Chapter 281: Chapter 25: The Person Happens to be Absent

“Orphelus… I have to doubt the legitimacy of your intentions. The decisions you have made make it impossible for me to believe you are genuinely seeking an advantage for the duchy and the empire on the battlefield.”

Duke Novak made this evaluation, seemingly a young boy as he spoke to the girl in the carriage window. Although his words were already very tactful… because Orphelus once employed a strategy to *cater to Yila’s preferences*.

Naming the strategy the “Loli Tactic”… there’s actually no issue with that. It was an attempt with no harmful consequences, a task with the nature of a *free lottery*, one that didn’t even require filling out your name.

If it worked, that was fine. If it didn’t work, it wouldn’t matter.

It should have been like that, as long as the “loli” in question wasn’t Orphelus herself…

“…”

Orphelus, on the other hand, didn’t seem to care at all. At this moment, she wasn’t wearing her beautiful and noble council uniform but had changed into a set of clothes that could be described as simple.

Of course, here “simple” was in the eyes of the nobility. To common civilians, and even to knights, it was still considered luxurious and unusual.

“Do you think I don’t qualify as a loli?”

To the words of this loli who was at least several hundred years old, Novak shook his head with a sigh, saying, “Perhaps your appearance is a bit mature, but Yila and I haven’t reached that level of intimacy. I can’t be sure of his preferences… and precisely because of that.”

It was precisely because of that that Novak felt compelled to agree with Orphelus’s whimsical idea. Of course… his agreeing vote was cast reluctantly; he still felt it was too frivolous.

He genuinely doubted whether Orphelus was trying to establish an advantage or if she was simply interested in Yila. Rationally, it was the former, but… the latter was too troubling, making it impossible for him not to consider.

“Besides, I may not necessarily be going to seduce Yila Elkaras. There’s no need to worry so much.”

Orphelus said, casually crossing her legs while lying on the sofa at the back of her carriage, “You can think of me as a somewhat attractive persuasive speaker…”

Indeed, that was no problem, but Orphelus seemed to have more to say.

Sure enough, under Novak’s gaze, Orphelus continued, “Or perhaps a noble who has always been very interested in Yila Elkaras.”

Such a statement was too dangerous, dangerous enough that Novak had to issue a warning…

“Your current situation is already dangerous enough. Don’t do more risky things.”

Novak had to speak more harshly to dispel Orphelus’s playful thoughts. He said, “If you genuinely admire Yila, then I won’t stop you… But if you think he can be toyed with like those foolish knights.”

Speaking thus, Novak paused. He initially wanted to say, “The duchy will be ruined because of you,” but he felt such a statement was too strange, so he chose more ambiguous words, “Then, all the responsibilities will fall on you alone. Neither I nor the other council members have any involvement.”

This statement’s effect was far better than something like “the duchy will suffer because of you”… It was a very clear stance, forcing Orphelus to take it more seriously.

*To be honest, although she knew Yila possessed incredible power, she estimated his influence to be roughly that of someone who controlled over half the empire’s forces, one of the strongest legends, without any wildly exaggerated imagination.*

However, due to Novak’s seriousness, it was hard for her not to adjust her mindset a bit because of his words.

“It sounds like you hold Yila Elkaras in high regard.”

In response to Orphelus’s remark, Novak merely glanced at her and replied, “At least not low, Orphelus… Once you meet Yila, you will understand; he is smarter than you.”

These words made the self-assured Orphelus frown.

Noting this, Novak shook his head and said simply, “At least Yila’s heart won’t be influenced by a child’s desire to prove themselves. If you want to compete with him, you should first clarify your own goals.”

Your own goals…

“We are asking Yila for help. We gain little from the war with the empire. Though we won’t be defeated, it would be an unnecessary complication. I don’t plan to reject this high-stakes gamble, but the other council members don’t think the same.”

Novak said, watching Orphelus sigh, and continued calmly, “The existence of the council inherently defines the meaning of your orders, Orphelus… You are no longer the Empress, merely a council chair. You cannot command everyone with one order.”

This was the dual-edged nature of a parliamentary system. Enjoying the benefits of prosperity meant bearing the responsibilities of the flip side.

“That was within my expectations; I simply didn’t foresee… even Duke Zenani planning to withdraw.”

In response to Orphelus, Novak showed no surprise. He smirked and said, “A member of the Blood Clan who isn’t afraid of the empire would be more unusual. She hasn’t surrendered simply because the empire cannot tolerate monsters.”

Novak had long known this. Perhaps Orphelus knew this as well; she just hadn’t expected… Zenani was unwilling to contribute even a bit of military funds or participate in the distribution of wartime benefits.

“There’s no need for further words; as long as Yila’s faction withdraws from the empire’s battlefield, everything will get better.”

Orphelus said, closing her eyes lightly for a nap, “If Yila has no intention of that, I still have contingencies to destabilize the empire’s situation… It’s just more troublesome.”

Let’s hope so…

Thinking this, Novak could only hope for the best.

——————–

Orphelus: What? Yila isn’t here?! The Demon King went out, too?! What kind of national leader runs around like this? What about a proxy? Who’s the acting Demon King here in the Demon King Territory?

Youyou: Well, the Demon King Territory doesn’t need such a thing… So, do you need me to convey any message to Mr. Yila? Or do you plan for your caravan to stay in the Demon Kingdom for a while?

Orphelus: Fine, fine. We’ll stay! We’ll wait for Yila Elkaras to return!

Senata: Additionally, the stable trade route between the duchy and the Demon King Territory that you mentioned earlier will also need to wait for Mr. Yila and the Demon King to discuss before considering… The war between the empire and the duchy requires us to take this seriously.

Orphelus: …

Novak: Ha, serves you right, I’m amused.