Chapter 255 – 25. Clash! Dueling Trial (5)
Inside the palace, before the meeting.
It was a dark time. Nonetheless, the nights of ministers these days passed with work piled up like a mountain. Because the flow of a cataclysmic era is originally a way to squeeze through the moment. If you want to deal with pending issues, you should not lose sight of them even for a moment.
“Baron Ardennes’ arrogance has gone too far! In such a chaotic time, the leader who governs a region is challenging for a duel!”
“An ancient sage said that too much of anything is as bad as too little. The baron’s loyalty is just like that. It is true that the loyalty he has shown so far has been commendable, but I am concerned that this time has not gone too far.”
“Your Majesty, I beg you to reject the request of Baron Romuald and rule him strictly by the law of the land!”
It was the wave month. It was a day when the shadow of the Great War, comparable to that of the diplomatic war, shimmered in this country, Gaul. The servants, exhausted from overwork and fierce political strife, raised their voices at the sudden arrival of the two news.
“The whereabouts of the duel will be unknown, given that Duke LeBlanc is a proficient contender for the top spot among the disciples fostered by Millennium Gong in the past, and of course, the one who is trying to challenge him is none other than the Baron.”
“The idea of resolving conflict through a duel rather than a war is definitely a mindset that deserves praise. Contrary to Baron Haona Ardennes’ speculation, what Duke LeBlanc wants is only the right to hold a legitimate trial. Although he has flaws in supporting the deposed crown prince, in the end, the essence is that he is a powerful family who prioritizes the interests of my family.”
“Please look carefully at the duke’s appeal. The charges against Henrietta from Aquitaine include conspiracy to assassinate my mother and other relatives. It is clear what kind of change of heart he must have had when he learned of the evil deeds committed by his wife and the family secrets.”
Sitting on his throne and holding his chin, Alphonse narrowed his brows. As if the crown, which kept sliding forward, was cumbersome, he tilted his head back and opened his mouth. His voice was more sensitive than usual because he hadn’t taken a proper rest for nearly two days already.
“I will sort it out.”
The king, who made a knocking noise with his hand resting on his armrest, calmed the situation down for a moment. After the abolished crown prince returned to the central political world, the three siblings spent busy days without blinking their eyes. This is because the fight for the throne, which was tentatively concluded with the third victory, was held again.
Daejeo How relaxed and rich was the food culture of Gaul. There is even a proverb that says it is easy to live to eat. It was a time when the most noble king in a country that was serious about making meals was not in a good mood these days.
Then, somehow, it was around the time when I had half a day to spare.
The plans to fill the hungry stomach, wash the dirty body, and put the tired body to sleep all went awry. It was because of the two letters that arrived with a slight time difference. One was a letter directly delivered by a messenger from the east, and the other was a letter ghostwritten and delivered by correspondence from a court official dispatched to the north.
“The Duke of LeBlanc wants a clerk from Henrietta, who was my original wife. He intends to bring her to justice and punish her lawfully. She stubbornly waits for her Yun-heo, even though she could have gone ahead without asking Jim’s permission.”
Jacques de Gaullia’s biggest political supporter reversed his stance. If she wants to, she tries to follow her procedures by asking for her wife, who can dispose of her as much as she wants. The fact that he had been at odds with the royal family up until now was put to shame.
“This opens up a lot of speculation. Either Jacques and him had a falling out, or he was trying to change ships, as is always the case with powerful subjects. The latter is more credible.”
“For generations, the LeBlanc family has been reluctant to pay heavy taxes on the eastern granary. Although the Dragons of Valor have enjoyed an unprecedented boom with the solution of Ouestveda, they still yearn for tax cuts and autonomy like the South.”
“It’s not that it makes no sense. However, there are still doubts. Why do you mean at this point? I understand that she is trying to win favor with her Jim by offering her wife, who is known for her eccentricity, as her sacrifice. He understood that it was a question of accepting conversion instead of purging another Aquitaine. But Zach and his sister’s challenge must have just begun, right?”
I am not criticizing an opportunistic attitude. It’s because it’s a power of authority and a powerful family to change sides if necessary. Alphonse just wanted to know why such a prudent man as Valiant chose to turn his back on the abolished prince.
“And here again, a call from the courtier arrived. It is said that Baron Ardennes vehemently denies the allegations against his brother, Henrietta, in the East. I said that I wanted to request a duel trial so that this fight would not turn into a civil war, so that it would not be a loss to my country.”
“When the place you stand changes, the scenery also changes. As a servant, he spreads rumors without the king’s permission and encourages wrongful conflicts, so how can he not be punished severely? Thanks to His Majesty’s oversight, the baron has been reborn as a noble family in the north. Maybe it was because of the compulsion to repay it, that I did things on my own…”
Unlike the east, which was hostile to the royal family, the south, which had autonomy, and the west, which was out of control because it was lawless, the north was within the fence of Alphonse. In other words, Romuald, Baron of the Ardennes, is a royalist. If you ask how a baron who rules a region can earn the king’s trust, there’s nothing to say.
It’s true, but what do you mean?
In that sense, if the North carried out a provocation against the East, there must have been permission or instructions from the center in the background. However, whether it was a mistake because the matter was urgent, or whether it was because his true nature was revealed, the baron arbitrarily declared a challenge to the world.
“Was Baron Ardennes a criminal who inevitably fell in the face of the sweetness of power?”
“I’m sorry, but at present there is only room for that interpretation…”
“Bring the Whistling Orb! I want to hear the opinion of the Court Baek.”
The substitutes bowed their heads. The courtiers who were waiting at the end of the palace carefully carried the marbles placed on large cushions outside. At the same time, the lights turned on in each section were also turned off, and arrangements were made to facilitate communication.
Then it was the courtier’s turn. Vincent Renoir, embodied in the color emitted by the crystal ball, lowered his body. It was a time when he had to be alert, so it seemed that he was prepared to serve Hamyeong at any time.
“I would like to hear your thoughts. Where can I tell you without criticism?”
“So-sin, too, has been thinking a lot about the future of the baron. As the opinion of many ministers, I lamented that he, who had fallen before power, had dared to forget the duty of being a subject and be disloyal to Your Majesty.”
“But, isn’t it?”
“If it wasn’t for the spy that just came in, I would have been fooled too. As His Majesty has been busy with state affairs, the commander of the Knights of Calais has asked Soshin to speak instead.”
Alphonse tilted his head. Richard, the head of the royal guard, was secretly dispatched to the East under my secret order. I want to recruit talent to stand up to Oliver Somerset, the steel sword of Somerset and the sword master of Britannia.
“Sir Richard can’t afford that?”
“Actually, they say they confirmed Kenneth Somerset’s whereabouts.”
“Is that true? If so, why not report directly to Jim!”
“Your Majesty, as I said, intelligence from the Commander of the Knights of Calais has just arrived. And, as deplorable as it is, God here informs you that Somerset’s quicksword is working for Valiant.”
The crowd was agitated. Alphonse grabbed his throbbing forehead and swallowed a moan. The reason why the deposed prince is an enemy is not because of the duke or lion king who sponsored him. Of course, it is true that their presence is like a thorn in the eye. But the real strength of Jacques de Gaulia is Somerset more than anything else.
“How can you, courtier! There wasn’t an inch of lies in that?”
“How dare you tell me what kind of safety it is? I can even stake my fate.”
Those swordsmen, including the strong sword Oliver, are the most disadvantaged part of the wise king’s forces when a civil war breaks out. That’s why, with the feeling of grabbing at least a straw, he searched for a quicksword that stood opposite him in the past.
“… Wait, what about Baron Ardennes?”
Even that has become meaningless now.
“Yes, it is.”
Kenneth Somerset is no ordinary prosecutor. It is not a talent that is hired and used like the longevity that is widely spread across the continent. The status of an existence that was treated on the same level as a steel sword in Britannia Somerset is eternal even after it disappeared.
“The request for the right to hold a trial in the east is neither peace nor conversion. Valiant Gong, who obtained the quicksword, finally revealed his true colors. No matter how much you have supported me, will you wait and see how the ruined crown prince will become a threat to your own supremacy in the future?”
“Oliver Somerset and Kenneth Somerset are at odds…”
“Duke LeBlanc betrayed the abolished crown prince. There is no doubt that he is trying to take his place with brute force based on the quicksword and financial power coming from Uestveda.”
The frightened ministers looked at each other and muttered. To take away the position of a true pretender is also to reveal the will to rebel against the Gallic royal family. In short, the ultimate goal of the LeBlanc family is to change the dynasty.
“Lungs, Your Majesty! Then everything is explained!”
“The Duke of Valiant’s conspiracy is deep, and unless it can be clearly proven, the sanctions imposed by the royal family are feeble!”
Tongues broke out here and there. It was because of the man who raised the spirits of those who were full of annoyance because of the all-night stand. Baron Romuald, who was thought to be conceited under full support, was in fact looking ahead to the domestic situation most clearly.
“It must have been a situation where the matter was urgent and there was no choice but to act first! If we can’t stop the Duke’s rampage, civil war will be inevitable! Once that happens, the odds are the strong sword Oliver or the quick sword Kenneth… !”
“Yeah, Baron Ardennes’s inaction is no worse than them! However, it hasn’t been long since Rus invaded beyond the far north limit, and now that the Margrave is no longer there, if even the baron vacates the border, who the hell will defend Gaul from the invasion of foreign enemies… !”
“The Valiant attack had to be stopped, the civil war had to be prevented, and the borders could not be left empty for long, so the only thing that satisfies all of those tricky conditions must be a dueling trial… !”
Alphonse shook his head. Unable to hold back the tears that poured out, he even spat out swear words that went against his prestige. It was because I couldn’t stand it without it.
“Damn it!”
Two streams of rain fell in Yongan. Even after raising his face again, he sobbed endlessly.
“Your Majesty, please relax… !”
“There has never been a loyalist like a baron in the history of Gaul! Even if it means that my single heart that I have accumulated so far is perverted, if that is the way for Jim! If it’s the only way to save this country! Since he is willing to do it and has no hesitation, how can he not close his eyes!”
“Please contact me!”
Then the ministers prostrated themselves where I was standing. It meant asking for forgiveness for those who doubted the baron just a few minutes ago.
“I have no right to punish you. This immoral body also did not believe in the Holy Ghost, who did not even care about the criticism that would be poured out on me.”
Even the poor will change when they acquire riches. Indeed, there was no vassal who boasted unwavering loyalty even after obtaining great power like the baron of the frozen land. For most of them, it was easy to overstep the line while fussing around.
I never thought there would be exceptions.
But it actually happened.
“Listen to the ministers! Today, because of Jim’s immorality, the troubled times are dark, and I feel that it is being gradually wiped out by Myungshin, who silently fulfills his duty! The provocations of the reverse gods lurking in various places, from explorers to ducks, sometimes gave birth to pessimism in this body, but that will no longer be the case!”
“The castle is ruined, Your Majesty!”
“As of this hour, I swear by the Heavenly Father in heaven! Infinite trust in the supreme god Romuald Arden! Glory befitting its merits! He vows to become a ruler who is not ashamed of and achieve a reign without fail!”
“Glory to the great Gaul! Blessings on His Majesty!”
It was half an illusion.
“Court Bag Renoir, follow Jim’s order and push ahead with the duel trial in the Northeast!”
“God, I love Vincent!”
Anyway, it was the moment when the duel trial was held with great enthusiasm.
