Chapter 130 - Episode 18 (Interlude: In the Royal Castle's Conference Room)
The King was holding his head in his hands.
How did it come to this? The Martial Arts Tournament, which was supposed to give birth to a hero, ended with nothing more than a criminal flaunting her existence.
The noble warriors who were fitting to be enshrined as heroes of this country did not leave very good results, and even Chris Bay Clarino, who achieved the best results among the nobles, had his presence diminished by an overwhelming defeat.
……The root of all evil is Violia Nico Fortesia.
The heinous criminal herself, who has begun to act like a revolutionary.
「……It seems the commoners have been completely swayed by her revolutionary act.」
「Y-Yes. Unfortunately……」
The damage brought by Violia Nico Fortesia in this Martial Arts Tournament is far too great.
She denounced the King in front of the commoners, spoke poignantly of House Fortesia's tragedy, and finally declared she would start a revolution.
……Unfortunately, the commoners are beginning to be deceived by the devil's sweet words.
「It is a lamentable thing. Even though the peace of this country until today has been entirely due to the power of its rulers.」
「That is exactly right…… however, commoners are foolish things. They are the kind of people who mistake stability for stagnation and rejoice in destruction as change. Such people naturally require capable rulers.」
Hearing the minister's words, the King nodded deeply.
The commoners are only possessed of enough intellect to be deceived by the words of a criminal acting like a revolutionary. That is exactly why a leader is necessary…… and the one to take that role must be the King himself, not someone like Violia Nico Fortesia.
However, even as the King renewed his resolve, the situation had not changed. The situation remained dire.
「I hear there was a statement from the Cathedral.」
「Yes. Here it is.」
When he opened the letter handed to him by the minister and looked inside, he found something truly terrifying written in Saint Carol's handwriting.
It was 'the protection of innocent werewolves.'
Yes. The Cathedral had rebelled against the Royal Family and declared that they would begin protecting monsters.
「It is a statement regarding the protection of werewolves. ……What shall you do?」
「……Is this because of the werewolf who sneaked into the Martial Arts Tournament?」
「It appears so. That werewolf's words took an anti-Royal Family stance. And this time, it was followed by Violia Nico Fortesia's declaration of revolution and such…… lamentably, it seems many have empathized with the werewolf's words as well. Also, regarding the werewolf in question, it appears he is being protected by the Cathedral.」
「I see…… I did not think even the Saint would be deceived……」
The King immediately felt like holding his head again.
Ever since the Cathedral's Saint assumed her position with unprecedented popularity, the Royal Family had moved to curry favor with the Cathedral. This was because the Cathedral had come to hold the hearts of the commoners more than the Royal Family, and it was also to restore the trust lost due to the Royal Family's repeated misfortunes.
……But even that has come to naught.
By putting forward the protection of werewolves, the Cathedral has taken a stance completely opposed to the Royal Family. It is an outrage that says they no longer care about the Royal Family's position.
Since he remembered treating the Saint reasonably well, the King felt as if he had been betrayed.
……With the Cathedral, which is in a position to lead the people, making such a move, this country is finally in danger. This means they must also consider what to do about the Cathedral.
「What shall we do? Shall we crush the Cathedral?」
At the King's words, the princes, princesses, and nobles buzzed.
Certainly, the Cathedral is an eyesore. However, if they were to crush it, the commoners surely would not remain silent.
One might think what mere paupers could do, but even a swarm of gnats can kill a lion. They do not want to provoke the commoners unnecessarily, but…….
「Whether we crush them or not, they should not be left alone. If left as they are, the Cathedral may not only protect werewolves but even lend a hand to the revolution.」
At Prince Dactor's words, everyone was startled.
……Due to the two detestable speeches given during this Martial Arts Tournament, the movements for werewolf protection and revolution are growing.
To make matters worse, those two have a very high affinity for joining forces.
While appealing for werewolf protection, the werewolves are also expressing their opposition to the Royal Family, which has conducted werewolf hunts. It is extremely compatible with the 'revolution' desired by Violia Nico Fortesia.
Therefore, there is a possibility the Cathedral will become like that as well.
Starting with the protection of werewolves, the Cathedral will gradually be contaminated…… and eventually, there is a certain possibility that they will attempt to overturn this country.
「We should not attack the Cathedral. We want to make the first move, but if it is said that 'the Royal Family laid hands on them first,' we will finally be out of options.」
「Then what are you saying we should do?」
If left alone, the Cathedral might also start saying 'revolution for this country.' On the other hand, if they clumsily restrain the Cathedral, that might be used as an excuse to attack them again.
How should they move against an opponent who will cause damage whether left alone or touched?
……The one who broke the silence of the troubled conference room was again Prince Dactor.
「We should strictly consider the werewolves and the Revolutionary Army separately. The ones we must do something about are the rebels…… in the worst case, regarding the werewolves, could we not accept the Cathedral's opinion?」
「What do you mean?」
「The significance of hunting werewolves is fading. A public enemy other than werewolves has been born. ……As long as there are those who intend to plunge this country into chaos, like the Revolutionary Army, there is no need to fixate on werewolves.」
The King groaned at Dactor's opinion.
Certainly, that might be the compromise.
Withdraw from the werewolf issue. But in exchange, bring the matter to the Cathedral so that they take a stance of restraining the Revolutionary Army together.
If they do that, it might be possible to bring the Cathedral to their side.
「Father, please make a decision.」
「Umu……」
The King agonized. But…… though it would be a bitter choice for the Royal Family, there would be no other way.
「Very well. We shall arrange a meeting with the Cathedral in that manner. While permitting the protection of werewolves, we may even provide some funds for their protection. In exchange, we must ensure the Cathedral does not fall into the hands of the Revolutionary Army.」
It is already difficult to protect everything.
In that case, they must cut away what should be cut away and protect what truly must be protected…… the peace of this country.
The King made that decision.
While they were finalizing the plan regarding the Cathedral, there was a hesitant knock on the conference room door.
While suspicious, the minister opened the door along with the guards and had some kind of exchange with two soldiers who seemed to be outside.
As the people in the conference room watched the scene…… eventually, the minister returned to the conference room with something like a piece of paper in his hand.
「What is it?」
「……Your Majesty. The soldiers brought this.」
Taking the paper the minister produced, the King frowned.
It was a piece of paper of poor quality, the kind a pauper would use. The stiff texture was something unfamiliar to the King.
However, the content on that paper made the King even more uncomfortable than the feel of the paper.
「Revolutionary Army Recruitment, eh. ……Good grief, they move quite openly, don't they? Do they intend to be hidden with this?」
The content on the poor-quality paper was exactly that: 'Notice of Revolutionary Army Recruitment.'
'Seeking comrades to fight together to overthrow the Royal Family and lead this country in the right direction.' Such insolent content was recorded there.
Furthermore, quite carelessly, even the date, time, and location of the meeting were recorded on the paper. It was to be in the mountains beside the highway connecting the Royal Capital and Elsemarin about a month from now, at night…….
「This is good. Does this mean if we crush this place at this time, we can wipe out the Revolutionary Army in one go?」
「Could it be a trap?」
「If we find that multiple copies of the same thing are circulating in the castle town, the possibility of it being a trap becomes extremely low. ……Minister. How did the soldiers who brought this say they obtained it?」
「Hah, they said that while walking through the town during their time off, they were handed this paper in a back alley.」
I see, I didn't think they would be foolish enough to distribute 'Notice of Revolutionary Army Recruitment' to someone clearly dressed as a castle soldier, but so that was it, the King nodded deeply.
「Then, use the soldiers to verify this. If we gather enough of these to judge it is not a trap, then we shall strike all at once.」
They have finally caught the tail of their careless opponent. The King felt this and saw a ray of hope.
If they can crush the Revolutionary Army, everything else will work out. The Cathedral will also cease its opposition, and the commoners should remember who it is they ought to obey.
……However, someone raised their hand there.
「Hm, what is it?」
「With all due respect, Your Majesty. No matter how many notices we obtain, we cannot deny the possibility that this information is a trap.」
The one who raised his hand and spoke was Chris Bay Clarino.
The King, as well as the princes, princesses, and other nobles, were surprised that he spoke.
……Chris Bay Clarino suffered a decisive defeat in that Martial Arts Tournament. It was rumored that Chris Bay Clarino, who was given a pathetic and humiliating defeat, had shut himself in his mansion for several days and had not stepped outside once.
It was surprising enough that he was attending the meeting, even if it was at the King's summons, but…….
「Therefore, it is too dangerous for the King himself to move the troops. If it were a trap, it would lead to an irreversible situation.」
「No…… but……」
While the King hesitated, not knowing what Chris was trying to say.
「Could you not leave this task to me, Chris Bay Clarino!」
Chris Bay Clarino strongly appealed to the King with eyes that hid a desperate resolve.
「That is…… why would you do such a thing? Whether you move or the castle troops move, the danger remains the same.」
「That is exactly why. Right now, we should not put the country's troops in danger. Thinning the castle's defenses might be exactly what Violia Nico Fortesia is aiming for.」
At Chris's words, the King and the others groaned.
……Indeed, that is true. Chris's explanation was very persuasive.
And at the same time…… even before hearing Chris's explanation, all the members of the Royal Family had been thinking, 'Is there no one who will move outside of the castle's forces?'
「But…… is it truly alright? It will be a dangerous battle.」
「I do not mind. I wish to do it. ……To wipe away the disgrace I showed at the Martial Arts Tournament, by all means.」
……Chris's defeat at the Martial Arts Tournament was far too shocking. No one thought that Chris Bay Clarino, who possessed the best skills among the nobles, would be defeated in such a way.
That is why…… others besides Chris also desired it.
'I want him to once again show Chris Bay Clarino's strength as something certain.'
「……If that is the case, very well.」
The King made his decision.
「I shall leave this matter to you.」
「Thank you very much. I shall surely bring back results.」
A strong will is burning in Chris's eyes. Seeing that, the King decided to leave it to Chris. ……Of course, it was also because Chris's offer was convenient for the King.
……Thus, the meeting ended.
At the same time, Chris Bay Clarino's battle for his pride began.