War clouds approaching (1)
The seat where the man sat was more arrogant and authoritative than any other place.
And those two connotative words would not be enough to describe that man.
The man’s name is Berretto William.
He was the head of Esteban’s only ducal family and a resourceful person who produced Queen Sarah, the mother of two princes.
Also, now that Asus, the close friend of the king, had died and was gone, he could be said to be the most powerful person among nobles in name and reality.
Besides that, there are plenty of words that can modify a man.
“Galderd Plain… … .”
The duke’s grave voice reverberated through the room.
His faithful followers knew that the voice contained joy.
Indeed, the true intention could be found in the words that followed.
“It’s unfortunate that the assassination attempt failed, but it’s definitely not a bad situation.”
At the suggestion of Prince 1, Esteban received the plain of Galderd back.
If the land had been useful, it could have been the right choice, but this time it was arbitrary and foolish to the point that even those who followed the first prince were puzzled.
Thanks to this, the optimal time has come for them to be active as they wear the shell of the 2nd prince faction.
“What is your reaction?”
When the duke’s eyes met, Count Valmons lowered his head and said,
“Again, these are negative reactions. We are slowly spreading public opinion behind the scenes.”
“You are doing well.”
No matter how much the king’s approval was given, in the end, this was a discussion that took place without consulting the nobles.
Therefore, the nobles were in an atmosphere that they had to stop talking and renegotiate as soon as possible.
It was a change in public opinion that did not even need to be deliberately decorated.
The Duke laughed.
“This incident will be an opportunity to doubt the ability of the first prince.”
“That’s right.”
Also, if renegotiation is decided under pressure from public opinion, it will not be at the level of doubting its ability, but it will even be stigmatized for having committed diplomatic disrespect against the Commonwealth.
It was something a man couldn’t help but wish for.
“You were in a hurry to show leadership, so you did it without even thinking about taking care of it.”
From the moment he defeated Asus, who was holding back the nobles, it was as if he had stepped into a swamp he could not escape on his own.
Thanks to this, not only did the power of the first prince, who had a strong support base, shake, but he also made mistakes and helped them move underwater… … .
Took-
The sugar in Duke William’s hand sank into the abyss of the coffee cup.
“The next move will be the last that will decide his fate.”
His efforts were futile.
To a foolish prospective leader who can’t even see his future path on the subject of weakness and stupidity. Only such a miserable exit was deserved.
But even in the midst of that, there were definitely people who acted cautiously.
“dismissal.”
“what?”
“If there was a reason we couldn’t figure out why we were given the plains of Galderd… … .”
Something they don’t know is ‘information’.
The suspicions of Count Valmons, who had been carefully brought out, were justified.
It’s already been more than a month since the delegation went back, but even the king, who clearly distinguishes between public and private affairs, didn’t mention this story at all… … .
However, in response to Count Valmons’ prudence, the duke asserted.
“no. There is no such thing.”
The reason was simple and reasonable.
“If there really was such a thing, the Commonwealth Empire wouldn’t have given up the plains so easily.”
also. If Esteban’s royal family had moved directly to find out such information, there was no way it would not have reached the ears of the Commonwealth Empire.
This also applies to himself, the grandfather of the second prince.
The Duke’s head turned slowly.
“Isn’t that so?”
“… … .”
A man appeared through the darkness that was hidden like a curtain.
An airy and graceful gesture. Nevertheless, as if it showed his true personality well, he took steps without hesitation.
The impression the man gave was the wind.
“As promised, all you have to do is dismantle the power of Prince 1 and ascend the throne.”
The peacock’s eyes flashed with desire.
“Albedo Esteban.”
* * *
A month has passed since the delegation left. Recently, it has been a repetition of closely intertwined training.
When I opened my eyes, I came out to the training ground and practiced my swordsmanship, and after that, I stayed up all night training my body without any time to rest.
As a result. I’ve gotten a little more used to dealing with the aura that’s inherent in my body.
… … To be precise, it should be seen that the body is belatedly learning from past experiences.
Even so, it is still a body that does not fit the realm.
Woo woo woo-
From the sword in his hand, a bloody aura blade extending over 2 meters was deployed.
The density of the aura was much thicker than when he first absorbed the energy of black magic.
I straightened up and tensed my muscles.
The target is the scarecrow in front of you.
“Suck!”
Like lightning in a storm, the sword shot accurately split the scarecrow’s waist.
Chew!
Slowly retrieve the thrown sword into the scabbard and keep an eye on the scarecrow.
The scarecrow maintained its original appearance as if nothing had happened.
… … But that’s for a while.
Soon, the scarecrow, unable to overcome the shock, disintegrated into pieces and collapsed to the ground.
The scarecrow, torn to shreds, turned into a gruesome form reminiscent of an attack by a beast.
It was the result of releasing three auras in a single blow.
Of course, there was no change in the fact that this was also an unreasonable movement that did not fit the body.
“Kyungji is chasing the past, but he is still a pitiful body.”
Still, it doesn’t feel too bad.
My current body is not complete, but I am maintaining a clean state.
Like a pure white drawing paper waiting for a painter to brush. You can draw not only the past, but also the future you want.
perhaps.
I didn’t even know that the moment this body was completed would be the moment I surpassed myself before returning.
“… … Is it the completion of the body?”
I slowly stroked the tattoo on my right arm.
The work of absorbing mana in the air was still steadily progressing.
Of course, even if left alone, it will steadily absorb and synchronize, but there are many ways to artificially control the speed.
Just like this.
Wow!
The aura that had been dormant in his body blended with his whole body, and his physical abilities began to rapidly strengthen.
The difference is that it didn’t just flow through the veins, but started to run towards the right arm along the artificially created passageway of the magic imprint.
In the end, the aura that spread throughout the body met the accumulated magic power and led to explosive activation of the body.
“Kuk!”
The activation of the body did not last long.
This is because the Aura, which felt overloaded, ceased activity and began to be retrieved.
It is to deliberately stimulate the implanted magic imprint. There was no way it wouldn’t be hard on the body.
Whoa.
Finally, I let out a long breath, calming the boiling energy.
When I checked the energy I felt, I was able to confirm that the amount of mana absorbed by the magic imprint had slightly increased.
However, the recoil made him feel numb as if his entire body had been paralyzed, and he broke into a cold sweat trying to calm down his mana that was on the verge of running out of control.
It was a moment that made me frown.
“… … Around 3 seconds.”
Considering the fact that when the imprint was first stimulated, it did not exceed 1 second, it could be said that it was a great development.
From noble mtl dot com.
It was also a proof that the body’s ability to endure was rising that much.
Of course, the return through stimulation was gradually increasing.
“It’s time to cross the first critical point.”
Dark silver mana shimmered over the tattoo on his right arm.
It was exactly as expected.
Sooner or later, the function of the magic imprint will begin to be released in earnest.
Since this also knew all the knowledge, it was clear that it was an abnormal synchronization progress even before the return.
“majesty. It’s about time.”
I nodded at the urging of Baron Vidor, who came to the training ground.
Then, after staring at the fallen scarecrow, he left the training ground.
The sleeping sun swallowed up the darkness, and the outside was crowded with servants preparing for the day.
The destination was Prince 1’s office as usual, but there was no time to delay today.
* * *
malevolent malevolent-
It was a place gathered for a cabinet meeting, but what the nobles were expressing was anxiety.
An extremely selfish desire that only calculates one’s own comfort.
Or, pure worry about the embers that would fall on Esteban’s feet.
Whatever it was, it was certain that it was because of the news received from the Commonwealth two days ago.
“War… … I don’t know if it’s not going to hurt Esteban as well.”
The movements of the savages finally became visible.
The Emperor of the Federation Empire raised an army under the judgment that he could not ignore the barbarians moving south, and finally the war between the barbarians and the empire broke out.
It was a commotion that broke out the day before dawn.
“The barbarians are finally going crazy.”
“Now, the movement of the barbarians is beginning to be seen in the northern border area as well.”
“Huh!”
As if to prove that statement was true, the faces of the nobles who actually had enemies in the north were bluish-blue.
Thanks to that, the cabinet meeting hadn’t even started, but the atmosphere was naturally tense.
Baron Vidor, who was standing next to him, put his face closer and said quietly.
“There really is a war with the Empire.”
“I guess so.”
The eerie echo of the name war.
Although it was a tension that Esteban was quite familiar with, it was one of the few cases that had been so vast.
I smiled as I looked at the northern nobles who couldn’t calm down.
“Isn’t it fun to see you worrying about losing even the smallest of wealth?”
“yes?”
“Even though I can’t even protect it with my own hands, it’s like rolling my feet.”
“… … omg!”
Then, Baron Vidor, who was taken aback by my abusive remarks, looked around and cautiously said,
“Hey, Your Highness! Still, aren’t they the northern nobles who have protected Esteban from the barbarians?”
“no. If they really wanted to protect their country, they would have immediately rushed to the territory and reorganized their forces to escape from the current situation.”
“Even if you say so… … .”
The baron’s gaze swam around once more.
If you think about it, the nobles of the north who are now in this position were the ones who rushed to the capital as soon as the movements of the barbarians were confirmed.
Considering that the Margrave, who is in charge of most of the northern border, is taking the lead in evolving chaos by sending my grandson instead… … What was left were only those who walked around wearing a modest bluff claiming to protect Esteban.
I confirmed the strange change in the baron’s expression before continuing.
“Even a flying beast will not spare its body to protect its own.”
Not to mention, even small creatures come face-to-face with predators to protect their homes.
Protecting something is like that.
“Take a good look.”
As he said that, his gaze turned to a certain northern nobleman who was nervously biting his nails.
The next place to look was a group of opportunists who flattered themselves even when their security was threatened.
Without the courage to face even the slightest threat.
Great people who would abandon the citizens of their territory and run away if given the chance.
Even when the war broke out with the Commonwealth Empire, I immediately betrayed my country and sided with them.
“They are just trash with a will that is less than that of a brute force.”
“… … .”
“come.”
I said that and straightened my posture.
What’s coming all of a sudden?
Baron Vidor, who was confused between embarrassment and wonder, eventually found something and quickly lowered his head.
“His Highness the King, who is a milestone for all the knights and leads Esteban Kingdom, is entering!”