Chapter: 620
Suddenly, even with three princes visiting, the response from the Allen Family was smooth and seamless.
Just moments ago, the knights, who were groaning weirdly from their training, instantly got their act together, and inside, preparations to treat them were underway under the butler’s orders, while Benedict and the owner of the forest came down to greet them.
Rene, who had recently tasted Allen’s madness, found it quite interesting, while Arthur, who had only heard stories about the Allen family, nodded in agreement, saying, “Yeah, it’s definitely the Allen family.”
However, this tranquil atmosphere couldn’t last long.
“The King has passed away,” Rene blurted out, and the gravity of his statement was far from calm.
“Is that really true?” Arthur asked in bewilderment on behalf of Cecil, and Rene nodded.
“I confirmed it with my own eyes.”
“Could it be a mistake?”
“It was shown by the Fairy Queen. I don’t think there’s any mistake.”
The doubts that had slightly lingered in the reception room dissipated at the mention of the Fairy Queen. No one capable of deceiving the Fairy Queen, who had even partially accepted the Deification of God of Darkness, could exist in the current continent.
“From the state of the corpse, it seems the King has been dead for at least a day or two. It must have been several months.”
“That’s… strange, isn’t it? The palace is quiet even though the King has passed away.”
“The First Queen is the one directly hiding it, so nothing has leaked out. Even I, who was closest to her, didn’t know until now.”
The power of the First Queen doesn’t merely stop at acting in the place of the King. For decades since she ascended to her position, everything happening in the palace has passed through the First Queen’s hands.
There were whispers that her interventions were excessive, but since everything she accomplished bore notable results, those whispers soon faded away.
Now, those working in the palace were merely following the First Queen’s wishes and were getting their own gain within what she allowed.
So if the First Queen decided to hide something, no one would notice.
Even if it was as massive as the King’s death.
“If you find my words suspicious, go straight to the Fairy Forest. Someone like you, who participated in the salvation of the forest with the Allen group or Arthur, could easily get an illusion, right?”
“No need for that. What this guy is saying is the truth. I can vouch for it.”
The atmosphere in the reception room grew even more serious as Lina, giving Rene a sharp glare, bluntly stated her thoughts.
Adding to that, Cecil elaborated, “When I first heard about it from my brother, I thought it was some terrible prank, but my mother thinks differently. She had suspicions for a while, and if the King’s death is true, it aligns.”
While the Second Queen’s influence may be lesser compared to the First Queen, she was still a royal backed by a noble family.
Despite the slim chance of it being realized, she had the capability to form a fairly powerful faction that could support Cecil.
Being aware of the unease that had crept in at some point, she still found it illogical not to arrive at the King’s death.
“But she still said she didn’t understand.”
What benefit would the First Queen gain by hiding the King’s death? If the King dies without a declared successor, naturally, the First Prince would ascend the throne.
“This situation is the result of a madman transcending common understanding. I can’t even predict what will unfold next.”
This incident has already surpassed the realm of common sense. Thus, predicting the future is impossible.
In what manner? What scale will it be? What’s the goal? Everything is a mystery. There’s nothing that can be asserted with certainty.
“That’s why I’m moving in haste. No matter what the First Queen is preparing, it’s clear that it must have proceeded to a certain extent. We can’t afford to pay attention to the details here.”
The First Queen must have already picked up on Rene’s movements. Given her information network spread throughout the kingdom, it would be implausible for her not to know.
However, they lacked the time to worry about this too. Instead, they used it to their advantage, giving off a blatant hint of rebellion to prevent the other side from daring to act rashly.
“The reason I approached the Second Queen first is for this very reason. If she supports me, even in the worst-case scenario, I can block whatever the First Queen is planning.”
“And what did you pay as a price?”
“The throne.”
Arthur and Benedict gasped in shock at this seemingly casual remark, but Rene remained unfazed.
From the moment he decided to oppose the First Queen, the position he held lost its significance. What does it matter if one is a potential heir?
This position was merely a remnant of the power the First Queen wielded. If all the things she accomplished were discredited, he, as a person, would lose meaning.
In fact, this could be seen as an optimistic view. If the Second Queen decided to completely erase him, it wouldn’t be surprising at all if she used his connection to the First Queen to dispose of him.
To be confined somewhere would be a gracious fate for Rene.
The Second Queen must have also picked up on this situation. There’s no way she wouldn’t have realized. Rene had prepared a few extra advantageous points for her sake.
Yet, the Second Queen didn’t ask for anything beyond the throne from Rene.
Even knowing that the inheritance he offered was merely a facade, she understood that no matter how much she scoffed, she could do nothing about it, and she played along with him.
“Well, if the First Prince himself is offering, I have no reason to refuse.”
Not too long ago, she would have been gritting her teeth, trying to squeeze out as much as she could.
Sure, since he reminded her of Lucy Allen, who went and made her blood boil, Rene scoffed and leaned forward.
“Exposing the First Queen’s corruption would be the lesser evil. It would give foreign powers a justification to intervene. The best option is to conceal the corruption with the First Queen.”
This is definitely not an easy task.
It’s not just about sealing the lips of the First Queen.
The First Queen is the head of a faction. If it seems she will collapse, it would be impossible to do anything beneath her.
It’s clear how those who were confident of holding power would retaliate when it’s taken away from them.
To ensure smooth resolution, it’s necessary to silence those with smaller stakes.
“The five dukes, who are the backbone of the kingdom, are fine. Three of the five are on our side.”
Not just the family the Second Queen was born into, but Partlan and Burrow would support them too.
Given how many counts—like Allen, Kent, and Artea—and others would join in seeing the tides turning, most would naturally ride the wave.
So most people wouldn’t be a problem.
The issue lies with the little fish.
For them, personal safety comes first, regardless of family or anything else. To quietly resolve the kingdom’s issues, their mouths must be shut.
“To do this, I planned to get Karia’s cooperation, but where is that girl now?”
Karia would be the most suitable person for this. She would undoubtedly silence the little fish with ease.
“She went out with Lucy Allen.”
“…What?”
“I have no idea when she’ll be back.”
As Rene turned his gaze to see if Arthur’s answer was true, Benedict slowly nodded.
“I’m going crazy.”
Why doesn’t that girl help at all? Covering his face with his palm to suppress his agitation, Rene once again looked around calmly.
“Who’s available to substitute?”
“Oh. By the way, the prince of the Burrow family is under Karia. Maybe you could check there first.”
“Okay. Arthur, you’ll move with me, and as for everyone else…”
*
“It’s quiet.”
[Isn't it nice and peaceful? ]
“It feels a bit lonely.”
Is it because the voice of Garad, who had filled my mind recently, has disappeared? Even though it’s just like any other day, I felt lonesome.
[You seem to get lonely quite easily.]
“Yeah, I guess so.”
It’s strange. I was a loner in my past life, used to feeling comfortable being alone. Why have I become someone dependent on the presence of others?
Could this be the influence of the Mesugaki Skill…? No way, a mental health Mesugaki? That can’t exist.
“Well, it’s fine. I have Grandpa by my side!”
[Huh, you sure are amusing.]
“I’ve always been like this, right?”
[Do you have a conscience? ]
“I, as an Apostle of God and a Hero, surely wouldn’t lack a conscience!”
No matter how much Grandpa denies it, the title given to me doesn’t change, right? Let someone dare call me an evil person despite being an Apostle of God and a Hero!
[What a world we live in.]
Chuckling at Grandpa’s lament, Karia tilted her head.
“Employer, what’s so funny?”
“Auntie’s face. It never gets old, just keeps getting uglier. It’s the best!”
“…Hey.”
“Karia! Calm down! You know you’re being distorted, right?”
“Let go! That’s not distortion! I’m really mocking you!”
“Oh? Caught me? But what will you do about it? No matter how much you rage, you’re still just Auntie.”
If she could hit me, let her try. I’m not weak enough to get hit by a has-been Auntie.
Provoking her deliberately, Karia trembled her lips and then sighed.
“Well, I can’t help it. Your past actions will be made public for praise.”
“If you break from teasing too much, it won’t be fun! Should I tone it down?!”
I apologize! I’m really sorry for not knowing my place! Please don’t do that!
Once I hurriedly conveyed my apologies, Karia finally burst into laughter.
“Enough joking around. So what do you want to ask me?”
“Do you remember that rude girl who was under you before?”
“The one who thought she was all that?”
“Exactly!”
“Of course, I remember. I know where she is. You just need to guide me.”
That’s so like Karia!
Let’s move quickly!
I want to see that gal crawling on the floor, crying!
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