“That’s right, Sir Fenix. I’m glad I was able to meet with you. We might be able to make it there in time.”
“Make it in time...do you mean the imperial council meeting?” That was my only scheduled appointment. Or rather, my only scheduled appointment in the capital—I still had a lot to do back home. “Right, I see. They have sent you running to tell me that the date has changed, have they not?” That is surely the reason, right?
Sir Argos nodded, clearly trying to hold back his frustration. “It is exactly as you say, Sir Fenix. Officer Raino believes they are aiming to make you late so they can say that there wasn’t enough information to come to a decision.”
“I see.” It seems those in the royal capital had actually put some thought into something for once. At the very least, they had probably figured out that I would be too busy to attend another time with the upcoming resurgence of refugees in spring. They were probably planning to go ahead with the meeting but not decide anything, and then when they attempt to hold another in spring, they could use the excuse that everyone is too busy to attend, thus postponing it even further and not having to make a decision. With such a highbrow conference like a royal council meeting, it would not be unusual for it to be postponed until January or February. After all, we were dealing with territory leaders who took their jobs seriously. If Lord Itsuki, who was probably the most serious, were to say that he had no time and could not make it, they would just say that it was fine. However, everyone knew just how “busy” those in the royal capital were. In other words, they had no interest in becoming partners with us.
I could see how mad Sir Argos was about this. “It’s obvious that those guys in the royal capital do not give a damn about the refugees. They’ve lost their homes, their hometowns, relatives, neighbors!”
“Yes. They really do not seem to care.” The longer they postponed their decision, the more of a burden the remote regions would have to carry. A month’s delay now could possibly set back the whole operation by three years, putting us at our wits’ end. Those who wished to prevent our plans knew that, and that is exactly why they were doing this. This is too convenient. I no longer have any doubts about it. The hostility is all on purpose—their lax attitudes to the rise in disputes, the issues surrounding the royal succession, there was just no other way to look at it. All this time, I have gained a lot of power. I borrowed it from others to invent new agricultural practices. I built upon it to lay paths for the Alliance. But I was not prepared to use my power to treat suffering refugees as political capital only to later ignore them. As a protector of civilization, I can’t let evil win. First, I have to find out who my opponent is... You would have to be someone in a high-ranking position to postpone the imperial council meeting. “This is the crown prince’s work,” I concluded.
“Exactly, Sir Fenix. Officer Raino was thinking the same thing,” Sir Argos confirmed. Of course. Maybe another nobleman requested it, but the person who accepted it and allowed it was the prince—my opponent. I’ll let this stupid fool discover who he needs to cross to sit on that cheap throne! He thinks he has just insulted a mere mortal, but he is actually dealing with the riot express train to hell! I will drag him around by those ostentatious clothes he wears until they are but mere threads. That, or I will leave him in absolute tatters!
“Sir Argos, would it be all right to leave my horse to you?”
“Hm? Sure, no problem. You’re leaving already, right? I’ll get it ready while you pack.”
“Ah, no, that won’t be necessary. I’m leaving my horse to you. I wish for you to ride it to the royal capital.” Sir Argos looked considerably confused by my words.
“If I’m not mistaken, that means you won’t have any way of getting there...”
“Ha ha, that is not quite the case. We both have a fine pair of legs, no?” I had already confirmed that I was faster than a horse. I headed back to my room to pack the things I would need for the meeting, only taking necessary documents and some formal clothing. As for the rest—Sorry, Sir Argos—-I left them to him.
“Well, Sir Argos, I shall be leaving now. Thank you for delivering the message. I will be sure to pay back the debt one day.” I bowed to the dutiful knight and left the inn. My destination was the home of the stupid foolish crown prince. Ha ha, you sly, slow turtle. The hare is going to catch up to you in an instant.
The next day, I arrived at the Sacula residence within the royal capital just past noon. Ha ha ha ha, I managed to arrive here in less time than a horse! It should have taken two days, but I got here in one! Even I was surprised by my world record. The guards at the residence were equally shocked when they saw me approach.
“Sir Fenix?! Hey, Sir Fenix has arrived!”
“Ah, yes, greetings. Could I bother you for a glass of water? I need to dust myself off and change clothes,” I responded. The guard ran off toward the well—abandoning his post in the process—saying that he would be right back. He did not forget to yell that I had arrived while doing so. I waited in the doorway, brushing the dust off my clothes until the knight returned with a bucket of water alongside a maid. Central region noblemen often said that the attendants who worked at the Sacula manor had no class. However, they would have been highly regarded back home—they worked fast and were wonderful at their jobs.
“Sir Fenix, you made it here early! You should still be able to make it in time!” called the maid.
“Have I just barely made it? Where is His Excellency Count Gentoh?” I asked as I removed my dusty travel clothing and washed the sweat and dust off my body.
“He has already made his way to the royal castle. The meeting will begin soon, however, His Excellency and Officer Raino have been trying to stall for time.”
“Understood. We won’t be able to meet before it starts then. Where is it being held?”
“I heard it is being held in the east wing of the royal castle,” the maid responded.