492

Episode 492 There's Something You Need To Do (1)

"Krrr… … . What are you talking about… … ."

Even as he was gasping for breath, the messenger felt that something was wrong.

I thought it was because I heard that Earl Fenris had a dirty personality. It must be because of his pride in leading the strongest army in the kingdom.

But I didn't know that he would say such harsh words to the king. I thought he was a loyal person, considering how hard he had fought against the dukedom.

I just believed he was a guy who did things a little roughly, but I was seriously mistaken.

Traitor. This man was ready to rebel at any moment.

Jiselle let go of the grim reaper's neck and started to whine.

"Oh, I was a little harsh. That's why I told you to hurry up and say it. I'm impatient. Well, what's wrong with you? I was just relaying the message. Right?"

"Coolook! That's right! I just came to deliver Your Majesty's orders. Please, spare me."

The grim reaper fell to his knees and prayed, fearing Giselle, who was holding an axe.

"Yes, I understand what you mean. The Marquis of Branford and the rest of the nobles are safe?"

"Yes, yes! Right now, only the nobles who were oppressed by the Marquis of Branford are following Your Majesty. Your Majesty is also unable to strike them down due to the burden."

"When do you plan on replacing the commanders of the royal army who are retreating?"

"Since we sent the Royal Knights, the commander must have already been replaced while on the move."

"I see."

Jiselle understood the situation. The Marquis of Branford and those who followed him would be safe for now.

This is because not only the royal army, but also many lords and nobles from various regions follow the Marquis of Branford.

It would probably take several years for Berhem to stabilize the political situation and strengthen his royal authority. Only then would it be possible to kill the Marquis of Branford.

If the king still lives then.

The Marquis of Branford knew that too, so he would have backed down easily.

Jiselle looked at the messenger with cold eyes and said.

"I have more questions."

"Just say whatever you want."

The messenger answered without a moment's hesitation. He was a quick learner, even though he didn't realize it himself. Jiselle asked with a satisfied expression.

"Is that wizard who cured the king a priest of the Salvation Church?"

"There are rumors like that. But no one knows the identity. But who else would have such power if not a priest of the Salvation Church? And why would Your Majesty suddenly want to negotiate with the Duke?"

"Yeah, that's right."

Jiselle nodded. A high-ranking priest of the Salvation Church would be able to perform such sorcery.

The same goes for the magic circle of the crack, the paladin, and even Melkir whose mana core was broken.

They had a knack for doing strange things using human life as a sacrifice.

It was clear that the king had joined hands with them in order to survive somehow.

And the reason they responded was… … .

'Is it simply because the current situation is unfavorable for them?'

Defeat the Marquis of Branford and attack the Northern Army with the Royal Army. It was a pretty plausible scenario.

But that wasn't enough. There was still something suspicious.

'They were the ones who persistently targeted the royal family. But instead of killing the king, they treated him?'

Jiselle pressed her fingers against her temples and frowned. There must be another reason.

They knew that their goal was not to occupy territory, but the capital and the royal family.

But it didn't seem to be the king's life. If the target was the king's life, he would have killed them as soon as they approached.

If so, there is only one assumption left.

'There's something to be gained from the royal family.'

Whether it's the king or the royal family, the dukes and the Salvationists have something they want.

The fact that the King and the Duke join forces to strike him is only an additional element.

Jiselle put the hatchet to the grim reaper's neck and said.

"Let me ask you one more thing."

The Grim Reaper replied in shock as the axe touched his neck.

"Yes, yes. Ask me anything."

"I already said that there was a rumor that the wizard was a priest of the Salvation Church. Even if it was just a rumor, it means that the royal family joined hands with the Salvation Church. Isn't that right?"

"Yes, that's right. In fact, that's why the people in the capital are very anxious."

"Will the bishops of the church remain silent? They will oppose the ceasefire negotiations."

"Everyone is just watching. No, to be honest, it seems like they're preparing to run away."

Jiselle snickered. She understood the bishops' feelings. It was obvious that they were too scared to openly oppose.

If that wizard is really a priest of the Salvation Church, then it wouldn't be strange if the priests of the four major religions died at any time.

It was also true that since there had been a change of power, it was impossible to openly oppose the ceasefire negotiations. The king had already brought up the people's suffering as an excuse.

Jiselle asked the most important and curious question.

"What did the king intend to reward him with, whether he was a Salvation Church priest or something?"

"As I just told you, we are stopping the war. Weren't the Duke's army completely defeated?"

"Was there anything else to talk about?"

"Yes? There were no other conditions."

"No, there will be. Think of anything, even a rumor."

At those words, the Grim Reaper rolled his eyes as if he was thinking about something. As the cold axe pressed hard against his neck, the Grim Reaper spoke hurriedly.

"Now, wait a minute! Bird, I'm thinking!"

"Okay, tell me whatever comes to mind. If you don't want to die."

At Jiselle's cool words, the messenger started talking about whatever came to mind.

"Well, I'm not sure, but there's something His Majesty said to the magician while drunk at the banquet. It quickly spread among the nobles."

Jiselle's eyes lit up.

"Yeah, what is that?"

"I want to have 'it' quickly."

"What is that?"

"No, I don't know. They just said that and laughed it off. The nobles must have thought they were receiving some kind of gift and let it go. That's all. I haven't heard anything else."

Jiselle thought for a moment and then smiled faintly.

'I see.'

The King and the Salvation Church agreed to exchange something with each other. That must be the real condition of this negotiation.

Now we just need to figure out what it is.

"Gisselle said, putting away her axe.

"I will spare your life, so now tell him what I say."

"Yes, yes! Just say anything."

"The Northern Army will not be disbanded."

"yes!"

"And I will continue to serve as commander of the Northern Army."

"yes yes!"

The messenger nodded vigorously.

It was obvious that the king would be furious if I told him, but I couldn't help it. If I argued here, I would die.

"And tell them that I have no intention of negotiating a ceasefire with the Duke."

"Oh, I understand. I'll definitely tell you."

"Okay, go ahead. I'll give you some treatment before you go."

At Giselle's gesture, Piote ran to treat the grim reaper. As soon as his shoulder was healed, the grim reaper ran away from the northern army camp.

After the messenger left, Giselle sat down and became lost in thought.

His close associates also all had dark expressions. This was because internal strife had broken out before an important battle.

If we were not careful, we would have to fight the reorganized royal army. No, since Jiselle refused to disband the northern army, it was certain that we would have to fight the royal army as well.

Giselle's political base is the Marquis of Branford. With his full support, he was able to suppress the discontent of the nobles and proceed with his work.

But now that the Marquis of Branford had fallen from power, that was no longer possible. However… … .

Claude said, after thinking about it for a while.

"How… … are you going to go to the capital to rescue them?"

Jiselle, who had been thinking for a moment, shook her head.

"No, I don't think that's necessary."

"Why?"

"One traitor is enough. There's no need to do it all together. And when are we going to rescue all those nobles?"

Jiselle laughed. Even if she went to rescue him, the Marquis of Branford would surely refuse.

He abdicated of his own accord even though he could have killed the king, so there was no need to complicate matters by trying to rescue him.

"Because all you have to do is hit the king's head."

Why bother when you can just occupy the capital? If you get involved in anything further, they could end up being taken hostage.

The expressions of the others darkened at the words that Jiselle blurted out.

Looking at the situation, it seemed like it was a foregone conclusion that I would become a real traitor.

Giselle planted a flag on a part of the map. It was the capital, Cardenia.

"We are taking the capital. The crown that the Marquis of Branford sought to protect is now finished."

"… … ."

Everyone nodded with a stern expression. After all, the king who joined hands with the duke would not leave them alone.

The moment has come when we must truly overthrow our country. I never thought this day would come.

Jiselle continued speaking with a snicker.

"You can hit me right now… … but let's wait a moment and then hit me."

Claude tilted his head.

"If you're going to attack, now is the time. The royal army is retreating and they probably haven't fully grasped the situation yet."

"I know, but if you're going to do it, you have to do it properly. After all, a king is a king in name only. Now that the Marquis of Branford has retired, this kingdom needs a new center of gravity."

If the crown falls, the Marquis of Branford will never appear in politics again. He can no longer serve as a focal point.

And Giselle had to know what the King and the Salvation Church wanted from each other. Only then could she get to the truth of this war.

Now was the time. You could take over the capital whenever you wanted.

Claude understood right away.

"I see. I understand what you mean. We need a new focal point to lead the kingdom. It may not matter to us, but it will not be to the people and other nobles."

The others knew what it meant. Kaor and Alfoy didn't understand, but nodded anyway.

No one really cared whether the royal army was reorganizing or not, because they were confident in the fighting power of the northern army.

Jiselle quickly gave the order.

"Tell the Allied Forces quickly that the King has joined hands with the Salvation Church. Tell them to move their troops to the western and northern borders and maintain a defensive posture. Tell them to listen only to me from now on."

"All right."

It wasn't hard to bring in the Allied Forces. They had come here to fight the Salvation Church in the first place. And it was Jisel who conducted the negotiations.

Now that the Marquis of Branford has been deposed, they will be more willing to cooperate with Giselle's demands.

"Tell Lowell to deploy spies in earnest in the capital. From now on, we will monitor his every move."

"All right."

After joining hands with the Marquis of Branford, they only sent personnel to the capital to gather rumors.

The Marquis of Branford was no different. He sent informants to the Fenris domain, but only to a moderate extent.

Because since we were working together on important matters, there was no need to create embarrassing situations for each other.

But not anymore. Numerous spies will be gathering information about Giselle from all directions. Giselle's spies will also be active.

Jiselle continued speaking, looking around at everyone.

"I'll sneak into the capital alone soon. There's something I need to check."

"Are you trying to occupy it by yourself?"

Claude asked with a bewildered expression.

The capital was now nothing but a den of demons. If the infiltration was discovered, all the capital's forces would be targeting Giselle.

No matter how strong Jiselle was, it was impossible for her to fight alone.

Belinda and others tried to stop him, but Giselle spoke faster.

"I'm not saying I'm going right now. I'll explain the details before I go, so let's talk about it then. Right now, there are other things more urgent."

Everyone looked worried at Jiselle's words. I don't know what she's going to do, but it's definitely not something ordinary.

"For now, let's go back to the North. Things will get busier from now on, so we need to prepare quickly."

The Northern Army immediately packed up and moved. Now that the royal family had turned against the enemy, their current position was not good as they could be surrounded from both sides.

The political situation became uncontrollably chaotic. It was because the Marquis of Branford had stepped down.

But Jiselle could vaguely guess why he had withdrawn of his own accord.

'The king made a stupid decision.'

He fiddled with his scabbard and made a murderous expression.

Many nobles, including the Marquis of Branford and Maurice, supported him, so he was able to grow faster than planned.

Now, they had the power to overthrow the kingdom at any time. Even so, the only reason they kept to the bare minimum was because of their relationship with them.

In a way, the Marquis of Branford was like the chains that held Giselle back.

But now even that is gone.

'I can't let you live since I've joined hands with the Duke.'

It was unfortunate for the Marquis of Branford, but the crown was now finished. He had no intention of lenient treatment, no matter what the reason, since they were his enemies.

'There is no difference.'

In my previous life, I fought an entire kingdom alone.

Since it was early, I couldn't say that the power here was stronger than it was back then, but the Duke had also become weaker as he fought against himself. It was a fight worth trying.

He had no intention of backing down now. He planned to wipe out even the royal army that had fought alongside him if they stood in his way.

'Let's go all the way. Until one of us dies.'

Jiselle raised one corner of her mouth.

Now I can just destroy those who bother me without a second thought. I feel relieved for some reason.

* * *

The Northern Army moved quickly and took up positions at the forward fortifications of Fenris.

Jiselle headed straight to Perdium with only a few people. She had something important to say to her father.

As soon as Zwalter heard the news of Giselle's arrival, he called all his retainers together. He also knew that the current political situation was not normal.

"I heard the news a while ago. What's going on now? Are you here because the Northern Army has retreated?"

Zwalter asked questions hastily.

All of the high-ranking nobles who had been waging the war were ousted from power, and a new power structure was formed centered around the king.

Zwalter couldn't help but be worried about his son who was with the Marquis of Branford.

Jiselle continued after briefly explaining what had happened.

"We cannot disband the Northern Army. Whether we disband it or not, the King will not leave us alone once he joins hands with the Duke."

"How did things turn out like this?"

"Because the Northern Army is their biggest threat."

"… … All the hard work we've put in so far has gone down the drain. We're in a situation where we're turning into traitors."

Zwalter sat on his chair and muttered in a weak voice. Ferdium's vassals also looked worried.

He was hopeful and had won the war, but now he was in a position to become a traitor to his kingdom.

When no one said anything, Jiselle looked around at everyone and spoke with sharp eyes.

"No, it's not that I've lost my mind. Thanks to this, the Northern Army has become the strongest force in the kingdom. If Ferdium joins us, it'll be even stronger."

"… … ."

"The fight became inevitable."

"… … ."

"If we have to fight anyway, it's better to win unconditionally. So there's something that Father must do."

"Okay… what should I do for you?"

Giselle slowly opened her mouth at Zwalter's voice, which sounded like resignation.

"Father… … ."

His voice resonated strongly around him.

"You must become the new king of this country."

Everyone in Daejeon was shocked and their mouths opened wide at Jiselle's shocking remark.