"Oh, by the way, dear, there''s something I have to tell you."


    Here?


    What the hell was that?


    I said, stroking Rumi''s hair. Even in the dark room, I could see Rumi''s naked white body.


    "A few days before your return, I was in the temple of the god of childbirth. I received a prophecy there. I am sure that today you will give birth to a child.


    I hugged Rumi again.


    "If you''re worried about being childless with a full wife, don''t worry. I won''t let that alienate you."


    Perhaps Rumi is impatient to see Serafina''s son growing up so fast.


    "I''m not worried about you. I''m just saying that I''m sure I''ll have your son too.


    Rumi was laughing. Well, he doesn''t seem to be worried or anything.


    "We got some herbs from the temple."


    "Don''t take too much of the weird stuff ......."


    I''m more worried about Rumi than I am about the kid.


    "Don''t worry. I''m sure you''ll have a beautiful baby.


    Rumi said with conviction.


    "A baby with your royal blood in it."


    The words stuck with me strangely.


    If it was Rumi''s daughter, she must be a nephew or niece of Hasse, the king.


    I was not sure.


    And a little while later. I was busy with political affairs and making big plans for military mobilization.


    Rumi confided in me.


    "I think I''m really pregnant. I think it''s morning sickness. I''ve been showing signs of it lately. ......"


    "Really?　You''re not overly concerned and mistaken, are you?"


    "My dear, you may not understand this, but I am sure of it. Please trust me.


    I hugged Rumi and rejoiced from the bottom of my heart.


    At the same time, I had a plan.


    It''s still an unstable and risky move, but a plan is a plan.


    I was so happy to see Rumi.


    I went to Jahnhahn''s place.


    The reason is to hold a tea ceremony. Of course, the ceremony will be conducted carefully and in accordance with etiquette. I think my skill at the tea ceremony has improved to a certain extent.


    Jahnhan is a kind of political advisor to me. However, I will not propose a number of measures to him. I will talk to Jahnhahn and in the end I will decide for myself. Jahnhan hints like a wise man.


    A merchant and a general cannot avoid the inherent element of luck.


    No amount of planning is perfect. A stray arrow can kill you in a battle that you thought you won hands down. A ship full of cargo may sink, leaving you with a huge debt.


    That is why, when I talk with Jahn Khan, who comes from a merchant family, I naturally become more determined.


    I drink the tea served at the tea ceremony quietly. I feel the tea flowing in my stomach.


    "It tastes good."


    "Thank you."


    Jahnhahn smiled, his eyes narrowed.


    "Are you worried about the choice of roads to use in the war?　That''s the only thing I can think of right now, if you''re thinking about it."


    Jahnhahn says in a hushed voice. The fact that he goes to the trouble of bringing it up suggests that he doesn''t think that''s the reason.


    "What we talk about here is considered a secret conversation, right?"


    "Needless to say. Trust is the first priority for a merchant. It is forbidden to speak at a tea ceremony.


    I''ll pause for a moment.


    I''m going to kill the sound and look for any spies. It''s best to be as discreet as possible.


    "His Majesty says he wants to fight as a general in the next expedition."


    "I see. From ancient times, a king is the leader of his troops. That makes sense.


    Jahnhahn''s eyes open a little wider.


    "Even so, if Your Majesty doesn''t have a good military strategist, I think the regent should be the one to plan the campaign. That shouldn''t be too much of an inconvenience. Isn''t it important for the current regent not to lose?　Whatever we do, we should first unite the world as one."


    This is a statement that presupposes my usurpation of the country.


    "Well, for instance, just for instance..."


    I looked into Jahnhahn''s eyes.


    "What are our chances of winning the war if you are killed?"


    I felt Jahnhahn spit.


    Maybe because it was a question that required a pause.


    So I asked.


    Is there any way to get rid of the king in this war and still win the war?


    If the plan succeeds, I will be in complete control of the Kingdom of Thirlwil. Whoever the king will be, he will surely be a child, and if the leader of the united kingdom is still alive and well, then so be it.


    "I am not an expert on war, so I don''t know all the details. Even so, the risk is too great. It would be good if we could win, but if we are pursued by the former king''s forces, ......"


    Many may think that the former king''s rule was right after all. So terrible is this move.


    If one after another his allies turn to the former king, it will be the end of him as regent.


    "But if I succeed, my power will be even stronger. No, let me be more clear. There will be no one greater than me in the land."


    Of course, the king will be succeeded by someone other than me.


    Even if it is, it''s still the young child of the dead Hasse. I can''t do anything. His maternal parents have no power either.


    Then I will be in charge of the whole country. Without me, the kingdom will fall into chaos. No one wants that. The kingdom is united now. Those who are tired of war will try to keep it that way.


    And there was one more big bargaining chip.


    If it were not for that, we would not have taken this story seriously.


    "Rumi is pregnant. A child will be born of my blood and royal blood."