Home/My Youngest Keeps Bringing Me Male Leads/ch 75

Chapter 75

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"Death by falling?"

It was a tragic death, but not the kind Agnes had expected.

More than anything, there was no trace of the Count of Waldemar's involvement.

Feeling a vague sense of disappointment, Agnes bit her lip.

"People at the time did find it strange. They said that even when Rehart was drunk, his gait was steady. He was a robust man, and they couldn't believe he'd suddenly die like that. Of course, some attributed it to illness."

"In any case, there's no clear evidence."

"That's correct."

Cesenor silently stroked his chin.

At this rate, they had only circumstantial evidence, no decisive proof.

Romanil existed in the Waldemar estate.

It didn't exist anywhere else in the empire.

But claiming that the Count of Waldemar was responsible, citing Romanil—which only Silmare could identify—would convince no one.

It felt as if dark clouds were gathering over the clear sky.

"You said there was plenty of interesting material, but I didn't get much out of that."

Cesenor looked back with a dissatisfied expression, and Ascer shrugged.

"Waldemar is a cunning man. As you know, he shows no expression. If he didn't blink, he'd look like a statue."

Ascer even imitated the Count of Waldemar, making Agnes laugh out loud.

It was fascinating to see Ascer speak so casually about the Count of Waldemar, who exuded authority even from afar.

"And what I found interesting is something else."

"What is it?"

"As you suspected, the Crown Prince is indeed preparing for war—mmph!"

Cesenor hastily used magic to seal her mouth.

Ascer grumbled behind her covered mouth, but both Agnes and Rupert were already wearing shocked expressions.

Cesenor pressed his throbbing temple and groaned.

"Don't pay attention to it."

"Who is he going to war with...? Does the empire have anyone to fight?"

The Cardium Empire had dominated the Astanium continent for a thousand years.

The three kingdoms to the north, south, and east appeared to have their sovereignty respected, but in reality, they barely breathed under the empire's shadow.

Whenever a new emperor ascended, they sent large delegations—a process that essentially confirmed their status as vassals.

"Surely he's not planning to attack the three kingdoms?"

Cesenor remained silent, glaring sharply at Ascer.

Revealing major military secrets in front of unrelated people.

"You, what exactly is your intention?"

The Ascer he knew wasn't reckless enough to blurt out such important matters.

With her mouth sealed, Ascer protested with her eyes, and Cesenor, unable to bear Agnes's pitiful gaze, released the spell.

"Phew..."

Gasping for breath, Ascer ignored the ordeal and looked at the three of them with sparkling eyes.

As if she'd been waiting for this moment.

"And here's the important connection: the person designing the Crown Prince's war plan is none other than the Count of Waldemar."

"Pardon?"

"He won't actually go to the battlefield, of course. But it seems the Count has been given full authority to oversee the war."

Agnes recalled her earlier conversation with Cesenor.

'He's in league with a rather troublesome man.'

'It's a political matter, but he's doing things I don't like. And it's not just me—it concerns the safety of this empire.'

Ascer must have come to report after confirming Cesenor's suspicions.

As if resigning himself to the inevitable, Cesenor leaned back on the sofa with a weary expression and began to explain.

"Ascer is right. The Crown Prince is planning a war against the three kingdoms."

"Why...? What's the point?"

"Officially, it's aimed at the three kingdoms, but I suspect the Crown Prince has other intentions."

"Other intentions..."

"Lady Agnes, as you said, the three kingdoms are already as good as the empire's. But there is a place on the Astanium continent that isn't imperial territory."

Cesenor smiled wryly and rubbed his eyelids.

He truly didn't want to mention it, but he didn't want to lie.

Carefully gauging her reaction, Cesenor murmured softly.

"The other races living beyond."

"Why would he do such a thing...! They can't even leave their territories anyway!"

Moreover, if they did leave, they could be tracked by magic.

That was exactly how they'd been able to find Silmare.

And they were even cursed, risking death if they spoke carelessly.

'It must have been since the time of Roberto Cardiam.'

Agnes was certain of the broader context.

The era of frequent inter-species conflicts leading to the non-aggression pact.

Imperial history described it as a peaceful resolution, but if it was enforced by force—

And if Celesta had aided in that process, it would explain the three races' hostility toward Cesenor.

The elves, who could communicate with plants and animals; the giants, with their immense strength; and the dark elves, with their remarkable knowledge.

She'd wondered why they'd all been pushed to the margins, but perhaps magic was the reason.

It was a speculation she'd developed while living with the four men.

"What's the benefit of that? And surely imperial citizens would also shed blood..."

"There are many reasons, but first, the Cracks are moving south. Second, he deems it necessary to acquire more territory as a result. And above all, the biggest reason is his arrogance—he won't be satisfied until everything in the world is under his feet."

"Marquis!"

No matter how terrifying the topic, referring to the Crown Prince as 'that man' startled Agnes, and she covered her mouth.

But Cesenor remained calm. Even Ascer nodded beside him.

Cesenor added an explanation.

"That man simply finds it intolerable that there exists anyone who doesn't have to kneel before him."

"Just for that reason, he would start a war...?"

"The Tower Master said I was being rash, but that's not it. I had my reasons for bringing this up."

Ascer spoke again.

Glancing sideways at Cesenor, who had earlier sealed her mouth, Ascer leaned toward Agnes.

"It seems he's ordered military supplies to be prepared under Waldemar's command, and the opponent is the other races. It must have been hard to gauge how to prepare. But then they appeared."

Agnes's face went pale at those words.

"Surely they were observing our house..."

"Correct. No matter how vague our reports, the Crown Prince has many ears. Everything that's been made public has likely reached him."

"Then he must have realized the other races are not to be underestimated."

"That just gave him more to prepare for. He must have realized they're more powerful than he thought."

Just looking at Ignitan, he'd single-handedly uprooted dozens of trees and extinguished a fire that could have consumed the entire village.

If such abilities were used in war—

"If they really clash, there will be inevitable casualties on our side as well."

"Exactly. The Crown Prince would definitely want to avoid a defeat after making such a move."

Ascer took a sip of tea to moisten her dry throat.

"The Tower has been receiving more requests lately, and they're more difficult. So we've noticed. It'll become increasingly apparent going forward."

"Having many people know about it would be bad. There would be opponents."

"Hah, exactly. Lady Agnes is sharp. The dark forces in the capital will also realize the Crown Prince is up to something. That's why it's important for us to create an opening in the Count of Waldemar now."

Ascer turned her gaze to Cesenor beside her.

"So stop just trying to protect Lady Agnes and start being more open—ask for her help."

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