Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal treated me to a wonderful dinner and kindly took me home.
I dragged my tired body into my room, took a bath, and then looked for the rose diamond necklace that I had put away in the dresser drawer for a while.
"Uh?"
Strangely, no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find it, so I panicked and pulled out the entire drawer, emptying the contents onto the floor.
There isn't any, no matter how much I look for it.
I summoned the brown-haired maid and questioned her sternly, but her face flushed red, she burst into tears, and she simply denied any knowledge. Convinced it was Celine, I rushed to her room and rudely threw open the door.
Celine, sitting at her vanity, combing her long, platinum-colored hair, looked at me with an indifferent expression.
“What are you doing out this late? Without even knocking.”
“Hand it over.”
"What?"
She turned back to the mirror, her face sneering in disbelief. I glanced blankly around her room and asked calmly.
“You took the necklace. Who else is there besides you?”
“You're even treating me like a thief.”
Celine tilted her head, her face composed. I strode over, picked up the oil lamp on the table, and threw it on the floor.
There was a sharp cracking sound as the kerosene inside the lamp spilled out, soaking the floor.
“Tell me. Where did you put it?”
"What are you doing? I'm going to tell Dad exactly what you're doing right now."
Seeing Celine shouting loudly, I felt a burning sensation in my stomach, as if I'd swallowed fire. I hate wasting my emotions, but I'm not the type to just sit back and let it happen. The taut tension I'd been trying to maintain was completely broken, along with my patience.
I picked up the matchbox on the console. Celine, seeing me holding the matchbox in one hand and the matches in the other, finally realized what was happening and gaped in surprise.
"Are you crazy?!"
“If you don’t want to die, give it to me.”
Celine, who saw my eyes burning red with madness, lifted her butt from the chair with a shocked expression and slowly backed away.
“Dad! Get Dad! Is there anyone out there?!”
A piercing scream, followed by the sound of loud footsteps, echoed from the hallway. The butler and maids, hearing the commotion, came in, startled by the sight of a shattered lamp on the floor, spilled kerosene, and a match held menacingly in my hand.
“Go and tell the master!”
The butler shouted urgently, and I struck the matchbox with a flick of the wrist. As I held out the lit match as if ready to throw it, Celine's shoulders shook and she backed away, placing her hand on the vanity.
“I told you to give it to me.”
Seeing my gloomy, sunken gaze, Celine took a necklace out of the dresser drawer and tossed it towards me. I snatched it with one hand, blew out the match, and glared at her as if I were going to kill her.
“Listen carefully. Don't touch what's mine. Remember, you have more to lose than I do.”
Celine, who had relaxed and collapsed, smirked with a frown on her face as if she were certain.
"That's something precious, isn't it? Seeing you lose your mind like this."
Soon, heavy, thumping footsteps rang out, and the admiral burst in with great force, pushing aside the maids and butler.
"Dad!"
The admiral's blue eyes stared at me with a murderous gleam as he saw Celine covering her face with tears streaming down her face.
“What are you doing?”
“Why don’t you ask my sister about that? She stole it.”
I dragged my tired body into my room, took a bath, and then looked for the rose diamond necklace that I had put away in the dresser drawer for a while.
"Uh?"
Strangely, no matter how hard I looked, I couldn't find it, so I panicked and pulled out the entire drawer, emptying the contents onto the floor.
There isn't any, no matter how much I look for it.
I summoned the brown-haired maid and questioned her sternly, but her face flushed red, she burst into tears, and she simply denied any knowledge. Convinced it was Celine, I rushed to her room and rudely threw open the door.
Celine, sitting at her vanity, combing her long, platinum-colored hair, looked at me with an indifferent expression.
“What are you doing out this late? Without even knocking.”
“Hand it over.”
"What?"
She turned back to the mirror, her face sneering in disbelief. I glanced blankly around her room and asked calmly.
“You took the necklace. Who else is there besides you?”
“You're even treating me like a thief.”
Celine tilted her head, her face composed. I strode over, picked up the oil lamp on the table, and threw it on the floor.
There was a sharp cracking sound as the kerosene inside the lamp spilled out, soaking the floor.
“Tell me. Where did you put it?”
"What are you doing? I'm going to tell Dad exactly what you're doing right now."
Seeing Celine shouting loudly, I felt a burning sensation in my stomach, as if I'd swallowed fire. I hate wasting my emotions, but I'm not the type to just sit back and let it happen. The taut tension I'd been trying to maintain was completely broken, along with my patience.
I picked up the matchbox on the console. Celine, seeing me holding the matchbox in one hand and the matches in the other, finally realized what was happening and gaped in surprise.
"Are you crazy?!"
“If you don’t want to die, give it to me.”
Celine, who saw my eyes burning red with madness, lifted her butt from the chair with a shocked expression and slowly backed away.
“Dad! Get Dad! Is there anyone out there?!”
A piercing scream, followed by the sound of loud footsteps, echoed from the hallway. The butler and maids, hearing the commotion, came in, startled by the sight of a shattered lamp on the floor, spilled kerosene, and a match held menacingly in my hand.
“Go and tell the master!”
The butler shouted urgently, and I struck the matchbox with a flick of the wrist. As I held out the lit match as if ready to throw it, Celine's shoulders shook and she backed away, placing her hand on the vanity.
“I told you to give it to me.”
Seeing my gloomy, sunken gaze, Celine took a necklace out of the dresser drawer and tossed it towards me. I snatched it with one hand, blew out the match, and glared at her as if I were going to kill her.
“Listen carefully. Don't touch what's mine. Remember, you have more to lose than I do.”
Celine, who had relaxed and collapsed, smirked with a frown on her face as if she were certain.
"That's something precious, isn't it? Seeing you lose your mind like this."
Soon, heavy, thumping footsteps rang out, and the admiral burst in with great force, pushing aside the maids and butler.
"Dad!"
The admiral's blue eyes stared at me with a murderous gleam as he saw Celine covering her face with tears streaming down her face.
“What are you doing?”
“Why don’t you ask my sister about that? She stole it.”
Slap.
A flash of light flashed before my eyes, accompanied by a friction sound, and my cheeks burned with a chill. The admiral's large hand slapped my cheek hard. I stumbled for a moment, but managed to regain my balance and, without blinking, glared at the admiral.
My mouth burst open, and the salty taste of blood spread out.
“Why are you hitting me? She was the one who stole it.”
The admiral, who was very upset by my sharp words, twisted his lips and raised his hand again.
“Listen carefully.”
I looked back and forth between the admiral and Celine, my eyes pierced by venom, completely unafraid. I gathered the boiling blood in my mouth, spat it out on the floor, and continued, wiping the corners of my mouth.
“If anything happens to me, I know that what you have done to me will be written about in every newspaper and gossip column in Belford.”
I warned them, as if declaring war. The fact that Celine had noticed the necklace and was even trying to steal it was a sign she was about to take the initiative, and there was no point in continuing this pointless cold war. Luckily, I was about to win the contest prize money, which allowed me to hire a messenger, so I had no choice but to do it. Even if it meant winning a battle, the admiral would want to avoid the hassle.
"What?"
Celine's voice cracked and cracked, clearly embarrassed. The admiral, his face still expressionless, slowly lowered his hand. He looked down at me with a nasty look in his eyes, as if projecting a bad memory.
“Who on earth do you resemble?”
The admiral spat out a brief word, then turned and left, a cold wind blasting through my veins. He was definitely not my biological father. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
The butler and maids were busy tidying up the area and wiping the kerosene off the floor. I stood upright, staring down at Celine, who sat motionless, dazed.
"I didn't mean to go this far. If I'm going to escape this shithole, I have no choice but to accept his kindness, Lieutenant Colonel."
Celine furiously wrinkled her nose at my calm, cold tone, which had grown even more infuriating. Of course, I wasn't being sincere. I was trying to inflict a deep sense of inferiority and pain on her, like me, for wanting something desperately but not being able to have it.
“I won’t leave you alone.”
Celine, her lips twisted, warned with a gloomy expression. Her green eyes, tinged with hatred, were seething with jealousy and rage.
Celine drove to the lieutenant colonel's mansion in a chauffeured car.
Diana's bullying was hard to endure, and she hated the humiliation of having to watch her every move. Her sister, who had been quiet and timid, always said "yes" and "yes," suddenly began to change strangely.
It must have been a few days before she was kidnapped. Suddenly, she transformed into a completely different person, ordering maids to serve her and demanding better treatment. After returning from Frogen, she became even more vicious, biting and chasing away the servants who ignored her like a mad dog.
When she stared at Celine with a strangely intimidating gaze, oppressing her and glaring coldly with her hazy eyes, she felt a vague sense of dread. Even without a word, she felt controlled by her gestures and gaze. Why did her father just let her act so ruthlessly?
If she leaves it any longer, it might all be taken away. Celine bit her lips nervously.
Celine shuddered as she remembered her sister's pale face and eerie expression, but then realized she had arrived at the mansion and straightened her clothes.
Even though she had called in advance to say she would visit, it was not the lieutenant colonel but a servant who greeted her at the pillared entrance.
Celine felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort, so she cleared her throat and turned inward.
“What’s the matter?”
Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal dryly asked Celine, who had been led to the study instead of the reception room. He remained seated at the study desk, holding a book. Celine was taken aback by the refusal to offer her a cup of tea, but forced a kind smile.
“Lieutenant Colonel, do you remember what you said back then?”
“What words?”
The lieutenant colonel, wearing thin silver-rimmed glasses that he only wore when reading, asked monotonously as he turned the pages of the book.
“You said you were going to rescue Diana for me. Weren’t you planning to propose to me?”
"Ah."
At Celine's question, the lieutenant colonel narrowed his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.
“No. Wouldn’t it be good for me to save your sister?”
“That’s true... but that’s what I thought. And when will you respond to my confession?”
He put down the book, rubbed his chin, and placed his hands on the desk, interlocking his fingers.
“That could also be seen as an answer.”
"Not answering is an answer." Celine's face grew increasingly pale. She sat across from him, clutching the hem of her skirt near her knees, and let out a trembling voice.
“Do you by any chance... like Diana?”
The lieutenant colonel's lips curved delicately. He looked unbearably pleased. He tilted his head slowly and asked a question.
“Why are you curious about that?”
"It seems Diana had a deep connection with the Duke of Frogen. She even had a rare jewel necklace, found only in Medea, a Frogen ally, and submitted a mysterious drawing to the newspaper. I couldn't bring the necklace back, but the maids and butlers of the mansion are witnesses."
“Have you ever told that story to anyone?”
“No. I’m only speaking to the lieutenant colonel.”
“I am the one who gave Diana the necklace.”
Celine's green eyes dried at the firm words of the man she liked.
'I gave it to Diana. '
The way he was called by a title that only close friends would use, and the cold words that followed, made Celine's heart sink.
“Why?”
“Is there a reason, Miss Claire?”
The lieutenant colonel answered nonchalantly, as if he had used her to achieve his goals and had no further business.
“Thanks to you, Diana was saved safely. Please be careful.”
Celine's face became blank. She remembered how she had asked her father to help the lieutenant colonel, as he was going to Frogen for her own sake. Celine jumped to her feet, clutching the hem of her skirt as if it would tear, suppressing the surging sadness.
"I'm the one who truly likes you, Lieutenant Colonel. It's clear that Diana is in a relationship with the Duke."
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept your feelings, Miss Claire. Based on what I saw when I went to rescue her, the two didn't appear to be a couple."
He ultimately refused. He even went so far as to protect Diana. It was a refusal so clear and unequivocal that it was brutal. Celine had to admit it.
She swallowed her despair and shame, turned around hastily, and left the study. The lieutenant colonel picked up his book again as if nothing had happened.
A quiet sound of footsteps was heard from inside the study, and then someone suddenly poked his head out and exclaimed in admiration.
“Jeffrey, did you just kick that pretty girl without mercy?”
Jace, who was behind the bookshelf in the study, was watching Celine leave through the window.
"Yes."
"That's amazing. She's the eldest daughter of a naval admiral, huh? That must be an interesting sight."
Jace adjusted his monocle and asked, warming his hands by the fireplace.
"Are you seeking revenge on the admiral's daughter? Isn't that too timid a revenge?"
The lieutenant colonel shook his head at Jace's question.
“It just so happened.”
"Do your best. I don't intend to risk my life to uphold my mother's will. I also need to start a new business. Businessmen are driven solely by profit, so there's no such thing as country, war, friend, or enemy."
Jace, who had been tapping his fingertips on the stove like an abacus, smiled peacefully.
Celine left the mansion in a hurry, got into a parked car, and spoke to the driver in a cold voice.
“I have someone to meet. Let’s go downtown.”
Do you think I'll see those two connected? And Diana, I won't let you be. What did I do wrong?
The mask of innocence on her face had long since fallen away. Unable to conceal her venomous anger, Celine gritted her teeth as she watched the streets passing by outside the car window.
Vincent, who had just returned from a trip to the munitions factory on new business, headed to Noah's mansion office carrying a stack of documents.
“This is internal measurement data.”
“Leave it and go.”
Noah sat leaning back in his chair, staring out the window with an indifferent expression. Seeing Vincent pause and hesitate, he slowly turned his head and asked.
"Why."
“I heard that an imperial edict has come down.”
"Yes."
"I don't want to lose my high-paying job. I don't want to be dragged in for questioning."
“What are you worried about, being the son of a prestigious family?”
In truth, Vincent was worried about Noah's well-being. He was his superior, but he also felt like a better younger brother. Noah's cloudy blue eyes narrowed as he gazed at Vincent.
"There are several ways. The two empires can quickly conclude negotiations, the Frogen can completely conquer Belford, or the Frogen can change its government to a republic."
Vincent brushed back his neatly slicked-back brown hair, recalling the example of a republic that had executed a King and changed its national system through revolution.
"Even if they succeeded in overthrowing the corrupt regime there, isn't this place experiencing its highest level of prosperity since the founding of the country, and its approval ratings are high? Power is concentrated, and even the factions are all based on the imperialist faction. They've all been purged."
It was a time of imperialism and the industrial revolution, when great powers competed to acquire colonies, when the feudal system collapsed and was transformed into an absolute monarchy based on a centralized system, and when appointed officials came to manage the government, the influence of the aristocracy diminished.
Frogen is a totalitarian empire that emphasizes the collective over the individual, where the monarch is the state and only one person holds the monopoly on political power.
"That's right. It's practically impossible, isn't it? Especially with Frogen."
"That's right. Even if we're close to defeat, completely conquering Belford, one of the great powers, is difficult without the development of a new weapon. Furthermore, even favorable armistice negotiations take this long. Would the end of the war be any different?"
Noah nodded and sat up straight, agreeing with Vincent's view that it was all impossible.
"If it had been a Duke a few centuries ago, the things I mentioned above would have been entirely feasible, but not now. At least I make realistically feasible judgments. I don't do reckless things that are impossible."
He was the one who made possible what ordinary people considered impossible. However, among countless options, he simply chose those with a high realistic chance of success.
Everyone called him 'crazy' because it was a decision that went so far beyond the realm of common thinking and involved such a risk.
Noah's fingers traced the map spread out on the desk.
“At this point, the only thing that can deal with a country is a country.”
“That means in the end...”
Vincent's eyes widened as he remembered someone. The Medea United Kingdom, a maritime powerhouse with national power on par with the Frogen Empire.
Grace II, the Iron Queen, is the powerful ruler who is both the Queen of the place and the Emperor of the colonial empire.
“Of course, you have to take risks and pay a price commensurate with what you gain.”
Vincent sighed and nodded after seeing Noah's cool, piercing gaze.
"All right."
Despite the imperial decree that no one could disobey, the mad Duke seemed completely unconcerned. He was smiling, but his face didn't seem to be smiling at all.
Did that man ever really smile? Perhaps when he saw her, his own masterpiece, his own work of art.
A flash of light flashed before my eyes, accompanied by a friction sound, and my cheeks burned with a chill. The admiral's large hand slapped my cheek hard. I stumbled for a moment, but managed to regain my balance and, without blinking, glared at the admiral.
My mouth burst open, and the salty taste of blood spread out.
“Why are you hitting me? She was the one who stole it.”
The admiral, who was very upset by my sharp words, twisted his lips and raised his hand again.
“Listen carefully.”
I looked back and forth between the admiral and Celine, my eyes pierced by venom, completely unafraid. I gathered the boiling blood in my mouth, spat it out on the floor, and continued, wiping the corners of my mouth.
“If anything happens to me, I know that what you have done to me will be written about in every newspaper and gossip column in Belford.”
I warned them, as if declaring war. The fact that Celine had noticed the necklace and was even trying to steal it was a sign she was about to take the initiative, and there was no point in continuing this pointless cold war. Luckily, I was about to win the contest prize money, which allowed me to hire a messenger, so I had no choice but to do it. Even if it meant winning a battle, the admiral would want to avoid the hassle.
"What?"
Celine's voice cracked and cracked, clearly embarrassed. The admiral, his face still expressionless, slowly lowered his hand. He looked down at me with a nasty look in his eyes, as if projecting a bad memory.
“Who on earth do you resemble?”
The admiral spat out a brief word, then turned and left, a cold wind blasting through my veins. He was definitely not my biological father. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gone to such lengths.
The butler and maids were busy tidying up the area and wiping the kerosene off the floor. I stood upright, staring down at Celine, who sat motionless, dazed.
"I didn't mean to go this far. If I'm going to escape this shithole, I have no choice but to accept his kindness, Lieutenant Colonel."
Celine furiously wrinkled her nose at my calm, cold tone, which had grown even more infuriating. Of course, I wasn't being sincere. I was trying to inflict a deep sense of inferiority and pain on her, like me, for wanting something desperately but not being able to have it.
“I won’t leave you alone.”
Celine, her lips twisted, warned with a gloomy expression. Her green eyes, tinged with hatred, were seething with jealousy and rage.
***
Celine drove to the lieutenant colonel's mansion in a chauffeured car.
Diana's bullying was hard to endure, and she hated the humiliation of having to watch her every move. Her sister, who had been quiet and timid, always said "yes" and "yes," suddenly began to change strangely.
It must have been a few days before she was kidnapped. Suddenly, she transformed into a completely different person, ordering maids to serve her and demanding better treatment. After returning from Frogen, she became even more vicious, biting and chasing away the servants who ignored her like a mad dog.
When she stared at Celine with a strangely intimidating gaze, oppressing her and glaring coldly with her hazy eyes, she felt a vague sense of dread. Even without a word, she felt controlled by her gestures and gaze. Why did her father just let her act so ruthlessly?
If she leaves it any longer, it might all be taken away. Celine bit her lips nervously.
Celine shuddered as she remembered her sister's pale face and eerie expression, but then realized she had arrived at the mansion and straightened her clothes.
Even though she had called in advance to say she would visit, it was not the lieutenant colonel but a servant who greeted her at the pillared entrance.
Celine felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort, so she cleared her throat and turned inward.
“What’s the matter?”
Lieutenant Colonel Groenendaal dryly asked Celine, who had been led to the study instead of the reception room. He remained seated at the study desk, holding a book. Celine was taken aback by the refusal to offer her a cup of tea, but forced a kind smile.
“Lieutenant Colonel, do you remember what you said back then?”
“What words?”
The lieutenant colonel, wearing thin silver-rimmed glasses that he only wore when reading, asked monotonously as he turned the pages of the book.
“You said you were going to rescue Diana for me. Weren’t you planning to propose to me?”
"Ah."
At Celine's question, the lieutenant colonel narrowed his eyes, and a smile appeared on his lips.
“No. Wouldn’t it be good for me to save your sister?”
“That’s true... but that’s what I thought. And when will you respond to my confession?”
He put down the book, rubbed his chin, and placed his hands on the desk, interlocking his fingers.
“That could also be seen as an answer.”
"Not answering is an answer." Celine's face grew increasingly pale. She sat across from him, clutching the hem of her skirt near her knees, and let out a trembling voice.
“Do you by any chance... like Diana?”
The lieutenant colonel's lips curved delicately. He looked unbearably pleased. He tilted his head slowly and asked a question.
“Why are you curious about that?”
"It seems Diana had a deep connection with the Duke of Frogen. She even had a rare jewel necklace, found only in Medea, a Frogen ally, and submitted a mysterious drawing to the newspaper. I couldn't bring the necklace back, but the maids and butlers of the mansion are witnesses."
“Have you ever told that story to anyone?”
“No. I’m only speaking to the lieutenant colonel.”
“I am the one who gave Diana the necklace.”
Celine's green eyes dried at the firm words of the man she liked.
'I gave it to Diana. '
The way he was called by a title that only close friends would use, and the cold words that followed, made Celine's heart sink.
“Why?”
“Is there a reason, Miss Claire?”
The lieutenant colonel answered nonchalantly, as if he had used her to achieve his goals and had no further business.
“Thanks to you, Diana was saved safely. Please be careful.”
Celine's face became blank. She remembered how she had asked her father to help the lieutenant colonel, as he was going to Frogen for her own sake. Celine jumped to her feet, clutching the hem of her skirt as if it would tear, suppressing the surging sadness.
"I'm the one who truly likes you, Lieutenant Colonel. It's clear that Diana is in a relationship with the Duke."
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept your feelings, Miss Claire. Based on what I saw when I went to rescue her, the two didn't appear to be a couple."
He ultimately refused. He even went so far as to protect Diana. It was a refusal so clear and unequivocal that it was brutal. Celine had to admit it.
She swallowed her despair and shame, turned around hastily, and left the study. The lieutenant colonel picked up his book again as if nothing had happened.
A quiet sound of footsteps was heard from inside the study, and then someone suddenly poked his head out and exclaimed in admiration.
“Jeffrey, did you just kick that pretty girl without mercy?”
Jace, who was behind the bookshelf in the study, was watching Celine leave through the window.
"Yes."
"That's amazing. She's the eldest daughter of a naval admiral, huh? That must be an interesting sight."
Jace adjusted his monocle and asked, warming his hands by the fireplace.
"Are you seeking revenge on the admiral's daughter? Isn't that too timid a revenge?"
The lieutenant colonel shook his head at Jace's question.
“It just so happened.”
"Do your best. I don't intend to risk my life to uphold my mother's will. I also need to start a new business. Businessmen are driven solely by profit, so there's no such thing as country, war, friend, or enemy."
Jace, who had been tapping his fingertips on the stove like an abacus, smiled peacefully.
Celine left the mansion in a hurry, got into a parked car, and spoke to the driver in a cold voice.
“I have someone to meet. Let’s go downtown.”
Do you think I'll see those two connected? And Diana, I won't let you be. What did I do wrong?
The mask of innocence on her face had long since fallen away. Unable to conceal her venomous anger, Celine gritted her teeth as she watched the streets passing by outside the car window.
***
Vincent, who had just returned from a trip to the munitions factory on new business, headed to Noah's mansion office carrying a stack of documents.
“This is internal measurement data.”
“Leave it and go.”
Noah sat leaning back in his chair, staring out the window with an indifferent expression. Seeing Vincent pause and hesitate, he slowly turned his head and asked.
"Why."
“I heard that an imperial edict has come down.”
"Yes."
"I don't want to lose my high-paying job. I don't want to be dragged in for questioning."
“What are you worried about, being the son of a prestigious family?”
In truth, Vincent was worried about Noah's well-being. He was his superior, but he also felt like a better younger brother. Noah's cloudy blue eyes narrowed as he gazed at Vincent.
"There are several ways. The two empires can quickly conclude negotiations, the Frogen can completely conquer Belford, or the Frogen can change its government to a republic."
Vincent brushed back his neatly slicked-back brown hair, recalling the example of a republic that had executed a King and changed its national system through revolution.
"Even if they succeeded in overthrowing the corrupt regime there, isn't this place experiencing its highest level of prosperity since the founding of the country, and its approval ratings are high? Power is concentrated, and even the factions are all based on the imperialist faction. They've all been purged."
It was a time of imperialism and the industrial revolution, when great powers competed to acquire colonies, when the feudal system collapsed and was transformed into an absolute monarchy based on a centralized system, and when appointed officials came to manage the government, the influence of the aristocracy diminished.
Frogen is a totalitarian empire that emphasizes the collective over the individual, where the monarch is the state and only one person holds the monopoly on political power.
"That's right. It's practically impossible, isn't it? Especially with Frogen."
"That's right. Even if we're close to defeat, completely conquering Belford, one of the great powers, is difficult without the development of a new weapon. Furthermore, even favorable armistice negotiations take this long. Would the end of the war be any different?"
Noah nodded and sat up straight, agreeing with Vincent's view that it was all impossible.
"If it had been a Duke a few centuries ago, the things I mentioned above would have been entirely feasible, but not now. At least I make realistically feasible judgments. I don't do reckless things that are impossible."
He was the one who made possible what ordinary people considered impossible. However, among countless options, he simply chose those with a high realistic chance of success.
Everyone called him 'crazy' because it was a decision that went so far beyond the realm of common thinking and involved such a risk.
Noah's fingers traced the map spread out on the desk.
“At this point, the only thing that can deal with a country is a country.”
“That means in the end...”
Vincent's eyes widened as he remembered someone. The Medea United Kingdom, a maritime powerhouse with national power on par with the Frogen Empire.
Grace II, the Iron Queen, is the powerful ruler who is both the Queen of the place and the Emperor of the colonial empire.
“Of course, you have to take risks and pay a price commensurate with what you gain.”
Vincent sighed and nodded after seeing Noah's cool, piercing gaze.
"All right."
Despite the imperial decree that no one could disobey, the mad Duke seemed completely unconcerned. He was smiling, but his face didn't seem to be smiling at all.
Did that man ever really smile? Perhaps when he saw her, his own masterpiece, his own work of art.
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