kscans

t/n: argh! i forgot i already posted the part1. i re-edited the chapter and realized too late that i already posted it.

CHAPTER 8 PATARAPOZA – Episode 6 The Queen’s Struggle (Part 2)

5

“Well, that’s how it was. There didn’t seem to be anything suspicious about the king’s death or its cause. Besides, being a king is an incredibly demanding job. Kings who worked diligently tended to have short lifespans throughout history. The real issue was what came after. During King Julelan’s reign, the number of royal succession rights holders increased by two, with no other changes. So there were still over a dozen succession rights holders. One of the two added was Prince Baldrant. The other, unusually, was not of royal blood.”

Bard asked who that person was.

“It was Marquis Chantillion Argolide, the General of the King’s Direct Army. Did you know that General Chantillion inherited the titles of Count Sangiel and Count Sark, and was elevated to marquis? To be honest, it was a bit unreasonable to keep a noble of such high status as a general in the King’s Direct Army. But King Julelan strongly insisted on retaining him, and General Chantillion continued to accept. General Chantillion excelled at blitzkrieg tactics with elite forces and came from an illustrious family. He quickly suppressed rebellions aimed at improving contract terms, and many nobles refrained from rebelling in the face of General Chantillion’s prestige. Also, as Parzam Kingdom’s trade rights and territories expanded southward, there were frequent skirmishes with city-states and demi-humans. General Chantillion resolved these conflicts while minimizing casualties on both sides. Even when feudal lords’ armies joined the royal army in military actions, no one outranking Marquis Chantillion would take to the battlefield, so the royal army always maintained leadership. He won every battle and avoided unnecessary losses. His name resounded throughout the kingdom.”

Bard thought for a moment. Chantillion had found what he could do and devoted himself to fulfilling it.

“However, being granted succession rights was merely an honorary matter. In reality, it was unthinkable for someone outside the royal family to become king. That would mean a change of dynasty. So both General Chantillion and the Argolide family remained neutral observers. The granting of succession rights to General Chantillion happened right after the First War of Nations, so it was likely meant more as a reward. Honor instead of land, you see. On the other hand, Prince Baldrant’s inclusion was a very close call. After taking to his sickbed, the late king summoned the Privy Council and won a resolution to grant Prince Baldrant succession rights. However, due to his young age, he was not designated as crown prince.”

Or rather, the Privy Counselors were likely assessing the future trends, Bard thought. In other words, they had given up on King Julelan’s bloodline. Though some must have voted in favor.

“Now, what was strange was Queen Shernelia’s behavior. Everyone expected the queen to frantically start working to put her son on the throne. However, the queen calmly proceeded with the late King Julelan’s funeral arrangements, showing complete indifference to the struggle for the next throne. A queen’s position continues until the next king ascends the throne. Moreover, with the first consort missing, the queen’s authority was very high. If Queen Shernelia had played her cards right, it might not have been a dream to put Prince Baldrant on the throne. To obtain the throne, one needs to win a majority of votes in both the Privy Council and the Council of High Ministers. To gain votes in the Council of High Ministers, one needs to secure the support of the great nobles behind them. The succession rights holders spent fortunes on bribery and promised future benefits to gain supporters. But the queen remained terrifyingly quiet.”

‘That’s strange’, thought Bard. Shernelia should be the one who shared Julelan’s aspirations. Wouldn’t his son, Baldrant, be the one to convey and realize those aspirations? Or did Shernelia believe Prince Baldrant was not up to the task?

“The day of King Julelan’s private funeral arrived. The host was, of course, Queen Shernelia. The queen led Duke Argolide, who had come to pay his respects, to a separate room. Those who saw this thought that the queen wants either Marquis Baucles or General Chantillion as prime minister.”

‘I see’, thought Bard. Of the seven ducal houses descended from the first king, the Argolide family held the greatest power. They had the most influence in both the Privy Council and the Council of High Ministers. Marquis Baucles was Duke Argolide’s eldest son and heir. Chantillion was a brilliant man brought in from a branch family and now considered the face of the Argolide family. The queen would negotiate to offer the power of prime minister to one of these two in exchange for their cooperation in securing the throne for Baldrant. But Bard wasn’t sure if the position of prime minister was truly appealing in this situation.

“People scoffed. While the position of prime minister was attractive, they thought the shrewd Duke Argolide would never make such a risky choice as to aid Prince Baldrant’s ascension to the throne for that reason. Soon the private funeral ended, and it was time for the host’s closing remarks. Queen Shernelia stepped forward to give her address but stepped back before announcing the date of the main funeral. People were shocked by what happened next. General Chantillion stepped forward and announced the date of the main funeral.”

Bard didn’t understand why this was met with such surprise.

“Don’t you see, Lord Bard? The one who announces the date is the one who will host the main funeral. If someone other than the queen hosts the king’s main funeral, it’s tantamount to saying they will be the next king.”

‘The one who conducts the king’s funeral becomes the next king. I see. Come to think of it, I feel like I’ve heard something like that before.’

“It was later revealed that what Queen Shernelia proposed to Duke Argolide that day was to install General Chantillion as regent. And to keep Prince Baldrant’s succession rights intact, with the request that the throne be handed over to Prince Baldrant once he came of age and gained experience. There are those among the Privy Counselors and High Ministers who admired King Julelan and wished to carry on his will. If there was a promise to eventually transfer the throne to Prince Baldrant, those people would vote for General Chantillion to become regent. And it was also later discovered that Queen Shernelia offered to cover the costs of the coronation ceremony and celebratory events for General Chantillion as regent.”

‘Hmm’, Bard pondered. ‘I see. Since Chantillion held succession rights, he could become regent. If it’s not a complete transfer of royal authority but taking the position of regent, there might be less resistance even for someone outside the royal family. But a promise to hand over the throne when Prince Baldrant grows up, eh? How much can that promise be trusted? Chantillion might try to keep his word, but would the Argolide family allow it? Once the Argolide family obtains the position of regent, would they really give it up? Still, it seems a considerable number of Julelan’s sympathizers had emerged among the Privy Counselors and High Ministers. Julelan must have spent time building trust and nurturing his allies, gradually increasing his supporters.’

“Well, at that point, it appeared as though the queen had handed over royal authority to the Argolide family. The royals were furious, especially those holding succession rights. Probably a considerable number of assassins were sent into the inner palace. I heard the female guards trained by Doriatessa were quite active.”

‘And Shernelia’s maid corps’, thought Bard. They’re not just skilled at brewing tea. They possess excellent enemy detection abilities and defensive techniques. That’s what he heard from Doriatessa before.

“Privy Counselors and High Ministers under the Argolide family’s influence. Plus the Privy Counselors and High Ministers who could be called the Julelan faction. Combining just these two would almost certainly secure the position of regent. But Duke Argolide went the extra mile. He moved to appease the royals who had spent their fortunes on the succession struggle. After all, Parzam’s royals are of no benefit as allies but troublesome as enemies. He disgorged his accumulated wealth to shower the royals with money and even offered up parts of his domains to curry favor. He also proposed enormous benefits to the other six ducal houses. Thus, at the new king selection meeting, General Chantillion’s accession as regent was decided without major incident, and General Chantillion became the host of the late king’s funeral.”

Chantillion. That Chantillion became the king of Parzam, albeit as regent. Bard was filled with emotion.

“Now, it was time for the regent’s coronation ceremony. Of course, this is normally funded by the state, but when the treasury lacks sufficient funds, special donations are solicited. In this case, it was known from the start that the queen would provide the funding. It was unclear whether the queen had enough wealth to cover a regent’s coronation ceremony, but it was speculated that she had brought a considerable dowry when she married.”

Despite her appearances, Shernelia has a good eye for business. The dowry might actually be money she earned herself.

“The old Duke Argolide must have been reveling in his success. Although called a regent, the authority is the same as a king’s. Once in that position, one can exercise all powers. Of course, that includes revoking the succession rights of unsuitable individuals. Moreover, thanks to the blood-soaked efforts of several past kings, the authority and military power of Parzam’s king had reached unprecedented heights. He surely had no intention of relinquishing the royal power once grasped.”

‘Hmm. That’s only natural. Heh. The old fox duke versus Princess Shernelia. I wonder which side won the battle of schemes.’

“Now, they entered the stage of discussing the arrangements for the regent’s coronation ceremony. But here, Queen Shernelia said something strange. She said, ‘Please leave the arrangements to me.’ We don’t know exactly how much money she had, but arranging a coronation ceremony isn’t something that can be done easily. No, even with unlimited funds, it’s not something that can be managed. It requires extremely intricate and complex coordination and preparation. But here, the late king’s close aides and supporters came to the forefront. Privy Counselors including Marquis Mados Archeios, the Western Pacifier, and High Priest Barry Toad. High Ministers who had resonated with King Julelan or had been discovered and nurtured by the king. Capable confidants like Viscount Lionel. People like Viscount Bador who had been supporters of King Julelan from the start. Feudal lords elevated by King Julelan, like Casse Governor Marquis Tyguert Bowen. Promising young nobles’ second and third sons brought into the royal guard, like Kizek Reiger. Military power players like General Cedermont Expengler. As if by prior arrangement, these people gathered and began to take charge of the coronation preparations together. Duke Argolide panicked, but in these matters, regardless of formalities, those who provide the funds have the upper hand in reality. The duke, having depleted his wealth on placating royals and high-ranking nobles, could only watch the queen’s skillful handling of affairs.”

That’s right. After seeing Julelan’s example, it’s impossible for there not to be collaborators. Julelan must have promoted capable individuals as his confidants. They will carry on Julelan’s aspirations.

“When all was said and done, the scale of the coronation ceremony was beyond anyone’s imagination. The crown prince of the Goriora Empire came, and amazingly, the kings of Thula and Seion themselves, and the crown prince of Gaineria also attended. In addition, kings or crown princes from over twenty countries attended, an incredible lineup. But the biggest surprise wasn’t that. Incredibly, one of the four grand patriarchs from the Mercano Temple came to preside over the ceremony. I wonder how much money one would have to pile up to summon a grand patriarch. Queen Shernelia’s dowry must have been an enormous sum, and she spent it all to make these arrangements. Duke Argolide must have turned pale. In the presence of kings, crown princes, and princes from various countries, and in a ceremony officiated by a Mercano Temple grand patriarch, General Chantillion, as regent, was made to swear that he would govern as regent and transfer the throne to the late king’s eldest son when he came of age. If this oath were broken, Parzam would become the laughingstock of the Central Plains. Or rather, if anyone other than Prince Baldrant were nominated as the next king, the disgraced Mercano Temple would not send priests to that coronation ceremony. In other words, a coronation couldn’t be held. It was only at this point that the duke realized he had been thoroughly outmaneuvered. Moreover, this was all orchestrated by Queen Shernelia alone. Both installing General Chantillion as regent and the agreement to eventually put Prince Baldrant on the throne were arranged solely by Queen Shernelia, with King Julelan’s confidants and supporters taking no action. In other words, she created no debts anywhere. Consequently, in the future reign of King Baldrant, they can exercise their abilities without hesitation. What do you think? Isn’t it magnificent?”

‘It’s magnificent. Truly magnificent. That’s Shernelia for you’, thought Bard. But in the next moment, a chill ran down his spine. In other words, that means…

“There is an effective method to nullify this oath. It’s to kill Prince Baldrant. Preferably while he’s still young, without achievements and his talents unproven. Even now, Queen Shernelia and King Julelan’s confidants must be continuing their battle to protect Prince Baldrant’s life.”

We can’t let our guard down. However, at least Chantillion himself wouldn’t resort to methods like assassinating Baldrant. Ah! It continues. Julelan’s dream, his life, continues. Right now, Bard just wanted to applaud Queen Shernelia’s efforts.

“However, I find it a bit odd that you received no communication at all, Lord Bard. I can understand not informing you of the late king’s passing. It must have been too painful to convey. But for General Chantillion’s coronation as regent, it would have been advantageous to invite you, Lord Bard. After all, you’re an accomplished general. In that country, once one becomes a general, they are respected as a general for life. Moreover, your fame as Wajd Entrante is undeniable. If you had been there to lend your support and keep watch, it would have been incredibly reassuring for Lord Baldrant.”

‘Queen Shernelia probably didn’t want to use me’, thought Bard. This was an internal matter of the Parzam Kingdom, and she likely didn’t want to burden Bard any further, who had already caused various troubles for Parzam’s sake. ‘I can understand that thinking to some extent. I wonder how Prince Baldrant is doing.’

‘Should I go and see? Or should I not go?’ Bard was lost in thought.