How to Survive as a Genius Spy in the Game Chapter 98 - Chenarus's Assassin (5)

-I heard that all three princes are not really the emperor’s children. We need to investigate this.

It was a fact I came across when playing the game. For me, it’s an unforgettable memory since it happened right before one of the princes became emperor.

Prince 1, Prince 2, Prince 3. The situation kept changing but no matter who it was, they were suspected of being illegitimate children. 

And conclusively, all three princes were not the emperor’s children.

Having an affair outside the imperial palace, evading the eyes of the intelligence agency? Does this make any sense?

I did think about that before. The empire was not such an easy place. But that was the truth in the game. It was one of the reasons why I specifically chose Erendil.

“What did you say?” 

Phiri was shocked.

“How does that make any sense? It’s too absurd!”

-I overheard a conversation between the Imperial Chief of Intelligence Duke Schweig on my rest day.

“Who was he talking to? It wasn’t false information he spread right?”

-It wasn’t that.

“That doesn’t make sense. Their hair color is also the golden blonde of the imperial family.”

-Did you forget? The Duke Egni family has the same hair color.

The in-laws the founding emperor purged. They were a family of the emperor’s close friends from when he founded the country, and they frequently intermarried with the imperial family over many years, holding power together.

But Phiri still seemed to have a hard time believing it.

“It’s hard to believe. How could the empress have an affair in the imperial palace? The knights guarding her not to mention the intelligence agency would be wide awake.”

-What if the partner was one of the deceased empress’s knights?

“Knights? Wait a minute. The empress’s knights at the time were….”

-Yes. They were both the empress’s cousins.

The Sevilen County’s sons guarded the empress. And those two both had affairs with the empress.

While one guarded outside, the other spent time with the empress.

“They’re Count Sevilen’s younger brothers now right?”

-Yes. I heard Count Sevilen was quite unhappy about how he was treated when he met the prince, and he angrily mentioned it was a fact.

I didn’t hear it directly but it didn’t matter either way. The count did meet the prince after all.

The result wasn’t great either.

The princes were hesitant to associate with that side as the Egni family, their maternal relatives, had been purged.

And in the game as well, Count Sevilen moved similarly.

He wavered between the princes, and distorted information to spread for the prince that held his hand.

For example, if he took the first prince’s side, he revealed that the second prince and the third were illegitimate.

It was revealing the shame of his own family, so he wasn’t suspected much.

Or he used that information to threaten the princes.

There were times when I was extremely anxious, when that suspicion came out after I took the prince’s side.

-I also heard they both had affairs with the empress.

“That’s hard to believe. It’s got to be a lie right?”

-There’s a possibility but close relative affairs aren’t unheard of. I heard the empress and those knights were especially close friends since they were young. There’s no harm in confirming.

The devil worshippers are trying to attack Erendil. My assassination has delayed their attack and bought them time.

We need to make good use of that time.

Originally I wanted to move slowly to solidify my footing, worried about the butterfly effect.

But now I am still determining how things will play out. I need to also prepare to attack the princes.

Even if it means revealing the empress’s betrayal, the damage to the princes must be bigger than to Erendil.

Even if controversial, it can’t be bigger than not being of imperial blood.

-And whether it’s false or true, it doesn’t matter. We just need to use that information.

“That’s true. In fact, we could even manipulate Count Sevilan.”

-Yes. Or we could lure them over to the Princess’s side.

Phiri also agreed. Although it may be hard to believe, it was beneficial for us either way.

The truth is not important. What matters is how people perceive it.

“By the way, Father asked about you.”

-Did you make contact?

“It was one-sided. I only received a letter, I couldn’t write back.”

I was slightly disappointed. It would’ve been nice if Phiri had a direct way to contact him.

Well…from Phiri’s position, she couldn’t have thought the leader betrayed her. It would be strange if she had something of a way to write back.

I was also regretful about something else.

When Duke Brusek formed a direct intelligence team in the north, I wondered if he would uncover the leader’s identity, but he didn’t get that far.

“Anyway, Father said to ask you for your impression after seeing the princess. He said he had forgotten to ask before.”

Ah. It was something I said when I wanted to go to the Empire in the past. I joked about it last time too.

I didn’t think he still remembered it so suddenly hearing about it was a bit bewildering.

Phiri giggled mischievously.

“You said you applied to the Empire because you wanted to see the princess, one of the continent’s three great beauties, but you actually wanted to grow more by going to the Empire. Were those all lies?”

-Phiri, the former out of mild childlike curiosity, the latter for a more serious reason.

“So what’s your impression? You can’t mention the leader’s identity in a coded message in the letter you’re sending, but Father did ask so you should give an answer.”

-I’ll just say, like I heard, that she was as beautiful as rumored.

Phiri playfully asked.

“Really? More than me?”

I was slightly pressured but Phiri gave me the chance to attack on my own.

Did she think I’d give an answer that’s pleasing to hear since I’m her younger brother? As if that would happen.

-The princess is one of the continent’s three great beauties, isn’t she?

“I’ll see you later.”

Phiri gritted his teeth, seemingly a bit miffed.

-If things go as planned, wouldn’t I still maintain my position as her knight even after the princess becomes empress?

“Well, we wouldn’t have to meet like this then. Besides, I’m good at waiting, you know?”

I chuckled quietly, keeping some distance because Emmet was present.

-By then, I might even be in a higher position than you, Phiri.

“Hey, what’s with you? Just because you’re by the princess’s side, you’ve become all high and mighty?”

Phiri couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the absurdity. There was a playful tone in the banter.

-What else did Father say? He’s not the type to write a letter over something like that.

“It wasn’t a mission given to you. We were told by the Imperial Intelligence Agency to rescue one person.”

The Imperial Intelligence Agency? That was unexpected.

Since it was a rescue rather than a kidnapping, it meant defection. Well, it might be okay.

Right now the Imperial Intelligence Agency will be in chaos due to the fight with the devil worshippers.

Maybe the devil worshipper net is tightening within the intelligence agency.

Or the opposite.

Since there are devil worshippers within the Imperial Intelligence Agency, the one in danger may have requested aid from the Duke.

‘Anyway, the fact that he’s in contact with Duke Brusek means he’s no low-ranked person.’

He must be quite high-ranked. I didn’t expect Duke Brusek to have a connection like that.

It turns out he has a wider network than I thought.

-A rescue? What’s the reason?

“The Empire raised the devil worshippers. And they said the devil worshippers will come for their lives.”

As I guessed, the Empire created the devil worshippers. And now there’s a problem with that.

And for me, it was another crisis.

It meant the fight ahead wouldn’t be easy, since even those highly ranked in the Imperial Intelligence Agency are being threatened by them.

It was not going to be an easy fight.

-That’s right. They’re not fools either, so they probably said they’ll provide detailed information after the rescue, right?

“Yeah.”

-I see why you’re telling me this.

“It’s related to the devil worshippers.”

Phiri’s voice contained worry. Because it was happening under Duke Haisen’s Imperial Intelligence Team. 

Since the leader is a devil worshipper, our side’s movements and the target’s movements may be read as well.

The one who requested aid entered the lion’s mouth with their own two feet. There will surely be an ambush of some sort.

Anyway, Phiri wanted me to participate as a third party.

-When is it?

“The night in 2 days.”

-It’s not a rest day.

“Can you make it?”

I think I can get permission from the princess. I built up trust with Erendil. This much she will allow. The problem was Emmet.

Since we serve together as guards. Of course, there are methods but I felt I would get unnecessary attention. Well, I’d have to put up with that much.

“I heard Chenarus’s assassin is quite famous recently? If you make a fuss, won’t they assume it’s them? I’ll get you the outfit.”

-Have you lost your mind?

Of course, she was joking.

Carelessly, it could raise suspicions that Chenarus’s assassin is affiliated with Haisen.

“The operation is bound to fail. Father advised against taking risks.”

-All because of me.

“Yeah. The princess has almost gained the upper hand, so there’s no need to push it. If things go awry, we’ll all flee. If it looks like we’ll be caught, we’ll choose death.”

It seemed like Phiri was worried about something specific. However, I was concerned about something else.

-Phiri, if the leader uses force, you might be the most at risk.

“Yeah. From their perspective, I’ll be the biggest nuisance. And being perceptive, they might suspect that I know something. Ugh. Even the kids’ expressions seem suspicious these days.”

Well, Phiri would have a tougher time than me. It must feel like walking on thin ice every day under the enemy’s nose.

I offered some reassurance.

-Phiri, your acting won’t be that obvious.

“I know. The leader isn’t ordinary either. But it should be fine. Some of Father’s people are joining us too.”

Well, we have to bring the rescued people along. But still, being too relaxed is out of the question.

-No, I’ll go, but you have to be careful. I can’t say it outright, but you know. Haisen agents should also be suspicious.

Phiri nodded heavily after a brief silence.

“…Yeah.”

On the day of the mission, Carlyn requested a private audience with the princess. Since it was not a common occurrence, the princess was puzzled.

“Your Highness, may I be away for a while tonight?”

“Seeing you ask like this, it must not be a normal matter.”

Just because one was a knight guard didn’t mean one had no personal affairs. They could be sick, getting married, or having a family member pass away…

In cases like these, the guard knight from their rest day would take over their duties.

“Is it a problem you can tell me about?”

“It’s related to the Haisen Intelligence Agency. However, that side doesn’t know I’m getting involved.”

“That’s hard to understand.”

“It’s a problem between the Imperial Intelligence Agency and the devil worshippers.”

The princess furrowed her brows.

“Could it be….”

“Yes. There are turncoats in both Haisen and the Empire.”

“Is it okay?”

“I don’t know yet, but I feel I should go take a look.”

“Then go ahead.”

The princess readily nodded her head. She trusted Carlyn. He was a guard who had put his life on the line for her.

And following Carlyn’s words had never led her astray.

In the princess’s experience, things worked themselves out well when she just let Carlyn do as he wanted.

“But what will you do about Emmet? Were you thinking of telling him this time?”

“Can you call me in alone, Your Highness?”

“Alone?”

The princess was surprised. Spending time alone at night was never a normal occurrence at all.

Emmet wasn’t the type to gossip about things like this, but still, her heart thumped a little.

“As I said last time, it’s best if few people know about me. If the reason is to discuss Duke Lyurik, it should be fine.”

Carlyn continued speaking, gauging the princess’s reaction.

“If it discomforts you, I will tell the truth to Sir Emmet.”

“No, let’s do as you say.”

“Thank you.”

“But to use Duke Lyurik as the reason, shouldn’t there be a need?”

“Ah, wouldn’t the marriage issue we talked about last time be sufficient?”

The princess nodded with a flustered face. And so, late at night, past midnight, the princess called Carlyn.

“Schurtafen, I have something to discuss.”

“At this time, Your Highness?”

Carlyn pretended to be surprised. Emmet also had a puzzled look. The princess would normally be sleeping now.

“I received a letter from Duchess Lyurik yesterday and forgot about it for a bit.”

“What is it about?”

“The duchess brought up an engagement between her and you, Schurtafen.”

“What? Between the duchess and Schurtafen?”

In fact, there was no need to discuss this at this time. But Emmet could not think that far.

He was too shocked by the startling news. But soon Emmet could also understand.

Currently, in the Empire, no one aside from the emperor could compare to Carlyn’s status.

That’s what a war hero was to the imperial citizens. And with talent at such a young age, future success was a given.

“I was about to talk about it in the morning but I couldn’t sleep and it seemed like it would be a long discussion so I came out.”

Carlyn played along.

“Yes. The duchess is an important figure so we should send a reply as soon as possible.”

“Right. It’s not something you can decide on easily either. Come in.”

Carlyn entered the room with the princess and bowed his head.

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Are you leaving right away?”

“I don’t know how long it will take.”

“You’re going immediately?”

“Yes.”

Carlyn nodded and headed towards the window. He had to leave the imperial palace now.

Erendil added,

“Don’t stay out too late.”

“I understand.”

After a brief silence, the princess continued speaking. It was just as Carlyn opened the window.

“Don’t get hurt.”

“I’ll try my best.”

“Come back.”

“I’ll be right back.”

Carlyn bowed his head deeply and leaped out the window. It was 19m above ground. The winds assisted his body.