488

Episode 488: For the Royal Family. (1)

Viscount Domont paced around his office for a long time, thinking.

'Bring a priest from the Salvation Church... ... .'

In fact, the king was making an unreasonable request.

A priest of the Salvation Church would not just heal you. He would definitely impose some restrictions or demand a price.

In addition, the Salvation Church has already been designated as a public enemy of the continent. If the king joins their hands, the king will also become a public enemy of the continent.

If that fact comes to light, the Marquis of Branford and the nobles who follow him will not remain silent.

'But… … if only it succeeds… … .'

It can turn the tide.

The pro-prince faction is not all the same. It's just that the Marquis of Branford had the most power, so he became the center.

If the king regains his health, the nobles and barons who have been oppressed by the Marquis of Branford will raise their heads and perhaps even be able to oust him.

'There are quite a few nobles who are dissatisfied with the Marquis of Branford's support of the Earl of Fenris.'

Giselle tended to forcefully suppress the nobles and get things done, so there were quite a few nobles who gnashed their teeth at him.

'Especially the nobles who were robbed of their medicinal herbs and the nobles of the eastern region.'

Not only the nobles who had their medicine stolen, but also the nobles who had their lands stolen by Amelia could not help but harbor resentment toward Giselle, who supported her.

So, if the king could only find his strength, it would be a fight he could win.

Of course, it was a dangerous thing. If he made a mistake, his life would be at stake and the king would become even more isolated.

'Something has to be done.'

Nevertheless, Viscount Domont wanted to grant the king's wish.

Because I have been seeing his pitiful appearance for a long time, I have felt pity for him.

And once in a while, he hoped that Berhem would regain his dignity as a king. That was Viscount Domont's way of showing loyalty.

'We have to find a way.'

It was not an easy task. The Marquis of Branford had his eyes and ears all over the capital.

It was also impossible to make friends with the Duke's nobles, as most of them fled or were captured as soon as the war began.

'I, as the chief chamberlain, cannot leave the palace. I will be caught by the Marquis of Branford.'

After much thought, Viscount Domont called his second son.

"Did you call?"

His second son, Colhen, was a very active man, to put it nicely, and a playful man, to put it badly, and he also had a promising future as a knight.

He was the perfect person to wander around the kingdom without any warning, especially during this time when the war was at a standstill.

Viscount Domont held his son's hand tightly and spoke with a sorrowful look in his eyes.

"I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"It's something that requires risking one's life."

To the puzzled Colhen, Viscount Domont calmly explained the king's wishes.

Colhen, hearing the plan, became thoughtful and said:

"Wh, what are you talking about? If we get caught, our family will be completely finished."

"I know. But I really want to do this for Your Majesty."

"Even if I persuade the priest of the Salvation Church and bring him here, I will not be able to reach Your Majesty. I cannot avoid the eyes of the Marquis of Branford."

"I'll take care of that. Just bring him here somehow. You're the only one who can do this job."

"Father! Are you really willing to risk your family line? Even if we succeed, the Marquis of Branford will not leave us alone! How long will His Majesty live?"

Viscount Domont grabbed Colhen's shoulder tightly, gripping him in fear.

"For the royal family."

"father...,:

"And if we succeed, our family will be able to sit on the Marquess of Branford's throne."

"… … !!"

"Although we are the central nobles, our family has nothing. We don't even have a territory to base ourselves on, and all we have is the favor that I receive from Your Majesty."

Viscount Domont's eyes were filled with an unknown yearning.

"Except for the defense of the capital, all the troops are moving to the southern front. The commander-in-chief is still in the capital, and the families of the legion commanders are also in the capital. The royal knights are on our side. Do you not understand what I mean?"

Gulp.

Colhen swallowed dryly and nodded. He knew exactly what his father was talking about.

If only the king could find his strength, then things would turn out in his favor.

Colhen calmed his mind. It was a risky undertaking, but it was worth it for the sake of his family.

This is the first time I've learned that my father, who I always thought was quiet and calm, also had ambitions.

"Can a priest of the Salvation Church… really cure Your Majesty?"

"Strictly speaking, it is not a cure. However, with the powers known so far, we may be able to restore Your Majesty's stamina."

Although he couldn't be sure, Viscount Domont certainly thought they could do it. They were the ones who used human life force to open rifts and create crusaders.

Colhen sat quietly, lost in thought. Viscount Domont waited patiently.

Colhen nodded after thinking it over and showed a determined look in his eyes.

"I will try. I will definitely bring a priest from the Salvation Church."

"Thank you, thank you. If we succeed, our family will be greatly revived."

From that day on, Colhen started drinking again and going out to have fun. Since he was someone who loved to have fun, no one thought it was strange.

"Isn't the war basically over? I've been stuck in the capital so my body is itching and I'm going crazy. I should go hunting."

After talking like this to those around him, a few days later he left the capital with a few knights and servants.

Although no one specifically tried to stop him, Colhen did not let his guard down.

'You have to drop everything.'

I thought that although they were knights and servants of the Domont family, there must have been some who had received orders from the Marquis of Branford.

Colhen, who was wandering around and heading south, was soon stopped by his escort knights.

"Your Majesty, you must not go any further. We are about to enter a dangerous area. If bandits appear, it will be difficult for us to deal with them."

All that followed him were three knights and two servants. Even the knights who followed him were not very skilled.

As you go down the southern front, security becomes a mess. If bandits show up with this number of people, it's bound to be a problem.

"Oh, yeah. I guess I should go back soon. Let's sleep out today. I'll be the first one to take the night shift."

The escort knights and servants, who were tired from wandering around here and there for several days, ate dinner and quickly fell asleep.

When the shift change time came, Colhen, after making sure everyone was asleep, slowly drew his sword.

He walked around more today on purpose. He wanted to make everyone tired and fall asleep.

Even though they were just average knights, there were three of them. They had to be dealt with quickly.

Phew!

"Ugh!"

When the knight whose neck had been pierced while sleeping made a sound, the two remaining men immediately opened their eyes and got up from their seats.

But Colhen, who had already been preparing, moved one beat faster.

Whack! Whack!

"Kreuk… … Why… … ?"

The knights were left helpless in an unexpected situation.

They died without being able to resolve the question.

Colhen opened his mouth with a bitter expression as he looked at the trembling servants.

"I'm sorry. I don't know who's watching me."

Scratch!

The servants died without being able to resist.

After killing all the party members, Colhen turned his robe over with a solemn expression.

This was where the real start began. I had to get through the area where security was in disarray and safely make it to the south.

It won't be easy. There will be bandits everywhere and scouts roaming around.

Still, I had to succeed. I had already memorized the paths I could take by hiding alone by looking at the map.

"Father, I will definitely succeed."

The person you should meet is Count Raoul Josef. He is the brains of the ducal family.

Colhen gritted his teeth and kicked the horse's back.

* * *

"The Kingdom and Allied forces are regrouping."

"The Northern Army is waiting a little way away. I can't guess how they will move."

"I think they'll pressure us from all sides and then attack our weakest point."

Raoul licked his lips after receiving the report from his staff.

The situation had completely changed. With the northern army active, the rest of the men were also encouraged and dared to rush south.

As time goes by, the encirclement will be complete. Then, this side will be in trouble.

"The Northern Army's power is formidable. With new superhumans joining the ranks… … ."

It is not even clear exactly how many superhumans there are in the Northern Army.

First of all, the 'Guardian of the World Tree' that I had only heard of through rumors is said to be in the Northern Army. This was told to me by a priest who escaped with a severed arm from the defeated 2nd Army Corps.

"There are rumors that even the 'Saint of War' has joined… … ."

There is also a 7th circle wizard called 'Alfoy'. There were rumors going around that Gillian had also become a superhuman.

It's unbelievable, but haven't you been getting hurt by making common sense judgments up until now? You just had to assume that it would happen and prepare your power.

"I think Mr. Gatros will also have to participate this time."

Gatros nodded at Raoul's words.

"Okay, I'll take on the role of guardian of the World Tree."

The Guardian of the World Tree was a long-time enemy of the Salvation Church. Someone worthy of the name had to come forward to deal with him.

"The Earl of Fenris will be taken by Count Balzac. Alfoy will be taken by Lord Ilois. For the rest, I think we should deploy as many high priests as possible."

At that level, it would be worth a try with the Northern Army. The problem was the Royal Army and the Allied Forces.

"We have to hold out with as few troops as possible. If we deal with the northern army, the rest will be a rabble."

"It's going to be a tough fight."

"There's nothing we can do. The Northern Army has become too strong."

"What if they come in together as one?"

"That would be easier to deal with. We can pool our forces. We are less mobile than Fenris."

Looking at the overall performance so far, Fenris's army's mobility is absolutely unmatched.

It would have been easier for us to deal with them if they had come together.

"It seems that Fenris's technology is truly amazing."

The Fenris Army is armed with new equipment. They are also said to be carrying new combat rations.

However, it was still unclear what exactly these two technologies were.

Because combat rations and equipment are produced only within the Fenris Territory and are kept a closely guarded secret.

So, I had no choice but to rely on my past experience to estimate my mobility as best I could.

"For now, I think it would be better for us to strike first as soon as we gather our troops."

Even if they were a little unprepared, it would be better. It would be more difficult if the royal forces and the allied forces gathered together to pressure the south.

As Raul, who had drawn up a rough strategy, was discussing the details with his staff, the noise outside grew louder and the knights came in.

Raoul asked, frowning.

"What's going on?"

"A man who really wants to see you has arrived."

"Who are you?"

"He revealed that he was the son of the royal chamberlain."

"hmm?"

Raoul tilted his head. It was wartime now. He had no choice but to end things with the royalist faction.

But a royal envoy has come? And not even an official envoy, but the son of the chief chamberlain?

How on earth did we get here?

Raul, out of curiosity, waved his hand. It meant to tell him to bring her.

The man the knights brought was none other than Colhen. He was wounded all over his body and looked like a complete beggar.

As soon as Colhen entered, he fell to the ground and shouted.

"Your Majesty! I am Colhen, the second son of the Chamberlain! I met him briefly at a banquet a long time ago!"

"Lift your head."

Raoul studied Colhen's face carefully. It was dripping with sweat and his hair was disheveled, but it was definitely a face he remembered.

"Yes, I remember seeing you. Why did you come all the way here to see me? Didn't you know that there was a war going on?"

Looking at his appearance, he seemed to have gone through some very difficult times. It was clear that he had come here to avoid the eyes of those around him.

I was quite curious about what he would say, but what came out of Colhen's mouth was more surprising than I had expected.

"I have been sent by Your Majesty!"

"What?"

"I came here to avoid the Marquis of Branford's eyes! To bring the priest of the Salvation Church and cure Your Majesty!"

Raoul and Gator looked at each other and locked eyes. Gator nodded slowly.

Raoul asked with a fake smile.

"Really? You want me to treat your Majesty? Tell me more."

Colhen relayed all that he had heard: that the king wished to have the same power as the priests of the Salvation Church, and that he wished to banish the Marquis of Branford as well.

Colhen told them with a grim expression the price they would pay.

"If you do that… … he said he would give you the 'royal treasure' that the Duke wants and grant you anything you wish for."

"Hoo… … ."

Raoul smiled coldly. It was obvious that this wasn't a lie. He knew very well that the king had health problems.

There is no way they would have done something like this just to take one or two priests of the Salvation Church hostage.

"You said… 'Royal Secret'? And you mean you can give us whatever we want?"

"Yes, but you must give Your Majesty strength to regain his strength. That is the first priority. Is that possible?"

"Hmm… … ."

Raoul raised the corners of his mouth and looked at Gator. Gator, who had been listening, stood up from his seat.

He said, looking at Colhen.

"Then, it is possible. If Your Majesty wishes, I can make you a superhuman."

Gatros's eyes were filled with a strange excitement. It was a chance to obtain what he wanted most easily and quickly.

Colhen raised his head and looked at Gatros. Just meeting his eyes with the man emitting black energy filled him with fear.

Colhen asked in a trembling voice.

"Who, who are you?"

"You don't need to know about me. Just know me as someone who will grant your wishes."

Gatros brought his face close to Colhen's and smiled with rapture.

The sight looked like a devil laughing.