A Creative Alchemist Enjoys His Freedom – After Being Banished from His Hometown, He Is Now Free to Create Magical Items with Incredible Effects Under the Control of the Demon King - Episode 40

Episode 40: “Interlude: Events in Imperial Territory (4) Part 1”

　──A few days later, in the imperial capital──

“The operation has failed. Your work is done. Earl Barga Regus.”
“──What!?”

　This was in the mansion of Zagran, Minister of Military Affairs, located in the Imperial City.
　In one of those rooms, Zagran was meeting Earl Barga Regus.

　After completing the operation to subjugate the 『Demon Beast Gargarossa』 in the Demon King’s territory, Zagran returned to the imperial capital.
　When he returned to the mansion, he found a letter from Earl Barga Regus requesting a meeting.
　So Zagran decided to summon him to his mansion.

　When Barga Regus appeared, he was dressed in aristocratic clothing and a flamboyant cloak.
　It was hard to believe that he was about to set off on an expedition to the south.
　It seemed that he thought that the strategy was successful and that his achievements would cancel his trip to the south.

　The strategy was, of course, to pass the letter to Thor Regus and produce the desired effect.
　However, the 『aim』 that Minister of Military Affairs Zagran had in mind and the 『aim』 that Barga Regus had in mind were completely different.

“Your job is no longer here.”

　Zagran simply told the truth.

“I was unable to get your son to do the Empire’s will. The operation has failed. You should leave immediately and head south.”
“T-Thor, did he really refuse my request?”
“Why are you surprised?”
“…Why, what’s?”
“Did you really think your son would do as you pleased?”
“What are you saying, Lord Zagran?”

　Barga Regus cried.

“And that’s why I wrote the letter as instructed, didn’t I? In order to make Thor a spy of the empire…”…”
“No. That’s not the case.”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran shook his head.

“That was a plan to disrupt the Demon King’s territory. There is no way your son would do as you wish now.”
“Huh?”
“I told you before, 『I hope you don’t plan on taking advantage of your son now.』 Do you remember? Barga Regus.”

　The cold voice echoed throughout the mansion’s reception room.

“There is no chance that your son will do as you wish. However, he is trusted by the people of the Demon King’s territory and has ill feelings towards the Empire. Therefore, it was necessary to make people in the Demon King’s territory misunderstand him as a pawn of the Empire. To make it difficult for your son to live in the Demon King’s territory.”
“And what about that letter?”
“It’s meant to drive a wedge between your son and the people of the Demon King’s territory.”
“B-but! Did the letter reach Thor? Why would you say it was a failure…”
“That’s because Thor Regus had that letter read out in front of the people of the Demon King’s territory.”
“……Why…is that?”

　The Earl Barga Regus was speechless.
　 It was understandable how he felt.
　Zagran himself didn’t expect Thor Regus to go that far.

　The letter could possibly contain personal information about him.
　To make it public would be impossible unless he truly trusted the people of the Demon King’s territory.
　He wondered if he really thought that the people of the Demon King’s territory were his family.

“It was completely unexpected. He trusted the people of the Demon King’s territory and made the letter public. The people of the Demon King’s territory have returned their trust in him.”

　Zagran continued.

“Moreover, he has abandoned his family name, declaring that from now on he will call himself Thor Kanan. That was the final decision. If he abandons his family name and declares that he will become a resident of the Demon King’s territory, it will become difficult for us to lay hands on him. Moreover, the people of the Demon King’s territory have also accepted his new name. They have made him one of their comrades.”
“…His Excellency Zagran.”
“What is it? Barga Regus-dono.”
“What will become of me?”
“It’s going according to plan. As Captain of the Ten, you will head to the southern front.”
“But! I followed your orders!”
“Yes. You wrote the letter as instructed and had the captain of the Earl’s guards deliver it to Thor Regus.”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran nodded.

“But I told you, 『If this strategy goes well, I will reduce the punishment for you.』”
“──Uh.”
“The operation has failed. Not only could it make Thor Regus a spy of the empire, but it could not even disturb the Demon King’s territory. You and I have accomplished absolutely nothing. Isn’t it natural that there is no reward?
“Failure… then what about my Earl family?”
“Your title won’t go down any further. You can rest assured about that.”
“…Oh.”
“It has been decided that the Regus family will remain. In order not to provoke the Thor Regus—no… Thor Kanan, who is in the Demon King’s territory.”

　Hearing those words, Barga Regus stiffened.
　He held his breath and opened his eyes as if he couldn’t believe it.

“To avoid provoking Thor Kanan, the one who changed his name?”
“That’s right. If he has nowhere to return to, he will have no choice but to do his best for the Demon King’s territory. Your son seems to be a capable man, so I want to avoid that. If so, it would be a good idea to leave him a place to return to the empire and reduce his animosity.”
“However! The head of the Earl family is Barga Regus…”
“Your role is over the moment you wrote the letter.”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran spat out.

“I will leave your house because of your achievements.”
“What did I do…!?”
“You have made enemies within the Demon King’s territory by insulting and banishing your son. You’ve increased the number of enemies by offering a strange conspiracy to the Flame General.”
“……Uh”
“In the Empire, the crime of making an enemy of that powerful Demon King’s territory is grave. Normally, it would be fine to destroy the Regus family. You should think that it’s thanks to your son that you can remain an Earl.”
Thanks to that person… I am… like that.”
“You can be an Earl with just a name, thanks to the son you banished. Now that you know that, set off for the South. The carriage is already on its way to pick you up.”
“Ahhhhhhhh!!”

　Barga Regus slammed his foot on the floor and started screaming.
　He was then taken away by one of Zagran’s subordinates.

　There would be a carriage waiting outside.
　Barga Regus would now be sent to the assembly point for the Southern Expeditionary Force.
　His destination was the southern battlefield, and just as he wished, he has been given the position of captain of the decemvirate (a group of ten).
　Barga Regus was skilled with the sword and would likely achieve some success on the battlefield.

“That is, if he is able to lead the troops. Let’s hope that Barga Regus has respectability…”

　With that, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran sat down in his chair.

“…No, I can’t laugh at him either. The plan to show the Demon King’s territory the strength of the Empire has failed spectacularly. On top of that, it was a blunder to be saved by the soldiers of the Demon King’s territory. The first expedition of Her Highness the Princess could not be decorated with victory…”
“Your Excellency……”

　A voice came.
　After a quick knock, the door opened, and his deputy entered the room.

“We have received a message from the Imperial Court’s high-ranking officials requesting that you appear in two hours.”
“Oh, thank you for your hard work.”
“Also, is Earla Barga Regus okay? He seemed to be shouting something until the very end.”
“I know he wanted to scream. He’s a proud aristocrat.”

　Zagran gave a self-mocking smile.

“It must be an unbearable humiliation to keep a house, thanks to the son whom one has banished. But he can’t let his generation destroy the family that has been passed down for generations. That’s the dilemma he’s struggling with.”
“It’s a historic house, but it’s so unexpected…”
“There are many noble families that have disappeared throughout the Empire’s history. Now then… I think I should take action myself.”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran stood up.
　Put on a monocle, put on a cloak, and wore a costume to get out in front of the emperor.

“I am heading to a meeting of high-ranking officials at the palace. Please prepare a carriage.”
“Y-yes, Your Excellency.”
“You don’t need to worry about me. This time, I think I’ll only have to take a pay cut. Even though we were saved by the Demon King’s territory, it did not change the fact that we subjugated the demon beast. And we were also able to confirm the capabilities of the Demon King’s territory.”
“I understood”
“We’ve learned a few things. The magic used by the Demon King’s Territory is incredibly powerful and has a long range. And most importantly, they didn’t direct that power towards the Empire.”

　Zagran muttered quickly as he walked down the hallway.

“The Demon King’s Territory does not seem to have any intention of opposing our Empire. However, we cannot let our guard down. They have powerful magic and a mysterious alchemist. That alchemist may be the same person as Thor Kanan… Either way, we will need to come up with new countermeasures.”
“Well then… Your Excellency.”
“I intend to propose a new strategy at the high-ranking meeting.”

　Zagran and the lieutenant left the mansion.
　A carriage bearing the Imperial crest was waiting in front of the gate.
　Only high-ranking officials of the Empire were allowed to use it. The carriage was heading to the Imperial Palace, where His Majesty the Emperor and other high-ranking officials were waiting.
　Prepared for detailed questioning about the operation, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran considered his next plan.

　Princess Liana was still growing.
　Until she could fully master the power of the holy sword, he couldn’t allow any more failures.
　Moreover, it would not be wise to show the holy sword to the Demon King’s territory any more than this.
　They should show our strength in other ways.
　So, the plan they should take now was──

“We will be there shortly, Your Excellency.”

　Soon, the palace came into view.
　Looking out the window and checking the distance between him and the guards, Zagran said,

“…I have instructions.”

　He spoke a few words to the female aide (assistant) standing next to him.

“Yes, Your Excellency.”
“As soon as we get permission from His Majesty the Emperor, we may have to use 『that particular member of the royal family』. Make a list of those you can mobilise.”
“… I understand.”
“…I can’t laugh at Earl Regus. If I make another big mistake, I won’t be able to remain Minister of Military Affairs anymore. I can’t make another mistake.”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran chuckled.

“The time and money I invested as Her Highness Liana’s tutor. I can’t let it go to waste. I have to come up with a new plan to restore my honour.”
“…Yes, Your Excellency.”
“Now that the high-ranking officials know the power of the Demon King’s territory, they can’t just leave it alone. They will definitely do something. And if I propose a safety measure, they will go along with it. So, I need a plan with as low a chance of failure as possible──”

　A voice so quiet it couldn’t be heard outside.
　It was such a short time that a secret conversation would not be suspected.
　After finishing the conversation, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran got off the carriage.

　A few hours later, the following was decided at a meeting of high-ranking officials of the Dorgalian Empire:

• A reduction in the salary of the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran.
(However, Zagran has paid a reward from his own pocket to the Demon King’s territory for saving the princess. That amount will be offset with the pay cut.)

•  The third princess, Liana, is forbidden from leaving the imperial capital for one month.
　During that time, train as 『Princess of the Holy Sword』.

•  Execute a plan to prevent the Demon King’s territory from getting into trouble.
　The operational plan is drawn up through consultation between the Minister of Military Affairs Zagran and a person selected by the Council of High-Ranking Officials.

•  Build watchtowers and extend the walls in a town near the Demon King’s territory.
　All such arrangements will be made by the Minister of Military Affairs, Zagran.

“Our empire will not launch an attack on the Demon King’s territory. However, we cannot afford to let our guard down. I would like Minister of Military Affairs Zagran to draw up a strategy as soon as possible. Depending on the circumstances, I will also allow the royal family to participate.”

　──That was the conclusion of the Imperial high-ranking officials’ meeting.

“…Is that all it took?”

　After the meeting, Minister of Military Affairs Zagran slumped his shoulders and sighed.

　To be honest, he was prepared for demotion or dismissal.
　However, it seemed that the fact that there were no casualties among the troops dispatched was appreciated.

　It was also significant that the Demon King’s Territory officially acknowledged that 『the successful subjugation of the demon beast Gargarossa was the result of a joint operation between the Demon King’s Territory and the Empire.』
　The strongest of the Empire’s military forces and the Holy Sword Princess had at least not been defeated by the demonic beasts.
　Since they had not been defeated, there was no reason to punish those who had participated in the operation.

“So I was… saved by the Demon King’s territory…”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran gritted his teeth.
　The Demon King and his companions might be laughing right now, thinking that the Empire was nothing to be feared.
　They couldn’t allow that to happen.
　At any cost, they needed to demonstrate the strength of the Empire.

　However, Zagran would not be able to participate in the next operation.

　It was unfortunate that he couldn’t regain his honour on his own, but it can’t be helped. As the Minister of Military Affairs, he was also a valuable tool for the Empire──With that thought, Zagran got into the carriage that was waiting for him.

“In any case, the Demon King’s territory is a formidable force. We must maintain the authority of the Empire and strengthen the country’s defences without opposing them. It would be best if someone who understands this was put in charge of operations…”

　Minister of Military Affairs Zagran muttered this as he headed towards the mansion.