484

Episode 484 I have a question. (2)

"Where did you hear that name…?"

Even in this kingdom, only a very small number of people knew of the existence of the 'Shadow Knights'.

A name that no one from the Ferdium family, who grew up in the northern frontier and was not a central noble, would ever know.

The Marquis of Branford's eyebrows twitched.

I've felt this way since a long time ago, but Jiselle Ferdium has a strangely excellent information power. No, I've thought many times that it's closer to prophecy than information power.

Even so, it's surprising that you know the royal family's secret information.

"Could it be that you have planted a spy in the royal family?"

Otherwise, it made no sense. He really was the kind of guy who would do anything if he had to.

In the tense atmosphere, Jiselle spoke confidently to clear up the misunderstanding. There was always a good excuse to use in such situations.

"I heard it from a priest of the Salvation Church."

"… … ?"

"They say that a long time ago, they fought the Shadow Knights. They attacked the royal family."

"No, what is that… … ."

"I ask because I think the current war is an extension of that time."

Selling another guy was a lot more effective than I thought.

Besides, isn't it not a complete lie?

The Marquis of Branford swallowed hard as Giselle spoke shamelessly.

"Umm… … ."

I heard it from the enemy, but there was no point in asking. It was still suspicious, but there was no other way to find out.

The Marquis of Branford thought for a moment, then sighed and said.

"I don't know the details either. Other than that I guarded the royal family in the dark."

This time, Giselle frowned. How could the Marquis of Branford, the most powerful man in the kingdom and with access to all information, not know?

Marquis Branford, seeing Giselle's blatant expression, laughed in vain and continued speaking.

"It's a group that no longer exists. There are only records of its existence. Even if you try to find out, you can't find out."

"Then, does your Majesty know?"

"No, he doesn't know either. The Shadow Knights are such a secretive group. I asked the Prime Minister, but I heard that they only provide support if they ask for anything they need."

"So you're saying that no one really knows anything about them?"

"Yes, so it must be a secret organization. Even Maurice, the commander-in-chief of the royal army, doesn't know that such an organization exists."

"Then… is there any information left as to why it disappeared?"

"It only says that it disappeared due to internal strife."

Jiselle looked quietly into the eyes of the Marquis of Branford and said.

"It's hard to believe that there was a group within the royal family that hid its identity to that extent."

"I didn't believe it at first either. But now that I hear what you're saying, it seems like they've been fighting the Salvation Church for a very long time. It wasn't destroyed because of internal strife."

"Yes, the Shadow Knights and the Salvation Church fought once a long time ago."

"Hmm, do you know why they're after the royal family?"

"I don't know much about that either."

The Marquis of Branford thought for a moment and then said:

"It seems that the Duke did not commit treason simply to gain power."

"That seems to be the case. They have been moving in the shadows for a long time. All I know now is that their attempt was thwarted once by the Shadow Knights."

"Your Majesty, you may know. You were directly leading the government when the Shadow Knights existed."

At those words, Giselle's eyes sparkled.

"Speaking of which, I would like to meet Your Majesty."

"Hmm? Why are you saying that?"

"I wanted to ask about the Shadow Knights, and find out what happened a long time ago."

Then the Marquis of Branford shook his head firmly.

"No."

"why?"

"His Majesty is very weak, and he does not like to talk about the Shadow Knights."

"You don't like it?"

"Yes. That's why they didn't create a new group even though the Shadow Knights were gone. Instead, they gave more power to the Royal Knights."

Thanks to that, the Royal Knight Commander was able to obtain a lot of support, including a piece of the Dragon Heart, and reach the level of Master.

This also meant that there were no secret societies left in the Lutania royal family.

"Why did Your Majesty hate the Shadow Knights?"

"They are known as a group that does not listen to anyone's orders."

"okay."

Jiselle nodded obediently as if she understood. No king likes uncontrolled power.

But Giselle didn't give up easily.

"Can't you just wait a moment? Honestly, I hate to say it myself… … It's me, right?"

At those words, the Marquis of Branford chuckled.

Certainly, Jisel was a meritorious subject who saved the kingdom. Even the king would find it difficult to refuse his request. If Jisel had been active to that extent, it would have been right to meet him in person and congratulate him.

Nevertheless, the Marquis of Branford gave a negative answer.

"Not now. Your Majesty is really not feeling well. I will check on Your Majesty's condition first and then let you know."

"Okay, I understand."

'Well, I guess I can just wear a mask and sneak in to meet him.'

Giselle felt at ease despite the Marquis of Branford's refusal. She wasn't going to kill them, she was just asking them questions, so what could they do?

There are many powerful people in the royal family, so the chances of getting caught are high, but wouldn't it be okay to just force your way in? Just say that you want to talk for a bit.

But suddenly, the Marquis of Branford glared at Giselle and warned her.

"You, you're not planning on sneaking in and meeting me, are you?"

"… … That's not it."

"No, you're the kind of person who would do that. You're the kind of person who would go in wearing a mask if necessary."

"… … ."

It seemed that he had been with the Marquis of Branford for too long. He had a pretty good idea of himself by now.

The Marquis of Branford spoke in a tone that seemed to lament.

"You really can't do that. If you suddenly show up or cause trouble, you might die of a heart attack."

"… … Is that it?"

"Yeah, so don't act rashly. I don't want you to become a regicide."

"… … ."

The atmosphere became a little awkward. The Marquis of Branford changed the subject as if there was nothing more to talk about.

"By the way, wasn't the original plan to advance straight south?"

The original plan was to eliminate the 2nd Corps and head south to lure the rest of the Corps. It was a plan to change the battlefield to the southern front.

"I thought that baiting wouldn't work, so I went for a one-on-one attack. Fortunately, I was able to succeed."

"So when do you plan to advance south? Wouldn't it be better to strike as quickly as possible?"

The Marquis of Branford had similar thoughts to Maurice. He too could not help but feel that now was the right time.

But Jiselle had no intention of moving too quickly right away.

"First, I plan to properly organize my troops and then advance south. The Duke of Gongju is not an easy task. But I will make sure that it is not too late."

"Okay, I understand. At this rate, there won't be any major problems. I'll leave the war up to you."

Jiselle nodded. He also thought that there wouldn't be any major problems.

There's Erenes and Parniel, Belinda and Gillian who have also ascended to the superhuman level. There's also Vanessa and Tennant.

But there was no room for complacency. The opposing forces were also formidable. They had the Kingdom's greatest swordsman, the Kingdom's greatest magician, and Aidan, one of the seven great powers of the continent.

And I didn't know how many high priests of the Salvation Church were left. The one who led them had not yet revealed his identity.

So rather than pushing myself too hard, I should take this opportunity to rest and regroup.

After exchanging a few more words of advice with the Marquis of Branford about the situation, Giselle rose from her seat.

Before going back, Jiselle asked again just in case.

"Have you ever seen the Shadow Knight Commander… even for a moment?"

"… … None. I just looked at the remaining records."

"Okay, I understand."

Jiselle said hello and stepped aside.

It didn't seem like it was time to reveal that the Shadow Knight Commander was his mother. There were too many hidden details, and it was uncomfortable.

Marquis Branford was lost in thought as he watched the retreating Giselle's back.

'I never thought I'd hear that name again.'

In fact, he had seen the Shadow Knight Commander, and he knew a little more about him than he had told Giselle.

I just didn't want to tell Giselle the whole truth.

Because I didn't want to admit it.

- Hehe, he is my son-in-law. From now on, we will serve His Majesty together and lead the state affairs.

In my youth, I attended a secret gathering at the invitation of the prime minister. There was a woman there wearing a mask and wearing casual clothes.

The Marquis of Branford was so embarrassed that he couldn't say anything when he came face to face with a woman who even treated his prime minister with respect.

The woman said with a smile.

- What? You chose your son-in-law as your next successor? Isn't he doing too much for the family?

― Ahem, that's not it. He has the ability to do that. It'll be enough to protect the royal family.

- Yeah, he looks stubborn. This kind of kid is good at work.

The woman spoke in a smiling voice. I couldn't see her expression, but just from hearing her voice, she seemed quite young, which made me even more curious.

Who the hell is this woman?

Even though the Marquis of Branford was curious and asked, the prime minister did not give any details. He simply repeated that he was a high-ranking official who protected the royal family.

The Marquis of Branford first learned of it then.

That woman is the one who holds the real power in this kingdom.

That person chosen by that woman will become the most powerful person in the kingdom.

It was then that I learned that there was another family that guarded this kingdom in the dark.

- Try hard. I will help you.

The woman disappeared, leaving only those words behind. The prime minister spoke as if he was giving himself a strong order.

He told me to keep it a secret. He said that this was just a chance for him to get to know me and get to know me so that I could grow in the future.

The Marquis of Branford, still young and weak, had no choice but to obey.

After that, amazing things happened. Everything the Marquis of Branford did went so well.

It is true that he worked hard and had the ability. It is also true that he came from a powerful family and received many benefits as the son-in-law of a prime minister.

But I was so lucky.

Whatever he did, he was successful. Even with his family and his own strength, things that were difficult were resolved with time.

It was as if he was frustrated that the world was not helping him.

The Marquis of Branford was both delighted and afraid.

'The real power that moves this kingdom.'

Everything goes according to her plan. Everyone is just her puppet.

Even the king.

Is this right?

The hot-blooded Marquis of Branford could not admit it. How could such a being exist in the kingdom!

Several times I tried to consult the prime minister about the matter. I tried to ask him what kind of family he was that could control the kingdom.

But the prime minister avoided even mentioning it. No, he was afraid.

― We are only responsible for the daytime of the kingdom. The night is not ours. Never forget that.

- Does that make sense? Why has the royal family been quiet all this time?

― They guard the royal family, but they also watch over it.

- You're... monitoring...?

- Okay. Don't try to find out more. I don't know the details either. Just know that this country is run like that.

At that time, the Marquis of Branford withdrew, hiding his resentment at the Prime Minister's hard-line attitude. And then he made up his mind.

'If I come to power, I will never tolerate that group.'

Power must be transparent. There must be no hands moving behind the scenes. That is how the kingdom functions properly.

That was his belief.

But his goal was achieved faster than expected.

Gurrrrrr!

It was a stormy night. The Marquis of Branford, who had been sleeping late due to work, suddenly opened his eyes with a start.

Then he noticed a woman standing in front of him.

"All, you… … ."

"fizzle."

The woman was the commander of the Shadow Knights.

But his appearance was strange. He was covered in blood, as if he had been fighting somewhere. Part of his mask was broken, revealing one eye.

The Marquis of Branford saw part of her face for the first time.

The lady, Annette, spoke to the Marquis of Branford.

"I am leaving now."

"Wh, what are you talking about?"

"The Shadow Knights have been disbanded. Just as you wished."

"Ah, no, what now… … ."

"That's not the important thing. I've dealt with everyone who could stand in your way. You'll have no problem seizing power."

"… … ."

Annette said with a smirk.

"Well, with your abilities and the power of your family, you'll eventually be able to accomplish it, but it wouldn't be bad to take it easy, right? You never know what variables might arise."

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"There was just a little problem. From now on, you will guard the royal family."

The Marquis of Branford could not come to his senses.

The once powerful Shadow Knights were disbanded. Who on earth did this?

"Who, who did you fight with?"

"dark."

A creepy light flashed in her eyes. Marquis Branford tried to suppress his fear and asked.

"What is that?"

"Don't try to know now. You don't need to know. I killed all the darkness that showed itself. Someday, you will know."

"Then what should I do?"

"From now on, keep the Delphine Dukes in check."

"Are you talking about the Duke…?"

"Yes. The only place I couldn't touch was the Duke's house. They were also afraid of me and couldn't move for so long."

The Marquis of Branford was greatly shocked.

The heads of the ducal families of the past lived very quietly. They hid their presence to the point where they were reluctant to even appear at official events.

It was questionable why he didn't covet power despite having such great power. But it was because of the Shadow Knights.

Just how strong is the person in front of me?

Annette looked at the Marquis of Branford with cold eyes and said.

"Once they are sure that I am gone, the Duke will definitely reveal his ambitions openly. The fight in the dark is over. It will have to come out on the surface."

"When was that?"

"I will remain quiet for ten years to find my whereabouts. Then I will move cautiously for ten years to take over the kingdom. But after that, I cannot guarantee anything."

"… … ."

"Take power within it. Make it unobtainable for anyone. Protect the crown by doing so. That is why I have cleared the way for you."

"Ernhard, the heir to the Duke's family, is my close friend. He, he is absolutely not that kind of person."

"… … Yes, I hope so."

She also knew Erhard well. She knew that he was a bored man with no interest in anything.

But no one knew what would happen next, because the darkness would not leave him alone.

Annette's body began to blur.

"Don't forget what I said. Now you are the only one who can protect the royal family."

"Oh, where are you going?"

"Well… …anywhere would be fine as long as it's not the royal palace."

grasp!

With those words, darkness spread and her body disappeared.

The Marquis of Branford stood there for a long time.

After the sun rose, the day continued just like yesterday.

Nothing happened, no rumors spread, nothing changed in the world.

So the Marquis of Branford began to wonder if he had been dreaming.

Until we learned that several nobles were missing or dead.

'But I still didn't believe it... ... .'

As she planned, she became the most powerful person in the kingdom. The Marquis of Branford tried hard to erase the memory and refuse to acknowledge it.

All of this was thanks to his own efforts. That was also an undeniable fact.

Because receiving help requires a certain level of ability.

As time went by, my memories of her gradually faded away. I didn't bother to think about it.

But the look in his eyes that I saw behind the broken mask still remained so clearly in my memory.

Yeah, those eyes… … .

The Marquis of Branford, whose spine was instantly tingled, cried out loud.

"butler!"

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!"

The butler came running in hastily, for the Marquis of Branford had rarely made such a loud noise.

Marquis Branford took a moment to catch his breath and glared at the door through which Giselle had exited.

"Bring me a portrait of the Marchioness Ferdium."

"Well, you mean the portrait of the Marchioness?"

"Yes, as soon as possible."

The Marquis of Branford swallowed hard.

Yes, her eyes were so sharp and cold that I couldn't forget them.

It was so similar to Giselle's eyes.