Volume 3 Chapter 14 Undercover Investigation
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
*Melon’s Perspective
In the subsequent search, we tracked the stolen gate to Tokura Village, where it was brought across the border into the Apocalypse Empire, but what happened after that was beyond our grasp as it involved other countries.
Then, just as negotiations with the Empire were going poorly, shocking news came in that Big Sister Puruun had eloped with Emperor Balmstra and vanished, causing Zerlant Royal Palace to fall into a bit of a panic.
It seems that the His Majesty the Emperor was dissatisfied that he could not make my older sister his lawful wife, leading to disappointment throughout the Empire.
I heard that, since Mr. Balmstra himself has no heir, discussions among the powerful lords will soon take place to select the next emperor.
Now, Lieutenant Reina and I are being summoned to the Queen’s office.
”Ms. Melon… I’m at my wit’s end. I never thought Puru would even run away… The Senate is quite furious…” the Queen said, completely losing her confidence.
”With all due respect, Your Majesty, I believe my sister would never betray you. There must be something else going on! After all, Your Majesty, you hid my sister with Lord Coral, waiting for the right moment to rise, right? So please, stay strong. Otherwise, it will affect the child in your womb.”
”Well, I didn’t use Puru back then… but yes, given that we know nothing now, let’s take it positively. So, Ms. Reina, the reason I called you here is… I am well aware that you did not come to our country as a spy… but could you investigate the affairs of that country in secret, not as a double agent but with my blessing? We can’t see any important information from here. Just relying on reports from spies makes it hard to grasp the behind-the-scenes movements of the government and military. But you… yes, of course, I won’t force you, but…”
”Yes, Your Majesty. I am at your service. I find it hard to believe that His Majesty the Emperor would resort to such foolish actions. I can’t shake the feeling that something is going on behind the scenes regarding this gate capture incident. If there’s anything I can do to help… and not to mention the reward…”
”I understand. You wish to cross over to the other country to search for your missing sister, is that correct? Regarding this matter, I promise to send you as an envoy once the preparations are complete.”
”Thank you, Your Majesty. I also sincerely hope for a continued amicable relationship between our 2 nations. I will do my best to assist in any way I can, even if it’s a small contribution.”
”Thank you. Then, please discuss the future arrangements with the Prime Minister later.”
With that, Her Majesty dismissed Lieutenant Reina.
”Are you sure it’s wise to trust her? Of course, I trust Ms. Reina, but I need to confirm her intentions.”
”If she were to betray us, she’d disappear along with the gate, wouldn’t she? But even if she does betray us, it won’t be a major setback for us. However, it might put her own life at risk… It’s a high-risk, high-reward situation, I suppose.”
Wow, Her Majesty is quite blunt. But it’s true, Lieutenant Reina might be the best person to act within the other country.
”And Ms. Melon, I have a request for you as well.”
Her Majesty called me closer and whispered her instructions.
”Huh? Your Majesty, you’ve thought this through!?”
”It’s a secret for now, but… I’m counting on you.”
* * *
Two days later, Lieutenant Reina was released from the Royal Palace and returned to her country due to insufficient evidence of her involvement in the gate theft.
Of course, this was a planned scenario, and she was sent back to her country to fulfill Her Majesty’s expectations of gathering information.
”What? Are you going to Sir Yōmo’s territory, Big Sister Melon? Me too?”
Karin says suspiciously.
”Yes, that’s right. You don’t want to be alone in the Royal Capital, do you? Ms. Sharlin will be with us, so you won’t have to worry about a training partner.”
”I see. Got it!”
Lately, I’ve been focused on work, and I’ve been relying more on Karin to help me with things around me.
I wonder if that’s a good thing, but thanks to that, Karin’s cooking, laundry, and cleaning skills have really improved, so I guess it’s good training for her as a bride.
Anyway, I must not neglect the preparations ordered by the Queen.
Then I head towards the Duke Yōmo territory with the alchemy team I used to be with at Kashiwagi Manor.
And I was surprised when I arrived.
The engineers who should be at Kashiwagi Manor are here!
”Huh!? Why are the Mr. Dwarf Engineers here?” Chief Yoruku is surprised too.
”Well, it’s because we were instructed by the Queen to build a generator here… It’s a direct order from Sir Aaron…”
Ah. But since everyone is already here and work is progressing, it must mean that those orders were given right around the time we left for Tokura Village to catch the gate.
What the Queen is up to, acting all coy.
How far ahead is she thinking!?
And this… it’s bigger than the one at Kashiwagi Manor!
While I was half amazed and half exasperated, Sir Yōmo, who arrived later, spoke to me.
”Hello, you must be Puruun’s chief secretary’s younger sister. Nice to meet you, I am the lord of this land, Yōmo.”
”Duke. It is an honor to meet you. I am Melon, Puruun’s younger sister and a court second-class mage. I have come here by the Queen’s decree, and I look forward to working with you.”
”So this is… Mr. Yuuta’s daughter? I haven’t met Mr. Yuuta, so I wouldn’t know, but with such a cute daughter, she must take after her mother.”
”Ah. I hear that a lot. Sir Aaron says the same… I am Karin, Yuuta’s daughter,” Karin greeted shyly.
”Haha. You’re getting along with Aaron, huh? So, Ms. Melon, the preparations instructed by the Queen are mostly in place, but… is Asuka planning to go to war with the neighboring country? If so, I think I need to go admonish her once…”
”Ah. Please don’t worry, Duke. It’s merely a precaution. We must show the neighboring country that we are prepared, or they might act recklessly again like they did with the recent gate seizure. Also, it serves to strengthen border security.”
”I see… If that’s the case, I won’t say anything more. Anyway, I will prioritize restoring diplomatic channels with the neighboring country and gather information about Ms. Puruun and His Majesty the Emperor.”
”So, Duke, is there any news about my sister… I mean, the head secretary?”
”We’re only receiving reports from infiltrators since we can’t use official channels, but it seems a few people are running around the country. It appears Emperor Balmstra has been placed on a wanted list for killing several servants when he left the palace. Ms. Puruun is our envoy, so she likely won’t be executed immediately if captured, but if there’s a series of conspiracies linked to the recent gate seizure, His Majesty the Emperor’s life may be in danger. Also, that lieutenant from the technical support team who escaped the Royal Palace the other day seems to have been captured by the imperial army. They are really being toyed with, aren’t they?”
It seems the neighboring country is in quite a dangerous situation.
I hope Ms. Reina can handle things safely.
Of course, the fact that Ms. Reina is a double agent is a secret even from Sir Yōmo.
Still, being a wanted person again… my sister seems to have that role quite often.
And a few days later, it seems the imperial army has begun to deploy troops near the border with Sir Yōmo’s territory.
At this point, tensions are high, and any unforeseen event could spark war, but Sir Yōmo is not one to act rashly, so I’m a little relieved.
The power plant under construction is strictly protected, and it’s safe because Ms. Sharlin always stays by our side… but the border suddenly becomes tiny.
Damn it.
But this is probably.
It seems like it’s no longer just a gate problem.
Even if we give up on Yuuta, will the movement of the neighboring country not stop?
Things to come to this point, I felt like I had learned about another scary thing about the gate.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
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