Chapter 34

With the title of Duke of Belkline now stripped, the Kingdom of Elshaide currently has three dukes who are called the Great Nobles.

For them, who hold vast territories in the east, west, south, and north and are granted special privileges, the Emperor's public declaration of the abolition of these privileges is nothing but a blow.

Their opposition was evident.

As evidence, even Duke Gilbert, who is known as the most moderate, came to King Eric to request the revocation of the privilege abolition.

What actions will the two dukes—Duke Arglyon and Duke Merheid—take...?

"Our House of Arglyon has long served the Elshaide royal family and pledges absolute loyalty to His Majesty. If His Majesty deems it necessary to abolish the privileges granted to us, I believe it is the true mission of a ducal house to fully comply."

After greeting His Majesty, Duke Arglyon, who visited Eric, showed a stance of fully supporting the king with a calm tone. I think this is to assert that he has no intention of opposing the Elshaide royal family.

To be honest, I was surprised.

The Arglyon faction is the most powerful. There is no doubt that the Arglyon family will suffer the most from the abolition of privileges.

Despite this, his public declaration of full support for the king suggests there might be some other intention...

"Duke Arglyon was more in favor of Dale than me. He had been enthusiastically advising my father to make Dale the crown prince. But, we've been friends since childhood. Perhaps he thought that as long as my father remains king, he would be safe, or—"

"King, maybe he's planning to kill you in the shadows, huh?"

"Rinsha, your expression is too straightforward."

In the movement to make the second prince Dale the next king, Duke Arglyon was particularly prominent.

I was surprised to hear that he had been straightforward in his advice to the king, who is his old friend.

Given this, there is a good possibility that, as Rinsha said, while he claims full loyalty, he might stab the king in the back...

"I am pleased by Duke Arglyon's loyalty, but I can't take it at face value. I still find it annoying that I am always so suspicious."

"Indeed, being overly suspicious is a problem. However, while trusting everything naively might be a virtue, it also cheapens the word 'trust.'"

"Leia, you don't have to be so considerate of me."

"I am just saying what I think."

Regarding Duke Arglyon's humble attitude, Eric, who finds his own suspicious nature annoying, does not think so.

I believe that by selecting and choosing information that I believe is correct based on my own knowledge and taking responsibility for deciding whether it is worthy of trust, the word 'trust' gains its value.

That's why I was happy to be trusted by Eric...

And the last remaining duke, Duke Merheid—.

"Your Highness! I cannot accept this at all! Who does His Majesty think has been supporting the foundation of the Elshaide Kingdom?! To treat our ducal houses with contempt and place us on the same level as other nobles is unbearable!"

Duke Merheid, who came in with a clearly angry and indignant attitude, was deemed not in a state to have a discussion and was not granted an audience with the Emperor.

Eric, however, decided to receive Duke Merheid and listen to him, even though he was angry.

"What's the big deal because that young upstart from Belkline made a mistake?! It's unacceptable for us to suffer the backlash! I simply cannot tolerate it! I intend to oppose the king and have this ridiculous decision revoked!"

Duke Merheid, who openly declared his opposition to the royal family, spoke with great vehemence. I have heard from Eric that he imposes a considerable tax on his territory and enriches himself. He is known for being greedy and making many indiscreet statements.

His confrontational stance suggests he might be a dangerous opponent.

"Still, he is known for being frugal or even a miser, and is famous for being strict with money. I doubt he would hire an assassin, who would cost a lot of money. Of course, I will remain vigilant."

Indeed, if he really intended to assassinate, he would hide his dissatisfaction to some extent.

The possibility that someone who expresses their dissatisfaction so straightforwardly would plan an assassination is less likely.

"Still, both of them must have recognized that my father is serious about abolishing the privileges. This is the critical moment."

"Johan and the others are on the king's side, so we can leave that to them—"

"We need to gather information. The movements of the troublemakers should be easier to track now."

Well, let's get moving.

First, let's try to get to the bottom of things...

The suspicious Duke Arglyon and the seemingly dim-witted Duke Merheid.

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