To a Great Degree...
-350 years of imperial history, late summer-
The airship carrying me will land on the southwestern continent.
It's almost autumn
I am in a country in the center of the southwestern continent, the Kingdom of Marguerite,
Furthermore, I was transferred to the continent's International Academy, which was created in the center.
"Prince Ask, we have arrived."
This is where I part ways with the knight who accompanied me as a bodyguard.
"If anything happens, please flee to this imperial dominion immediately."
"You're worrying too much. Neither other countries nor I are that stupid."
For the people of the empire operating on the southwest continent, this is where I am now
The end of the tunnel from the place called North Wall
This imperial dominion territory can be said to be the safest place.
"Rather than worry about me, you should respond quickly."
"Eh, no, your safety is more important than that."
It is said that this knight, who will part ways here, is on good terms with a woman from the southwestern continent.
The empire is basically free love, so international marriages between commoners are not uncommon.
Well, it seems like they often get into trouble because the other country doesn't recognize it.
As I waited while chatting with the knights and people in the territory, someone finally came to pick me up.
Slender
Long legs
A young man in a black butler uniform
Probably in his early 20s
"Prince, I apologize for keeping you waiting."
Saying that, I stopped the man who was about to kneel on the ground.
"Your clothes will get dirty. I haven't waited that long, so I'll forgive you."
"Thank you"
"Let's hear your name instead."
"My name is Aristes Edgeworth, the youngest son of Serpiente Edgeworth, Count of the Empire."
He was a member of the Edgeworth family, one of the most prestigious families in the Empire.
"I'm surprised. Even though you're the youngest, an Edgeworth person has come this far."
"No, I came to this southwestern continent four years ago."
"Is it so?"
"Yes, it was expected that the prince would study here. I was sent in advance."
"That's... I'm kind of sorry."
"Please don't worry about it. Even though I was told that I would be sent to another country, I was assigned to be the prince's bodyguard and advisor. It's a promotion."
"I see. I look forward to working with you in the future."
"I promise you a safe and prosperous time."
Just now, did he bite his tongue?
"………"
"………"
"…You don’t have to force yourself to use honorific language, okay?"
"…I will try my best."
―――――
According to information from Aristes, the evaluation of the Empire by the countries of the Southwest Continent is completely divided.
Hostile or friendly
Easy to understand, very
"It seems that the upheaval in the Kingdom of Kuala Kuru that occurred 60 years ago had a big impact."
"That's something I've never heard before. What are the details?"
"It's a country located northeast of the center of the continent. No, it was a country."
"Did it perish?"
"I should say that it perished, or rather that it self-destructed… It seems that the aristocrats and royal family were in a horrific bloodbath."
A ruined country called Kuala Kuru
Although it sounds good if you call it conservative.
In fact, it is said that before the collapse of the continent, it was the country that valued authority most because it was the closest to the center.
But the world collapsed
Kuala Kuru, which became the most remote country, suddenly fell into a rural state.
It is said that in a country that lived solely on authority, there was nothing that could be used to make money, and they were only becoming poorer.
Then the empire emerged
"It's not particularly that concerning, is it?"
I heard it's like that in every country.
"It seems that authoritarianism has taken a turn for the worse."
"What do you mean?"
"It seems like the royal family and powerful aristocrats are trying to take advantage of the empire, so there's a civil war."
Why would that be a reason to bipolarize the Empire’s reputation?
"It seems that the king has issued a royal order to the Kingdom of Boldoi, saying, [King Kuala Kuru will meet the Emperor, so please call him]."
"Are you joking? Or is this a story of your own making?"
"No, I'd like to think it's fiction, but it's true."
"I-I see, what's next?"
"If the Kingdom of Boldoi refuses, the Kingdom of Kuala Kuru will dispatch troops to exterminate them. However, before they can leave the border, the domestic nobles attack from the rear and a civil war ensues."
"I'm sorry, I don't understand. I don't understand what you're talking about at all."
What did you want to do, Kuala Kuru?
And this story has nothing to do with the Empire, right?
"The civil war was a narrow victory for the aristocrats, and the royal family was executed, but apparently they were screaming at the people right before they died."
"What? Ah, no, I can kind of guess it, but... no, let me ask you. What is it?"
"They say it's all a trap of the empire. They instigate it within the prestigious Kingdom of Kuala Kuru, and they're being degraded."
Are they an idiot?
Yeah, it's stupid
"In other words, they were selfishly proud, they were selfishly angry, they fought selfishly, and they died selfishly."
"By the way, the reason for the collapse was that the nobles lost a lot of their fighting strength and invaded other countries..."
"And it perished on its own? Eh... why do they complain to the Empire for something like that?"
"This is what my father said, [Uneducated people in power seek to blame others and avoid their own responsibility]."
"That's a terrible story. Isn't the Empire the victim?"
"Because of that, so-called uneducated candidates for power are making the Empire their enemy."
There are many like that at the international school that I will be attending from now on.
"Basically, I recommend ignoring it."
"What about the harassment?"
"They won't do it unless they are really stupid. Most of those idiots are at the end of the faction, so their leader will not forgive them. Well..."
"It wouldn't be funny if the head of the faction was that stupid. No, it's not funny."
"As expected, since I'm over 20, it's not good for me to move around the school alone, so there are many things I don't know about the school."
"I see, then please find out as much as you can within the scope of serving me."
"I understand."
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