Chapter 46

It has been a month since the second prince, Linvult, was brutally murdered. They say that people's gossip lasts for seventy-five days, but even a major incident like the murder of a prince would fade from people's conversations after ten days.

The capital, Drain, had returned to its usual atmosphere.

And his sister, Rushana, and Virus, had not given a second thought to Linvult.

"Ah? Today's tea has a floral scent."

"Indeed, Your Highness Virus. I have added a hint of rose essence."

"Oh, how lovely. Can I have the same for a while?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

The second princess, Virus, appears to be a fragile girl at first glance. Her harmless appearance and demeanor have made her popular among the nobles, with many young men eager to marry her.

"Virus is right. It's a scent that suits me well."

Sitting across from her was the first princess, Rushana. These two were half-sisters, with Rushana being Linvult's full sister, while Virus was the full sister of the fourth prince, Medline. Incidentally, the first prince, Lotus, and Rainvold were full brothers and also the children of the queen.

"Do you have any perfume with the same scent?"

"Yes, we do. If you wish, I can have it delivered."

"Very well. I'll leave it to you, Banz."

"As you wish, Your Highness."

The butler, Banz, nodded and made a mental note. Unlike Virus, Rushana wore heavy makeup, possessed a large collection of perfumes, sparkling accessories, and dresses, and maintained her beauty through adornment. While she wasn't ugly, her natural appearance was rather ordinary. However, this was something that should never be mentioned. A maid who had gossiped about this was reported and immediately executed. Thus, Banz complied with all of Rushana's requests and prepared the answers she sought.

"By the way, there's a banquet in four days. Virus, have you had a dress made?"

"No, I plan to choose from the ones I already have. I discussed with the maids that the dress I received from Lord Lute on my birthday would be perfect."

"..."

Rushana sighed at Virus's carelessness. The maid who suggested the dress was likely acting on Lord Lute's instructions. If Virus attended the banquet in a dress from the Lute family, it would signal to everyone that she had a special relationship with them. Even if it wasn't true, creating a fait accompli would make it so. Ultimately, the Lute family planned to welcome Virus and incorporate her royal bloodline. Their intentions were clear, but Virus, with her head in the clouds, didn't seem to understand.

(Well, thanks to this girl's foolishness, I can do as I please...)

Virus was easy to manipulate. Give her a plausible reason, and she would readily agree. Moreover, with many noble fans, manipulating Virus meant manipulating those nobles as well. To Rushana, her half-sister was a convenient pawn.

"By the way, Virus, there's something I want to tell you."

"Of course, I'm all ears, Sister. Your words are always enlightening."

"What a good girl. Actually, there are people calling themselves the Revolutionary Army who are causing unrest in the country. Have you heard of them?"

"No, this is the first I've heard of it. Sister, you know everything!"

Her eyes sparkled, but she didn't understand what the Revolutionary Army was. Virus was eager for information, but only within the realm of a gossip-loving girl. She didn't consider what it meant or how it could be used. This was why she was considered foolish behind her back.

"These revolutionaries are doing bad things in the country. There are even rumors that a certain village is siding with them."

"Oh, how terrible."

"What do you think, Virus?"

"Such a village should be punished by sending troops."

"True. What kind of punishment do you think would be appropriate?"

"Taking their lives would be too cruel... What should we do, Sister?"

Typical of her clouded mind, Virus spoke exactly as Rushana had expected. Hiding her smile behind a fan, Rushana suggested:

"How about enslaving them? Make them slaves to work for the royal family. They did something wrong, but they would be spared and even given the honor of serving the royal family. Wouldn't that be a wonderful act of clemency?"

"Brilliant, Sister! Let's do it!"

"Very well. Then, let's prepare to send the troops immediately. Would you sign this document, please?"

"Of course."

Rushana had the document brought by a servant and placed it in front of Virus, who signed it without hesitation, barely glancing at its contents. Meanwhile, Rushana had gained the support of the popular Virus. All she needed now was to mobilize her faction of nobles to gain the authority to send troops.

"Done."

"Thank you, dear Virus."

Hiding her smile behind a fan, Rushana sent a mocking grin.

◆◆◆

A few weeks later, Shu and Iris, who were having tea at a café in the second district, noticed the main street becoming noisy.

"Is something happening?"

"It's probably the mobilization. I heard rumors that they were sending troops to crush the Revolutionary Army."

"Is that true?"

"If they're sending troops, it must be true."

Using Shu's magic perception, he could sense a large amount of magic. There were too many to count, and he realized each one was a soldier.

"This is a significant number. I'd say close to a thousand. It seems most of the castle's guards have been deployed."

"The Eldorado Kingdom is serious, huh."

"Well, this leaves the castle defenseless. Is that wise?"

"There should be minimal security, I think."

"But it's foolish."

The Revolutionary Army had already infiltrated the capital, Drain, and its leader was the third prince, Rainvold, who knew the castle well. If the castle's defenses were weakened, they would likely take advantage of it. Even Shu and Iris, who were unfamiliar with the country, could easily predict this.

"If they take the castle and the revolution succeeds, the civil war will end."

"True."

"It's foolish, considering the second prince's mysterious death just a month ago."

"The cause is right in front of me."

"Indeed."

In a way, the second prince's death had set things in motion. The princes and princesses, seeing each other as rivals rather than allies, would seize any opportunity. Rainvold's death created room for action, and using it to their advantage, they might do something bold. However, they should have thoroughly investigated his death first.

"Someone in the royal family must have been manipulated. They likely incited the deployment against the Revolutionary Army."

"Ah... Rainvold was originally the third prince. There might be supporters in the castle?"

"Exactly. Normally, the king wouldn't approve the deployment after Rainvold's death. But there must have been enough supporters in the Revolutionary Army to push it through."

"Then, the Revolutionary Army's move is inevitable."

As they spoke, the noise outside the café grew louder. They would likely be stuck inside for a while as the soldiers marched by.

"Shall we order another cake?"

"Ah, I want the fruit tart!"

◆◆◆

In the slums of the fourth district, a large building served as the Revolutionary Army's hideout. The leader, Rainvold, was also there.

"How's it going, Iyan? Did you find anything?"

"Relax, Rain. I called you here because I found something."

Iyan, the leader of the slums, handed over the documents while advising Rainvold. Rainvold snatched them and quickly read through them.

"I see. So the deployment was Rushana's decision, with support from the Bold faction?"

"That's right. The lord is telling you to act."

"With this much information, we can succeed."

The Revolutionary Army aimed to overthrow the government and restore the country to its pure form. Rainvold had been fighting for this cause and had no intention of backing down now.

"There's a lot to do. Once we eliminate all the royals, I will become king. We will rebuild the country and free it from the tyranny of the empire. We must ensure that the benefits reach all citizens."

"It's a big job. Hehehe."

"Don't mock me, Iyan."

"Sorry, but we're not working for free. We'll take our share, specifically by raiding the treasury. The wealth they've extracted from us will be returned to us."

"Agreed. That's your job."

The revolutionary mages, led by Rainvold, would infiltrate the castle and kill the king, Yanbar, the first prince, Lotus, the fourth prince, Medline, the first princess, Rushana, and the second princess, Virus. They considered sparing Virus but decided to execute everyone to avoid leaving any grudges. They would also eliminate the nobles who supported the corrupt regime. Then, they would appoint loyal nobles, starting with Lord Bold, as ministers and establish a new royal authority. Meanwhile, the slum supporters would raid the treasury during the chaos, returning the wealth to the poor.

"The deployment is just a guard force. They can't march properly. We have plenty of time."

"Agreed. Let's aim for five days from now. We might adjust, but prepare accordingly."

"Our side will be ready soon. You need to hurry, Rain."

"Understood."

After discussing a few details, they parted ways.