nightmare (3)
The streets of the lively capital were enveloped in a strange atmosphere.
stuffy air. An instantaneous sense of tension flowing through the skin.
char-
“… … .”
Suddenly, a man’s shoe left a piece of writing scattered on the street.
The man in the black suit looked down at it for a long time before lowering his posture to pick it up and pulling the corners of his mouth.
“It’s a poll… … .”
The extras that had been scattered all over the capital had now spread widely enough that anyone could know about them.
So people’s opinions were divided.
The kind who hold back thinking about the prince’s performance, the kind who reacts violently thinking about those who have committed acts of betrayal, and even the kind who get caught up in public opinion.
That’s why it’s a very confusing political situation.
The strategy of relying on their support was about half successful.
… … no.
“Maybe not half of it, but all of it.”
The man took off his foot again and threw the paper away at random.
Soon, it blows away on the wind and becomes just garbage decorating the dirty capital city floor amidst nobody’s indifference.
At that moment, a figure in a black robe secretly approached the man behind him like a shadow.
“Can I wait and see?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Prince 1 is a good business partner. If he collapses like this, it’s not good for us either… … .”
“Crash? Is that man?”
Heh heh.
The bizarre sound of laughter blended with the gray streets, bringing out a sense of bleakness.
and.
“Nonsense.”
… … It was a one-axis.
It was a ‘firm’ attitude that a man had never shown before.
How can you think so?
The figure in the black robe looked at the man in a puzzled way.
The man who continued to laugh with a meaningful look stopped his steps and pulled the brim of the fedora tightly.
“surely… … It was as effective as it was assuming the end. Even if you know the movement of the 2nd prince faction, you won’t be able to stop the change in public opinion.”
Even though it is a consequential story, isn’t there actually a change in public opinion?
It was a great success that his image, which was completely trusted, was shattered.
It would have been the most suitable method to attack Prince 1, who must have been distracted by the Holy Empire and Asus.
but… … .
“In the first place, there is no way that the first prince would collapse easily.”
The man could not forget the cool gaze of the first prince.
A lone beast of prey.
He didn’t know why he thought that, but he wasn’t one to blink an eye in this situation.
No, it’s to the point of believing that it might have induced this situation as well.
In the end, in front of a true beast, even a ferocious wild dog is nothing more than a wild dog.
‘Well, if we use our power, we can easily overturn this kind of public opinion… … .’
At least the first prince he thought would not be pleased with it.
Rather, he will lead this game himself and break it as much as he wants.
… … Just like they once did to you.
“It will be good to see. It will be a fun spectacle.”
Tumble- Tumble-
“… … .”
The steps that followed again left only questions, and the two figures walking on such a quiet street remained silent.
It was at that moment that a faint light streamed through the black suit of the man.
“… … that.”
“You can’t be a nobleman.”
What came out of the chest was a magic tool for communication.
And in the brilliant light of mana, the face of the man who was shadowed between the brim of the hat was revealed.
“What kind of prey will he throw?”
A bandage covering all areas except for the bloodshot eyes.
“I hope it will be money this time too.”
At the gesture of the first prince, the shadows began to oscillate again.
However, there was no way the 2nd prince faction could know that fact.
* * *
Esteban’s royal family spent each day in chaos, and the voices criticizing the first prince grew louder by the day.
“We have to bring Prince 1 to the hearing! I can’t wait to see him forever!”
“Right! That violence will do a great disservice to Esteban!”
The cries of the nobles resoundingly.
The number of nobles who sympathized with it was increasing day by day.
I wonder if the aristocrats of the first prince faction, conscious of public opinion, were watching the situation with bated breath.
“How can you not?”
“If this continues, the citizens will also rise in sympathy.”
“Even so, how am I supposed to refute such nonsense? In the yard where even the achievements that have already been revealed… … .”
“I think we need another way. Citizens are already feeling uneasy even if they respond to absurd agitation.”
The aristocrats of the First Prince faction expressed their anxiety.
Of course, it was also funny to discuss this. To criticize the first prince for his achievements, such as bringing the dwarves and occupying some of the lands of the northern barbarians, was itself a criticism.
But sometimes the truth itself is uncomfortable.
It was very efficient to inflate some of the aftermath that was revealed as a counter payment.
“To make matters worse, you haven’t been showing up at public events recently… … .”
In the end, in that situation, the choice of the nobles of the 1st Prince faction was to directly discuss a way to overcome the situation.
should.
“I’ll have to go find him.”
“If so… … .”
“Baron Vidor.”
The nobles’ hard faces nodded.
If he was the first prince’s closest aide and limb, he would be able to discuss the prince’s thoughts on this situation and how to solve it together.
This situation of having to leave the situation to only a baron-class aristocrat could have been laughable, but that was out of the question in the current situation.
… … however.
“what?! You mean you sent it back without any discussion?”
“exactly.”
Baron Vidor sent the nobles away, repeating that it would be all right.
At least he didn’t even listen to the request to meet the first prince in person.
“Even at this moment, the 2 Prince faction is still on the move… … .”
“Aren’t you even going to show me any kind of response…?” … !”
It was at that time that the nobles of the First Prince faction were tired of anxiety.
“That’s urgent!”
“Urgent news?”
“They say that His Highness the First Prince has finally spoken out! A royal announcement!”
“It’s a royal announcement!”
“Oh oh… … ! at las!”
1 Prince moved.
It is also that the name of the royal family was borrowed, not voiced by an individual.
In other words, it was not different from saying that he would accept this issue as part of a succession political battle, not a simple happening.
Literally, it’s like pulling a knife.
“What did His Highness say?!”
“Let’s see!”
The nobles scrambled to confirm the contents of the announcement.
And at the same time, he had a questioning expression on his face.
“ah… … .”
“This… … .”
okay.
The published content does not resist the resolution set forth by the 2nd Prince Faction.
-I will correct the confusion at the hearing in person.
… … Just submit to that fate.
It was just about creating a place like that.
The nobles could not hide their puzzled expressions.
“To hear their request at this point… … It’s an announcement that something is draining.”
For a while, I felt so empty and disappointed.
An aristocrat noticed something strange in the announcement.
“hmm? But what does this mean?”
“well… … .”
– Nobles residing in the capital must participate in the hearing.
It was something bizarre and, at first glance, meaningful.
What the hell are you talking about by mentioning the word “pilcham”?
“Let’s get involved. Wouldn’t you have something in mind if it was the image of Your Highness that I’ve shown you so far?”
“… … I see.”
So, the nobles of the First Prince faction decided to participate even though they were puzzled.
The unusual mention of “pilcham” was the same, but he instinctively noticed that the situation itself was going bizarre.
From noble mtl dot com.
As if something is going to happen there… … .
Also, the facts about the hearing had long since been passed on to the Second Prince faction.
“done!”
“You’ve succeeded in getting Prince 1 up to the seat of the hearing!”
The nobles cheered.
The seat of the hearing is by no means light.
The mere fact that he stood there was proof that he had succeeded in tarnishing its reputation.
I couldn’t understand why he responded so obediently to the request.
“… … Well, it must have been an unavoidable choice to defend against public criticism.”
“That won’t solve the problem, though.”
Most of the content of the resolution was exaggerated, so even if it could be explained somehow, there were definitely parts that could be problematic.
for example… … Something related to Galderd Plain.
“We focus on that part as planned.”
The 2 Prince faction’s strategy was there from the beginning.
The part that can be explained is left as desired, and the image is ruined by focusing on the part that cannot be explained.
Public opinion will only remember the negative anyway.
“The hearing will be held in four days… … .”
The nobles felt their bodies heat up and their hips moved.
“… … Really looking forward to it.”
An inevitable pitfall.
In the end, there would be no way for him to prove the usefulness of that insignificant plain.
* * *
The four days passed by in an instant.
Is it because there is a big commotion going on? Today, in the solemn atmosphere of Daejeon, there was exceptionally silence.
… … Well, it would be more correct to say that both sides are keeping quiet.
“You don’t see quite a lot of nobles who were scolding.”
I spat out the words indifferently, examining the faces of the aristocrats attending the hearing.
There was no way that those present here would not know that what I was talking about was the nobility of the ‘Second Prince’ faction.
“You must be busy moving quickly.”
“… … .”
“Kuhm!”
Occasionally, what popped out sparsely were the voices from the nobles of the Second Prince faction who participated in the hearing.
Although the hearings were held as they wished, they were still agitating to move public opinion in their favor.
However, it must not have been my mistake to see an unexpected face among them.
‘Duke William.’
… … the beginning of all this.
How long will it take to see that decrepit face? The brilliant golden spirit of the past faded to white, and the face wrinkled with desire.
He hasn’t appeared in public for a long time, but he seems to have appeared in person today.
‘Did you want to see my distorted expression?’
I stood for a while, making eye contact with the man who was quietly looking at me.
A very boring gaze. The anticipation was so clear to me.
But I can’t make it happen.
thump thump-!
“Be quiet.”
Father’s voice echoed, and the nobles’ bodies shrank.
“At your request, a hearing was held regarding the qualifications of the first prince, Allen Esteban, to run state affairs.”
As an important agenda, it was my father who was in charge of this agenda.
He is famous for never expressing his private feelings in public.
“First, let’s listen to the opinions of the nobles who raised this issue.”
And only then did a slight sneer appear on Duke William’s face.
It was just the beginning.
“Kuhm! Viscount Salton of the South.”
“Let me speak.”
“Dear King, do you remember the conversation you had with the Federation delegation here last year?”
every remember
Father’s head nodded slightly.
“I remember the time when I received the Plain of Galderde from the Commonwealth Empire, who denied any relationship with Asus.”
“Yes, then you also know the public opinion when you received the land.”
“hmm.”
Half of the public opinion asked why they received such a thing.
The other half was the public opinion that the planting should not be disturbed by receiving the land of the Commonwealth Empire.
That is, there were no positive aspects.
Viscount Salton of the 2 Prince faction continued to speak while pulling the corners of his mouth.
“As many know, the land is of no use to anyone. At most, it is currently being used as a nest for the dwarves.”
“So, what you’re saying is that it was the first prince’s arbitrary act, let alone that it doesn’t help the national interest at all.”
“That’s right.”
At the same time, the viscount emphasized the ‘uselessness’ of the land, referring to the evidence submitted in advance.
“If you refer to the information submitted above, that 20 km or so of land is nothing more than worthless. At the very least, even useful things like farming and picking fruit won’t mean much as long as you lent the land to the Dwarves.”
“Hmm.”
“How can we trust the person who made the decision to carry out the big task of receiving such an area ‘on his own’, and run state affairs?”
“… … .”
“Kuhm!”
The nobles of the First Prince faction were already making uncomfortable faces, as if they had expected the question.
Even if he wanted to refute, there was no way to refute that statement.
Even for them, the work at the time was thrilling, but it was because likes and dislikes were clearly divided.
“… … I am well aware of your argument. This must be proof of the incompetence of Allen Esteban you are talking about.”
“That’s right.”
The nobles of the two princes faction nodded proudly.
That was the moment.
“Allen Esteban. Do you have anything to say about this?”
My father’s gaze turned to me, and soon I began to open my mouth.
“What they are taking issue with is that the land was useless after all.”
“Yes.”
“But the land is definitely a useful place.”
… … Is it useful?
The nobles of the 2 Prince faction sneered as if they were ridiculed.
“Are you saying it means more than just lending it to the Dwarves?”
It was a question with very sharp malice.
But I shrugged my shoulders and ignored it, then spoke as if asking my father for permission.
“I have brought witnesses to prove it. Can I let him in here?”
“As a witness… … .”
This was one of the items submitted before the start of the previous hearing. There was no reason to refuse.
“Let it be.”
kiik-
My father gave permission without hesitation, and soon the gates of Daejeon opened and a man began to walk in.
However, the faces of the nobles watching this were full of doubts.
“hmm?”
“Who is that?”
timid gait.
And the attitude of looking at the eyes around the extension.
The man was an extremely ordinary ‘commoner’, unfit for this position.
“Let me introduce myself.”
“Yes, ah, I understand, Your Highness.”
Before long, the man who stood proudly in the witness stand lowered his head so deeply that there were no more.
“Oh, how are you? I am an employee of Esteban’s Geological Society.”
“… … what association?”
Finally, the nobles’ doubts deepened.
Rather, it just felt absurd.