Chapter 499
I’ll Do My Best. (4)
Baron Shear’s words brought a faint smile to Ghislain’s lips.
“When is it?”
“A month from now. The negotiations will take place on the Heine Plains, and the 'item' will be exchanged there.”
Rumors had already spread widely that something was to be exchanged during the negotiations. While no one knew exactly what the item was, the fact that an exchange was happening had to be made clear so that the administrators could prepare without being caught off guard.
“It’s clear they put a lot of thought into choosing the location.”
Ghislain was well acquainted with the Heine Plains. It was close to the southern front, and there wasn’t a single small forest or hill nearby that could be used for cover.
It was an open expanse completely barren.
If both sides brought their agreed-upon 50,000 troops and faced each other head-on there, ambushing or backstabbing would be nearly impossible.
Baron Shear nodded in agreement.
“Yes. Both sides are continuously conducting reconnaissance to confirm that only the agreed-upon forces are being brought. They intend to keep checking until the last moment.”
“They’re being very cautious.”
“They must consider this negotiation extremely important.”
If this was merely a ceasefire negotiation, there would be no reason to be this careful. By now, even those uninvolved in the matter could guess that the so-called ‘item’ being exchanged was the true objective.
Baron Shear cautiously continued.
“The Kingdom’s army will depart in a week. The distance is considerable, after all. As for me, I’ll make an excuse to assess the situation and escape three days from now. But… are you sure you’ll be alright?”
A total of 100,000 troops would be gathering on that barren field. No matter how exceptional Ghislain was, stealing the item and escaping from such a place wouldn’t be easy.
No, the real question was whether he could even seize the item in the presence of the Kingdom’s Strongest Swordsman and the Commander of the Royal Knights.
However, Ghislain answered as if it were no big deal.
“Well… it won’t be easy, but I’ll have to grab it and run somehow.”
Baron Shear, who had been staring at Ghislain in disbelief, spoke candidly.
“If you fail, Count, I’ll flee to another kingdom immediately.”
He honestly didn’t have much faith in this plan. But since his life was on the line, he had to take the risk. Besides, staying in the capital was terrifying with that mad king still in power, so there was little attachment left.
And considering everything Count Fenris had accomplished so far… it did feel like he might pull it off once again.
Ghislain chuckled and nodded.
“Go ahead and do that. I’ll assign knights to escort you to Fenris for now.”
He would simply send Dark with orders to dispatch the knights in a week. After confirming Baron Shear’s destination, Ghislain asked,
“Is there anything else unusual?”
“His Majesty is going in person.”
“Oh?”
“Yes, everyone tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. It seems he must verify the item himself.”
“I see.”
Ghislain could easily guess the reason. What the king desired above all was his own health, and whatever the Salvation Church was providing him was likely the means to achieve that.
So, he had no choice but to confirm it personally. If the wrong item was brought back, it would be a disaster.
Baron Shear, having relayed all the information, stood up.
“Then, I’ll take my leave. I sincerely hope for your success.”
“Yes, travel safely. I’ll see you in the territory.”
Hearing Ghislain’s confident response, Baron Shear found himself chuckling despite himself. Just where did that unwavering confidence come from?
He felt both envious and dumbfounded.
Just as he was about to step out, Baron Shear suddenly paused and asked,
“Will you not be meeting with the Marquis of Branford before you go?”
In truth, there was little benefit in doing so. Even though the Northern Army had become an enemy of the royal family, the Marquis of Branford remained safe due to the nature of the king and the nobles.
It was well known that many provincial lords and nobles, including those in the Northern Army, still followed the marquis.
If the marquis were taken hostage or harmed, they might rise up in unison. That was why the royal family left him alone for now until the rest could be fully subdued.
But if it became known that someone had a relationship with the Marquis of Branford beyond mere political alliance? The likelihood of the marquis being taken hostage and used for blackmail would rise significantly.
Thus, those loyal to the marquis were staying quiet for now.
“Well… Since I’m here, if I’m granted an audience, I might drop by to greet him. Now that he’s withdrawn from politics, he must be rather lonely.”
Ghislain was fully aware of the risks. But so what?
As long as he didn’t get caught, it didn’t matter.
Baron Shear simply smiled. Indeed, Ghislain’s confidence and composure were unparalleled in the kingdom.
“I understand. Then, I shall see you again after your success.”
After Baron Shear left, Ghislain returned to the gathering. Even as the other soldiers drank heavily and feasted on meat, he remained sober.
Now that the date and location for the negotiation had been set, he needed to act swiftly.
‘Dark, it's starting now. I’ll tell you the location, so relay the message and get ready.’
— Got it!
A crow took flight under the dark night sky, unnoticed by anyone.
After delivering the message to the waiting Northern Army, Ghislain took a day off the next day as a reward.
His destination was the Marquis of Branford's mansion.
“Hm, I need to get in without being noticed… will that even be possible?”
Back when he used to visit frequently, he had already identified all the blind spots in the guards’ patrols. However, avoiding the magical security devices and the knights’ aura detection would not be easy.
Nobles of Marquis Branford's stature always placed protective spells over their entire estates to prevent even superhumans from sneaking in.
With the entire space under surveillance, even Ghislain couldn’t avoid detection.
“In that case… going in through the front door is the best option.”
Ghislain strode confidently toward the mansion’s main gate.
Seeing one of the guards standing watch, he smirked.
‘Still working here, huh?’
The same soldier who had once tried to stop him from entering was now standing there, yawning. Either the job offered better treatment than expected, or he simply preferred the stability.
‘Well, in times like these, staying with the Marquis of Branford is probably the safer bet.’
Enlisting in some random army could mean dying at any moment.
Ignoring the other guards, Ghislain approached that soldier and spoke.
“Hey, the Marquis is here, right? Don’t bother saying he isn’t I already checked.”
The guard tilted his head, puzzled.
That line… it sounded familiar. Like something he had heard before.
“…What the hell?”
Ghislain had changed into casual clothing. His face was no longer that of Duggly but another completely different appearance.
To anyone else, he looked like a commoner, nothing more.
The guard frowned. What kind of fool would come to a noble’s mansion unannounced?
Still, as he had been trained, he answered stiffly just in case.
“If you leave your name and business in the guestbook, someone will come to—”
Ghislain chuckled involuntarily.
‘Unbelievable. He’s still the same.’
He grabbed the guard’s shoulder, turned him away from the others, and whispered.
“It’s me.”
As Ghislain’s face returned to normal, the guard’s confusion deepened.
“You look kind of familiar… huh?!”
Before the soldier could cry out, Ghislain swiftly covered his mouth and changed his face back.
“Shh. No need to make a scene, right? You’ll let me in, won’t you?”
The guard nodded furiously. He wasn’t an idiot raising an alarm now wouldn’t do him any favors.
“Y-Yeah, let’s go in.”
Another guard, noticing the sudden shift in attitude, raised an eyebrow.
“Hey, what’s going on? Who’s this?”
“You can’t just let someone in without checking first.”
As they moved to block the way, the first guard snapped, irritation in his voice.
“I know him! The butler called for him!”
He said whatever came to mind. He couldn’t just throw the Marquis’ name around, so he used the butler as an excuse instead.
The other guards clicked their tongues but backed off.
It felt off, but since he was being so insistent, they had no real reason to stop him.
“Hurry up. The butler’s waiting.”
The guard quickly led Ghislain inside.
Ordinary guards had no direct access to the Marquis of Branford. Meeting him required going through a rigorous process.
The butler, however, was different. He was one of the few people who could report to the Marquis directly.
So the guard took Ghislain straight to the butler.
“Hm? What is it?”
The guard whispered in the lowest voice possible.
“I-It’s Count Fenris.”
“…What???”
The butler turned to Ghislain, eyes wide in disbelief. Ghislain grinned and let his real face show once more.
“This… this is…”
The butler, still shocked, quickly barked orders to the nearby soldiers.
“Everyone, leave at once! I have an important guest. We will be speaking in private!”
At his command, the stationed soldiers immediately withdrew.
The guard who had escorted Ghislain stood frozen, unsure of what to do.
The butler glanced at him and spoke.
“You’re excused from all duties for now. I’ll arrange a room for you stay there alone until further notice. Understood? You’ll be compensated well.”
“A-Absolutely, sir.”
The decision was made to keep it under wraps, so for now, the man was confined. Still, when the butler handed the guard a gold coin, the latter grinned and nodded vigorously.
After sending the guard away, the butler turned back, his face filled with shock.
"How did you get here?"
"I'm here to see the Marquis. Just wanted to pay my respects."
"Hah..."
Though the Northern Army had not officially declared rebellion, refusing the king’s orders was still considered a grave crime akin to treason.
Right now, the sentiment toward the Northern Army was extremely poor. There were even rumors that the royal family, having concluded negotiations with the ducal family, was planning to join forces to crush the Northern Army.
And yet, to show up here alone?
The butler knew the man was bold, but he hadn't realized he was this fearless.
Shaking off his astonishment, the butler quickly gathered himself.
"L-Let’s go. I’ll take you to the Marquis."
Ghislain followed the butler with a relaxed expression.
The butler dismissed all the knights and soldiers stationed near the Marquis of Branford’s office.
Though they found it strange, they complied with the butler’s orders. After all, Knight Commander Toleo was inside.
The butler entered first, his voice cautious.
"My lord, you have a visitor."
"Hmm?"
The Marquis of Branford, who had been reading a book, lifted his head. His face was gaunt and haggard.
Seeing his condition, Ghislain let out a bitter smile.
"Have you been well?"
"Who are you?"
"It’s me."
When Ghislain revealed his true face, both the Marquis of Branford and Toleo widened their eyes in shock.
"No... How did you...?"
"I happened to be in the capital, so I thought I’d drop by and say hello."
"Hah... Ha ha ha!"
Hearing Ghislain’s response, the Marquis of Branford burst into hearty laughter.
He had always found this man amusing. Even in such a situation, he had come alone to the capital just to visit.
"Bring some tea. I must share a conversation with an old friend after so long."
At the Marquis’s order, the butler brought in tea.
However, as they sat across from each other, neither spoke of anything significant. They merely exchanged pleasantries, asking how the other had been.
After spending some time in idle chatter, Ghislain finally stood up.
"I’ll be on my way now. Seeing that you’re safe is enough for me."
"Will you be meeting Maurice as well?"
Ghislain shook his head.
"No, I’ll see him later. If he insists on drinking, word will spread quickly. I only have time today, so I’ll meet the others another time."
This was his only day outside. He couldn’t afford to visit everyone he was acquainted with. With important matters ahead, he had to be careful about rumors.
The Marquis of Branford asked again.
"And Rosalyn?"
Ghislain hesitated briefly before shaking his head.
"Hmm… I’ll see the young lady later as well. I don’t want to trouble her unnecessarily."
The Marquis let out a small scoff. As a father, he found the man before him utterly exasperating.
Moments later, his face grew solemn as he asked,
"Then… have you made up your mind?"
"I made my decision the moment I heard the news."
"That’s just like you."
The Marquis nodded with a faint smile.
He had expected this outcome. It weighed on him, but it was not something he could stop. Those who had led the kingdom thus far now had to step aside.
After a brief pause, the Marquis of Branford met Ghislain’s gaze and spoke.
"Ghislain."
"Yes."
"I entrust the kingdom to you."
This man, who had always placed the royal family above all else, was now entrusting not the royal family, but the kingdom to him.
There was no one in the room who failed to understand the weight of those words.
Truthfully, Ghislain had never given much thought to the kingdom’s future. His only goal had been to eliminate the ducal family and protect Ferdium and Fenris.
But now, the situation had changed. To achieve his goal, he had to dismantle the royal family.
And the one who topples a king must bear the responsibility for the kingdom.
Thus, the Marquis of Branford entrusted his final will to Ghislain.
Not for the royal family, but for the future of the kingdom.
A long silence filled the room before Ghislain bowed deeply.
"Thank you for everything, my lord."
Though he had approached the Marquis first, it was the Marquis who had recognized his potential and offered unwavering support.
That was not something just anyone could do. It required the insight to recognize people’s worth and the courage to place trust in them.
Ghislain was truly grateful to him. Without the Marquis of Branford and the nobles who had followed him, he wouldn’t have been able to grow so quickly.
And so, he was determined to fulfill the Marquis’s final wish.
Slowly, Ghislain lifted his head. His eyes now gleamed with the ferocity of a predator.
"It won’t take long."