Reincarnated as an Emperor ~ Will the Emperor at Birth Survive?

Chapter 16: Run at Night

I decided to go to Count Palatine Vedett to find out more about the situation, and just to be safe, I cast a sleep spell on the maid again and opened the window of my room. 

This building only had one floor, so naturally this room was on the first floor. So, I wouldnt feel uncomfortable even if I went out from here at my age. I needed to get back as soon as possible since the maid might be fired if they found out I had left. 

Therefore, I needed to go and come back without anyone noticing. Of course, I mustnt leave any evidence that I went outdoors.

First, I covered myself with a magic reflection barrier since there might be guards in the corridor who are good at detecting magic. I will call this polyhedron, which was made up of a series of protective barriers, a Barrier. Naturally, the reflected magic was directed inward. 

Then, I bent and connected the protective wall that I had made with magic and created improvised shoes. This will keep my feet clean. 

I was careful not to leave any evidence. A barrier with the conditions to not allow anything (even smells) except for air and mana to pass through was put inside the magic reflection barrier. It wasnt just leaves and dirt that can stick on me, but things such as smell can also give me away, and this was the limit of what I can do while using magic indoors. The mana in my body was completely gone. 

Ive only recently been able to set up various conditions on my barriers which Ive created with magic, but I didnt think Id be using so much of it so soon. Im glad I developed it. 

By the way, the more conditions I set for the barrier, the less durable it becomes. The barrier which was covering my entire body right now would probably collapse with a single magic shot. That was because I was specialising it for stealth this time. 

I finished my preparations and went outside. Once I was outside, it was easier to absorb mana from the air. The magic reflection was inward which meant that it only reflected mana from the inside to outside. The barrier wont work when Im absorbing mana. 

It would be fine even if I closed the window. I spoke to the man after recovering a certain amount of mana in my body. 

Thanks for waiting. Show me where he is.

The man in the attic who was probably a spy, nodded and started running. 

It seemed that the Count Palatine was in a building to the west. The man ran across the garden where I played a lot. 

Naturally, I ran along with him but I looked down on the body of a child. I was sure that it was partly because I dont usually do any exercise except for horse-riding. It was hard to run. This man was running as fast as he could. Are you harassing me? 

I cant sweat I wish I could float or fly, but if my imagination is obstructed then I cant activate it. 

I dont know how I came to know about anti-gravity. 

Can I hold onto him? Would that slow him down?

I see, I dont have to run on my own. Since I dont have a vehicle, I can just create something to carry me. For example a golem. 

I was outside, so there was plenty of dirt. It was difficult to make it straight away since I was running, but Ill try creating a new type of magic. 

The guards might find me but I havent seen them around at all since a while ago. Well, it was fine even if they found out magic had been used as long as they didnt know about me. 

I released the magic reflection barrier and used my imagination. A lump of earth to carry me, strong enough not to crumble and soft enough not to make a sound. 

Come on out. 

The ground in front of me dripped and a golem appeared, using the soil as material. 

The golem scooped me up, or more accurately, the protective barrier around me, and ran off while holding onto me. 

The spy looked at me in surprise, but I decided to ignore him. It took more mana to maintain the golem than I had thought, so I didnt have time to pay attention to him. I had to maintain its shape, keep it running and also reinforce it as the dirt spills out little by little. 

But it was better than making it stronger and making the earth tremble. Besides, I was using the mana in the air and the only hard part was controlling it. 

After running for a while, I heard the spy say, Were almost there.

You wont get found out here. Were the only ones in this area.

By we he meant the spies. Then, Ill take your word for it. This magic was getting easier to use as I got used to it. It might be easier to use this than run. 

I remembered that I got fat after I started riding my scooter in my previous life. Ill be careful. 

I made my way to Count Palatines room. It seemed that he also slept on the first floor. 

I released my golem magic since the window was opened and went straight into Count Palatines room. 

I didnt expect you could do this much.

Count Palatine Vedett stared at me as I released my magic and went into this bedroom. He looked at me with admiration and said. 

Oh, come to think of it, this was the first time Ive ever used my magic to the fullest and shown it to someone else. 

I thought you were expecting this, Count Palatine.

I was aware of the unique use of magic in the palace, but

I see. So, it was peculiar to use magic indoors. 

If you were born in a different family, you might have accomplished great things as an Il Fabulas (mage).

I might make enemies if I aim to be anything other than an emperor. 

I heard a word I didnt know but Ill ask him about it later. 

You know why Im here. Explain the situation to me.

Frederic le Renan is suspected of heresy and is undergoing a church-led inquisition.

So, I was right. I have even heard about this in my past life: torture to force a confession, and then execution. 

It was really disgusting. 

He is currently in prison. Your personal attendant is under house arrest and surveillance in a private room.

To be more precise, he said We should never use it as a weapon to subjugate different races.

So, the problem wasnt that he taught me about the origins of other sects and the western sect?

I didnt realise until now but there are spies monitoring me during class too.

What does that mean?

Currently in this nation especially in Dukedom Raul, foreign people who dont believe in the Western Sect are being captured and forcibly converted. The person leading this is the Great Leader, George V.

I see. So, this was retaliation for criticizing the policy of the top of the Western Sect in front of the Emperor. 

Ive barely spoken to him, but he was the younger brother of Lord Raul, and he gave the impression of being an ambitious man. Well, he seemed to care about appearances. 

So, why didnt he seize the Baron on the spot?

Probably because the Baron is in the Regent Faction instead of the Chancellors Faction.

So, the fact that the Baron was captured means that

Did the Regent Faction abandon the Baron?

They even see the aristocrats in their own factions as disposable?

Even if that was so, they are the ones who are always fighting between their factions. 

Thats not all. The Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies handed over the Baron for some kind of compensation.

He wouldnt have handed over someone in his faction for nothing.

Your Majesty. Please reconsider.

Count Palatine Vedett suddenly said. 

He was probably asking me to reconsider saving the Renan father and son. 

Im saying this after much thought.

Youre not calm.

Count Palatine immediately replied. 

I certainly wasnt calm. I might be dragged along with my bodys age. 

Youre probably right. But I wont change my mind even if I calm down. 

Count Palatine sighed when I said this. Then, he spoke, looking somewhat resigned. 

This wasnt the Chancellors request in the first place. This was only something the Great Leader, George V demanded. If I dared to say, the George Faction demanded it.

So, the Chancellors Faction isnt in unison.

The Regent Faction isnt any different, Your Majesty. There are conflicting thoughts between the Chancellor and Regent Factions. The Chancellor seems to think that women arent needed in the political scene.

Yeah, I had that feeling when I talked to the two of them. It was the Regent Faction who had given me Timona Renan. Therefore, it wouldnt be strange if this was decided from the George Faction. 

Thats where they can take advantage? 

Judging from the way Count Palatine was speaking

It was the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies who had done this, not the Regent Faction.

The Regent Faction probably doesnt know that the two of them have been caught in the first place.

That was valuable information. I was starting to come up with a way to save them. 

Anything else?

It seems that the Chancellor was informed of the deal after the fact. He will probably approve of it, but he wont feel good about his brother using his own interests in the deal.

Then the situation can be overturned

I whispered and Count Palatine sighed again.

I know. Im not supposed to know this information yet. I cant act until I hear it naturally from somewhere else.

Count Palatine cant act since he couldnt afford to antagonise both factions. If a third faction appeared, then the Chancellor and the Chief of the Ministry of Ceremonies would be wary. 

Naturally. But you shouldnt act even if you learn of it in a different way, Your Majesty. If theres a chance, theyll put their guard up against you, then its best for you not to act.

Count Palatine Vedett looked more serious than ever. 

I can understand what he was saying. I should remain a foolish Emperor until the moment I regain control of the government. He was telling me not to take risks because he was worried about me No, he was worried about the safety of the Emperor.

But you know what?

 Thats not the best. Its preferable. Dont worry. Ill make sure the results are worth the risk.

I definitely wont be able to take responsibility for a nation if I cant save my teacher.

The question was whether the Baron can withstand the torture until then.

Im counting on you, Baron.