“That mine has been a point of contention between us and the Elia Kingdom, being seized and lost countless times. There must be a valid reason they were so keen on that mine.”

“Do you have a guess as to that reason?”

“From a simple point of view, they have every reason to be fixated on that mine in the south. The territory of Elia Kingdom is mostly flat land, so the only mine they have is that one near the border. Furthermore, the value of the diamonds mined there is substantial, so they couldn’t easily let go of it.”

Gadro’s expression visibly sagged. The logic from Liurian’s mouth was sound. Based on what he had heard so far, it was enough to grant permission, but Gadro still wanted to hear more from his son.

“Even so, we can’t fill the national treasury damaged by the war. The owner of the mine is Count Montrol, and it would only serve to line his pockets in the end.”

“Owning the mine certainly benefits Count Montrol first and foremost. However, an increase in the Count’s earnings also means an increase in the taxes that he must pay back to the empire.”

Liurian smiled cryptically. Suddenly, he thought of Count Montrol’s face. The Count was greedy enough to desire full ownership of the mine while promising 40% of the profits to me, but he wasn’t smart enough to account for the increasing tax responsibilities that would come with it.

He probably hadn’t even dared to imagine the taxes that would be imposed later. This was confirmed every time he saw the Count’s simple-minded smile ever since that day.

In his own mind, Count Montrol thought he had boarded the same boat, but to Liurian, the Count was nothing more than a means to an end.

“Is this really your decision?”

Finally, during his contemplation, Gadro revealed his astonished inner thoughts.

To be astonished by just this, the face of an Emperor. It made him wonder how much of a fool the real crown prince had been all this time.

Kalif hid his thoughts and calmly nodded.

“I just wanted to neatly wrap up the aftermath of the previous war.”

It was a textbook answer, neither leaning one way or the other. It was an answer carefully chosen considering Gadro’s temperament.

He savored the ensuing silence, waiting for the soon-to-come response from the Emperor. The wait didn’t last long.

“Do as you wish.”
Gadro readily agreed. It was a very pleasant situation. However, Caliph suppressed his emotions and remained focused on delaying Liurian to the end.

“……Is that so.”

“Didn’t I say that I’d entrust all decision-making related to this war to you? Finish it well, according to your thoughts.”

“I will do my utmost to not betray your trust.”

He gave a polite bow, his answers akin to the correct ones until the very end. Thus, his business with the Emperor was concluded. He stood up without hesitation, offered another bow, and exited the throne room.

Left alone, Gadro couldn’t take his eyes off the spot where his son had stood for quite some time.

“I’ve waited so long for this. For you to grow so much… ah!”

Suddenly, he couldn’t hold back the sharp breath that rose from deep within. A bout of coughing erupted and wouldn’t easily subside. It felt as if he would lose his breath at any moment.

It took a while for him to regain his composure. He lowered the hand that had covered his mouth and took a strained breath. For a moment, a red streak of blood came into his view. His mind felt as if it had frozen; no thoughts came to him. Only the word “fortunate” continued to circle his mouth. Fortunate that his own body had waited for his son’s growth.

“……The time seems to be drawing near.”

He softly whispered, gazing longingly at the door to the throne room through which his son had left. It was a look he had never shown toward his son before.

After remaining seated for some time, he finally lifted his heavy body. A sad smile rested on his lips.