Chapter 33
Odette hesitated before finally deciding to join the discussion. If things went wrong, she’d suffer just as much as the rest of them.
“We have an ice mage, don’t we?”
“M-Me?” Kirill stammered. “I did freeze a monster, but… if I froze a person, it would be obvious right away.”
“I don’t mean an attack. I mean something… more subtle.”
Odette turned to look at Caesar.
“From what I know, nobles and officials who indulge in luxury often display ice sculptures at their banquets. But think about it—an extravagant ice sculpture that melts within a few hours? Everyone here knows how much government officials earn.”
The strategist, Golden, slapped his knee in realization.
“Because of wartime austerity measures, officials’ salaries have been drastically reduced. The only way they could afford such luxuries is through bribery!”
“Exactly. If we track who frequently orders ice sculptures, we’ll find the ones bribed by the Count. Removing them will weaken his influence.”
Odette continued explaining.
By exposing corrupt officials and forcing them out of office, they could sever the Count’s connections and diminish his power.
And naturally, his standing within the Emperor’s faction would shrink as well.
As she finished speaking, Golden clapped his hands.
“Lady Odette, that is truly an excellent strategy. Not only can we purge the corrupt officials, but we’ll also cut off the Count’s network of supporters.”
Caesar, too, looked at her with a satisfied expression.
“An impressive idea.”
What’s with all the praise?
The direct compliment made her face heat up.
“…Thank you for acknowledging my contribution.”
“I only said it was a great idea,” Caesar smirked, tilting his head slightly. “Are you asking for recognition?”
“Give me a sapphire as big as my fist.”
“One hundred million gold.”
“One hundred million gold?”
Odette blurted out the amount with her eyes squeezed shut, as if bracing for impact.
Caesar narrowed his gaze.
She could tell he was wondering why she needed such a fortune when he had already promised her ten million gold per month after their marriage.
“…I just think having that much money would make me happy. And besides, I’m not asking you for it.”
She quickly added that she planned to extract the sum from the Count.
If Caesar assumes I asked for the money just to mess with the Count, that’s perfect. The truth is, I was planning to use it as my escape fund.
Regardless, forcing the Count into a tight spot was a bonus.
She had already demanded the money within three days, and he had been running around meeting people ever since.
Now that she was officially a heroic figure, it wasn’t unreasonable to demand compensation from her enemy.
“If you increase the alimony you receive from divorcing Lady Amelia and ensure my share is included… you’ll back the Count into a corner while also strengthening your own reputation.”
After all, it would look as though he was the one benefiting from the substantial dowry she’d be taking with her.
“So, you want to drain the Count’s funds and take them for yourself?”
“I prefer to think of it as part of a larger plan.”
“A larger plan?”
“Yes! By tightening his finances, we’ll force him to act, and in doing so, he’s bound to make mistakes. If he struggles financially, his standing within the Emperor’s faction will become unstable.”
Even within the Emperor’s faction, power struggles were intense.
The Emperor’s own loyalists were gradually losing influence.
The true powers now lay with the Crown Prince and his father-in-law, the Marquis of Lansford.
That was why Golden had earlier suggested dealing with the Marquis first.
In other words, the Count was already being pushed out of the Emperor’s inner circle.
And if he was left penniless on top of that?
His voice would carry no weight at all.
“Power is difficult to gain, but so easy to lose. Especially when you’re desperate enough to go around borrowing money. Doesn’t that make someone look pathetic?”
“Hahaha! You’re absolutely right. Lady Odette, I believe you should be the strategist instead of me,” Golden said, eyes filled with admiration.
“…P-Please don’t say things like that. My knowledge is barely worth anything.”
“But you also discovered the Count’s secret escape route.”
Why was Caesar bringing that up now?
He wasn’t some doting father bragging about his genius daughter.
Flustered, Odette turned red and muttered,
“Ah, that was just… a coincidence.”
“And you also uncovered the location of the hidden mines.”
“…That was just… luck.”
“Becoming the High Priestess isn’t something that happens by luck.”
Caesar straightened his posture and addressed his lieutenants.
“I figured you should all know.”
“H-High Priestess?”
At Caesar’s sudden declaration, all eyes turned to Odette.
What am I supposed to say in situations like this?
First, she was a war hero. Then, a strategist rivaling the best tacticians.
And now, she had to act like a saintly High Priestess?
As she hesitated, trying to school her expression into something serene, something unexpected happened.
Aden, followed by the other lieutenants, dropped to one knee before her.
Even Eroin went so far as to bow his head to the ground, making the sign of the cross.
“It is an honor to meet you, Your Holiness.”
“I-I don’t have a blessing—my divine power is purely offensive.”
She had thrown people across rooms and exploded a greenhouse, for heaven’s sake!
While Odette was on the verge of despair, Caesar, looking utterly pleased, curled his lips into a smug smile.
“From now on, treat her with the utmost respect. She is also my future wife.”
What is he thinking?
Odette lowered her gaze, deep in thought.
If they exposed Eric Anderson as a dark sorcerer, it would be easy to ruin the Count.
And yet, Caesar hadn’t breathed a word about it to his lieutenants.
Why not? Is he deliberately making things harder for himself just to protect me?
She wanted to deny the possibility, but after the meeting ended, Caesar leaned close and whispered,
“You sided with me, so I will protect you. To do that, I’ve chosen a complicated and difficult path. If you feel any guilt over that… good.”
Instead of guilt, Odette felt pressure crushing down on her shoulders.
Caesar straightened and turned to Jacques.
“Jacques.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Keep monitoring the movements of the Count’s mercenaries and the secondary estate in the western woods.”
“Understood.”
“Aden, divide our forces into three groups and station them around the Hoan District’s perimeter. Exclude my first unit—we leave immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
“First unit, move out. Odette?”
Caesar extended his hand toward her.
“Are you ready?”
“…Yes.”
His palm, calloused from years of wielding a sword, engulfed hers completely. His long, strong fingers wrapped around her hand, leaving no space between them.
“Good.”
Caesar narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled—a breathtakingly beautiful smile that made her feel lightheaded.
After camping the night before, Caesar took Odette to the Riviera Hotel in the Hoan District.
He couldn’t meet the Count looking exhausted, having spent days chasing after her without proper food or sleep.
After ensuring Odette had a personal attendant, Caesar immersed himself in a steaming bath.
“Eric Anderson…”
That bastard had survived the same carriage accident that had taken Andrea’s life.
At the time, Eric had claimed he couldn’t remember anything about the incident.
Bullshit.
If he had really lost his memory, he wouldn’t have been walking around like a ghost all these years.
Despite being the Count’s only son, Eric had completely withdrawn from high society. He hadn’t even enlisted in the war, despite the Empire’s emphasis on chivalry.
This had put the Anderson household in a weak political position.
So, the Count made a calculated decision—he sent Caesar to war instead.
“A son-in-law is still family, isn’t he? Do your best for my house and your own, won’t you?”
Every time Caesar achieved military success, the Count had boasted about it.
He proudly claimed that Caesar was protecting the Empire thanks to his wise upbringing.
Fine, then. I’ll raise Eric just as well—turn him into the Empire’s greatest disaster.
There was a reason why Caesar hadn’t exposed Eric’s dark magic yet.
He needed to find Eric’s master first.
His father—once hailed as a swordsmanship prodigy—had died in an utterly ridiculous manner.
It had to have been dark magic.
Even if he killed the Count and overthrew the Emperor, his revenge wouldn’t be complete until he found the sorcerer responsible.
And that’s why I need Odette.
