I Became A Hidden Powerhouse Of The British Empire [EN]: Chapter 384

-His Royal Highness Edward, son of His Majesty Killian, the pride of the great Asia, the light of Asia, and the one who has enhanced the spirit of the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, and the successor of the British Empire, will personally visit. Therefore, everyone is expected to come out and pay their respects…

“Hoo, quite a fuss indeed,” Park Gyusu, the Korean ambassador to the British Empire, muttered, shaking his head as he read the newspaper.

With the Crown Prince’s Asian tour confirmed, the embassy in London was inundated with calls from the home country daily.

The requests were relentless: send all information about the Crown Prince, no matter how trivial.

From his favorite foods to his personal tendencies, political stances, and even his preferences in women, they demanded a complete profile, a task that proved exceedingly difficult for the embassy.

Of course, the embassy routinely collected personal information on key figures within the British Empire.

After all, embassies and consulates in this era were inseparable from espionage. Analyzing influential figures in the political world was a basic task. However, the subject in question was the Crown Prince of the British Empire.

While they possessed widely known information, truly secret, confidential matters were elusive.

In particular, political positions or relationships with women were sensitive issues that could backfire if mishandled.

Unless it was an open secret, Crown Prince Edward surprisingly kept a tight lid on his personal life.

Political stance? He seemed to get along well with everyone.

Not yet fully engaged on the front lines of politics, it was impossible to pinpoint his true nature. Respected by figures from both the ruling and opposition parties and enjoying absolute support from the citizens, how could they possibly figure him out?

Relationships with women? That was an even greater problem.

If he were someone who frequented parties or was always surrounded by women, it would be different. But the Crown Prince had never exhibited such behavior.

The women he was close to were all his younger sisters.

Of course, the reality behind the scenes might be different, but digging into the Crown Prince’s secret private life was tantamount to suicide.

If they were caught doing such a thing, how would they handle the fallout?

Nevertheless, the fools back home showed no signs of relenting.

Were these crazy people really telling them to investigate the Crown Prince’s background?

Were they perhaps plotting to bribe him with money or women?

Kim Jwageun [a high-ranking official in the Korean government] wouldn’t have been that reckless, but perhaps the rumors that Kim Jwageun no longer held power were true.

Hoping to share any useful information, Park Gyusu contacted the Japanese embassy, but they were in the same predicament.

“So, you’re saying that the Korean side doesn’t have any useful information either?”

“Yes. I think they probably know what we know.”

“I see. This is troubling, as the home country is urging us severely. For the glory of both countries, we must bring back even a little bit of helpful information.”

Park Gyusu felt a sense of unease at the words of the young Japanese ambassador.

Come to think of it, this young ambassador was newly appointed after the war began.

Yoshida Shoin. Strongly recommended by the Japanese Army, he was a symbol of meteoric success, having become the British ambassador in his thirties.

With the army as his backing, he was naturally enthusiastic about the war, and Park Gyusu had heard that he had loudly advocated for the conquest of Korea even before.

Like Park Gyusu himself, he was actively engaged in enlightenment and dedicated to fostering the enlightenment faction, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that their fundamental ideologies differed.

Unlike him, who was anxiously watching the home country’s actions, wasn’t Yoshida Shoin lamenting the reality that he couldn’t provide the information that the home country wanted?

“Just in case, I’m asking, but… is your country perhaps engaged in espionage activities in London?”

“Of course not. We are holding our breath and watching the situation. That’s why we are struggling with this lack of information.”

“I understand. Then, after all… the upcoming banquet will be the only opportunity.”

As the tour approached, both the Korean and Japanese ambassadors were scheduled to attend a banquet with the Crown Prince the following day.

They might not be able to obtain any significant information there, but if they spoke to him directly, they might be able to gauge his character.

Even that much would be enough to show off to the home country.

“Ambassador Yoshida, let’s do our best together.”

“Of course. Our role is crucial to achieving the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, with Korea and Japan as the axis.”

*Will it really be okay?*

Dark clouds gathered in Park Gyusu’s eyes as he looked at the enthusiastic ambassador of the alliance.

* * *

What kind of person would the next emperor of the world’s strongest empire be?

As far as was known to the outside world, Crown Prince Edward was considered a talented individual with polite yet pragmatic qualities.

Killian seemed to cherish the Crown Prince immensely, taking him around since he was young and providing him with various experiences, which those around him understood as a form of imperial education.

There was no doubt that the intention was to nurture the person who would become the next emperor from a young age.

That effort had seemingly paid off, as the Crown Prince had also contributed to expanding the territory of the British Empire during the London Peace Treaty.

Truly, the pillar of the country that would firmly support the future of the British Empire, which was still enjoying its heyday.

Everyone praised and supported him, but what perspective did the person in question have on the world, and what thoughts occupied his mind?

He might be as clear-headed and unwavering as rumored, but one could never truly know a person just by looking at their appearance.

One had to concentrate and observe as much as possible, as one never knew what desires might lie hidden within.

“Nice to meet you, Your Royal Highness the Crown Prince! I am Yoshida Shoin, the Japanese ambassador.”

“I am Park Gyusu, the Korean ambassador. It is an honor to meet Your Royal Highness.”

Even though they were ambassadors representing their countries, the general perception was that Korea and Japan were still third-rate countries located in the remote outskirts of Asia.

This was the first time they had a private audience with the Crown Prince of the British Empire, and they didn’t know when such an opportunity would arise again.

“Ah, yes. Nice to meet you.”

The Crown Prince sat in a relaxed posture, sipping coffee, resting his hand on his chin, and crossing his legs.

At first glance, he might seem a bit arrogant, but the other party was the next emperor of the British Empire.

Moreover, the tone of his speech itself was very dignified, so rather than being arrogant, it felt more like he was entitled to it.

“If there is anything Your Royal Highness desires from us, please let us know. We will immediately inform our home country and complete the necessary preparations.”

“Hmm… what could there be? Actually, I have high expectations. Korea and Japan are far away from the British Empire, but aren’t they inseparable from my father? That means they are somewhat related to my roots.”

“We are grateful that you say so.”

Edward’s voice was filled with clear favor and expectation.

Yoshida Shoin, more optimistic than he had thought, was convinced that he could bring up the story without any burden.

“We are doing our best to prepare so that Your Royal Highness’s first visit to Asia will be a memorable one. So please tell us anything you desire. Local specialties, foods, events, customs, anything is fine.”

“…Is that so? Then let’s see, I’ve heard that Asian alcohol is completely different from European alcohol. So, could I try some of the famous Asian alcohols?”

“Leave it to us. We will bring all the famous liquors from Korea and Japan, as well as from Qing China [historical name for China].”

“Thank you. Oh, and it’s okay if the welcoming events aren’t too tailored to our side and are done in your own way. Isn’t it fun to experience the traditions of a country when you go abroad? I don’t know how Korea or Japan welcomes royalty, but I’m sure it will be fun. Now that we’re on the subject, what kind of treatment am I going to receive?”

Asking this so openly meant that the Crown Prince considered himself to be in a superior position to Japan and Korea.

And strictly speaking, that was correct, so it was necessary to indulge Edward’s ego here unconditionally.

After all, this had already been decided internally, so there would be no problem even if they revealed it.

“Of course, we have prepared the best treatment. In Japan, you will receive treatment equivalent to that of His Majesty the Emperor.”

He didn’t say that it was completely equal to the Emperor, but he stated that it was equivalent, so there was justification to backtrack even if someone criticized him later in the country.

On the other hand, unlike the Japanese side, Korea made it clear.

“Korea is preparing to treat His Royal Highness the Crown Prince as completely the same as His Majesty the King, in other words, as the most honored guest in our country.”

“Hmm, I see. Treatment equal to the king. That’s how it should be.”

Yoshida, watching Edward, who did not hide his satisfied expression, felt that he had grasped Edward’s personality to some extent.

“Isn’t Your Royal Highness the one who will inherit the throne of this great British Empire? This level of treatment is only natural. His Majesty Killian also visited before, but at that time, the British Empire was a kingdom, not an empire, and Your Highness visited as a royal envoy, so there were some shortcomings. Your Royal Highness will receive even more extravagant treatment than His Majesty Killian did before.”

“Really? More than my father?”

He wondered if it was possible, but as expected, he couldn’t hide his delight at the prospect of receiving higher honors than Killian.

The fact that Edward was strongly conscious of his father, Killian, was, in fact, close to a widely known open secret.

It’s not a strange thing.

It was not difficult to find cases throughout the East and West where a child with such a great father was troubled by being overshadowed by his father’s reputation.

In that respect, he poked at it once, and perhaps this could be Crown Prince Edward’s only weakness.

“Your Highness. Our Japan is on the side of Your Royal Highness, who will inherit the throne of this country. In fact, doesn’t the blood of our Japanese people faintly flow in Your Royal Highness’s body?”

“Our Korea feels the same way. The blood of our royal family flows in Your Highness’s body, so we will do our best to support you no matter what decision you make.”

“I didn’t know that Korea and Japan were thinking of me so much. My father’s halo must be quite something.”

“It’s not because of His Majesty’s halo. His Majesty is the King of Canada, but after all, isn’t Your Highness the one who will succeed this empire? Your Highness, who will inherit everything from His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty the King, is the future of this country, so how can we not pay our respects?”

He was listening intently to their story with shining eyes, not just because they were flattering him.

Crown Prince Edward was clearly proud of the fact that he was Killian’s successor, but at the same time, he was burdened by it.

People of this kind usually have a desire to build something of their own that goes beyond their father’s prestige.

So, if they stimulated that point, wouldn’t it be possible to forge a connection with the next emperor of the British Empire more easily than expected?

“I heard that His Majesty Killian brought enormous national interests to the British Empire by making Canada his kingdom. We believe that Your Highness can also achieve achievements that are no less than that.”

“It’s easy to say, but isn’t that something you can’t do just because you want to?”

“Of course. But if our two countries help and support Your Highness in every way, wouldn’t it be possible? If Your Highness says just a few good words on this tour, both Japan and Korea will absolutely support Your Highness. Then, for Your Highness, Asia might become something similar to Killian’s Canada.”

Korea and Japan would not enter the British Empire like Canada, but they could become strong allies that unilaterally supported the Crown Prince.

Of course, what was really important was to give the Crown Prince the psychological satisfaction that he had accomplished something great, rather than these practical aspects.

He had lived as the Crown Prince of the Empire since he was a child, so it would be impossible to satisfy his vanity with ordinary things.

The key here was to promote the Crown Prince even more than Killian.

Edward seemed to be thinking about something, then nodded his head in satisfaction.

“As long as that sentiment does not change, the friendship between the two countries and our British Empire will continue in the future. I will be watching closely during this visit.”

It was a word to handle things well if they wanted to earn points, but in other words, it meant he would give them a chance.

For several hours, the three of them exchanged stories on various topics.

They had gleaned insights into the Crown Prince’s personality and the elements that he would react to most sensitively, so wouldn’t it be fair to say that they had achieved considerable results?

However, neither Yoshida Shoin nor Park Gyusu could discern the true expression of Crown Prince Edward, who turned away with a pleasant laugh.

If they had seen his face, which had become cold and detached as soon as he rose from his seat, they might have thought differently.

The atmosphere, which was friendly from beginning to end, had not betrayed any hint of his true feelings.