Elna knew that I was trying to help Leo become emperor, and naturally, she also knew that I was fighting with the other three front-runners over influence. But that was all in a supporting role to Leo. She wouldn't have had the slightest clue that, apart from that support, I was also working secretly with an SS-class adventurer. Hearing about it left her too stunned to speak.
"I was in contact with Silver during the incident with the vampires in the eastern region. And again this time, he's been working behind the scenes helping Leo. Since it would be too obvious if they were in direct contact, I've been acting as a sort of cover."
"...Does Leo know about this?"
"I've told him the gist, but he doesn't know just how nefarious some of our actions have been. Like this time, Silver was actually already in the southern region, but in order to benefit Leo's bid for the throne, I asked him to go to the capital, where he got in contact with Finne and Lynphia and prevented any military troops from being dispatched. Basically, I had Silver prioritize our fight for the throne at the expense of people's lives."
"Is it...for the sake of your own survival? Would your brothers and sister really kill you or Leo?"
I'd explained all that to her before, but apparently she still didn't quite believe it and needed to hear it from me again. I got the feeling she hadn't really taken me seriously when I said I'd almost been assassinated. She'd probably interpreted it as a mere threat rather than a genuine attempt on my life.
Back when Elna and Leo and I were always hanging out together, when the crown prince was still alive, that sort of thing just wasn't in the air. Erik and the crown prince had both been determined and focused, but they weren't the kind of brothers who'd think to murder anyone. Gordon was focused solely on his life in the military, and Zandra was dedicated to her training as a mage.
Yes, life was peaceful back then. But with the crown prince's death, the opportunity to succeed the emperor was left wide open. The crown prince's existence had kept our other three siblings' ambitions in check. Once he was gone, they had been unleashed.
During the next several years of fighting for throne, they lost all sense of kindness. I could answer Elna's question with complete confidence.
"Not would—they will kill us. And they'll kill our friends and family, too. That's why I'll do whatever it takes to see Leo become emperor. I told you back during the festival to stay away from me, remember? You're about to cross a dangerous line. If you side with us, not only you but the entire Amsberg household will be seen as the enemy. Is that what you want?"
"The Amsberg household doesn't get involved in politics. I grew up being taught that... That we were to live by the sword."
"That's wise. The Amsbergs are too powerful, for better or worse."
"But there's something I decided on a long time ago, Arn. Something I told myself I'd never compromise over."
"What's that?"
Elna took a deep breath. I had a feeling she was about to say something crazy. But I couldn't stop her. I'd never successfully stopped her from doing anything before, and I knew that wasn't going to change.
"That I won't abandon you. I made that vow to myself when we were kids, and I won't break it even if it means going up against the emperor. If you're serious about putting Leo on the throne, I'll support you. Whatever you're determined to do, I'll do whatever I can to help. If my family gets in the way, I'll disown my name. I take my vows more seriously than anything else."
"...You're a terrible imperial knight, and a terrible heir to your family. You don't care about that?"
"I'm stubborn in my ways. You know that as well as anyone."
"I guess... Well, to be honest, I do appreciate your willingness to stick by me. I just need you to keep it under wraps for a while. If your household agrees to fully ally with us, our influence will become the most powerful. And that will open us up for an all-out attack from the others."
"I understand that. I'll make sure no one knows I'm helping you."
"I doubt that's possible for you."
"Don't insult me! I can totally do it!" Elna asserted indignantly.
There was no way I could trust her. But that was okay. I just had to wield her the same way she wielded her sword.
"Ahh! I feel so much better after getting all that off my chest! Now I'm raring to get to work!"
"Did you hear anything I just said? I don't want you doing anything that's going to draw attention."
"Oh, come on. What's wrong with a little enthusiasm? Oh, and by the way. Now that we're officially partners, no more secrets, all right? You're not hiding anything else from me, are you? If you are, tell me right now, and I won't be mad."
"Hmm... Oh yeah. When you joined the Imperial Guard, do you remember that I gave you pearls as a congratulations gift?"
"Yeah. You traveled all over the empire to find them, right?"
"About that... It seemed like such a hassle, I actually had Leo go and buy the— Ugh?!"
"I hate you!" Elna yelled out and punched me in the stomach so hard that I fell to the floor of the carriage in agony.
She said she wouldn't be mad... Unfortunately, I couldn't get any words of protest out.
As I lay there grimacing in pain, I also felt relieved to have successfully avoided her finding out my most important secret of all. She still didn't know that Silver and I were the same person. On top of that, I'd managed to obtain her pledge of total support.
I'd sure accomplished a lot down in the South. But at the same time, I was worried about what would happen when I returned to the capital.
Leo had made some meritorious achievements. He would probably be rewarded, and if so, that would change how Father saw him. He would go from being the newcomer in the battle for influence and the throne to a competitor on equal footing with the other three front-runners. Once that happened, Erik, who so far hadn't seen us as much of a danger, would also start taking action against us.
The battle for the throne would get even fiercer than before.
I warned myself that I couldn't afford any more careless mistakes like I'd made earlier and decided to take the pain in my stomach as a lesson well learned.