Chapter 11
So, as soon as Bloden turned ten, he was sent to the battlefield against the demonic beasts. He was not given any education needed to rule, such as imperial studies, politics, or advanced rhetoric.
The excuse was that he would be too busy fighting the endless waves of monsters to have time to study. But the real reason was to crush any potential he had as an emperor.
Once Bloden became an adult, there would be no proper excuse to stop him from ruling directly.
The future Anna considered most ideal was one where Bloden, exhausted from political struggles, would voluntarily abdicate and spend the rest of his life in the North.
Of course, on the surface, she strongly supported Emperor Bloden in her role as regent.
But behind the scenes, she guided public opinion so that people would naturally begin saying, “It would be better for someone with special powers to remain in the North as a Grand Duke, eliminating demonic beasts to protect the Empire, while a new emperor focuses entirely on governing.”
That way, they said, the Empire would be safe from monsters and governance would be stable.
In reality, it was nonsense unless Bloden chose to step down himself. Even with the curse-like side effects of his power, the emperor possessed overwhelming ability.
Anna’s intention to push him toward abdication was obvious, yet none of the nobles dared to openly oppose her.
If anyone spoke even a single word of truth, Anna would begin with a tax investigation and then find every possible excuse to brand them a criminal. Meanwhile, nobles who sided with her enjoyed reduced taxes and had their corruption overlooked.
An emperor who was invisible while fighting monsters in the North versus a regent who ruled the country right before their eyes—the comparison was obvious.
And whenever Bloden did appear, it was only occasionally—and he always looked like a child.
Sometimes twelve years old. Sometimes fifteen. Sometimes ten.
‘What can a child possibly do? He’ll end up a puppet anyway. Lady Beldenborough will never hand over power. It’s far better for our family’s prosperity to stand with the regent.’
The nobles had no choice but to support Anna.
Understanding this political balance perfectly, Anna began planning how to maintain her regency the moment she received news of Bloden’s victory. Using every resource she had, she devised a method.
“It seems our Majesty will soon need a partner.”
He truly did.
A very beautiful doll who would listen to Anna completely—and who could seduce Bloden and steal his focus.
‘Eighteen is a passionate age. A honey trap will work perfectly.’
Anna had already chosen a beauty who could naturally slip into Bloden’s side.
Princess Nelloa of the Kingdom of Kellite.
She had brilliant orange hair and clear emerald eyes. She was beautiful, and just intelligent enough.
Anna had secretly sent a messenger to the Kingdom of Kellite, and a reply soon arrived from Princess Nelloa.
[If it is beside the Sun of the Ilpain Empire, I would be delighted to do anything.]
If Bloden fell deeply for Princess Nelloa, Anna could continue her regency. Instead of governing the Empire, he would be busy with romance and fighting monsters.
On top of that, by strengthening ties with the nobles who supported her, she could solidify her justification for remaining regent.
Nelloa could simply be blinded by luxury. And if an heir was born between them, Anna would personally raise and educate the child from the beginning.
The father would be busy fighting monsters. The mother would be busy with luxury. The child would only need to listen to this grandmother.
And if one day Bloden died in battle, the heir could be used as another weapon against monsters. Then she could enjoy power remembered in history, without worrying about monster attacks.
Having calculated everything, Anna smiled in satisfaction.
* * *
The next day, when I brought the crabs Baron and I had caught to the street vendor Ben, his expression was unforgettable.
“Wait—there’s no trap or anything. How did you catch these crabs?”
What a ridiculous question. Judging by the smell of alcohol, was he still hungover?
“How did I catch them? I scooped them up with a net.”
“A net? Crabs usually come out at night when you can barely see them!”
“Yes. I caught them at night. There were plenty.”
“Then… did you take a boat?”
I waved my hand and laughed.
“Does this look like the amount you’d need a boat for?”
Ben’s eyes widened.
“You said you’d catch sea snails yourself and all that… You actually go into the sea? At night? Really?”
He kept confirming it, opening and closing his mouth like a fish, then pressed his hand to his forehead.
“I thought you were joking, miss. But now that I see it, you’re going to get yourself killed.”
“?”
“Do you have any idea how dangerous the night sea is? You’ll die if you go in!”
“Oh, come on. Why would I die? I bring light, and I go when the tide’s right. I don’t go deep. It’s fine.”
At my calm answer, Ben thumped his chest in frustration.
“At night, sea slimes roam around.”
“Sea slimes…? What’s that?”
“You really don’t know? Good grief.”
Sighing deeply, Ben explained what sea slimes were. After hearing it, I got chills.
“No wonder there was no one else around.”
So that was why. I had really been lucky.
I had worried about losing income if I couldn’t gather seafood at night—but now I understood why I had been safe.
“During the day, the sunlight is strong, so sea slimes hide. But at night, there’s no strong light. Torches aren’t enough.”
In that case, I could still go into the sea at night.
Because I had Search.
Ben earnestly warned me.
“I’ll buy these crabs at a really high price. But don’t ever go into the night sea again. Life’s hard for both of us, but let’s not end up dealing with corpses.”
Hearing his concern warmed my heart. He had tried to lower the price of my sea snails before, but he still seemed like a good person.
“Thank you for worrying about me. I learned something useful today. But I think I’ll be fine, so please keep buying from me.”
“Huh?”
“I have a very bright light. I’ll be careful, though.”
Ben clearly looked doubtful, but when I told him to pay me, he just nodded.
I earned even more money than yesterday.
With this much, Baron and I could finally have a proper meal.
I took Baron to a nearby restaurant.
We had handled the most urgent necessities, and after eating only sea snails for two days, I wanted him to have a decent meal.
Soon, our ordered dishes were placed in front of us.
As I cut a piece of well-cooked meat into bite-sized pieces, I remembered my conversation with Ben.
Thinking about it again, I had truly been lucky. And no matter how I looked at it, escaping danger was thanks to Baron.
‘If I had been alone, I would have gone night fishing with just a torch one day… and I would have been eaten by a sea slime.’
Baron had pulled out the death flag I had planted for myself.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Baron tilted his head, puzzled. I smiled and placed a piece of meat into his mouth.
“I realized again that you’re my lucky charm. Thank you, Baron.”
“Huh?”
“After hearing what Ben said, I think I survived because of Search. You caught Search for me, remember? So that makes you my lifesaver. And thanks to that, we earned more money too.”
I truly meant it.
When I grinned, Baron’s eyes curved into a soft smile.
‘Wow, his smile is so pretty.’
I should treat him even better from now on.
No—better to do something right away.
Even though his family has fallen, he’s still of noble birth…
While eating, I came up with an idea.
“Baron, since your identity is clear, you can use a bank, right?”
“I think so?”
“Good. Strike while the iron is hot. Let’s go somewhere after we finish eating.”
“Go? Where?”
