Chapter 175 – 17. The Way of the Far North (5)
Gallic capital, Lumiere.
Alphonse de Gallia, sitting on the throne in the palace communications room, pressed down on his throbbing temple and received reports from all over the place. Thanks to the relics handed down from his ancestors, he could clearly see the situation in the continent even from his seat.
“It has been confirmed that the deposed Crown Prince Jacques is residing at the Montmorency Mansion on Rue Lumiere-Lacherre. The mansion and its surroundings appear to be the assets of a merchant company in which Duke LeBlanc of the East is the majority shareholder, and as you might have guessed, Arnaud LeBlanc seems to be a political supporter of the pretender.”
“When it comes to the company of Arno, Duke of LeBlanc, it should be called Uest Veda, which monopolizes the trade in the west of Veda. I don’t understand at first glance that a company with talented people from abroad is actually supporting a man who is plotting treason.”
“From my conviction, I think it may have finally revealed its true color. According to the words of Sir Richard, the commander of the Knights of Calais, all the men escorting the Montmorency mansion are skilled enough to be equivalent to the Royal Knights.”
For the most part, a strong king must have a stiff neck. For he must not bend his head even at the thought of the splendid crown he always wears on his head. So Alphonse, who had a solemn expression and twinkling eyes, expressed his concern with a short moan.
“Sir Richard, have you checked their origins?”
Alphonse asked, looking at the side of the communication port connected to the old servant. He waited for an answer while watching the communication with Richard, the leader of the Knights of Calais, who had left the capital for a while in the same turbulent situation. Despite the defeat he suffered the other day, he was still trusted.
“It must be the Somerset Swordsman Guild, Your Majesty.”
“Are you saying that Britannia’s sword master pointed his sword at me?”
Richard nodded. Speaking of the swordsman’s union of the neighboring island country, it can be said that it is a de facto mercenary group. Although, according to their tradition, the mission they undertake is limited to guarding, and the cost is not negligible.
“As is well known, the Somerset Swordsman’s Guild is unparalleled in swordsmanship throughout the continent. The reason why they have not stood out so far, who can change the hegemony of a country if they want to, is because the political structure within the union is oligarchy.”
Oliver Somerset was originally a commoner without a surname. Growing up as an orphan, the only reason he was able to receive treatment comparable to that of a high-ranking aristocrat is his skill. This is because he was noticed by his ancestors and became Somerset, who inherited the position after spending his youth as a swordsmanship trainee.
“Yes, I heard that there are only three people in that island country who can use the name Somerset…”
“It is. According to tradition within the guild, they select their masters in three areas.”
“I heard that Oliver Somerset is one of them.”
“There were also Kenneth Somerset and Simon Somerset who put knives in his back.”
Alphonse searched for his memory. The study of kingship cultivated by the King of Gallia certainly contained information about influential groups such as the Somerset Swordsmen’s Guild. According to their organization chart at the time, the prosecutors leading the union were divided as follows.
The strong sword, the quick sword, the short sword.
Oliver Somerset was a master swordsman. Kenneth Somerset was a master of the quicksword. And the last Simon Somerset was a master swordsman. Each of them inherited their position from their master, and they led the union, considering each other as good-natured competitors.
Until one day, the quick sword and the yugeom turned their backs on the strong sword and stabbed their backs with knives.
“According to the rumors I heard, their betrayal was closely related to the Britannia royal family.”
“It happened before the Lion King ascended the throne. However, the quick sword and the yu sword could not end the breath of the strong sword. It is still talked about that he returned and regained his honor through a duel trial that lasted three days and nights.”
Yu-Geom died during the duel, and Kwae-Geom admitted defeated and was exiled instead of being exempted from execution.
“I just know that too many died or left in the aftermath. It’s not that there aren’t anyone in their guild who can sharpen quickswords and quickswords anymore, but I’ve heard that they’re not at the level of masters. As a result, Oliver Somerset has led the union alone to this day…”
“The oligarchy is infamous, and there are no personnel to stop his rampage.”
That’s right. Originally, the Somerset Swordsman Guild tended to receive politically and diplomatically sensitive requests as much as possible. It was because, like monks, their goal was to pursue the path of the sword, they needed to keep a reasonable distance from the world.
But what about now?
Ever since the ambitious Oliver Somerset reached his peak, he has been protecting the abject Prince and trying to fuel his ambitions. And this suggested that the continent’s strongest swordsman group, who had turned their backs on tradition, could lead to a situation where they pointed their swords at the Gallic royal family.
“I’m sorry, I heard that James the Lionheart and Oliver Somerset are very close.”
“It must be Diana Aquitaine…”
“Yes?”
Richard raised his bowed head for a moment and looked at his king with a curious look. Alphonse calmly recited his reasoning with a bittersweet expression on his palate his. Contrary to the suspicion raised by the pundits, saying that he was incompetent, the legitimate successor of the dear King Eugene actually had a firearm.
“I heard that the lion of the island is a man who is only interested in resolving conflicts that have been deeply rooted since the time of the previous king and making a judgment. In fact, he carefully watched his progress, and he did not seem like the type to pursue excessive expansion.”
The ruined prince is dreaming of conquering the continent. Continent here means the whole world. Then, if that Britannia was no exception, why did the Lion King allow his close friend his, Oliver Somerset, to cooperate with such a dangerous man?
“Diana Aquitaine is the mistress of the Lion King, but for him who lost his wife while ascending the throne, he is actually the same existence as the headquarters. Perhaps the Lion King saw that the ambition of the deposed prince would be stranded at some point.”
“If so, why would they give up a talent like Oliver Somerset?”
“It’s a win-win. Isn’t Jacques planning to erase all names from the list of Aquitaine?”
The ambitious delinquent has a personality that never leaves any room for me to become a threat. Since he was betrayed by everyone, his disposition would have been more, not less.
“Do you know what a strong man like the Lion King fears the most?”
“Please give me a lesson.”
“You lose people around you. With the power to defend himself, ironically, he can’t completely defend himself from assassinating his mistress. To do so, he would have to restrict her freedom her. That must have made a deal with Zach, who had a motive to kill Diana Aquitaine.”
In the harsh world of nobility, you never know when and where someone will betray their trust. Even family and friends are no exception. That’s why the Lion King handed over Oliver Somerset, who could be a threat to him, to Jacques.
In return, Diana is guaranteed the safety of Aquitaine, while demanding that she resolve her grudge toward the continent.
“Look, he can secure his own political position while earning the favor of the government he cherishes dearly.”
“Wow, sure…”
“Even if Gallia’s fortunes are endangered, they won’t be greatly affected. But he didn’t really think that Zach would be able to conquer the continent, and he probably thought it would end at a level that would only stir up moderate confusion.”
Then, in the next generation, I can challenge for supremacy with Britannia’s well-established national strength.
“It’s a really scary job. It is truly a tragedy that, in my generation, there are so many wonderful monarchs.”
Richard answered in a hoarse voice.
“Your majesty…”
“The reason why the ruined prince does n’t want to harm Jim right away is that his rule his is not yet complete. Above all, even Oliver Somerset cannot guarantee complete victory against the strongest mage in Gaul.”
I have no intention of being harassed. Alphonse de Gallia had the will to easily overcome the trials given to him by the loyalists who had acquired his personality as a weapon.
“Lord Calais, I ask, can you recommend a talented person who can overcome this powerless inferiority?”
“It would be possible with Kenneth Somerset. He has been informed that he has changed his name and lives in the shadow of his majesty. The Duchy of LeBlanc in the east.”
“Your mission is heavy. Don’t forget that Arnaud LeBlanc revealed his true colors as his as an abortion prince.”
“I will return with good news that will surely live up to expectations.”
Richard repeatedly bowed his head, showing his loyalty. Alphonse cut off his communication, responding with a look of firm trust. After he finished his business with one person, he made a short gesture to the servant he was reporting to earlier.
It meant waiting a little longer.
“You made me wait a long time, Count Dior.”
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.”
Soon after, Alphonse moved his gaze to the third orb and faced the prince with his curly hair and sharp features. Dispatched to an urgent situation in the south, he was on the spot with a confident attitude, befitting a favorite of the royal family.
“How is Tarn’s condition?”
“It is certain that it is not good. After arriving, we are taking care of it right away, but it is difficult to be sure how long we will be able to control the mouth.”
“The performance of a mad maniac is truly astounding…”
Charles pretended to apologize and lowered his head. Alphonse groaned and gave him an order.
“It is said that Ruth’s 50,000-strong army attempted a massive invasion across the northern border. I haven’t heard how the war situation is going from there yet, but there’s no doubt that the madman and the iron-blooded empress have been conspiring.”
“Yes, the thoughts of Sosin are the same.”
“First of all, try to appease your wife. And since we will be entrusting control of the southern territories for the time being, try to calm the public sentiment until the governor is dispatched.”
The eyes that were burning with desire twinkled for a moment. It was the light in his eyes that came from the second son of a famous family. He responded politely, saying that he would obey the order.
“Charles of Dior, I will fully repay your trust and will not disappoint you.”
The Hyeonwang is not an idiot. Alphonse clearly read the servant’s ambition revealed in an instant.
“Well, that should be it.”
But even then, I just pretended not to know. In such a critical situation, there is no subject more trustworthy than the prince of the kingdom, Charles Dior, and what he wanted was to go beyond his older brother his, not overtaking the kingship.
“Be careful not to spread rumors as much as possible.”
Therefore, first was Aquitaine. It was the continent’s crony war that was triggered by that.
“… That Lucie-in-Tarn and his bodyguards became prisoners of a lunatic, never!”
After all, that kind of war doesn’t happen dramatically and loudly.
Only without sound, in a small fire.
Because it starts with something like this battle for the throne!
