episode_0258

I made a deal with His Majesty, my father, last autumn. By fulfilling three conditions, I would regain my right to succession, which had been previously revoked.

In truth, for royalty, the possession or lack of succession rights makes little difference. Ultimately, what matters is whether one is worthy of inheriting the throne.

Above me are six older brothers and four older sisters, born before me. The sheer number is, of course, due to my mother and me. Since the first Queen couldn’t bear children, they brought in a second and a third.

The problem also lies with His Majesty, my father. Ten children, really? Even if he was insecure, he spread his seed a little too enthusiastically. I don’t even fuck that much.

Consequently, with such a large number of siblings, even when I, the long-awaited child, was born, there was no place for me. Of course, the decline in my political standing wasn’t solely due to the large number of siblings. It’s said that the royal family began to crumble significantly from the day our mother, the first Queen, passed away.

Even when my mother was pregnant with me, she must have been anxious. Having likely made alliances elsewhere, assuming I wouldn’t be born, the regret must have overwhelmed her when I was confirmed to be coming. A perfect legitimate heir, the spitting image of our strong, beautiful, and intelligent mother.

And with my mother’s death, they must have realized it was their chance. That in this chaos, they had to seize the royal family and suppress my power to gain a chance at the throne themselves.

“Fucking hell, is this a family? Even our 1-A kids don’t fight like this.”

Thinking about it again makes me furious. How terrifying must I have been that they attempted to bury a ten-year-old child through various political maneuvers? They even suppressed the Pure Mana Academy faction, established by my mother, spreading rumors that she was a witch and pushing her numerous accomplishments to the back pages of history.

The rumors surrounding me were childishly absurd. The Fifth Princess was a mutant born with a cock instead of a vagina; she has no interest in royal education, only wielding a sword; and she frequently descends to the royal capital to torment the commoners.

There’s no end to it if I keep thinking. I’ve decided to stop getting angry by reminiscing about the past.

The point is this: With numerous older siblings above me, crushing their power is a piece of cake for me now. First, I’ll quietly fulfill my deal with my father, then use my accumulated achievements to solidify my victory.

All I need to do is prove that I am worthy of being the owner of Nifrantz.

“…I see. So that was the meaning.”

I reviewed the conditions of this scenario again.

『Checking progress conditions.』

[Main Story Chapter 6: The King’s Qualification]

-[Reacquisition of the right to succession]

-[Proof]

-[???]

My mother’s path. Show what I’ve achieved, my existence in this world. That’s what “proof” means.

My deal with my father included three conditions.

Two of them have already been handled. One is being elected as the president of the Nifrantz Academy Student Council, and the other is showing Moriarty a taste of defeat. The rumors about ‘Hyakki’ are widespread throughout the empire, so proving it isn’t difficult.

The last one remaining. It is to punish the rats that are gnawing away at this kingdom.

“How are the documents coming along?”

“Ugh… Honestly, organizing them is easy. But the cases are quite complicated. There are too many targets to punish, and too many laws to apply depending on the crime. I’ll have to work overtime for once, kheh…”

I’ve entrusted the entire task of organizing the documents received from the chancellor to Nix.

While I’m relatively quick-witted, I don’t particularly enjoy using my brain. I only properly utilized my knowledge and intelligence when strategizing against Akasto. I was terrible at studying in my past life.

The Academy’s written exams had similarities with my Akasto strategy. Mana studies? Spell creation? Don’t underestimate my knowledge of Akasto’s settings. The rest of the basic subjects were at the level of middle school education in South Korea.

Anyway, if it wasn’t related to Akasto, my brain was completely useless. But what about Nix? Thinking is easier for that guy than breathing. For this task, she even devoured the entire Nifrantz Legal Code. That’s not a metaphor; the code, actually thicker than it is wide, was sucked into Nix’s black fog.

Even the brilliant Tony Stark uses the AI, Jarvis, so there was no reason for me not to use Nix, the spirit of knowledge.

“It’s important, so do your best.”

“I know! It’s all for Nari, right? I’ll do my absolute best this time. Kehut- And…”

“And?”

Nix, in her administrative officer cosplay with thick horn-rimmed glasses, chuckled. The smile on her lips was the usual expression. The bittersweet smile of a villainess plotting something wicked.

“Since it’s about taking down bad guys… I feel more energized, kehkut. These guys will get their far more than they deserve, kehihi…”

“I’m intrigued too. But we have to abide by the law, right? We shouldn’t give them any grounds to accuse us.”

“I won’t do anything that will put Nari in danger. But, you know? Nifrantz law seems to fit me surprisingly well…”

To summarize what Nix explained to me, the types of evidence admissible in court are diverse. For example, memories. For Nix, who can easily read people’s memories, evidence destruction is useless.

She even came up with a plan to give the criminals time. If the rumors that I’m taking down nobles spread, those with something to hide will frantically try to destroy evidence. Then, their memories can be used as evidence for aggravated punishment.

“…That’s a bit…”

“Why? I think it’s great. We’ll be lenient to those who confess, and merciless to those who run away.”

“I think most of them will run away.”

“Of course. Khuhhih-”

I don’t know. Ultimately, they’re despicable bastards, so it’s none of my business what happens to them. Nix, now a Supreme Court Justice, will handle that.

I just need to focus on swordsmanship

“But, Nari. I have to work overtime today, and I’m starving.”

“Should I get you some late-night snacks?”

“Yes!”

I picked up Nix, who was sitting in her chair, and tossed her onto the bed.

“Here’s your late-night snack!”

“Kyaaaah—”

During the night, most of my tasks were decided.

Nix categorized the nobles’ crimes into three main types: minor offenses that could be settled with fines; felonies that could result in anything from a minimum prison sentence to the stripping of titles or execution; and special offenses showing connections to Moriarty.

Minor offenses can be handled with a simple official letter. They weren’t my targets to begin with. The fact that they’re settled with fines means they’re related to money.

Most were smuggling and tax evasion. They must have tried to pass this work on to me. But oh well. According to Nix, there’s a department that handles such cases. I had no choice but to use the bureaucratic “passing the buck” method to return the work to its proper place.

The important ones are the felonies. Drug trafficking, illegal slave ownership, contract killing, bribery for silencing, and various forms of blackmail. It’s full of heinous crimes that I prefer not to even think about.

The seemingly peaceful and noble aristocratic society of Nifrantz also works behind the scenes. Once, I disliked these things and tried to thoroughly uncover the dark side of the nobles.

Yet, it’s endless. Human society cannot be perfect, stagnant water will always rot. Therefore, the work of stirring the sediment needs to be repeated often and I’m a bit of a hedonist so I can tolerate this up to a certain point, but I can’t ignore wrongdoing that crosses the line.

Because this country isn’t just mine.

The most important thing is those related to Moriarty. Judging from the results, they’re the worst bastards who are practically selling the country, but they are also victims manipulated by Moriarty. While I have no intention of showing them mercy, I don’t think wiping out their entire families is necessary.

Thoroughly addressing the situation is crucial. What they suffered, what they were made to do, and what changes these acts resulted in between the Kingdom and Moriarty must be clarified.

‘Nix will handle that part well.’

For now, I just wield my sword.

Without delay, I moved my troops.

The first target is Count Hansen, who imported new types of drugs from overseas and turned the brothels in his territory into his own kingdom. As the sun began to set, I led almost all of the Second Knight Order’s troops to Count Hansen’s territory.

Click-clang-

Countless soldiers in armor follow behind me. I wear a tiara on my head and a gorgeous white dress. From the gleaming armor of the white horse to the large sword at my waist, everything was designed to project an aura of intimidation.

The people of the territory clear the path. Anxiety clouds their faces as they part like the Red Sea. Some even fled in fright.

“By royal command, apprehend Count Hansen before sunset. Luk Bevan will seal off the territory to prevent anyone from escaping. Pai Bevan will maintain order in the streets so the people don’t fear, and Len Bevan will come with me to the Count’s mansion.”

“As you command.”

The knights and soldiers split up according to their roles. I led my horse toward Count Hansen’s mansion.