57 – Original Sin (3)
Fake Gabriel…
No,
The girl originally named Toribie started furrowing her brows automatically upon hearing Ellie’s plan.
“Sly bastard… As expected, he didn’t give us a chance to rest and immediately began his move.”
The plan was to incorporate all Devil Hunters into the central army.
At first glance, this could be seen as a plan to simply prevent a sudden increase in unemployment.
In reality, when viewed nationwide, it was not simply a local issue that thousands of Devil Hunters would suddenly fill the streets.
Not only their scale but also the fact that their individual power could be misused or flow into the underworld and turn into thieves posed a headache-inducing risk.
However,
Dollivy knew.
This time, it was not simply a matter of quelling such chaos, but a decisive means to strengthen the authority of the monarchy that had already begun to concentrate in the central region.
“A significant number of Devil Hunters have already been militarized… Just look at Ramot, he’s practically using Devil Hunters as his personal soldiers…”
Having individuals, called nobles, leading the army posed various risks to the king’s authority.
Therefore, previous kings had thoroughly prevented nobles from leading private armies,
And Elly’s decision to reform the Devil Hunters’ work could be seen as a resolve to regain control over them.
“If all these Devil Hunters become part of the central army, the king’s authority can only become stronger. On the other hand, our nobles will eventually lose even the power they barely regained by mobilizing demons.”
Already, the nobles were in a state of disarray due to the actions of Duke Oclaire not long ago.
In such a situation, if the Sambu Society was mobilized to rally public opinion and push through their agenda, the nobles would have had no means to withstand it on their own.
“In that case, with the Sambu Society as the starting point, the era of absolute monarchy that we had in the past will open again… and then… Elly, who is practically moving the queen as she pleases, will devour the entire country.”
However.
As Dollivy watched Ellie with a mixture of awe and fear, she remained calm and collected.
“A nimble woman indeed… But not everything in the world will go according to your plans… I will definitely destroy everything you have built up over the past years with my own hands. Together with that arrogant queen!”
She had experienced firsthand that the opponent was strong.
I could clearly feel that fact even at this moment.
Perhaps, living as her puppet and subordinate now would be much more prosperous for her future.
Furthermore, if the work she is doing now were to be exposed, her life would undoubtedly come to a terrible end.
However,
Despite knowing this fact, she had no intention of giving up.
No, she couldn’t give up.
That day.
After that time,
Her only remaining purpose was this.
Because in order to achieve it,
She was willing to sacrifice her life.
She had that determination.
*
The end of everything began to appear.
Even the promise from 20 years ago.
The goal I had.
At the end of the long journey, I finally obtained all of those things.
It was not an easy task.
The network of connections I had built up over a long time,
The power I possessed within myself.
Despite using everything except what is bound by the contract, it required a lot of luck, effort, and patience to make this work a success.
It was not easy to tame and soothe the naive young cat.
Although it could easily build intimacy through its connection with its parents,
Controlling this unpredictable creature, not knowing when or how it would act, was more difficult than moving millions of troops.
However,
Even though I had thoughts of giving up several times,
I ultimately achieved it.
By throwing tasty fish that the cat always craved.
I finally made it mine.
But I knew.
This capricious cat always had claws to pounce on its master, depending on the situation.
At the same time, I realized that in order to handle this cat more comfortably, I needed the appropriate leash.
During the time when I was contemplating this fact and considering means,
Right in front of me, a perfect presence manifested itself.
A leash that could wrap around the neck of that small cat…
No,
I mean a wolf that can tame that reckless cat without thinking.
A noble wolf that used to dwell alone in the deep forest.
The method to tame it was surprisingly easier than taming a cat.
All that was needed was a tasty piece of meat.
However, if a regular piece of meat is mistakenly thrown at a guy who has a sophisticated taste, it could actually provoke his anger.
That’s why I gave it.
Very slowly.
While burning his heart.
The best meat I could give.
The first one I have always protected until now.
With that, the wolf became completely loyal to me.
In the future, it would be the strongest shield to restrain the cat and protect it.
Now there was nothing that could hinder me anymore.
What remained was to surrender myself to the natural flow that I had prepared so far.
“It’s all over now. All that’s left is to push away those uncouth nobles and correct this country. With this, I can fulfill my promise with that child… and save the people who have fallen into despair.”
All the plans had already been made.
As someone who had witnessed and experienced countless trial and errors in the past, the way to overcome the current crisis was firmly engraved in my mind.
Now, if only the strength to make it a reality would come,
I could be confident that I would no longer see the starving people in this country.
“Lady Eli, the preparations are ready.”
A voice calling me from behind.
As I heard the familiar voice of my subordinate, I slowly turned around and walked forward.
“What about the others?”
“Gerald and the rest of the Devil Hunters departed first. As Eli said, it was to prevent any impure groups from harming Your Majesty, even if it happens rarely.”
“Thank you for your hard work. Let’s hurry then, as everyone is waiting.”
“Yes, Eli.”
Napolea spoke with a loyal voice, as always.
Then, before my eyes, I saw the appearance of a carriage prepared to head to the conference room.
The carriage was even more noticeable today, with a white horse pulling it.
It seemed to announce that the end of this long journey was right in front of me.
And so, as I boarded the carriage heading towards the final chapter of the plan,
I quietly,
truly for a long time,
formed a smile with sincerity on my lips.
*
The Tripartite Meeting,
Representing the three social classes of the kingdom.
The clergy, nobility, and commoners were gathered in this meeting, totaling to over 300 people.
50 representatives of the clergy,
100 representatives of the nobility,
150 representatives of the commoners.
Honestly, it couldn’t help but feel unfair that the nobility and clergy, who make up less than 3% of the population, have 150 seats. However, the significance of this meeting was great simply because it provided an opportunity for the commoners to participate in politics.
Especially in a situation where the country, both inside and outside, is devastated like it is now, it is even more so.
“I heard that the Devil Hunters led by Ellie have finally defeated Laphlasse.”
“Seeing this, it truly shows how different Ellie is. It’s impossible to compare her to those nobles and royals who only fill their own rice bowls.”
“I heard that Ellie also organized this tripartite meeting. I wonder what kind of matters will be brought up. I’m excited.”
Commoner representatives discussing with hopeful voices.
The rough gist of it is that this meeting was organized by Ellie to defend against the nobles’ claim of increasing taxes. However, they were certain that Ellie must have prepared policies even more important than that.
Amidst everyone turning a blind eye to the difficulties faced by the oppressed, Ellie has spent her fortune to help the people, personally exterminating demons by mobilizing the central Devil Hunters.
Although expectations for nobles who only focus on plunder and an inept king have long been abandoned, the expectations from the commoners towards Ellie had not diminished.
And the low-level clergy and noble factions who have been mistreated from various angles since ages ago were the same.
The tripartite meeting had already been designed to revolve around Ellie even before it practically began, and it seemed almost impossible to reverse it.
And so, with the king seated on his throne, countless people were waiting for Ellie, the protagonist of today.
Meanwhile, regardless of the atmosphere in the meeting room,
At this moment, that person…
Duke Oklen was anxiously waiting for something, nervously biting his nails.
“If this fails, everything will be over. That person… They have to do it well…”
From Noble mtl dot com
For him, it was the gamble of a lifetime.
While waiting for the results, he was captivated by the burning sensation in his gut that felt like decades passing in a second.
At that moment.
“Bang!”
“Hm?”
“What’s going on? What’s all the commotion?”
People hurriedly opened the door and came inside.
At that moment, when people started to feel curious about the fact,
They conveyed one fact with urgency in their voices.
That is…
“…Wha… what is that noise right now?”
“Elly… what happened to her?”