Chapter 430

Undermining the King’s Younger Brother’s Faction
"Hmm. So he asked for the rescue of Duke Plafard in exchange."

After temporarily returning Viscount Melt to the dungeon, we resumed discussions with Duke Roberaud about our next moves.
Viscount Melt’s plea was for clemency for a duke who had sided with the King’s brother’s faction.
Apparently, that duke was Duke Plafard.

"What will you do, Duke Roberaud? Recruiting Viscount Melt would be simple, but saving Duke Plafard would require quite a bit of preparation."

"Indeed. There are rumors that the King’s brother himself is staying at Duke Plafard’s estate and directing operations from there. Attempting to save a man who is in such a place would be extremely difficult. However, if we’re thinking about dismantling the King’s brother’s faction, he would make an ideal figurehead once the King’s brother is removed."

"That’s true. The next thing is confirming whether he even wants to continue this war."

"Exactly. That is the key. Even if the King’s brother is eliminated, it would be meaningless if the war continues."

Ugh, these tough political talks just keep going.
There’s not much a merchant like me can really contribute here...

"Shall we dispatch a secret envoy?"

"Impossible. If he’s staying in the same estate as the King’s brother, any attempt to make contact would be extremely dangerous."

"So it’s no good after all. Isn’t there some reliable way to confirm his intentions...?"

A reliable method, huh...
What should we do in times like this?

"Maybe try talking to him when he’s out?"

"Lily?"

"Look, it’s not like he stays in the estate twenty-four seven, right? What if we try to talk to him when he goes into town or leaves the estate?"

"That’s the most realistic idea... but how would we pull that off?"

Yeah, that’s the tricky part.
Now then, how do we make this work?

"What, you’re stuck on something like that?"

"Plum?"

"Lily, I’ll have one less guard on you, but leave it to my people. I’ve no obligation to get involved in a fight between nobles, but this time you’re being targeted too. If we leave things alone, you might get attacked again. That’s why I’ll lend a hand this time."

"Are you serious, Lady Plum?"

"I never go back on my word. You lot just prepare the wanted poster and the letter. Also, if you plan to break one side, you should work on the other side too. What’s the plan there?"

She means the Third Prince’s faction.
I haven’t been directly affected by them, so I don’t know much.
But if we only take down the King’s brother’s faction, the Third Prince’s faction could take that as a chance to strike.
Annoying as it is, it looks like we have to deal with both sides.

What do you think about this chapter?