Chapter 130 – To Steal a Kingdom (2)
I understood how Duke Serin felt.
‘Sparing an enemy on the battlefield is, as he said, a foolish thing to do.’
Showing rcy to an enemy isn’t kindness. It’s foolishness that invites danger. However, if it was for another purpose, the story changes.
‘When a commander captures an enemy general, there are usually four major options.’
Execute them imdiately to eliminate the threat.
Release them for a specific strategic advantage.
Detain them for prisoner exchange.
And lastly……
‘……Persuade the other side.’
Persuasion doesn’t always require sweet words. Sotis, a single action speaks louder than a hundred words.
Just like right now.
“We don’t have much ti, so let get straight to the point.”
Duke Veder spoke quickly, as if being chased.
“The discourtesy at the palace was indeed due to my judgnt, but sending assassins was not my intent.”
At least he had the right attitude for the conversation.
“Before we proceed…… I wish to apologize for my offense.”
Duke Veder began by bowing his head. Then, he went further, kneeling and lowering his head toward .
Duke Serin frowned at the sight.
“……Are all nobles politicians at heart……?”
The cynical Duke Serin couldn’t take this act at face value.
Of course, I felt the sa. After all, wasn’t this the sa man who had, not long ago, debated killing or sparing on behalf of Prince Enzi?
Even if it had been for a royal decree, there was no way such actions would sit well with .
“I don’t think you ca just to apologize, so what do you really want to say?”
“To be honest, I was impressed.”
His words made tilt my head.
“Impressed?”
“Your Highness was driven from the palace with no foundation to speak of.”
“Get to the point.”
“My poor eyes never anticipated that Your Highness possessed such remarkable abilities, nor did I realize you could attract so many people to your side.”
Duke Veder’s voice continued.
“With the exceptional feats you’ve demonstrated here…… Yes. It must an you’ve deliberately concealed your true self until now.”
He was free to misunderstand, and I didn’t bother to correct him. There was no point explaining that the reality was different.
“At your age, most would be eager to boast to their peers……”
“Ugh. This is embarrassing. Let’s cut the flattery. What do you really want to say?”
“If Your Highness would forgive my rudeness……!”
For a mont, Duke Veder’s eyes glead intensely.
“I would like to pledge my loyalty to you.”
“……!”
Duke Serin’s pupils shook imdiately. He whipped his head toward . His expression silently asked, ‘Was this what you were aiming for?’
“Well, it’s hard to believe you’d abandon the sturdy rope of my brother, only to grasp at the straws of the Seventh Prince, who has nothing.”
“I trust my own two eyes.”
“But I cannot trust you, Duke.”
“If you command it, I will swear an oath as a knight here and now.”
Knights, as a rule, value honor more than life itself. Moreover, in this situation, we had a Master and a Duke from another nation acting as a witness.
“Hah. Anyone can make a promise with their mouth.”
At that mont, a disgruntled voice interrupted. It was Duke Serin.
“Let’s not play gas among those who understand each other. Speak frankly about your intentions. It’s fortunate His Highness is kind; if it were , I would’ve already severed an arm. Blood debts are repaid with blood.”
I didn’t bother to stop Duke Serin. I knew full well that his actions were for my sake, and no one else’s.
“……Your Highness must already be aware of the current situation in our country.”
Duke Veder’s gaze was fixed on . I imdiately delved into the mories of this body.
‘What I know about the current state of the eke Principality can be sumd up in two points.’
First, the real ruler of the principality is the Queen.
Second, a new Master has recently erged in the Principality.
Interestingly, Duke Veder’s words were related to both of these facts.
“Now that the principality possesses three Masters, symbols of a kingdom, we are preparing to elevate our national status officially.”
In this world, Masters equate to national power. With newfound strength, the next logical step is to change the signboard to reflect it.
“Naturally, other kingdoms are fiercely opposing this.”
“Of course they are. It’s irritating when soone weaker than you suddenly tries to stand shoulder to shoulder with you.”
It’s human nature to resent others’ success. It is even more pronounced when it cos to international relations.
“So countries have even declared that if we elevate our status without adhering to conventional procedures, they will sever all trade relations with us. Among them, the opposition from this very Hart Kingdom is especially strong.”
“Well, that makes sense. We’ve recently been in a territorial dispute with the eke Principality.”
The one for Black Swan.
“As a result, other nations have also joined the opposition. With the Empire as a common threat, the alliance cannot afford internal divisions……”
“They all want to maintain the status quo.”
The more people have, the less they desire change. That is why conservatives overwhelmingly outnumber progressives among the privileged.
Change cos with unpredictable risks.
“This is classified information, but……”
“Duke Veder! Where are you?”
“……!”
We all froze for a mont. At the end of the corridor, Prince Enzi’s voice echoed. Simultaneously, Duke Veder’s speech hastened.
“I’ll get straight to the point. Her Majesty the Queen is secretly preparing for war.”
“……!”
“……!”
Both Duke Serin and I widened our eyes.
“The most effective way to prove power…… Yes. By devouring another kingdom……”
“With Duke Serin present, I’ll say this carefully; the Hart Kingdom is one of the candidates. The Black Swan territorial dispute is still fresh on our minds, and there’s this incident as well.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
Duke Serin now had a look of understanding.
“People must suffer greatly under that greedy Queen.”
“Indeed. Believe it or not, I am a pacifist. I wish to prevent war at all costs.”
Duke Veder glanced towards the corridor.
“So far, I’ve managed to keep things restrained. However, the newly erged Master has a very aggressive stance…… Combined with the existing pro-war Master, there are now two hardliners.”
“You’re outnumbered now.”
“……That’s why Her Majesty sent to the Hart Kingdom. She wanted to give a chance—and win my favor by creating a situation where I could gain rit.”
“The Queen of your country is certainly shrewd. If she lost the favor of even one Master, the dream of elevating the nation’s status would evaporate entirely, anyway.”
Duke Serin’s sneer deepened.
“On that note, may I ask one last question? Duke Serin, why are you following His Highness?”
“Why are you suddenly dragging into this?”
“Because your sentints probably aren’t so different from mine. Doesn’t that explain my pledge of loyalty?”
“……!”
Duke Serin widened his eyes briefly before letting out a faint chuckle.
“……I see. So, that’s how people see now.”
At the sa ti, Duke Veder tilted his head.
“Am I wrong?”
“……”
Duke Serin glanced briefly at .
“……No. I am indeed on the prince’s side.”
Surprisingly, he admitted this without hesitation.
Before we knew it, Duke Veder had disappeared entirely.
“Duke Veder!”
Prince Enzi had approached quite close.
“We should leave as well. Let’s avoid any unnecessary suspicions.”
With that, Duke Serin and I began walking side by side through the royal capital.
“I didn’t expect you to take my side so boldly back there.”
“Hahaha. Don’t read too much into it. I’m a politician. It ans I could side with Prince Enzi at any mont.”
“Still, thank you.”
“……”
Duke Serin paused briefly and looked back at .
“If you’re grateful, why not tell ? The second and third reasons, I an.”
“You’re referring to what I stand to gain from this situation?”
“Yes. I already understand the first reason is about people.”
I nodded.
“If the first reason is securing talented individuals like Duke Veder, the second is about creating the right atmosphere.”
“Atmosphere?”
“It’s far from easy to show rcy to soone who tried to kill . Especially considering how the Queen has been killing off princes who aren’t her children for a long ti. Naturally, many people, including myself, have suffered under her orders.”
“And?”
“If I can forgive soone who tried to kill , can’t I forgive those who have only caused minor inconveniences?”
Duke Serin exclaid an ‘Ah!’ in realization.
“Duke Veder, now on my side, will reinforce this narrative upon returning. This will beco fertile ground for to establish a foothold in the eke Principality later.”
“Even so…… will they really believe in Your Highness? If it were , I’d feel too guilty and resist with all my might……”
“You’re mistaken. They don’t need to trust .”
“What do you an?”
“I’m offering them an opportunity. Like Duke Veder, they’ll need to rush to , kneel, and beg. Only then will they find a way to survive.”
“……!”
As expected, Duke Serin found my words intriguing. This was undoubtedly a fresh approach compared to rcilessly slaughtering adversaries.
“Oho…… That’s quite the fascinating strategy.”
“Isn’t it?”
“So, what’s the third reason?”
At this, I looked directly at Duke Serin.
“It’s because of you, Duke.”
“?”
“Didn’t I already tell you? I want to show you a world that doesn’t reek of blood.”
“……”
For a mont, Duke Serin’s eyes sharpened. Then, with a small laugh, he relaxed.
“Well…… This has been entertaining. I think I made the right decision in following Your Highness.”
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“So, about that……”
Duke Serin’s eyes sparkled with curiosity.
“I’d like to observe you more closely.”
“What do you an?”
“You’re heading to Black Swan, right?”
“How do you know that?”
“Do I really need to investigate? That’s your ho now.”
Despite his words, he must have been monitoring my every move. After all, the capital was his domain.
“Take with you.”
For a mont, I hesitated, then smiled faintly. Given the circumstances, his declaration to join carried great significance.
“Sure. Let’s go together.”
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