Ch.371EP.77 – After He Left (6)

…One day, the kingdom fell silent.

As if the commotion that had continued for days was a lie.

Vanishing like the morning mist.

“…Have the protesters completely disbanded now?”

“Since their purpose is gone, disbanding is the natural course.”

“Hmm, feels rather anticlimactic.”

“Anticlimactic? I found it rather chilling.”

In a pub relatively close to the royal palace, people were discussing the fire that had occurred there.

Although considerable time had passed since the fire, it was still a hot topic of conversation, which was understandable in a way.

“What will become of this country…?”

Now that the king… no, more precisely, the kingdom of Pendragon was being shaken, this could no longer be treated as a minor incident.

Although the kingdom had never been a reliable shield protecting its people, it had at least been like a roof that kept out the rain.

But now that roof had not only been punctured but was on the verge of collapse.

It was natural to feel anxious, especially for the powerless who inevitably experienced greater anxiety and unease.

“…How is the Traitor King faring?”

“Faring? What does it matter for someone who’s not even worthy of being called a king…?”

“Still, a king is a king. We should maintain some basic courtesy.”

“…Tsk, I heard he’s in a state between life and death. They say he’s become something like a lump of meat but still alive? Well, it’s a fitting punishment for him. Worse than a greedy fool, no, worse than goblin piss. How could a human being harm his own flesh and blood? Really.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

Traitor King.

A new name for Edmund, a term of contempt.

It was undeniably a derogatory title that dragged the honor and authority of kingship down to the level of a sewer, but perhaps being called a king at all was something to be grateful for.

Edmund’s betrayal had become so infamous that even three-year-old children knew about it, but the incident from 20 years ago that was revealed by the fire…

As news spread far and wide about King Edmund’s involvement in the [Duchess Attack Incident], there was no one left who supported Edmund.

There was concern that supporting the king might incur Galahad’s wrath, but Pendragon was the [Kingdom of Knights].

Whether nobles or commoners, everyone lived with this as their pride, and it was natural to show contempt toward someone who had not only abandoned but betrayed the code of chivalry.

Just two weeks ago, there were people who cursed the knights for assaulting the king and endangering the kingdom, but now such people were the ones being beaten.

…However, contempt was one thing, and ultimately the Pendragon royal family was receiving something akin to a death sentence, being torn apart by Galahad’s persistent retribution.

In other words, the royal family had become a name only, and with no center, it was natural for the people to feel anxious.

Because of this.

“…I’m thinking of closing the pub now.”

“What?”

“I’m planning to go to Tristan’s castle. I have an acquaintance there.”

“I, I see.”

“What are you planning to do?”

“I, I… Sigh, I’m considering Galahad or Modred.”

“Galahad?”

“He may be angry now, but he’s a benevolent ruler. He’s infinitely generous to his people.”

“That’s true.”

The people were gradually preparing to leave the capital.

Just as birds and ants instinctively sense an approaching typhoon, the people were seeking new shelter to escape the disaster called war…

Though cruel, this was important for the powerless.

To have a fence that would protect them and a roof that would shield them even from heavy rain.

With the trust between the people and the kingdom broken, Pendragon was no longer a safe roof.

…However, despite the gravity of the situation.

“Councilor Maxwell. What do you think about using this situation to our advantage?”

Even as the roof was collapsing, ‘human greed’ knew no bounds.

“What are you saying, Zeke?”

A secret conversation was taking place in the mansion that two noble councilors had prepared in the capital.

“It’s simple, Councilor. Don’t you know? The fate of the Pendragon royal family has come to an end.”

“My, my, watch your words.”

“There’s no one listening anyway.”

“Tsk, tsk, a politician with no caution. Ears are everywhere.”

“Enough with the nagging. Just hear me out first.”

“…Go ahead.”

“Haha, I think you’ll be tempted when you hear it. What do you say we establish a new party?”

“A new party?”

“Yes, a new party. Going beyond the noble council to create an entirely new political party.”

“In times like these?”

“It’s precisely because of these times that it’s possible.”

His voice lowered.

“Councilor, the Pendragon royal family is finished anyway. It’s the result that idiot Edmund brought upon himself.”

“…Continue.”

“I’ll use the Merchant Guild as an example. They have branch managers and the guild master sharing the profits. It means that the guild master doesn’t have absolute control; various branch managers and investors share the guild’s interests, so the guild master can’t handle the guild as he pleases.”

“That’s right.”

“Similarly, the kingdom has been controlled by the Pendragon royal family and the great houses. But now that the royal family has lost its power, shouldn’t there be someone to take its place? In other words, I’m saying we should seize the ‘southern interests’ that are currently disintegrating.”

“Do you think that’s possible?”

“It is. Because of the current situation.”

Rather, because it was a crisis, because the people were becoming anxious and uneasy, it was easier to ‘incite’ them.

“We can name the party something like the [Liberty Party]. The slogans can be ‘equality’ for all people, ‘peace,’ and ‘human rights guarantees.'”

“That sounds good. Suitable for captivating supporters… But, do you really intend to fulfill all those slogans?”

“……”

“Haha, that was a mischievous question. I apologize.”

“Ahaha! Councilor, you’re incorrigible!”

Maxwell laughed, saying he was embarrassed by his own question, and Zeke laughed too.

Yes, slogans were just slogans.

A means to gather people, supporters.

If they used newspapers and agitators, supporters would gather like bees.

Especially.

‘The more unstable the political situation, the better they gather.’

The more one engages in politics, the more one realizes.

Even if it’s a lie, people are easily deceived if they’re well-incited.

“But will everything go smoothly?”

“It will be difficult. Seizing the interests won’t be hard, but the great nobles won’t leave us alone.”

“Then?”

“We hit and run.”

“Oh?”

“Our goal isn’t the peace of the kingdom anyway. It’s to seize the interests for a very short time.”

The peace and tranquility of the kingdom was not their concern.

No, honestly, they would prefer if it became more chaotic.

Because then…

‘There would be more to gain.’

While war might be a crisis for the powerless, for the powerful, it was synonymous with paradise.

“If it seems dangerous, we can collect donations from supporters in advance and gather a large amount of valuables in cooperation with the Merchant Guild. We’ll move our family members to safe rural territories in advance.”

“By giving them valuables?”

“Yes, civil war is inevitable anyway. It would be strange if civil war didn’t break out in this situation. What we need to wait for is the world after the civil war. To grow our family after the civil war, we’ll need ample war funds. And this new party will be a great help in securing those funds.”

“My, are you already looking to the future?”

“Even if it’s not in my generation, shouldn’t my grandchildren or great-grandchildren at least be called great nobles? …The same goes for your family, Councilor.”

“That…! Just imagining it excites me!”

One might call it fraud, but the people would never know, and even if the party unexpectedly succeeded and operated well, that would be beneficial too.

Because it would bring fame.

Conversely, even if it failed, as long as they gathered war funds, there would be no problem.

They could just disappear.

Gathering supporters was also essential.

They would be meat shields to protect them.

“I’ll join in.”

“I’ll need help from others besides you. It’s not good to eat alone, after all.”

“There will be quite a few who will be tempted.”

“Haha, good, good!”

“It’s a joyous day. Thanks to your insight, I’ve had a great awakening.”

“You flatter me.”

The two men gilded each other’s faces and filled their crystal glasses with wine.

The wine, with its deep aroma and brilliant color, seemed to illuminate their future.

Clink!

They clinked their glasses and laughed and chatted.

Drawing a grand blueprint named ambition—!

*

*

*

“-A total of thirty-two. That’s the number of noble councilors who died today.”

“……”

“……”

“Hmm, those who died today were quite famous. Councilor Maxwell and Councilor Zeke. Both were quite capable individuals. The problem is that they used their capabilities not to improve the kingdom but to make it sick.”

…Simon’s quiet remark made their eyes tremble like ripples on water.

It was the fact that someone had died, but also.

“…Do you perhaps possess the mystery of foresight?”

They were dumbfounded by the situation that seemed to unfold exactly like a prophecy.

But Simon simply shrugged at such words.

“You flatter me. Observation, inference, and imagination. With these three things, anyone can see this small talent.”

“……”

…It doesn’t seem that way?