Chapter: 630
The First Queen, while checking the documents received from the government office, let out an uh and tapped her desk lightly.
“Well, looks like all the Ducal Families except Serlan, who got themselves caught, have jumped ship to that side.”
Thanks to the Count Arteia and Count Newman teaming up and negotiating behind the scenes, most of the Count families also promised to cooperate, and even those uninterested in politics sided with Allen and Kent, trusting their military prowess.
Now, the only cards left to me are the nobles I’ve already seized and a bunch of lowly folk.
It’s a fatal blow that Duke Kurten has bent his beliefs to join them. If it weren’t for that, things wouldn’t have gotten this far.
“How troublesome.”
Even as the situation spiraled into disaster, a sincere smile was etched on the First Queen’s lips.
While Lady Rene and Sir Arthur possess excellent abilities, it’s impossible to handle this with just the two of them.
Putting individual capabilities aside, they seem utterly talentless in faction fights.
Lucy Allen. If that one person hadn’t existed, I wouldn’t be in this distress.
She was the one who persuaded Duke Kurten right away.
Originally, it was her who drew in Duke Burrow, who was supposed to remain neutral.
She’s the one who made the Newman family, who would have only seen this as a profit-making opportunity, side with one camp.
She’s the one who got Count Arteia, who was solely focused on reviving his family, on board.
And she even gave back Benedict Allen, who was holed up in his territory, his fighting spirit.
“Maybe she’s the one who informed me of what I’m trying to do.”
My assessment of Lady Allen wasn’t wrong, but realizing her true worth came a tad too late.
If only I’d had a little more time, or if I could have become friends with her back when she was alone, I wouldn’t have had any worries.
What nonsense that is. Who could possibly imagine the current Lady Allen by looking at her from back then?
“Well, at least I find comfort in this.”
Even if everything I hoped for fails, the kingdom will be at peace.
Even if she commits the sin of borrowing the power of the Evil God, the kingdom will prosper even more than before.
Thus, the First Queen can now leap down from the heavens with a peaceful heart.
“Your Majesty!”
One of the court ministers rushed into the office. His pale face had already warned that the news he brought was terrible.
“The five Duke candidates have requested the summoning of a meeting!”
Ah, so this is how it’s coming.
*
“A royal assembly, huh? I heard there were records, but I didn’t expect we’d actually have one.”
As Duke Burrow bit his lips while staring at the desk, Duke Kurten responded.
“It’s practically a threat, so it’s unlikely we’ll manage it smoothly.”
“Complications from needing to gather the agreement of several Ducal Houses are also quite a headache.”
“I still can’t believe these four families are moving together for a common goal.”
As Duke Bedford, who was of similar age as Duke Kurten, let out a laugh, Duke Partlan, surveying the surroundings, turned his head with a vicious grin.
“We can’t just sit back and watch the kingdom collapse.”
Though everyone nodded along to their justifications, in truth, no one harbored the heart of a patriot.
Duke Bedford came here to make his grandson king.
Duke Kurten arrived for the sake of a close friend.
Duke Burrow participated solely to repay a favor.
And Duke Partlan didn’t come here purely for the good of the nation either.
“Look over there; the First Queen is coming.”
But such things don’t matter. If their wishes are different, their goals are the same, and the Dukes can cooperate to any extent.
The fact that the five Duke candidates maintained their position for such a long time isn’t just a coincidence.
“Is it real?”
“It doesn’t seem to have any magical influence. Karia, what do you think?”
“I see them as themselves too.”
“Alright. Then let’s drag this out. We should be able to last a night or two, right?”
“I’ll give it a shot.”
“It’ll be fine. You tend to sleep less as you grow older.”
They had no intention of letting the First Queen go until everything was settled.
Even if she drew her sword.
*
At the time when the royal assembly was starting, at the main gates of the palace, the three princes of Soladin and Cardinal Johan from Jushin Church were raising their voices.
“Speak clearly! Cardinal Johan! Can you take responsibility for what you’re saying right now?!”
“First Prince of Soladin, we hope our suspicions are unfounded. It would be troublesome if there were a traitor to humanity in the great kingdom established during the Age of Myth.”
“Provide the evidence! Evidence! No matter how you slice it, even Jushin Church’s cardinal cannot treat the royal family like this!”
The palace guards.
The knights who gathered due to the unexpected uproar.
The citizens who gathered nearby.
The clergymen following Cardinal Johan.
They were all desperate to ascertain the truth of the commotion, yet only the Prince and Cardinal Johan at the center of the noise had the luxury to browse around.
Naturally, it was only expected. They’d already staged this performance beforehand.
“Cardinal Johan! Please contact the Saintess! If it’s her, she’ll testify to our innocence!”
“The Saintess is resting due to the blood she suffered in her battle against the Power of Darkness.”
“Stop spouting nonsense! I returned from the battlefield with her! She!”
“This is what His Majesty has decided. Even if the Saintess were to come, we can’t reverse this outcome!”
Right now, their shouting was solely to ensure that the crowd of onlookers would take note of the uproar.
When the situation reaches its worst point, it’s so that everyone can move swiftly. When quietness serves to handle the event, it’s to obtain justification for the kingdom to attack the church.
“The emotions between them have become too intense.”
And so that when the Second Prince eventually ascends the throne, it can serve as a justification.
“There are many watching. Let’s just head inside for now.”
“Brother!”
“Little Brother!”
“I told you to just call me Brother…”
“The Second Prince is right. If it’s truly His Majesty’s command, they wouldn’t be able to do anything.”
As the Second Queen made her entrance, the situation calmed and the church’s clergy members naturally stepped into the royal court.
“Hopefully, our doubts will end as nonsense.”
“Yes. That would allow everyone to find happiness.”
*
In the skies above the royal court. Erginius, enveloped in the Power of Darkness, and the Fairy Queen looked down with worried eyes.
“I never expected the position of a god to be this uncomfortable.”
“The Age of Myth ended long ago. Even though the era of humans has arrived, the authority of gods can’t be too much.”
“I understand what you’re trying to say, Your Majesty, but I still despise this powerlessness. Why, after so much time has passed, do I feel no different than before?”
Even when he couldn’t save the Fairy Queen. Even when he had no choice but to postpone wars from the Age of Myth. Erginius felt just as powerless now.
What’s the point of obtaining the position of a god if I haven’t changed as a human?
“Yes, you’re right. You’re just the same as before.”
“…Is that so?”
“You’re as cool as you were when I had a crush on you back then.”
“Me?”
“Yes. You never gave up on saving me, and now you’ll stay by my side forever, right?”
“That’s merely correcting my mistakes.”
“Then what about now? You’re just waiting to intervene the moment the balance crumbles, aren’t you?”
Caught right in the feels, Erginius fell silent, as the Fairy Queen smiled and embraced him.
“Sleep. O Queen.”
“Don’t worry. No one can see us anyway.”
“Even so, this…”
“My children are beside Lady Allen. If anything happens, I’ll let you know immediately.”
“…That’s as far as it goes.”
“Eh? Just this far? What comes after?”
“Why are you acting like you don’t know!?”
“I don’t know! I don’t know anything at all!”
The Fairy Queen chuckled while observing Erginius’s blushing face, then smiled at the mages lurking around here and there.
“Truly, you’re such a tease.”
“I’ve been holding back for a long time. I’m being somewhat restrained, you know?”
Hehe. If I get a chance to chat with Lady Allen later, I’ll have to ask for a normal, nerdy name for Erginius.
If everything ends well, that is.
*
In the underground tunnels beneath the capital. The pathway, which even the kingdom’s information department had forgotten over the years, was honestly not a place suitable for human traffic.
Why does it smell like this!?
Even being stuffed in a dung heap would be better than this!
What’s even more annoying is that I’m gradually getting used to this stench!
“Joy. Hang in there just a little longer. We’re almost there.”
“…Phoebe, how can you be so calm? Even the drowsy Young Lady Kent is drooping.”
“Saintesses inject hope into the hardest, dirtiest, and most awkward places. So this is actually pretty decent, wouldn’t you say?”
“I’m feeling radiant just looking at Phoebe’s face.”
“Saintess. Respect.”
“Impressive. Truly impressive.”
As Frey and Visi showered Phoebe with compliments, she subtly cast her gaze toward my direction, insisting she was merely doing what she had to do.
“Not bad for a sloppy saintess, huh?”
“Hehe. Thank you.”
Ugh. The end should be in sight by now.
Where am I? Where should I go to catch a whiff of fresh air!?
Calm down. There’s a saying, ‘The more hurried you are, the more you go in circles.’
‘…Am I going to be shoved into that water?’
Sorry. I’ll be still.
‘You should have just stayed still from the beginning.’
That! Ah! Isn’t that it!? Looks just like a door!
Hearing my grandpa’s words, I turned my head and clicked my tongue in disappointment.
Dammit. Why is it actually the real exit? If I had hesitated when I thought it was a fake, I would’ve shoved it in without a moment’s thought.
Emerging from the exit and savoring the sacred air, I cleansed the filth and scanned my surroundings.
Phew. I’ve successfully infiltrated the royal court.
“Dumbass.”
“I’ve already done it. No one will be able to discover us now.”
Using the power of darkness, the best stealth technique one could boast of, we stealthily ascended the stairs.
To NTR the king from the First Queen!
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.