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Chapter 115: The King’s Agony (Part 2)

The Subnock Wasteland, domain of the Corrosion Beasts.

The king of these beasts, Subnock, has been defeated.

Inspired by Subnock emerging from the depths, the rampaging monsters were also eradicated by the knight order led by Count Catreya.

Thus, the turmoil showed signs of being quelled.

However, the end of one disturbance heralds the beginning of another.

“…Is it true that Rodel is the cause of this incident?”

“…Most likely, yes.”

In the royal capital of the Iwood Kingdom, within the palace at its heart, King David Iwood received reports, his head in his hands, slumped over his desk. His face bore a heavy expression of anguish and regret.

At the Royal Academy, during the annual event known as the Monster Hunt Festival, an unprecedented stampede of monsters occurred, and dangerous creatures overflowed from the depths of the plains that served as the event’s stage.

As a result, considerable damage was incurred. Twenty-three students and staff were killed, with fifty-eight others suffering injuries. Some individuals left the academy, traumatized after witnessing their comrades being devoured by monsters.

This event, intended to nurture the next generation of talents to support the Iwood Kingdom, resulted in the loss of many promising individuals.

A week after the incident, reports brought by subordinates attempting to uncover the cause indicated that the third son of the king, Rodel Iwood, was responsible.

“We managed to retrieve the body of the court mage who was accompanying Prince Rodel. Though ravaged by monsters, his brain seems to be intact. Investigations suggest that Prince Rodel instigated Subnock, the master of the wasteland, and it’s presumed that Marquis Eiger is the mastermind behind him.”

“Additionally, the Knight Order’s investigation results have been reported. Traces of prohibited ‘Monster Summoning’ magic tools imported from other countries have been found. While several intermediaries are involved, the buyer is believed to be Marquis Eiger. Guards have been stationed around his mansion in the capital, and he can be apprehended at any time.”

These reports were delivered to the king by Albert Rosemary, the Chief Court Mage, and Iljas Catreya, the Knight Order Commander. Despite conducting their investigations from their respective positions, both arrived at the same conclusion regarding the responsible parties.

With this information, there could be no doubt about Rodel and Marquis Eiger’s involvement.

“Those scoundrels… What exactly were they trying to accomplish?”

“”…””

As the king asked in anguish, heavy silence filled the room.

Deep within the palace, in the conference room where only a select few were permitted, sat six individuals: the king, his sons Richard and Andrew, Albert, Iljas, and the Prime Minister, Velios Crocus.

The expressions of the six seated around the table were somber, resembling those at a funeral.

“Father, may I speak?”

“Andrew, go ahead.”

“Yes.”

Andrew, the second prince and also the student council president of the academy, stood up.

“It would be a waste of time to ponder the contents of my foolish brother’s mind. The thoughts of fools are incomprehensible to ordinary people.”

“…However, Marquis Eiger does support Rodel and acts in accordance with his desires to become the next king. Could this attempt be part of that scheme?”

“What’s the benefit of letting monsters attack students? Shouldn’t Rodel’s responsibility be the end of it?”

“Perhaps they didn’t intend to stop at just students. Maybe… they were hoping Subnock would attack the capital.”

“!”

Subnock, the master of the monster territory, had approached the capital twenty years ago, causing considerable turmoil. It seemed a similar event was narrowly avoided this time.

Hearing his younger brother’s conjecture, Crown Prince Richard nodded thoughtfully.

“…To let Subnock attack the capital and weaken the royalist faction?”

The Iwood Kingdom had several factions, but the mainstream one was the Royalist Faction, which supported the king and aimed to make Richard the next king.

This faction sought stability in governance and peaceful relations with other countries, aiming to protect the kingdom without stirring up trouble.

On the other hand, Marquis Eiger belonged to the Innovation Faction, or perhaps one could call it the Queen Dowager’s Faction.

This group did not approve of Richard becoming the next king.

Inheriting the will of the late queen, who once gathered a large number of followers as the ruler of the country, they supported Rodel, her favorite.

“Even if the capital were to be destroyed, even if the Iwood Kingdom were to fall… Would they go so far as to exploit that to put Rodel on the throne?”

“Nobles should prioritize the nation above all else. Sacrificing the nation for ambition is absurd. Why would they entertain such extreme thoughts?”

“…Marquis Eiger… He used to be a decent man.”

Prime Minister Velios muttered heavily, like mud sinking deep into the ground.

“As a distinguished magic lineage, the Eiger family stood alongside the Rosemary Marquis Family. They played a part in the abdication of the tyrannical former king… and they also played a role in suppressing external forces and rebellions. Undoubtedly, he was one of the heroes who supported the country.”

“…Those who were involved with the Queen Dowager have all gone mad, just like our parents’ generation.”

Albert grimaced as he spoke, and next to him, Iljas nodded vigorously.

Many individuals who were associated with the Queen Dowager, who possessed an abnormally strong grip on people’s minds, ended up losing their sanity.

However, it is also a fact that the Queen Dowager cannot necessarily be classified as ‘evil’.

She undoubtedly played a crucial role in overthrowing the tyrant and establishing the current peace.

“I can’t help but think again… that I am truly incompetent as a king.”

The king twisted his expression in self-deprecation.

“I couldn’t correct my sons, allowed Marquis Eiger’s rampage as a subject… And couldn’t stop the occurrence of this incident. Now that I think about it, my father may have been a tyrant, but he might have been an excellent king.”

The former king, who was a tyrant, was indeed a wicked and selfish person, but until he was neutralized by the Queen Dowager, he didn’t allow any rebellious elements to exist.

While there may have been personal issues, his ability as a ruler was probably superior to the current king.

“I don’t think you’re at fault, Your Majesty. Maintaining balance while dealing with internal and external troubles is undoubtedly your achievement. With the current system, there’s no better way to handle it.”

“…I hope that’s the case.”

At the prime minister’s words, the king sighed deeply, like the depths of the sea.

The former tyrant king was removed, and centralization collapsed. The power held by the royal family was dispersed among the nobles.

This prevented the emergence of another tyrant… but instead, it became impossible for the king to punish clear traitors with just his will.

Thanks to the influential figures present here, the regime has been maintained… But without them, dealing with Marquis Eiger would have been even more delayed.

There isn’t much that can be done.

Still… for the sake of peace, they had to continue with symptomatic treatment.

“…Bring Marquis Eiger to the palace. If the evidence is this conclusive, there’s no need to hold back. If he resists, bring him in.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Iljas nodded respectfully and moved the Knight Order to apprehend Marquis Eiger.

However, when they arrived at Marquis Eiger’s mansion in the capital, only his family was present. Somehow, the marquis himself had disappeared.

A few days later…

Marquis Eiger, who owned territory in the southern part of the capital, rose up in rebellion, declaring war on the royal family with the third prince, Rodel, as his standard-bearer.

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