Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

It’s a bit late to mention this, but Ekaterina Jurnova was a commoner in her previous life—a corporate slave in her late twenties—and in this life, she’s a young lady who was imprisoned and then became a shut-in.
No matter which life you look at, she has zero experience with power struggles among high-ranking nobles. A complete novice like her shouldn’t even think about trying to solve problems on her own.

So, first things first: she needs to report, contact, and consult.

That said, if she wants to break the deadlock, she can’t just go to her superiors, lean on them completely, and say, “Please tell me what to do.” She needs to think it through as best she can and come up with a proposed solution herself. Whether that becomes the basis for a concrete plan or gets torn to shreds and leads to a different strategy depends on the other party and the situation.
This is common sense for any seasoned professional, though it might be different for someone just starting out.

With that in mind, Ekaterina drew on her professional experience, her knowledge as a history enthusiast, and her current-day understanding to devise her own plan.
Anticipating that the report would take time, she asked Aleksei for some time after school.

.

“I am deeply sorry that, due to my own short sighted mistake, I must bring this matter to your attention. Please forgive me.”

Standing before Aleksei, the staff in the office, and Flora, Ekaterina bowed her head.
Flora, who had been worried about Olga and Renat but hadn’t read the room when listening to their stories, was wide-eyed upon learning the circumstances for the first time. To her, matters like the revision of the domain laws must seem like something from another world.

“Thank you for telling me everything.”

Aleksei took his sister’s hand.

“Do not call it a short sighted mistake. You’re not at fault in the slightest. You are a being who shines from the heights of heaven; I’d rather you had nothing to do with such base schemes.”
“Onii-sama…”

It feels like ages ago, but it was just one semester ago where he said he wanted me to associate with people of similar standing so I could develop a mindset befitting my station.
Hmm, it’s clear once again that Onii-sama is steadily mastering the art of being a siscon. Just as I expected of him. I’m not sure if I should be impressed, though.
Aaah, my own brocon can’t keep up!

“Onii-sama, I—”
“I understand. Knowing you, you must be deeply distressed knowing your friend is under such aggression. But rest assured… That accursed Seleznyov, a house that has produced a single Empress at most dares to defy our proud Jurnova duchy? Their arrogance knows no bounds. And to think they’ve troubled your heart as well. —I shall make sure they learn their place.”

A cruel smile curled on Aleksei’s well-formed lips.
The return of the beautiful Ice Demon King.

“Onii-sama, that isn’t—”

O-oh, no. I’d been using my professional skills from my past life to devise a strategy against Seleznyov, so I’d ended up thinking in terms of reporting to a superior. Consequently, I had no plan for dealing with Onii-sama’s siscon!
I’m such an idiot!

“Your Grace, milady.”

Ekaterina breathed a sigh of relief when Novak spoke up.
If it’s Novak, he should be able to dissuade Onii-sama.

“Politically, Seleznyov is a conservative faction, but it is led by Jurmagna. Because Seleznyov’s ambition to supplant the Three Great Ducal Houses is evident, they are viewed with suspicion by Jurmagna. However, perhaps because their current status ranks just below the Three Great Ducal Houses, they have not been eliminated so far. —In reality, the Seleznyov faction is nothing more than an isolated minor faction that relies solely on Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Dowager. No matter what a house of that caliber does, it doesn’t affect us in the slightest. I don’t think there’s any need to hold back.”
“I see.”

Aleksei’s smile remained unwavering, and Ekaterina nearly stumbled backward.

Wait… he’s actually pouring oil on the fire!
Or in my Onii-sama ’s case, maybe throwing ice at a blizzard?
Wait, that’s beside the point. Waaah, the Council of Advisors isn’t doing their job!

“My lady, please do not worry.”

Khalil, the Director of Commerce and Distribution, offered a gentle smile to the foreign beauty.
Ah, Khalil is going to stop him.

“I realize His Grace’s words just now may have sounded a bit intimidating, but you are both nobles of the same empire. When he says ‘teach them a lesson,’ he doesn’t mean anything violent.
“There are plenty of other ways to handle them. For example, wine from Jurnova might stop appearing on the tables of the Seleznyov domain. Even if they aren’t purchasing it directly from our house, it simply won’t make its way to the merchants who do business with them for some reason.
“Wine of appropriate quality is indispensable for a noble’s banquet. Without it, they cannot host a banquet befitting their status. Socializing would become difficult, no? Since we’re simply claiming to have a slight shortage of stock and cannot sell it, no one can hold us accountable. However… if they fail to grasp the implication, their qualifications to bear the title of Marquis will be called into question.”

Um… It certainly isn’t violent, but… he isn’t exactly stopping him either, is he…?

“I won’t go into any further details, but please don’t worry. The Jurnova and Seleznyov families are on entirely different economic scales. What might deal a fatal blow to them is nothing to us, so please don’t let it trouble you, my lady.”

You ruined it at the very end! What do you have in mind that you can’t even tell me?!
Eek, Khalil is so sinister!

Next was Aaron, the Head of Mines, who suddenly sighed.

“It’s a shame I can’t seem to be of any help in my area of expertise—mining.”

It’s a relief!

“However, while traveling all over the country for Professor Isaac’s fieldwork, I saw and heard all sorts of unexpected things and cultivated various connections. If it’s Seleznyov, I should be able to track their dirt down reasonably well.”

…Just what did he see and hear, and what kind of connections did he cultivate?
Oh no—even Aaron’s smile looks sinister.
Waaah! Onii-sama’s siscon virus is spreading through the office! Even Novak has caught it—as expected of Oii-sama’s very own brand of siscon virus, it’s super effective!

This isn’t the time to be impressed by that. I don’t want to trouble everyone on such a large scale.
Come on, me—after the report comes the consultation!

“Onii-sama, everyone, please wait a moment. I have something I wish to do regarding this matter. I was hoping to ask for your permission.”

At these unexpected words, Aleksei’s neon-blue eyes widened.

“I see… And what is this thing you wish to do?”

Looking into Aleksei’s eyes as he asked, Ekaterina replied.

“There is a certain someone I’d like to meet. With your permission, Onii-sama, I wish to meet a relative of yours and mine.”

***

Author’s note:

This marks the 200th chapter of this series. I’ve been able to continue thanks to all of you who read it. Thank you so much!