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“Yes, I doubt they’ll stand for this. Do you think Roynock and Facrita will join forces?”

“Both cities are in chaos after being blindsided, but their leaders can handle it. The duo will try and team up again once they’ve reassured everyone. Unfortunately…” Wein grinned. “I’m here to stop ’em.”

“You’re up to no good again.”

“If I wasreallyup to no good, there’d be nothing left.”

“That’s…entirely accurate.”

“You were supposed to disagree, Miss Ninym!”

Ninym ignored the gripe. “So what exactly do you have in mind?”

“It’s simple,” the prince said with another smirk. “I’ll use their fractured strength to my advantage.”

It was the dead of night.

A single figure traversed the moonlit backstreets of a particular city. A hood concealed their eyes as they soundlessly continued through the alley until finally arriving at a small house. The shadow knocked three times. No answer. They entered regardless.

“…”

The interior was dim and sparsely furnished. A masked man occupied a chair that had been placed next to a simple desk.

“I’m sorry I took so long,” the shadow greeted, pulling back their hood.

The seated man likewise removed his mask to reveal, of all people, West Representative Oleom. “Ah, Lejoutte. I’m glad you made it.”

Yes, the cowled figure’s identity was indeed Lejoutte.

They were alone, and neither had told anyone their destination. Thus, this could only be a secret rendezvous between the two representatives.

“My dear Oleom!” Lejoutte took off her mask and flew straight into Oleom’s arms.

“I panicked when I heard those alarming rumors. I’m so glad you’re safe.”

“I was worried, too, Lejoutte. Seeing you here shines a light on my troubled heart.”

The two smiled in one another’s embrace. Although Roynock and Facrita were currently allies, each side had secret ambitions to outwit the other. Yet their representatives were undeniably lovers.

“We were so close to fulfilling our dream, yet look at us now,” Lejoutte remarked, her expression twisted by frustration.

Oleom cupped her cheek and nodded. “Rallying the western and the southern cities, becoming allies, and uniting as both representatives and symbols of peace… It was all coming together.”

Yes, this was the truth no one else knew.

Before rising to power, Oleom and Lejoutte were two young people in love. However, each was a family member of their respective city’s representative. Announcing their relationship without due consideration would cause backlash and make life a living hell.

Neither could cast aside the feelings burning within them, however, so the pair chose to fight back.

First, Oleom and Lejoutte rose to power by intentionally adopting foreign knowledge to surpass the flood of other candidates.

Next, they pretended to be political rivals while bolstering the economic relationship between their cities and demonstrating the partnership’s advantages. Roynock and Facrita had slowly grown close to the point where it would require only a little nudging tofinalize the bond. Then Oleom and Lejoutte could be married at last.

If the couple couldn’t be together for love, they’d gladly use politics and profit to justify it. That was their grand scheme for eternal romance. Unfortunately, a devil had interfered. The visitor from Natra, Wein Salema Arbalest.

“Dear Oleom, how is Roynock faring?”

“The marriage campaign and whispers of revolt have riled the citizens. I’m trying to calm them, but the results are mixed… What about you?”

“I’m having similar trouble. Animosity toward the Muldu and Roynock is growing each day. I’m doing my best to defend your name, but…”

“I’ve heard the tales, but Prince Wein really isn’t someone you want for an enemy,” Oleom groaned.

“Should we mobilize our forces?” Lejoutte asked soberly.

If the western and the southern cities joined forces, their combined military had a good chance of overpowering Muldu. For all his strategic ability, Wein would be helpless against an army.

However, Oleom rejected this proposal.

“No, that isn’t wise. Agata is a Holy Elite, and Prince Wein is a foreign leader. If we attack them without just cause, it will greatly hinder future governance of the Alliance.”

Had Oleom and Lejoutte never studied the world beyond their borders, they may have employed a military approach. The pair understood that Ulbeth was the “backwoods of the West,” however, and knew that armed assault was ill-advised. Agata could be defeated only through lawful channels, and Wein would need to be sent home to Natra in one piece.

“It’s all right. Our skills will lead us to success. The SigningCeremony is coming up. If we can unseat Agata there, Prince Wein will have to return to Natra.”

“So the ceremony is our best chance to take control of our factions?”

Oleom nodded. “But Prince Wein may resort to violence even if we don’t. Be careful, Lejoutte.”

“I understand. Please take care as well, dear Oleom.”

“I swear I won’t die until the day I can embrace you in front of the whole world.”

Oleom and Lejoutte held hands.

“Our situation feels tense right now, but it’s a minor nuisance compared to whatthat other couplewent through. Let’s fight together.”

“Yes, Oleom.”

Together, they would surpass any obstacle. Oleom and Lejoutte kissed, conviction burning in their hearts.

But those feelings were soon betrayed.

“…What did you just say?”

Several days after his rendezvous with Lejoutte, Oleom sharply questioned his subordinate’s latest report.

“Ah, well, you see…” Overwhelmed though he was by his superior’s aura, the man repeated his message. “Rumors are spreading through the city that you and the South Representative are romantically involved…”

“…!”

Rage showed plainly on Oleom’s face, but it was only an act he put on in front of his servant. Internally, he was dumbfounded.

How were we discovered…?!

His secret meetings with Lejoutte were always at a different time and location, and he took meticulous precautions. They couldn’t have been caught so easily.

Still, gossip was spreading. There was no denying that the truth had leaked.

Is this another one of Wein’s tricks?! Was he eyeing our movements?!

Wein and his delegation didn’t know the lay of the land, and Agata’s forces were no doubt focused on the marriage campaign. Did he really have spare resources? Or was he putting his slaves to work?

No…I bet he didn’t even check if it was true!

Everyone knew there was a marriage boom in the Ulbeth Alliance. It was also common knowledge Oleom and Lejoutte were concerned these weddings would enfeeble their factions and hoped to curtail them.

Now rumors were spreading of a love affair between the two representatives. While they decried marriage among the populace, they were engaging in secret meetings. Moreover, Oleom and Lejoutte acted as bitter enemies in public. This was sufficient fodder even without solid evidence.

…At any rate, I need a counterattack!

It wasn’t like Oleom could ignore this fragmented truth. Not to mention the mess he’d have to deal with if Wein found substantial evidence. Oleom had to dampen the rumors, and quickly.

“I won’t allow such disrespectful lies. Find the source and apprehend the criminal. Catch the irresponsible gossipers spreading the falsehoods, too.”

“Understood…” The subordinate nodded, then nervously added, “Master Oleom…there is one more issue.”

“There’s more?”

Oleom’s eyes shot open at what he heard next.

“There’s a motion to impeach me…?!” Lejoutte stood from her seat when she heard the news. “What’s the meaning of this?! Why propose such a thing?!”

“In response to your marriage policies and the rumor of your affair with the West Representative, Master Huanshe and several other leaders held a meeting on the matter.”

“Ngh…! Now is not the time for that!” Lejoutte shouted angrily. She realized the futility of this outburst and shook her head. “I’m sorry. Taking my frustration out on you won’t solve anything.”

“Think nothing of it. But, Lady Lejoutte, if things continue as they are…”

The woman’s servant trailed off, but the implication was plain. This situation wasn’t ideal, and Oleom was undoubtedly in the same boat.

Representatives had to come from their city’s designated family. Altie had lost their family, so there was no one to fill the position, but Roynock and Facrita still had theirs. If Oleom and Lejoutte fell, other relatives would take their places.

Conversely, contenders who hoped to become representatives themselves saw the pair as a nuisance. For instance, many were aware that the man mentioned earlier, Huanshe, had long sought the role. Even if Lejoutte thought this was no time to be discussing impeachment, Huanshe could ask for no more excellent opportunity.

“A few proposing impeachment are also insisting that you be immediately taken into custody and a new representative chosen.”

“Honestly, they’re incorrigible…but sitting here twiddling our thumbs won’t help.”

If anything, the situation had been steadily deteriorating since Wein’s arrival. Lejoutte couldn’t believe she now had to fight her own faction on top of her foe in Muldu.

“I’ll hold a meeting soon. Make the necessary preparations.”

“Yes.”

As she issued orders, Lejoutte’s thoughts drifted to Oleom, who was undoubtedly suffering through an identical predicament.

Please be safe, Oleom…Lejoutte prayed silently to herself.

“I suppose you could say it’s factional pride,” Wein said as he read over reports about the western and the southern cities. “If Muldu were stronger, the factions would likely still be operating smoothly. However, any standard attack is enough to topple this city. Total victory.”

“And that’s what allowed infighting this late in the game.”

Wein nodded.

Oleom and Lejoutte already had their hands full with Muldu but now had to deal with growing dissatisfaction and dubious scandals as well. For anyone hoping to drag them through the mud, it was a perfect opportunity.

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The two representatives could warn the allies that were hoping to unseat them of the lurking threat, but how much good would it do? Those eager to snatch power from Oleom and Lejoutte wouldn’t sense the same danger.

“Man, the western and the southern cities sure have it rough.”

“It’s strange to watch someone use their piece’s own weakness to manipulate a foe.”

“It’s nothing special. Weakness and strength are just strategies. Strength can give you an easy victory, but even weakness can take down a king if you know how to use it. The key is method and timing.”

A knock came at the door, and Kamil walked in.

“Prince Wein, I have new information on Roynock and Facrita, but…”

“Oleom and Lejoutte are busy keeping all their ducks in a row, right?”

Wein’s tone was confident, but Kamil was nervous as he answered.

“About that…”

“What? What happened?” Wein asked, the questions tumbling out of his mouth.

Kamil steeled himself.

“…It seems the pair have eloped.”

Wein and Ninym looked at each other.