Ch.366EP.77 – After He Left (1)

…the knight had left.

However, since no newspaper reported this fact, people didn’t pay much attention to the departure of one man.

No, it would be more accurate to say they didn’t know.

While the nobles certainly controlled information about the knight, people also didn’t attach much significance to the departure of a single individual.

Just one ‘person’.

That person had simply disappeared from the kingdom.

Of course, this person had saved the kingdom multiple times and committed the unprecedented act of assaulting the king at a banquet….

Unfortunately, human memory is volatile, and above all, many people were unaware of the knight’s ‘achievements’.

The times when the knight saved the kingdom never received proper attention, and even the few accomplishments that came to light were often dismissed as exaggerations or rumors.

The “King Edmund Assault Incident” did bring some attention, but practically all the spotlight fell on Princess Isis, resulting in little focus on the knight.

…Additionally, due to pressure from the noble council, newspapers didn’t properly report on the knight, so even among the common people, few knew exactly who the knight was.

Therefore, only certain people knew about the knight’s banishment, and even those who somehow heard rumors often forgot.

Moreover….

“Send Edmund to the guillotine!!”

“Send the traitor to the scaffold!!”

“These disgusting bastards…!”

The kingdom’s chaos accelerated the volatility of memory, which was another factor in the disappearing interest.

BOOM!!

“Soldiers are coming!”

“Run…!”

Resentment toward the royal family continued to pour out, and radical demonstrations occurred one after another.

Now, ten days after the knight’s departure, protests had become part of daily life in the kingdom.

When protesters appeared, people still conducted business, sold goods, and went to work at their trading companies, workshops, or other workplaces.

In one sense, it was a normalization of daily life; in another, it was a slightly altered daily routine.

These creatures called humans, animals of adaptation, were showing their adaptability by becoming accustomed even to chaos.

…Ironically.

* * *

BANG!

“How long do you intend to allow these protesters?”

“Calm yourself.”

“Do I look calm? How dare these lowly creatures…”

“Hmm….”

The [Kingdom Grand Council] was being held for the second time this year.

A meeting gathering important institutions like the Noble Council, Merchant Alliance, Guild Association, Mercenary Union, and the Grand Temple.

These were people too busy to hold leisurely meetings, and normally this council would be considered frequent if held once every two years, yet here was the second meeting already.

Naturally, the topic was the chaos occurring in the kingdom.

While common people had already accepted protesters and radical intellectuals giving speeches as part of daily life, the kingdom’s privileged class could never accept this as normal.

That was natural.

Their actions were essentially challenging their authority.

Well….

“‘Lowly creatures’… Should we assume that ‘we’ are included in that racial category?”

“!?”

“Hmm, yes, that’s what I’m saying.”

“P-please calm down, he was just excited and didn’t mean to say such things to you all!”

“Well, I suppose we’ll have to see about that.”

“……”

Gulp….

The Noble Council members glared daggers at the member who had spoken so rudely.

His statement had clearly chilled the attitudes of the Guild Association, Merchant Alliance, Mercenary Union, and Grand Temple.

“I-I misspoke, I didn’t mean it that way…”

As the member hurriedly tried to retract his words,

Screech.

“I’ll be taking my leave now. It seems no meaningful conversation will come from staying here.”

“!!!”

The Guild Association was the first to push back their chairs and leave.

“Ah, it’s not particularly because of the councilor’s remarks. It’s just that… there’s little nutritional value in this conversation. I was curious what would be discussed when calling a grand council, but this… well, never mind.”

It wasn’t specifically because of the nobles’ rude remarks, but because this grand council was completely meaningless.

Evidence of this was that not a single ‘high noble’ had attended, and the princess hadn’t shown her face either.

This couldn’t be called a grand council.

It was merely a waste.

With this firm conviction, the Guild Association departed.

“W-wait! Please wait!”

“What are we supposed to do if you leave like this?!”

They tried to stop the Guild Association, but they wouldn’t listen.

It was behavior typical of those who despised wasting time.

And then…

Screech.

“W-well, we shall also take our leave.”

The Merchant Alliance.

No less than the Guild Association, perhaps even more firmly believing that time is money, the merchants also rose from their seats.

“The Grand Temple is still in an unstable period, so…”

Then the Grand Temple.

“Don’t call us again for such pointless meetings. Well, if you prepare a satisfactory amount of gold, that might be different.”

With the Mercenary Union being the last to leave, the grand council was adjourned.

…In truly pathetic fashion.

“What the…”

“What are we going to do now?!”

“Why are you blaming me?”

“Because you said unnecessary things!”

“No, I just…”

“Save your excuses. You should read the room before opening your mouth. You think just being loud at a grand council makes you important…”

“What did you say? How dare you!”

The council members began grabbing each other’s collars and fighting.

“…What a headache.”

But no one tried to stop them.

After all, 90% of what the Noble Council members normally did was fight amongst themselves.

It was common for debates to heat up and turn into fistfights, so they just let it happen.

Besides, the immediate problems were so overwhelming that they were too tired even to break up the fight.

“Sigh… this is maddening.”

While the council was said to be a hotbed of corruption, that didn’t mean there weren’t capable individuals.

There were those who could think and had eyes to judge the situation.

Baron Raison.

Though only a baron, this young political noble from a prestigious family was getting a headache.

‘The political situation keeps getting worse, but we can’t reach a consensus…’

Raison could see it.

The kingdom’s situation was deteriorating.

Where exactly was it getting worse?

‘It would be easier to find what isn’t going badly.’

King Edmund’s betrayal.

Whether it was the ripple effect of that betrayal, or existing wounds festering into larger ones, the flow of the southern continent was showing rapid changes.

For example…

‘The remnant forces of Britain are showing suspicious movements. Various [Lord-class] creatures are being born among monsters, allowing them to build power. Local clan leaders are making secret contacts. All factions, including the Noble Council, have begun raising private armies… Good grief, what a spectacle.’

Every single piece of news could shake the kingdom.

Britain’s remnants.

Those persistent nuisances were showing signs of reviving like undead, watching for opportunities in the kingdom’s chaos.

Multiple Lord-class monsters.

This meant the birth of creatures like Goblin Champions, Gnoll Emperors, Ogre Lords, and Wyvern Warriors. If they all acted at once, the kingdom would have to expend most of its strength.

Meetings between local clan leaders.

This suggested the birth of warlords.

It could mean the emergence of organizations dreaming of hegemony, like the Empire.

Finally, the raising of private armies.

This meant everyone for themselves. But clearly, they were raising armies because of the issues mentioned above.

If such crises poured in, military power would become essential.

Drip….

‘Why? Why are all these things happening at once?’

Raison broke into a cold sweat at the phenomena occurring one after another like a dam breaking, and felt overwhelmed.

Due to these sudden, consecutive events…

“—It’s not sudden at all. Those idiots.”

Simon clicked his tongue with a sneer.

As if just looking at them gave him a headache.

But perhaps this cold demeanor seemed awkward?

The beastkin twins escorting him tilted their heads and widened their eyes.

“Mister”

“What’s wrong?”

“…I’m sorry. It’s just that looking at those idiots makes me want to curse.”

“What’s so idiotic?”

“Why?”

“Would you understand if I explained?”

“…Well, explain it to us.”

“Kindly.”

“…Are you putting me in charge of this?”

Simon clicked his tongue at the shameless beastkin twins’ remarks.

But perhaps because he’d seen too many idiots today?

Simon voiced his reasons for declaring others idiotic, as if unburdening his frustrated mind.

“You probably sense the atmosphere. The kingdom is in chaos inside and out, with many incidents occurring.”

“Yes, we know.”

“Roen big brother always looks tense whenever we see him.”

“Good that you know. But do you understand why all these incidents are happening simultaneously?”

“No.”

“We’re still young, we don’t understand difficult things.”

“No, it’s not difficult at all. People are just making it too complicated. The cause is simple.”

“Cause?”

“Simple?”

“Yes, simple.”

Things are happening all at once, so people are confused.

Just that.

“—This kingdom has always been filled with crises. There was just a ‘problem solver’ who resolved them, but now…”

There’s simply no one to solve them anymore.