The Fifth Princess was the perfect ‘pawn.’
To thwart Baron Bjor’s plot, they needed someone with a certain level of status and influence on their side.
That problem had already been solved by the hundreds of friendly letters received after the Elixir’s reveal.
Among them, letters had already arrived from four heirs, all wanting to form a connection.
Of course, these four individuals were all incredibly reliable.
However, Freya had no intention of joining hands with them, even before speaking with Rachel.
If she joined hands with them, she could gain a strong alliance in addition to thwarting Baron Bjor’s plot.
However, if much is given, much must also be paid.
Being with heirs who already had considerable power, no matter how well the Evergarden family was currently performing, they would inevitably end up in a subordinate position.
In that situation, if they were to mention the Elixir’s manufacturing method and demand it, the Evergarden family, already allied with them, would have no choice but to comply.
Therefore, the best position was neutrality.
Remaining unattached to any side, walking a tightrope between the heirs and other noble factions, was the ideal state.
However, thanks to Baron Bjor, standing alone was impossible.
In that situation, the Fifth Princess, as mentioned again, was the perfect ‘pawn.’
Her status as a princess, but unlike the other heirs, she hadn’t increased her power; she was a mere figurehead princess.
Moreover, the princess was currently in a situation where her life was threatened in the Imperial Palace, so she desperately needed the Evergarden family’s help.
Therefore, Freya made the Fifth Princess her ‘pawn.’
A pawn she could use at will, using Rachel’s status to thwart Baron Bjor’s plot while pretending to be a reliable backer for her.
Furthermore, Rachel was intelligent and had no desire for power, so there was no fear of her ruining the plan with excessive greed.
In chess terms, she was like a pawn one square away from promotion.
Of course, rejecting the other heirs’ offers and taking Rachel’s hand was, in effect, turning her back on them, which could make things even more complicated.
However, Freya was the most confident person in that area. It was what she wanted.
‘With this, I’ve obtained a good pawn.’
‘While protecting the Elixir’s secrets, our range of action will also be greatly expanded, using the ‘pawn’ as a shield.’
Freya had intended to use Rachel as soon as she heard the news, but she deliberately met with her and hinted that she had no intention of joining hands.
Rachel was still royalty. She might have thought of a baronial family as her subordinate.
Therefore, Freya’s previous actions thoroughly reminded Rachel of her own situation.
That she was now an insignificant existence, and that the Evergarden family was showing her mercy by helping her.
The letters from the other heirs, which she had kept instead of rejecting, were particularly useful.
As a result, Rachel’s initial goal of ‘allying with the Evergarden family to increase her power and prioritize safety’ was transformed into ‘being saved by the Evergarden family.’
The end result of the two goals was the same, but the process was different.
Therefore, Rachel would be unable to make demands of the Evergarden family in the future and would be forced to comply with the Evergarden family’s ‘requests.’
“Please take care of me, Fifth Princess. I hope we can maintain a good relationship in the future.”
“…Yes, Countess Evergarden.”
Freya, smiling as if extending a hand of mercy to Rachel, put down her teacup, and Rachel, dejected but relieved to have overcome the crisis, replied.
“I’m sorry, but I’d like to get straight to the point.”
“The point… being?”
“…Unfortunately, our family is currently in a rather dangerous situation.”
“…Yes?”
With Rachel and the Evergarden family firmly allied, Freya began to explain the hidden main point.
The relationship with Baron Bjor, the actions in the north, the Magical Beasts, and the fact that the Evergarden family was being used as a Magical Beast trading ground.
As Freya’s explanation lengthened, Rachel’s face grew paler and paler.
“Magical Beasts… how could such an act…!”
Rachel, being royalty, knew better than anyone why the trade and breeding of Magical Beasts was a crime punishable by extreme penalties.
Why were Magical Beasts such a problem?
First of all, Magical Beasts are ‘dangerous.’
Not ordinary beasts, but mutated beings exposed to contaminated Magical Power, they were stronger than simple animals.
Even herbivores, if infected, would hunt carnivores and devour their meat and bones whole, their violence increasing dramatically.
The story of a rabbit infected with contaminated Magical Power killing dozens of well-trained soldiers was very famous.
Unlike its cute appearance, the sight of a mountain of corpses with severed heads in front of the rabbit’s burrow was unbelievable for both the reporter and the listener.
Fortunately, the rabbit was dealt with by the temple’s secret weapon, the ‘Anti-Clean’s Holy Water Bomb.’
Even a simple rabbit (or rather, that particular rabbit was unique) possessed tremendous danger, so what would happen with other carnivores?
Magical Beasts were dangerous and tricky pests.
However, this alone was not the reason why the Empire treated Magical Beasts so cautiously.
The reason was simple.
Someone had tried to use the Magical Beasts to stage a coup.
178 years ago.
Nobles who sought to seize the Empire’s power captured and trained Magical Beasts, attempting to drop them into the capital and stage a coup.
Fortunately, a spy among them foiled the attempt, but since then, the capture, trade, and breeding of Magical Beasts had become an extreme crime, equivalent to treason.
Of course, nobles who were enamored with the wildness of Magical Beasts, and smugglers who understood their needs, were still abundant, and the Magical Beast trade was still secretly thriving.
“Indeed… Baron Bjor is trying to shift all the blame onto the Evergarden estate, and that’s where I’m needed.”
“That’s part of it… but we’ve found a slightly ‘better’ option.”
“A better option…?”
“Would you like to hear it?”
Freya then told Rachel her plan.
Rachel listened to Freya’s explanation with a face mixed with surprise, bewilderment, admiration, and a bit of anxiety.
“I see… I understand. The matter of Magical Beast trading is something I can’t ignore as a princess.”
“That’s very reassuring.”
She was still confused, having had so much information suddenly crammed into her mind, but the existence of Magical Beasts was
so threatening that she quickly regained her composure and nodded.
“Shall we end the complicated talk here? If you don’t mind, I’ve prepared a small gift for your departure. Gordon?”
“Yes, Madam. Here it is.”
“This is…”
After finishing the important discussion, Freya had Gordon place something on the table.
“Five bottles of the completed Elixir, not just prototypes. I’ve prepared them to celebrate this meeting.”
“This is… the Elixir?”
It was five bottles of the World Tree Elixir.
‘Oh? Her eyes have changed.’
Rachel’s eyes, having seen the completed product of the Elixir, which was rumored to be very difficult to obtain, sparkled more than ever before.
Those were not the eyes of a princess, but the eyes of a mage who had seen an interesting research subject.
“The Elixir that restores stamina and Magical Power, with no side effects…!”
“Would you like me to get you more if you want?”
“Really!?”
“Ah, yes… of course.”
When Freya asked if she needed more in response to Rachel’s reaction, Rachel immediately stood up and leaned forward.
“Oh, I’m sorry… I got too excited.”
“Hehe, it’s alright. It’s like looking at my eldest.”
‘She’s truly a natural researcher. In a way, being of royal blood might be a misfortune for her.’
….But for me, for my family, it’s a good thing.’
“Ah… you mean Professor Felix.”
“I’ll get you as much Elixir as you want, so I hope you rest well today.”
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Thus, the two’s secret meeting came to an end.
Time flowed.
After the Harvest Festival, as the thirteenth moon began to rise.
Finally, Baron Bjor set foot on the Evergarden estate.