Hidden Leader of the Royal Faction
[A/N: I've reupdated chapter 5: Rewards and Evolution, as well as chapter 6: The First Battle, according to the comments of the viewers. And I am also reupdating other chapters. I hope you like this version.]
After a few exchanges, Albedo has got a general idea about the current situation, which is the beginning of the civil war.
The inner circle of nobles have already decided to oppose the fall of the royal army in Princess Renner's hand. The reason was the two leaders of the Nobility and Royalty faction.
"Although most of the royal army is on our side, it only balances my power coupled with the benefit of being royalty. They lack strength in comparison to the private army of other nobles, and their only advantage is their number."
The soldiers of the royal army were mostly just ordinary peasants. The government recruited them only to fight the annual war. So the kingdom barely trained them and just treated them as disposable tools.
Instead of training them, the nobles choose to strengthen their own private army with the kingdom's resources. In response to these actions, the late king couldn't even oppose them to avoid the civil war.
The late king scarcely had any authority if the six great nobles resisted his rule. So he could only comply with their suggestion. After listening to Renner's words, Albedo said.
"Hmm.. The royal army is fine as it is. Nazarick will amend for the strength. So, it won't be any problem. Is your position that feeble in the ranks, that none of the noble chose to support you? In this case, the extermination of the nobility and royalty faction is inevitable, even if the massacre ensues the title of a tyrant. These lowly humans are like dying ants to Nazarick. They can live in fear for a lifetime."
Albedo's words were simple. Nazarick is doing this detailed process to conquer Re-Estize, not because it is necessary, but because they want to gain a good reputation.
But, if they don't get a good reputation, it isn't crucial. Nazarick is evil, to begin with, and with the title of a tyrant, the fear of Nazarick will inevitably increase in the New World.
The final result will be to conquer every nation by exterminating their government and putting a leash on their citizens, treating them as a slave. Renner also understood this.
She didn't care about other's life, but if Nazarick followed the regime of tyranny, she would be useless to Nazarick. So she proposed another solution.
"I wasn't interested in the throne, so I didn't make any deeper connections with nobles. Nobility faction supported Barbro, while Zanac has the support of the Royalty faction. On the contrary, I've maintained a dignified image upfront for my convenience."
She paused for a moment before continuing her explanation.
"Although both factions oppose each other, they never went over the line to annex each other because of Marquis Raeven. He is a neutral party with broad connections with nobles from both factions. On the other hand, he is also the hidden leader of the Royalty faction. If he defects to our side, then we won't have to sacrifice many nobles at once."
When Albedo heard Renner's words, she seemed to have guessed the worth of the Marquis. She looked towards Renner and said.
"Hm.. A sly fox! Say, what is the weakness of this Marquis. If there is none, then we have to create one. Although the so-called six great nobles have to die or abandon their territory, he can be spared if he presents his worth."
Although the documents provided by Renner are at the table, Albedo only glanced at them, not paying much attention. Because Renner was there to explain the matters and exchange the details of the future planning.
On the other hand, Demiurge had already told her the basic information about the nobles of Re-Estize. So, she naturally knew about Marquis Raeven. But it was only limited to his intelligence and a few titles.
The six great nobles are the six great noble families. Their authorities are only second to the royal family, and Marquis Raeven is the head of that group.
"He is a high-ranking noble with a very shrewd personality, who uses other nobles to achieve his goal. Nevertheless, he has his own weakness. After having a son, his family has become most important to him."
Renner paused, and a wicked grin appeared on her face.
"On the other hand, he is also a patriot and certainly knows about the impending danger of demons. He must be thinking of leaving Zanac's side and coming to me for support but is afraid of the outcomes. He knows my true self, so he is reluctant to search for me. So, if given a light push with a threat, then he will surely be obedient without any question."
Marquis Raeven is an ambitious man. He first wanted to take the throne, but after having a son, he supported Zanac. But now that the Kingdom was in danger and the princess was starting to take control over the royal army showing her ambition to sit on the throne, he was willing to change the sides to save the Kingdom's peace.
But the nature of the princess has put him into a confused state. Renner was a good ally, while on the other hand, she was a lunatic. Although he uses other nobles as a means to gain rank, he also respects human life.
On the other hand, Renner uses humans as a tool for her own enjoyment, like a demon. This utterly terrifies him. So, he has to make up his mind to follow Renner's plan.
Because he knows Renner will not make her own life miserable by only taking the royal army under control. And he is also aware that her plan will be detached from humanity, only for her own interest.
"Then, so be it. Make him submit to you completely by any means. You can surely do that, right?"
Albedo raised her head and watched Renner with a playful smile. In return, Renner nodded her head, forming a wretched grin on her face. Then she said.
"Rest assured, lady Albedo. Humans have the most naive ideology. They feel uneasiness unless they repay the help they received in need of desperation. I can break Marquis Raeven's mind with the obvious threat and give a solution in the last moment of misery."
Renner's plan was simple that is to threaten Marquis Raeven with demon invasion, civil war and invasion from another nation. If he was the same as he was in his previous years, he wouldn't worry much.
But now he has a family who lives in the capital and preparing the possibility of their survival was a must. After a few moments, Renner continued.
"Also, lady Albedo, may I expose Nazarick as our backer and its pursuit? He may feel at ease to yield. After all, lord Ainz appeared like a legend and gave the impression of the King of the Kings added with his heroic battle performance in E-Rantel."
With that last word, Albedo's playful face suddenly turned into a happy seductive look. She almost jumped out of the chair and said excitedly.
"Right? He is badass in the battle. Ah.. How I miss the enjoyment of that time?... Ahem.. You can reveal it, as it will be clear soon. Ah.. Forget it. Call him right now. The Sooner he understands the concern, the better it is."
Albedo wanted to give Renner some time to get Marquis Raeven under him. But, after some consideration, she chose to get it done in her presence to instil the fear of Nazarick in Raeven's heart sooner.