[Alisha POV]
Six months have passed since I returned from the Aragon Empire. Currently, the Slavic Tsardom has begun to recover from the monster incursion that devastated many regions of this country.
It is all thanks to the investment from the Garcia family. With their funds, we were able to rebuild everything and begin our rise from the depths of despair.
"Alisha, what is your view on the outcome of the war between the Aragon Empire and the Venetian Republic?"
I was in Father's study, discussing the end of the war. Surely, the outcome of this conflict will affect not only the two nations involved but also the other countries surrounding them.
"In my opinion, politically, the war was won by the Empire, while economically, it was won by the Venetian Republic," I answered Father.
I then explained that the Empire's political relations with the nations of the western continent improved due to the construction of production sites and the establishment of fixed pricing in their markets there. However, due to the war reparations paid to the Venetian Republic, the costs of building those production sites, and their inability to monopolize prices, the Empire's treasury will drop drastically.
This will certainly impact their economy for the next one to two years.
On the other hand, although their western territories were devastated, the Venetian Republic will continue to receive substantial revenue from taxes generated by goods entering from the Empire. However, their influence over the economy of the western continent will diminish slightly.
I do not know why they agreed to this peace pact. Could it be they have long-term plans prepared for the current scenario?
I don't know.
What is certain is that their people have always understood the business matters of this continent better than anyone else.
"Is that so?" Father muttered, seemingly contemplating my analysis. He then smiled at me with an unusual expression.
"What is it, Father?" I asked.
"It's nothing, Alisha. Father is just happy that you have grown into a beautiful woman who is very clever at managing the affairs of this country."
I gave a wry smile at Father's words. Although I desperately want to lead this country toward a better future, the remainder of my life is less than a single year.
"But, I am glad our country has finally recovered from last year's crisis," I said sincerely.
"Exactly, and it is all thanks to your engagement to the son of Duke Alvaro—Raul de Garcia," Father said, his tone shifting. "However, Alisha... I fear that karma will befall us for doing this."
Karma, is it?
What Father was referring to was our agreement with the Garcia family.
By providing our country with hundreds of thousands of Gulden in investment to rebuild our ruined territories, the Garcia family requested their heir's engagement to me in exchange.
However, because my life will not last much longer, this agreement could be considered unfair because, in the end, our side is the one reaping the benefits. Nevertheless, I always reassured Father that what we did was not wrong. For the welfare of this country, we must do whatever it takes, even if it means using underhanded methods like this.
"Don't worry, Father." I held his cold hand. "No matter what future we face, this country will always stand tall and strong."
"Thank you, Alisha."
After chatting for a while, Father stood up and prepared to leave the room. It was unusual for Father to go out at a time like this.
"Where are you going, Father?" I asked him.
"Ah, I am going to meet Duke Alvaro at one of the production sites to discuss the progress of the project," Father answered casually.
"But why didn't you just invite him here? You shouldn't have to leave the palace just to meet him, right?" I asked again.
"Alisha, I and this country owe him a great debt," Father said as he put on his winter coat. "I do not want him to feel slighted after he has helped this country so much."
"Is that so?" I muttered, feeling a slight chill of worry.
For some reason, I had a bad premonition about this.
I watched as Father opened the door. He then smiled at me and said, "Good night, Alisha."
"Yes... Good night, Father. Please be careful on the road."
He nodded and closed the door, leaving me alone in the room.
***
[Duke Alvaro POV]
In the middle of the night, amidst this freezing weather, I am inside a room at the production site built to supply the equipment needed by this country.
Before long, my meeting with Tsar Feodor will begin. He is undoubtedly on his way here. Currently, I am sitting at my desk, reading reports on the outcome of the war between the Aragon Empire and the Venetian Republic.
I was quite surprised because the results did not align with my previous predictions. At that time, I thought the Empire would lose, considering the poor state of their military system, which was supposed to have been modernized.
— Meow...
While I was reading the report, I suddenly heard the sound of a cat meowing. I immediately stood up and bowed my body forward, as if welcoming someone.
— Shriingg!
Suddenly, a blinding light was created. I then heard the sound of footsteps inside the room.
"You chose a gloomy place to execute your plan, Alvaro."
I straightened my body. Before me now stood a woman with black hair and beautiful bluish skin, possessing a sensual body. At a glance, she looked like an ordinary woman. However, the true identity of this woman is that of an extremely dangerous creature.
She is an Archdemon, and her name is Lilith ur Luciferus—the youngest daughter of the Demon King. It remains a mystery how an Archdemon like her could enter the Barrier placed by the Goddess without a mass magical sacrifice.
"Welcome, Princess," I greeted her.
"Hmm... You're reading reports about that war, I see," the woman said, scanning the documents on the desk.
"Indeed. The outcome was quite beyond my expectations," I revealed to her.
"Hooo~ Is this the work of the person occupying your son's body again?" the Demon asked me.
"I do not know," I replied. "But since that person entered my son's body, the predictions I make have always missed the mark. He is an unpredictable variable."
"Then why don't you just deal with him?" the Demon asked again.
"I am still being cautious because I do not wish to underestimate someone capable of killing a Holy Knight," I answered. "If I move recklessly, I might be the one who dies at his hands."
Preparation is essential in executing a plan. Therefore, if I am not certain I can eliminate the man inside Raul's body, I will delay it for now. I will strike him at a moment he least expects.
"Changing the subject," the Demon said, staring at me with her crimson eyes. "After this war, the Empire did not weaken as you predicted. So, do you have another plan to make the nation that will trouble us demons weak and helpless?"
"Of course, Princess," I replied, smiling at her as I contemplated the scenario. "Currently, only Elena de Aragon is capable of preventing the Empire from tearing itself apart in a civil war. Therefore, we must kill her before she can become the new Emperor."
Hearing my plan, the Demon touched her chin as if thinking of something.
"Elena de Aragon, is it? Didn't you say she was the weakest candidate in the succession race?"
"Precisely, Princess. However, currently, the person occupying my son's body is supporting her. At that time, I did not know his potential would be this great," I stated. "Therefore, when the time comes, would the Princess be willing to help me execute my plan?"
The Demon smiled upon hearing my words. "Of course. I am also quite interested in this man occupying your son's body."
"However, There is still one plan I must execute tonight."
That's right; right now, I will begin the plan to destabilize this country so that when the Demon King's army descends upon this world, this land will be easily conquered without significant resistance.
"Ah, I almost forgot about that," the Demon said, walking toward the window and opening it. "But are you sure you can do this? Doesn't that man possess abilities equivalent to an Archwizard?"
Hearing her words made me chuckle slightly. "Fufufu~ I would not do this if the probability of success were low, Princess."
"Very well then. Meet me again when your business is finished."
She then transformed into a bat and flew out of the room.
I then waited for Tsar Feodor's arrival, preparing everything for the heavy battle to come. After about an hour, the door to the room opened, revealing a man with short gray hair and a rather sturdy build.
"Duke Alvaro, have you been waiting long?" Tsar Feodor asked, offering a handshake.
I accepted it and smiled. "No, Tsar Feodor. I am glad you came here, even though you could have asked me to come to your palace."
"Duke Alvaro, your family has helped this country so much. There is no way I—"
— ARRGGHHHH!!!
His words were cut off by a scream from outside.
"Huh? What happened to my guards!?" Tsar Feodor turned and tried to open the door.
However, he could not open it because I had previously placed a powerful magical seal upon it. The man turned back and glared at me.
"Duke Alvaro, what is the meaning of this?" he asked.
It seemed he had realized that I had done something to this place.
"It is exactly as it looks, Tsar Feodor. You will die tonight," I said while activating a spell. "Magical Domain... Abyssal Realm!"
The room suddenly transformed into a valley with minimal light. Shadows in the area moved and converged around my body.
"So that was your goal in coming to this country? You are naive if you think mere preparation like this can kill me!" Tsar Feodor said, also casting a spell. "Magical Domain... Frosty Throne!"
A massive ice castle suddenly appeared behind Tsar Feodor.
A Magical Domain is a mage's secret weapon. It is the same as the Awakening possessed by Magic Knights. This power is capable of releasing the limits and Mana usage of the spells we use, increasing our magical attack and defense output several times over.
Very well... let us enjoy this fight...
***
[Raul POV]
The soldiers returned to their respective hometowns exactly seven months after the war ended. I then returned to my home in the Duchy of Toledo because the academy gave the students who participated in the war a holiday of more than two months to rest.
In this war, it was recorded that 13 third-year students died. A higher number than during the war with the Kingdom of Weimar 20 years ago.
Before long, the carriage I was riding finally reached the gates of the Garcia family castle. The guards opened the gates and let the carriage in. However, I felt something was amiss the moment I entered the castle grounds.
Alfred and several servants were standing in front of the castle entrance with grim expressions. I stepped down from the carriage and approached the Head Butler.
"Alfred, what is it? Why does every servant look so somber?" I asked him.
Hearing my question, the old man seemed to struggle for words. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
"Young Master, there is bad news that has befallen this family," the old Butler said. "Your father—Duke Alvaro—has died along with Tsar Feodor in an incident in the northern country during his visit."
— Thump!
My heart felt as if it would stop upon hearing this news.
Duke Alvaro is dead?
That's impossible! He is the Main Villain in the Path of Destiny game! There is no way he died from a random incident while visiting the Slavic Tsardom. Furthermore, how could Tsar Feodor also die in an incident related to the Duke!?
Something is very wrong here.
I have to investigate this in the Slavic Tsardom. There is no way a man as slippery and cunning as Duke Alvaro suddenly died for an unclear reason like this!
***
Author Note :
Arc 4 has concluded; I hope you enjoyed it, even though I feel it had many shortcomings and was less satisfying than the previous arc. This was largely because I struggled to manage the story's pacing to keep it from becoming overly long.
To be honest, I have already written up to seven arcs of this novel on a local web novel platform. I published it here hoping to attract international readers, but so far, the view count is far lower than what I receive on the local platform.
I might stop uploading here if the results remain disappointing, so please forgive me.
Arc 5 will be set in the Slavic Tsardom and the Elven Kingdom.
Arc 6 will cover the struggle for the succession in the Aragon Empire and the rebellion of the Noors tribe.
Arc 7 will take place in the Kingdom of Kuwalid, focusing on a civil war involving four factions: the Temple authorities (deploying Inquisitors and Holy Knights), the rebels led by Umaya (Princess Aliya's Brother), the Royal Loyalists, and The Masquerade (sending two Performers in addition to the Joker aka Raul).