"Precisely. I want us at the Adventurers' Guild to deal with it on our own before the empire intervenes and causes confusion."
"I can understand that, but I'm not going to just sit here in the South waiting for a sea dragon that could show up anytime and anywhere, or nowhere and never. I'll head over there once it shows itself. Does that work?"
"Well, I suppose that's acceptable. I'll let everyone know the plan. Things are complicated enough in the empire lately with the battle for the throne going on. I don't want anyone trying to intervene if possible. Get yourself over there as soon as there's word of the dragon's appearance."
"Roger that," I answered back then ended the call.
So top-secret information had been leaked from the Adventurers' Guild... That didn't sound good. It gave me the impression someone was trying to use the sea dragon crisis as an opportunity to make a grand gesture for their own glory. If we didn't do a good job of stopping them, the situation could turn into a real mess. It turned out a quick visit to the capital was in order after all.
"Thanks. That's all I need for now."
"Y-you're welcome!"
After exchanging a few words with the Guild clerk, I left the branch office.
Well, it looked like I'd be transporting myself to the capital tomorrow. I could check in on Finne and find out how the empire planned to intervene with the sea dragon.
If they were working toward a serious intervention, crushing their plan outright would be a bad idea, since it would also have an effect on my position as Silver. The ideal course of action would be to somehow resolve the crisis while allowing both the empire and the Adventurers' Guild to save face.
"Well, I guess I'll think more about that after I get back," I muttered to myself, as Arnold. I had dispelled the illusion and resumed my appearance as the prince.
There was a possibility that Finne and the others had gotten themselves is so much trouble that I wouldn't be able to handle anything else. I wouldn't know if things were that bad until I was back in the capital.
"I just hope they're not doing anything reckless."
As harmless as Finne appeared, she could definitely be reckless sometimes. During the fight against the vampires, she'd climbed the clock tower without a second thought for her own safety and then prioritized grabbing the whistle even while falling to her possible death.
She regarded her own life too lightly sometimes. I just hoped that side of her wasn't coming out in my absence.
There was plenty on my mind to worry me as I returned to the castle.
2
The next morning, I claimed to be feeling poorly and remained in my room.
Then I created an illusion of myself on the bed so it would appear as if I was asleep.
After that, I used transfer magic to transport myself to a town near the empire's southern border, and then once more to reach the capital.
My final destination was my great-grandfather's secret room. When I arrived, I was greeted by a familiar face, but my great-grandfather wasn't there. He must've been taking a nap inside a book. Even being a spirit didn't mean he was perpetually awake. His mental condition still suffered without proper rest.
"Welcome home."
"Hey, Sebas. How did you know I'd be back today?"
"I didn't. I've been waiting every day."
"Every day? Sheesh. Isn't that being a little overly dedicated?"
"One would not be fit to be a steward without dedication to the job, Your Highness."
Sebas handed me Silver's mask and cape.
As I changed, I asked him about the state of affairs.
"How's everything going?"
"The battle for influence is going well. Miss Lynphia has proven to be an extraordinary asset."
"Good. I guess bringing her on board was the right decision."
"Indeed. However, I'm slightly concerned about Lady Finne."
"Finne? What did she do?"
Sebas' wording and tone made it fairly apparent that nothing bad had happened to her. He wouldn't have been so calm about it otherwise.
I reassured myself while he began answering.
"On Miss Lynphia's suggestion, she and Lady Finne had a meeting with the representative of Demi-Humans Inc. Lady Finne managed to persuade the company to cooperate with our faction's efforts, but—"
"Hang on a second. I thought I told you not to let her out of your sight. I trust Lynphia well enough, but it's too early to trust her absolutely."
"I'm very sorry. I simply thought that if Miss Lynphia and I both accompanied Lady Finne, it might invite undue apprehension."
"...Okay, whatever. So? How did Finne persuade them?"
"As I heard it, she offered herself as part of the deal. She presented the idea of allowing the company the right to use her in whatever manner they wished, and then asked what they might be able to offer in return. They were forced to concede they had nothing of comparable value to offer, then readily agreed to give us their full cooperation instead. Their request came as no surprise. They wanted the right to use Lady Finne's name."
"Oh man..." I sighed. It was just as I'd feared.
I'd known Finne was selfless, but that was extreme. She'd probably thought it would be a fair trade even if they had been able to offer something equaling her own worth.
"What am I going to do with her?"
"One could say the same about you."
Suddenly a third voice joined in, and a small, faintly transparent old man came with it.
It was my mentor and great-grandfather.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You don't give one whit about your own reputation. If you're going to talk about being selfless, don't forget you could say the exact same for yourself."
"It makes sense in my case, though. Sacrificing my reputation like that makes it easier for me to get things done without scrutiny."
"And what if the girl is thinking something similar? That it makes sense for her, too? That it's easier that way? It's so sad, Sebas, and it's the same in every generation. Such a travesty that children never get the chance to just be children."
"I completely concur."
The two older men gave tragic sighs. It was kind of awkward. They were making it feel like somehow I was the one at fault here. Give me a break.
"If only someone had thought to do away with the tradition of fighting for the throne while he was emperor, then maybe I would've gotten to stay a child longer."
"If a wise emperor were always guaranteed to be born, then someone likely would have done away with the tradition, yes...but it just isn't realistic. That is why we have the conflict for the throne, so that even someone not quite cut out to be an emperor can manage to become a passable one. What is much rarer is to have several able candidates at once."
Ugh. Great-Grandfather always found a way to force his own twisted logic on everyone else. The frustration building up inside of me was close to spewing out, but knowing that complaining wouldn't do any good, I headed for the door without a word.
"Arn?"
"What now?"
"Don't blame the girl. I'm sure you understand?"
"...Yeah, I know. You don't have to tell me that."
I did know. I wasn't in any position to be blaming her.
I silently grumbled while casting illusion magic to make myself invisible, then left the room.