The United Socialist States of America.
The first communist state to be established in this world.
That title alone gave the South immense symbolic meaning to countless socialist activists.
To socialist thinkers, the South was a living god, and the words of its council were no different from scripture.
The head of that council was Friedrich Engels, and naturally, he was becoming a sacred and untouchable figure among socialist thinkers.
However, not everyone in the South truly revered and followed Friedrich Engels.
His authority was absolute and no one could openly challenge him, but within the council there were clearly those who held different views.
A representative example was someone like Mikhail Bakunin.
A renowned anarchist, he outwardly acknowledged Friedrich Engels's authority and served as his loyal right hand as a member of the council.
Outwardly.
"Friedrich Engels is Killian's subordinate?"
"That is what they say."
Mikhail Bakunin frowned as he read the unexpected report that had arrived from the North.
"I told them to investigate, not write a novel. Does that even make sense?"
"They say the evidence is solid."
"Evidence… wait. Is it actually real?"
Mikhail Bakunin had first learned of Friedrich Engels's secret when the International, which later became the foundation of the South, was first established.
At that time, socialists had fiercely debated to seize control of the organization, and naturally they had frequently examined each other's research materials.
Mikhail Bakunin, as a leading anarchist, and Friedrich Engels, as a leading communist scholar, had clashed often.
It was then that Mikhail Bakunin had seen Friedrich Engels's materials.
He had not been trying to steal them. Friedrich Engels had boasted that he was such an outstanding scholar that even the Consort of the British Empire had recognized him, so Mikhail Bakunin had simply checked for himself.
At the time, he had not thought much of the diary.
But as he observed how the world moved, his suspicions gradually grew.
The decisive moment came when he visited the British Empire to pressure Spain.
At that time, he felt that everything was moving in a way that favored the British Empire, or more precisely, the royal family.
He had formed connections with others in Europe who shared similar thoughts.
Even just considering Friedrich Engels's relationship, it was clear that Killian was hiding something.
Yet Friedrich Engels refused to speak further.
He even denied what he himself had previously said and claimed Mikhail Bakunin had imagined it.
At first, Mikhail Bakunin thought this was because Friedrich Engels had become the General Secretary of the South and needed to distance himself from the British royal family.
But if this information was true?
Then it was not about distancing himself. Friedrich Engels might have wanted to erase the very fact that he had once been under Killian.
"If this is true, it is an enormous discovery."
"That is correct. With this, we could destroy the prestige of the British royal family in one stroke. And the position of the General Secretary would be finished as well."
"Indeed. How could someone who was merely a tool of the British royal family hold such a position? He would have to be removed."
Mikhail Bakunin fell into thought.
Should he share this information with his allies in Europe?
It would certainly tempt them, but giving it away for free would be a loss.
It would be better to extract as much as possible first.
If Friedrich Engels were removed, who would become the next General Secretary?
Naturally, it would be the one who revealed this truth.
For that, he needed to strengthen his position with key figures in Europe.
"Tell the detective in the North to continue the investigation. He seems capable. There may be more to uncover."
"Yes."
"I will also send messages to Europe. I cannot reveal the details yet, but I should signal that something significant is coming."
Russia, Prussia, France, and the British Empire.
They appeared to be allies, but in reality they were always seeking to undermine each other.
Perhaps he himself, pretending to follow Friedrich Engels while waiting for an opportunity, was no different.
Such was the nature of power.
And perhaps one day, he too would be overthrown in the same way.
The northern detective agency was in chaos.
If one were to name those who hated communism the most, many would be in the North.
For them, the South was an enemy, and they were prepared to do anything to destroy it.
To defeat an enemy, one must first understand them.
The North had been obsessed with gathering intelligence on the South, and detective agencies had handled many such requests.
McFarlane had believed he understood the South well.
Now, he was no longer so certain.
Tracking Kevin Williams's communications confirmed he was receiving orders from the South
Further investigation identified the source as an aide to Mikhail Bakunin
So even among communists, there were internal conflicts.
Those who spoke of equality were engaged in factional struggles.
That was the nature of the world.
Those who claimed to reject wealth were often the most obsessed with it, and those who claimed to reject power desired it the most.
Now it was clear why Kevin Williams had spoken of Friedrich Engels so easily.
Mikhail Bakunin likely intended to shift blame onto Friedrich Engels if things went wrong.
Cunning, as expected.
But why target the British royal family?
Causing chaos would benefit them, but was that the only goal?
It seemed unlikely that Mikhail Bakunin alone could achieve such a result.
The scale of funding also suggested others were involved.
Tracing the money had failed.
It was clean.
This suggested preparation and external involvement.
"Then we report this and wait."
McFarlane stared at the documents.
Mikhail Bakunin alone was not enough.
Something else was needed.
As tensions shifted across the world, the information reached London.
"…That is the situation."
"Mikhail Bakunin. Edward mentioned him before. I did not expect him to target me."
"The evidence points to him as a central figure."
"Then the question is his ultimate goal."
Power, or weakening the Empire.
Perhaps both.
"First, we identify his allies."
"Agreed."
The bait had revealed one name.
Now more were needed.
"In that case, we offer another target."
"Another target?"
"Friedrich Engels."
Mikhail Bakunin's ambition was clear.
Ambition creates weakness.
"James, one last task."
"As expected. My final job?"
"Yes. After this, retire."
"…You are serious?"
"Yes."
"…Then I will finish this properly."
James looked younger at once.
"Have you thought about retirement?"
"I will rest. Then perhaps live by the sea."
"That sounds pleasant."
"You could do the same."
"But I will not."
Ambition had brought him here.
He could not abandon it.
James finished his tea and stood.
"I will remove all threats before I leave."
"You speak boldly for someone retiring."
"You must work longer than I did."
They both knew the truth.
James adjusted his clothes and bowed.
"I will return with good news."
"James."
It felt awkward, but necessary.
"You have done well."
After this, everything would change.
Hidden enemies would be removed.
The Empire would grow stronger.
And yet, there was a slight sense of emptiness.
***
If one were to ask who the richest person in this world is, there are always a few names that come up.
The Rothschild family, said to control finance across Europe.
The royal family of the British Empire, which continues to accumulate immense wealth.
And finally, the James Group, which operates countless companies and boasts tremendous influence across both Europe and the New World.
Since this is not an era where wealth can be calculated precisely, whenever this topic arises, people argue using their own standards.
"Come on, no matter what, the British royal family has the most money. What is the most powerful country in the world? The British Empire. Then naturally the royal family at the top must have the most wealth."
"Are you joking? The era where kings were the richest is over. Finance rules the world now. No matter how wealthy royalty is, they cannot compare to the Rothschilds who control global finance."
"No matter how much they play with money, you need factories to make real wealth. I think the James Group is the strongest."
Even if it is unclear which of the three is the richest, everyone agrees that the wealthiest person in the world must be one of them.
As James crossed the Atlantic and returned to the New World, countless people had gathered at the port to welcome him.
"Chairman! You have returned!"
"Yes. There were no problems while I was away, I assume?"
"Yes. Everyone has been doing their best in their respective roles."
The group had already expanded so widely that it was practically impossible for James to manage everything personally.
So he had organized capable executives to oversee operations, while he controlled them through shares and capital.
In truth, even James himself did not fully understand how complex the structure of the James Group had become or how intricately the shares were interwoven.
That was because it had not been designed by James, but by Killian.
One thing was certain. No matter how large the group grew, his ability to control everything would not change.
Killian often referred to James as a tycoon, though James himself did not understand what that meant.
He had simply done his work diligently, and the title of chairman had naturally followed.
"The instructions I gave before leaving for London have all been carried out, correct?"
"Yes. You ordered us to focus entirely on securing steel production and oil fields. Everything is proceeding as directed."
"And there has been no resistance internally?"
"Everyone understands the importance of steel, but there are still skeptical voices regarding oil. Of course, since it is your directive, most believe there must be a reason."
"That is enough. I have my reasons, so continue securing them without hesitation."
Killian had stated clearly that oil would become the core element in building a golden empire in the future.
He often made many predictions, but not a single one spoken with such certainty had ever been wrong.
And not only oil, but also refining.
The James Group had already established a position in that field that no one could rival.
Many called it wasteful spending, but the true strength of the group was that such expenditures were insignificant to them.
They had expanded into railroads, steel, resources, coal, virtually every industry.
If necessary, they could draw funds internally and crush competitors.
With such an economy of scale established, nothing could stop them unless the state itself intervened.
But who could move against the James Group?
Their backing was the British royal family.
Moreover, James had long distributed funds within the North's political sphere, ensuring that no one, regardless of faction, could oppose him.
His support during the civil war had also secured public goodwill.
And there was more.
The James Group had been among the first to improve worker conditions after the establishment of the socialist state in the South.
Their companies offered high wages and excellent treatment.
They employed many people, paid them well, and treated them fairly.
With Canada and the North continuing to grow, this was sustainable.
From the government's perspective, there was no reason to suppress them.
"And what about the scholarship program in Canada and the North? Is it progressing well?"
"Yes. Following your directive, we are investing aggressively and selecting scholars without hesitation."
"Good. They will become valuable assets for the group in the future, so do not hold back."
Supporting talented individuals who would later enter politics and law.
It was a subtle yet highly effective strategy.
Such systems had existed before, but none at this scale.
With a noble justification, it drew no criticism.
Within ten to twenty years, scholars supported by the James Group would dominate key institutions.
There was no intention to use them illegally.
But it would ensure that no one could threaten the empire.
"With operations running smoothly, there is little need for intervention."
Oil fields in the Appalachian Mountains had already been secured.
And the acquisition of the major oil field in Cleveland was particularly satisfying.
Killian would surely be pleased to hear it.
"And the representatives of the companies you instructed us to acquire are in New York. When will you meet them?"
"Tomorrow."
"They are young, around thirty. Was there a specific reason you selected them?"
"They are rising quickly. Promising individuals should be secured early and nurtured."
In truth, Killian had chosen them.
But even to James, they appeared exceptional.
Business required vision, boldness, and insight.
These young men had it.
Still, paper credentials were not enough.
Before retiring, James intended to judge them personally.
"Chairman!"
"It is an honor to meet you!"
The young men bowed deeply.
They did not show such respect even to politicians.
But James was different.
To them, he was a true master of wealth.
"No need for such formality. Sit comfortably. I am just an old man nearing retirement."
"Retirement?"
"We came to learn from you!"
Though still considered young in the industry, they had begun to distinguish themselves.
Their businesses had overlapped with the James Group, but instead of crushing them, James had chosen acquisition.
That alone earned their respect.
"Why do you wish to learn from me?"
"Because you can see the future. Steel will dominate the world."
Another interrupted.
"No. Energy will dominate. Oil will surpass coal."
The debate began immediately.
Steel versus oil.
James clicked his tongue lightly, and both fell silent.
"I brought you in because both industries are promising. I will assign you tasks, and based on your results, determine whether to elevate you further."
"Further?"
"To become heads of subsidiaries."
"…?"
They were stunned.
To offer such positions so quickly was unheard of.
"You intended to lead your own companies anyway, did you not? If you prove your ability, you will be given the opportunity. If not, you may not even keep your current positions."
"Understood!"
"We will meet your expectations!"
"You will soon be meeting someone else's expectations."
Leaving those words behind, James stood.
"I am busy, so I will leave. Prove your abilities."
They assumed it was encouragement.
But James left without another word.
The two men sat in silence.
"Did he really mean that?"
"He told us to prove ourselves."
"That is easy enough."
Andrew Carnegie, who believed in steel.
John Davison Rockefeller, who believed in oil.
Both were filled with ambition.
They glanced at each other.
Instinctively, they understood.
If one eliminated the other, the path to the top would be clear.
***
Now that he had found suitable successor candidates, James was finally able to cross over to the South with peace of mind.
He had completely separated the group into steel and oil divisions, so the two could compete in good faith. At the same time, they would naturally keep each other in check, reducing the risk of either side running out of control in the future.
All that remained now was to decorate his stage of retirement as brilliantly as possible.
When James expressed his intention to visit the South, the South welcomed the idea wholeheartedly.
It was proof of a simple truth. Whether capitalism or communism, no one truly dislikes money.
Strictly speaking, the South should have kept James far away.
After all, the South had constantly denounced filthy capitalists and emphasized the superiority of communism.
And James stood at the very top of those capitalists.
In fact, members of the South's council and newspapers frequently criticized and attacked the James Group to stir public attention.
Given that the James Group was an enormous conglomerate known across the American continent, it was only natural that the South would be conscious of it.
However, the moment James proposed large-scale imports of raw materials from the South, the council immediately changed its stance and shifted into a welcoming attitude.
The Supreme Council welcomes the honorable businessman Chairman James
Although they could not officially reverse their previous stance, the newspapers that had criticized the James Group suddenly fell silent as if by agreement.
Not only that, but no politician mentioned James negatively.
Once the situation had been roughly settled within the South, James, Chairman of the James Group, accepted an invitation from Richmond and stepped onto the port.
"Welcome!"
"We regret that we cannot receive you as an official state guest due to circumstances, but we have prepared everything to ensure your stay is comfortable."
"I did not expect such consideration. Thank you."
"It is we who should do more."
Although no council member appeared personally, the presence of high-ranking officials from the foreign ministry was already an extraordinary gesture.
James, despite his wealth, was still a civilian, and the South was a communist state.
Even so, they had chosen to make this effort.
"Then we will discuss the details of raw material imports with your staff. There is no change in the schedule for meeting with the council members, correct?"
"Of course. Mikhail Bakunin is also looking forward to meeting you."
"I am eager to meet Mikhail Bakunin as well. His reputation is well known."
"May I ask why you wished to meet him specifically?"
"For business, of course. I am a businessman."
The official forced a smile.
"Of course."
Everyone knew that Mikhail Bakunin was effectively second or third in the council.
His position had only strengthened after the London Treaty.
It was natural that the world's richest man would seek discussions with him.
Direct business expansion might be difficult, but resource imports were entirely possible.
And as the exporting side, the South had no reason to refuse.
They needed money.
James could already assess the South's situation from their reaction alone.
This would be easier than expected.
As always, in a society where money functions, capital itself is power.
That truth never changed.
"…The James Group."
"Yes. He will arrive in thirty minutes."
"Is the reason he wants to meet me really about resource imports?"
"Yes. He has already discussed imports with the staff."
Mikhail Bakunin stared at the report.
James was too important a figure to misunderstand.
Would such a man truly come all this way just for resources?
The scale justified it.
But something felt off.
'The leader of that black rights organization that influenced Friedrich Engels was also named James. King James, was it?'
The name was common.
It meant nothing.
Still, the connection with the NBA and its funding left a faint unease.
And James was from the British Empire, whose people overwhelmingly supported the royal family.
There might be some connection.
Still, logically, it was unlikely.
Even so, it was worth meeting him.
When they met, James was exactly as expected.
Not someone to be taken lightly.
At first, they exchanged polite greetings.
But when they moved to a more private setting, James suddenly spoke in a flat tone.
"Assemblyman, I hear you have been involved in something quite interesting recently."
"…What do you mean?"
"The royal family, the NBA, the General Secretary, and communism."
Bakunin felt his blood run cold.
"I do not understand…"
"Shall I continue? McFarlane, the diary, Karl Marx, and…"
"Enough!"
Bakunin raised his voice instinctively and looked around.
"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"No one is listening. And even if they were, they would not understand. Your reaction confirms what I suspected."
His mind went blank.
Where had the information leaked?
Kevin? McFarlane?
Or someone else?
If this became public, he was finished.
The royal family would move against him.
Friedrich Engels would not protect him.
Perhaps he would even attack first.
Should he eliminate James here?
No. That would only make things worse.
James spoke calmly.
"If I intended harm, I would not have come here. I would have sent a letter to Friedrich Engels."
"…That is true."
"I have no intention of harming you. I simply wish to know more. The young man you hired did not know enough."
Bakunin regained his composure.
"You bought the information from McFarlane?"
"No. The agency belongs to me. And we must know who our clients are."
"…It belongs to you?"
Bakunin let out a hollow laugh.
A respected businessman, yet operating such an organization.
"Also, if anything happens to me, all information will be sent to the royal family and Friedrich Engels."
"That will not be necessary."
"People make impulsive decisions under pressure."
"…Then tell me how you identified me."
"It was simple. We wanted to know, so we found out."
He could not argue.
They had already uncovered too much.
"Then why not inform the royal family?"
"I respect them. But not when they threaten my interests. I am a businessman."
"The royal family threatens you?"
"Have you heard of anti-monopoly laws?"
"No."
"They are laws that prevent monopolies. His Majesty Killian has been advocating for them."
James showed a newspaper.
The argument was sound.
But James was clearly displeased.
"So what do you want?"
"If the royal family weakens, such laws will not pass."
"So you want to weaken them."
"If it becomes known that His Majesty was influenced by communist thought, those laws can be dismissed."
Their interests aligned.
Unpleasant, but logical.
"So you want to cooperate."
"Yes. There are things money cannot do alone."
"That is true."
"Then bring me more useful information. Something convincing."
James nodded immediately.
"Very well. Then let me tell you something interesting."
His voice lowered.
Bakunin leaned forward.
"The civil war. That too was orchestrated by the British royal family."
Bakunin's hands trembled.
Even as James laughed, he could not react.
***
"Hmm? What?"
Did those words truly just come out of his own mouth?
Even if he looked like a fool who had completely lost his wits, there would be nothing to say in his defense, but Mikhail Bakunin was not even in a state where he could recognize that himself.
"The war between the North and South… you mean that civil war?"
"That is what I am saying. It was the work of the British royal family. More precisely, it would be accurate to say they moved like puppets under His Majesty Killian."
"That makes no sense… that cannot be true… it cannot…"
"Which country gained the most from that war? And who reaped the greatest rewards?"
"That is a purely results-based interpretation."
"Of course. This is not evidence. It is simply the perspective that led to this conclusion."
The American Civil War was difficult to evaluate from the South's current standpoint.
The very existence of the South today was entirely due to the division between North and South.
However, the justification for that separation, the defense of slavery, was an ideology that a communist state could never support.
The United Socialist States of America had been founded by rejecting everything that the old South had stood for.
Yet denying the separation itself was also difficult, since the North and South had once been a single nation.
Thus, the South maintained a position of condemning both sides. The justification for Southern independence was dismissed as worthless nonsense, while the exploitative practices of the North were equally condemned.
"If that civil war was Killian's design… then wait. Does that mean he also orchestrated the fall of the Southern regime and the establishment of this state through Friedrich Engels?"
"From the results, yes. But surely there was a greater objective. Do not forget that Canada achieved tremendous growth by using the American continent as its foundation. And who is the king of Canada?"
"…Wait. If that is true, then everything that has happened… all of this was created by the British royal family?"
"What would you call such a person?"
Someone who controlled the entire American continent and shaped it to his own advantage.
That was no longer a man.
That was a monster.
"A remarkable man, is he not? That is precisely why we are trying to bring him down."
"…You do have evidence, correct?"
"Of course."
If everything James said was true, the consequences would be unimaginable.
The authority of the British royal family would collapse entirely.
Their alliances would shatter.
They would become enemies of the world.
"…Very well. It is larger than expected, but I will hear it. What is your evidence?"
"That will not do. Asking for the evidence as well is too much. I am not a philanthropist."
"…That is not what we agreed on."
"I provided the information you requested. Evidence is a separate matter."
It was unreasonable, yet not incorrect.
"But I cannot decide alone. Others must agree."
"That is why I revealed such valuable information first. This is one of my strongest cards. It cannot be given away for free."
Bakunin grew irritated.
James immediately offered a compromise.
"Then let us proceed like this. You must also prove that you and your allies are worthy partners. I am not seeking to serve under you, but to cooperate as equals. If your influence is insufficient, there is no reason to continue."
"You expect me to reveal them here? That is impossible."
"Then seek their permission. If they agree, I will present the evidence in their presence. That way, neither side can betray the other."
"…So we evaluate each other simultaneously."
"Exactly."
James continued calmly.
"Even if I reveal this alone, who would believe it? I would be killed immediately."
That was true.
The truth was too shocking.
No one would accept it easily.
"…Very well. I will contact them. But if they refuse, I can do nothing."
"Of course. And do not worry. I will not report this to the royal family."
Bakunin left.
Once his footsteps disappeared, James finished his wine and closed his eyes.
The suspects were narrowing.
Only a handful fit all conditions.
"Russia… France… Prussia. Which one? Or all three?"
It no longer mattered.
He would simply wait.
The Crimean War had determined the balance of power in Europe.
After its defeat, Russia had spent ten years recovering.
Even now, it had not fully recovered.
The losses had been too great.
However, Emperor Alexander II was a capable ruler.
He had inherited a weakened empire and sought to rebuild it through reform.
He abandoned what could not be held and focused on industrialization.
He improved relations with foreign powers.
In particular, he sought closer ties with Prussia.
But Prussia was already aligned with Britain.
Still, there were divisions.
King Wilhelm I leaned neutral, while Otto von Bismarck supported Britain.
Crown Prince Friedrich opposed Bismarck.
Alexander II exploited this division.
Gradually, Russia regained its footing.
Then unexpected news arrived.
"The James Group?"
"Yes. The South will follow your decision."
Foreign Minister Alexander Gorchakov presented the matter.
This was not official business.
It was handled in complete secrecy.
Russia's greatest obstacle was clear.
The British royal family.
Their diplomacy had been the key to Russia's defeat.
Weakening them was both revenge and necessity.
"…This claim that the British royal family orchestrated the American Civil War and the rise of communism. Is this a joke?"
"No. The evidence appears credible."
"…So this James demands proof of our reliability before revealing it?"
"Yes."
Alexander II considered carefully.
Even the wealthiest man would not oppose his own monarchy lightly.
"What do you think?"
"It is tempting. But he is still a British subject."
"Agreed."
He was cautious.
Unlike his predecessor.
"…Then we use Prussia."
"Explain."
"If this is true, then even Prussia has been manipulated. Crown Prince Friedrich would not ignore such information."
"…A clever plan. Proceed at once."
They would test James first.
If he proved reliable, they would act.
Thus, the hidden players stepped onto the stage.
And once this began, there would be no turning back.
The autumn of 1868 grew ever hotter.
***
1868.
Europe appeared more peaceful than at any other time.
The most recent disturbances had been the war involving Spain and the conflict between the North and South.
However, even that was largely confined to Spain at the far western edge of Europe and did not significantly affect the continent as a whole, so it was not something people felt strongly about.
In fact, the war had ended so quickly that many did not even know it had taken place.
Asia was turbulent, and the American continent remained noisy with debates over communism and capitalism, but Europe stood apart from those storms.
On the contrary, the economy improved day by day, and food imports from the New World continued to increase, so people regarded the present as an age of peace and prosperity.
The British Empire needed no further mention, and even France, which had once been filled with constant demonstrations, had now entered a phase of political stabilization.
Prussia was strengthening its national power under the leadership of Otto von Bismarck, and Russia was recovering from disorder and beginning to resemble a proper state again.
The only point of concern was the growing likelihood of conflict between Prussia and Austria, but people treated it as a distant issue and deliberately avoided thinking about it.
Thus, on the surface, it was an era of peace with no apparent problems, yet that did not mean there were truly no underlying instabilities.
First was the conflict between Prussia and Austria, which people preferred to ignore as a problem for the future.
The ruling forces of Prussia, led by Bismarck, had no immediate intention of completely crushing Austria.
In the past, they had engaged in intense rivalry over leadership of Germany, but that had been because Prussia had limited room for expansion.
Now, with the Philippines secured and promises of cooperation from France in future pressure against Austria, there was no urgency.
Given the difference in growth between Prussia and Austria, Austria would naturally fall further behind over time.
It would be easier to defeat them later, so there was no reason to clash now.
However, this did not mean they sought friendly relations.
Conflict was inevitable.
There were also those within Prussia who did not agree with Bismarck's approach.
Those who believed that the kingdom should belong to the king.
The Junkers who disliked seeing a mere prime minister wielding such power.
King Wilhelm I often deferred to Bismarck, but to royalists this appeared as humiliation of royal authority.
"That country Junker…"
"The true masters of this nation are His Majesty and us. Something is wrong."
Bismarck was not from the highest aristocracy, which worsened perceptions.
Crown Prince Friedrich openly disliked him and declared that once he became king, the era of prime ministers would end.
Bismarck knew this but did not openly confront him.
King Wilhelm I remained healthy, and Bismarck's position would only strengthen over time.
There was no need to engage with an impatient prince.
But he never imagined that the Tsar of Russia would exploit this divide.
Nor that they would conspire together.
The idea of tarnishing the British royal family to remove one's own prime minister was unimaginable.
Yet the decision had been made.
Crown Prince Friedrich accepted Alexander II's proposal.
The situation deepened.
"Apologies for the delay. Europe has agreed. They would like to meet you in person."
"That seems reasonable."
"Honestly, I expected rejection."
"Then I simply travel to Europe?"
"Yes. To Prussia."
"…Prussia?"
James had expected Russia.
This was unexpected, but also clarified matters.
If it were Russia, the mastermind would remain uncertain.
But Prussia revealed the answer.
At first, Bismarck had been a suspect.
But no longer.
Bismarck might investigate allies, but he would not expose this.
The Civil War could damage him as well.
Thus, only one candidate remained.
"Wilhelm raised his heir poorly."
James understood everything.
He smiled and toasted with Bakunin.
The next morning, a letter was sent.
It soon reached London.
After sending James to America, I monitored reports in real time.
But I did not rely solely on him.
We conducted internal investigations and prepared responses.
When the report arrived identifying Crown Prince Friedrich, I considered it carefully.
"Friedrich… how interesting."
"Prussia has overstepped."
Disraeli and Gladstone agreed.
This was beyond acceptable limits.
"If we expose this, we can force concessions."
"Even a peace agreement with Austria."
Both suggestions were useful.
But insufficient.
"This is more than Prussia."
Friedrich alone lacked the courage.
"There are others involved."
I decided to investigate further.
And then I realized something.
"Friedrich… was he not a candidate?"
"…Yes."
Adelaide.
Victoria's search for a suitable husband.
Crown Prince Friedrich had been one of the candidates.
"…Good."
This could be used.
A perfect opportunity.
***
In monarchies, the establishment of a clear line of succession has always been the most important priority, regardless of time or place.
In the East, the crown prince was often referred to as the foundation of the state.
Although Europe had moved beyond the era of absolute monarchy and the power of royal families had weakened, the existence of a successor to inherit the throne still carried immense significance.
There was a vast difference in stability between a royal family with a firmly established heir and one without.
From that perspective, the British imperial family had no issues until a few years ago.
The Crown Prince stood firmly at the center, and his siblings had all grown and taken their places.
In the British Empire, even a woman could inherit the throne if necessary, so succession posed no real problem.
Despite the high infant mortality rate of the time, all five royal children had passed through childhood without serious illness.
This was largely due to Killian's almost excessive attention to hygiene.
The Crown Prince's abilities were now beyond dispute, and the second son was considered just as intelligent.
Even the eldest daughter, once known as troublesome, was now rumored to be highly capable.
At first glance, there seemed to be nothing to worry about.
However, as time passed, some concerns began to emerge.
The Crown Prince had reached the age for marriage but remained unmarried.
There were countless women who wished to become his bride, enough to fill the gardens of Buckingham Palace, yet the Crown Prince himself showed no interest.
Moreover, he had left for Asia on official duties, making it almost certain that he would not marry until at least the following year.
A young man of such age showing no interest in women naturally drew concern.
Rumors began to circulate.
Speculation ranged from inappropriate suspicions about his preferences to concerns about his masculinity.
The situation was such that it would have been strange if no rumors existed.
Then, after the Crown Prince argued with twin siblings at a party, the direction of those rumors changed.
"Rather than me, my reckless younger sister should marry first. I am fine, but I worry she may miss her chance. Once she marries, I can consider my own marriage."
Adelaide protested, but the statement had already spread.
Rumors shifted rapidly.
The Crown Prince delayed marriage out of concern for his sister.
He was searching for a suitable match for her first.
Only after she married would he consider his own marriage.
What began as a casual excuse transformed into widespread belief.
The entire empire began supporting Adelaide's marriage.
Victoria seized the opportunity and resumed efforts to arrange her daughter's marriage.
"My dear, you must be firm this time."
"Marriage should be voluntary…"
"And if she remains unmarried forever? Is that acceptable?"
Victoria blamed Killian for allowing Adelaide to focus on business.
Her concerns were understandable.
In the nineteenth century, marriage and succession were expected.
Even royal daughters were often used in diplomacy.
Killian preferred to respect his children's wishes.
Victoria believed marriage was sometimes necessary.
"Adelaide is talented in business."
"She can marry and still manage business."
"Your candidates are all crown princes."
"Our daughter deserves the best."
Killian agreed in principle.
But that left few candidates.
Russia or Prussia.
"Perhaps we should look domestically?"
"If necessary. But she must understand her position."
Victoria insisted.
Killian could not refuse.
Yet he also could not ignore Adelaide's wishes.
Fortunately, a third option emerged.
The Crown Prince of Prussia.
Adelaide's refusal to marry was not a good image.
Others did not know she was managing royal businesses.
Rumors could spread.
Victoria's reaction was reasonable.
Killian explained this to Adelaide.
She complained about Edward.
"Why drag me into his excuse?"
Killian reassured her.
But public perception mattered.
Then he made a proposal.
"If you do this, no one will pressure you to marry."
"What is it?"
"Pursue marriage with the Crown Prince of Prussia."
Adelaide stared.
"That is your solution?"
"It will not actually happen."
He explained.
If negotiations collapsed due to the other side, sympathy would fall on her.
Prussia would owe a debt.
Adelaide considered.
"So there is no chance of actual marriage?"
"None."
She smiled.
"I will gain sympathy and avoid pressure."
She hesitated briefly.
Then spoke.
"Give me more businesses."
Killian laughed inwardly.
His daughter truly had his instincts.