A Mastermind? No, I'm just the Live-In Son-in-Law-Chapter 165: Preparing for a Speedrun (2)

“...Is that supposed to be a joke?”

“......”

“It is a joke, right? I’m still lacking in humor comprehension...”

The silence that had hung in the office for some time was finally broken by Parsha, who blinked slowly as she stared at me.

“I think it must be. Typically, jokes involve saying something completely absurd to make others laugh.”

“Mmh, so that’s what it is.”

“That was a very funny joke, Master.”

After exchanging a brief look with Lunelle beside her, Parsha casually dismissed everything I’d said as a joke.

“...Why does everyone automatically assume I’m joking?”

“Well... because it’s impossible.”

Coming from Parsha of all people, I decided to hear her out and asked,

“Destroying an empire within a week is impossible.”

Her voice was resolute—completely confident in that statement.

“According to the long-term plan I’ve devised, it would take at least five years. If it were somehow possible to do it in a week, I’d have no choice but to surrender in admiration.”

If Parsha said there were no alternatives, there likely weren’t. Still, the bigger surprise was that she apparently had a plan in place that could topple the empire in just five years. Clearly, she wasn't remotely normal either.

“Then I suppose we should first clarify our definitions of ‘destroying the empire.’”

Realizing that Parsha and I might be envisioning very different endpoints, I opened my mouth to clear up the misunderstanding.

“When I say ‘destroy the empire,’ I don’t mean simply marching in, seizing the imperial palace, and burning it to the ground.” 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

“Oh? Then what do you mean...?”

“I mean replacing the current ruling class that governs the empire. Whether that means a shift of power to another organization or forcibly removing them from office.”

Parsha’s eyes rolled upward for a moment as if she were gazing into space, and then she recalculated aloud:

“In that case... it would take at least three years.”

Was she really running simulations in her head just now? And was she serious? How do you dismantle an empire in three years?

“For reference, my plan also includes seizing the imperial palace.”

Even though I was curious, my top priority was explaining my own strategy, so I offered another piece of information.

“...Then it’s one month.”

“Parsha, are you seriously calculating this?”

Her abrupt drop from “three years” to “one month” felt like watching a discount sale, and I couldn’t help but question it.

“Yes, of course?”

She tilted her head like I’d asked something strange and confidently confirmed it.

“If it’s just a matter of seizing control—and not worrying about the aftermath—it might be doable within a month.”

“How?”

“It’s simple.”

She smiled sweetly and began to explain.

“By exploiting loopholes in the ancient oaths. We form an alliance with the Embergreen family and send troops into the palace. It would technically be classified as a rebellion.”

“...What are the odds of success?”

“If Lady Meredia is completely on board, and the troops are sufficiently motivated, the probability can go up to 50%.”

I didn’t know how her mind could produce such figures so quickly, but I simply nodded in silence.

“But even then, it’s highly likely we’ll lose support and be reoccupied within a year. A rebellion without proper justification is doomed, even if it succeeds at first.”

“......Hmm.”

“Also, there’s a good chance that neighboring nations—especially the Holy Theocracy—would intervene. We might manage to hold the capital for a year, but after that, it’s hangings for everyone.”

Parsha’s next analysis was refreshingly grounded, and it helped stave off the chill running down my spine.

“Understood.”

“...Are you still going through with it, Master?”

When Parsha stared straight at me and asked that, I admit, I did feel a little chill.

But I had my own plans. So I let out a quiet sigh and replied.

“Of course I am.”

“......”

“However, I won’t be relying on Lady Meredia for the occupation.”

Hearing that, Parsha—meanwhile Lunelle had been zoning out for a while now—tilted her head again in confusion.

“Then the odds drop to 2%...”

“Instead of Lady Meredia or me, the one who will seize the palace... is the Demon King.”

“...Excuse me?”

She flinched at my cryptic words—then her eyes sparkled.

“Ohh, that kind of narrative.”

Judging by her reaction, her brain had already resumed running some scenario. I couldn’t begin to understand how it worked.

“Is the Demon King’s appearance already a confirmed element?”

“...You can consider it so. Within a week.”

“Then I’ll need to update the numbers.”

She pulled out a notebook and started scribbling away, and at that moment, Lunelle, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.

“Master, I don’t understand.”

Given it was Lunelle, there was a chance she hadn’t grasped anything from the beginning, and I wondered how to explain simply—but that didn’t seem to be the case.

“If Master becomes the Demon King... ow—”

“Shh.”

“...Gaining that power would open up a wide array of strategic options.”

She'd begun her question but was pinched in the side by Parsha before she could say “Demon King” aloud. Shooting her a sharp glare, she continued:

“Then why rush into such a dangerous gamble in just one week?”

Truthfully, I hadn’t originally planned to move this fast.

But given the situation, I had no choice.

“Because certain circumstances have arisen.”

“...Circumstances?”

“There’s no more time to waste.”

Of course, I couldn’t share everything.

Not because I didn’t trust them—but because knowing the full truth could introduce too many variables.

“May I ask for a detailed explanation?”

“I must decline.”

“Ah. Why?”

“...I have my reasons.”

My refusal prompted a slight pout from Lunelle.

“Well, I suppose that’s fair. They say leaders should have many secrets...”

“......”

“...But are you alright, Master? Has something happened to you personally?”

Lunelle might be slow on the uptake sometimes, but she could be strangely perceptive at moments like this.

But it was hard to respond directly to her intuition, so I sidestepped it and said,

“In any case, the decision has been made. The reason I called you here is because I need your help to make this operation succeed.”

“One last question.”

At that point, Parsha tucked away her notebook and looked up.

“What happens after the Demon King seizes the palace?”

I’d kept most of the details vague, but perhaps it was time to reveal the conclusion of the plan.

“He’s going to be defeated by a Hero.”

“...Sorry?”

“That’s the plan. Because there’s something I can only obtain that way.”

I told the truth, and as expected, Parsha fell into quiet muttering, then slowly raised her head with a grin.

“Oh, I understand completely.”

“...Probability of success?”

“Hmm, can’t say.”

That Parsha didn’t know something? That was rare.

“The biggest variable in this plan is you, Master. I can predict most things, but when it comes to anything involving you, my analysis tends to fall apart.”

“......”

“If I spend a couple of months bedridden running simulations, I might get close...”

I must have let that show on my face, because Parsha scratched her head and added,

“But no need. This plan will succeed.”

“So then, what do you want us to do?”

Unable to contain her curiosity, Lunelle cut in.

“I’ll personally handle the Demon King’s palace infiltration.”

To both of them, I finally unveiled the next piece of the operation.

“So you two will need to seize the Mage Tower.”

“...The Mage Tower?”

“Are we going in as the Demon King’s army? Or as the forces of justice?”

Of course, Parsha instantly zeroed in on the mission’s essence.

“The latter. We’ll ‘accidentally’ stumble upon the tower, discover their atrocities, and bring justice.”

“But according to my analysis, the Mage Tower should support the Demon King once he returns...”

“...They belong to a different faction.”

“Ah!”

I swear, not having Parsha as an enemy was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

“But there’s still one major issue.”

Just as I thought that, she narrowed her eyes and raised a new point.

“The Mage Tower is highly isolated and politically sensitive. It’s protected by [N O V E L I G H T] magic that only allows entry to royalty.”

“......”

“And we can’t exactly drag the Emperor there, so what’s your plan?”

It was a fair question—but one I’d already prepared for.

“...What if bringing the Emperor is possible?”

“Whoa, I hadn’t thought of that.”

But just as she looked impressed, she shook her head and pointed out another problem.

“Still, it’s a problem. We’re accidentally stumbling on the Mage Tower, right? How can we call it an accident if we show up with the most important person in the Empire?”

“Hmm. Then what should we...”

Just as our discussion hit a roadblock—

—Knock knock knock.

A serious voice called out behind the door.

“W-Whitney.”

“...Huh?”

“I, um... so...”

The door cracked open, and peeking her head in was none other than Katarina, the imperial princess currently staying at our mansion.

“Do you happen to have... any spare bandages?”

“......”

“They’re starting to smell, you see... I’m supposed to change them once a day...”

She mumbled softly, awkwardly tugging at her chest bandages.

“...Couldn’t you ask one of the maids for that?”

“I tried... They panicked and insisted on doing it for me... I barely stopped them...”

“...Haha. I’ll leave some in your room.”

“O-okay. Thanks.”

Face beet red, she quickly shut the door and fled.

“......Well, that solves that.”

“...Yes. Definitely.”

Parsha and I exchanged silent glances before calmly returning to the conversation.

“Bergen has already infiltrated the Mage Tower. We need to uncover the experiments being conducted and rescue the test subjects.”

“...How much force are we allowed to use?”

“As much as necessary.”

“Then leave it to us. We’ll wrap it up quickly—and help wherever else we’re needed.”

“...Haha. Thanks.”

With that, I dismissed Parsha and Lunelle and slumped into my seat with a deep sigh.

“......”

At last, I took out the letter I’d been holding onto.

“Now then... what’s inside this thing?”

It was a letter from my father—with a faint smear of the Duke of Embergreen’s blood on it.