Chapter 28: Do They Think Ragnar Is a Joke? (2)
He had seized the iron mine region he had wanted, but the letter he checked the mont he returned ruined Kyle’s mood.
As he ground his teeth, Pan looked at him with a hardened expression.
“……I apologize for delivering such news the mont you returned.”
“This isn’t Elder Pan’s fault, is it? What angers
is the shaless conduct of the Royal Family.”
“Grand General…….”
“Isn’t this letter informing us of the situation because Pramo is in a difficult position?”
In the letter, Pramo’s handwriting detailed exactly what demands the Royal Family had made.
The passage stating that an envoy was holding out, insisting on returning to the Royal Palace together with him, had been written with such fOrke that the ink had bled.
“What will you do?”
“We must drive them out.”
“According to the Grand General’s plan, isn’t this timing too early?”
No one knew how long it would take to secure a route for obtaining food supplies and to complete the construction of the icebreaker ships.
If they were to clash with the Royal Family in their current state, it could cause major disruptions to the plan.
Still, the situation was not entirely bleak.
“We have recaptured the iron mine region. A total of six iron mine regions will be incorporated into Ragnar.”
“……What do you an?”
At the news that the iron mines had been reclaid, Pan’s eyes widened to an unacceptable degree.
He had thought it would be a successful expedition if they rely managed to safely subjugate the monsters entrenched in front of Chaplin Castle.
Yet now, out of nowhere, they had reclaid the iron mines—sothing Pan could not easily believe.
“Elder Pan, I am a greedy man.”
Kyle did not move for the sake of achieving a single objective.
When Kyle moved, it was tantamount to the entirety of Ragnar’s military authority moving with him.
Ti was gold.
He knew that only by using that ti efficiently could Ragnar grow stronger.
“However, even if we have reclaid the iron mine region, we must rebuild the infrastructure. I doubt the Royal Family will grant us that ti.”
“…….”
“At tis like this, wouldn’t it be good to show them what kind of family Ragnar is?”
“I will follow the Grand General’s will.”
“Inform the Rapid rchant Guild Head. Tell him to withdraw from the Royal Capital and join Ragnar.”
“I will deliver the ssage.”
Nodding at Pan’s response, Kyle glanced at the letter in his hand and clicked his tongue.
Becoming hostile with the Daon Kingdom was not a situation Kyle desired either.
But if they showed such insolence, it was necessary to break that montum.
‘No matter what, the Royal Family will never be able to abandon Ragnar first.’
This was a certainty.
The Daon Kingdom was a nation that did not possess even a single Master.
Because it had failed to produce a Master, its national defense power had weakened with each passing day.
Although the war between the Tylers Empire and the Holy Empire of Ru had ended, the continent at present was so quiet it could be called the calm before the storm.
With the possibility of war breaking out anywhere at any ti, the Royal Family needed to secure even a single Master.
However, that was rely the predicant of the Daon Kingdom.
Having made up his mind, Kyle looked at Pan.
“It seems ti to conclude a covenant between Ragnar and the Daon royal house.”
“……Grand General.”
“As the Royal Family says, the ti has co to establish a new relationship. However, it will not be done according to their will. I will not allow that.”
Guiding matters in Ragnar’s favor was an exceedingly simple developnt.
“Aron.”
Aron, who had been waiting in the rear rather than accompanying the troops, ran over at Kyle’s call.
“You called for , my lord.”
“We will set the board. I do not wish to involve myself in the politics of the Daon Kingdom, but we still need ti.”
“I anticipated this and have already identified the factions and tendencies of the nobles of the Daon Kingdom. Then shall I stand at the forefront?”
“No. The one who stands at the forefront will be the Head of the Family.”
“Understood. I will recheck the board we have prepared.”
“The Head of the Family should experience it at least once. Just how headache-inducing politics can be.”
At Kyle’s words, Aron smiled faintly and shook his head.
“I believe there is a high probability it will turn out the exact opposite of my lord’s expectations.”
“……Do you think the Head of the Family can seize control of the political arena?”
“Absolutely. The mont the Head of the Family steps into politics, the entire structure will change.”
“If that is your judgnt, then so be it.”
When Aron reached a conclusion, the king’s choices were like reckless moves.
For now, royal authority remained strong enough to steer politics stably, but the mont Pramo entered the political arena, the king’s authority would gradually weaken.
‘A foolish king, and ministers who can do nothing, like dogs with their tails tucked between their legs. That is the current political state of the Daon Kingdom.’
Seeing the conviction in Aron’s eyes, Kyle nodded.
“They summoned us to the Royal Palace, so we should go.”
“Grand General…….”
At Kyle’s words, Pan looked at him with worried eyes.
Turning his gaze, Kyle lightly gestured toward Pan.
“Do not worry, Elder Pan. I will thoroughly overturn everything and return.”
Unlike the still-anxious Pan, Aron’s eyes were calm.
He knew the upheaval that would be unleashed.
The more Kyle stirred up the Royal Family, the greater Ragnar’s influence would beco.
With a smile on his lips, Aron spoke.
“Even if you go so far as to wreck the Great Hall, that is acceptable. The rest will be arranged by
and the Head of the Family.”
“Go together with Seros.”
Kyle and Seros.
No matter how strong the Daon Royal Family’s military might was, it could not overco the two of them acting together.
Aron smacked his lips in regret at not being able to witness that scene himself, but as he had his own duties, he bowed his head without complaint.
“Understood, my lord.”
After lightly patting Aron’s shoulder, Kyle spoke to Pan.
“I will return directly to the Lord’s Castle. Elder Pan, can you remain here and take responsibility for building the iron mine infrastructure?”
“I will do so.”
“You may move together with the Ragnar Knight Order. Hear the detailed explanation from the Commander.”
Leaving the issue of restarting the iron mines temporarily to Pan and the Castellan, Kyle entered the castle.
However, not long after entering, he imdiately began preparing to depart.
Leaving Acacia at Chaplin Castle to train the Ragnar Knight Order, he departed for the Lord’s Castle with only Seros and Aron in tow.
The soldiers revealed their confusion as they watched the Grand General leave right away.
“Why is the Grand General leaving the castle in such a hurry?”
“I know. Judging by the direction, it’s toward the Lord’s Castle…….”
“Did sothing happen at the Lord’s Castle?”
At the soldiers’ murmurs, Akun calmly turned his head and looked at them.
“The Grand General is the one who holds the military authority of the Ragnar Family. Wherever such a person moves, their schedule is bound to be tight. So do not waver—maintain formation.”
At Akun’s gesture, the Ragnar Knights quickly pushed through the soldiers, restoring order so they would not be shaken.
While the Ragnar Knight Order was in the midst of calming the troops, Pan approached Akun.
Akun lightly bowed his head to Pan and spoke first.
“Elder, what is the matter?”
“There is sothing I need to discuss privately. I was hoping you could spare so ti.”
“Understood.”
Akun happened to have sothing he wanted to ask as well.
After instructing Zero to keep the soldiers calm, Akun moved aside with Pan.
“Why did the Grand General suddenly leave the castle?”
“……The Head of the Family sent an urgent letter.”
At Pan’s words, Akun unconsciously clenched the hilt of the sword at his waist.
“Did monsters invade the Lord’s Castle again?”
“No. If that were the case, the Grand General would have led the Ragnar Knight Order himself.”
“Then what on earth happened?”
“An envoy from the Royal Family has arrived.”
At Pan’s words, Akun’s expression twisted like a sheet of paper.
Pan had reacted much the sa way when he first heard the news, so he understood exactly how Akun felt.
With a sigh mixed into his voice, Pan briefly summarized the contents of the letter.
“They didn’t stop at ordering the Grand General to enter the palace—they demanded that the relationship between the Ragnar Family and the Royal Family be reestablished.”
“That’s insane……!”
At Pan’s words, Akun muttered with an incredulous expression.
He could not understand by what authority the Royal Family—who had not even spared a glance during the Ragnar Family’s crisis—would make such a shaless demand.
Pan, on the other hand, had a rough idea why the Royal Family was so desperate to sink their teeth into Ragnar.
“King Clover and the Grand General t in their childhood. When the young Second Prince visited the Ragnar Territory, the Grand General overwhelmingly crushed him.”
What Kyle had crushed that day was not rely the martial strength of the young Second Prince.
Along with it, he had shattered the prince’s pride, which had known nothing but self-importance.
Akun still could not forget the sight of the prince trembling all over in humiliation he had never experienced before.
“……I rember that as well.”
“King Clover must not have forgotten that mory. That’s why he’s summoning the Grand General to the Royal Palace, trying to crush him with authority.”
“I knew the king was insane long ago, but I didn’t expect him to make such a reckless move.”
“In any case, the Grand General has gone, so we must trust that he will resolve it well. No matter what choice the Grand General makes, we only need to do what is required of us.”
Akun nodded, agreeing with his words.
At that, Pan took a breath and brought up another matter.
“I heard that the iron mine region has been reclaid. Since the infrastructure-related matters have been entrusted to , I’d like you to explain in detail how this ca about.”
At Pan’s request, Akun began explaining from the ti of the expedition.
By the ti he finished relaying everything, Pan’s expression had hardened stiffly.
“Is it true that the Ork Tribe was pushed all the way back to the entrance of the mountain range?”
“You know of the Ork Tribe?”
“……You know it too, don’t you? I’m aware that you’ve been studying by reading the family’s historical records and books all this ti.”
“That is true, but I’m still stunned. I can’t believe it. To think I would see one of the Lords with my own eyes……”
He had thought the history claiming that the Lords were driven into the mountain range was nothing more than a fabrication.
It was such an absurd record that most who read the historical texts likely perceived it that way.
While Akun retraced his mories of the Ork Lord, Pan fixed his gaze toward the mountain range and murmured,
“……We might find a clue as to why Ragnar had to lose the iron mine region in the first place.”
A man of gentle temperant who rarely lost his temper.
Pramo, known as a benevolent Head of the Family who always wore a kind smile and cared deeply for those living in Ragnar, was grinding his teeth inside his study.
Elise, watching him, did not look well either.
“That’s enough. Calm down. You’ll ruin your health.”
“Elise, I want to expel those bastards from the territory right this instant.”
“Please endure it at least until the Grand General returns. You know it would be troubleso if relations with the Royal Family soured.”
“Haa……”
A day had already passed since the envoy delegation from the Royal Family arrived.
Even when he tried to expel them, the head envoy had entrenched himself in the Lord’s Castle of Ragnar, using the pretext that he had to enter the palace together with Kyle.
Pramo wanted to expel the envoys imdiately, but with the fOrkes currently remaining in the territory, it was difficult.
Sensing Pramo’s anguish, Elise sat down beside him.
“If their high-handed behavior continues, I’ll step in.”
“……Elise.”
“The Grand General will return soon, so don’t worry too much. And if circumstances prevent him from moving right away, Elder Pan will co instead. So please, calm down first.”
As if to comfort him, Elise gently stroked Pramo’s arm.
It was only natural for Pramo—who never lost his composure—to show such a state.
It had only been a single day, but the atrocities the envoy delegation was committing within the territory were enough that even Elise struggled to maintain her calm.
Still, for the sake of the family, they had to endure with patience.
‘Once my brother-in-law returns, I won’t have to endure anymore.’
Just as Elise was doing her best to soothe Pramo, a loud crash suddenly echoed through the mansion.
“Kyaaak—!”
As the maids working in the mansion scread, Elise hurriedly opened the door and rushed outside.
Running toward the dining hall from which the screams had co, Elise saw dishes and food strewn across the floor.
“How dare you serve such trash to an envoy sent by the Ruler of the Daon Kingdom—are you seeking death?!”
“……Please spare .”
“The maid lacks proper discipline. I shall personally educate you!”
The noble who had co as an envoy gripped a fork and approached the maid who had collapsed onto the floor.
Very slowly, so that she could fully feel the fear.
Just as he intended, the maid’s face had turned deathly pale in terror.
Seeing that, Elise stepped forward.
At once, the knights escorting the envoy blocked her path.
“Who are you!”
At their threatening behavior as they drew their swords, Elise clenched her fist, unable to hold back.
Then she drove herself deep inside the body of the knight standing at the front.
Thud!
Slamming a fist imbued with aura into the knight’s abdon, Elise revealed her killing intent.
Grabbing the hair of the man who had passed out, Elise hurled the knight against the wall.
As the atmosphere in the dining hall froze solid—
“How dare you run amok in Ragnar. Are you so desperate to die?”
Elise glared sharply at the envoy of the Daon Kingdom.
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