From noble mtl dot com.
rebellion (1)
The incident was proceeding secretly and boldly in the darkness of the falling midnight.
“Esteban’s current royal family is rotten!”
The duke’s instigation resonated in it, and it flew into the ears of the soldiers.
Esteban’s royal family is supporting the birth of a prospective tyrant.
The future of the royal family, which cannot even distinguish such a simple reason, will be filled with only despair.
“And the stupid nobles just watch it in silence!”
visor-!
A golden longsword was drawn and raised toward the sky.
It was also a message to the soldiers watching this scene.
“Do you want to suffer under tyrants and servants who can’t even tell the truth!”
“no!”
“Then, will you just watch with your own eyes as the weakened national power harasses and tramples on your family!”
“no!”
“That’s why I, Duke William, the pillar of the East, drew my sword!”
As if saying that his actions were only to save the citizens.
Or, saying that the current situation was all caused by the other person.
“I, on behalf of the 2nd prince and the citizens, will set Esteban right!”
In that hypnotic madness, he justifies his actions.
“Wow!”
Thunderous cheers from the crowd poured in, and golden hawk flags and torches, symbolizing ducal families, soared high into the sky.
In it, the duke’s bloodshot eyes flashed red.
“I compete.”
“insect!”
chuck-!
The weapons in the hands of the soldiers hit their chests all at once.
It was a sight that signaled the beginning of the civil war.
And it was around dawn when news of the rebels reached the royal family.
* * *
kiik-
I heard the door hinges screaming, and George slowly moved inside the office.
“They said preparations for an emergency meeting were just finished.”
“Right.”
Less than twenty minutes had passed since the news of the East was delivered to the royal family.
It was very unusual that the preparations for the meeting had been completed in the meantime.
Especially when you consider that it is the middle of the night where everyone is sleeping.
‘Those with heavy hips managed to move so fast.’
Of course, that also means that the situation is serious.
The rebels formed under the command of Duke William were advancing on the capital even at this very moment.
I shrugged and got up from my seat.
“Has it finally come?”
“You rebelled when you were really cornered.”
Duke William’s rebellion was not sudden for me.
I had already predicted everything he would do, and I had moved with that in mind.
“Yeah, it was obvious from the start.”
… … I mean, considering his personality.
It was the same even before the regression. Even though Asus was holding on, he couldn’t let go of his lingering feelings until the end, and he tried to cause similar actions.
He was so full of desire for the throne that he gave up his ambition only after Albedo suddenly disappeared.
Perhaps even back then, if there was a small justification like now, he would have tried to rebel.
‘Well, anyway, it’s good that it’s consistent.’
Of course, it wasn’t meant in a positive way.
It just meant that the action was easy to read and comfortable. Thanks to you, I will be able to achieve everything I have planned.
“You’re probably bragging that it’s the right thing to do by now.”
“I don’t know. You could be seriously thinking that way, right?”
“I really don’t think so.”
So it was just more sad.
Such trivial conversations continued until we left the office, and eventually we arrived at the meeting room through the corridor full of anxiety.
kiik-
“Allen Esteban.”
“Greetings to His Highness the King, who is a milestone for many knights and leads the Esteban kingdom.”
After bowing, I sat down.
Unlike private talks, this was a place to conduct public affairs.
Especially in the current situation, it was necessary to clearly distinguish between public and private.
Because I had eyes to see.
“Did you talk first?”
“Yes.”
“But the numbers seem a little short.”
There were only five people in this place, including my father and me.
A staff member of the ROK Army who came to discuss news from the East.
… … And even the 2nd and 3rd Knight Commanders of the royal family.
In Esteban, a country of knights, the leadership of all troops was to be coordinated by the most honorable knight, the king.
It was said that there was no separate general or commander-in-chief, appointing them as needed at that time.
Even so, it was clear that the number was too small to hold a meeting.
‘Is it that the rest of the nobles haven’t arrived yet?’
My head tilted.
Then my father pointed to me and explained the reason.
“Of course. This emergency meeting is only prepared to hear your opinion.”
“What do you mean by that?”
An unexpected answer. When I expressed my doubts out of a bit of embarrassment, my father answered without hesitation.
“Since we’ve proven our abilities with two Northern Expeditions, that means we’ll be the first to ask for your opinion.”
“… … .”
“People in this room also acknowledged that.”
“… … okay.”
The first prince who led the previous wars with minimal damage.
Even if it’s a time like this, even if it’s a long time to listen to other people’s opinions slowly, I’m going to put my opinion first.
Of course, this would have been the same for the Sun Knights and Argon Knights.
The ability I showed them would have already exceeded the realm of trust.
‘It’s probably not worth mentioning that it was the right decision.’
I understood the significance of this position and nodded.
Well, if this happens, I won’t have to ‘take the time’ to convince them of the strategy.
“What is the size of the force and the exact number of nobles sympathetic to the rebellion?”
“Your Highness, I will tell you that.”
A member of the Armed Forces staff was asked the question.
“The nobles currently identified as being with Duke William are six, including Count Valmons. And it is a situation where a total of 20,000 troops from the territories have been organized and are advancing.”
“Twenty thousand. That’s a lot to come from the ranks of only seven nobles.”
The fact that that amount of troops came from the east, not the north, means that they were secretly training private soldiers.
It was like that.
“But I don’t think that’s all.”
“Yes that’s right. So, we are tracking down whether there are troops hidden by the rebels, but communication with the east is not going smoothly, as if they are trying to interfere with magic.”
“I don’t think there is such a thing as a blowout for nothing.”
I shrugged.
Disruption of communications is the very basis of war.
Unless you are a high-ranking magician, sending communications through the disturbance will be a long way off.
Well, the ‘everything’ I asked didn’t mean the hidden medical history.
“… … So, what do you think should be done now?”
Father asked in a subdued voice.
It was natural to see some impatience in his appearance.
They are still marching toward the capital. Regardless of whether they were recruiting troops from the surrounding territory, they had to act immediately.
but… … .
“You think at your leisure.”
“… … spare?”
“Think of the reasons for reacting quickly to the rebels.”
I was still just relaxed.
On the contrary, my father expressed his perplexity at my questionable answer.
“Are you saying that it won’t be too late to respond slowly now?”
“The reason the rebels are scary is because their forces quickly grow. The angry public sentiment of the people is spreading.”
“… … .”
“But it’s not Duke William’s rebellion.”
“surely… … .”
It is not that the persecuted people have raised an uprising, let alone a part of the public sentiment is agitated by them.
He only thinks he is right. It was just a personal desire.
‘Even the agitated public sentiment is not against the royal family.’
Through trade with the Holy Empire, daily necessities that depended on the Commonwealth Empire could be provided at a much cheaper price than before.
Besides, what about the expansion of the country through the conquest of the north?
Even if the rumors related to Mithril hadn’t spread yet, there was no way anyone would sympathize with them.
“In other words, this means that you can respond as you please.”
“However, their troops number 20,000. In order to deal with that amount of troops, we have to recruit troops from nearby territories. They know that and launch a surprise attack… … .”
“No problem.”
“… … No problem?”
And I… … I finally mentioned the strategy I was thinking of.
“Let them make it safely to the vicinity of the capital.”
“What, what?!”
“If you block it for no reason, the damage will only increase.”
leave me alone… … .
At those words, not only my father, but everyone in the present room put on a look of astonishment.
“Ho, are you saying that we should recruit troops from the territory near the capital and wait for an all-out war? However, it takes time to recruit enough troops… … .”
“No, the battle will be conducted along the walls of the capital. There is no need to send troops either.”
“That, that word… … .”
The corners of my lips rose thickly.
“It’s a siege.”
“No, that is nonsense! The walls of the capital are not suitable for siege warfare!”
Quadang-!
The sound of a chair tipping over echoed.
But that was the moment.
“… … Allen Esteban, I understood what you said about starting a siege. By the way, what does it mean that there is no need to call out troops?”
“His Highness the King… … !”
“It is literally. If you use the advantage of defense, you will be able to stop it without damage with only the troops standing in the capital.”
“Looks like there are other numbers.”
“I’d say it’s similar.”
“… … i get it. Then do it.”
“Okay, Your Highness the King, do you agree with that strategy?”
The first to protest was the ROK military staff who knew the situation of the internal troops best.
Of course, even he couldn’t break his father’s firm trust.
“I am sure that I am not going the wrong way. I don’t trust him just because he’s my son. It wasn’t just because he kept winning. I believe in those eyes.”
Clear, burning straight eyes meet my pupils.
“Those eyes full of confidence in something.”
I think you felt something through me. I also responded with a smile to that trust.
“majesty… … .”
“Allen Esteban, what do we need to do before the rebels come here?”
“Well, that too is simple.”
I shrugged and continued.
“Let’s start by organizing the inside first.”
“If inside… … .”
“It seems that their hidden forces are inside.”
“… … !”
Finally, the place where my gaze was directed was the only empty seat.
Knight Commander Arnold of the 1st Royal Knights Order.
… … over the chair he should be in.
“It looks like the entire royal family of knights have betrayed the royal family.”
From noble mtl dot com.
Whether it was before the regression or now.
It was a fact that did not change.