Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 143: Collective Betrayal
“But it seems Marquis Lyman’s ambitions aren’t small either.”
White then revealed a meaningful smile as he continued slowly:
“In order to maximize his own gains, he even went so far as to poison Count Hogan on the side.”
“If the pawn refuses to obey, should I go teach him a lesson?”
Night Enchantress’s eyes flashed with cold intent.
“No.”
White shook his head.
“Marquis Lyman played a huge role in my war against my elder brother. He deserves to be allowed to take the lion’s share of the spoils. If I were too stingy, other nobles might lose the will to work for me.”
“So you’re just going to let him do as he pleases?”
Night Enchantress frowned unhappily.
“Of course not.”
For now, Marquis Lyman would still obey White’s orders.
But if the Lyman family’s power were allowed to keep expanding unchecked, then one day the entire North would fall under Lyman’s control, and White’s authority there would carry little weight.
Worse still, the man’s ambitions were considerable. If given the chance, he might even declare the North independent and crown himself king.
The DawnLight Kingdom had seen such an incident before: a duke had proclaimed himself king, forcing the reigning monarch to personally lead troops against him, sparking a civil war.
At this thought, White’s eyes turned cold.
“I’ll heavily support another house in the North, set them against the Lyman family, and let them weaken each other. That way, the Lyman family’s power will be reduced.”
“As expected of His Majesty—such brilliant strategy. I’m in awe.”
She bowed her head in admiration.
“You…”
White hooked her nose with a finger.
“You’re only good at assassinations. Not much use in other areas.”
“Your Majesty, you can’t say that.”
The moment she heard this, She puffed up in protest.
“Besides assassinations, don’t I also serve you very well?”
As she spoke, she shifted her hips and waist suggestively against him, rubbing until White reacted below.
“Oh! Hiss—”
White suddenly scooped Night Enchantress up, pressing her down on the desk before him, wearing a wicked grin.
“You started this, so you can’t blame me. I’m going to have you right here, right now!”
With that, he began stripping away her clothes with frenzied hands.
…
With the West and North already under his control, White could now turn his attention to the East.
The lords of Linshui City and Dongsheng Fortress had dared to form a coalition army and launch a sneak attack on Golden Guard City. White had no intention of forgiving them.
In fact, after Legovis was executed, both lords had sent urgent letters, declaring their willingness to submit to White and promising to attend his coronation with gifts as apology.
Good grief—first they stabbed him in the back, and now they claimed loyalty? Back and forth, like grass in the wind.
A clever little ploy indeed. But would White accept it? Of course not.
Thus, White resolved to personally lead an eastern expedition, giving Linshui City and Dongsheng Fortress a harsh lesson.
Only then would the nobles of the East understand one truth: anyone who rebelled against White would meet a miserable end.
There were two possible routes for the campaign.
One was by land: assembling the army at Golden Guard City before marching eastward.
The other was by water: a fleet of over ten warships sailing east along the Weishui River.
Since travel by water was faster, the land army would need to depart earlier.
White, naturally, chose the water route. He would personally board a warship later and command the eastern expedition himself.
Upon learning that White had dispatched his army eastward, the nobles of Lingshui City and Dongsheng Fortress were no doubt as anxious as ants on a hot pan.
For this, White was somewhat expectant—wondering what actions those nobles would take to prove their loyalty by the time his army arrived.
The first stop was Lingshui City.
After several days of sailing, White’s fleet successfully reached its destination.
Upon rendezvousing with the land forces, he learned that most of the soldiers were stationed outside the city, while a small detachment had already entered within.
Oh? Without even a fight, the other side had surrendered outright?
White simply sent a soldier ahead to notify Lingshui City that he had arrived, instructing them to come out and welcome him.
When news spread of White’s arrival, the nobles of Lingshui City panicked, their hearts leaping into their throats. They hurriedly prepared and rushed out of the gates to greet the new king.
At the west gate, White saw the Knight of the Gale as well as a large group of nobles whose faces seemed unfamiliar.
One middle-aged noble hastily stepped to the front of the group and placed his hand over his chest in salute.
“Welcome, Your Majesty the King, to Lingshui City.”
“Welcome, Your Majesty.”
The nobles behind him echoed, all bowing in greeting.
“And you are? I don’t recall seeing you before.”
White had met Lingshui City’s lord, Count Dave, before—but the man before him was a stranger.
“Oh! My apologies for the discourtesy, Your Majesty.”
The middle-aged noble said with a contrite expression. “I am Viscount Munster.”
“Oh? So you’re the one to greet me? And where is Count Dave?”
“How could a criminal guilty of the heinous crime of treason against his king be qualified to welcome Your Majesty?”
Viscount Munster first put on a look of utter contempt, disparaging Lingshui City’s lord, and then explained.
“Your Majesty, Count Dave has already been imprisoned by us, to be handed over to you for judgment.”
Interesting—Count Dave had actually been betrayed by his own nobles and captured before White had even arrived. White found it rather amusing.
“Well, that saves me quite a bit of trouble. Very good.”
White praised.
“Not only that, but all the nobles who once agreed to support the Crown Prince have also been seized by us. We turn them all over to Your Majesty for disposal.”
“Oh?”
White gave Viscount Munster a slightly more appreciative glance.
“Very well done.”
Seeing that White was in a good mood, Viscount Munster knew he had to seize the chance and press the advantage.
He immediately dropped to one knee, bowing his head deeply to display utmost respect to the new king.
“Your Majesty, you are the heir designated by the late king. We pledge absolute loyalty to you, without the slightest thought of betrayal.”
“We all pledge loyalty to Your Majesty, without a shred of disloyalty.”
The nobles behind him echoed, dropping to one knee in eagerness to declare their allegiance.
Were these nobles truly loyal? That was hard to say.
But what White did see was their overwhelming desire to survive.
Even Count Dave had been betrayed and captured by his own subordinates. With that, half of White’s purpose in coming to Lingshui City was already accomplished.
With things proceeding so smoothly, White’s mood was naturally excellent.
“Rise,”
He said to the nobles before him.
“I have already felt your loyalty. Now then, may I proceed into the city to judge Count Dave and the others?”
“Of course.”
Viscount Munster quickly stood and turned to urge the nobles behind him.
“Up, all of you—the king is entering the city!”
The nobles hurriedly stepped aside, opening a clear passage for White to march smoothly into Lingshui City.