Home/I confined you, but I have no ill will/ch 56

56.

Draven had always been like this. He wanted to stay close to Emperor Leonhardt, but Kite kept getting in the way—so he saw Kite as a thorn in his side. Now that this chance had come, he would try to send Kite north.

Even a short time away would be enough—just enough to whisper in the Emperor's ear. That was why Kite had no intention of following Draven's wishes.

"But this time, it won't be easy. The barbarians uniting means they have a center."

"A clever one, then. And once such a man moves with purpose, things get troublesome."

Since most of the barbarians had been cleared out, few soldiers remained in the North.

"I'll request information from the Intelligence Department."

"Yes—cross-checking it wouldn't hurt."

The Intelligence Department served the Emperor, but not everyone within was reliable. The late Emperor's ghost still lingered—or rather, the late Empress's. The late Emperor had disliked Kite but never sought his death. His Empress, however, had sent assassins multiple times.

She had been even more desperate to keep her power—and her family was the same. Draven was exactly like her.

Too much greed for his abilities. That was why he clung to Leonhardt, hoping to become regent.

"Now—let's see how things unfold."

Many in the North still remembered Kite. They fed him information—if anyone knew the North best, it was him.

"Let's see what the others do."

Kite smirked.

---

Draven also obtained information on the North.

"A barbarian called Kahn is uniting the tribes."

"Can he?"

Barbarians were creatures who didn't know cooperation—cursed as they were.

"He seems to be managing—though there's bloodshed, over half have joined him."

"Hmm."

Draven narrowed his eyes.

"If Kahn unites them, the North becomes dangerous again?"

Some dismissed it as barren land, but it couldn't be abandoned—because of the mines being developed and the Deadlands nearby.

The mines brought profit, but the Deadlands brought only loss—they had to be sealed. Leaving the North vacant could let monsters from the Deadlands claim it.

That was why they hadn't exterminated all the barbarians in the last war—they were a buffer.

"That would be the case—the cursed ones might ally with Deadlands monsters."

"Yes—similar sort. So we'll scatter them again."

"Kill Kahn."

"Has the Intelligence Department offered to act?"

"Not yet."

"Well—they're past their prime. Just old men reminiscing—the youngsters aren't trained yet."

Draven snapped his fingers.

"We need to work."

To Draven, born of noble blood and raised without want, the people were merely useful cattle. Their clamor didn't reach him.

But there were those who gave meaning to them.

Leonhardt—the young Emperor. From the moment he ascended, he had listened to the people, eased their anxieties, and strived for their comfort. The Empire was now said to be at its wealthiest and most peaceful.

Sly boy.

Draven disliked it—the worse Leonhardt performed, the higher his chances of becoming regent.

"Gather people—those who can blend in and stir things up. Spread rumors."

The barbarians were gathering in the North, preparing for war. The Deadlands showed ominous signs. The northern people were terrified. The barbarians would invade and kill as before.

They needed to be subjugated.

They needed Kite—who had protected the North and repelled the barbarians before. Only he could stop them and restore peace.

"Even pigs have their uses."

Though their power was dim, enough fireflies could brighten a room. Draven would use them to move Kite and Leonhardt.

"Fan the flames—make them unable to sleep."

His calm words carried cruel malice—but his subordinates accepted them without question.

"We'll act immediately."

"Don't disappoint me."

"Of course."

They bowed deeply in oath.

Soon after, the capital began to seethe with unease.

---

The rumors spread, seeping into the people.

"Heard the news?"

"What news?"

"The barbarians are gathering in the North, plotting something."

"Do they have the brains?"

"They're sharp when it comes to fighting."

"So what's their plot?"

"They'll ally with Deadlands monsters and strike the Empire."

"Really?"

"Absolutely—my friend's uncle lives up north."

The vague rumors spread, slowly taking shape.

The capital's anxiety reached the nobles.

"If the barbarians stir, won't the northern mines be affected?"

"That would be troublesome."

The mines were a national project—many nobles held shares, and merchants profited from transporting and processing the ore.

"Truly troublesome."

The rumors naturally reached Leonhardt's ears. He frowned at the documents, set them down, and tapped the desk.

Tap, tap, tap.

After a while, he summoned Martin, head of Intelligence.

"I greet the great Emperor."

"Spare me—Martin."

He pushed the documents toward her. She approached respectfully and picked them up.

"Read them."

She read quickly.

"About the barbarian activity in the North."

"Yes—several petitions have come in. Mostly similar: anxiety and calls for subjugation. If this reaches me, the Intelligence Department must know."

"Yes—we do. But nothing is confirmed yet, so we haven't submitted a report. Kahn is gathering them, but it's not going smoothly—they might self-destruct."

Leonhardt frowned.

"Let me judge that."

"Apologies!"

"Then give me more information."

"Kahn is starting with neighboring tribes. They're focused on that—so war is unlikely for now."

"Unlikely—and yet this reaches me?"

He pointed at the documents irritably.

"I was about to report that."

"Then do so."

Martin spoke at once.

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