Chapter 489: For the Royal Family (2)
Raul smiled. He had no concerns that this might be an enemy scheme.
All that was needed was to send a high-ranking priest. Even if things went awry, only that one individual would be lost.
Losing a transcendent was certainly a significant loss, but it was unlikely that such a grand ploy had been orchestrated just to secure such a minor advantage.
"Viscount Domont. What a cunning man you are."
If the king regained his strength, Marquis Branford would find himself in a difficult position.
Although he stood at the pinnacle of power within the Royal Faction and wouldn't be easily toppled, he wouldn't be able to prevent the Royalist nobles from fracturing.
And at the center of the new power structure would inevitably be Viscount Domont, the man orchestrating this plan.
Raul had always thought of him as a quiet and prudent individual, which was why he had risen to the position of Royal Chamberlain in the first place.
But to think he harbored such ambition.
"This is truly a golden opportunity for us."
Once the king regained his strength and began participating in governance, the chain of command would inevitably become muddled.
After all, the king would oppose Marquis Branford to secure his own authority.
In other words, Branford's greatest justification the claim that he protected the royal family as the leader of the Royal Faction would crumble.
It was imperative that this plan succeeded to ensure internal strife, and for that reason, Gartros had carefully selected the right individual for the task.
"Placus, this mission must succeed. Do you understand?"
"Understood. Do not worry."
Placus was a middle-aged man with a gentle and benevolent appearance, as if he had been born to be a priest.
With Gartros’s instructions fresh in their minds, Colhen and Placus immediately set out for the capital.
They had to move quickly before the Kingdom Army could reorganize and reinforce the southern front.
The journey itself posed no great hardship. As a transcendent, Placus easily dispatched any bandits who dared to cross their path.
"A-Amazing!"
Colhen exclaimed in awe, to which Placus responded with a gentle smile.
"It is nothing. If you sincerely devote yourself to our god, you too can attain this power. If things go well, I will personally recommend you for a high position within the Salvation Church."
Colhen nodded eagerly, his face flushed with excitement. There was no turning back now. If he could gain such power, then devoting himself to the Salvation Church didn't seem like a bad idea.
‘I've been living like a frog in a well all this time!’
Because the kingdom and the church were enemies, he had assumed they were an evil organization. But after spending a few days with Placus, he realized there were no people as refined as those from the church.
Prejudice was dangerous.
Colhen resolved to ensure the success of this mission, seize power, and obtain the might of a transcendent.
The two reached the capital without incident. No one attempted to stop them.
Viscount Domont welcomed Placus warmly. He was elated that his son had completed his task successfully.
Now comes the critical part.
By now, Marquis Branford would surely be aware that Colhen had returned with Placus. They had to get Placus before the king before Branford grasped the full extent of their scheme.
That night, Viscount Domont and Placus entered the palace. Thanks to his position as Royal Chamberlain, they faced no resistance.
However, just before they could enter the king’s chambers, they were blocked by the knights.
"Please wait a moment."
"How dare you? I am here at His Majesty’s summons."
"You are accompanied by an outsider. You cannot proceed without authorization."
"……."
Viscount Domont had expected this much. They had no choice but to wait for Marquis Branford to arrive.
After a short while, Branford appeared and questioned them.
"Royal Chamberlain, who is this man that you wish to bring before His Majesty at such a late hour? I know he is someone your son brought back from his travels. But what exactly happened outside the capital that resulted in all his attendants disappearing and him returning in such a wretched state?"
As expected, he knew everything. Nothing that happened in the capital escaped Marquis Branford's eyes and ears.
Viscount Domont calmed his racing heart and spoke.
"His Majesty has requested an audience with this man."
"For what reason?"
"My son encountered bandits during his travels and was in grave danger. This man saved him. When His Majesty heard of it, he expressed his desire to meet him personally and offer his thanks."
"Hmm, is that so?"
"Yes. Furthermore, this man is not only an outstanding mage but also a skilled healer. His Majesty wished to consult him regarding his illness."
"I see."
The Marquis of Branford, who had responded with an indifferent expression, nodded a few times.
"I understand. Then leave him here for now."
"His Majesty has summoned him."
"I cannot allow an unidentified individual to meet His Majesty. We will release him after a thorough investigation. Take him away."
The knights approached and grabbed Placus by both arms. Placus, tense, glanced around anxiously.
He had already heard from Viscount Domont that something like this might happen. Viscount Domont had also told him to trust him and not act recklessly.
‘If things go south, I’ll have to kill the Marquis of Branford.’
It was a secondary option, but not a bad one.
Attacking the Marquis of Branford would mean his own death here, but he was willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of the Church.
The distance wasn’t too far, but Placus hesitated.
‘The knight beside him is no joke.’
Standing by the Marquis of Branford was Toleo, the Knight Commander of the marquis' household. He was a top-tier knight. With his level of skill, he could buy enough time for the Marquis of Branford to escape.
Placus, aware of this, continued to waver. The priests of the Salvation Church were lacking in combat skills, so if he was going to strike, it had to be a one-hit kill.
‘Damn… He’s watching me closely.’
Toleo had placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and had stepped slightly ahead of the Marquis of Branford. His unwavering vigilance was exactly what one would expect from the Knight Commander of a noble house.
‘What should I do?’
The best course of action was still to meet the king and persuade him. Only then would the royal army retreat or fall into disorder.
Placus decided to trust Viscount Domont and wait a little longer.
Viscount Domont, unlike usual, did not back down.
"How can you do this? No matter how powerful you are as the Minister of the Interior, you cannot act like this! His Majesty has summoned him!"
"I already told you, we will investigate him first before releasing him."
"His Majesty’s health is deteriorating by the day! What harm could it do for this man to briefly examine His Majesty’s condition?"
"The kingdom’s greatest mages and priests have examined him for over ten years with no results. His Majesty is suffering from severe old age. Do you truly believe this man can cure him?"
"This man is a remarkable mage. I verified it myself! Even if he fails, nothing will change from the current situation! Why are you crushing even the smallest glimmer of hope?"
At those words, the Marquis of Branford's eyes turned cold.
"A wandering mage claims he can cure an illness that the kingdom’s mages and priests could not? That would mean it is not a normal method."
"W-What…"
"If it is not black magic or sorcery, he would not speak with such confidence. I cannot allow such methods to be used on the noble bloodline of the royal family."
The Marquis of Branford spoke coldly and signaled to the knights with a nod.
"Take him away. If he is truly an exceptional mage, we will confirm it immediately."
"You! What right do you have to say such things?! How dare you disregard His Majesty’s authority like this?!"
"It is for the sake of the royal family."
"How can you claim to serve the royal family while ignoring the king?!"
The Marquis of Branford’s brow twitched. Viscount Domont’s words were exactly the kind he despised the most.
However, the Marquis of Branford was well aware of how his actions might be perceived by others. He also knew the rumors circulating about him.
Thus, he did not offer an excuse. He simply spoke coldly.
"Take the Royal Chamberlain as well. His behavior is suspicious, so he must be investigated too."
Clank, clank, clank.
The knights moved, seizing Viscount Domont as well. They completely surrounded the two men to prevent any resistance.
Placus swallowed hard.
‘Is this a failure?’
The window for an ambush had already passed. He could break through the knights, but he wouldn’t be able to assassinate the Marquis of Branford in one strike.
However, Viscount Domont gritted his teeth and braced his legs, resisting fiercely. He raised his voice to stall for time. It was a deliberate move with a clear goal in mind.
Just before the two men were dragged away, a group appeared.
"Stop!"
The Marquis of Branford narrowed his eyes.
The ones who had arrived were the Royal Knights, along with Count Palantz the Swordmaster of the Ritania Kingdom and the Captain of the Royal Knights.
The Marquis of Branford did not bother to hide his displeasure as he asked,
"Count Palantz, what is the meaning of this?"
"It is His Majesty’s command. Cease this at once."
"What?"
"His Majesty is here."
The Royal Knights parted to the sides, clearing a path.
Beyond them, an emaciated old man was carried in on the back of a knight.
The King of Ritania, Berhem.
Berhem glared at the Marquis of Branford with bloodshot eyes.
"I… summoned… him, did I not…?"
"Your Majesty. His identity is unclear."
"The king… I said I summoned him!"
"……."
"How… how could you… be so ruthless?!"
"It is for the royal family."
"I am… the royal family! Without me… this kingdom… is meaningless! How… are you any different from her?! Cough!"
Berhem, who had been shouting in anguish, began to cough up blood-tinged foam. His eyes rolled back until only the whites were visible.
The royal court mage beside him was startled and immediately cast a spell.
"Your Majesty! Please, come to your senses!"
The royal court mage had not reached the level of a transcendent, but after absorbing a Dragon Heart Shard, his mana overflowed. Pouring his power into Berhem, he desperately clung to the king’s fading life.
Count Palantz turned to the Marquis of Branford and spoke.
"Just for today, please yield. His Majesty is in an extremely foul mood."
Marquis Branford's gaze shifted to Viscount Domont. It was clear that they had already coordinated their statements beforehand.
If he were to take everyone here by force, he would have to engage in direct conflict with the Royal Knights. He was confident he could win, but if things escalated, the king could truly die.
Grinding his teeth, Marquis Branford bowed his head slightly toward Berhem.
"I shall take my leave."
Berhem, already half-unconscious, did not respond. He only gasped for breath.
As Branford turned, he gave an order to his knights.
"Once the audience is over, arrest the Chamberlain and that man."
With those final words, Branford exited the room.
Yet, Berhem’s voice echoed in his mind.
— “How are you any different from her?!”
He knew. He had long realized that he was becoming more and more like the Commander of the Shadow Knights, the very person he had despised in his youth.
But he had no choice. The kingdom was rotting away.
The nobles' corruption remained unchecked, the ducal families waged war against the royal family, heretical cults ran rampant, and monsters prowled unchecked.
The people of the kingdom suffered endlessly, groaning under the weight of their misfortune. In truth, it was a nation that could collapse at any moment.
‘No. I cannot let that happen.’
Branford had kept the kingdom together through sheer force. And now, Ghislain was the only reason it was still holding on.
It was growing harder to endure. But he could not afford to break. If he fell, the suppressed nobles would run wild once more, and the kingdom would crumble.
‘Please… do not do anything reckless, Your Majesty.’
The situation was too coincidental, too suspicious. He couldn't shake the suspicion that the ducal families and the Salvation Church were involved.
That made him even more anxious. He feared the king would attempt to remove him in a foolish ploy.
That could not be allowed. Not for his own sake, but for the sake of the royal family.
The ducal families were not the only threat.
In truth, a far more dangerous man existed.
Ghislain Ferdium.
It was because of Branford’s support that Ghislain had risen so quickly and now commanded the strongest army in the kingdom. That, in turn, allowed Branford to act as a shackle on him.
Their relationship had endured because they needed each other. Ghislain, being a man who understood gratitude, had always yielded to Branford to some extent.
Without Branford, even that fragile control would be lost.
If I disappear…
Ghislain was unlike ordinary nobles. He cared nothing for appearances, nor did he seek justifications.
He simply removed any obstacles in his path.
If the royal family became an obstacle, he would not hesitate to draw his sword against it.
So… Branford could only hope that his ominous premonition was nothing more than paranoia.
If the royal family were to survive, it had to be.
* * *
Berhem lay in bed, his breaths shallow.
His eyelids grew heavier with each passing moment. Grief and resentment consumed him.
With dimming eyes, he gazed at Placus, a priest of the Salvation Church, and spoke weakly.
"I can… feel it now… My life… is nearing its end…"
"Allow me to help, Your Majesty."
At those words, Berhem's gaze became desperate, almost pleading.
"Yes, hurry… heal me… Make me one of you… If you do… I will give you the royal family's treasures… and grant all that you desire…"
Placus took Berhem’s hand and smiled gently.
"Do not worry, Your Majesty."
"I was… a king, yet never truly lived as one… I was a puppet my entire life… I cannot die like this. If you heal me… I will reclaim my power and make the Salvation Church the state religion…"
"Such words are both delightful and an honor to hear. I shall certainly heal Your Majesty."
Placus raised his hand.
A dark aura rippled and surged from his palm.
Viscount Domont and Count Palantz swallowed dryly.
Especially Count Palantz, who had reached the level of a transcendent he could feel, down to his very bones, the ominous nature of the aura he had only heard of in rumors.
Yet, if it meant saving the king, such risks had to be taken. Steeling his resolve, Count Palantz reassured himself.
‘I will protect him.’
If the Salvation Church tried any tricks, he would stop them. Though Count Balzac was more renowned as the kingdom’s strongest sword, Palantz believed he was no less skilled.
One could only determine the victor in battle. Palantz had walked the greatest path possible under the royal family's full support.
Thus, he was confident he could protect the king.
Whoooosh…
The black energy swirling around Placus's hand thickened even further.
He slowly brought it to Berhem’s heart and murmured in a low voice.
"As Your Majesty desires… soon, the lion hunt may begin."
His lips, which always curled into a gentle smile—
— now twisted into something utterly grotesque.