Chapter 75

"We, R6, have been deceived! Chief Reimsma desired a truce, and in exchange for his life, he signed a ceasefire agreement with the Second and Third Knight Orders! I'll never forget it! The mediator was the First Knight Order! The agreement was indeed signed! So what happened! A few days later, the agreement was ignored, and even the First Knight Order joined in the suppression of us!"

In the square with the fountain at the center of the capital, Bisaid, a survivor of the righteous bandit R6, delivered a passionate speech.

The crowd of over a thousand people gathered around him, most of whom remained silent, listening intently to his words.

"I still remember it vividly. We were gathering the remains of our comrades lost to the intense suppression and holding a funeral. At that place... at that place! They! Trampled the flowers! Kicked the remains! Set fire to our homes! And ambushed us, who were defenseless!"

Bisaid clenched his fists and continued his speech.

Finally, he could speak. He could reveal everything. He could inform the people of their tyranny. The hellish scenes that had tormented him whenever they came to mind would now transform into a powerful weapon in this place. He had to wield this weapon until the battle was over. He was firmly resolved. That's why his words were more genuine than anyone else's.

"I remember the face of the one leading the ambush clearly! It was Klaus Castel! No mistake! It's Klaus! Klaus, the First Knight Order Commander! Klaus, the First Prince! I will never forgive him!"

The crowd suddenly became restless. It was natural. Whether Bisaid's words were true or false, it was a major issue.

Still, Bisaid did not stop his speech. He recounted in detail what had happened that day, that night. How badly they had been treated, how intense their anger was. The people, who listened carefully to his blood-soaked words, which were like a cry from his heart, were fully aware. And among them, suspicion towards the First Prince Klaus grew exponentially.

"Bisaid, that's enough."

"Boss! But—"

"It seems we've reached the time limit."

After a while, Kyubeiro intervened. Although Kyubeiro wanted to let him speak a little longer, the Third Knight Order was approaching to arrest Bisaid for defamation, so he had no choice but to stop.

"Did I get my point across properly?"

While fleeing from the square, Bisaid said this.

His words, as if he had a premonition that "I'm going to die," made Kyubeiro snort.

"Even if this is the only time you give a speech, the wall of their castle has been breached. The people will expand the hole on their own. Second didn't tell you to keep speaking until you're killed."

"That's a relief... Honestly, I was starting to resign myself to the idea that I might not see the revival of R6 with my own eyes."

"Second is considering the revival of R6 and the search for any survivors with even the slightest chance of being alive. If the search becomes difficult, he's not averse to consulting the Strategist."

"...I don't know of any more encouraging words than that."

"Yes, I think so too. Second's chivalry brings tears to my eyes. Lord Winfield will surely solve it with a casual wave of his hand."

"I can't sleep with my head on the pillow thinking about Second and that lady... But, they paint a terrifying picture."

"I agree."

Behind the fleeing two, a dispute broke out between the people and the Third Knight Order.

It could be said that it happened quickly. The people, moved by Bisaid's speech, obstructed the Third Knight Order. "We mustn't let Bisaid be captured," many thought and acted accordingly.

Winfield had anticipated this and instructed Kyubeiro to "draw the Third Knight Order as close as possible." Therefore, the dispute was bound to happen. The more the conflict between the people and the Third Knight Order escalated, the more suspicion towards Klaus and the First Knight Order grew.

Moreover, by failing to capture Bisaid here, the First Prince's camp found it increasingly difficult to act against him. The longer time passed, the more Bisaid's testimony spread, and the more the people's emotions worsened. On the other hand, if they didn't silence Bisaid, the rumors would continue to spread. The only remaining option was assassination, but that would be the worst move, a poisoned bun that must never be touched.

Indeed, by the time the First Prince's camp allowed Bisaid to give his speech, they were already in a losing position.

Just how far in advance did they foresee this situation? Only the Strategist knew.

Reaffirming the obvious, the two of them—Second and Winfield—were absolutely indispensable allies. Kyubeiro felt deep pride in his master and strategist, while Bisaid felt a shiver of awe.

Thus, the political struggle moved from the middle to the final stage—

* * *

"Why! Why am I being criticized so much!!"

Prince Klaus, the First Prince, was throwing a tantrum in his room at the palace.

The Vins newspaper continued to report daily on the suspicions surrounding the suppression of the righteous bandits. Other newspapers were also gathering information and publishing articles that questioned the knight orders' violation of the agreement.

Some articles indirectly criticized the First Prince, while others mentioned official documents or anonymously exposed the truth behind the violation.

On the other hand, the empire's agents were working hard to protect the First Prince and the Chancellor by organizing small-scale demonstrations and publishing articles in newspapers they controlled that defended the First Prince's camp.

Thanks to their efforts, some agitated people began to show up. As a result, the people of the capital were divided into two camps, opposing each other.

What happened then? As long as the conflict continued, the issue would only grow larger. The suspicion of the First Knight Order's deliberate violation of the agreement was replaced by the First Prince vs. Second Prince narrative, and both sides were now in a position where they couldn't back down.

"I only suppressed the anti-government forces! The violation of the agreement is a rumor!"

Klaus couldn't accept it.

The reason was that Klaus himself didn't know about the ceasefire agreement with R6.

He had simply been told by the Chancellor to "suppress the anti-government forces" and went out with high spirits. Now, being criticized so harshly, Klaus was unsure what to believe.

Was it just a rumor causing all this commotion, or had he been deceived by the Chancellor? Klaus couldn't make a judgment.

Currently, there were no voices from the First or Third Knight Orders saying that the agreement had been violated. Of course, Chancellor Bal and Third Knight Order Commander Jarm were keeping them quiet.

However, as a result of the investigation by Second Knight Order Commander Memphis, some voices had emerged from the Second Knight Order. Although it was unclear whether they were true or false and couldn't be used as definitive evidence, the fact that "voices had emerged" made the issue even bigger.

In other words—produce the official documents.

If the official documents mentioned the agreement with R6, Klaus, as the First Knight Order Commander, would likely be held responsible. For a violation that occurred without his knowledge.

"Damn it!"

He couldn't accept it.

This incident would undoubtedly push the throne further away from him.

And it was now clear that his brother, Mein, would take the throne instead of him.

"Klaus! Oh, Klaus! Poor child. You did nothing wrong."

Suddenly, Klaus's biological mother, First Princess White, entered his room.

White, seeing Klaus angrily throwing things around, rushed over and embraced him from behind.

"I'll silence the newspapers that say bad things about you. No matter what anyone says, you must aim for the throne in your own way."

"Mother... If you take such actions now, it will only make things worse."

"I'll silence them even more. We must make it clear who is being defamed!"

"..."

Klaus found White difficult to deal with.

A troublesome woman who had power but no political knowledge... That was his evaluation of his mother.

In his 20 years of life, he had never felt genuine affection from his mother. Every word from White was "flattery." Selfish expectations wrapped in a cloak of love. "Become the next king" was a phrase whispered to him every time they met. "You mustn't lose to that concubine's child" was drilled into him from a young age. As a result, Klaus was obsessed with the throne and viewed Mein as an abnormal enemy.

"I'll go cool my head."

"Alright. Take your time."

Ignoring White, who was urging the maid to bring tea, Klaus left his room and sighed. "Is she planning to stay again?" he muttered, walking slowly down the luxurious corridor to delay his return.

He wandered to the balcony, as if drawn by the autumn breeze.

There, he saw a beautiful woman and her maid.

It was the person he had subconsciously hoped to see, even in the depths of his consciousness, as he walked to the balcony. It was Mein's biological mother, Second Princess Flone.

"Ah, Flone, Second Princess. Enjoying a leisurely tea time here? How elegant."

The aggressive words that came out of his mouth. Flone received them with a gentle smile, as if watching a child in the rebellious phase.

"People need composure the most when they lose it. Klaus, First Prince."

Flone stood up from her chair, pulled out the chair opposite her, and looked at Klaus. Her smile was so much like Mein's that Klaus, feeling uncomfortable, grunted and sat down roughly.

The maid poured tea into the teacup. Klaus didn't touch it and spoke.

"What are you doing? We are enemies. Are you trying to show pity?"

"That's always been the case. You always do this. When something painful happens, you secretly come to me, secretly indulge, and then go back."

"Wh-What..."

Klaus's face suddenly turned red. He had never been aware of it, but it felt like a direct hit when she said it.

"You've been too mean."

Flone laughed mischievously, much like Mein. Klaus, reminded of his detested younger brother, regained his composure.

"Are you satisfied humiliating me in front of the maid? You really are a cowardly and timid mother."

"Children grow more than you expect when you take your eyes off them for a moment. You shouldn't always think of them as weak and timid."

"I know that without you telling me!"

"Indeed. It seems your son has had a good encounter."

"..."

Flone's mention of Mein made Klaus irritable. He couldn't shake the belief that "I am better than him." This was undoubtedly due to the education of First Princess White.

"I hope the same for you. That's what I think."

"Hmph. I am not a weakling who needs to be influenced by others to become strong. I will defeat that foolish brother in my own way and become the next king."

"...There are ways to be rewarded other than becoming king. Not realizing that is your sin."

Klaus, speaking of his dreams, looked pained. Flone, who had seen this expression for years, looked sad and whispered softly.

"What are you saying? Speak so I can hear you."

"Before long, you will be in a difficult situation. There will come a time when you must atone with your own body. But... but, you have a heart that deserves to be saved. Don't worry. Even if everyone else abandons you, I will continue to look at your heart. Don't forget that."

"...So what? Are you telling me to give up the throne?"

Klaus, looking at Flone sharply, asked.

"Consider the Chancellor your enemy. You aim for the throne in your own way, don't you?"

* * *

"It's so effective, it's almost pitiful."

Three days had passed since Bisaid's speech.

The contents of the morning newspapers lined up on the dining table were mostly "First Knight Order bashing." Some newspapers were still publishing articles in defense, but according to the maid who had gone to the capital to investigate, they were being ignored as "traitors' newspapers." Further, the maid reported that the voices of the people in the capital were overwhelmingly "anti-First Prince."

...Just being suspected of setting up a fake ceasefire and ambushing them can cause such a stir. I truly think politics is scary.

"But, you know, when the country's politics are in a deadlock due to such trivial arguments, that's when dangerous things are happening behind the scenes."

Winfield, sitting next to me, muttered. I decided not to point out that it was mostly due to his actions that these trivial arguments had escalated.

"Dangerous things?"

"Invasion, or a third force, maybe."

"I see. It's a chance, isn't it?"

"Exactly."

"Knowing you, you've already made your move, right?"

"Yeah, I have."

Winfield said, "So, you know," and leaned in with a kiss face. If a tall, cool, and laid-back beautiful elf does that, I might actually do it, even as a joke.

Immediately, *whoosh*—I was sent back. It seems I had touched Yuki's sore spot.

"My lord, you have plans with the First Court Magicians and the dungeon today. You don't have time to be idle."

"Oh, right. I'm supposed to leave a bit early. I can't be too relaxed."

Today is the long-awaited day for gaining experience. In Zephyr's style, it's a day for experience training.

No, it's a two-night, three-day trip, so it's not a "day." Experience training "trip"? It feels like a school trip, and I'm excited despite my age.

"Second, you can take it easy. Another cup of tea should be fine. I'll help Eco with the preparations in the meantime."

To ensure the safety of all the members, this time we are taking Sylvia and Eco with us. Even though it's a "C-class dungeon," we won't be complacent. Better to have excess strength; it's better to be prepared.

"Eco, let's get ready. We're done eating."

"Mmm-hmm."

"Hey, take the shell out of your mouth. How many did you put in there? Don't try so hard to eat the scallops."

"Mmm!"

"Not 'mmm'! Eco!"

"Mmm!"

"Hey! Take it out! Take it out!"

"Mmm!"

The battle between Sylvia and Eco lasted three times longer than I expected. In the end, Eco was satisfied by using other shells to scrape out and eat the scallops outside her mouth.

We ended up leaving just in time to avoid being late. As usual.

Thus, I, Sylvia, and Eco joined the First Court Magicians and set off on our experience training trip.

Our destination is the commercial city of Renyado.

The C-class dungeon "Gultham"—

Thank you for reading.