Chapter 5 Tricks and Success

While Arthur was meeting Duke Raul, Vinfred had already rendezvoused with his old friend, the margrave of Elmsworth, as well as Father of Dynir, Garfield Elmsworth.

"It's been a while, old friend. I wish we could meet during a more merry time. " Garfield greeted, Vinfred.

During the late Crown Prince's era, the Empire was flourishing with talents and commerce. After the Fourth Emperor's era, this was the only time when the Empire was progressing rapidly alongside side development of the economy. As close retainers of the Late Crown Prince, both Vinfred and Garfield had developed a friendship, despite the obvious age gap.

Thanks to that, Vinfred accepted the latter's plea for help.

"Been a while, friend. It is what it is." With a shrug, Vinfred said. With a harsh look in his eyes, he asked,

"What's the situation? "

"Not good. "Garfield said with disappointment.

After the Crown Prince's death, Garfield has abandoned all hope in the Central government, now ruled by 'great' aristocrats. But he can't abandon his Lord's only living son, so he decided to send his beloved daughter Luna to the Capital, where she became the young Emperor's exclusive Nanny. Not only is she capable, but she's also a great sorceress.

But thanks to that, the ones in power, who thought of her as a nuisance and are now trying to remove her from the picture and place their pawns near the Emperor.

The Nordheim Nobles were always expansionist and had eyes on not only foreign territory but also on other fellow aristocrats' territories as well.

"We had gathered around 8000 troops, 1000 knights, 2000 cavalry, 10 artillery batteries, and 15 squadrons of Gilded Falcons. " Garfield replied, honestly.

Gilded falcons are large flying birds that are, as the name suggests, gilded silver in colour. They can also control mana and have a high affinity for the wind element. Every alpha Gilded Falcon will be in fiery Golden, with crimson flames, and have an affinity for both wind and fire elements.

In the Elmsworth estate, Gilded Falcons are not only their Margrave's symbol, but are also tamed and bred for war. A single squadron consists of 8-14 Falcon riders.

"I see. What about the other side? " Asked Vinfred, after analyzing the situation.

"Currently, they have gathered around 14000 troops overall, which consists of infantry, cavalry, and 20 artillery batteries. But they also have 30 armed ships. While I barely have 10 ships. " Garfield replied.

"Hmm... This is bad... The enemy has numerical superiority and naval supremacy. But... Wouldn't they need the majority of those troops to guard the frontier? " Vinfred asked, before speculating the answer himself,

"Unless they have foreign backers. " He concluded.

"Damn it! What the heck is the government doing? Why haven't they intervened yet? Don't they realize that, chance of foreign countries invading increases if the struggle is allowed to happen at border! " He exclaimed angrily stomping his foot in anger.

"That's because the ones in control of politics are Prime Minister Karl, Archduke of Raul, and Interior Minister Louie, Archduke of Aquila. For them, the more the so-called 'neutral' nobles weaken, the stronger their factions would be. " Garfield explains.

"That's like putting the wagon in front of the horse. Damaging the Empire's interests will hurt them as well. " Vinfred said.

"I guess we would have to prepare for a foreign invasion as well. Recruit more levies, let the village form their autonomous militias. We need resources now more than ever. Close the ports and dock the ships. Since we are at a heavy disadvantage in terms of naval forces, it's better to preserve them. "Vinfred commanded. As a seasoned strategist, it wasn't uncommon for his side to be at a disadvantage.

The entire Margrave entered a war preparedness within a few hours.

---

Meanwhile, in the Capital.

Archduke Raul is finally meeting Arthur to formally replace Luna with his pawns. This time he has acted before his political rival even has the chance. Contacting Nordheim nobles and instigating them to start territorial skirmishes was all part of the plan...

But this wasn't part of it...

"I want Ginny back! She would never abandon me!" The Young Emperor demanded.

"Your Majesty, she's busy with some things due to her family. As they say, blood family is always more important. " Karl said, trying to sow discord between the pairs.

"No! You're lying! Mom told me not to believe you! If you don't want to help, then I'll order Duke Aquila to help. He's my grandfather, of course, he'll help me. " Arthur exclaimed, before adding,

"Yes you are right, blood is thicker then bond! " With a nod, he pretended to run outside, seeking his 'family' to help his nanny.

Archduke Raul, with a barely contained bloodlust, targeted Arthur, which sent shivers down later's spine.

*breath

Inhaling and calming his nerves, Raul had no choice but to shift his strategy.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty, this servant of yours will fulfill your wish. Please give this servant a chance. " Raul declared, as he knelt.

"Umu. As expected! I knew I could trust you, Prime Minister! Now I want to meet Ginny soon." Arthur said, immediately turning around as if he hadn't threatened the Prime Minister.

Pointing at the man that Raul had brought to replace Ginny, Arthur proclaimed,

"And I don't want that person near me. Bring Ginny back! "

"Anyway, let's see what Mom had to talk to me about. Bye-bye," He said cheerfully, before running off, followed by the servants.

Clenching his fists, Archduke Raul walked away in utter failure. All the planning he had done for the past few months has been destroyed by that spoiled brat!

'If only I can strangle him! 'That's the thought, flooded him. Calming his nerves took a long time. After returning to his Palace in Citadel, Raul ordered his vassals immediately,

"Change of plans! Send help to Elmsworth, and tell the Nordhiem nobles, and if they don't accept my 'sincerity', then send an appeal to the Imperial Diet to open up the Imperial Court. " He ordered.

"Maybe we would have to change our tactics. " His original plan was to weaken the neutral nobles led by the Margrave of Elmsworth indirectly and then swallow them whole, before Archduke Louie could even react.

But now, thanks to Arthur's meddling, he would have to forgo his plans. Truly, plans don't survive first contact.

~~~

Just a few hours later, Archduke Aquila arrived at the palace. Unlike Raul, he was an extremely cautious one, and immediately realized that something was wrong with the Emperor's attitude.

After confirming with spies, in secret, he concluded that Luna herself might be behind it. Still, after seeing a change in his hated rival's behavior, he realized that,

Karl fell into a trap. '

Left with no choice, he decided to help Elmsworth. The only thing remaining is meeting the Emperor, since Raul did the same.

What, he's having classes?

So what?!

I am his Grandfather! Classes can be postponed; our family comes first!

~~~

Again, Arthur's boring lectures were postponed, while his grandfather arrived to meet him.

"Ho ho ho, I hope Your Majesty is having a wonderful day! " Archduke Aquila greeted, stroking his long beard, appearing as a loving grandpa.

One glance from Arthur's mana vision revealed that his entire conscience is filled with greed.

Keeping that to himself, Arthur replied immediately, "Grandpa! I want Ginny back! Those damn Nordhiem or whatever are tratiors! I want their heads! "

Louie's face twitched as he watched his grandson throwing tantrums.

Internally sighing, he quickly replied, " Don't worry, Your Majesty, I will send someone to look into it. "

"No, you don't have to. The Prime Minister has already sent trustworthy people to stop the fighting. You don't have to do anything. " Arthur said, dismissing Louie.

Hearing that, rage boiled over, not at Arthur, but at Raul.

'That bastard! So it was his scheme. Now, half of the neutral faction would owe him. 'He thought.

He hastily clarified, "It's not like that, Your Majesty. I was just thinking of how I should help the Elmsworth family."

With that, Aquila said farewell and left the Palace in a hurry and went to his estate.

Immediately entire estate was filled with activities, with maids, servants, and messengers travelling everywhere.

---

As days passed, the ripple effect of Arthur's interactions with Duke Raul and Duke Aquila started to manifest. Both sides realised that whoever helped Elmsworth would gain Arthur's 'approval'. Though tactically useless, the Emperor's favor is a big deal in noble societies.

Both Dukes immediately changed their approach from indifference to direct support to Elmsworth.

Word spread fast that both factions, headed by Prime Minister Duke Raul and Archduke Aquila, chose to back Elmsworth in response to the young emperor's wishes. Outside of Political support, they also sent provisions and logistics for Elmsworth. Other than that, Raul went even further and ordered his vassals that were bordering the Nordheim Region to pressure them directly.

Unexpectedly, the Elmsworth Margrave emerged victorious in the conflict, seizing a dominant position. The Raul Duchy contributed crucial supplies, arms, and ammunition, while the Aquila Duchy provided advanced ships and ample food resources. This formidable support bolstered the Elmsworth forces, compelling the Nordhiem region counties and earldoms to the negotiation table.

Faced with a disadvantageous situation, the opposing factions had no choice but to abandon their aggressive stance. They were compelled to release all hostages and offer reparations to the innocent villages they had raided along the border. The once-oppressed Elmsworth Margrave now stood in a commanding position, thanks to the strategic assistance from the Raul and Aquila duchies.

Even the foreign nations have pulled back their forces after witnessing the swift response from the Archdukes. This allowed them to increase their prestige.

However, the consequences extended beyond the immediate victory. Unbeknownst to all at that time, the Nordheim nobles harbored resentment towards both factions.

---

Inside one of the villas in the noble district in the Imperial capital, a figure can be seen sitting across a round table. As he read the report, he let out a chuckle,

"Heh! " The voice echoed in the room.

"My Lord, I had informed His Majesty about the situation just like you ordered. " Another figure said.

The figure revealed himself to be none other than the butler, who is in the service of the Imperial Palace and also a personal servant of the Young Emperor. As it turns out, the butler was not one of the spies sent by the factions who wanted to surveil the Emperor, but because the figure in the darkness told him to do it.

As the figure read the report, a sense of satisfaction filled his senses.

"Nicely done. It seems this country still has hope left. " The figure said as he glanced at his hand, revealing a beautiful golden ring with the mark of Griffin on it.

"Deliver this letter to Garfield Elmsworth, and make sure only he should receive it. " The figure ordered his butler.

"As you wish. " The butler replied with a small bow, leaving the figure alone in the serene room, with his thoughts.

"Consider it a reward for entertaining me. " The figure mused to himself as he glanced outside the window, across which lay the large Imperial Palace. His eyes betray a sense of relief. Relief that the Empire still had hope.

As the last of the Guardians, he was the only one who could guard the old legacy. That legacy is the Empire itself.

---

In the following weeks, an unexpected development unfolded in the Capital and the Palace.

Garfield Van Elmsworth, the head of the Elmsworth family, made a surprise visit to express his gratitude directly to the emperor.

This move took everyone by surprise, including the various factions.

---