Chapter 23

"Coup in the Capital!?"

While sipping tea after breakfast, Uncle Urban shared a very alarming story. News from the capital rarely reached the frontier, and this was not only the first time I had heard it but also completely unexpected. Perhaps a gag order had been imposed before the news could reach the palace.

"Duke Cain, the king's brother, has surrounded the royal castle with a part of the knights and his own army."

In this country, only the king's brother, Duke Cain, and the four dukes who rule the territories to the east, west, south, and north of the capital are allowed to have armies. The Stewart family, who govern the frontier palace, have monster hunters but are not permitted to have an army. Armies undergo training for human combat, which fundamentally differs from the purpose of the hunters. The reason only the royal family and those with territories near the capital are allowed to have armies is solely to protect the king. It was unthinkable that such an army would turn against the king.

"So, what about the king?"

Father Leonardo, who rarely shows a serious face, asked with a troubled expression. If the king had fallen, the country would be in danger. The intelligent Urban had called it a coup, not a revolution. It could be considered a terrorist act by Duke Cain, the king's brother, without reflecting the will of the people.

"He's safe. It's said that he took up a sword himself, mingling with the royal guards, and defeated the attackers brilliantly."

Leonardo sighed, not in relief but in exasperation. The king, who should be the most protected figure in this kingdom, actually participated in the battle. The rumor that he is a martial king, unprecedented in the long history of the royal family, seems to be true.

"Most of the situation is now under control, but unfortunately, our university became a battlefield... The laboratory suffered catastrophic damage and it will take about three months to restore it."

The royal university, the highest institution in the country, is right next to the royal castle, and its spacious grounds turned into an ideal battlefield.

"I managed to gather some undamaged research materials and bring them back."

It seems that three years of research have been significantly damaged. His exhausted appearance when he returned speaks volumes about the extent of the damage.

"Then, Uncle, you can take it easy for a while, right?"

William asked happily.

"That's the case. I'm sorry for coming back suddenly."

Urban looked apologetically at Leonardo with a wry smile. He had informed them of his return, but it seems Urban arrived first. With the coup causing chaos, the mail was delayed, and it was only natural that he left immediately after sending the notice. He was concerned that he hadn't achieved the expected results from his university studies, which was his only worry.

"Uncle! I'll help with your research. I'm also studying silkworms, and Father has provided everything I need, so I can do research at home too!"

Urban's research focuses on sericulture, the main industry of the territory. Emma has been experimenting and verifying based on the research results sent by Urban, trying out various methods.

"Urban, the laboratory Emma has set up is as good as the university's. Thanks to the results you've sent, our territory is thriving. There's nothing to worry about."

Leonardo placed a hand on Urban's shoulder, comforting him. It was typical of Brother Leonardo to provide such equipment for Emma. The fact that there are four expensive cats in the house alone is enough to reassure me that the territory is well-managed. I haven't heard the answer to the question about the size, but it might be a new species?

Emma, who had been lonely since Urban went to university, had pestered her father to read all of Urban's letters. This included materials that were only supposed to be distributed to the sericulture researchers in the territory. She read and reread the technical terms, using a dictionary to understand them, and became deeply engrossed in her own research, which Urban is still unaware of.

"Emma, can you show me the laboratory right away?"

Urban turned to Emma with a melted smile, ending the conversation. He couldn't let the children hear any more of the gory details, and his brother probably had work to do. The coup was officially over, but it still felt suspicious. He thought he would discuss the smelly details with his brother after the children went to bed, but then he remembered something.

"Ah... By the way, when I stopped by the Kiari territory on my way back, a messenger from the second prince and princess specifically asked me to invite them to a tea party. Did you decline their participation?"

At Urban's words, the whole family turned to look at Mother Mersa.

"Huh?"

Mother looked bewildered. The number of people who had been invited to the tea party was more than expected, and she had indeed declined more people than she had accepted... but did she decline such a big catch? Cold sweat trickled down her back.

The Tanaka family's preparations are always a bit lax.