491

Episode 491: For the Royal Family. (4)

Clank, clank, clank.

Tolleo entered, leading his knights, with the sound of clashing armor.

"Your Majesty, I think it's time to move now."

Behind him came Baron Connolly, commander of the Capital Defence Forces.

"Your Majesty, the defense forces are ready."

All the troops in the capital were on the move. The Marquis' vassals who were monitoring the entire capital immediately detected the abnormality.

The Marquis of Branford still remained silent. He seemed to be thinking about something.

Tolleo said urgingly.

"Your Majesty, we are ready to capture the superhuman. The Royal Knight Commander… … will have no choice because of Your Majesty. We must move quickly."

"Yeah, I guess so."

The Marquis of Branford stood up. First, we must subdue the Royal Knights and the castle garrison.

If you don't do that, all the nobles who follow you will die.

Still, the Marquis of Branford could not give the order right away.

- What's the difference between you and that girl!

Those words kept ringing in my ears.

I have worked for the royal family and the kingdom my entire life. I was planning to retire once this war was over.

But how did it come to this?

It's as if he, who had been working under the pretext of protecting the royal family, ended up invading the palace.

He sighed deeply and spoke slowly.

"… … Begin."

Immediately, all the capital's troops were mobilized.

"Hit!"

The defense forces on standby moved at incredible speed and struck the assembled Wangseong defenders.

The royal garrison, which had been preparing to attack the Marquis of Branford, was unable to properly respond to the sudden attack.

They never thought that they would be the first to be ambushed.

"Stop it!"

The Wangseong garrison tried to stop the advancing troops, but it was not enough.

To begin with, the capital defense force and the royal castle defense force had a huge difference in numbers. They were bound to be quickly overpowered.

"Wow!"

The defense forces quickly took over the castle, shouting a war cry. The knights and soldiers of the Marquis entered behind them.

It wasn't just them. Even knights from the nobles who followed the Marquis of Branford's orders gathered one after another.

The Royal Knights and Flaccus, who had just finished preparing to move, were confused.

They were going to attack and capture the Marquis of Branford right away. If they could just take him hostage, the rest of the nobles would be helpless.

But I never thought I would be the first to get caught. I prepared so carefully, but I was caught.

Count Palantz, the commander of the royal knights, drew his sword and shouted.

"What are you doing now! This is treason!"

The answer came from Toleo, who was leading the knights.

"Didn't you try to hit us first?"

"How dare these guys… …have they forgotten who I am?"

grasp!

Count Palantz took a step forward, his momentum radiating from his body.

He is a sword master. He is a being who can kill thousands of soldiers alone.

But Tolleo answered with a smirk.

"I am also a top-class knight. There are more knights than us. I can catch the Count's ankle. But… … I am worried about Your Majesty's safety in the meantime."

"This, this guy… … ."

Count Palantz gritted his teeth. He could not move rashly.

If he fought here, other men would take the king hostage. In the end, he had to protect this place.

The priest of the Salvation Church next door was also a superhuman, but he had used up a considerable amount of strength trying to heal the king.

There were too many troops here for him to deal with alone.

All the high-level knights in the capital have gathered. If they fight, they will fight each other and the king will die.

While I was at a loss as to what to do, King Berhem opened the door and came out.

He shouted, trembling.

"These rascals… … dare to try to kill me, to kill me!"

His screaming face was filled with anger and fear.

Now that he was finally regaining his health, he thought he could finally assume the dignity and power befitting a king.

But who would have thought that those traitors would try to hit me first!

"Bring the Marquis of Branford! Bring that traitor here!"

No one answered and just waited. Even for them, it was burdensome to strike the king first.

The person who is supposed to give that order has not yet arrived.

As everyone was watching Berhem having a seizure, the Marquis of Branford arrived.

"your majesty."

"You! You attacked Jim! What the hell are you doing!"

Marquis Branford, who had been looking at Berhem for a moment, asked in a complicated voice.

"Why did you do that?"

"Are you asking because you don't know? Haven't you always ignored my wishes? Haven't you always acted like you were the king?"

"For the sake of this kingdom and the royal family."

"Shut up! I am the kingdom and I am the royal family! Do you think this kingdom will function properly if you ignore me? Without me, it is meaningless!"

At those words, the Marquis of Branford closed his eyes.

I knew that the king had been twisted and twisted since his youth. It must have been because of his shortcomings and not being able to enjoy what he was supposed to enjoy as a king.

In the end, it was like he was unable to acquire the virtues of a king.

Berhem pointed at the Marquis of Branford, who remained silent.

"You are a traitor! If that was the case, why did you stop the duke's family? You said you were protecting the royal family! If you point a knife at me, how are you any different from the duke's family!"

"… … ."

The Marquis of Branford made no answer.

Although they were after the crown, the Duke of Delphine's men ruled the South well. Before the Crack and the Salvation Church showed up, the South was the best place for people to live.

So, if they were going to attack the king anyway, there was no need to stop the duke.

Unless the Marquis of Branford himself becomes king.

'I have no intention of becoming king.'

The Marquis of Branford could not do that. To strike the crown would be to deny the beliefs he had held all his life.

Then, he who has wielded power in the name of the royal family up until now becomes a hypocrite. Everything he has done up until now becomes meaningless.

But the king joined hands with the Salvation Church. They brought chaos to the continent and took the lives of countless people.

Even if the kingdom does not fall to the Duke's hands, as long as Berhem sits on the throne, the other kingdoms and the four great sects will be after Rutania.

'This country is finished.'

The Marquis of Branford smiled bitterly. He tried to prevent the fall of the royal family, but he could not.

Even this seemed to be due to my own shortcomings.

He had no intention of becoming king or handing over the country to a duke, and there was only one reason he came here.

"your majesty."

"Why? Are you telling me to leave a will? I will haunt you even as a ghost! I will curse your family forever!"

Berhem spat out venomous words, as if he thought it was already over.

But what came out of the Marquis of Branford's mouth was something that surprised everyone.

"I think I will take my leave now."

"What, what?"

Everyone, including Berhem, opened their eyes wide. I thought that one of the two sides had to die to end it, but what does that mean!

The Marquis of Branford continued with a detached smile.

"I just have one request."

"Wh, what is it?"

"I came here for one reason. Please leave today's incident unanswered and forgive all the nobles who followed me. If I step down, they will follow you again, Your Majesty."

"Is that true?"

"Yes. If Your Majesty would announce it here for everyone to hear, I will step down and leave today."

It was for this very reason that the Marquis of Branford pressured the king with force.

If he was captured without being able to do anything, the nobles who followed him would also have to fight the king for their lives.

But if we do this, we can end it peacefully. No one will die right now.

Berhem cast a suspicious look. The army following the Marquis of Branford was too numerous.

What if the Marquis of Branford changed his mind later? There was no way to stop the army if they turned their swords on him.

"Where, where are you going?"

In response to Berhem's question, the Marquis of Branford recalled old memories.

I had asked myself the same question.

I asked a question that was both curious and scary. At that time, she answered like this.

- Well… …anywhere but the royal family would be fine.

The Marquis of Branford chuckled as he remembered that. Had he walked the same path as her?

"Well… …anywhere but the royal family would be fine."

Perhaps the Shadow Knight Commander also always lived with the desire to leave.

Now I think I understand her mind a little.

Berhem, who had been pondering for a moment, spoke with the aforementioned expression.

"Remain in the capital. I will not hold you and the nobles who follow you accountable for your crimes under house arrest."

The Marquis of Branford looked back at Berhem.

It would be a fearful thing, to avoid the king's attention.

I was deprived of my freedom, but it didn't matter. I knew how this would end anyway.

So I nodded.

"I will do so."

"The Marquis of Macquarie, the Lord Chancellor and the Commander-in-Chief, the Earl of Norton, the Lord Chancellor, the Earl of Aylesburgh… … ."

The names of the powerful nobles who followed the Marquis of Branford came out one after another from Berhem's mouth.

"These are the same. Do you understand?"

"Please do so."

"Yeah, yeah. I thought about it well. You showed some loyalty in the end."

Berhem smiled cruelly. He struck down the high-ranking nobles in one fell swoop. He never thought things would be resolved so easily.

Now, only the nobles who follow him will remain. That can be called the true pro-prince faction.

Berhem said, spreading his arms wide.

"I promise! Everyone, disarm and return! As promised to the Marquis of Branford, today's events will be left unanswered!"

All the commanders who had followed the Marquis of Branford looked at him.

"dismissal...."

"That's it. It's over now. I want to rest too."

The Marquis of Branford bowed slightly to Berhem and turned away. His heart was extremely heavy.

'It's really over now.'

The kingdom that I tried to protect at all costs has ended. No, to be precise, the royal family has ended.

It won't be the duke who will bring down the royal family.

It will not be the Salvation Church, nor will it be another kingdom or one of the four major denominations.

'Yes, there is no one better suited to the job than him.'

Giselle Ferdium.

Now the chains that held him back are gone.

So he will end the life of this royal family.

As the Marquis of Branford strode out, the knights and commanders turned and followed him.

Berhem looked at the sight with his teeth gritting.

Everyone still followed the Marquis of Branford. Perhaps the other nobles as well.

But that's okay.

'Once you have all the power, you won't be left alone.'

I couldn't hit them now, because I had declared it with my own mouth.

It was not yet time. We should replace the commanders of each army with new people and take complete power before moving forward.

They're just hanging on for a while. When the time comes, we can kill them with a suitable excuse.

"Phew… … ."

Berhem took a deep breath and spoke to Flaccus with a proud expression.

"How is it? Jim took care of everything."

"You are truly amazing. You are truly the master of this kingdom."

"Thank goodness he's still conscious. So, can you make me a superhuman now?"

"Let me tell you this. First, we need a lot of prisoners. With their life force, we will make Your Majesty's body stronger."

"Yes, yes. That's not difficult. Start tomorrow. If you need anything, just tell me. This kingdom is all mine."

"I understand. And I hope that the negotiations you promised will proceed quickly. With 'that', the Emperor's imperial body can continue to be maintained."

"Don't worry about that either. I will withdraw the troops and change the commander. After that, I will hand over the royal secret."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Placus lowered his head and smiled. Things were going better than expected.

* * *

"It's strange."

Jiselle tilted her head.

Even if the reorganization took time, it was too late. The royal army should have arrived by now, but there was no news.

Some of the Allied forces had already arrived at the agreed upon strongholds. They were just waiting for the operation to begin.

However, since the royal army did not arrive, the northern army was left waiting helplessly.

"It seems like something has happened… … Send a messenger and find out what's going on. Dark, you go with him and tell me right away."

The messengers set out at Giselle's command. After waiting for several days, a messenger from the royal family arrived.

The messenger said something unexpected.

"The Northern Army Commander is now ordered to step down. The Northern Army will disband and return to their respective territories."

"… … ?"

Jiselle tilted her head several times, wondering if she had heard wrong.

"Say it again. What did you say?"

Hearing such absurd things, his words came out a bit harshly. The messenger licked his lips several times out of bad manners before speaking.

"The Northern Army will be disbanded. Commander, you too should return to your territory now."

Jiselle's expression became gloomy.

"Whose orders are these?"

"The Marquis of Branford has made the decision. All the nobles have unanimously agreed."

"why?"

"They say they are negotiating a ceasefire with the Duke."

"Negotiation? You're negotiating?"

"Yes. The people of the kingdom are having a hard time, so there is a deep meaning to stop the war… … ."

Jiselle crossed her arms as she watched the grumbling messenger.

The Marquis of Branford could not have argued so. Even if he had argued so, Maurice would not have agreed.

If we negotiate a ceasefire now, it's obvious that we'll become enemies of the other kingdoms and the four major religions. Are you doing something so stupid?

There was no way they didn't know that he would absolutely not approve.

"Tell me honestly. What happened in the capital?"

"Wh, what are you talking about?"

Jiselle got up from her seat. She felt that she needed to shed some tears before she could speak honestly.

At that time, Dark, who had been following the messengers, spoke in his consciousness.

- Master, the royal army is completely retreating. An order suddenly came down from the capital.

After hearing Dark's words, Giselle looked at the messenger.

The messenger still stood stiffly. It seemed as if he still had not grasped the situation.

"Be honest with me. I'm impatient."

"This is a document stamped with the royal seal! What more do you want me to say?"

The messenger made a show of shouting. Although the Marquis of Branford had been stamping his seal, royal orders still came from the king.

Even after hearing that, I couldn't understand why he acted like that.

I did hear a rumor that he was just leaving.

If it was the Grim Reaper's mistake, it was that he didn't know that Jiselle was more outrageous than he thought.

"Something happened."

Jiselle muttered to herself and then took out an axe from her waist.

Then he hit the shoulder of the messenger who was making a puzzled expression.

Kwajik!

"Kkaaaaaaah!"

"say."

"Ah, ahhh! Th, what is this… … ."

Kwajik!

"Eww!"

This time he hit the other shoulder. The Grim Reaper fell to his knees, bleeding profusely.

"Please, please save me, please save me!"

The messenger pleaded with tears and snot in his eyes. He really didn't know that they would attack him so suddenly.

Jiselle crouched down and looked into the grim reaper's face and asked.

"Tell me what happened. I have a short temper."

"That, that is… … ."

Kwajik!

Once again, the axe struck his wounded shoulder. The Grim Reaper cried out in confusion.

"Aaaah! I'll tell you! I'll tell you! The Marquis of Branford has been overthrown!"

"what?"

"That, that is, His Majesty has regained his health! So now the nobles… … ."

The messenger told him everything that had happened. An unknown wizard had cured the king, and then the king confronted the Marquis of Branford, insisting on negotiating a truce with the dukedom.

The Marquis of Branford could have killed the king, but he abdicated of his own accord, and the other nobles who followed him also abdicated and were placed under house arrest.

In short, it means that now only the king and the nobles who follow the king remain in the capital.

They have called in the royal army and all the commanders will soon be replaced.

Jiselle, who found out all the circumstances, snickered.

"Yeah, that's what happened."

"That, that's right. So, Commander, please quickly follow His Majesty's orders… … ."

Tub.

"Ugh."

Jiselle grabbed the messenger by the neck. It seemed that the king did not know much about her.

If you look at it, it seems like they sent something like this as a royal command.

Jiselle said with a ferocious laugh.

"It seems that it is time for the king to step down."