Novel Full Chapter 254 : Chapter 254
Chapter 254. I Will Become Independent (1)
White Town, the capital of the Atronia Kingdom.
In the grand hall, the King was smiling pleasantly with his subjects gathered before him.
“Hahaha. Amazing. To receive the surrender of the Harbor Kingdom and to receive their eastern coastal territory as war reparations…. Truly ‘my son-in-law’.”
“……”
“……”
The pride was blatantly written on the King’s face.
And in proportion to that, cold sweat dripped down the silent faces of his subjects.
The King looked at them with satisfaction and spoke.
“Why is everyone so quiet? The war with the Harbor Kingdom, which was the hottest topic in our court recently, has ended in victory, so why is everyone so quiet?”
“Co… Congratulations. Your Highness.”
“Truly, congratulations. Your Highness.”
“We celebrate the victory.”
The subjects forced out words of congratulations. At that, King Fiesto spoke with his face full of arrogance.
“Hahaha, your tune has changed a bit.”
The subjects hurriedly bowed their heads.
Towards the tops of their heads, who had bowed as if they were afraid to even meet the King’s eyes, the King touched his chin and spoke.
“Not long ago, weren’t you all blaming me for granting special privileges to the Count Schneider family?”
“Blaming you?”
“Your Highness, I have never done such a thing.”
“That’s right. That was… that was Viscount Belto over there who said that.”
“When did I ever say that?!”
“You did before, didn’t you? That His Majesty the King might have given too many privileges to a young friend….”
“That was… that….”
To hide the corners of his mouth that had risen to his ears upon seeing the subjects fighting among themselves, King Fiesto naturally covered his face with his hand.
‘Insolent fools…. Serves them right.’
To explain the circumstances, it goes like this.
Rewinding time to the point when Patrick led 1,000 elite soldiers into the Harbor Kingdom and started the war.
Needless to say, the Atronia Kingdom was in an uproar.
***
The Double Dragon.
This incarnation of destruction, who brings chaos and destruction wherever he goes, caused a huge incident as soon as he opened his eyes.
He abruptly picked 1,000 of the most elite forces from his own power, went to the Harbor Kingdom, and joined their civil war on the side of the Dwarves.
From the Atronia Kingdom’s perspective, it felt like being struck by lightning from a clear sky three times in a row.
“Your Highness, we must immediately recall Patrick Schneider to our country.”
“That’s right. He is not even a noble, but merely the young son of a noble family, yet he meddles in another country’s war as he pleases? This is unacceptable.”
“We must immediately stop the war and clearly convey to the Harbor Kingdom that our kingdom’s will is not involved in Patrick Schneider’s rampage.”
The Harbor Kingdom is a powerful nation.
At least, it is much more powerful than the Atronia Kingdom.
Going to war with such a powerful nation is the surest way to ruin.
So, it must be stopped at all costs.
If it is too late to stop it, at the very least, the kingdom itself must claim no involvement in the matter to escape the situation.
Even if, in the process, they have to give up Patrick Schneider, a talent who will carry the kingdom’s bright future.
That was the thinking of the high-ranking nobles in White Town.
In a situation where 90 percent of the subjects were arguing to stop the war and abandon Patrick.
King Fiesto was in deep thought.
Logically, he agreed with his subjects’ opinions. But….
[This is the last time.]
[If Your Majesty the King breaks faith with our family again and unilaterally forces sacrifice and patience, there might be an independent state within the Atronia Kingdom.]
He had just barely mended his relationship with Patrick not long ago.
And he had received a stern warning in the process.
If he turned his back on Patrick again here….
‘It will be irreversible.’
As a king, he couldn’t help but be troubled.
As he was hesitating about what choice to make for the country as its king, a visitor arrived….
“Your Highness, Chancellor Cardios has requested an audience.”
“What? Duke Cardios?”
Strictly speaking, he was the former Duke, but that wasn’t important right now.
Although he had passed on his title to his son and retired from politics, his opinion, as a former chancellor of the Atronia Kingdom, was worth hearing.
“Let him in.”
“Yes.”
And a moment later.
An old gentleman with white hair and a full beard entered the king’s office, leaning on a cane.
But he did not come alone.
Behind him, two middle-aged men followed, and the king was also familiar with both of them.
“Head Professor of the Academy’s Knight Faculty. Count Justin Leyte, I greet the just and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom.”
“Aron, the master of the Elbador Merchant Guild. I greet the just and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom.”
Both were figures King Fiesto knew well.
Professor Leyte was a 7-star knight who required special management by the kingdom, and Aron, although a commoner, was a great merchant who held sway over the entire eastern region of the continent.
Moreover, his status had risen even further as he had a near-monopoly on the distribution of grain from the Schneider fiefdom.
Chancellor Cardios, who appeared with these two influential figures, gave a hollow laugh and spoke.
“Your Highness, it has been a long time. It may be presumptuous for an old man retired from politics to discuss matters of state, but I have come shamelessly in the hopes of being of some small help.”
“Who would dare say such a thing to Chancellor Cardios? I must punish them severely.”
At the king’s words, Duke Cardios smiled with satisfaction and spoke.
“Then I shall dare to speak. I have come today to speak about Mr. Patrick Schneider, who has recently been stirring up the domestic political scene.”
The king nodded readily, as if he had already expected it.
“Speak.”
And Chancellor Cardios’ eyes gleamed as he spoke.
“We must not withdraw from the war with the Harbor Kingdom.”
“…Are you saying we should risk war to save my son-in-law? I did not know you held my son-in-law in such high esteem.”
“Regarding Mr. Patrick’s value…. Ahem, I will refrain from speaking.”
Even for Chancellor Cardios, it was prudent to be careful when evaluating in front of the king a being who had made him dependent on stomach medicine while serving as the Academy’s chancellor. But….
“Apart from that, I am saying that we must not miss this opportunity.”
“Opportunity?”
“Yes. The Harbor Kingdom is currently exhausted from its civil war with the Dwarf clan. On top of that, they are suffering from the famine that has struck the entire continent.”
“Hmm….”
“In comparison, our Atronia Kingdom has smoothly built up its strength, avoiding both war and the great famine. Our country’s national power is at a level of prosperity rarely seen in its history, while the Harbor Kingdom is in an extremely weakened state.”
“……”
The king quietly closed his eyes and mulled over Chancellor Cardios’ words. After organizing his thoughts for a moment, he opened his mouth.
“I understand your argument well. But most of the subjects are against the war with the Harbor Kingdom and are telling me to abandon my son-in-law.”
The king let out a deep sigh and spoke as if it were a headache.
“With most of the subjects opposing it, how am I supposed to persuade them?”
Then, Professor Leyte, who was beside Chancellor Cardios, opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, I know nothing of international affairs or politics.”
“Hmm….”
That was a well-known fact.
The reason Justin Leyte was left in his position as a professor at the Academy despite having pioneered the realm of 7-stars was partly his own wish, but also because he was a man who was stubbornly unsuited for the world of politics.
Professor Leyte continued to speak.
“But regarding Patrick Schneider, I am confident that I know him better than anyone here.”
“So? What do you want to say?”
“He will win.”
“…He will win? Who? Are you saying my son-in-law will defeat the Harbor Kingdom?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
“Sir Count Leyte. My son-in-law has entered the war in the Harbor Kingdom with only 1,000 soldiers. Even though he has joined hands with the Dwarves, he is still strategically at a disadvantage. And yet you guarantee he will win?”
“Yes. That is correct.”
There was not a hint of hesitation in Professor Leyte’s words.
At his words, full of conviction, the king couldn’t help but ask.
“What is the basis for your confidence in his victory?”
“There is no clear basis. However, what I do know is that Patrick does not lose. From his victory at the Arcana, to the battles during his knight’s training journey, and the pioneering of the Great Forest….”
“Hmm….”
Citing past achievements as examples certainly made his argument persuasive. And Professor Leyte concluded as if to confirm it.
“He is the kind of man who somehow manages to pull off things that would be absolutely impossible for an ordinary person. That is Patrick Schneider.”
Then Aron, who was listening beside him, also added a word.
“Your Highness, as Professor Leyte said, Mr. Patrick will win. And depending on the choice Your Highness makes when he wins, the future of the kingdom will change.”
“Merchant Guild Master Aron. Can you bet the future of the Elbador Merchant Guild on Patrick’s victory?”
“No.”
The king’s expression subtly contorted at Aron’s denial. However….
“I can bet not just the merchant guild, but my everything on Mr. Patrick’s victory.”
“…You trust him that much?”
“Yes.”
“……”
The king was silent.
‘He trusts him this much? To the point where that iron-blooded merchant can bet his everything?’
Elbador Merchant Guild Master Aron.
King Fiesto knew better than anyone what a relentlessly thorough and cold man this was.
Even if he personally stepped forward and gave an order, he would not do anything that would result in a loss from an unjust order.
And if he tried to suppress him with force, it was clear that recklessly suppressing a great merchant who held sway over the entire east would invite immense criticism from abroad.
This man was one of the few people in this country that he, the king, could not wield at will.
And yet, he had vouched for Patrick, betting his everything.
‘I knew they were close, but I never thought it was to this extent.’
It was so surprising that he felt both astonishment and jealousy at the same time.
Towards the impressed king, Chancellor Cardios spoke as if making a definitive statement.
“Your Highness, the power and order of the international community are not forever fixed. Every time the era is shaken, a new board is created.”
“……”
“That opportunity has come during Your Highness’ reign. The opportunity for our Atronia Kingdom to surpass the Harbor Kingdom, one of the three central nations, and escape its position as a minor power has arrived.”
An intense spirit, unbelievable for a man over 90, overflowed from Chancellor Cardios as he persuaded the king.
And the final passion of the veteran politician drove a wedge into the wavering king’s heart.
“Very well. I too will bet on my son-in-law.”
At the king’s resolute decision, the three men bowed their heads deeply and expressed their gratitude.
“A wise decision, Your Highness!”
“A wise decision, Your Highness!”
The very next day.
The king went to the grand hall where the subjects were gathered and declared his full support for Patrick.
“In the worst-case scenario, we will not shy away from war with the Harbor Kingdom. All of you, align yourselves accordingly and ensure there are no gaps in the affairs of the state.”
At the king’s declaration, the subjects rose up as if having a seizure.
“Your Highness, you must not do that.”
“Please, reconsider.”
“Please look after the future of the kingdom!”
A situation where most of the subjects were opposed.
Even for a king, it is not easy to push through one’s own opinion in such a situation.
Regardless of whether it is possible or not, the risk in case of failure is too great. But….
“In the name of Fiesto Gloria Atronia, the monarch of the Atronia Kingdom, I command it. No further objections will be tolerated, and we will fully support Patrick Schneider’s actions!”
The king boldly took a step forward.
At this very moment.
He had politically crossed a river of no return.
***
After that, every day was a continuation of nerve-wracking political conflict.
The subjects persistently tried to persuade the king, and among them were those who precariously crossed the line, trying to shift the blame for this whole situation onto the royal family.
King Fiesto somehow endured the criticism and attacks of such subjects.
And now….
King Fiesto had won the gamble.
From the moment Patrick received the declaration of surrender from the King of the Harbor Kingdom, the nobles who had criticized his foolishness and recklessness became silent as lambs, and he became a wise king who had successfully predicted the future.
‘Insolent fools. What, blame the royal family for the defeat?’
King Fiesto looked at the subjects, who couldn’t even meet his eyes, with a faint smile.
With this gamble, he had gained a firm upper hand over his subjects.
And he had no intention of stopping here.
He intended to use this opportunity to build an absolute monarchy. To do that….
“Duke Cardios.”
“Yes. Your Highness.”
The one who answered the king’s call was a middle-aged man in his late 40s with light gray hair.
He was the current and only duke of the Atronia Kingdom and also served as the chancellor, and he had sided with the king in this war.
To him, the king spoke with a warm smile.
“My son-in-law will be returning soon, so how should we praise this great achievement?”
“Hahaha, I’m not sure. Since the founding of the nation, there has never been a single individual who has achieved such great merits in succession.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Come to think of it, Young Master Schneider has left a truly dazzling list of achievements, starting with his victory at the Arcana.”
“Haha. Indeed.”
“During his knight’s training journey, he traveled the entire continent, punishing evil and practicing justice, thereby elevating the chivalry of the kingdom.”
“Mm, a truly great achievement.”
“On top of that, he succeeded in pioneering that barren Great Forest, producing a vast amount of food and strengthening the nation’s foundation.”
“Yes. That is also my son-in-law’s merit.”
“Furthermore, this time he has subjugated the wicked Harbor Kingdom, elevating Your Highness’ honor and dignity, so he can truly be called the most loyal of the loyal, and the knight of knights.”
The knights of the Schneider fiefdom would never agree. But….
“Hahaha. Indeed. That’s right.”
The king smiled and agreed with Duke Cardios’ words. And then….
“Tsk tsk tsk, to think there were people with such senseless minds who argued for abandoning such a talent….”
At the king’s words, a significant number of subjects in the grand hall bowed their heads deeply.
At this very moment, if they were to reply to the king’s words, no, just make eye contact, who knew what kind of fault would be found.
The subjects, thinking they were as good as dead, bowed their heads deeply, and the king spoke to them.
“We’ll have to think more about what kind of reward to give…. But first, shouldn’t we hold a triumphal ceremony?”
“You are wise. It is only natural to hold a triumphal ceremony for a commander who has returned after achieving a great military feat.”
“Indeed. Then Duke Cardios, you shall be responsible for preparing the triumphal ceremony.”
“Yes. I understand. Then, what scale shall the ceremony be?”
“It must be of the highest order.”
“In that case, the budget may be a little insufficient.”
“Hahaha. Is that so? The budget is insufficient? That is a problem.”
After saying that, the king spoke to the subjects who were bowing their heads like wilted leeks.
“What do you all think? They say the budget may be insufficient.”
If there was anyone who didn’t understand what this meant, they should disappear from the central political scene.
“Your Highness, we subjects will contribute and gather the budget.”
“How could we have a shabby triumphal ceremony to welcome the great hero of the kingdom?”
“Our family will also support the budget.”
The subjects vied to offer money.
This was a kind of apology money.
‘We’ll give you money. Please forgive us.’
That was the meaning of the money.
Looking at such subjects, the king smiled with satisfaction and spoke.
“With so many loyal subjects, I am truly a happy king.”
“Ha… haha….”
“It is an honor, Your Highness.”
Leaving the awkwardly smiling subjects, the king spoke to Duke Cardios.
“Since the subjects are so cooperative, do not worry about the budget. Prepare a triumphal ceremony so grand and magnificent that it will be recorded in history for a long time.”
[Clean them out.]
“I, Giorgio Dion Cardios, will do my utmost to obey the command of Your Highness, the sole and just ruler of the kingdom.”
[I will wipe them clean.]
The sign between the two, lord and vassal, was perfectly aligned.
And the nobles who understood this turned pale.