"Elder brother."
Renner jumped down from the windowsill, her long golden hair flowing behind her, her white dress shimmering softly in the sunlight. She walked up to Zanac and looked up at him.
Why are you here?
Zanac looked into her eyes. Those blue eyes were clear, bright, gentle, and sweet, like two sapphires.
But he knew that beneath that gentle and sweet surface lurked a monster.
A cold-blooded monster disguised as an angel, devoid of any moral constraints.
Renner.
His voice was hoarse.
I need your help.
Renner tilted her head, a hint of curiosity flashing in her blue eyes.
"Help? What does my brother need my help with?"
"Help me govern this country."
Renner's smile deepened.
"Brother, didn't you always think I was scary? Why do you suddenly want my help?"
Zanac was silent for a moment.
"Because I need your talent. This country is doomed. This country needs change, and there's only one month left."
He paused.
"And I don't have the ability to change it in such a short time. But you do."
Renner stared at him for a long time. Then she turned around, walked back to the windowsill, and sat down again.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down her shoulders, shimmering softly in the sunlight.
"Elder brother."
"Um."
"Weren't you always afraid of me? How dare you use me?"
Zanac walked up to her and stopped.
"It's not a question of whether or not we dare, it's that we have no choice."
Renner chuckled softly.
The laughter was crisp and sweet, like the sound of wind chimes in spring.
"Brother, you've changed."
What has changed?
"The you of the past wouldn't have said there were no choices. The you of the past would have said, 'Let me think of something.'"
Zanac remained silent.
He knew she was right.
He used to say that.
I've never seen that list. I've never seen my father shed a tear.
Renner.
"Um."
"Help me. After it's done, I'll give you a piece of land. You and Climb can live there."
Renner's fingers stopped. She looked up, her blue eyes fixed on Zanac, a certain light gleaming in them.
If it had been before yesterday, she would have been overjoyed.
But now--
It doesn't matter anymore.
However, she doesn't plan to change her public image immediately.
"Brother, what did you say?"
"I said that after this is done, I will give you a piece of land. You and Climb can live there. No one will bother you. No one will interfere with what you do. You can be together."
Renner stared at him for a long time.
Then she smiled.
"Elder brother."
"Um."
"You've finally learned how to negotiate properly."
Zanac's lips curled up slightly.
"I was forced to."
Renner jumped down from the windowsill, walked to the desk, and sat down.
"So, that Higashino Makoto is demanding that the Re-Estize Kingdom implement reforms within a month, right, brother?"
"How did you know... it really is a monster? How could you even guess that?"
Renner simply smiled, ignoring her brother's words.
He picked up a quill pen, dipped it in ink, and began to write his name on a blank sheet of parchment.
"First, everyone on the Eight Fingers list must be apprehended within three days, and at least the key figures must not escape. These are the people on the list."
Renner added simple symbols before several of the names with her pen.
"Secondly, the arrests must be carried out simultaneously, leaving no opportunity for anyone to tip them off. The sooner the better."
"Third, immediately after the arrest, conduct Judgment. A public Judgment, so that everyone... especially that gentleman, can see that the royal family is not putting on an act, but is serious."
I'll Lakyus to help me out.
She put down her pen, looked up, and stared at Zanac.
"Brother, can you do it?"
Zanac stared at those lines of text and remained silent for a moment.
"Able."
Or rather, it must be possible.
"Alright. Brother, please remember, the most important thing in this matter is attitude... the attitude of being willing to do anything to change the country."
Even if the result isn't perfect, as long as you demonstrate the determination to change the country and achieve sufficient results, Mr. Higashino will be satisfied.
Renner stood up, walked to the window, and opened it.
In the courtyard, Climb was still practicing his swordsmanship, sweat dripping from his forehead onto the ground.
"Climb."
Renner's voice was soft and sweet.
Climb looked up and saw Renner on the windowsill, his face flushing slightly.
Your Highness.
"Come in. I need you to do something."
"Yes!"
Climb sheathed his sword and strode into the room. He saw Zanac, paused for a moment, and then knelt on one knee.
"Your Highness the Second Prince."
"Get up."
Zanac looked at him.
This man was neither strong, nor wise, nor "outstanding talent" in any sense.
But he was Renner's "pet".
Renner needs him.
"Climb."
Renner walked up to him, reached out, and gently stroked his face.
"From today onwards, you will follow your brother. You will do whatever he tells you to do."
Climb's eyes widened slightly.
Your Highness--
"That's an order."
Renner's voice was calm, but carried an undeniable certainty.
This--
It's no longer needed.
Climb paused for a moment, then lowered his head.
"Yes, sir."
Zanac watched this scene, his lips twitching slightly.
He knew what Renner was doing; she was lending him Climb as "collateral."
She was telling him--
"I will help you, but remember, you owe me."
Renner.
"Um."
Thank you.
Renner tilted her head, a glint of light flashing in her blue eyes.
"Brother, you're welcome. This is a deal."
Zanac nodded, turned around, and walked towards the door. After a few steps, he stopped but didn't look back.
Renner.
"Um."
"Are you sure your suggestion of a public Judgment won't provoke a backlash from the nobility?"
"Meeting."
Renner's answer was crisp and concise.
"But a rebound is a good thing."
Zanac turned around and looked at her.
"Good news?"
"Yes. That's good."
Renner walked to the desk, sat down, and placed her hands on the table.
"The nobles' backlash shows they're afraid. When they're afraid, they make mistakes. And when they make mistakes, that's when we have an opportunity."
She paused.
"Furthermore, Mr. Higashino has given us a month. He will return in a month. If the nobles are still resisting then, he will help us deal with it."
"Of course, the premise is that we have to survive this month ourselves. If we don't demonstrate enough value, then he will change things in another way."
Zanac's brow furrowed slightly.
Are you sure he'll help us?
"Uncertain. After all, beings wielding immense power are like gods to humans. And even I cannot accurately analyze the thoughts of gods."
Renner shook her head.
"But he'll help himself. He wants a beautiful Garden. And there can't be weeds in the Garden."