"Unbelievable."

It was an explicit promise. A promise to provide supplies and troops, in exchange for never again casting even a glance at imperial territory.

The fact that Conrad of the Salian dynasty, who had thrown himself into the Crusades, was no longer the heir to the empire was something everyone tacitly acknowledged without needing to say it aloud.

"It's too early to jump to conclusions, Your Majesty. Perhaps there's been a misunderstanding, so please remain calm and consider the situation..."

"Are you suggesting he's loading his fleet with jewels for a family visit? That he's scraping together all those Venetian ships just to come to Aachen for a meal?"

Despite his calm tone, his irritation was evident. It seemed what the Kaiser needed now was not formal consolation but practical solutions. Having grasped this fact, Duke Frederick of Swabia finally opened his firmly closed mouth and joined the discussion.

"First, send an official letter of protest to Venice."

"To Venice?"

"Yes, pressure them to reveal the size of the fleet commissioned by Lord Conrad, the source of funding, and future supply plans."

For Venetians, every action was a concept of "investment."

With the success of the rebellion uncertain, they were unlikely to hastily take Conrad's side. With just a little pressure, they would reluctantly leak information.

"Conrad's forces are obvious, aren't they?"

A sharp voice cut into the conversation. It was Duke Berthold of Zähringen. He briefly glanced at Frederick, then fixed his gaze on the Kaiser and continued.

"What we should be more wary of are the traitors hiding within the empire."

He stepped forward toward the Kaiser.

"First, send envoys to the North Italian lords to reconfirm their oaths of loyalty. Including Matilda of Tuscany."

"We cannot yet determine where Lord Conrad will land. We shouldn't hastily provoke the North Italian lords."

Frederick immediately objected. Berthold turned to him with a cold gaze.

"Where else could Conrad land besides Italy?"

"Since we don't know, we should wait for Venice's response first."

"In such an urgent situation, we cannot waste a week waiting for Venice's reply, Duke."

The two men faced each other with uncomfortable expressions. A subtle tension filled the air. It was a debate not entirely free of personal feelings.

The Kaiser frowned and spoke.

"Enough. We can proceed with both matters simultaneously."

He calmly looked around at the two men and the other imperial lords as he continued.

"Duke Frederick of Swabia will handle negotiations with Venice, and Duke Berthold of Zähringen will be responsible for monitoring anti-imperial factions in Northern Italy. The rest will come with me to Munich."

With the reconciliation with the Pope bringing stability to the empire, forces openly declaring themselves anti-imperial were limited to some lords in the southern empire.

While it might be impossible to perfectly control all of Northern Italy, the judgment was that strengthening support in Bavaria could be sufficiently accomplished through the Emperor's personal governance.

"Will you issue a mobilization order throughout the empire?"

Berthold immediately asked. The Kaiser pondered briefly before answering.

"We cannot conscript large-scale forces before the farming season. Let's start with the minimum scale."

He added as if making a request:

"But ensure we are fully prepared. So we can mobilize troops at any time."

Conrad's currently anticipated forces were at most 4,000. A force of that size could be adequately countered with private armies alone.

"If Conrad's rebellion intensifies, how many troops can we effectively mobilize?"

To the Kaiser's subsequent question, Frederick thought briefly before answering.

"Currently, about 20,000, Your Majesty."

※※

"Of course we should go."

John's answer was more resolute than ever before. So much so that I, who had asked, was rather taken aback.

Is this guy already showing the temperament of a conqueror? I asked again in a surprised voice.

"John, what's gotten into you?"

"What do you mean?"

"You weren't usually like this. I thought you'd definitely answer, 'I'll think about it with Axouch.'"

I glanced at Axouch with a puzzled expression. John stepped forward in front of Axouch, as if to block my gaze, and continued.

"I was taught that decisiveness is an essential virtue for an emperor. In situations like this where the empire's interests are clear, there's no reason to hesitate."

John stepped closer and nodded. Our brother who had grown so tall that I now had to look up at him.

"What about you, sister? This is unusual."

"What is?"

"You wouldn't normally do this. Asking for my opinion."

"What do you mean 'wouldn't normally'? Someone might think I'm an unreasonable princess."

I was originally the type who didn't hesitate to ask for help. I shrugged and met his gaze.

"You've grown up now, haven't you? I can't make such important decisions without consulting the future emperor."

I then looked down at my brother's lower body with a mischievous smile.

"So... has it grown?"

"What has?"

"Your pubes. Your dick hair."

"...?!"

John was startled and quickly covered his lower body. I wondered why he was acting so mature, but he hadn't changed at all.

I chuckled and patted his shoulder.

"Want your big sister to scrub your back for old times' sake?"

"Sister!!"

John's face quickly turned bright red, and he didn't know what to do. Now even from Axouch's direction came the sound of suppressed laughter. I turned to Axouch and asked.

"So what do you think, Axouch?"

"About supporting the civil war?"

"Yes, what would you like to do?"

Axouch briefly looked up at the sky as if organizing his thoughts with an "Hmm..." and then lowered his gaze again without taking too long.

"I also agree with intervening in the civil war itself."

"How could Axouch and I have different opinions?"

John interjected. His ears were still flushed red.

I shrugged and pointed out what was bothering me.

"When you say you agree with 'itself,' does that mean we should only provide limited support?"

"Yes, I believe we don't need to overextend ourselves."

Axouch calmly continued.

"The most ideal scenario for Rome would be Conrad ascending to the throne with strong imperial authority. Of course, assuming he remains pro-Roman."

"Don't worry about that. I can control Conrad."

Though I had been betrayed, that couldn't have been his true intention.

"What exactly is your relationship with Conrad?"

John asked with curious eyes. How should I explain this... After pondering briefly, I just answered honestly.

"He's the son I bore in my heart."

"...Pardon?"

John had a blank expression. I turned my gaze back to Axouch. Axouch smiled slightly and continued.

"However, young Henry inheriting a weakened imperial authority wouldn't be so bad for Rome either. It would be better than Conrad forcibly ascending to the throne with the stigma of being Rome's puppet."

"Why is that?"

"It's in the nature of the Frankish Empire."

Axouch calmly explained.

"Looking at the history of the Frankish Empire, weak imperial authority naturally led to strengthened ecclesiastical power. The current Kaiser seems to think differently, but originally the Frankish imperial throne was succeeded based on ability rather than bloodline."

"So... if young Henry ascends to the throne, the dukes will engage in power struggles using him as a puppet emperor?"

"Yes, though the prerequisite is weakening the imperial authority Henry has established through Conrad's civil war."

"And for that, we need to provide at least minimal support."

"Yes, that's right."

Axouch nodded.

"The goal is to induce internal division to prevent the Frankish Empire from focusing outward. To keep their power from uniting."

"Ah, I see."

Then I understood why young Henry might be more advantageous for Rome. If Conrad ascended to the throne as our puppet, it might actually give the Frankish dukes a reason to unite against him.

"Sister, there's no need to think so complicatedly. If we help Conrad completely overwhelm the Kaiser, the dukes won't even have the right to call Conrad Rome's puppet."

John expressed his opinion once more. Axouch also nodded silently.

In summary, both were saying: If you're going to do it, do it properly; otherwise, don't start at all.

"I understand what you're saying."

Looking at it this way, their answers clearly revealed their personalities. The fiery John and the always cautious Axouch.

As I nodded and organized my thoughts, John asked curiously.

"What would you like to do, sister?"

"Hmm... I find myself leaning more toward your opinion, John."

To change history, that level of boldness was always essential—finding the best answer despite all obstacles.

"Sister...!"

John's eyes sparkled as if moved. Axouch also nodded without saying anything.

"Nothing's decided yet, you know?"

I warned with a deliberately solemn expression.

Just then, the library door burst open with a bang, and Haakon rushed in with wide eyes.

"Princess!"

"What now...?"

The appearance of Haakon at this timing meant a new obstacle had arisen. I was almost getting used to it by now. Sighing, I turned around, and Haakon continued urgently.

"Lord Conrad has sent an envoy."

"Oh?"

Well, that was more peaceful than expected. I nodded and rose from my seat.

But Haakon, suggesting that wasn't all, added even more urgently:

"And the Senate has summoned you, Princess! They demand you personally explain the current diplomatic situation!"