Chapter 156 - Too Much Is as Bad as Too Little

Ferda stepped onto the platform and opened his mouth.

"I am Ferda Valdrova, representative of the far east and fiancé to Grand Duchess Valdrova, the great Aspect of Fire."

Since this was a council, he introduced himself with proper formality.

"Please tell us the circumstances of what the far east experienced during this crisis."

"Yes."

Ferda read through the documents Mori and Isabella had compiled together, one by one.

By fleshing out what was lacking and cutting away what was unnecessary, he was able to convey only what was essential to the incident.

Once his testimony ended, it moved straight into questioning.

"I have one point I am curious about, so I would like to ask a question."

It was Joseph Faust, the Leader of the Order of Altes.

"It says here that you were isolated for a month."

"That is correct."

"It also says that not only the water mains, but every underground waterway except the reservoirs was contaminated. How did you endure that month?"

"We discovered a new water source in the far east."

"Even if you call it a new water source, it would have been contaminated all the same. Nor did you fill it with water using climate magic."

"Yes. That is why we put it through a purification process and made it drinking water."

"By purification process, you mean?"

"I mean we removed the contamination from demonic energy using magical engineering formulas."

"Oh..."

After hearing Ferda's words, the room grew strangely even quieter.

The interests each of them held happened to align.

"I imagine there would have been health problems. What happened?"

"After purifying water contaminated by demonic energy, my opinion is that it became cleaner than most rivers."

"Whose opinion is that?"

"Blue Eye's."

Since he said it was the Aspect of Water, no one voiced any disrespectful doubt over whether the source was reliable.

Ferda deliberately added a few more words here.

"This achievement would have been impossible without Blue Eye's cooperation."

"Now that you mention it, it says here that Blue Eye produced and delivered several prototypes."

The breathing of the audience, who had been holding their breath, could be heard again.

This was why he had attributed this achievement to Blue Eye.

'Value adjustment.'

The phrase "too much is as bad as too little" did not exist for nothing.

If he praised Burnel as having accomplished it alone and raised Burnel's value, it would only become poison instead.

Burnel's public rise in value would not help the safety of the far east.

Burnel, who had been satisfied with his current environment, also agreed to Ferda's strategy for the sake of his own safety.

One thing was certain: even if they shifted the credit, Burnel was already someone whose value had risen far too high.

That was why the next question was about him as well.

"This time, I would like to ask a question. I heard that magical engineering played quite an active role even aside from that. There was an item called a magical engineering rifle."

The one who brought that up was Oldin Ruster, known as a veteran warrior.

The scar across his muscular brow seemed to gleam viciously.

He was a man who would not be out of place being called Waldemar's right hand.

"Yes."

"I do not believe there was any mention of that item to the Empire. Have you kept it secret until now?"

What an absurd question.

"As the far east serves as a barrier, we had only been focusing on developing the magical engineering rifle. And with support from the Pascal trading company, we participated in an exhibition hosted by Escolaia and demonstrated it before many nobles and merchants."

In short, he was saying that it was strange they did not know.

"It is an item that would have a direct and immediate effect on national defense within the Empire. Do you not think the imperial leadership should have known about it?"

So why did you not show it to the Empire first?

"As you know, the far east borders the Land of Demons and possesses strong autonomy. There was a sense that we went along with the atmosphere of noninterference."

You neglected us so routinely that I thought we could do whatever the hell we wanted.

That kind of exchange and the grim atmosphere continued.

It was truly strange.

To think they were treating the person who had won an overwhelming victory more harshly than Alexander, who had lost the 1st Corps.

This was what human greed was like.

Even the achievement of being a war hero bowed before avarice.

"Senior Committee Member Ruster? Let us leave it at that. Regent Ferda Valdrova, if you have nothing further to testify, you may step down."

"Yes."

In the end, Akkad stepped in midway and mediated the grim atmosphere.

"I will call the next witness. Lewis Lutenia, commander of the 2nd Regiment of the far eastern temporary alliance and deputy chief of staff."

"Yes, Mr. Chairman."

"Please give your testimony."

Lewis Lutenia explained the strategy used in the subjugation of the colossal demonic creature.

If someone had to explain that strategy, the person who oversaw it should have spoken.

In that case, it should have been Eri, the Platinum adventurer, and if she was absent, it should have been the next highest-ranking commander.

However, Olivia, who had been the chief of staff, had been left sitting in the audience.

As Lewis's explanation continued, Ferda felt something strange.

It sounded as though that entire strategy had come from Lewis Lutenia's head.

They said that for strategists, a situation like this was the same as having one's own child stolen.

What kind of reaction was she showing?

Remembering the fuss she had made, he guessed it would not be pretty and turned his head toward where she was.

Whether by coincidence or not, his eyes met Olivia's.

As if that talk did not matter to her at all, she stared straight at Ferda, smiled brightly, and waved at him.

'I do not understand her at all.'

Since this was not a situation where he could act friendly, Ferda quietly turned his head away.

Lewis finished speaking, and it did not lead into questions.

In this incident, he was a hero, not a sinner.

"With this testimony as the last, we will recess for a short time. We will resume in thirty minutes."

Voices began to surge and fill the quiet council.

The senior committee members remained seated and began speaking among themselves.

Reading the mood, Concillus subtly leaned his head toward Ferda and spoke.

"It seems they are going to reach a conclusion now."

"Which means it begins for us from here."

"That is correct."

It was time to sharpen his nerves.

At the same time, it was important to appear relaxed.

As though refreshing his mood, Ferda casually moved his feet outside.

At that moment, he happened to spot Olivia.

Someone approached her side, beautiful as befitted a Princess of the Empire, and it was Young Lord Lewis Lutenia.

"Um, Princess!"

The knights tried to stop him, but Olivia raised a hand and moved them back.

Olivia met his eyes with a courteous posture and greeted him.

"Good day, Young Lord Lutenia. Have you been well?"

Unlike the Olivia Ferda knew, she was calm.

Ferda quietly stretched his shadow there and made an ear.

"That... Princess Olivia... I have something to say to you..."

Her small finger covered the young lord's lips.

"Please do not say anything."

It did not mean she did not want to speak with him.

Her two moist eyes and the breath slipping from her slightly parted lips.

She looked as though she understood the inner workings of this tragedy all too well.

"I know. I know you did not intend for that to happen... You have a duty to bring glory to House Lutenia, do you not?"

"I..."

"So there is no need to take it to heart. To me... there is something more important than such a small thing, is there not?"

"What is this more important thing..."

She clasped both hands together and held a smile on her lips.

"What matters to us is that everyone joined forces and overcame this hardship. Even if the credit is misunderstood by others, if we know it among ourselves..."

Ferda flinched in surprise when he saw that.

Her actions carried not her usual seductiveness, but piety.

"That alone makes me happy."

He wondered what effect that act could possibly have, but it certainly produced one.

Lewis's expression hardened even more.

Lewis had naturally thought she would resent and curse him.

But the answer that came back was forgiveness far too pious.

Lewis's face flushed bright red.

"Then I will take my leave..."

"Ah..."

He turned his head and slipped away as if fleeing.

At the same time, he loathed his own pettiness and regretted it.

Olivia watched his back with a wistful expression.

'Has reaching the 4th Circle truly changed her as a person?'

The Red Circle was based on emotion, and the greater that emotion grew, the more one was bound to sink into it.

Just as reaching the 5th Circle through hatred would make one a madman,

if one reached the 5th Circle through faith, one would become closer to what the world called a saint.

If that theory was correct, there must have been a great change in her heart as well.

He stopped secretly eavesdropping on their conversation and approached Olivia.

"Oh my, Regent."

Olivia welcomed him with a clap of her hands.

"I greet you, Princess."

"I greet the great Consort of Fire. Have you been well?"

"Yes."

"I imagine this is your first time at the Golden Council... If it is not too rude, I could show you around a little."

There was a hidden intent in those friendly words.

It meant she wanted to walk together and talk.

"Then I will not refuse..."

He smiled brightly and accompanied the Princess.

The knights watched them from a sufficient distance away.

Ferda was the first to raise a topic in a quiet voice.

"It seems you are drawing closer to becoming the Saintess."

"What do you mean?"

"I would not have been able to forgive him, so I did not expect you to let it pass so gently."

"Oh my, forgive?"

Her long eyelashes fluttered as if she were playing innocent.

"Is that not what it was?"

"Did I not tell you?"

Olivia turned her head slightly.

A cold shadow settled over her smiling expression.

"I never forgive anyone who betrays me."

He had asked just in case, and sure enough.

There was no way Olivia, ambitious for a career in politics, would forgive someone who stole her achievements.

"I am preparing to pin a great deal on Lewis, that man, when the time comes for him to make a mistake. I do not know how enjoyable it will be when he sees his right of succession stolen by my younger sibling because of some ridiculous mistake he made."

"The reason you acted that way was..."

"It is simply because it is about time I changed my image."

"You mean the Saintess."

"Yes, the Saintess."

She held the amulet hanging around her neck and made a show of praying.

"To the world, as though I have finally received the call of god, and to the nobles, as though I have laid everything down."

Speaking with her like this made it clear that Olivia was the same as ever.

It would have been a problem if the Red Circle had changed her state of mind, but fortunately, that was not the case.

"Now I only need to obtain the fifth enlightenment."

"It will not be easy."

"It will not be easy, but it will not be the same as before."

He wondered if she meant it would be easier, but she was talking about the external environment.

"From the moment one reaches the fourth enlightenment, they call it the 'sign.' From then on, one can officially request lessons from the Order of Altes."

"Lessons regarding the Saintess?"

"Yes."

She was a jewel.

If a jewel sprouted legs and was about to run far away, did it make sense to sit still?

"A Princess has obtained the fourth enlightenment as a follower of Altes, and that fact is already known to the world. Because of their image, the Order has no choice but to make the offer, and for the balance of power, the imperial family has no choice but to allow it. That is why Joseph Faust, that man, is on my side."

Even if they had secured one of the five senior committee members, the other four were still enemies.

He simply took it as information and decided to ask about her affairs.

"In that case, what happens to your duties as a Princess?"

"I must do both. Even so, my social duties will be reduced, so I am satisfied with that alone."

Was that not usually the other way around?

For Olivia, who hated exchanging meaningless pleasantries while saying things she did not mean, it was simply good news.

Of course, when she delivered that news, she had wept floods of false tears.

"I am asking just to be safe."

Olivia asked cautiously.

"You are aware that this postwar conference is targeting you, Regent, yes?"

Ferda nodded.

"Yes. They were saying it looks like they are about to reach a conclusion."

"That will not be the case. I think it will lead into a second round of questioning. Something like, 'You could have stopped the colossal demonic creature in advance, so why did you fail to stop it?'"

What Olivia described was one of the likely scenarios that could have come up during the meeting.

"What do you think I should do, Princess?"

"When one gets too greedy, one is bound to get badly burned. You will have to give something up. Give them one thing they want."

Giving something up...

What she said was the most realistic advice.

The Empire was enormous and strong.

Even in this council, those on the far east's side were a tiny minority.

If those people wanted to create a pretext to interfere, they would find a way to create one.

He thought about talking a little more, but he could not continue the conversation any further.

There were still fifteen minutes left, but someone they happened to meet prevented their conversation from continuing.

"Oh, so we meet here."

Waldemar Gold.

He walked over with a broad smile.

Olivia put on a mask when she saw him.

"I greet the great Grand Duke."

"Ha ha, to meet you like this, Princess, what a coincidence."

"Indeed."

Then Olivia subtly took hold of Ferda's arm.

Just as he wondered what this woman was doing,

Ferda noticed Waldemar's aura change for an instant.

He was looking at that arm with an air of extreme displeasure.

Then, as if none of that had happened, as if it had been an illusion, he once again wore a good-natured smile.

"The meeting will resume soon, so should you not be heading back?"

"We were just about to return."

"You had best prepare yourself."

"I suppose so. Regent, shall we return?"

"I have something to discuss with Miss Olivia for a moment, so go ahead first."

It was not a request for permission, but an order.

With that, Ferda was certain.

This old man.

He harbored impure intentions toward Olivia.

"If the Grand Duke has something to say, then I suppose I must end my guidance here."

Olivia let go of his hand and walked lightly toward Waldemar.

After taking about three steps, she turned her head and said this.

"Please think carefully about what I told you."

Her eyes curved in a subtle smile.

As Ferda returned to the chamber, he thought again about what Olivia had said.

She had said that in order to protect many things, he had to give something up.

What was it that he had to give up in this situation?

Ferda was still not certain about any of it.

"We will reconvene. We senior committee members have had a short discussion on how to handle this matter."

As if it was short.

He knew perfectly well they had discussed it in close detail until last night.

"The loss of the legion under Crown Prince Alexander Arken is a tragedy that can never be spoken of lightly. However...!"

As expected.

"Because this incident was so extremely unusual, we have decided that it is necessary to discuss whether it could have been guarded against in advance."

It was unfolding exactly as Ferda had thought.

"Therefore, before moving on to a conclusion, we will proceed to a second meeting. This agenda will be: 'Was advance prevention completely impossible?'"

Now it was time for the sinner to change.