Mob Protagonist ~ Mob in the Novel But There is a Problem

Chapter 96.1

Chapter 96.1. The Fools Who Calculate

-???’s POV-

Sena mentioned something she had heard at the coming of age party. That is, about Masatoshi’s murmurs when the Scissors Mantis stampede occurred.

“You mean to say that the eldest son of Duke Aguni was surprised that the Iron Spider was activated?”

The prime ministers, who had never heard of this, lost color and became noisy at Sena’s statement. It is strange to be surprised by the activation. He was surprised that iron spider, which was supposed to be guarding them, had been activated because he had thought that the Iron Spider would not move.

In front of the noisy adults, Sena looks around at everyone with a serious face, holds her hands on her chest, and continues her story dignifiedly. Her appearance is so admirable that she doesn’t look like a 10 year old. There isn’t the slightest sign of fear in the face of a thousand adults.

“Yes. I didn’t understand what it meant either. But afterward, Masatoshi-san also muttered, ‘I didn’t know that Duke Kanna’s plan would get crushed by something like this.'”

“Oh my. So then you are saying that Duke Aguni knew what Duke Kanna was up to. But isn’t that eldest son too careless? No, is he telling a 10 year old child about an important strategy?”

Nobunaga puts his hand to his chin and ponders. This operation was highly secretive. If successful, the Emperor’s prestige would be greatly decreased, but it was a little different from the usual plots. Even the slightest suspicion of involvement in the operation would be the end of the story.

After all, tens of thousands of people could have been killed. That wasn’t the usual courtroom battle to bring down the other side.

“That’s because, like us attending this conference, you were probably taught as part of your gifted education, weren’t you?”

“No, it’s not on the same level as a meeting where old men dabble. That’s the type of plot that should never get discovered by anyone. Even if you are a duke, you can’t just get demoted. It’s on the level of being ostracized. It’s not something a child should be allowed to hear.”

The Emperor denied Nagamasa’s words with one eye closed. It’s an impossible story. Even Duke Aguni would not get off scot-free.

“That’s right. Hmm, there is something wrong with this story. Then …….”

“Well, either that naughty boy from Aguni had nothing to do with it, or he was giving Duke Kanna support that left absolutely no evidence.”

Ouga roared in a grave tone of voice, and Duchess Ryusui, with a dumbfounded expression, made a guess.

“No relation? Um, why did his son, Masatoshi-kun, know about it?”

While fluttering her hand and waving it to the wondering Sena, Duchess Ryusui began to speak so the others could also hear.

“Aguni Dukedom, you know, is the family that governs the fire. The explosion system is extremely powerful in battle, so there are many people from the family in the military and the warriors. The dungeons for mining ore and other resources are full of golems and other hard enemies, but they use fire magic to destroy them and mine a lot of ore. Do you know what this means, Saint young lady?”

“Well, uh, ………, ah, I mean, ……… the Aguni Dukedom is rich!”

“That’s right! Aguni Dukedom has a lot of money, don’t they, old lady?”

Hmmm, while her silver hair sparkles, Sena puts her index finger on her cheek and said her thoughts. The pretty Saint’s guess was a simple one. Nagamasa also voiced his agreement.

“Oh, yes. They’re rich. Their family is rich.”

Slightly narrowing her eyes, Duchess Ryusui shrugged her shoulders. Seeing Duchess Ryusui dismayed attitude, Sena’s face became depressed, and Nagamasa, who had a large physique, showed a bewildered expression.

“I understand. Grandma Ryusui says this, Nagamasa. Aguni Dukedom, for all its wealth and military prowess, isn’t very successful in politics.”

With an extremely serious expression on his face, Nobunaga made a guess. Although it was only that much, he understood enough to pinpoint what he was referring to as befitting the next Emperor.

“An? ………I guess that’s what I was thinking. Aguni, both in the military and politics, has strong power, but not at the top. Why is that?”

“You’re good for nothing, aren’t you? As a royal family member, you need to think a little more. Don’t be so thoughtless.”

“What? But, but, old lady, I’m not the only one. You can’t understand this kind of thing, right, Sena?”

“Yes, Nagamasa-oniisama. I had no idea what it meant. What do you mean?”

When Grandma Ryusui yelled at him, Nagamasa’s face tightened, and he pulled Sena into his arms. Of course, Sena didn’t understand either. When she had no idea what she meant, she showed an innocent smile.

“You’ve got to use your head more than just your figure. Aguni Dukedom isn’t so good. They can essentially fight for the top spot. But for now, Duke Kanna is the leader. Thanks to that, the asshole from Kanna Dukedom is getting so good that he’s even trying to replace the Emperor.”

“Duke Aguni don’t take big bets. They never make big profits because they always think carefully about risk management. I would say that they are the most troublesome because they’re solid types, but to be the first in politics is not enough to be solid. You have to take a small bet somewhere.”

“Ouga is right. Even the most loyal of advisors knowing that some old man would stare at them, would surround a recovery magician until the last minute to expand his influence in the political world. Even though he’s the old man’s best friend.”

Ouga brushed off the Emperor’s cold stare as if he was in the wind. It was natural for him to do such things to maintain his power. In a political world where all kinds of evil spirits of rivers and mountains are stirring, it is not enough, to be honest. The Emperor’s loyal subjects also needed power.