[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 118

    King Kaiten was in an unusually good mood as of late.

    Violet had handled things far better than he had expected.

    "So, Violet. The man beside you—would that be Kaylen, the one who has accomplished great feats this time?"

    "Yes. Originally, he was under Sword Master Stein, responsible for managing his drake, but..."

    Violet glanced briefly at Kaylen before continuing.

    "Upon discovering that Stein was gathering documents to slander Your Majesty and engaging in acts of treason, he realized he could no longer stand by his side and defected."

    "Oh? Is that so? Kaylen."

    "Y-yes! Your Majesty!"

    Kaylen snapped to attention as if overwhelmed by the honor of being addressed by the king.

    Seeing this, Kaiten smirked.

    "I’ve heard rumors about you. They say you’re known for your talent, even being called a Sixth-Circle prodigy."

    "I am merely a Fourth-Circle Meister... That title is far too great for me."

    "What was your original relationship with Stein?"

    "Stein approached me—no, he claimed that we were distant relatives and made contact. Through that, we collaborated on magical experiments, and I managed his drakes... But when I discovered he was collecting documents to slander Your Majesty, I finally realized he was a traitor."

    Kaiten examined the documents Violet had handed over, feigning anger as he controlled his expression.

    In truth, he was elated that these troublesome papers had fallen into his hands.

    "To think! How dare he accuse me of cooperating with the Black Skull!"

    The documents contained allegations that he had provided livestock, slaves, and wealth to the Black Skull.

    They also accused him of working with multiple magic towers to supply dungeon cores and mana stones to Cesar, the Black Skull leader,

    and even conducting human experimentation—claims that seemed utterly unfathomable for a reigning king and the leaders of the major magic towers.

    "I don’t know where he obtained these documents, but I determined that Stein’s actions had crossed a dangerous threshold and reported it to the princess."

    "Well done, well done! Once all of this is settled, I shall grant you a great reward."

    Kaiten patted Kaylen’s shoulder approvingly.

    Just this morning, one of these very documents had been pinned to his bedchamber, leaving him terrified that his head might roll at any moment...

    But now, an insider from Stein’s faction had willingly brought the documents forward, putting his mind at ease.

    "However, Father, obtaining these documents does not mean everything is resolved. I witnessed Stein’s strength firsthand at Viltre Fortress, and it was beyond imagination. If he were to storm the castle alone... we currently have no means to stop him."

    "Ahem... I see. Even you, despite possessing an S-rank mana suit, found him impossible to handle?"

    "Yes. I apologize, Father. My strength is still lacking..."

    Violet lowered her head deeply, her expression filled with remorse.

    Seeing her like this, Kaiten felt another wave of frustration rise within him.

    ‘It’s good that we have these documents, but if that lunatic simply charges into the castle, there’s no one who can stop him.’

    A Sword Master appearing after centuries... He truly lived up to the name of a one-man army.

    No matter how strong a human could be, wasn’t this too much?

    To think that the mighty King of Bormia had to worry about someone storming into his chambers!

    As Kaiten rubbed his chest in frustration, Kaylen carefully observed the king’s reaction before slowly speaking.

    "Your Majesty, there is something I must tell you regarding him."

    "Oh? Kaylen, speak."

    "Upon analyzing the documents I obtained from Stein, I discovered that seven major magic towers are involved in this matter."

    "Hm. Is that so?"

    Kaiten, who had only bothered to read the parts of the documents concerning himself, responded indifferently.

    ‘Why is he bringing up the other towers now?’

    "How about requesting their cooperation?"

    "Their cooperation...?"

    "Yes. Just like Your Majesty, they too have likely been framed. But regardless, the very existence of these documents means that Sword Master Stein has marked them as his targets."

    "Hoh... That’s true."

    "If we show them these documents and propose working together to restrain Stein, wouldn’t they be inclined to cooperate?"

    "Oh-ho!"

    Kaiten was impressed.

    Using the documents Stein had stored to request cooperation from the magic towers?

    ‘Those magic tower bastards won’t be able to refuse. After all, these documents are real.’

    Kaiten checked the names of the towers.

    All seven of the most influential towers in the kingdom were implicated in this matter.

    ‘If these key magic towers join forces... even that monster Stein might be eliminated.’

    If that happened, there would be nothing left to worry about.

    Kaiten felt as if a weight had been lifted off his chest.

    "Hahaha! You’re not just talented, you’re sharp-witted too!"

    "Stein plans to participate in the capital’s victory ceremony along with the soldiers of Viltre Fortress. At that time, even he will be caught off guard. If we secure the cooperation of the magic towers, we can eliminate him then."

    "An excellent plan! Good! We will proceed as you suggested!"

    A victory ceremony to honor the soldiers of Viltre Fortress for stopping the monster wave...

    If Stein were to be eliminated there?

    Just imagining it brought Kaiten immense satisfaction.

    ‘It will take about a week for the soldiers to reach the capital... That should be more than enough time to pressure the magic towers!’

    Kaiten, delighted, continuously praised Kaylen.

    "I know my mages are smart, but I’ve never met someone who could clear my worries so thoroughly! Kaylen, how do you understand my heart so well?"

    —Hahaha!

    As Kaiten burst into laughter, Violet watched him with a cold smile.

    ‘You don’t have much time left to enjoy yourself, Father.’

    The ceremony that Kaiten so eagerly anticipated...

    That would be the last day he ever smiled.

    She recalled the conversation from a few days prior.

    "...Please allow me to cooperate in bringing my father down."

    Violet had given this answer to Kaylen, who had been ready to storm the royal palace atop a drake at any moment.

    She then lowered her head and added a final request.

    "But Lord Kaylen, may I offer my opinion?"

    The voice of Kaylen, standing before them, was gentle.

    "You must have been afraid. You must have been terrified.

    It saddens me to see how many could not overcome that fear and chose death instead...

    But now, it is over.

    The demon is gone, and you have survived."

    His warm voice resonated in their ears, and for the weary, shaken soldiers, that alone was enough to bring comfort.

    Many teared up.

    Second Sword—Illusion.

    A unique sword aura that projected an illusion of Kaylen himself, amplifying the emotions people felt toward him.

    It was an ability that excelled in stirring the human heart.

    "But..."

    Humans were not always like this.

    Even those who knew nothing of aura once stood before the Demon King.

    Even women who had never wielded a weapon once blocked the demons’ path to protect their children.

    Just because demons now stood before them—

    Did that mean they should cower and obey?

    His voice was soft, as if he were merely reminiscing about the past.

    And yet, shame crept into the expressions of those who listened.

    Kaylen had not spoken in a tone of reproach.

    But perhaps because of that,

    those who had wet themselves in fear or even considered suicide before the demons now felt a crushing sense of humiliation.

    "But tell me, is the reason so many have submitted to the demons simply because we are weak?"

    From here and there, voices responded—

    "Yes..."

    "No."

    Kaylen immediately denied it.

    "This is not your fault.

    It is because our land has become a colony of the Demon Realm.

    Because our parents have been turned into slaves of the demons.

    You had no choice but to yield."

    His once-gentle voice now carried undeniable force.

    "But tell me—will you continue to live bound by these chains of servitude?

    Will you pass this same fate down to your children?

    Is that what you want?"

    "No!"

    "Never!"

    Those who had first felt comfort, then shame,

    were now rising into a frenzy of passion.

    A surge of energy spread among the masses in an instant.

    Violet watched, feeling a chill run down her spine.

    Kaylen was manipulating the people’s hearts with ease.

    ‘He is swaying them effortlessly. And on top of that, he is using that strange sword technique to persuade even those who might have resisted with mere words...’

    Even those who had collapsed in fear before the giant demon—

    Even those who had been paralyzed and unable to lift a weapon—

    Were now standing, gripping their swords, and roaring in response to Kaylen’s words.

    The atmosphere spread rapidly,

    escalating into near-madness as the speech continued.

    "I, Kaylen Meier, heir of the Hero Ernstine, proclaim this here and now!

    I will overthrow the king who has submitted to the demons—

    And I will liberate humanity!"

    "Liberation!"

    "Liberation!"

    "Liberation!"

    As the cries of liberation echoed from all directions,

    Violet realized that in such a short span of time, Kaylen had completely seized the hearts of the masses.

    ‘I interfered unnecessarily.’

    She had assumed that Kaylen was only thinking of overthrowing the current king by force,

    without much interest in securing a support base.

    That was why she had advised him to at least rally the soldiers of the fortress if he intended to become king...

    But now, she saw that such advice had been unnecessary.

    If he so wished, Kaylen could sway people to his side as easily as breathing.

    ‘He was truly born for this...’

    Watching him sit leisurely upon the Throne of Swords,

    she couldn’t help but think—

    That seat suited him far too well.

    "Violet! Violet! What are you so deep in thought about?"

    King Kaiten’s voice pulled her from her thoughts, and she responded with a bright smile.

    "I was thinking about the victory army from Viltre Fortress."

    "Now that you mention it... Those lot... They wouldn’t just start following Stein just because they fought a battle together, would they?"

    "No, of course not. The victory army follows their king."

    "Hahaha. Indeed, as they should."

    At the mention of loyalty to the king, Kaiten smiled in satisfaction—naturally assuming that "their king" referred to himself.

    "Then hurry and coordinate with the magic towers to finalize the strategy. We don’t have much time before the victory ceremony."

    "Understood, Father."

    Yes, I will prepare the strategy—The one that will utterly destroy you.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]