Chapter 72

When Sven and his group arrived at the mansion, Viscount Ulfart was locked in a staring contest with his desk.

Spread out on the desk, made of fine oak, were letters from the nobles of the capital with whom the viscount had a cooperative relationship.

He had asked them to intercede with the royal palace to forgive his betrayal of the Kingdom of Zain and his defection to the Empire, but their response was far from favorable.

"You damn brat! How dare you put up such a petty front when I’m offering to return to the kingdom’s nobility!"

The viscount’s resentment was directed at the young king, Granado Zain. Granado seemed unwilling to pardon the border nobles who had betrayed the kingdom to the Empire, and he refused to budge even when the viscount’s allies tried to intercede.

The reason was that if the traitors were allowed to return to power, their lives could be used to tarnish the reputation of Raedol, which would ruin the plan. However, the viscount, unaware of this, crumpled the letter from his friend without mercy.

"Who do you think I am! The reason the Kingdom of Zain has survived until today is because my family, the Ulfarts, have guarded the border! That ungrateful fool of a king!"

The viscount spat out misguided words along with his resentment. Indeed, the Ulfart family had worked hard to protect the eastern border, but the current lord, Bobalt Ulfart, had abandoned his most important duty. This was why the viscount was now facing the threat of extinction, but such a simple truth did not register in his mind. The viscount was only concerned with how to have his worth recognized and how to protect his status and wealth.

"In this case... I have no choice but to use the townspeople as a shield and drive back that exiled prince. If I can defeat the man who was once hailed as a hero of the nation, the kingdom will surely beg me to return and cherish my strength!"

The viscount laughed with a twisted mix of delusion and desire, imagining a future where everything went his way.

As he indulged in these convenient fantasies, the sound of a knock on the study door reached his ears.

"Hmm... Who is it? I’m in the middle of work!"

"Excuse me, my lord."

"Oh, it’s Sven! You came just in time!"

The one who entered modestly was Sven Arbeil, a young noble under the protection of the Ulfart family. The viscount welcomed the boy with a smile.

"I’m sorry to disturb you during your work. If you’re busy, I can come back later..."

"No, no, it’s fine. I was just about to take a break."

The viscount smiled and offered Sven a chair.

The viscount’s overly friendly behavior towards Sven was driven by a certain scheme.

(If the peace treaty of this war favors the kingdom and the Arbeil family’s lands are returned, Sven will be the only one to inherit the restored earldom. If I marry my daughter to Sven and support him, the earldom will be under my control...)

"You are my nephew... no, perhaps my future son. You don’t need to be so formal. Feel free to relax."

"Thank you. I am truly grateful for your protection, my lord."

Sven looked at the viscount with genuine gratitude and respect, which satisfied the viscount’s ego. He puffed out his chest, his jowls wobbling, and sniffed proudly.

"Hmm, anytime you need me, just rely on me! By the way... what brings you here today?"

"Ah, actually, I have some people I’d like to introduce to you, my lord."

"Hmm?"

As the viscount tilted his head, the study door opened again, and several men entered the room. The viscount took a step back, then another, as he saw the heavily armed men.

"W-Who are they!?"

"They are the survivors of the Arbeil family. I met them in this town and thought it would be good for them to meet you, my lord."

"O-Oh, I see!"

The viscount cleared his throat to cover his fear and turned to the soldiers with a haughty attitude.

"You served the Arbeil family, did you? It’s a shame about the earl, but from now on, serve Sven as your lord."

"Hai, understood, my lord! We will serve the Arbeil family with all our might!"

"Hmm, hmm."

The viscount stroked his mustache in a grand gesture as the soldier respectfully replied. Sven, still smiling brightly, addressed the viscount.

"By the way, my lord. I came here today to ask you a favor..."

"Hmm, a favor? For a boy like Sven, I’ll do anything!"

(If I do him a favor, it will be to my advantage when I control the Arbeil family later.)

The viscount nodded, his mind full of ulterior motives.

Unaware of the viscount’s thoughts, Sven continued with a childlike, bright smile, but his words were cold.

"Then... I’ll take the Ulfart viscount’s territory, okay?"

"Huh...?"

"It’s a takeover."

At Sven’s words, the soldiers who had entered the study drew their swords simultaneously. With five swords at his throat, Viscount Ulfart’s face contorted in a ridiculous manner.

---

Thank you for your continued support. If you like, please rate this story using the stars below!