Tearmoon Empire: Volume 15, page 1
Table of Contents
Cover
Color Illustrations
Characters
Empress Mia’s Diplomatic Diary (of Her Efforts to Not Lose to Esmeralda!)
Map
Prologue
Chapter 1: Ludwig’s Battle Analysis, and...
Chapter 2: Father and Daughter
Chapter 3: Best! Friends! Forever!
Chapter 4: The Emperor Lives the Dream
Chapter 5: Keen Eyes See Through All... Do They, Though?
Chapter 6: The Castle Town of Clauvert
Chapter 7: Mia’s Seeds Sprout —Sing the Praises of the Great Sage!—
Chapter 8: Employing Yes-Man Tactics —Romance Edition—
Chapter 9: Rousing the Spirit of Adventurers!
Chapter 10: His Name Comes From...?
Chapter 11: Princess Mia Is Brilliant (This Hasn’t Happened for a While...)
Chapter 12: Bel’s Adventuring Squad Jumps into Action!
Chapter 13: ...Huh?
Chapter 14: Bel Makes a Discovery!
Chapter 15: Mia Overlaps
Chapter 16: The Sword He Seeks
Chapter 17: Midnight Royal Girls’ Talk
Chapter 18: A Nighttime Encounter
Chapter 19: Princess Mia Grows a Tad Presumptuous
Chapter 20: A Burbling Lullaby
Chapter 21: Summer Break Approaches Its End
Chapter 22: A Tea Party with the Illustrious Daughter of Duke Greenmoon
Chapter 23: A Grand Welcoming
Chapter 24: Mia Goes Along for the Ride!
Chapter 25: An Unexpected Visitor and an Unanticipated Request
Chapter 26: The Plan to Raise Mia Elites Marches On in Secrecy!
Chapter 27: A Proposal from Her Friend Rafina
Chapter 28: Princess Mia Is Criticized
Chapter 29: Thus Sprouts a Small Seed of Resolve
Chapter 30: Mia Fights a Tough Fight
Chapter 31: The Multitasking Princess
Chapter 32: The Holy Lady’s Anguish
Chapter 33: Bel Finally Begins to Use Her Brain. Finally...
Chapter 34: Princess Mia Takes the Air of an Oasis
Chapter 35: Mia Never Forgets the Follow-Up!
Chapter 36: She Had No Freakin’ Clue!
Chapter 37: Princess Mia Philosophizes About Stew...
Chapter 38: A Nighttime Library Visit
Chapter 39: A Cushiony Aurelia, Mia!
Chapter 40: The Ignorant Princess Orania Smiles
Side Story: Esmeralda’s School Visit —The Secret Maneuvers of the Head Etoiline—
Afterword
Bonus High Res Color Illustrations
About J-Novel Club
Copyright
Part 7: The Golden Lighthouse of the Aurelia Shines Bright! I
Prologue
I am sure that my dear readers know that there are many recorded episodes from the life of Empress Mia Luna Tearmoon, the Great Sage of the Empire. However, not so many know that her grandmother Empress Patricia has some odd stories of her own.
This episode occurred during a visit to Perujin Agricultural Country. A banquet had been prepared for Empress Patricia, yet she appeared utterly unmoved. However, that was not so unusual for her, as she was the type who rarely revealed her emotions.
Yet there was a single dish that earned a reaction from her: a traditional Perujin cake known as castilla. Had a reaction been the whole story, this would have been nothing of import. It would have simply meant that the cake’s sweetness was to her tastes. What was odd, however, was how she reacted, as one of her retainers testified that she whispered, “Ah, that’s what my elder sister was...” with a kind, wistful grin.
According to public records, Empress Patricia had no sister. Her only surviving family was her younger brother Marquess Clausius, and there were none who would have deserved such a title from her. Even so, the words “elder sister” had spilled from her mouth.
It is unclear who those words were referring to. Was there a hidden secret of the crown within her mumblings, or perhaps a scandal? Whatever it is, that answer has been lost to history.
Excerpt from The Twelve Mysteries of the Great Sage Empress Mia Luna Tearmoon from the “Important Tearmoon Figures” Series
“It’s almost time for dinner, Patty! Patty?” called out Mia. The girl in question was lying still on the bed with her arms covering her face.
She didn’t react to a meal cooked by the chef at all! This is truly troublesome...
Mia shared a glance with Yanna and Kiryl, who were beside her. They seemed to pick up on Mia’s thoughts, as on the signal of a nod, they approached Patty. Mia decided to leave things to them and stepped out of the room, which was one of the guest quarters located in the Whitemoon Palace in the center of Lunatear.
Mia gazed at the heavy doors with a sigh. After returning from the cooking party at the Schuberts’ residence, Patty had been bedridden. She simply lay there, and even dinner wasn’t enough to rouse her. Mia herself spent quite a lot of time lounging in bed, but she couldn’t help but worry watching a hard worker like Patty fall into similar habits.
“I really do hope she’s okay... I let my mouth run without thinking, but perhaps this is for the best.”
After watching Patty break into tears at the Schuberts’ residence, Mia couldn’t help but panic and let the words, “I see. If you really must, let’s head for the Clausius domain,” slip out of her mouth.
“Huh?” Patty had asked, blinking her eyes.
Mia had kindly smiled back at her. “If you wish to go home, I have no right to stop you. I’m not trying to bully you, after all.”
At least, that’s what Mia had said in the moment.
“But if I bring her to the Clausius domain, that will mean revealing that this is the future. That won’t solve all our problems. Not to mention...”
Mia thought back on Patty’s current state and sighed. Ever since they returned to the Whitemoon Palace, she had been completely devoid of energy—no, more than energy, she was devoid of life itself. Seeing her grandmother so despondent and unresponsive caused unmeasurable worry for Mia.
“We’ll be in real trouble if she stops eating her meals. As long as she keeps eating, her energy will return. Hm, food...” mumbled Mia as she folded her arms. “If we’re trying to cheer someone up, we’ll need sweets! We’re off to speak with the chef, Anne! I want your help too.”
Anne had been waiting on her master from behind, but seeing her resolve, she stuck her hand to her chest and vigorously declared, “Yes, milady!”
Chapter 1: Ludwig’s Battle Analysis, and...
“I see. So Her Highness took it upon herself to...” Ludwig couldn’t help but sigh upon hearing the details of what had happened at the Schuberts’ residence. “...use the poisonous mushrooms growing at the manor to neutralize the criminal. Interrogations went smoothly as well. She really is something...”
She was resourceful and adaptable, and Ludwig couldn’t help but feel dizzy at how the otherworldly flexible thinking of the Great Sage had saved the day. The light of the sun hit his glasses, causing them to glint.
“Still, to think the Serpents had slithered their way into Marquess Schubert’s manor...” Hearing that Sapphias would stage a coup, Ludwig had been in a state of half disbelief, but he nevertheless had continued his investigations into the actions taken by the Bluemoon faction and who could be the instigator to raise a rebellion. “It’s a shame he isn’t currently in Tearmoon...”
“He”—that is, Gilbert Bouquet (aka Gil), his fellow disciple of the Wandering Wiseman Galv. Gil was better informed on matters of Lunatear’s politics and the central nobility than Ludwig, but he was presently in the former domain of House Clausius to investigate the family. Had he been here, Ludwig would likely have had an easier time investigating the movements of the Bluemoon faction.
“Having the right connections truly is essential. These things take time with my go-betweens.” He had yet to fully grasp what all the nobles in the faction were up to, but according to the information he had managed to obtain, there were currently none who would have cooperated in staging a coup.
“Of course there aren’t...” muttered Ludwig. Mia was currently the key player in disseminating provisions throughout the empire. Perujin Agricultural Country, their greatest supplier of foodstuffs, had announced its full support for Mia, and the same could be said for Outcount Gilden and Outcount Rudolvon, who supplied their wheat. Even Forkroad & Co., the company handling foreign imports, was a friend of Mia’s. Poor harvests were occurring all across Tearmoon, and any noble somewhat knowledgeable about the state of his domain would know that getting on Mia’s bad side wasn’t a good idea.
Of course, some of the dull-witted nobles wouldn’t take their domain’s food storages into consideration and instead support Sapphias in his rebellion under the assumption that him being emperor would be better for them, but one of Mia’s connections kept such types at bay—the Holy Lady Rafina. To those who coveted power, the value of the Holy Lady’s name was immeasurable.
“Even if they were able to turn against His Imperial Majesty and Princess Mia, they couldn’t disobey the authority of Belluga. From that perspective, there could be no one who would raise the flag of rebellion against Her Highness, but...” Ludwig stressed his final words. “The future is not fixed.”
Humans naturally forgot the warmth of a hot tea once it had passed from their mouths to their stomachs. Once the danger of famine had ended, Mia’s influence would likely dwindle.
“And as long as the heir to the throne remains uncertain...the dormant threat of the Bluemoons will not be neutralized, which means as long as Her Highness isn’t empress, Lord Sapphias will remain an easy target of the Serpents’ wiles.” Ludwig let his mind wander. “‘Empress Mia,’ huh?”
Ludwig pondered the feasibility of this dream. What forces would offer their unconditional support for Mia to take the throne? The current emperor would surely back her—rather, it was safe to assume that anything Mia might suggest, the emperor was an immediate yes. Ludwig didn’t have to worry about Outcounts Rudolvon or Gilden either, and the support of the Yellowmoons and Redmoons would surely prove a boon as well. Having the support of two of the Four Dukes put them in a good spot, but...
“Even if Duke Redmoon supports us, what of the military? His influence over them is surely great, but the Ebony Moon Ministry and the Redmoons are not one and the same.” There was a need to one day reform Tearmoon’s military, but what would they think if it happened at the hands of an empress? “Since I am sure there are some stubborn officers among them, I doubt we can rely on the Ebony Moon Ministry. On the other hand, it’s the Scarlet Moon Ministry that is supportive of Her Highness’s efforts for agricultural reform. The Jade Moon Ministry which handles diplomacy is likely more on Her Highness’s side than not, but it’s unclear where the loyalties of the Greenmoons lie...”
Ludwig was quite sure that Mia would be able to rise to empress now, but at the same time, he knew that announcing such intentions at this point in time would make things harder.
“It would be a loss for the whole continent to have Her Highness entrenched only in the internal problems of Tearmoon.” Ludwig wanted to promptly get a handle on Tearmoon’s internal affairs, but to do that, he needed allies—influential nobles who understood Mia’s aims and could cooperate in realizing them. “Whether we can borrow the power of the nobles the Yellowmoons escaped abroad may be what makes or breaks us.”
Suddenly, there was a knock on his office door. “Are you there, Ludwig?”
“Ah, Princess Mia.” Learning that the woman he served was at the door, he rushed to open it. Then, he was faced with a girl looking incredibly despondent.
“What is it, Your Highness?” Ludwig titled his head, unable to determine the cause of her worries.
“I’d like to visit the former domain of House Clausius. Can I ask you to make the necessary preparations?”
The look on her face was so serious that for a moment, he was silent. But then, he nodded.
Chapter 2: Father and Daughter
“Incidentally, Your Highness, have you informed your father of these plans?”
Mia tilted her head. “Hm? My father? Not yet, but...it should be fine. I doubt he’d object,” she casually responded.
It was rare for Ludwig to be stern, but right now, he was. “No, I believe there is a need to inform His Majesty. If others see this as your own maneuvering, you will be giving the other nobles an excuse to criticize you.”
“Hm... Well, if you say so.” Mia nodded obediently. For one, Ludwig was the person who would be making the preparations for their journey, and regardless of his words, listening to what he said could never be a mistake. Mia Yes-man Luna Tearmoon knew well that there were many things that surpassed her thinking, and thus, was prepared to toss her thinking to the curb and simply go along with others when the time was right. Leaving the situation to her trusty vassal was the right move, and all her senses were backing that decision.
Thus, that night, she visited her father’s quarters.
“Ah, Mia! My dear daughter! What can papa do for you? Could this be a much welcome invite to accompany you, Bel, and Patty for some fun?” The horsemanship tournament the other day still had him in high spirits, and he grinned gleefully.
Mia sensed that this was the perfect time to ask for some favors, so she decided to forgo greetings and jump straight into the topic at hand. “Actually, father, I was thinking of visiting the Clausius family’s residence.”
“Huh? Do you mean the house my mother was raised in?” Matthias’s eyes widened. He hadn’t been expecting this.
Mia nodded. “Yes. I’ve been a bit interested in Grandmother Patricia lately, so I thought...”
“But the house of Marquess Clausius is no longer...” he muttered, confused.
“Yes, I know that they lacked an heir and are no longer, but...the home itself hasn’t been destroyed, has it?”
“It hasn’t. I hear the manor is being looked after. But I see, so you’re going to the old manor of House Clausius...” Emperor Matthias Luna Tearmoon stared off into the distance, his eyes overcome with emotions. “Incidentally, will he...Prince Abel...be coming?”
That sudden question caught Mia off guard. “Huh? O-Oh, yes, well, I was planning on having him accompany me...”
Abel had already come all the way to Tearmoon, so she couldn’t just leave him behind. Aima would most likely be attending as well. Though Aima may want to pursue Ka Kunlou, so I’ll have to check in with her.
As such thoughts were running through Mia’s head, her father had stood up in a grand display. “Well then! In that case, I shall be coming as well!”
His declaration was absurd, and for a moment, Mia could only stare blankly back at him, unable to understand what he had just said. “Um, father? What was that just now?”
“Hm? You didn’t hear me? I said I will be accompanying you.” Emperor Matthias plopped himself back in his seat and twisted his body. “I’ve actually been accompanying Duke Redmoon and the captain of your Princess Guard for some exercise lately.”
“Th-This is the first I’m hearing of this!” Mia imagined her father being coached by Vanos into someone burly and muscular. Huh! That actually sounds pretty good! Mia had an affinity for large men, you see.
“It made me realize that being cooped up in the castle wasn’t good for my health! I need to travel from time to time,” he said with a burly laugh.
Mia rushed to convince him otherwise. “No, father—I mean, no, Your Majesty. The emperor can’t just leave the castle whenever he pleases. Without you, who will take care of governing Tearmoon... Wait, governing?”
A thought flashed through Mia’s mind, leaving her suddenly at a loss for words: Huh? I actually don’t think my father’s absence would be too big a deal.
Whether he realized this or not, her father maintained his smile and laughed. “What are you saying?! My presence or absence will have no effects on politics and governance!” Was it really okay for him to put that so bluntly?
Well, he isn’t wrong, but... Mia couldn’t help but groan.
“Rather, you’ve been more the center of politics than I have these days, right?” Once again, his words were incredibly blunt.
But it can’t be good if that’s true! she lamented, but Mia herself had already come to the same realization. Though I can’t really deny that either...
In any case, Mia had built a large network of connections in her attempt to avoid a revolution. The fact that Tearmoon was still standing was undoubtedly due to Mia’s efforts. If Ludwig’s feats can ultimately be traced back to me, then I really may be the center of things here. Ugh! This is so annoying! I need to stress how much of this is Ludwig’s doing to avoid that being the case in the future...
It was unusual for Mia to be so emotional, but for a moment, she couldn’t help but marvel at how far she had come to escape the guillotine. “To escape the guillotine, huh? Ah, that reminds me...”
A scene suddenly flashed through her mind—a memory engulfed by the flames of war and revolution.
“Ugh, these meals get less impressive with each passing day.”
This was a memory from the previous timeline. That day, Mia had been sharing dinner with her father, Emperor Matthias Luna Tearmoon, inside the Whitemoon Palace. Once, lavish china had filled their table, but now, that was all a distant memory. Before them were small plates with a pittance of food. While their meal surpassed that of their struggling citizens, the dishes were too lacking to be called a meal fit for an emperor, and it had Mia letting out a dispirited sigh.
“How disgraceful to have my daughter looking so sad! I suppose I need to fire this chef,” said Matthias, his brow furrowed.
