning, and I saw a black cat—almost as if warning me not to go to the mining site.

But it was too late. I changed into my usual attire and stepped outside.

After two or three days, I had collapsed at a lodging just before the mining site—exactly where I should have already arrived at my destination.

Yet, confined to the castle for so long, the cold air at the foothills was overwhelming.

I fell seriously ill, and my entire support group came to a halt.

While lying in bed, I could hear shouts coming from downstairs.

"When will Lady Veronica recover, pray?"

"As long as you keep shouting, she won't get better."

"What?! Who do you think you're speaking to, you fool! Commoner!"

"No, I'm speaking as an equal. As one who guards the princess, I am granted special privileges."

Honestly, that nobleman. I heard every word.

That nobleman's true intention...

He was definitely a staunch conservative with considerable authority.

It seems he's dissatisfied with the Empire's recent policy of reconciliation.

Then again... his territory has been struggling economically lately. He's mostly looking for new industries, actually. That's probably his real goal.

Showing off in front of me, asking for mining rights and political influence... it's not going to be that easy, you know.

In the end, the conservative noble just grumbles and heads off to the mining site alone.

The next day, by the time I was well enough to wander around the hastily prepared mansion, many of the guards, close attendants, and some of the common soldiers had already been dispatched to guard the conservative noble.

I learned of the incident that afternoon—just as I was waiting for dinner.

The conservative noble, his face flushed crimson, was carried in.

Since nearly all advanced medical expertise is attributed to me, nobles sometimes come to me during emergencies.

The noble in question was bleeding heavily from the abdomen, yet his body had turned completely pale in contrast. Even I could tell—he was in a very dangerous condition.

We immediately summoned those with medical expertise, used healing crystals, and applied every possible method to restore him. However, treatment was soon abandoned.

Too much time had passed since the injury had been sustained.

Healing crystals can mend wounds, but they cannot restore what has already been lost.

For example, even if an arm were severed, it's said that attaching it back to the wound and using a healing crystal can restore it. However, the blood lost at that moment cannot be recovered. Healing crystals are not truly omnipotent.

This case is no different.

The wound in the abdomen has been perfectly sealed. Yet, the blood lost before the patient arrived here cannot be restored.

Even to the most casual observer, the conservative noble's prognosis is grim, yet he faintly opens his eyes—dull, unfocused.

"Is that you, Louis?"

He speaks my name, staring at me. He must have had a single son once. Is he mistaking me for that son?

"Listen. The current empire is indecisive. While claiming to desire peace, it hesitates over every decision... If this continues, it will inevitably wither away like a kingdom. You must prepare yourself. A empire feared by all—correcting with strength, and using the wealth gained to... save... its people."

The nobleman had completely expired. Leaving words behind for his son, who was no longer here.

I stood there, stunned and unable to move. Of course, not a single bite of dinner passed my throat, and I stayed alone in the room, lost in thought.

"Madam Veronica, I've brought your evening meal. You must eat something, or you'll only worsen your condition."

"I don't want it. I just don't feel like eating right now."

A guard of similar age who, for some reason, had become unusually talkative lately.

Due to our similar ages and the fact that we're both men, he often takes care of things around me.

They say she's a genius swordsman.

But I'm grateful for her casual way of speaking.

She placed the meal she brought onto the table

and then, for some reason, hugged me.

"Miss Veronika, you're always so thoughtful and dedicated—well done. But if you don't rest once in a while, you'll end up full of wrinkles."

Though her words were nonsensical, they felt comforting.

"I'm just confused today, seeing things I've never seen before. Say anything, please, anything at all."

"Why, why does war even happen?"

"Uh, suddenly so heavy."

"Why do you just die on your own? Why do I have to hear something like that at the moment of death?"

I couldn't stop the tears that had started flowing on their own.

But somehow, my heart felt lighter.

During that time, the guard who had been holding me close and gently stroking my head had listened to me the entire time.

"Are you calmer now? Lady Veronica, you're truly remarkable. You've thought deeply about so many things."

"That's simply what I must do."

"Is that so? I'd probably rather just laze around, to be honest."

"But you're my knight, aren't you?"

"That's right~ Let me explain why I am a knight. It's because you care about us, after all."

"?"

"Because Lady Veronica thinks about our happiness, and devises ways to avoid war, that's why I protect you."

"Because I care about everyone..."

That's right. Everyone helps one another. I'm foolish and can't understand complicated things, but there are people who do. There are those who help me.

You can rely on them. Though you are the nation's sole empress, you are not alone at all.

That's true. When I think about it, there's always been someone by my side. It felt so normal that I never noticed how many people there actually were.

"Compared to before, you've become someone who talks a lot more, but I still didn't understand, did I? Well, I guess that's unavoidable. People don't change easily."

"I'm getting annoyed. I've decided—going forward, I'll tell you everything."

"Ah, that would be troublesome. I'm just foolish, after all."

"I don't know. Well, that's true. I was deeply wounded after seeing someone die. Because of that, I've grown lonely for human warmth, so today I'll have you sleep with me."

"Eh, wait, I've got a duty as your guard—ah, wait, you're surprisingly strong."

After that, she tightly embraced the mature-built guard knight, holding him like a pillow, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

Later, seeing the division commander angrily scolded like a blazing fire, I felt a bit satisfied having gotten my revenge.