kscans

Chapter 87 - A Conspiracy Surrounding the Living Weapon

Having received the report from Darius that preparations to seize the Magic Furnace were proceeding smoothly, Cedric sequestered himself in the war room with Chancellor Adrian.

They were there to discuss the plan for the coup d’état, and the subsequent handling of his brother, Karlwein.

"...This has become a troublesome matter," Cedric grumbled in a low voice.

This country was constantly threatened by the monsters of the Tree Sea, yet that very same Tree Sea served as a natural shield against the neighboring country. But on the other side, where there was no Tree Sea, lay a great power. An adversary that combined both magic and science, one with whom they had exchanged fire many times.

What had sustained them in a situation where they could be swallowed up at any moment was a single person. The "living weapon," Ariel Sophia.

Her immense offensive power, her absolute defense, and her unnatural ability to recover even from fatal wounds. Even the great power hesitated to invade as long as she was here.

And yet.

"The king fails to understand her value... and apparently intends to further increase his magic with the Magic Furnace and invade the great power," Adrian’s voice was laced with a cold fury.

"Building a Magic Furnace? It is difficult." Adrian had repeatedly refused the king’s requests for furnace construction, citing a lack of funds. But in reality.

"The cost is certainly an issue, but only Ariel can retrieve the magic cores that form its nucleus, and only she can build the furnace itself. If we create a country that cannot function without her, this nation will fall apart," Adrian had stated to Cedric.

"And still the king would not stop," Cedric sighed.

What’s more, Ariel had already fallen into his brother Karlwein’s hands. What if she was dead? This country would be swallowed up by the great power in an instant. Even if she was alive but being forced to obey the king... at this rate, she would undoubtedly be used as a pawn of war.

Darius had come to me for help not for political reasons, but simply because he wanted to save her. It’s not that he doesn’t understand her value, but he refuses to see her in that light.

But in reality, Ariel’s very existence was the trigger for a state overthrow.

Therefore, considering the queen, the crown prince, the request from Darius, and the future of the country, they had to act.

"...Lord Cedric. I believe Ariel is still alive." Adrian’s eyes were serious.

"The operating rate of the Magic Furnace on Sacred Peak Mountain has been fluctuating. With no magic cores coming from the defense force, it shouldn’t be rising. In other words, something else is being fed into it."

"Could Ariel be hunting monsters?"

"That is impossible. There have been no sightings of her in the vicinity, and since Ariel’s disappearance, the Mage Order has been guarding the furnace heavily. ...The only explanation is that it is running on something other than magic cores."

Cedric grunted silently. Running a Magic Furnace on something other than magic cores? He had never heard of such a method.

"Can Supreme Commander Julius be ordered to withdraw the Mage Order?" At Cedric’s suggestion, Adrian’s eyes narrowed.

"...Julius is of the noble faction. However, it has been confirmed that he has created pawns for the king within the knight orders to ingratiate himself. It is also possible he was involved in obstructing the retreat of the Tree Sea Defense Force and swapping their supplies. If we leak information to him, he may mobilize the knight orders."

The future of a failed coup d’état flashed through his mind, and Cedric let out a heavy breath. Of course, Julius was originally the captain of the king’s own Imperial Guard, so the possibility that he was acting on the king’s orders could not be dismissed.

"The only forces we can move are the current Imperial Guard and the noble factions. They are directly under the king, but their loyalty has been shattered by the damages in the Tree Sea. ...The coup will proceed in secret, and the king and queen will merely be placed under strict confinement. Publicly, we will make it seem as though he is ‘unable to continue his official duties due to illness,’ and I will act as regent until his son comes of age. That should prevent other countries from making any unnecessary moves."

"...Yes." Adrian had no choice but to nod.

But a bitter feeling spread through his chest. Even though Ariel might be sacrificed, even if they succeeded with the coup, they would not even be allowed to strike down the foolish king.

Adrian clenched his fists so tightly his nails dug into his palms, and could only suppress his rage.