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There were no nobles who could guess the reason for Jenis Harker’s visit to the South. The fact that the Great Sage had abandoned the situation at the frontline to return to her own territory only served to remind the Southern Lords just how formidable the Jeffrey family’s power really was.

The influence of the Harker Clan had not died. Just the mere return of Jenis to the Southern Regions led many nobles within the ‘Harker Count’s Sphere of Influence,’ which consisted of numerous small territories, to seek an audience with her directly. The benevolent Count Harker accepted their requests for meetings one by one and engaged in discussions regarding the current political and economic situation.

Jenis reached one conclusion. Most of the members of the Southern Alliance, even those nobles who still held lingering attachments to the Harkers, agreed for now to rally under the Jeffrey banner. It was a clear fact that the ideology known as ‘Imperial Reconstruction Theory’ had established itself as the mainstream opinion among the lords.

The war had dragged on. The Northern Expedition, which had started in late autumn, was now in May and still had not determined the outcome. May would bring elections. The atmosphere of the current election was unchangeable. Originally, nobles who had not been friendly with the other Southern Lords had cast votes for the royal faction, but this time, they had united. Even the Koesernis faction, regarded as belonging to a noble but militaristic lineage, agreed with Jeffrey’s ideals. The Southern Alliance had now transformed into a colossal political faction.

Jenis realized that any hasty movements could seriously jeopardize her position. The fact that the Southern Alliance had established itself as a unified party meant that she could not simply rise against Jeffrey, who was virtually the leader of that party.

Count Harker, as the delegated ruler of the County, was maintaining influence based on the small territories within his realm. If she misstepped, she would be regarded as an outsider in this ‘faction’ and would be ostracized, losing even the Harker family’s reputation, which she could still use as a weapon. She needed to move cautiously. The best strategy was to address Jeffrey discreetly in private rather than criticize him openly.

Thus, filled with uncertainty about herself, Count Harker sent a letter to Duke Jeffrey, requesting an audience. Ostensibly, it was about discussing the funeral of Count Harker from the perspective of the Southern Alliance, but that was merely an excuse for the eyes around her. No one was unaware that Jenis’s actions would inevitably lead to discussions between the two prominent nobles regarding the direction of Jeffrey’s ideals.

“Welcome back to the South, my lady. I received your letter well. The body of the Count has been preserved here in Jeffrey’s Territory by me, Sally Jeffrey, as the temporary leader of the Alliance. I await your return to personally officiate the funeral. Would it be acceptable for you to come to verify the remains and belongings and engage in various discussions about the future? I await your arrival. – Sally Jeffrey”

It was a practical and straightforward letter, typical of Duke Jeffrey. Without delay, Jenis directed her carriage towards Jeffrey’s Territory. She was no longer the Great Sage of the Magic Tower but a regional lord and noble fitting for that role.

Though she brought her staff, her authority as a sage from the Magic Tower would not greatly assist her in the political situation of the South. It could, in fact, be a hindrance. The politicized alliance sought leaders who could represent their interests well, and the Magic Tower was more allied with the royal family than with the South. Since coming to the South, Jenis had actively begun using her noble title of ‘Countess’ that she rarely employed before.

Sally Jeffrey greeted Count Harker with warm and courteous hospitality. After the first dinner at Jeffrey’s Palace concluded, Sally personally led Jenis to a hidden chamber within the castle. This was the place where the remains of Count Harker were stored, which the alliance had taken care of.

Jenis opened the sarcophagus and looked down at Count Harker’s body, which had been preserved from decay thanks to the preservation magic she had placed. Just as the Count’s body had a gaping wound through the chest, Jenis felt a similar emptiness in her heart. Jeffrey maintained a respectful silence, allowing Jenis to observe the Count’s body.

After a while, after closing the lid of the sarcophagus, Jenis turned to face Sally Jeffrey.

“Thank you for preserving my father well.”

“I did nothing. It was all your doing, my lady. I merely lent you the safest location I know to borrow.”

“Thank you for continuing to protect the people of Harriet’s Territory. I heard you arranged a settlement for them.”

“Did you hear that report?”

“Yes, I heard about it. It was an excellent decision to grant local self-governing rights to the village chief. Chief Hark is an outstanding individual; he will take good care of his people.”

The atmosphere was cheerful. The Duke shrugged and smiled.

“When I see people, I can tell what measures they need. For displaced people like those in Harriet’s Territory, they need opportunities to be self-sufficient.”

“It seems that way. But I believe we might have somewhat… differing views on what measures are needed for the fate of our Empire, Duke.”

With that one statement, the previously warm atmosphere instantly turned cold. Sally Jeffrey stiffened her expression and nodded.

“Is it a political issue, my lady?”

“Everything in our lives is a political issue.”

“Let’s go upstairs. This doesn’t seem like a conversation suitable for this place.”

Jenis accepted the Duke’s offer. The two women walked silently up to Jeffrey’s private audience room. Inside the audience room, Sally Jeffrey instructed her attendants to serve Jenis a cup of tea, and then took a sip of water from her own glass.

Jenis watched with interest as Jeffrey brought the glass to her lips.

“That crystal glass, I’ve heard it’s a symbol nowadays.”

“A symbol? Ah, that could be one meaning. I know it seems like child’s play to insightful individuals like yourself. But such conflicts do not arise only among intellectuals.”

“Our assembly is an assembly of nobles, Duke.”

“They say it’s a playground for noble bloodlines, but the difference between whether the assembly’s decisions receive popular support is tremendous. Don’t you agree?”

“Isn’t ‘Jeffreyism’ politics for the people?”

“People tend to call it that. But I prefer the name ‘Imperial Reconstruction Theory’. The name matters. A flawed name can distort its very intentions.”

Sally Jeffrey made a valid point. The reason the Duke felt the need to correct the name ‘Jeffreyism’ was that it evoked a strange impression among people that ‘Duke Jeffrey seeks power to become a highly important figure within the Empire.’

Jenis thought that impression was not inaccurate, but the Duke, unable to ignore the royal family’s scrutiny, likely did not appreciate being seen as a figure driven by a thirst for power instead of a regional lord putting forth policies for the benefit of the populace.

“I see. So, you believe that the Imperial Reconstruction Theory is truly the right path for our Audrich Empire.”

“To be honest, I feel compelled to request your company. You, my lady, are remarkable. It’s astonishing you are still so young, yet you are at the heart of the Magic Tower, fighting on the frontlines more diligently than anyone else. I must confess, I cannot help but respect that. But please, speak candidly. You know the state of the war better than most. Is there any hope this Northern Expedition will end before summer?”

“Summer…may be difficult.”

Jenis answered honestly. They both knew enough about each other. There was no need to brag even in this personal meeting.

“If the fight does not conclude by summer, who will sow the seeds? And if the fight has not ended by autumn, who will sow and reap the wheat and barley continuously?”

“Surely there will be enough provisions. I observed them on the way here. The production capacity of Jeffrey’s Territory is sufficient. It’s not yet a situation where we need more manpower.”

“That’s because we are the privileged territory, my lady.”

Duke Jeffrey stated. Jenis had nothing further to say and fell silent.

“Our Jeffrey Territory takes pride in serving as the Empire’s granary, diligently tilling the land and replacing cash crops with food crops. But do you know something? On one hand, it pains me to think that this situation is abnormal. While our lands are fertile, there aren’t enough lands across the Empire to bear the burden of half the food supply. What does this mean? You should realize how other territories, aside from our privileged lands, must be suffering.”

“We have been managing the distribution and trade of that food within our clan.”

“Then you know even better. Lands that should originally produce ample amounts of food are not doing so because of a lack of manpower.”

“…That is true.”

“I am not asserting this for my sake. If I were selfish, I would simply let things be as they are. No one in the Empire dares to intervene too severely in Sally Jeffrey’s affairs. Why? Because if I were to throw a tantrum, anyone would starve. While I do not genuinely intend to act in such a way, to be honest, the grain in my hands is my most powerful authority. You would acknowledge this, wouldn’t you?”

“That is indeed an undeniable fact.”

“If my proposal is accepted, many soldiers who went north will return to become farmers again and rebuild the production capacity of the territories. And not only that! The lands that the Hero has sweat and blood to reclaim would also enter a major reconstruction over ten years, creating an Empire that no longer needs to be absolutely dependent on the Jeffrey family. During this process, what wealth and glory might I seek? I could increase my wealth by selling seeds to restart farming! But is that truly something that carries the weight of being someone tasked with half the Empire’s food supply?”

“You would effectively become the head of the assembly. That is substantial power.”

“Then please join me. This Sally Jeffrey has spent way too long living in the South as the second-in-command, and now rising up alone as the first-in-command seems burdensome. Harker and Jeffrey. If we join hands, we can emerge as the joint first-in-command of the Imperial Assembly, and many issues would be resolved. Would you clear the misunderstanding that I am after power in such a case?”

Jenis began to understand the reason why this woman held the entire South in her grasp.

Her words… were quite persuasive. Especially the assertion that improving the Empire’s food supply over a span of ten years to prepare for a counter-offensive could be an initiative that, if it weren’t for concerns about the Moriarty Machine, even Jenis might have genuinely supported.

If the Eramenia army could normally intervene, this kind of assertion would hold no value. However, Sally Jeffrey had remained quietly low-profile until the defeat of the Eramenia army, as though she were aware of that very fact. If the Northern Expedition were to progress successfully, Jeffrey would likely never have a chance to arise.

Jenis felt a discomfort akin to chewing sand in having to persuade someone who did not mention the Moriarty Machine at all. It was best not to come off too antagonistic. The Duke was currently rallying not only the Southern Lords but also the public’s support.

Even without being a republic, the sentiment of the people could not be ignored. There was always a lord above the people, and above that, the State.

“While your words please me immensely, I do harbor one concern.”

“What is your concern? Please share it. I will listen and provide you with my answer.”

“I have also heard news, and some of it contains rather radical rumors. Duke Jeffrey, is it true that you have mentioned the possibility of the Empire’s division and civil war if necessary? If that is indeed the case, this could be a lethal issue regarding the Empire’s security.”

At Jenis’s words, the Duke’s expression stiffened slightly.

“This was talk only based on the assumption that things could turn illegal. Furthermore, an independent vote in the assembly itself is a legitimate act. I would like to clarify that I do not mean to actually do such things.”

“I have heard it whispered. It will soon reach the royal family’s ears as well.”

“In that case, we must clear up such misunderstandings in the assembly even more. A unified Empire has always been one of the long-held ideals of the Jeffrey family. Why do you think our family surrendered to the Audrich family without shedding a drop of blood during the reign of the Kingdom?”

“What about the possibility of civil war?”

“That only assumes that the Hero would try to suppress our legal resistance by force. Surely, you do not think of the Hero as someone who would do such a thing? Haven’t you fought alongside the Hero? It is only right and just for the assembly to act on behalf of the people and come up with policies for their benefit regarding the Empire’s operation.”

“The assembly has no right to demand the cessation of the Northern Expedition. Military operations are fully delegated to the Hero and the royal family. Jeffrey’s decisions right now are threatening the assembly from exercising legitimate authority based on a completely unrelated issue of Empire division. This is neither just nor legitimate.”

This time it seemed that Jeffrey had nothing further to say. While Sally Jeffrey felt she could articulate a thousand and one reasons why she was right, she could not deny that the means she proposed were, in reality, close to underhanded.

The Duke sighed and took another sip from her cup of water.

“This is a difficult matter, my lady.”

“Yes, it is the most complex and troublesome issue I have ever faced.”

At the very least, there was one thing both women agreed upon.

 

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