back to the past (2)
An unprecedented incident in which the first prince beheaded a high-ranking nobleman, a count, in the royal castle.
Even more so, the opponent was Count Asus, an old friend of the king.
Thanks to this, Esteban’s kingdom was overthrown.
“His Highness, Prince 1, has eaten.”
The servant’s voice resounded throughout Daejeon.
Somehow, a smile came out at the unfamiliar title.
I moved slowly and approached the throne rising from the edge of the vast Great War.
A golden chair that you wouldn’t even see if you didn’t raise your head. A place that was mine not too long ago.
And finally, a space where mountains of corpses and seas of blood spread endlessly.
But now, the father he had missed so much was sitting there with a straight face.
“Allen Esteban.”
He smiled at his father’s voice, which he hadn’t heard in a long time.
How many times have you laughed like this?
If there were people who knew what I looked like before I returned, I would be very surprised.
After suddenly rising to the position of king, I couldn’t remember laughing sincerely for at least 10 years.
Even so, I felt that the naturally rising corners of her lips were not awkward.
“Kuhm.”
I escaped from my thoughts with the sound of a certain aristocrat clearing his throat.
As I narrowed my eyebrows and looked around, the nobles lined up around the throne turned their heads with tired expressions.
oh! These are familiar faces.
Unknowingly, the sincerity that came out of my heart came out of my mouth.
“It’s been a really long time. father.”
“I always told you to be careful with your words, Allen Esteban. Keep in mind that this is the time of the stern nobility meeting.”
Oops.
I shook my head, recalling the etiquette I had learned a long time ago.
“Greetings to His Highness the King, who is a milestone for many knights and leads the Asteban Kingdom.”
“Tsk. 1 Stop being a prince and raise your head.”
“yes.”
It had been a long time since he had recited such ridiculous lines.
This also felt fresh in its own way.
In such a rather solemn atmosphere, the aristocratic meeting began.
“Do you know why the noble meeting was held?”
“That’s right. sh*t… … Big hum. Isn’t it because Count Asus died?”
“It is indeed accurate. Then, does Prince 1 admit that he killed his aide, Count Asus, in his office this morning?”
“yes. I admit it.”
My quick acknowledgment caused a buzz around me.
Most of them were at the level of shaking their heads at the disaster that occurred in the royal castle, but among them, they looked at me disapprovingly. Or there were writers who looked at me with hostile eyes.
Looking closely, even before the return, they were wildcats that had been sticking to Duke Asus and eating falling beans.
As the commotion ensued, the sword sheath in the king’s hand hit the floor vigorously.
thump thump!
Then, the inside of Daejeon becomes quiet as if a rat died.
As he glanced over at the quiet nobles, the angry King’s voice pierced his ears like lightning.
“Why did Prince 1 kill innocent Earl Asus in a royal castle that deserves to be virtuous?”
Innocent Count Asus.
In a way, it was a natural story.
Count Asus, seen in the eyes of the nobles, was a loyalist who was more innocent than anyone else and loyal to the royal family.
‘I also thought so.’
But I was confident.
It was the right thing for me to kill him, and it was the right thing to do.
I didn’t care about the position of those who knew nothing.
Of course, I couldn’t just leave it like this.
No matter what the future is, isn’t it the clean and innocent Earl of Asus who has not shown his teeth now?
It goes without saying that this incident will be a stumbling block in the future.
‘I can’t just waste my newly acquired time on something like this.’
now back to the past.
There was a heap of work to be done.
That’s why I took out the knowledge I learned from the future as a weapon.
“Before answering that question. There is something I would like to dare to ask Your Highness the King.”
“Speak.”
“To what extent does the kingdom law cover liaison with enemy nations?”
Some of the nobles’ expressions twisted at my confident question.
I didn’t miss that moment and remembered the changed expressions on the nobles’ faces.
The king was taken aback by the unexpected question.
“It is stipulated that the smallest is financial support such as military rice or gold coins, and the larger is all actions beneficial to the enemy country.”
“If so, what kind of punishment will be given to those who plan a rebellion with support from other countries?”
“that… … .”
Only then did the king feel strange and narrow his eyes. But the words that will come out of his mouth have already been decided.
“The party and the three tribes are summarily executed and the title of nobility is permanently stripped.”
The corner of the mouth rises once more.
I spread my arms and shouted as if giving a speech.
“If Count Asus had been innocent, I wouldn’t have killed him! However, he was secretly fostering an army with the support of the Carrot Federation Empire!”
“… … what?”
“Of course, I dare to say that it was all to promote rebellion.”
Then, the voices of the aristocrats rose in an instant, causing an unprecedented uproar in the Great War.
“It is a lie! How can Count Asus, who has been loyal to the royal family, do that!”
“This is nonsense!”
malevolent malevolent-
How dare you tell the prince of a country that it is a lie.
Normally, this was absolutely unacceptable behavior, but the shock received by the nobles lined up in the Great War was just as great.
However, on the contrary, the king’s face had an angry expression.
“There’s nothing I can’t say, Allen Esteban!”
“It is the truth without a single lie.”
“dare! You are now standing here for the crime of killing a pillar of the kingdom that has been loyal to the royal family for hundreds of years!”
“yes. I know.”
“But, how dare you mock Jim in such a situation!”
It is a series of incredible sounds. It was only natural that the king’s voice would rise.
“I was only acting for the kingdom.”
However, as if he had only told the truth, as if he had truly done what he had to do, he looked so confident and different from usual.
“If you were trying to disrespect Jim for an excuse, I won’t go over it lightly. You have to take responsibility for your own words.”
“of course.”
“evidence. There will be evidence. Where is the evidence that Count Asus colluded with the Empire?”
“As it happens, I have it now.”
“Bring it right away.”
I took out the two pieces of paper I had brought beforehand and handed them to the servant who was waiting under the throne.
Before being called to the aristocratic meeting. It was something that was brought out quickly.
Of course, as he said, all the evidence was sleeping under the office.
‘I never thought it would be used like this… … .’
The password to open the hidden safe is the same as the one he usually uses.
Due to his personality, my guess that the place where he hides things or his password hasn’t changed was correct.
Eventually, the paper passed through the hands of the servants and passed on to the king.
As he read this, the King’s expression gradually began to collapse.
What Asus gave to the king was one of the sure proofs that I had been looking for for a long time in my previous life, which Asus wanted to send to the Carrot Federation Empire.
There was no content about the sender, but perhaps the king, who was Asus’ old friend, read Asus’ unique handwriting and engraving.
but.
“This… … .”
It was only two letters, but the content contained in them was astonishing.
Not only did he directly mention the usurpation of the throne, but in one of the letters, even the movements of the kingdom’s troops were written in detail.
Especially in the next part, the king’s anger reached its peak.
“You’re going to make sure there’s no evidence of an assassination by making them eat shallowly diluted poison for ten years? Are you telling Jim to believe this now!”
The letter in the king’s hand was mercilessly crumpled.
Is it like this too?
It was a fact that even I, who had returned, did not believe in, so I did not think that others would believe it at once.
of course… … .
‘If I couldn’t prove this, I wouldn’t have presented it either.’
From noble mtl dot com.
I said as I slowly approached the throne.
“Do you really think the letter was forged?”
“It is possible for immediate immunity!”
“Even if that’s the case, if you call the palace wizard to investigate, you’ll be exposed within an hour. Of course, His Highness the King, who is a close friend of Count Asus, would know better that the letter is genuine.”
you already know
The interior of Daejeon filled with breathtaking tension in an instant.
And as I looked at it as if appreciating it, my mouth slowly opened.
“There are many other things that Count Asus has done. As a representative example, there must have been an affair with the barbarians in the north to sell allied military information.”
“… … what?”
If colluding with the Carrot Empire was close to a shocking accusation, this remark was truly a series of absurdities.
This was the same for the king, who showed a relatively calm appearance.
The king tried to calm his stuttering voice.
“You sold information to barbarians? That is truly absurd.”
“As proof of that, the messenger announcing the invasion of the barbarians will arrive soon.”
“her! How could barbarians and the like invade the kingdom?”
“You don’t believe me either. great. Then how about doing this?”
I twisted the ring off my left hand and carefully set it down.
It was a royal pattern and a treasure that proved the status of the first prince.
“If I am wrong, I will accept all punishment. However, this incident made me realize the importance of information.”
“that… … .”
“So, if I’m right… … For Esteban’s future, please allow us to establish a direct intelligence department.”
“Huh, rather ask for rights in a hearing about your crimes?”
The inside of Daejeon, still filled with the buzz of nobles.
However, the king, who should have put an end to the turmoil at least for now, was of the same mind.
“You will also be responsible for your words.”
The invasion of the barbarians was so absurd.
That moment.
bang!
The whole fuss was ended by a knight who jumped in with a contemplative face.
As if he had run without a break for maintenance, dust scattered from the knight’s body and scattered all over the battlefield.
The king’s eyes widened at the sight.
“What the hell kind of disrespect is this!”
The King’s angry voice resounded throughout the Great War.
The knight, who ran to the king without even having time to catch his breath, lowered his head and spoke hastily.
“Cow, breaking news! Please forgive my sudden rudeness!”
“Breaking news? Why did you interrupt the strict noble meeting?”
“A large-scale invasion by barbarians has been detected in the northern border area!”
“… … what?”
The eyes of the nobles were immediately focused on me.
A look of disbelief was evident on their faces.
Inside the Great War in chaos.
Taking off my coat, I spoke to the knight who was out of breath in the middle of the Great War.
“Immediately mobilize troops from the nobles around the border area, and tell the soldiers on the front to focus only on breaking the defense and holding on. The royal elite troops will arrive within four days.”
“yes? yes! I will follow your orders!”
A very natural command.
It was an obvious act of exceeding authority, but no one here was conscious of it.
I brushed my bangs while watching the article leave.
“His Highness the King. Does this prove what I am saying?”
“What is this… … .”
“Where could there be more convincing proof that Count Asus had been conspiring with the enemy?”
It was a lie.
The invasion of barbarians simply should have happened today. It has nothing to do with Count Asus.
However, thanks to a series of circumstances, at least for those present right now, only the fact that Count Asus did it would have dominated their thoughts.
A situation that fits like a puzzle.
That was the reason why he deliberately took his time and did not present evidence right away.
With a near-perfect design, it was able to impress the king with the fact that it was a tributary of the Carrot Federation Empire, even though it was not a complete proof of the inner tube.
And the result… … .
“The first prince… … How did you know this?”
“I noticed something strange from Count Asus and conducted a separate investigation.”
“is it… … Really Count Asus… … .”
“I dare not say that the loss of life in the palace was light, but my convictions did not forgive it.”
The king let out a groan close to sighing and leaned against the throne.
I didn’t miss this time and started pushing hard.
“Not only that. In addition to conspiracies, the count has committed acts of wrath, such as hiring assassins to kill nobles who interfere with his business.”
“Whoa.”
Likewise, this is also not easy to accept with words alone.
Evidences that could not be brought due to lack of time.
What I brought out this time was a wedge to close this case.
“It is not difficult to prove this, but would it make sense for me to tell you where the evidence is located?”
“What does that mean?”
“Telling where the evidence exists is of no use if someone present destroys it.”
My gaze once again passed the faces of the nobles.
From aristocrats with bewildered faces to those who became contemplative. I continued talking while fully enjoying those expressions.
“So, I ask that Your Highness immediately seal the gates of the Great Hall and dispatch an investigator.”
The confident appearance of Prince 1 was completely different from the actions he had shown so far.
The way you talk and act as if you’ve become a different person.
It seemed that way to the king, who had been with him for the past 20 years.
But the judgment was quick.
“Where is the evidence?”
“It’s close by.”
“Hmm… … Hello. Listen to Arnold, Commander of the Royal Guard Knights.”
“yes. your majesty.”
“As soon as the prince tells you the location, bring proof.”
“I will follow your orders… … .”
“no.”
I cut Arnold off.
Then the king’s eyebrows twitched.
“What else?”
“He was a person whom Count Asus usually supported. Wouldn’t it be possible to destroy the evidence for the honor of Count Asus?”
before returning. The Royal Guard Knights helped the rebellion even though they were directly under the king’s Royal Guard.
And Arnold was serving as the leader of the Royal Guard Knights in the future.
That’s why I rejected him if I had rejected him, but I couldn’t trust him.
Arnold shook his head with an expression of regret.
“Absolutely not!”
“It is said that you can know ten ways under water, but you do not know one way inside people. Even that Asus did. We have to be careful and careful in case of an unexpected situation.”
Then he smiled at Arnold and answered.
“Isn’t it?”
“Whoa.”
The king said with a sigh.
“Then, who does Prince 1 want to send as an investigator?”
“I think… … .”
He looked closely at the faces of the nobles lined up.
A person whose expression did not change at the time of the revelation, even though he had no contact with Duke Asus before returning.
I found a suitable figure and nodded.
“Baron Vidor would be nice.”
“yes? Are you referring to me?”
Baron Vidor, who was called to me, said with a puzzled look.
He was a person who had a reputation for being weak and not greedy for the future. A fair noble who cares for Young Ji-min more than anyone else.
It was enough to trust and entrust the work.
“Okay, Baron Vidor. 1 Listen to the location from the prince and go immediately.”
“Poetry, God Vidor. I will obey your order.”
done.
This is exactly what was intended.
I went to the desk where the clerk was sitting and took the paper and pen.
He then drew a brief map with the location of the evidence and handed it to Baron Vidor.
Baron Vidor, who confirmed the location, was greatly surprised.
“Am I really here?”
“hmm.”
I hurried Baron Vidor, gesticulating. Then he left Daejeon with a half-doubt on his face.
After confirming that he was leaving, the king opened his mouth.
“In that case, let’s postpone the decision on the treatment of the first prince, which was an agenda for this noble meeting. Do you have anything more to say, Prince 1?”
“yes. there is.”
“… … Try it.”
“Since Count Asus is dead, I will reappoint my aide.”
“… … i get it.”
The king said while sweeping his bangs with a tired face.
“If there is an aide the first prince wants in this position, call him by name.”
At those words, the faces of the nobles hardened.
Don’t worry. because you won’t pick it up
“I’m not here, so I’ll tell you later.”
“okay. i get it.”
“Also, please allow us to establish a separate information collection under the courtesy intelligence department.”
“after… … Yes, do as you please.”
The king soon closed his eyes and leaned back as if he didn’t want to think about anything.
Just like that, Daejeon was full of silence.
I was the only one excited about this situation.
Let’s see… … .
My cold eyes reached out to some nobles.
Just before dying at the hands of the Duke of Asus. The smiling faces behind him.
And Sejak, who was under orders from neighboring countries and only interfered with everything.
Although he was young now, he did not fail to recognize those disgusting faces.
Thanks to you, I got a smile on my face.
I’ll kill you soon too.
This was just a minor warning.
My revenge began now.