Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~

(Patreon)Ouroboros Record ~Circus of Oubeniel~Chapter 084 : The Mad King's Miniature Garden (Part 2)

"D-Duke Rochebourg…?"

“Ro, Roshubūru, -kou…?”

The person who had danced according to Lavallee's strings and had been nothing more than a Puppet Prime Minister. An irredeemable fool who received a prestigious title of duke as a reward for working as a pawn of a conspiracy monger.

The person he considered as a fool, on the contrary, was looking down on him as if he also considered him like that.

Prime Minister Rochebourg boasted,

"Since it seems like a gracious invitation won't be enough to make you understand, let me be blunt… You are under suspicion of being involved in the assassination of the Crown Prince eight years ago."

“Teichou na go-shoutai dewa rikai itadakenakatta to mieru no de, chokusai ni iou ka… Kikou ni wa, hachi-nen mae no ou taishi ansatsu jiken ni kan'yo shita utagai ga kakatteiru.”

"W-what evidence do you have!? For what reason, would you try to frame yours truly!"

“Na, nani o shouko ni!? Do no you na yue atte, kono Arumando-kou o tsumi ni otoshi ireyou to iu no da!”

Shaking off his bewilderment, he launched a vehement verbal assault.

In response, Rochebourg merely shrugged his shoulders, as if dismissing the outburst.

"Kufufufu… how pitiful. After all, humans can become as ugly as they need to be to escape danger, but… does that mean even a duke associated with the royal family is no exception?"

“Kufufufu… migurushii. Ningen to wa hikkyou, kinan o nogareru tame naraba doko made mo minikuku nareru mono da ga… Ouke ni tsuranaru kou to wa ie, reigai dewa nai to iu koto ka na?”

"Lord Prime Minister, your words are a bit much."

“Saishou-kakka. Isasaka o kotoba ga sugimasu.”

In response to Marquis Balbastre's admonition, the prime minister snorted as if displeased with the interference.

"Hmph, Marquis Balbastre, you're too lenient. But, never mind that. We don't need unnecessary diversions. Now, as Duke Armand requested, let me show you irrefutable evidence."

“Fun, Barubasutoru-kou mo hito ga yoi na. Da ga, kamawan. Hanashi no dassen ga tsuzuku no mo nandearukara na. Dewa, koushaku no go-chuumon doori, yuruganu shouko o o-mise shiyou ka.”

Saying so, he clapped his hands.

As a signal, a poorly dressed woman appeared, escorted by the prime minister's subordinates.

The moment he saw her face, Duke Armand widened his eyes in disbelief.

"Y-you, you are… N-No way!?"

“O, oma, omae wa… ba, baka na!?”

In response to the duke's reaction, Rochebourg's smile deepened. His smile clearly showed the satisfaction of a magician who has stunned his audience.

With a triumphant smile, the prime minister continued,

"She is the woman who eight years ago, at your instigation, was designated for Prince Philip. She testified, you know? That through you, she obtained poison and, as instructed, gave it to the prince, convincing him to drink it."

“Hachi-nen mae ni kikou ga tebiki shi, Firippu-ouji ni ategatta onna da. Kanojo ga shougen shite kureta zo? Kikou o tsuujite doku o te ni ire, ouji ni watashite taishi-denka ni nomaseru you ni to shiji o uketa to na.”

"I-Impossible! Th-This woman is… This woman is――"

“A, arien! Ko, kono onna wa… kono onna wa――”

Armand swallowed the rest of his words.

He must not say it. If he spoke, it would only serve as further evidence.

――This woman was undoubtedly silenced by him.

The witness that the prime minister brought, the perpetrator of the failed attempt on the prince's life that Armand had once sent, had been certainly dealt with afterward. An agent deep within the shadows of the family, someone akin to a ghost among shadows, executed the mission, and there were indeed reports confirming the successful killing.

So, how was she alive and here now?

Perhaps drunk with the pleasure of denouncing such a great noble, Rochebourg continued with a triumphant expression.

"Well, well, it was quite a challenge to track down this one who barely survived the silencing. After all, there was a big fire here in Broussonne two years ago. It took a lot of effort to find her amidst the commoners who lost their homes. Of course, it's better than finding her burned to death… Look, this is the one who used you and then threw you away like garbage, the one you detested so much, you know? Why don't you say something?"

“Iya haya, karoujite kuchi fuuji kara ikinobita koyatsu o saguriateru no ni wa, kurou shita zo? Nani shiro, kono Burōsennu wa oto-toshi ni mo taika ga atta kara na. Ie o nakushita hinmin-domo ni magireta naka kara sagashidasu no wa taisou hone deatta yo. Mottomo, yakeshinanakatta dake mashi dearu ka na… Hore, omae o riyou shita ageku ni gomi no you ni suteta, nikkuki aite da zo? Nani ka iute yare.”

His tone was as if urging a dog or monkey to perform a trick.

However, the ragged woman, pushed by those words, began to curse.

"You… liar…!"

“U… usotsuki…!”

"Eek!?"

“Hi!?”

"Duke's a liar…! Y-you said, if I succeeded, I would be the next king's mistress… If things went well, I could even become his wife…!"

“Koushaku no usotsuki…! Se, seikou shitara, atashi wa jiki koku-ou no aijin datte… umaku sureba tsuma ni mo nareru tte, itta noni…!”

While speaking, the woman reached out towards Armand.

Cracked and contorted nails, skin stained and darkened with filth, unkempt hair covering her drooping face. Bloodshot eyes peering through the gaps.

A blend of visceral disgust and guilt set Armand's nerves on edge, tormenting him.

He screamed.

"Eeeeeek!? D-don't come! Don't approach me! Stooop!!"

“Hiiiiiii!? Yo, yoru na! Kuru nja nai! Yameroo!!”

Despite his attempts to retreat or squirm, he couldn't escape the restraints of the Royal Knights. As he could not move at all, the woman's arm slowly approached him.

"Liar…! Die, you liar…! I'll kill you… I'll kill you, I'll kill you… I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'll kill you, I'llkillyouI'llkillyouI'llkillyouI'llkillYOUI'LLKILLYOUI'LLKILLYOUI'LLKILLYOUI'LL KILLYOUI'LL――"

“Usotsuki…! Shine, usotsuki…! Koroshite yaru, koroshite yaru koroshite yaru, koroshite yaru koroshite yaru koroshite yaru koroshiteyarukoroshiteyarukoroshiteyarukoroshiteyarukoroshiteyaru koroshiteyarukoroshiteyarukoroshiteyarukoro――!”

TL Note: Her mutterings start from proper kanji, then full hiragana and later full katakana. This means that her words become faster and more incomprehensible.

Just before the dirty hand filled with grudge could touch Duke Armand's face,

"That's enough!"

“Soko made desu!”

Reaching from the side, Alfred intervened.

"With all due respect, Your Excellency the Prime Minister, shouldn't a confrontation between Duke Armand and this witness be conducted in a proper judicial setting?"

“…Osore nagara saishou-kakka. Arumando-kou to kono shounin o taiketsu saseru no wa, o-sabaki no ba de nasaru beki dewa nai deshou ka?”

"Hmm?"

“Fuun?”

"It seems both the duke and the witness have lost control. Allowing this exchange to escalate further might lead to mental and physical harm."

“Mireba kou mo shounin mo, tagai ni do o shisshite orimasureba. Amari ni mo koufun sasete shimatte wa, ranshin no amari ni shinshin o sokonau koto mo aru ka to.”

He was saying that before facing trial, the duke might get so agitated that he collapses from a stroke or develops a serious heart condition, becoming an untimely casualty.

Alfred briefly shifted his gaze towards Marquis Balbastre. In response to the prompt from the knight who at the same time was his daughter's subordinate, the host of the mansion nodded with a stern expression. Unlike his child, to the typically gentle Balbastre, the scene of grief that unfolded before his eyes must have been unbearable to watch. It would be even more so for Armand, who was the subject of this spectacle.

With an unwilling expression, Rochebourg acknowledged Alfred's plea.

"Tch… Well then. Hey, you."

“Chi… Yoi darou. Oi, kisama.”

"KILLKILLKILLKILLKILLDIEDIEDIEDIE――!"

“Korosukorosukorosukorosukorosushineshineshineshine――!”

"――Shut up."

“――Damare.”

With just that one word, the female witness who had been on the verge of madness abruptly stopped.

"A-ah, aah…? P-prime, Minister…?"

“A, a, aa…? Sa, saishou, -sama…?”

"I told you to shut up, you fool. Given the state of this man in turmoil after seeing you, it's more than enough evidence. Going further than this is unnecessary."

“Damare to itta darou ga, guzu-me. Kisama no sugata o mite kono otoko ga kaku mo midareta ijou, shouko to shite wa juubun da. Kore ijou wa fuyou da to sa.”

"B-but…! Th-this man… he… he used me――"

“De, demo…! Ko, koitsu… kono otoko ga atashi o――”

The prime minister narrowed his eyes and cast a cold gaze on the woman who continued to insist.

"I said shut up."

“Watashi ga damare to itte iru nda.”

"Y-yes…"

“Ha… ha, i…”

With that response, she wilted as if a thread had been cut from her.

Rochebourg's interest seemed to wane with that, so he turned to Balbastre with a friendly smile.

"Well, it seems we've made quite a commotion in your household, don't you think so, Marquis? My apologies for the inconvenience caused even after making you cooperate in apprehending this heinous criminal."

“Iya haya, go-uchi juu o sawagaseta you dearu na koushaku? Taizai-nin o toraeru no ni kyouryoku shite morai nagara, shitsurei na koto ni natte sumanai na.”

"…Your words are humbling."

“…O-kotoba, katajikenaku.”

The marquis lowered his head with a stern expression and continued in a reserved tone.

"Despite the suspicion of high treason, Duke Armand has served faithfully as a defender of our country for many years. Until his guilt is definitively established, I earnestly request――"

“Daigyaku no utagai ga kakerareta to wa ie, Arumando-kou wa naganen waga kuni no sakimori to shite hatarakareta kou mo arimasu. Tsumi ari to kakutei suru made wa, dou ka nen'goro ni――”

"The marquis is a merciful person, indeed."

“Koushaku wa jihi-bukai kata dearu na.”

Interrupting without hearing the end, Rochebourg wore a revealing expression and spoke.

TL Note: 露わな顔/revealing expression meaning his expression revealed his real emotion/he doesn't hide his real feeling anymore. I guess.

"However, if you wish for that, wouldn't it be best to beseech His Majesty? After all, it's a crime of high treason, having taken the life of the future king. What's scary is how the suspects are treated. I'm sure you have an idea about that."

“Da ga, sou negau no deareba, heika ni o-tanomi suru shika nai no dewa nai ka naa? Nanise, jidai no Ou o te ni kaketa daigyaku no tsumi dearu. Osoru beki tokoro mo, utagai no aru mono no atsukai ni tsuite wa kangae ga arou.”

"That is…"

“Sore wa…”

"If we speak of many years, the time that that person has spent to pursue revenge for his heirs isn't short as well, don't you think?"

“Naganen to iu no deareba, ano kata ga o-yotsugi-ra no kataki o oi motometeita nengetsu mo, mijikai mono dewa arumai?”

Eight years ago, Charles VIII's anger and anguish over the incident became quite famous. Since that time, he visibly aged and became closed off even to those in his inner circle, including his closest advisors. As a suspect in such a significant assassination, it was unlikely that the duke could expect any mercy.

Ignoring the pain in Balbastre's heart, Rochebourg commanded the knights with authority.

"What are you doing? Hurry up and take away this suspected traitor."

“Nani o shite iru? Daigyaku no utagai no aru tsumibito da, sousou ni hittateyo.”

"Y-yes, sir!"

“Ha, ha!”

The sturdy knights dragged both Duke Armand and the witness out. Leaving the stunned Marquis Balbastre behind, Rochebourg followed them into the corridor.

The prime minister slowly reached into his pocket. A rustling sound of paper emanated from there. What he had hidden was a letter.

The sender was none other than George Henry Lavallee, the now deceased former leader of the Centralist faction. In short, it was the same as the method used to force Elpis-Roanne on Tullius Oubeniel. That embodiment of regional suppression could not possibly ignore the opportunity to eliminate the Decentralist faction in his dying moments. Naturally, the evidence of the incident that he had captured eight years ago and used as a tool in his dealings also remained.

However, the way the Prime Minister used it was beyond the imagination of even that seasoned conspirator.

"Hehe… Hehehe… Well, well. This is quite simple."

“Fufu… ufufu… Naaanda. Kantan dewa nai ka, konna koto.”

With a snicker, he crushed the document hidden in his pocket.

As if the plan to intimidate Duke Armand by implying that he still had the evidence, the plan to take advantage of the unrest to drive the Decentralist faction into internal discord, the plan to attract the attention of Tullius and others to the conflict or to involve them… the various schemes that were written in the document, was dismissed as nonsense.

Duke Rochebourg, the Prime Minister of the kingdom. Having lost his puppet master, he concealed his own hidden motives and began to make moves contrary to the evaluations of those around him.

~~~

"…This is serious, Your Excellency!"

“…Taihen desu, kakka!”

As Laubert burst into the office carrying news that had arrived from the capital, his master, Marquis Tullius Shernan Oubeniel, was in the process of cleaning up documents in an unusually serious manner.

He looked up reluctantly, put down his brush in annoyance, and, with a lack of tension, addressed his panicked subordinate.

"What's the matter, Laubert? Seems like you're in such a rush that you forgot to knock. Has our useless king finally kicked the bucket? Or did the prime minister find a good second wife?"

“Nandai, Rubēru. Nokku mo wasureru hodo awatechatte. Yakutatazu no Ou-sama ga tsuini kutabatta kai? Sore tomo, saishou ni ii atogama demo mitsukatta no ka na?”

"This is no time for jokes!"

“Joudan o itteru baai janai desu yo!”

TL Note: I don't quite understand since 後釜 (atogama) mainly has three meanings, ‘replacement,’ ‘successor,’ and ‘second wife’ so I'm not sure if Tullius intended to say that the prime minister has found a good replacement for Lavallee to order him around or he was just joking about whether the prime minister has found a good successor or second wife. But considering Laubert’s response, the meaning for ‘atogama’ that is closest to a joke in this context is ‘second wife’ so… yeah.

"Calm down. It's not like St. Gallen is attacking again, is it?"

“Ochitsuki na tte. Betsu ni mata Zankutogaren ga semete kita wake jaa nai ndarou?”

Laubert continued without hiding his displeasure towards his ever-carefree master.

"If we're careless, it might happen."

“Heta o suru to, sou naru kamo shiremasen.”

"…Huh?"

“…Ha?”

"An incident has occurred in the capital. Duke Armand has been arrested as the perpetrator of the infamous assassination of the Crown Prince, and has been thwarted."

“Outo de jiken ga okimashita. Arumando-kou ga, rei no Ou taishi ansatsu jiken no hannin toshite tsukamari, tori tsubusareta ndesu.”

Upon hearing these words, even Tullius seemed genuinely surprised. For a moment, his eyes widened, and he shifted from his careless posture against the backrest to sit up attentively, ready to hear the detailed report.

Laubert recounted the information brought from the capital through communication channels. Duke Armand, who had been responsible for defending against St. Gallen in the north of the newly acquired territory of Elpis-Roanne, had been arrested on suspicion of involvement in the assassination of Prince Louis eight years ago. The witness was a woman sent in as the mistress of the second prince at that time, who allegedly followed the duke's instructions to deceive Philip and handed him a poison as a weapon. The woman had been targeted for assassination afterward to silence her. In addition to her testimony, numerous pieces of evidence supposedly hidden by Lavallee, delivered through the prime minister, were submitted to the High Court…

After Laubert finished his lengthy account, Tullius nodded once.

"――Thank you for the report. Uni, prepare tea for him too."

“――Houkoku gokurou-sama. Yuni, kare ni mo ocha o irete agete.”

"Yes, right away."

“Hai, tadaima.”

"No, this is no time to be drinking tea, is it!?"

“Iya, nonderu baai janai desho!?”

Laubert retorted, wondering where Tullius' initial surprise had gone, seeing him so casually ordering his slave to serve tea.

"The biggest aristocrat in the kingdom has been thwarted, you know!? The domestic situation is a complete mess! The Decentralists are seething with hostility, and the Centralists are rallying to strike while the iron is hot! If foreign powers take advantage of this chaos, especially the vindictive St. Gallen after last year's war――"

“Oukoku saidai-kyuu no kizoku ga tori tsubusareta ndesu yo!? Kokunai jousei wa mechakucha desu! Bunken-ha renchuu wa sakkidatte irushi, shuuken-ha wa kono ki ni oi uchi o kakero nante ikimaite irushi! Sho gaikoku ni kono konran e tsukekomaretara taihen desu yo, toku ni kyonen no sensou de urami kotsuzui no Zankutogaren nanka ga――”

"If St. Gallen were to attack Armand, our Elpis-Roanne, which is adjacent, wouldn't come out unscathed, right?"

“Zankutogaren ga Arumando ni semekondara, rinsetsu shiteiru bokura no Erupisu-Roānu datte tada ja sumanai tte iu ndaro?”

"If you understand that, then please panic more!"

“Wakatteiru nara, motto awatete kudasai yo!”

"There's no point in panicking."

“Awatetatte shikatanai janai ka.”

As he spoke, Tullius shifted his weight back onto the chair, making it creak.

"So? Does it seem like St. Gallen is about to make a move?"

“De? Sono Zankutogaren wa ima ni mo ugokidashi-sou na no kai?”

"N-no, that is…"

“I, ie, sore wa…”

Laubert hesitated.

As suggested by his master, the neighboring country was not in a position to act immediately. After all, they were in the midst of a civil war. Even if they were to change their plans and expedite military preparations to take advantage of the political upheaval in Arquell, it would still have taken time to reorganize their forces, even for a military state like St. Gallen.

"Even within this country, it is the same. If the Centralist faction and the Decentralist faction want to fight, then let them do as they pleased. We have no reason to help either of them. Rather, both sides view me as an enemy."

“Kokunai datte sou sa. Chuuou shuuken-ha to chihou bunken-ha ga arasou tte iu no nara, suki ni sasete okeba ii. Boku-ra ga kare-ra o tasukete yaru doori wa nai darou ni. Sore dokoro ka, docchi-tomo boku no koto o tekishi shiteru nda shi ne.”

"That is certainly true, but…"

“Tashika ni sou desu ga…”

"Tea is ready."

“Ocha ga hairimashita.”

"Ah, thank you."

“A, doumo.”

He took the tea that Uni offered and reflexively drank it. Meanwhile Tullius, with his chin moistened by the steam rising from the cup, appeared lost in thought.

"…Something felt off."

“…Nanka, fushizen nanda yo nee.”

"What did you mean?"

“To, osshaimasu to?”

"About that prime minister… No, that's one thing, but there's something else――"

“Ano saishou no koto… Iya, sore mo aru nda kedo hoka ni mo――”

As he spoke, he pointed towards the maid with his hand still holding the cup.

"――How about Uni?"

“――Yuni wa dou dai?”

"…A woman who should have been dead took the witness stand. I felt like I had heard a similar story somewhere."

“…Shinda hazu no onna ga shougen-dai ni agaru. Doko ka de kiita hanashi no you na ki mo itashimasu.”

That's true, Laubert thought.

The trial commotion his master and she were involved in two years ago. Even in that incident, a person thought to have died eleven years ago suddenly appeared, surprising everyone. But he was more amazed at how his master and the others dealt with the ghost-like figure…

Regardless of the sentiments of the domestic affairs official, Tullius agreed.

"Yeah. I was concerned about that too… I wonder if such things can happen twice?"

“Aa. Boku mo soko ga ki ni kakatte ita nda… Konna koto ga nido mo tsuzuku mono na no ka na?”

"Because it did happen twice, which is why Duke Armand was captured in the first place, right?"

“Tsuzuita kara koso, Arumando-kou wa tsukamatta nja nai desu ka.”

Laubert said that, but he ignored it and continued to speak to Uni.

"…Sorry, but I'd like you to make a quick trip to the capital. The information network of factions alone is not enough. Go and check it out with your own eyes."

“…Warui keredo, chotto outo made hitoppashiri tanomu yo. Habatsu no jouhou-mou dake ja mono tarinai. Kimi no me de jika ni tashikamete kite kure.”

"As you wish. Then, I'll go right away."

“Kashikomarimashita. Dewa, sugu ni demo.”

As soon as she said that, the slave in maid uniform suddenly disappeared. It was impossible for Laubert, who was just an ordinary person, to follow her movements.

Having sent out his faithful 'masterpiece,' Tullius sipped his tea as if regretting her departure.

"Damn, things never go as planned, huh?"

“Ttaku, monogoto tte no wa hontou ni yotei doori ni susumanai ne.”

~~~

A week after his arrest, with a trial that could hardly be called a trial between it, Duke Armand was executed. Some questioned the haste, deeming it too swift for judging the highest-ranking noble. Although voices were raised, questioning why things were progressing so quickly, they were ultimately ignored and silenced.

The swift proceedings were attributed not only to the conclusive evidence presented by Prime Minister Rochebourg and others but also to the strong will of King Charles VIII. After eight years, he had finally captured the revenge for his sons, and there was no intention of letting him escape or showing any mercy.

Furthermore, the king's wrath was not limited to the duke alone. Duke Armand's family and followers who had come to the capital to plead for their life were all captured, ensuring that they would follow in the footsteps of the condemned duke.

The people were shaken. The seemingly apathetic and incompetent king had hidden a depth of passion that caught everyone off guard, instilling fear in them. The measures taken were so swift and decisive that it completely changed the perception of the king in the eyes of the public.

The aging king, who had undergone such a transformation in public opinion, appeared exhausted as if he had expended all his energy in the series of events.

"I offer my deepest sympathy, Your Majesty."

“Shinjuu, o-sasshi itashimasu. Heika.”

"Yes…"

“Umu…”

Seated on the chair in his chamber, slouching slightly, the king responded to the prime minister's words with a weak nod. In order to execute Duke Armand, Rochebourg had displayed boundless energy. He presented various pieces of evidence entrusted to him by Lavallee, tracked down witnesses who had been silenced, and not only devised strategies for the arrest but also took command on the scene. What truly astonished onlookers was not only King Charles VIII's fervent hatred but also the remarkable actions of this man, who was perceived as a puppet of the centralists.

The prime minister spoke with an ambiguous smile, expressing his pity and adherence.

"However, with this, the cause for concern has been eliminated. How about taking this opportunity to secure a clear successor?"

“Desu ga, kore de o yuuryo no tane wa nozokaremashita. Ikaga deshou, kore o ki ni o-yotsugi o kakutaru mono to nasatte wa.”

Indeed, as Rochebourg suggested, it was an opportune time to designate a new heir. The perpetrator of the events from eight years ago had been eliminated. There was no need to fear passing everything to the one who had killed his son. Charles was already aging, and it was time to settle future matters; otherwise, there might be unrest.

However,

"Give me a little more time to ponder this."

“Ima sukoshi, kangaesasei.”

The king's statement revealed a contrary intention. The prime minister furrowed his brow as if troubled.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty… ensuring the continuation of the royal lineage is also one of your duties. Moreover, without a clear successor, there is a risk that new and unexpected contenders may emerge."

“Osore nagara heika… outou o nochi no yo ni nokosu mo onmi no tsutome no uchi desu zo. Sore ni kakutaru koukei o sadameraremasen to, mata zoro arata na ryogai-mono ga arawareru koto mo aru ka to.”

While an heir remained undecided, other ducal houses might have been tempted to vie for the position. To prevent this, it was crucial for the king to personally designate a successor, curbing any potential succession disputes.

Charles understood Rochebourg's point. However, he also harbored another thought.

(…Even my rightful heir, Louis, was killed, wasn't it.)

(…Yo no kakutaru taishi deatta Rui mo, korosarete shimatta dewa nai ka.)

Certainly, the circumstances of the past and present were different. At the time of the previous events, Armand and other nobles only saw the king's mediocre side, but now he exhibited a fierce aspect against the major conspirator. There was a high likelihood that they would be cautious and avoid any imprudent actions, fearing a fate similar to the duke's.

Still, he hated what he hated.

(Relinquish the vacant throne left by the absence of my sons to someone whose blood ties are questionable, he said?)

(Musuko-ra ga inakunatte suita gyokuza o, aru ka nashi ka no ketsuen shika motanu mono ni yuzuru da to?)

The very thought of it turned his stomach.

Forced to sit on a chair he'd rather avoid, wearing down his nerves with political affairs he had no desire for, and, in the end, losing his children, only to hand over everything to people who seemed nothing more than strangers? It was genuinely a ludicrous turn of events. In that case, what was the purpose of a man named Charles' life? He avenged his sons, but did he only settle the score? It was insufficient even to apologize to Louis and Philip in the afterlife.

He needed more. Achievements. Authority. Reverence. Something that he could proudly proclaim to the entire world that he was Charles VIII, the King of Arquell. Otherwise, the blood shed by his sons would be in vain. They would end up as sons who died in conspiracies over an insignificant throne.

I absolutely wouldn't allow such a thing to happen――

"…Regarding the heir, I'll convey my decision once it's settled. For now, let's discuss another matter."

“…Yotsugi e no kangae wa, kimari shidai otte tsutaeru. Ima wa betsu no ken'an ni tsuite da.”

Concealing his inner thoughts, he spoke, and Rochebourg reluctantly nodded.

"Yes. Is it about the further expansion of the Royal Knights Order?"

“Hai. Konoe no sara naru kakujuu ni tsuite, desu na?”

"Yes. Six knight orders are insufficient to protect the royal household and fulfill my intentions. Especially when one of them is nothing more than a decorative piece."

“Umu. Kinchuu o mamori yo no ikou o kanaeru no ni, kishi-dan rokko dewa tarinu. Mashiteya, sono uchi hitotsu ga tai no yoi kazari-mono dewa na.”

What Charles was talking about was the First Royal Knight Order. It consisted of the sons of high-ranking nobles, essentially those close to Armand and the Decentralist faction. Just that fact alone was unpleasant, but what was more, their training was considerably inferior compared to the other knight orders, making them far from a reliable force.

"To start with, preparations for establishing the Seventh Knight Order are in progress. The late Marquis Lavallee had been advancing the preparations for its establishment, so we should be able to make the arrangements promptly."

“Te-hajime ni, dai-nana no kishi-dan o arata ni moukeru junbi wa dekite orimasu. Kochira wa sendai Ravare-kou ga setsuritsu no junbi o susumete imashita no de, sumiyaka ni youi dekiru ka to.”

"In addition, promote the permanent establishment of the garrison in the capital. Against external enemies like St. Gallen and internal troubles like Armand—in case of any sudden incidents, I'm uneasy relying solely on the knight orders; we need reliable forces as our hands and feet."

“Awasete, outo ni tsumeru hei-dan no jousetsu-ka mo oshi-susumeyo. Zankutogaren no gotoki iteki no yakara ni, Arumando-me no you na naikan. Itchou koto atta sai, izure ni shosuru ni mo, waga te-ashi to naru mono ga kishi-dan dake dewa kokoromotonai.”

"As Your Majesty wishes."

“Go-eiryo, kashikomatte gozaimasu.”

Rochebourg bowed deeply. Charles then gestured for him to leave.

The prime minister obediently left.

Left alone, the king pondered for a moment.

"Ensure the protection of the royal household and fulfill my intentions, huh?"

“Kinchuu o mamori yo no ikou o kanaeru, ka.”

What exactly were his intentions?

Replacing the long-standing lethargy and discontent that had nested in his heart for years, it was something that even he couldn't clearly identify now. Charles savored this indistinct sensation for a while.

~~~

There were eyes gazing at that scene from outside the castle walls, through the windows.

The owner of the green-eyed gaze, Uni, slightly furrowed her brows.

"…You seem to have changed quite a bit."

“…Kore wa mata, zuibun to o-kawari ni narareta you desu.”

Muttering to herself, she then threw her body from the perch, allowing a free-fall. She had already gathered the information she needed. Now, she had to quickly return to her master and report this matter.

She caught a glimpse of the darkness of the kingdom and vanished into the night of the capital.

――It was only three days before the delegation from Omnia arrived in Volden.

~~~

To be continued…

Author Note:

They only told Yuuto and the others about the outline of the happenings before the first half.

~~~

TL Note:

Wow, things escalated so fast. Poor Duke Armand :>

And yeah this chapter was brought to you by my patrons, Sier, McConnaheyhey, TheHunt3r Gaming, Viks, Dan Ryder, Eger, Imperius, Pepe Feik, Tony Derado, and Elevathor. Thank you very much, guys!

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