Kays Translations

Chapter 83: The Beginning of the Never-ending Night

Aristocrats basically finished their territory management and other political affairs in the morning, and spent their afternoons leisurely bathing, taking a nap, riding horses, and chatting with their vassals.

Therefore, it was usually in the afternoon when Gerhard was summoned by Maximilian. Gerhard would visit his lord's private chambers when the sun was about to set.

"I am here at your service."

It has been a week since the ceremony of the apparition, and it has been a long time since I have been called.

…… In other words, it’s troublesome again.

Gerhard was halfway to giving up.

“Listle-sama wants to come visit us again.”

Saying that, Maximilian waved the opened letter.

“She wants to thank me for successfully concluding the peace negotiations. Then why didn't she tell me when I was in the Royal Capital?"

“I guess she wants to thank the craftsmen as well. She's being very loyal."

Gerhard thought that Claudia would be the one to whom the princess would want to thank the most, but he decided not to say anything. Although Maximilian recognized Claudia's talent, he was still negative about the comments on royalty's free love.

“I understand that security on the highways has been deteriorating lately, but is it okay?”

"That's it..."

Maximilian said with a reluctant look on his face.

“It seems that she will bring about ten skilled knights. Not that I'm worried about it, but it's overstrength."

"Then you can rest easy."

"It's not good. I have to take care of them while the princess is staying."

"Ah……"

Even though they are just knights, they are like people who serve the royal family. There will be places where pride is unnecessarily high. We had to be careful not to cause any trouble.

The knight who came as an inspector during the peace negotiations was also on the royal service and was an overbearing man. Gerhard was so impressed with his attitude that he hit him, but fortunately, this did not cause a commotion.

To say that a knight, who was supposed to protect the king, was beaten by a craftsman and fainted would be like going around advertising his shame.

Hearing this story, Maximilian was chilled to the core, but at the same time, he felt that he had done a good job.

"Besides, no one would be stupid enough to attack a carriage with a royal crest on it."

"That's true, too."

The right to arrest and punish offenders is essentially a territory-by-territory thing. For example, if a criminal commits a crime in Count Zander's territory, he will not be prosecuted if he flees to another territory

If the relationship between the houses is good, extradition of offenders will take place, but if they are not on good terms, they will have no choice but to cry themselves to sleep.

This was one of the reasons why the nobility emphasized family ties.

However, if you touch the royal family, that is not the case. Their authority extends across the country and they are sought out by the grassroots.

If they could not find it, it would be the responsibility of the lord of the land. Normally, he would not allow soldiers from other territories to enter his territory on the grounds that their autonomy would be violated, but in this case, he will not hesitate to request their cooperation.

Also, it's not enough if the criminals are caught. They are subjected to all sorts of tortures they can think of, and are turned into lumps of meat while still alive. The family is also captured and burned at the stake in the royal capital square. It is such a heavy sin to lay hands on the royal family.

Taking the royal family hostage and demanding a ransom is almost impossible and almost suicidal.

There is even a story that a bandit leader proposed kidnapping the royal family and was beaten to death by his underlings on the spot.

"Think of it as a good opportunity to get closer to the princess."

"That's right, but is there anything you can gain from being liked by Listille-sama? It's not like she has much power in the royal palace."

"There is a saying, "You should never expect too much, but just be lucky if you get it. Let's not have high expectations, but just feel that we will be lucky if we are right."

"I guess so. At least entertaining the princess is much better than being forced into peace talks."

"Your Excellency's destiny is always moving forward, forward. You have obtained a wonderful sword, have a close relationship with Marquis Eldenberger, and have come to rely on His Majesty the King. Policy to encourage the production of weapons is also on track. The territory is about to develop greatly.”

“When you put it all together like this, a lot has happened in such a short time."

“There is still a long way to go. If Count Zander's family grows even larger, it is no longer a dream to run the country's government as one of the Twelve Noble Families. You will be the most famous monarch since the beginning of the Count's family.”

Gerhard closed his mouth at this point, wondering if it was a little over-the-top praise.

Maximilian, knowing that it was flattery, did not feel bad about it. It is not a complete lie, but a dream in its own way.

“So the more cards you have available to you, the better."

"yes"

Feeling a little lighter, Maximilian opened the letter and looked up and down.

“They are planning to stay for about three days. How should we entertain them during that time?”

“On the first day, we will have a dinner party, and after that, let’s leave the host to Claudia.”

"To that woman."

“If you let Claudia show her around the city's workshops, two days will fly by in no time. If you give her a small sword as a souvenir, she will make an even better impression.”

"What about the escort?"

“I will send Jocel to them. And if we can get a couple of knights to go with him, there won't be any problem.”

"Will you not go?"

Maximilian asked with a puzzled look.

"At this age, I can't keep up with the energy of a young girl. Well, to be honest, it's troublesome."

"... I understand. Why are children so energetic?"

Saying this, the two of them laughed with each other.

Princess Listille did not show up on the scheduled arrival date. Traveling by horse-drawn carriage from afar, she might be delayed for a day or two.

"Isn't it enough to send out a horse and let us know..."

Young again, Maximilian muttered bitterly.

Three days passed, and the fourth day entered. As expected, this was indeed strange. While discussing with his entourage whether he should send a visitor, he was informed that he had visitors.

They were five men and women, and they were the caretakers of Listille.

Everyone who was ushered into the audience chamber had a look of fatigue and despair on their faces.

A chill ran down Maximilian's back as if he had been pierced by a spear of ice. A tremendous crisis, incomparable to the troublesome things he had been through, must be approaching.

The others were left to rest in another room, leaving a man who looked like an elderly butler.

“What happened to Listille-sama?”

When asked, the man who was the butler uttered the words with a thought that rotted his mouth as well.

"We were attacked by bandits on the highway..."

The entourage began to panic. Maximilian wanted to cover his ears and run away if he could. But this was not the kind of nightmare that would disappear in the morning.

“I heard that you have ten knights with you, you didn't say something about cutting costs at the last minute, did you!?"

"Ten knights, I'm sure there were!"

The butler cried out.

"We were annihilated. There were about 30 enemies..."

After saying this, the butler slumped down and nodded his head. He may not have fainted, but he seemed to have no more energy to utter even a single word.

He failed to protect the princess, he will not be spared from punishment either. It doesn't matter that he is a non-combatant. The problem is that he survived.

Ten skilled knights who worked in the royal capital were annihilated. Thirty thieves knew it was a royal carriage and attacked it.

How did this happen? It was so sudden and unexpected. It was as if a nightmare had sprung up from the depths of the earth.

Listille was attacked on his way to the Zander territory. Naturally, this is a matter of Maximilian's responsibility. What would happen if something happened to the princess? Territory reduction at best, deprivation of nobility at worst. He could even be decapitated.

It seems stupid that until recently I was excited about being a member of the Twelve Nobles.

“Get me Gerhard. And .....and Claudia too.”

Maximilian ordered in a squeezed voice.

Use whatever is available, otherwise you will not survive.

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter