Chapter 227: It’s Time for Me to Take Everything. (1)

"The heir has arrived!"

"The second successor's location is secured!"

"There's a report that the third successor has just entered the castle!"

"The fourth successor is expected to arrive soon…"

"The fifth successor is…"

Receiving real-time reports from her subordinates, Amelia frowned.

"He sure had a filthy lot of kids."

Currently, she and her subordinates were gathered in a mansion near the lord's castle.

Today was the day of a grand banquet, a day when the heirs of the estate and key figures from across the land would gather.

That's why Amelia had chosen today as the day of her coup, to root out anyone who might resist in one decisive move.

But keeping an eye on every child her father had sired was a job in itself. Naturally, it irritated her.

Clicking her tongue and furrowing her brows, Amelia asked Bernaph.

"What's Ghislain's status?"

"The last report stated that he's enjoying the banquet with the heirs of the various territories."

"Hah, now that he's got plenty of food and land, it seems he's taking his time to enjoy himself."

Amelia had secured a massive amount of food thanks to Ghislain. Although it had seemed like he was plotting something, she'd followed along, willing to take the loss—and the gamble had paid off.

However, she couldn't determine whether Ghislain's success was purely due to luck or actual skill.

Predicting the weather and stockpiling food in advance was beyond reason. Likely, he had a different motive for amassing that stockpile.

Still, starting a war during a drought had been a brilliant move. If he'd lost, everything would have crumbled, but he'd quickly seized victory.

'That part at least was skill. I have to admit it.'

Looking at what he'd gained now, it was clear he wasn't an opponent to underestimate.

'The Rune Stones, the iron ore—they will all be mine. They were mine to begin with.'

After securing Rayfold, she would inevitably face Ghislain. To achieve her goals, she needed what he had.

She had to get her hands on them before Harold did to proceed to the next stage.

That's why she'd been closely monitoring Ghislain's movements ever since he'd taken control of Count Cabaldi's territory.

"Still, I have to admit there are things to thank him for."

Though she'd incurred losses because of Ghislain, the benefits she'd gained were substantial.

Thanks to Ghislain severely weakening Harold, Amelia had been handed authority, enabling her to rebel at the timing she desired.

"And it feels great to see Harold suffer, too."

A sinister smile spread across her lips.

After all, they were people she'd have to crush someday. With Ghislain exhausting Harold by clashing with him, it was all going well for Amelia.

'Anyone who gets in the way will simply be crushed by force.'

For that, she first had to take Rayfold's territory. She had prepared extensively for today's coup.

Pushing thoughts of Ghislain and Harold out of her mind, she asked Bernaph.

"What about the other vassals?"

"No issues. We've secured their positions, and their families are also under surveillance."

"Good. Now we just have to wait. Everything is ready?"

Bernaph was the first to bow his head and respond.

"The escort knights and soldiers are all prepared."

Next, a middle-aged man in a gray robe with a cold expression bowed his head.

"All prepared."

This was Caleb, the leader of the Wildcat Smugglers who had once attacked Ghislain.

"We're all set, too!"

A particularly large, rough-looking man shouted with a hearty laugh.

He was Vulcan, a famous bandit who had once terrorized the North and was known as the "Ruthless Slaughterer."

He wielded a massive iron club, which he had a nasty habit of using to beat people to death.

Conrad, the leader of the Actium Merchant Guild, bowed his head next.

"The guild's armed forces are ready."

Several other leaders of various factions also bowed their heads, signaling that their preparations were complete.

They were all people Amelia had recruited and cultivated over the years.

Amelia looked around at them and closed her eyes briefly.

'It's finally starting.'

Since she had set her sights on her goal, she had prepared step by step, taking her time.

She had planned to be even more thorough, but Ghislain's actions had forced her to accelerate the timeline.

Because of his rampage, Harold's plan to unify the North had fallen apart entirely.

'Still, it's not bad.'

A plan is ultimately just a guidepost. Plans must change with changing circumstances.

What mattered was achieving her goal.

Perhaps worried about Amelia as she composed herself, Bernaph spoke cautiously beside her.

"My lady… Once this begins, there's no turning back."

Amelia opened her eyes slowly and responded.

"I know."

She wasn't doing this merely out of ambition or greed. Her closest aides knew the convictions that burned deep within her heart.

"Even after claiming Rayfold, it won't be easy. The lords and nobles of the North won't recognize you as the Countess Rayfold. In the kingdom's long history, this has never happened."

"This sort of thing has happened often enough. It's just that a woman hasn't done it before."

"Yes, and that's precisely why they'll call you a villain, a witch. Your reputation and honor, everything you've built up until now, will all be lost."

"That doesn't matter. Other people's opinions are meaningless."

"But as your infamy grows, the entire world will turn against us. We'll face a lifelong struggle—not just against other lords and nobles but also against the prejudice of the people. This battle… might never end."

"I made peace with that a long time ago."

"If you stop now… You could live the rest of your life comfortably as the noble and graceful daughter of a great lord, receiving praise and living without any worries."

"A life like that holds no meaning. I refuse to live as a bird trapped in a cage."

"If we fail… none of us will meet a gentle death."

"No, we will succeed."

With those words, Amelia closed her eyes again.

Even someone as bold as her couldn't help but feel tense before such a pivotal moment.

She took a moment to calm her mind and reflect on the events that had led her to where she was now.

Everything that had shaped the person she'd become.

― What? Provide more food to the commoners? So the estate can prosper? Hahaha! How brazen for a mere woman. Did you steal lessons in kingship from somewhere?

― Listen carefully. Commoners are like pigs and dogs. Just keep them alive and breathing; that's enough. That's what enriches our family and estate.

― A woman meddling in politics? Ridiculous! Stop acting out and prepare for marriage like the other noblewomen. You're nothing.

Her father's reactions were always the same—utterly disappointing. He lacked even the slightest ability to think about what was truly important for governing people.

It wasn't just her father. The vassals were no different.

― Strengthening alliances between noble families is your role, young lady. Just marry well. Stop reading those useless books.

― The more serfs, the wealthier the estate. That's how it works. What more rights do they need? Even now, we're better off than other northern estates. This is a generous approach.

― We are already a great estate. This proves that the methods we've used thus far aren't wrong. They'll continue to work.

― Young lady, don't voice such thoughts. Don't stir unnecessary trouble. You're just a woman. You're not the heir or anything else.

'You're nothing.'

Why did those words cut so deeply?

Why did everyone say that to her?

Why was it that they all assumed she could do nothing?

― Be loyal to the duchy. Then you'll be made master of Rayfold.

― You'll live your life in luxury, but that's where it ends. Don't make foolish attempts to change the world.

― Remember, Amelia, you're merely the daughter of a noble house. Without us, you're nothing.

Even the duchy that backed her had spoken that way. Thinking about it brought a bitter smile to her lips.

"Nothing…"

"Pardon? What did you say?"

At her sudden words, Bernaph looked at her curiously.

Still with her eyes closed, she shook her head and laughed.

"Nothing."

Yes, those things… truly were nothing.

Creak…

The door to the hall where they were gathered slowly opened, and the head maid who served Amelia entered.

"Y-Young lady…"

She spoke in a trembling voice, feeling as if she could barely breathe under the countless gazes directed at her.

The head maid had encountered numerous nobles and knights throughout her life. But she had never seen people as terrifying as those gathered here today.

Some were clean and refined, others were rough and disheveled, some had menacing appearances, and others exuded a cold aura.

They were a diverse group, but their eyes were all the same.

A shared determination to drench this estate in blood tonight.

The head maid tightly shut her eyes and spoke to Amelia, who sat at the highest seat. Her voice still trembled.

"The banquet… has begun."

At those words, Amelia slowly opened her eyes.

Having fully steeled herself, she let out a chillingly cold voice.

"Dignified honor, undying loyalty, the glory of the family and blood ties—these have all lost their meaning within me. From now on, I will act solely for my cause. Before that, neither rank nor status, neither good nor evil, nor the institutions and traditions that uphold this world, hold any significance."

She paused briefly, taking a breath before surveying everyone in the room as she continued.

"Any being that stands in my way will be crushed, killed, and burned to ashes. Remember this well: from now on, my cause is the sole justice and the goal you must risk your lives to follow."

To fight against absurdity, she had decided to become absurdity itself. She had resolved to turn herself into a monster.

She would trample everything and create the world she desired anew.

Even if it meant burning the entire kingdom to the ground.

Upon hearing Amelia's unwavering resolve, Bernaph knelt on one knee and spoke.

"I will follow you to the end, my lady."

Following his lead, everyone else in the room also knelt on one knee and shouted in unison.

"We will follow you to the end!"

Amelia's eyes gleamed with a fierce determination as she looked at them.

With a voice brimming with conviction, she declared the start of her coup.

"Now, it's time for me to take everything."

***

Meow.

The gray-furred, slender cat, Bastet, walked through the thick darkness toward Count Rayfold's castle.

People in the streets moved away in fear whenever Bastet passed by.

They weren't afraid of the cat itself but of the people following behind it.

One by one, more people joined the procession as Bastet walked.

Some joined from the streets, others emerged from mansions.

Their attire varied. Some wore gray robes, while others were dressed like bandits. There were also knights and soldiers in full armor.

For every person who joined, more torches lit the night.

The small group grew larger and larger until it became a massive force of hundreds.

Leading them from the front was Amelia herself.

As they reached the castle, the cat stopped, brushing its head against its master's leg.

"Halt!"

The guard captain stationed at the castle gate shouted loudly.

Today was a day of great importance. Unauthorized armed forces couldn't be allowed anywhere near the castle.

Yet such a large force had appeared out of nowhere. The guard captain couldn't understand the situation.

'What's going on? How did such a force gather near the castle? What was the security team even doing?'

As the guard captain stared at the figure at the front of the group, he forced himself to stay calm and spoke.

"Young lady, only minimal escort forces are permitted within the castle. Disband your forces immediately and proceed to the banquet."

Amelia did not answer the guard captain's demand. She simply extended her hand forward gracefully and uttered a single word.

"Remove them."

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