“It’s really amazing. At this rate, rumors will spread throughout the empire within a few days.”

“Is that so?”

It seemed that the mercenaries had done even better than Reneve expected.

‘As Icarus said.’

Reneve instructed Amber before going to show the confidential documents to the Emperor of Paradisium.

Find mercenaries to entrust the work.

And through Amber, she entrusted the mercenaries with the request to spread the rumor as widely as possible.

This was a plan conceived by Reneve with the addition of Icarus’s opinion.

‘Considering the Emperor’s temperament so far, it’s likely that nothing harmful will happen to Viscountess Yeongae in the situation where the confidential documents are mentioned. Unless he plans to go to war with Basker. But…’

Icarus’s words were agreed upon by Reneve.

If she killed or imprisoned Reneve, it would be no different from giving Basker a pretext for war.

After learning of the assassination plan of Viscountess Yeongae, Icarus had stationed Basker’s knights undercover.

Because someone might find it suspicious that the number of knights suddenly increased.

However, that alone wasn’t reassuring, so Icarus made another suggestion.

‘…It would be better to create one more safety device before going to the palace. What do you think of Yeongae’s thoughts?’
‘What kind of safety device are you talking about?’
‘For example, spread a rumor that Siren Viscount, the guardian of the west of Paradisium, and a hero, is being secretly assassinated by the Emperor. Let’s see if Yeongae agrees with this thought.’

Reneve immediately understood the meaning of Icarus’s words.

‘So, he wants to wage a propaganda war.’

Although individual strengths were weak, when combined, that power increased explosively, as Icarus also knew well.

The people of the Paradisium Empire admired Viscount Yeongae.

As much as there was a majority who felt sorry for him not receiving proper treatment from the Emperor.

Now, if it spread that the Emperor was secretly trying to eliminate him.

If this fact became known, it could lead to distrust towards the Emperor.

Soldiers are indispensable to protect the country during wartime.

However, what if, after the war, the Emperor does not give them appropriate rewards?

Though not comparable to the wartime situation, Viscount Yeongae was fighting pirates for the safety of the Paradisium Empire’s citizens even now.
If Siren Viscount, who went to the south in the name of the Emperor and raised his status, ends up being killed, who would truly remain loyal to the Emperor.

Loyalty without a reward is nonexistent.

Certainly, Icarus’s proposal had validity in many aspects.

‘However, spreading rumors, especially confidential information related to the Emperor, in a short period, wouldn’t that be somewhat challenging?’

To Reneve’s question, Icarus confidently replied.

‘This kind of thing is very easy for mercenaries. By the time Yeongae goes to the palace and comes out after meeting the Emperor, the rumors will have already spread through the streets.’

Thinking back to that time, Reneve silently nodded in agreement.

Everything had turned out just as Icarus said.

“But Miss.”

Amber, who had finished eating every bit of the blancmange on the plate unnoticed, wiped her mouth and asked Reneve.

“The Emperor won’t try to find the source of the rumor, will he?”

“Why?”

“Well, because spreading a rumor like this might lead to sudden arrests, claiming that it’s treason.”

Amber looked at Reneve with worried eyes.

Because there had been occasions where people were arrested for lightly mentioning matters related to the nobility.

“There’s no need to find the source of the rumor.”

“Why?”

“Because if we look for the one who spread the rumor, there’s no one else but me.”

“Ah…”

Sighing, Amber lightly tapped her knees. But soon, she gathered her composure and spoke.

“But isn’t that more dangerous?”

“The Emperor on his side will probably know that I intentionally spread this rumor.”

Amber blinked and asked.

“Miss, I don’t quite understand. Can you explain?”

“The Emperor of Paradisium will probably think that all of this is a Basker’s scheme to gain a pretext for war.”

“A scheme?”

“Yes. I was known externally as the lover of the Basker Emperor. However, the Emperor of Paradisium is likely not to believe that story.”

“…”

“He probably thinks there’s no Emperor who chooses an engagement partner based on love alone.”

Just as the Emperor, who loved his lover, married a powerful woman from a noble family instead.

So, by now, the Emperor might be self-congratulating for not falling into Icarus’s plan, allowing Reneve to carry confidential documents into the palace.

‘By the way, I’m really fortunate that Icarus is on my side.’

Reneve genuinely thought so.

At first, she simply thought that Icarus suggested spreading such rumors for her safety.

But upon careful consideration, she realized that Icarus’s plan was hidden even in this.

If a rumor spread that the Emperor was secretly trying to eliminate Siren Viscount.

When Siren Viscount eventually sought asylum in Basker, it would undoubtedly turn into a tremendous advantage.

Despite pledging loyalty, it would be foolish to wholeheartedly serve someone who is trying to kill them.

So, anyone would find it challenging to point fingers at a betrayer who sacrificed their homeland when Siren Viscount hinted that they were defecting to Basker.