Chapter 188 – Chapter 5: King – 2
“Hmm… Is that what happened? In the end, something happened.”
Lord Gordburg explained in a calm voice.
“Lord Robert. In fact, even before the collection of this tribute began, a messenger sent by His Majesty visited each territory. On the surface, it was said to be an inspection for national land surveying, but judging from the timing, the intention was clear. “It was to see for myself how prosperous the four territories under Dragonez were and to see if they were paying the appropriate taxes.”
“Did something like that happen?”
“That was the reason why each lord was not very pleased with your contribution. “I had to prepare three times more taxes than last year.”
King Deseo was ruthless.
Since the city nobles were under his control anyway, he seemed to have thought that all that was left was to remove the power of the local lords.
So, he showed his will to ‘die if you dare’ by imposing a huge tax.
But local towns were different.
These old nobles were the ones who bathed in blood on the battlefield and held up swords with honor.
It is said that he did not even flinch an eyebrow when he realized the king’s intention.
“Your Highness doesn’t know. That this is the land of Dragonez, the prostrate dragon. There is Taildon on the tail, Norukton on the wings, and this Gordburg on the head.”
The lord spoke while raising his glass.
“For the past 20 years, we have maintained this position by preventing numerous invasions by foreign enemies. I have sacrificed my loyal knights and citizens to protect Deseo, but if your majesty does not trust us… What do you think should be done?”
“I think you will feel a deep sense of betrayal.”
“So, I have been preparing for it for a long time.”
One word passed through Robert’s mind.
Rebellion.
“Have Teilden, Norukton, and Gordburg all agreed to agree?”
“It is just as you think.”
However, it has always been questionable that there are only three mentioned in the famous ‘Four Lands of Dragonez’.
“Aren’t we together in the other place?”
“Ah… That’s it.”
Perhaps because it was an unexpected question, the lord scratched his beard.
“In a place called Dragonez’s Heart, there is an independent territory called ‘Brisden.'”
“It’s an independent territory, right? What do you mean by that?”
“So to speak, it is a place where no one can interfere. Even the king of Deseo.”
It was my first time hearing this story. Is there a place like that in the world?
“Is that possible?”
“It is completely exempt from taxes. That is why Lord Robert’s tribute did not pass by Brisden.”
“What kind of person is the Lord of Brisden to receive such preferential treatment?”
The lord frowned as if he had difficulty answering his question.
“I would say it’s closer to exile than a privilege.”
“Exile?”
“It’s not that important. Are you really curious?”
Robert intuitively realized that he should not inquire further.
This was because the lord’s expression was not very pleasant when the story of ‘Brisden’ came out.
“No. As you said, it’s not an important story.”
“In any case, the Lord of Brisden will not move as he has done so far. Because it is very dangerous for him to give someone’s hand.”
The lord stood up.
“You are resting well here, preserving your body. I will try to write a letter to Lord Kinthorpe about this matter.”
“… Please.”
As time passed, it became midwinter.
The news of the collapse of the tribute army traveled back and eventually reached Gordburg. Lobrt was greatly despaired when he saw his name written on the death certificate.
Because that meant that Alan was dead.
I wanted to know at least some news about Tia. There was no space in the densely written letter to write the commoner girl’s name. There were more stories about lost taxes than those names.
“I heard that there is some unusual movement inside Deseo.”
When the new year was approaching. Lord Gordburg said.
“I heard that some kind of agreement was reached at the fall banquet.”
“They… “You’ve decided to move?”
“That’s right. We decided to join the Robert family as well.”
“…”
“I think the state affairs will become a little chaotic from now on. What will you do next?”
Kwasik!
Robert tightly grasped the letter he was holding.
Although I thought about it several times. Now that I was in this situation, there was only one decision I could make.
“Lord of Gordburg, please lend me weapons and armor.”
The despairing knight’s choice was revenge on the king.
* * *
Preparations for a full-fledged rebellion have begun.
Everything went smoothly, as if we had been waiting for now. Robert stayed in Gordburg and trained the lord’s soldiers.
The goal was simple.
Allied with Taildon at the right time. Advance to Deseo together.
And by joining forces with the internal noble forces, they ultimately entered the royal palace.
There was no room for disagreement about the plan, but there was one problem.
There was no reason to rebel against the king.
The cause was important. This was especially true for local lords who had little reason to start a war.
The lords of Gordburg, Norukton, and Taildon gathered together for the first time in a long time to talk about that important story.
“Justice… “Didn’t the king betray you first?”
“Yes, but what will you show me to show that the king has betrayed you? It’s unclear.”
“We need a will that will convince even the outskirts. As it is, even if the king is driven out, there is a risk that the spark of rebellion will spread again if the outskirts oppose it. And if order is not immediately corrected, evil external enemies will get sick of it.”
“That is correct. However, the understanding may not be the same as that of the margraves…”
Robert, who was listening quietly, added his words.
“May I dare to say a word to the respected lords of Dragonez?”
“Yes. Prince Robert. “Please speak.”
“Since ancient times, Deseo has emphasized authenticity. Here, ‘legitimacy’ refers to the noble blood of His Majesty’s predecessors.”
“That means…”
“Yes. “The idea is to use the meaning of succeeding a great king as a justification.”
Lord Gordburg said in a worried voice.
“It is certainly a cause beyond doubt. However, there is no one who can carry on the blood of His Majesty Laikne, is there? He had a prince, but now his life or death is unknown. Even if he is alive, many years have passed, and there is no one who recognizes the prince and there is no way to prove it.”
“For a moment. After listening to Lord Robert’s words… I don’t think it’s bad. How do you feel?”
Lord Taildon suggested a surprising method.
“If there is no prince, he creates a prince.”
“Yes?”
It was an idea that no one expected.
“Lord Kinthorpe. How do you ‘make a prince’?”
“I know one of his subordinates who was once the closest person to the crown prince. He now goes by the name Joseph, but I’m sure everyone has heard of the knight with ‘two swords.'”
“Two swords… ? Ah, it’s him!”
The nobles found the word in their old memories.
Uniquely, there was only one knight who walked the battlefield wielding two swords, so everyone knew it well.
“I am asking him to find the prince.”
“Of course, if you do that, there is enough reason to move the army, but can you bring someone named Joseph? A prince who disappeared a long time ago?”
“It would be perfect if Joseph brought the real Crown Prince Raikne. But it’s okay even if you don’t find the prince.”
Lord Kinthorpe said quietly.
“No matter who it is, in the end, the one Joseph brings will be given the name ‘Prince.’ We just have to make him king and serve him.”
“…”
He planned to bring down the current king in the name of serving the blood of Orthodoxy.
However, this meant that the new king did not necessarily have to be ‘orthodox.’
“Are you saying we should set up a scarecrow?”
“You can do that. Wouldn’t it be better to have a king who listens carefully to what we say?”
Lord Norukton asked cautiously.
“Wouldn’t you be suspicious? “If you bring someone stupid, there will definitely be trouble.”
“Joseph is a thoughtful and wise knight. His choice will surely be acceptable to everyone.”
The lords glanced at each other.
The Lord of Gordburg lost his luck.
“There is no particularly sharp sword. I would like to adopt Lord Kinthorpe’s plan. What do you all think?”
“Let’s do that. Anyway, the war has to start.”
A month after making that conclusion.
Finally, Deseo, which had been quiet, entered into a great storm.
The nobles revolted.
They had been waiting for this moment all along, but when this happened, the lords became quite impatient.
This was because whether the rebellion succeeded or failed, the ‘prince’ had to be brought in before it.
Around the time when Taildon’s first expedition departed.
A mercenary came to Lobrt, who was waiting in Godrburg.
It was Joseph.
“Are you Joseph?”
Haha! That’s right. He lives by that name now.”
The shabby-dressed mercenary smiled brightly and took off his turban.
“I heard that you are looking for Crown Prince Raikne. Is that correct?”
“That’s right.”
“If so, I will answer you.”
Joseph sighed and said.
“I found it. “The prince.”
“Really?”
It was surprising news that the prince he thought was dead was alive.
But for some reason, Joseph was alone.
“However… “Didn’t you come together?”
“Haha. I found the prince. He found only a grave. Under a pine tree in a mountain village.”
“Is this really the prince’s tomb?”
“Of course. Although he is not asleep there, the Prince is no longer in this world. That much is certain.”
Even though he had not seen the prince’s body with his own eyes, Joseph put emphasis on the word ‘certain’.
“He had family in a village called Brisden. But a few years after he settled in the village, he suddenly disappeared. Although the prince may have hated the previous king, he would never abandon his family and run away. That’s why I think he passed away unluckily.”
“That’s not good news.”
Robert nodded his head as if he already knew. Everyone accepted the fact that the prince was dead as a fact.
Rather, right now, ‘someone to replace the prince’ was needed.
“Lord Kinthorpe said you would bring the prince.”
“Yes. Sure. “I know.”
Joseph answered humbly.
“Fortunately, the prince has a daughter.”
Robert couldn’t believe his ears.
“… I beg your pardon? “Are you saying you have blood relatives of the prince?”
“Yes. The noble blood of the Laikne Dynasty was safely passed down to her daughter. “I came to see him in person.”
The man who followed and served the prince more than anyone else reported with a happy voice.
“The prince’s descendants were right there.”
