Chapter 47

The next morning.

The Duchy of Kuntachi was in an uproar.

Javier and Kuzo had been arrested on charges of rebellion overnight, and it was only natural that the high-ranking officials were greatly shocked.

They had expected a bloody struggle for succession, but who would have thought it would be over by the time they woke up?

The high-ranking officials were divided into two camps.

"Hehehe! Finally, a legitimate successor has been born in our Kuntachi family!"

"Truly fortunate! Hehehe!"

The majority of the high-ranking officials welcomed this news.

After all, there weren't many people who had been happy about Javier and Kuzo becoming the masters of the Kuntachi family.

The problem was with those "few people."

'Shit... This is why you need to choose your sides carefully...'

'Should I run away now?'

'Ah... They were rotten allies.'

Those who had actively supported Javier and Kuzo trembled with fear at the news.

With Javier and Kuzo purged, they couldn't possibly be safe.

Even if not immediately, they would soon face the same fate.

"Hehehe! Good morning!"

"Feeling unwell? Your faces don't look good this morning! Did you have a bad night?"

As a result, those who had supported Javier and Kuzo were subtly mocked during the morning meeting.

"......"

"......"

Given the situation, they were like mute bears, unable to say a word.

With their heads on the line, they couldn't possibly care about the mockery from the opposition.

Moreover, the scene at the morning meeting was too shocking to be shaken by just that.

Waiting for them was not Conrad, the Duke and head of the family.

"Please come in."

Otto sat on the throne, greeting the high-ranking officials.

Conrad was nowhere to be seen.

The meaning was very clear.

Although the formal coronation had not yet taken place, it meant that Conrad had fully recognized Otto as his successor.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have given up the throne.

And in front of Otto lay Javier and Kuzo, tightly bound.

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! (You bastards! If you're going to kill us, do it quickly!)"

"Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! (How much longer do you plan to humiliate us! You damn bastards!)"

Javier and Kuzo cursed, but Otto had gagged them, preventing any proper communication.

Otto had even deprived them of the right to speak, as he didn't want to hear even a single bark.

"I will be conducting this morning meeting in place of my grandfather. Please bear with me."

Otto asked for the officials' understanding and then subtly signaled.

Then, Camille stepped forward and recited the charges against Javier and Kuzo—naturally, exaggerated.

"...Therefore, the criminals Javier and Kuzo will be executed publicly."

After the verdict was pronounced.

"To be honest, I know that some of you here were close to the criminals."

Otto looked directly at those who had colluded with Javier and Kuzo.

Chill!

The people, terrified.

'To die like this...?'

'To die...?'

But the words that came out of Otto's mouth were the opposite of their expectations.

"However, given the circumstances, His Highness the Duke has decided not to punish you for your past wrongdoings. He understands that you were concerned about the Kuntachi family's lineage and has generously forgiven you. We are all members of the Kuntachi family, so let's put the past behind us and focus on restoring the Kuntachi family's former glory. Do you understand?"

"Your grace is boundless!!!"

As soon as Otto finished speaking, the high-ranking officials bowed deeply.

"And the criminals will be executed publicly in front of the people. This morning meeting is now adjourned."

"Your grace is boundless!"

"Oh, by the way."

Otto added.

"Those who wish to show their gratitude... might find me available after lunch if they come looking for me."

At that moment.

Snap!

Camille's face contorted.

'You crazy bastard! How can you openly ask for bribes!!!'

I thought you were doing well...

* * *

"Hehehehe!"

Conrad was greatly satisfied with the results of the morning meeting.

It exceeded his expectations.

Otto had not only set an example by publicly executing Javier and Kuzo but also instilled fear in those who had supported them.

But that was it.

Otto did not execute those who had supported Javier and Kuzo.

Was Otto merciful?

No way!

Otto was merely concerned about the weakening of the Kuntachi family's power and had given them a chance.

With the succession structure now completely tilted, the possibility of those who had supported Javier and Kuzo staging a rebellion was virtually zero, so there was no need to purge them forcefully.

Moreover, by publicly executing Javier and Kuzo on Conrad's behalf, Otto had firmly established his position in the eyes of the high-ranking officials.

He had announced to the world that Otto was the true successor of the Kuntachi family.

"Are you that pleased?"

"Of course! How could it be any better? Hahaha~!!!"

The commander of the guard laughed heartily at Conrad's question.

"By creating this opportunity, didn't he completely win over the nobles and the family's bloodline? His strategy and political skills are truly outstanding!"

"I agree."

"Is that all? He has even obtained the power of the Invincible Emperor, so it's only a matter of time before his military strength catches up! Restoring our family's former glory is also just a matter of time."

"I agree. Congratulations, Your Highness."

"Hehehe~!!!"

Conrad had been completely charmed by Otto in just a little over a week.

Initially, he had been endlessly cold to Otto, but now he had become the most solid grandfather.

* * *

That afternoon.

As soon as lunchtime ended, the high-ranking officials of the Kuntachi family rushed to where Otto was staying.

Now that it was clear Otto would inherit the Kuntachi family, they wanted to get in his good graces early.

- Those who wish to show their gratitude... might find me available after lunch if they come looking for me.

Otto had even openly given them the time to offer bribes.

"This is a gift for the young master."

"Oh, such a precious thing~."

Otto accepted all the bribes they offered.

"...Number 37, where are you? Come here."

"Here I am!"

Camille had even created a number system to manage the queue of high-ranking officials.

'I didn't become a knight to do this...'

I never thought I'd end up helping with bribery...

Regardless.

"A~ I don't really like these things~ I prefer cash~."

"R, really?"

"Seems like your sincerity is lacking?"

"No, no! I'll prepare better and come back!"

Otto was determined to make a big profit, focusing on emptying the pockets of the high-ranking officials who wanted to impress him.

With Conrad's absolute trust and support, he had no qualms about extracting both their loyalty and their wealth.

That evening.

"Wow~ How much is all this worth~?"

Otto was delighted, evaluating the value of the bribes he had received during the day.

Not only that, but in the process of confiscating the property of the publicly executed Javier and Kuzo, Otto had also managed to secure a significant amount of gold coins.

"Are you that pleased?"

"Of course, why wouldn't I be?"

"Of course, but... aren't you being a bit too open about it?"

"I need to be."

Otto frowned, as if confused by the question.

"A lot of money is needed to unify the continent. War is fought with money, right?"

"I agree that war is fought with money, but why do you want to unify the continent? Isn't that madness? Ambition?"

Camille had a point.

Starting a war to unify the continent out of sheer ambition was not something that could be called ambition.

Why?

Because countless people would die due to personal greed.

"Camille."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"What do you think of the world now?"

"I think it's quite peaceful."

"I disagree."

"......?"

"To me, this world looks like... a time bomb. It's about to explode. A great war will break out. The entire continent will be drenched in blood."

"Are you talking about the world war you mentioned before?"

Camille recalled the conversation between Otto and Duke Wazir.

"The world war that will start when the Arad Empire collapses?"

"Yes."

Otto nodded.

"At most, we have three years. We need to build a strong army, stockpile weapons and food. For that, we need money. We also need to form many alliances."

"I don't fully understand, but I get it."

Camille didn't fully understand Otto's words.

However, there was an old military saying, "If you want peace, prepare for war," so he thought it wasn't a bad idea.

"Since you understand, let's go get some equipment."

"What kind of equipment?"

"Since we're in the Kuntachi family."

Otto smiled.

"How many good pieces of equipment do you think there are?"

"Well, that's true, but..."

"Let's take some of the equipment that's rotting in the warehouse."

"But..."

"He'll give it to us if we ask."

Otto had no doubt that Conrad would grant all his requests.

Why?

Because Conrad's affection had already been fully won.

* * *

"Open the family's treasure vault?"

"Yes, Grandfather."

"Hehehe! If my grandson needs it, I can't refuse to open the treasure vault. Take whatever you need."

"Hehehe. Thank you."

As Otto had expected, Conrad readily opened the treasure vault.

In fact, the treasure vault was the Kuntachi family's greatest asset.

It contained all kinds of weapons, armor, and accessories.

Additionally, there were over a hundred skill books containing various magic and sword techniques.

"Are these all artifacts?"

Camille whistled, looking at the items displayed in the treasure vault.

"There are so many?"

"I've never seen so many artifacts displayed in one place."

"You wouldn't have. This is the only place."

Otto, having seen the treasure vault multiple times while playing the game, was not at all surprised by its scale.

"Let's see... let's see..."

Otto immediately moved towards the items he was looking for.

He knew exactly which items and skill books in the vault were valuable and where they were located.

There was no need to browse around.

He just needed to go to the location of the items he wanted and take them.