C79
I suppose my expression unconsciously hardened at the mention of death. Terence looked in my direction and added with a apologetic look on his face.
"No, I also want to avoid murder if possible. But, as Ethel said, if he poses such a great threat to me... It's better not to leave any regrets behind."
It's not that I didn't understand. I knew very well that the power struggle for the throne was not a track and field game, and we couldn't force people to follow the rules and be fair in everything they did. This is a world where you never know when your head might fall.
Even if the Crown Prince is moderate, there's no way the forces around him would be too. Above all, Elliot was someone who considered Terence an obstacle to Liena, or if Liena wanted him, he would do everything in his power to bring Terence down.
But still, there was psychological resistance.
If Elliot were to die because of the advice I gave, it would be a burden that would linger in my mind forever. And...
"I understand perfectly what you mean Tay, but Elliot is a talent we cannot afford to lose."
When the novel reaches its end, a wave of monsters erupts everywhere. At that time, it was Elliot who devised a plan and saved many lives.
In the epilogue, he also contributes to the empire's development by helping Liena, who became empress. Although he did it for one person, it was true that in the end, the entire empire benefited from it.
"What good is that talent if it becomes a sword pointed at us? Besides, judging by Ethel's history, he doesn't seem to be in the mood to be appeased."
Terence's point was also valid.
After thinking about it for quite some time, I asked Terence.
"... Can't you give me some time? Actually, I have something in mind. I'll try to change his mind."
Of course, these conditions were also added. If in the end, I can't convince Elliot... I will follow Terence's opinion regarding his treatment.
I looked at Elliot, who was showing off, with mixed feelings. Now was not the time for that guy to act like this.
"Did he set up a series of works just to intimidate him? Not at all."
This was Terence's test to see how good of a person Elliot was. Elliot happily found out that this was the annex of the security unit, and Vinetta should report this fact to Terence.
"Terence will be more inclined to kill Elliot."
Indeed, it was better for Elliot's reputation to act a bit foolish here. Although it would be difficult to do so due to his pride as high as the sky.
I felt like holding my head. Please do your best. I really hate him, and I want to scold him harshly, but I still don't want Elliot to die.
"Now that it's like this, I'm going to start trying to appease Elliot, even if it means becoming a meal of oatmeal!"
I made a solemn determination. If we had Elliot on our side, or at least severed his relationship with Liena, Terence and I wouldn't be in so much trouble.
But the problem is that it's not easy. No, it's not that it wasn't easy; it was almost impossible according to the novel's description.
The story I told Terence about the possibility I had in mind was not a lie; it was just a possibility. I think there's a certain basis, but it's difficult to be sure of success.
I wondered if it was a wrong choice, but I shook my head. From a narrow perspective, it was about Elliot's life, and from a broad perspective, the lives of many people depended on it.
It was worth trying the possibility.
I opened the mouth of the man in the cell.
"Elliot, there's someone you'll meet from now on."
Meanwhile, at that moment, the security forces were camped in front of the Cassius house. The one at the front shouted loudly.
"Princess Liena Cassius, please come out and present yourself obediently for investigation! The princess is currently suspected of violating a total of seven laws, including tax laws, commercial laws, and bribery laws!"
Then the entrance door of the mansion, which had been securely closed, opened. Duke Edman Cassius and his son, Leheim Cassius, appeared on horseback.
"You!"
The duke, whose temper had risen to the top, shouted.
"How dare you want to drag someone away!"
When the duke, who was an excellent military man and a high-ranking official, appeared like this, the security forces commander felt embarrassed.
"I've come here to perform official duties under the orders of His Majesty the Emperor. Even if it's Duke Cassius, he has no reason to stop me."
"Get out of here. As long as I have my eyes open, they won't be able to take my daughter away."
"Are you planning to disobey His Majesty's orders?"
"I'll go directly to His Majesty and inform him. If my daughter is guilty, I will take responsibility."
"Don't act recklessly!"
"How absurd do you think this is?"
Duke Cassius wasn't the only one who looked at the security forces as if they were enemies. Leheim next to the duke and the Cassius knights following them were also ready to take a fighting stance at any moment.
The security officer bit his lips. If he faced Cassius's troops head-on, the damage would be severe, but he also had a reason why he could never back down.
As evidenced by the fact that the security forces acted so quickly, even though the investigation team had confiscated evidence in Iver just a few hours ago, the emperor called him and spoke seriously. Get ready to catch Duke Cassius before he steals your food.
Perhaps the emperor had heard something from the second prince and knew in advance that something would come out of the tax investigation directed at the merchants of Iver. It's not clear how the second prince knew.
The captain first tried to persuade the duke.
"Clear the way! If the princess is found innocent through the investigation, she will be released safe and sound. Besides, since she comes from a family of meritorious subjects, I promise to treat her with the highest level of treatment as a criminal."
"Shut your mouth! Who is a criminal?"
"We will never give up on Liena!"
"If you keep talking like that, we'll have no choice but to arrest you by force!"
"If you can try, do it! I'll tell you why Cassius is called the iron wall of the empire!"
"You're unnecessarily complicating things!"
Tension ran high on both sides. A voice like an oriole sounded in an imminent situation.
"Please stop!"
The owner of the voice was Liena Cassius, the culprit who provoked this situation.
"Because I'm here."
Duke Cassius and Leheim shouted in surprise when they saw her dressed casually.
"Liena! Why did you come out?!"
"It's dangerous, so stay inside!"
The servants of the duchy who followed Liena sobbed and complained to the duke.
"I'm sorry!"
"The young lady said she would come out no matter what."
Even among the confused people, Liena seemed determined.
"Dad, I'm going to go get investigated. Don't worry too much. I'll be back soon."
"I can't allow it! Where do you want to go?"
"You're okay. Although it's like this, I am also a proud Cassius!"
"Liena..."
"Cassius has been an iron wall in the north for a long time, enduring the harsh cold and protecting the empire from foreign powers and demonic beasts."
Her red eyes shone with pride.
"I will follow the spirit of Cassius and overcome these difficulties with ease."
Liena turned her gaze toward the security team. Unlike when she looked at her family and employees, her eyes were cold and hostile.
"Are you the captain of the security forces?"
"Y-Yes."
The captain involuntarily shrank. It was because he was overwhelmed by the power emanating from the young woman who had just come of age.
"What the hell is this...?"
After working in the security forces that protected the capital's safety for decades, he had seen many unusual people, but it was a strange sense of intimidation that he had never felt before. It's abnormally strong and clear.
"If you want to take me, do it as much as you want."
Liena widened her eyes.
"Because this Liena Cassius neither runs nor hides!"
There were gasps here and there. One of the maids who attended to Liena had tears in her eyes.
"Buaaa... My lady! She's so brave!"
The Cassius knight, holding his sword right behind the duke, was very impressed.
"The spirit of a veteran!"
The other people on Cassius's side also began to say something one by one.
"Well, when did she grow up so much?"
"As expected, we will follow Lady Liena for the rest of our lives!"
"I will protect the mansion and wait for your return!"
Prince Leheim got off his horse, grabbed his younger sister by the shoulder, and spoke firmly.
"If they harm you, even the slightest hair, I will take care of everything, including the security forces. Everyone will die."
"You can't make jokes like that! And I'll come back safely, so don't worry."
Liena looked at her brother and then at her father. The duke muttered, avoiding his daughter's gaze.
"Sometimes I feel sorry for the fact that you grew up like this. If I had had you when you were a baby, I would have carried you in my arms for the rest of your life."
"Does this mean you allow me to be interrogated?"
"How can I break your will?"
"Thank you."
"Keep in mind. We will always count on you."
A wave of emotion flowed. It was a completely different situation from what the captain had imagined, but it would be good if the princess could be handed over without bloodshed. There's only one problem.
"...So, when do we leave?"
Isn't it too long to bid farewell to your family when you're not going to war?
The captain's question disappeared in vain before Liena, who had already begun to exchange greetings with the employees.
