High Council of Nobles.

A place where nobles of sufficient standing in the empire gather to discuss important matters of the state.

In the past, the nobles gathered to consolidate their opinions before the war between the empire and other countries began, and recently, they had also gathered to subdue the beasts of the west.

Chartia, dressed in her formal attire, asked the maid who was fixing her hair. Where the troublemakers of the empire were.

"Has my brother arrived?"

"The first prince is on his way from the west with Marquis Wolfgang, and the second prince is said to be receiving guests in the reception room."

"My second brother... is receiving guests?"

"Yes."

"What is he plotting..."

The atmosphere in the empire was not ordinary right now.

The war of nerves between the siblings, who were revealing their greed for the emperor's position, had begun, and talk about the influence of the west was also starting to emerge.

"Haa..."

The subjugation of the beasts was a great benefit to the country, but there were so many things that had happened as a result of the subjugation.

The dispute between the nobles of the west had intensified as Wolfgang, who held the real power in the west, became entangled with slave traders.

'Why did that fool join hands with Wolfgang....'

In the meantime, the conflict began to intensify as Duke Velian, who had participated in the subjugation of the beasts, gained power.

The news of the reward that had to be paid due to the frozen canal was unclear, and Wolfgang's leisurely movements, as if time would solve everything, honestly should have been discussed at this meeting....

'Why did the matter of the heretics have to break out at this time...'

At the troublesome situation, Chartia let out a long sigh and watched the carriages entering the imperial castle through the window.

Wolfgang's carriage, painted with gold, as if to show that he was still in good health.

The Lumiera ducal family, which protects the sun of the east, which gives off a warm color.

Even the blood-stained carriage of the Ardela ducal family, which protects the forest of death in the north, as the high nobles gathered, Chartia's tension began to double.

And finally, that carriage.

-Grip.

Seeing the carriage made of ebony, which seemed to be even bigger than the imperial carriage, entering the imperial castle, Chartia clenched her two fists and bit her lip.

"Desmunt."

Now that the worst ducal family had wings, she didn't know what would happen.

*

-The High Council of Nobles will now begin.

As the chancellor's voice echoed in the meeting hall, the nobles began to move in accordance with the heavy atmosphere.

-We ask for your understanding that this meeting was convened on short notice.

Different emotions were written on the faces of the gathered nobles.

"It's the end of the world, the end of the world...."

While there were those who showed a pessimistic attitude towards the chaotic situation in the empire.

"Hahaha! Duke Velian, congratulations! You have finally subjugated the beasts of the west!"

There were also those who were flattering.

It's not that they were bad.

A pessimistic attitude.

Seizing the opportunity to make a connection was their freedom and their business.

Of course.

-Damn it... what do I do if those guys come back.

There were also those who were biting their nails and feeling anxious because of this incident.

The chancellor, who was conducting the ceremony, nodded at the servant's signal and made everyone shut up.

-Everyone, please be solemn.

Because the king of the empire was entering.

[The Sun of Leogard, His Majesty the Emperor Leogard is entering the meeting hall!!]

"...Raise your heads."

With the emperor's heavy voice, the nobles raised their heads and saw the face of the king who had gathered them here.

His white hair and the white beard that covered his chin were the same, but the dark shadows under his eyes seemed to represent the unusual situation of the empire right now.

As always, the sword of the empire was on his right, and the crown prince was guarding his left side.

Chartia clicked her tongue as she saw the crown prince with a dark expression. Thinking that the division in the west was getting worse because of you, who had joined hands with Wolfgang.

"Tsk."

Chartia knew.

"..."

That Taeoh, who was standing next to the emperor, would not step up on the issue that had occurred in the prison.

There was no benefit to be gained from catching the escaped prisoners, and it would be more beneficial for him to focus on the affairs of the west in that time, so she had guessed that he would not actively participate.

Of course, if it were her, she would act differently to gain the favor of the people.

The moment Chartia was rolling the situation in her head, the emperor's dark voice broke the silence and began to be heard.

"You must have all heard the rumors."

The rumor that the prison, which boasted the best security in the empire, had been broken by the forces of the heretics without any resistance.

"The Black Sanctuary has been breached."

"..."

"The place where the worst criminals in the empire are imprisoned was breached by a group of fanatics three days ago."

"..."

"The enormous taxes invested in the prison and the personnel deployed were shattered in a single day."

"..."

"Do you know what this means?"

The emperor looked at the crown prince sitting next to him and said.

"..."

Coldly, erasing the image of the father who was usually gentle to the crown prince.

"That's..."

Taeoh, who heard the emperor's question, couldn't hide his surprised expression and began to speak incoherently. Because he had never expected his father to ask him a question in a formal setting.

"The escaped prisoners are a big problem for the empire, as they can cause secondary damage. And... the criminals who were imprisoned in the Black Sanctuary have committed serious crimes, so..."

"...Is that all."

"...Pardon?"

The emperor, who had been listening to the crown prince with his mouth closed, looked Taeoh straight in the eye and said.

"I asked if that was all."

"...Yes. That's right."

"..."

The emperor let out a long sigh and continued to speak.

"This incident is openly showing the empire's weaknesses to other countries."

"..."

"The Leogard Empire, which has the strongest power on the continent, has been brought down by a single group of fanatics."

"..."

"Crown Prince."

"Yes, Father."

"Get a grip."

Because they were talking in a low voice, the other nobles couldn't hear the conversation between the emperor and the crown prince, but Chartia could tell.

'Father... is starting to distrust Taeoh....'

That her father's belief in the principle of primogeniture was breaking.

With Chartia's thrill, the emperor, who had let out a long sigh, began to ask questions as he limped down to the man standing below the platform.

"I'm sorry to call you out with your sick body. Warden."

"Not at all, Your Majesty."

"..."

"It is I who is truly sorry for not fulfilling my duty to the end."

"..."

The emperor, who had called the warden who managed the Black Sanctuary to the seat, began to speak with a heavy expression.

"I will ask you a few things."

"Yes."

"When the attack of the fanatics occurred, where were you?"

"I was in my office."

"Alcohol."

"I drank a little before going to bed...."

"...Is that so."

At the emperor's sharp question, the warden lowered his head. He had a lot to say, but anything he said would be just an excuse.

"I'm sorry for asking what has already been investigated."

"Not at all."

The warden just lowered his head to save his own life.

The emperor looked down at the warden coldly and interrogated him again. Now that he was in front of many nobles, he had to show that he was asking and interrogating them for sure.

"Are you a heretic?"

"No...! How can I be a heretic...!"

"Yes, if you weren't, you wouldn't have fought to the point of losing a hand."

"..."

"Many soldiers died."

"..."

"Many people were injured."

"..."

"I am not taking your sacrifice lightly, but I said this because I want you to know your negligence."

As the emperor's pressure on the warden was about to end, the second prince, who had been listening with his arms crossed, quietly raised his hand and said.

"I think his sin should be punished by death, Father."

"...What did you just say, Second Prince."

"I said that he should be executed."

"..."

"It is true that the warden's sacrifice of losing an arm was for the empire. However, because of that, many casualties occurred, and he failed to complete his duties...."

"Second Prince."

"I think that punishing him with death is the right thing to do for his honor."

'That fool...'

Chartia gritted her teeth as she saw the second prince who couldn't understand her father's intentions. Because her father had said that to let everyone know about the warden's hardship, instead of scolding them all.

Acknowledge the mistake and reward.

This was her father's thought.

'A fool with nothing but shit in his head...!'

As the second prince's words continued without stopping, Chartia raised her hand and said.

"It was going to happen anyway."

"...Chartia."

"Even if we had known about the invasion, there was no way to stop them. Of course, he should be held responsible for what happened, but I don't think it should be execution."

"Are you defending him now?"

"No. I am just saying that it would be good to highly praise his sacrifice."

"…"

Chartia looked straight into the second prince's frowning face and showed her hostility.

'Think before you act.'

The second prince, who had been listening, became angry that his opinion had been ignored and said.

"Then you do it."

"..."

"You're not even a star."

-Bang!

The emperor frowned and settled the commotion.

"That's enough."

"..."

"This is not a place for you to fight."

"...I'm sorry."

The emperor shook his head and said.

"I heard that 40% of the escaped prisoners died in Hamel."

"..."

"It seems that a great deal was done in the Desmunt territory."

Darvav, who heard the story, shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.

"We have done nothing, Your Majesty."

"..."

"It's just that they were unlucky enough to go up to the Hamel Mountains, where monsters live, and died suddenly. I don't think Desmunt has done anything."

"...I see."

The emperor said.

"Is there anyone who will help with this matter."

"..."

"Wolfgang."

Wolfgang lowered his head and gave a negative answer.

"I cannot leave my territory right now."

Wolfgang, who could not move easily even to keep the growing Velian in check, refused the emperor's offer.

It was a good opportunity to restore his lost trust, but Wolfgang had chosen profit over trust to keep the Velian family in check.

"The Velian family."

"The Velian family will catch the criminals who cross over to the west."

The noble who did not want to get involved in a dangerous matter shook his head at the emperor's request and gave a negative answer. Because the escaped prisoners were not ordinary criminals.

As expected, the emperor's gaze had no choice but to turn to Desmunt. Even though many of the escaped prisoners held a grudge against the nobles, they had none against Desmunt.

A powerful private army and the wealth to maintain it. And Desmunt, which completely annihilated the family's enemies, was a family that could not be turned into an enemy even if they were hated.

"Then can I ask you again this time?"

Darvav smiled and said.

"Why should I do it?"

"..."

"Desmunt has no connection to this matter."

"..."

"I think once is enough for this kind of thing, Your Majesty."

It was the return of the king.

Darvav, looking at the emperor, maintained a calm expression and held his tongue.

'There is no reward, Your Majesty.'

This was not the Desmunt of old.

Now, Desmunt was not a family branded as traitors by the public after using black magic, but a normal family that had been reinstated through legitimate means.

Now that they had recovered the capital and public trust that had been chipped away by Olivia's incident, there was no need to acquiesce to the emperor's words as they had in the past.

The emperor must know this fact as well.

Darvav felt a little angry at the emperor's brazen request.

"...Is that so."

"My body has weakened after the subjugation of the ferocious beast."

"..."

"From protecting His Highness the Crown Prince."

"..."

"And from accepting Wolfgang's unreasonable demand to subjugate the ferocious beast and the pirates together."

"..."

"I believe the physical strain was severe."

Darvav, speaking to the emperor, gripped his neck as if his shoulders were stiff and frowned.

"My heart for the empire remains unchanged, Your Majesty."

"I am not questioning your loyalty."

"No, Your Majesty. Please forgive my inadequacy."

Darvav was honestly not pleased with the emperor's behavior of asking for favors now.

The fact that they had captured 40% of the escaped criminals was a huge benefit to the empire, but he did not like that they were asking for something even bigger.

This is a ridiculous situation.

'Really.'

This situation where the emperor is asking a noble for a favor.

He had expected it for a long time.

That a power imbalance would come.

Because if the lion who was the scapegoat for everyone and reigned over the nobles disappeared, there would inevitably be a hyena trying to take its place.

Of course, the emperor was doing well.

If I were the emperor, I would have suppressed the eyesore Desmunt when the opportunity came.

The emperor had been doing well so far, but.

-Ha? You protected me...?

The problem arose when he gave power to the foolish crown prince who could not grasp the flow of the situation.

If he had concentrated the dispersed power in the imperial authority, things would not have come to this.

But parental love is something that even power cannot control.

The emperor, who had been coldly rejected by Darvav, squeezed his eyes shut and opened his mouth to the nobles.

"...This is an important matter."

"..."

"The eyes of other countries are on the empire."

"..."

"I want everyone to know that if we do not quickly rectify this, a war could break out like 20 years ago."

The emperor, who had been speaking, squeezed his eyes shut and then closed his mouth. There was much he wanted to say, but he felt he could not easily speak due to the negative reactions of the nobles.

Wolfgang. Morrelian. Winchester. Dagoth. He was afraid of the backlash that would come when the crown prince wore the crown if he treated those who the crown prince had taken as his side carelessly.

He wanted to discuss this throbbing issue with the crown prince, but the immature crown prince did not seem ready to set foot in politics yet.

The emperor let out a long sigh and said lowly.

"Chancellor."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

"Let's take a short break."

As soon as the emperor's words fell, the chancellor's loud voice echoed through the meeting hall once again.

-We will now take a short recess.

*

After the emperor left.

The nobles were talking, each finding their own faction.

The meeting hall was filled with the sound of nobles asking for a hand from Velian, who was expanding his power after subjugating the ferocious beast, and nobles who had joined the crown prince's faction talking.

The 1st Prince's faction.

The 2nd Prince's faction.

The 3rd Princess's faction.

Darvav, who belonged to none of them, let out a low sigh and began to approach someone.

"This is bothering me."

Because there was an insolent noble who had been on his mind since the beginning of the meeting.

"...His Majesty has entrusted us with a difficult task. Even managing my own territory is overwhelming. Haha!"

"Indeed! He could just dispatch the national army to catch the escapees, but he has to call us from so far away for such a matter."

"And are the escapees ordinary people! We don't know what will happen if we get involved, haha!! We will act according to His Majesty the Emperor's will..."

Darvav, who had stopped in front of the loudly talking people, opened his mouth with a low voice.

"Marquis Wolfgang."

The name of the noble who had come in a gilded carriage, despite having bought his title with money.

Wolfgang, whose eyes widened at Darvav's call, put down the wine glass in his hand and turned his head.

"..."

Because he didn't know why he was being called.

"Are you calling me, Duke Desmunt?"

Wolfgang, who had no connection or relation to him and could not understand why he was being called, was glaring at the Duke of Desmunt, who was standing still.

"..."

Even if he was a person he did not want to associate with, the current Desmunt had a power that could not be looked down upon.

If it were the Desmunt before the subjugation of the ferocious beast, it would have been fine to treat him lightly, but Wolfgang, who was afraid of the Desmunt who had seized power, stopped his conversation with the nobles and took a step closer to Darvav, bowing his head.

"I am honored to meet the black pillar of the empire, Desmunt..."

"You."

"..."

"Do you have a head?"

Darvav ignored Wolfgang's bow and continued.

"It seems you have no thoughts."

"..."

"No, are you doing this because you have the crown prince on your back?"

"I can overlook the insult to me, but I cannot lightly overlook the insult to the small sun of the empire."

Darvav burst out laughing at Wolfgang's resolute attitude and said.

"You can't lightly overlook it... then can I take that as you intending to harm me?"

"..."

Darvav felt a sense of satisfaction at Wolfgang's living eyes, which were looking straight at him, and continued.

Because Desmunt had a blood that loved provocation.

"...I could report you for insulting the imperial family, Duke."

"No... would that be the right way? If so, I wouldn't be able to receive a proper punishment."

"..."

"Insulting the royal family is something I've been doing for a long time."

"..."

"In the past, the first emperor and the first head of the Desmunt family made a pact, hoping that their strong friendship would be passed down to future generations. Do you think you can punish me?"

"..."

"If you're going to show your loyalty to your lord in such a lukewarm way, will your feelings be conveyed, Marquis?"

"...Duke, you are crossing the line."

"Marquis, shall I cross it one more time?"

"..."

Darvav praised Wolfgang's loyalty and said. With the meaning that his loyalty would only shine if he did this much.

"Let's have a domain war."

"What did you just say...? A domain war... that's."

"The first head of the Desmunt family also created the current territory through a domain war, so I think it's not a bad idea to create a decent territory in the west on this occasion. What is your opinion, Marquis?"

"...Duke!!"

"It's not a bad proposal. If you win, you can make not only Desmunt's mansion but also the southern region yours."

Wolfgang, who felt threatened by Darvav's unyielding behavior, bowed his head and uttered words that broke his pride.

'He's serious...'

This man did not utter the words 'domain war' as a lie.

"I apologize. I misspoke."

"I think it would be more beneficial not to speak if you're going to apologize."

"..."

"Perhaps because you bought your title with money, you have no manners."

-Grit.

"Don't grind your teeth, Marquis. It's noisy."

Darvav waved his hand and dismissed Wolfgang's anger. He thought he had scolded him enough.

Darvav was angry.

No matter how leniently the emperor treated him, it was the duty of a subordinate and a noble to see through it and guess his thoughts.

Of course, it was not something Desmunt, who evaded taxes and rebelled against the emperor, should say, but it was also unpleasant for Darvav if every Tom, Dick, and Harry defied the emperor.

Even if he looked down on the emperor, it didn't mean they were on the same level.

"Wolfgang, do you find His Majesty the Emperor's orders to be trivial?"

"..."

"His Majesty the Emperor told you, Marquis. To catch the escaped criminals."

Wolfgang, who heard Darvav's words, shook his head and answered. Of course, with his fists clenched with hostility towards Darvav.

"Trivial? His Majesty the Emperor did not give us an order... but a proposal."

"Are you a member of the royal family?"

"..."

"Are you a duke of the empire with the immense duty of protecting the Lumiera Duchy or the northern forest of death?"

"...I am in the west."

"The west is the territory of Duke Velian. What gives you the right to say this and that about the west?"

"..."

"The responsibility for the frozen canal. The evidence related to the slave traders. Is the reason you ignored all those questions and also His Majesty the Emperor's order just because you don't want to take responsibility for the duties of a noble?"

"..."

Darvav asked in a cold voice.

"Looking at you, it seems you think of the emperor as someone below you."

"...N..no."

"If you had met the young emperor, you would have been dead."

"..."

"I hope you know that the emperor is being very patient right now, Marquis."

Darvav whispered in a small voice to Wolfgang, who was clutching his wine glass.

"Are you angry?"

"..."

"If you're angry, you should have succeeded in your great cause in the west."

"...!!"

"Why are you so surprised, Marquis?"

"..."

"You're next."

Darvav, who had let out a sneer, looked at the other nobles and said in a loud voice. That he was the only one who could treat the emperor carelessly.

"Behave yourselves."

"..."

"Right now, you are the vassals and nobles of this country."

"..."

"Act accordingly."

Darvav smiled and finished his story, thinking.

'I can pay a little less tax this year.'

The most wicked person in this place was Darvav.

*

"This is troublesome."

Another quiet day in the back mountain of Hamel.

I, who was collecting valuables from the corpses of the criminals who had been attacked by looters, looked at the woman with a serious expression in front of me and said.

"It's troublesome if you come to me just because you like me."

I don't want to show this side of me.

"Your Highness."

I was embarrassed to be caught looting.