elapt1c/ElapticAI-512 · Datasets at Hugging Face

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What difference does it make? I still believe we should allow the coup to occur. Dole crossed his arms and shut his eyes. I couldn t help but think it was clear which parent had given Claire her stubborn nature.
Oh, you needn t be so obstinate, Dole, William said.
Humph. Let s hear it then. What s your opinion on the matter?
A coup d tat would be unseemly. I say we prevent it.
Master Bill! Claire smiled, overjoyed to finally have a supporter.
You re going to allow this opportunity to slip by? Dole said.
This isn t an opportunity, Dole. If anything, it s a risk.
How so?
The coup will be on the day of the summit, right?
Yes, Dole replied. It s perfect. The empire will be at fault for endangering everyone.
Who s to say the empire won t blame us for inciting the coup?
That s a baseless fear.
Is it though? William tilted his head. The truth is, you see, we ve known about the planned coup for a while now. And yet we haven t done a single thing about it.
Knowing and inciting are completely different things.
Sure. But do you really think Dorothea will care about that if she suspects us?
Humph.
They could even, say, torture those involved with the coup until someone confesses that they were supported by Bauer.
Oh, don t be ridiculous, Dole protested, and understandably so.
William nodded. Right. But is it any more ridiculous than thinking a coup would be purely beneficial to us?
That s Dole hemmed and hawed.
And did you forget who we re dealing with here? Dorothea s the kind to declare war with the same composure with which one pours milk into their tea. No matter what path we take here, the end result is going to be messy. So we might as well take the path where we stand to lose the least.
So that s it then? You d stop the coup just to defend Claire s naive ideals? Dole scoffed.
Don t be an idiot. What matters here are real human lives. William paused. Look being able to view things through a political lens is good and all, but once you forget the value of life, you re nothing but a monster.
Sophistry. Dole dismissed him out of hand.
I still haven t forgiven you for what you did during the Bauer Revolution, William said. Without even consulting me, your friend, you tried to kill yourself, and you were even ready to let Claire die. You re too willing to sacrifice lives for the greater good.
And what s wrong with that? Dole challenged.
Everything. Is that the kind of world you want your grandchildren to live in?
Ngh Dole was at a loss for words, unable to refute such a statement. One more push should be enough.
Master Dole, may I speak? I asked.
You needn t ask permission from your father-in-law. Speak.
Thank you. Even supposing allowing the coup to happen were the diplomatically practical option, don t you think it would leave a bad taste in your mouth? At best, those involved with the coup would be given the death penalty. At worst, their families would also be executed as a preventive measure.
That is true.
It s also a fact that the citizens adore Dorothea and are more likely to believe her than foreigners. She could easily turn the coup into an opportunity to rile the citizens against Bauer. If anything, this coup might strengthen the empire s unity.
Dole said nothing, thinking.
I continued. If the coup truly was nothing but advantageous for Bauer, then it would be best to make use of it as you say. But as it stands, I don t believe that to be the case.
Hmm Dole thought quietly for a moment. Claire, let me hear your thoughts.
I Claire cast her eyes down once before looking up and firmly meeting Dole s gaze. I want to help those people. I think they will be the key to changing the empire.
Go on.
Princess Philine planted the seed of hope within them. That hope is still only a bud, but if we stand by doing nothing, it will be nipped before it blooms.
Is that a decision based purely on emotion?
No, she resolutely declared. If Dorothea s dictatorship is to end, it needs to be at the hands of the empire s own citizens. If the people learn to think for themselves and come to question the status quo, the dictatorship will naturally be undone.
In other words, the survival of those planning the coup is beneficial to Bauer?
Yes. We mustn t allow them to die if we re to change the empire.
Dole carefully considered Claire s words. No doubt, countless profit-loss calculations, strategies, and numbers were flitting about in his head. Eventually, he said, Very well. We ll try to stop the coup.
Oh, thank you, Father! Claire said, overjoyed.
It s still too early to rejoice, Claire, William warned. We still haven t any idea how to stop the coup in question.
Then what if Rae and I tried to convi
I don t think that s a very good idea. The two of you are partially responsible for Princess Philine s exile, right? I doubt they would be so inclined to listen to you, William said.
That s true Claire began to brood.
Um, I have an idea, I said.
Oh? What is it? William asked.
If they won t listen to us, why don t we bring a third party to our side and send them over?
That could work. You got anyone in mind?
In fact, I do. Josef Gesner, Dorothea s manservant and a sympathizer of Princess Philine s. I think we have a good shot at convincing him to join our cause.

***

We had come to the barracks adjoining Nur s military training camp. After saying we were there to meet with Otto s older sister, we were taken to a reception room. Outsiders wouldn t usually have been admitted, but thanks to a certain person s influence, we were allowed.
Being merely a place for non-commissioned officers and soldiers-in-training to live, the barracks were practical without so much as a hint of elegance. Even the reception room was no different, which really drove home that this only functioned as a place for people to sleep and eat.
Adelina Reiner, reporting!
Whoa that must be a military thing.
The booming voice of Adelina, Otto s older sister, could be heard before she opened the door. She was a tall woman with a short, masculine haircut and a well-built body. I could certainly see a bit of Otto in her. She wore a brown uniform tailored with practicality in mind. I assumed this was the uniform provided to all soldiers-in-training.
Noticing Claire and me, she glared and bellowed, What are these Bauer dogs doing here?!
Such a reaction was undoubtedly due to the circumstances surrounding Philine s exile, but still! What a thing to call someone.
That s quite the greeting. Are all imperial soldiers so crass? Claire asked.
Ah I knew Claire wasn t the kind of person to take an insult sitting down, but I would have preferred if she refrained for the sake of our objective.
There s no need to shout like that, said a calm voice.
Adelina s eyes widened in surprise as she noticed the speaker. M-Master Josef?!
Yes. I apologize for our sudden visit.
Accompanying Claire and me was none other than Dorothea s manservant, Josef. It was thanks to him that we d even been allowed into the barracks.
Why are you with the enemy?! Adelina asked, glancing back at our faces.
They are not our enemy, Josef said more severely. We have an armistice with Bauer.
Only on the surface, she replied. Besides, it s because of them that Lady Philine
We re here today to talk about that very Philine. Please sit down first, he said.
You wouldn t think it, what with how easily Dorothea blew him off, but Josef conducted himself with the skill expected of one who served an empress. He was able to talk Adelina down and although she still wore a look of protest, she obeyed, sitting down.
We know what you re plotting and have come in hopes of stopping you. Josef skirted around the truth, but his meaning was clear.
Adelina s face whitened. Still, she attempted ignorance. I haven t a clue what you re talking about. She was probably trying to protect the others involved in the coup.
Then allow me to be more direct, Josef continued. We know you re planning a coup d tat on the day of the summit and have come to stop you.
This time, there was no ambiguity in Josef s words. Adelina went pale as a ghost. The man who served as Dorothea s personal manservant knew of the plot, which had to mean that, by extension, the empire knew as well.
You can still turn back. Her Majesty Dorothea is unforgiving to those who defy her but tolerant of those who repent. I implore you to make the right choice, he said.
The right choice? Adelina muttered. Then I ask you, was exiling Lady Philine, Dorothea s own daughter, who so cared for the future of this country, the right choice? It s because of her that Lady Philine is is
Adelina couldn t bring herself to say those last words. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she clenched her fists. She had clearly adored Philine.
While a soldier such as yourself would normally not be privy to such details, Her Majesty s decision was made with Lady Philine s best interests in mind, said Josef. Her Majesty was thinking of Philine s well-being, in her own
But Lady Philine died because of her! Adelina yelled, cutting him off. She made no attempts to hide the tears spilling forth as emotion overtook her. Lady Philine wasn t meant to die in vain! She was meant to build a new future for this country, together with us! So why why?!
The Philine I knew was an introverted, weak-willed, and clumsy young girl. The Philine these soldiers idolized was someone else entirely. To be blunt, I never would have imagined Philine could garner such a following. Maybe it was some kind of hidden advantage she got for being Revo-Lily s protagonist, like plot armor?
Josef allowed her to agonize uninterrupted for a while before solemnly stating, You are a soldier. It is not a soldier s role to think about the empire s future. Your role is simply to obey the orders that come from above. Were you not taught that?
I m well aware of what I m meant to do! But do you really believe the empire is well?! Are we not slipping further and further from our ideals with every passing day?!
Know your place, Adelina Reiner. The gravity with which Josef said those words caused not just Adelina, but Claire and me to straighten in our seats as well. Do you know why you soldiers are allowed to carry weapons? Because the empire grants them to you.
His words were cold and blunt. He reminded me of the way Dole got whenever politics were involved.
Do not misunderstand. The power you have is not your own. it is the empire s. The money used to train you comes from the empire. The army exists to serve the empire and nothing else.
Every word he uttered had been drilled repeatedly into the minds of every soldier here. He was deliberately trying to dredge up those memories.
And another thing I believe you misunderstand Lady Philine s present circumstances. She is not dead, he said.
What? Adelina looked like she couldn t believe her ears. That was probably the last thing she d expected to hear.
He continued. As you know, the empire has many enemies. Her death was faked in order to circumvent the possibility of assassination.
B-but a lock of her hair was sent to the imperial family! she said.
The hair, as well as the blood on said hair, were real. We needed to make her death look all the more convincing, he said matter-of-factly.
But Adeline remained skeptical. I understand But can you prove she s alive?
Why would we leave proof behind if we re trying to fake her death?
I don t know what to believe, she said hesitantly.
Josef rubbed his temples. Adelina I don t understand why your people didn t question such a thing in the first place. Think about it: Her assassination was only days after her exile, and we announced it all too quickly. And do you really believe Her Majesty of all people wouldn t try to take revenge if her daughter were killed? Most people would realize it was all an act.

What difference does it make? I still believe we should allow the coup to occur. Dole crossed his arms and shut his eyes. I couldn t help but think it was clear which parent had given Claire her stubborn nature.

Oh, you needn t be so obstinate, Dole, William said.

Humph. Let s hear it then. What s your opinion on the matter?

A coup d tat would be unseemly. I say we prevent it.

Master Bill! Claire smiled, overjoyed to finally have a supporter.

You re going to allow this opportunity to slip by? Dole said.

This isn t an opportunity, Dole. If anything, it s a risk.

How so?

The coup will be on the day of the summit, right?

Yes, Dole replied. It s perfect. The empire will be at fault for endangering everyone.

Who s to say the empire won t blame us for inciting the coup?

That s a baseless fear.

Is it though? William tilted his head. The truth is, you see, we ve known about the planned coup for a while now. And yet we haven t done a single thing about it.

Knowing and inciting are completely different things.

Sure. But do you really think Dorothea will care about that if she suspects us?

Humph.

They could even, say, torture those involved with the coup until someone confesses that they were supported by Bauer.

Oh, don t be ridiculous, Dole protested, and understandably so.

William nodded. Right. But is it any more ridiculous than thinking a coup would be purely beneficial to us?

That s Dole hemmed and hawed.

And did you forget who we re dealing with here? Dorothea s the kind to declare war with the same composure with which one pours milk into their tea. No matter what path we take here, the end result is going to be messy. So we might as well take the path where we stand to lose the least.

So that s it then? You d stop the coup just to defend Claire s naive ideals? Dole scoffed.

Don t be an idiot. What matters here are real human lives. William paused. Look being able to view things through a political lens is good and all, but once you forget the value of life, you re nothing but a monster.

Sophistry. Dole dismissed him out of hand.

I still haven t forgiven you for what you did during the Bauer Revolution, William said. Without even consulting me, your friend, you tried to kill yourself, and you were even ready to let Claire die. You re too willing to sacrifice lives for the greater good.

And what s wrong with that? Dole challenged.

Everything. Is that the kind of world you want your grandchildren to live in?

Ngh Dole was at a loss for words, unable to refute such a statement. One more push should be enough.

Master Dole, may I speak? I asked.

You needn t ask permission from your father-in-law. Speak.

Thank you. Even supposing allowing the coup to happen were the diplomatically practical option, don t you think it would leave a bad taste in your mouth? At best, those involved with the coup would be given the death penalty. At worst, their families would also be executed as a preventive measure.

That is true.

It s also a fact that the citizens adore Dorothea and are more likely to believe her than foreigners. She could easily turn the coup into an opportunity to rile the citizens against Bauer. If anything, this coup might strengthen the empire s unity.

Dole said nothing, thinking.

I continued. If the coup truly was nothing but advantageous for Bauer, then it would be best to make use of it as you say. But as it stands, I don t believe that to be the case.

Hmm Dole thought quietly for a moment. Claire, let me hear your thoughts.

I Claire cast her eyes down once before looking up and firmly meeting Dole s gaze. I want to help those people. I think they will be the key to changing the empire.

Go on.

Princess Philine planted the seed of hope within them. That hope is still only a bud, but if we stand by doing nothing, it will be nipped before it blooms.

Is that a decision based purely on emotion?

No, she resolutely declared. If Dorothea s dictatorship is to end, it needs to be at the hands of the empire s own citizens. If the people learn to think for themselves and come to question the status quo, the dictatorship will naturally be undone.

In other words, the survival of those planning the coup is beneficial to Bauer?

Yes. We mustn t allow them to die if we re to change the empire.

Dole carefully considered Claire s words. No doubt, countless profit-loss calculations, strategies, and numbers were flitting about in his head. Eventually, he said, Very well. We ll try to stop the coup.

Oh, thank you, Father! Claire said, overjoyed.

It s still too early to rejoice, Claire, William warned. We still haven t any idea how to stop the coup in question.

Then what if Rae and I tried to convi

I don t think that s a very good idea. The two of you are partially responsible for Princess Philine s exile, right? I doubt they would be so inclined to listen to you, William said.

That s true Claire began to brood.

Um, I have an idea, I said.

Oh? What is it? William asked.

If they won t listen to us, why don t we bring a third party to our side and send them over?

That could work. You got anyone in mind?

In fact, I do. Josef Gesner, Dorothea s manservant and a sympathizer of Princess Philine s. I think we have a good shot at convincing him to join our cause.

***

We had come to the barracks adjoining Nur s military training camp. After saying we were there to meet with Otto s older sister, we were taken to a reception room. Outsiders wouldn t usually have been admitted, but thanks to a certain person s influence, we were allowed.

Being merely a place for non-commissioned officers and soldiers-in-training to live, the barracks were practical without so much as a hint of elegance. Even the reception room was no different, which really drove home that this only functioned as a place for people to sleep and eat.

Adelina Reiner, reporting!

Whoa that must be a military thing.

The booming voice of Adelina, Otto s older sister, could be heard before she opened the door. She was a tall woman with a short, masculine haircut and a well-built body. I could certainly see a bit of Otto in her. She wore a brown uniform tailored with practicality in mind. I assumed this was the uniform provided to all soldiers-in-training.

Noticing Claire and me, she glared and bellowed, What are these Bauer dogs doing here?!

Such a reaction was undoubtedly due to the circumstances surrounding Philine s exile, but still! What a thing to call someone.

That s quite the greeting. Are all imperial soldiers so crass? Claire asked.

Ah I knew Claire wasn t the kind of person to take an insult sitting down, but I would have preferred if she refrained for the sake of our objective.

There s no need to shout like that, said a calm voice.

Adelina s eyes widened in surprise as she noticed the speaker. M-Master Josef?!

Yes. I apologize for our sudden visit.

Accompanying Claire and me was none other than Dorothea s manservant, Josef. It was thanks to him that we d even been allowed into the barracks.

Why are you with the enemy?! Adelina asked, glancing back at our faces.

They are not our enemy, Josef said more severely. We have an armistice with Bauer.

Only on the surface, she replied. Besides, it s because of them that Lady Philine

We re here today to talk about that very Philine. Please sit down first, he said.

You wouldn t think it, what with how easily Dorothea blew him off, but Josef conducted himself with the skill expected of one who served an empress. He was able to talk Adelina down and although she still wore a look of protest, she obeyed, sitting down.

We know what you re plotting and have come in hopes of stopping you. Josef skirted around the truth, but his meaning was clear.

Adelina s face whitened. Still, she attempted ignorance. I haven t a clue what you re talking about. She was probably trying to protect the others involved in the coup.

Then allow me to be more direct, Josef continued. We know you re planning a coup d tat on the day of the summit and have come to stop you.

This time, there was no ambiguity in Josef s words. Adelina went pale as a ghost. The man who served as Dorothea s personal manservant knew of the plot, which had to mean that, by extension, the empire knew as well.

You can still turn back. Her Majesty Dorothea is unforgiving to those who defy her but tolerant of those who repent. I implore you to make the right choice, he said.

The right choice? Adelina muttered. Then I ask you, was exiling Lady Philine, Dorothea s own daughter, who so cared for the future of this country, the right choice? It s because of her that Lady Philine is is

Adelina couldn t bring herself to say those last words. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she clenched her fists. She had clearly adored Philine.

While a soldier such as yourself would normally not be privy to such details, Her Majesty s decision was made with Lady Philine s best interests in mind, said Josef. Her Majesty was thinking of Philine s well-being, in her own

But Lady Philine died because of her! Adelina yelled, cutting him off. She made no attempts to hide the tears spilling forth as emotion overtook her. Lady Philine wasn t meant to die in vain! She was meant to build a new future for this country, together with us! So why why?!

The Philine I knew was an introverted, weak-willed, and clumsy young girl. The Philine these soldiers idolized was someone else entirely. To be blunt, I never would have imagined Philine could garner such a following. Maybe it was some kind of hidden advantage she got for being Revo-Lily s protagonist, like plot armor?

Josef allowed her to agonize uninterrupted for a while before solemnly stating, You are a soldier. It is not a soldier s role to think about the empire s future. Your role is simply to obey the orders that come from above. Were you not taught that?

I m well aware of what I m meant to do! But do you really believe the empire is well?! Are we not slipping further and further from our ideals with every passing day?!

Know your place, Adelina Reiner. The gravity with which Josef said those words caused not just Adelina, but Claire and me to straighten in our seats as well. Do you know why you soldiers are allowed to carry weapons? Because the empire grants them to you.

His words were cold and blunt. He reminded me of the way Dole got whenever politics were involved.

Do not misunderstand. The power you have is not your own. it is the empire s. The money used to train you comes from the empire. The army exists to serve the empire and nothing else.

Every word he uttered had been drilled repeatedly into the minds of every soldier here. He was deliberately trying to dredge up those memories.

And another thing I believe you misunderstand Lady Philine s present circumstances. She is not dead, he said.

What? Adelina looked like she couldn t believe her ears. That was probably the last thing she d expected to hear.

He continued. As you know, the empire has many enemies. Her death was faked in order to circumvent the possibility of assassination.

B-but a lock of her hair was sent to the imperial family! she said.

The hair, as well as the blood on said hair, were real. We needed to make her death look all the more convincing, he said matter-of-factly.

But Adeline remained skeptical. I understand But can you prove she s alive?

Why would we leave proof behind if we re trying to fake her death?

I don t know what to believe, she said hesitantly.

Josef rubbed his temples. Adelina I don t understand why your people didn t question such a thing in the first place. Think about it: Her assassination was only days after her exile, and we announced it all too quickly. And do you really believe Her Majesty of all people wouldn t try to take revenge if her daughter were killed? Most people would realize it was all an act.