Chapter 489
Chapter 489: For the Royal Family (2)
Raoul smiled. He didn’t worry that this might be the enemy’s scheme.
Just sending one High Priest would do. Even if things went wrong, they would only lose that one person.
Losing a superhuman would be significant, but it seemed unlikely they would go to such lengths for only that much gain.
“Count Domont. What a cunning man.”
Once the king regained his strength, Marquis Branford would have a significant headache.
While he was atop the power of the Crown Prince Faction, it wouldn’t be easy for him to lose his position, but he couldn’t prevent the division among the noblemen of the Crown Prince Faction.
And at the center of this new power would inevitably rise Count Domont, the one behind this incident.
He was always perceived as a quiet and serious person. That was partly why he had attained the position of Chamberlain.
Yet, who would have thought he harbored such ambitions?
“This is a very good opportunity for us.”
Once the king regained his strength and began to intervene in state affairs, the command structure would inevitably become chaotic.
The king would be at odds with Marquis Branford for the sake of his own power.
In other words, the very justification of Marquis Branford, who claimed to protect the royal family as a member of the Crown Prince Faction, would vanish.
It was a matter that had to succeed to incite internal division. Hence, after a great deal of contemplation, Gathros selected an appropriate candidate.
“Placus, this mission must succeed. Do you understand?”
“I understand. Don’t worry.”
Placus was a middle-aged man with a gentle and kind appearance. He looked as if he should resemble a priest devoted to the divine.
Collen and Placus, entrusted by Gathros, headed straight for the capital.
They needed to move quickly before the Kingdom Army organized and amassed in the southern front.
The journey wasn’t difficult. The superhuman Placus easily swept aside any ordinary bandits they encountered.
“A-amazing!”
At Colleen’s admiration, Placus replied with a gentle smile.
“It’s nothing much. If you genuinely believe in our god, Sir, you’ll gain such power. If things go well, I’ll recommend you for a high position in the church.”
Colleen nodded with excitement on his face. Since the waters had already been spilled, it seemed fine to devote himself to the Salvation Society if he could possess such power.
‘I’ve been living like a frog in a well!’
He had thought the kingdom and the church were truly wicked factions at odds. However, having spent a few days together, he found there were no more gentlemanly people than them.
Indeed, prejudices were not good. Colleen vowed to ensure this mission succeeded, acquiring both powerful authority and superhuman strength.
The two were able to enter the capital safely. They faced no obstacles until that point.
Count Domont welcomed Placus warmly, overjoyed that his son had successfully completed the mission.
‘Now is the crucial part.’
Marquis Branford would already be aware that Colleen had brought Placus. They needed to get him before he fully realized the implications.
Count Domont and Placus entered the palace late at night. Thanks to Placus’s role as Chamberlain, they faced no significant impediments.
Yet just before entering the king’s quarters, they were stopped by knights.
“Please wait a moment.”
“How dare you! I am on my way to see His Majesty.”
“You cannot proceed due to the companion you have.”
“…….”
This much was to be expected. They had no choice but to wait until Marquis Branford arrived.
After a short wait, Marquis Branford arrived and asked,
“Chamberlain, who is this person that you’re trying to take to His Majesty at such a late hour? I know he is the one my son brought back from his excursion, but what on earth happened outside that all his attendants have disappeared and he has returned in tatters?”
He clearly knew everything. Nothing that happened in the capital could escape the eyes and ears of Marquis Branford.
Count Domont steadied his trembling heart and replied,
“His Majesty wishes to see this man.”
“Why?”
“My son encountered bandits during his excursion and was in grave danger. This man helped him. Upon hearing that, His Majesty wanted to personally see him and commend him.”
“Hmm, is that so?”
“Yes. Also, it is said that he is an excellent magician and healer. His Majesty would like to see if he could help with his condition.”
“I see.”
Marquis Branford, replying with an indifferent expression, nodded several times.
“I understand. Then let him go for now.”
“His Majesty has summoned him.”
“We cannot let someone of unknown identity meet the King. We’ll investigate thoroughly before releasing him. Take him away.”
The knights approached and grabbed Placus by both arms. Placus looked around, thoroughly tense.
He had been informed by Count Domont that such a situation might arise. Count Domont had urged him not to move recklessly and to trust him.
‘If all else fails, I might have to kill Marquis Branford.’
While it was a last resort, it wasn’t a bad option.
Attacking Marquis Branford would lead to his own death here, but he was willing to sacrifice anything for the sake of the Salvation Society.
While the distance wasn’t too far, Placus couldn’t act rashly.
‘The man beside me isn’t easy to deal with.’
Toleó, the Knight Commander guarding Marquis Branford, was an elite knight. With that level of skill, he could easily buy time for Marquis Branford to escape.
Placús could sense that and continued to hesitate. The priests of the Salvation Society lacked combat skills; if they were to ambush, they had to succeed in one shot.
‘Damn it… he’s keeping a close eye on me.’
Toleó had his hand near his sword and moved a step further than Marquis Branford. Being eternally vigilant suited the Marquis’s Knight Commander well.
‘What to do?’
The best option was to meet the king and persuade him. That way, the Kingdom Army could retreat or cause a division.
Placús decided to trust Count Domont a little longer and wait.
Indeed, Count Domont did not back down as he usually would.
“What’s going on? Even if you are the Minister of the Interior, you cannot act like this. Did His Majesty not summon me?”
“That’s why I said we’d investigate before releasing you.”
“The king’s condition is worsening day by day! What harm would come from this man briefly looking at His Majesty’s condition?”
“Ten years of our kingdom’s best magicians and priests have made no progress. Plus, His Majesty is suffering from severe old age. Do you truly think this man can cure him?”
“What…?”
“If he’s not using dark magic or sorcery, he would not dare say so. We cannot allow the noble bloodline of the royal family to be treated in such a manner.”
Marquis Branford coldly gestured to the knights.
“Take him away. We’ll see if he’s really a great magician.”
“What right do you have to say such things! How dare you ignore the king’s authority like this!”
“For the sake of the royal family.”
“How can you say you support the royal family while disregarding the king!”
Upon that remark, Marquis Branford’s eyebrows twitched. Count Domont’s words were what he hated most.
However, Marquis Branford was also aware of how his actions would appear to others. Especially regarding rumors.
Thus, he did not make excuses. He simply spoke coldly.
“Take the Chamberlain too. His behavior is suspicious; we need to investigate him as well.”
Clank, clank, clank.
The knights moved in and restrained Count Domont. They surrounded the two men, preventing them from resisting.
Placús swallowed hard.
‘Is this a failure?’
The timing for an ambush had passed. While he could probably break through these knights, assassinating Marquis Branford in one shot was impossible.
But Count Domont gritted his teeth and strengthened his legs, shouting loudly to buy time. This was an action taken with an aim in mind.
Just as the two were about to be dragged away, a group appeared.
“Stop!”
Marquis Branford frowned.
The newcomers were the royal knights, along with Count Palantz, the Swordmaster of the Ruthania Kingdom and commander of the royal knights.
Marquis Branford could not hide his displeasure as he asked,
“Count Palantz, what is the meaning of this?”
“It is His Majesty’s command. Please stop this.”
“What do you mean?”
“His Majesty has arrived.”
The royal knights parted left and right to make way. Beyond them, a frail old man appeared, being carried on the back of one of the knights.
It was Berhem, the king of Ruthania.
Berhem glared at Marquis Branford with bloodshot eyes.
“I called for you, did I not?”
“Your Majesty, this person’s identity is unclear.”
“Did I not say that I summoned him!”
“…….”
“How can you… how can you act in such a rude manner!”
“For the royal family.”
“I am… the royal family! Without me… this kingdom is meaningless! How are you any different from that woman! Cough!”
As Berhem cried out in distress, he began to gag blood. His eyes rolled back to the whites.
The royal magician next to him was taken aback and immediately cast a spell.
“Your Majesty! Please regain your senses!”
Though the royal magician had not reached the level of a superhuman, he had absorbed a fragment of the Dragon Heart, granting him overwhelming magic power. He desperately channeled his magic to hold on to Berhem’s life.
Count Palantz said to Marquis Branford,
“Please yield just this once. His Majesty’s mood is very irritable.”
Marquis Branford glared at Count Domont, knowing they had clearly coordinated their remarks.
To drag everyone along forcibly would mean a violent clash with the royal knights. While he was confident of victory, it could result in the king truly dying.
Marquis Branford clenched his teeth and slightly bowed his head to Berhem.
“I shall withdraw for now.”
Berhem, half out of his mind, could not respond. He merely continued to gasp for breath.
Marquis Branford instructed the knights.
“Once the audience is over, arrest the Chamberlain and this man.”
With those words, Marquis Branford turned away. The only words echoing in his mind were those shouted by Berhem earlier.
—How are you any different from that woman!
He knew. He was slowly becoming like the ‘Shadow Knight Commander’ he had despised in his youth.
But there was no choice. The kingdom was steadily declining.
The noblemen’s evildoing still pierced the heavens, and the Duke Faction waged war against the royal family. Society was in chaos, and monsters were emerging.
Because of this, the kingdom’s people were moaning in pain every day. In fact, it was a nation that could collapse at any moment.
‘No. I cannot let that happen.’
Marquis Branford had pushed the kingdom this far through sheer force. Even now, it was thanks to Ghislaine that they were barely keeping afloat.
Though it was becoming increasingly challenging, he could not fail. If he fell, the suppressed noblemen would rise once more, and the kingdom would crumble.
‘Please do not engage in dangerous acts, Your Majesty.’
This situation was too coincidental and suspicious. Doubts were creeping in that the Duke Faction and the Salvation Society might be entangled.
That made him even more worried. He feared the king might act foolishly and try to dispose of him.
That could not happen. Not for his sake, but for the royal family.
The Duke Faction wasn’t the only danger. In fact, there was someone far more frightening.
‘Ghislaine Perdium.’
Thanks to his support, he had been able to grow rapidly and possessed the strongest army in the kingdom. Because of that, he had been able to act as Ghislaine’s restraining force.
They had maintained their relationship because they needed each other so far, but Ghislaine was grateful, often conceding a step back to Marquis Branford.
It was his presence that had allowed Ghislaine to be held in check to such an extent.
‘If I were to disappear…’
That man was unlike any other noble. He cared nothing for face or justification.
Those obstacles before him needed to be removed without question.
So if the king was in the way, he would stride forward with a blade toward the royal family without a second thought.
Thus… that ominous feeling he sensed needed to be nothing but his delusion.
For the royal family to remain intact.
*
Berhem lay on the bed, breathing faintly.
His eyes kept wanting to close. Anger and resentment surged within him.
He looked at the priest of the Salvation Society, Placus, with hazy eyes and spoke with difficulty.
“I can feel… that my life is… but a breath away…”
“I will take care of you.”
At his reply, Berhem displayed a look of pleading in his eyes.
“Yes, please… heal me… You must… make me whole… If you do… I will grant you the secrets of my royal family… and fulfill all that you desire…”
Placús took Berhem’s hand and smiled gently.
“Do not worry, Your Majesty.”
“I… have been a king, but I have never truly lived as one… I have spent my life as a puppet… I cannot die like this. If you heal me… I will surely regain my power and make the Salvation Society the state religion…”
“Those are truly gracious words. I will surely heal you, Your Majesty.”
Placús raised his hand. Dark energy swelled and surged from it.
Count Domont and Count Palantz swallowed hard upon seeing it.
Especially Count Palantz, who had achieved the level of a superhuman, could feel that the energy he had only heard about in rumors was indeed ominous.
Yet for the sake of healing the king, he decided to bear that risk, as he had resolved to serve the king till the very end.
‘All I have to do is protect him.’
If the Salvation Society tried to pull any tricks, he could thwart them. While he might lose fame to Count Valzac, he believed his skills would hold.
No one knows how a fight will go until they engage in one. Count Palantz had walked the best path, receiving full support from the royal family.
Therefore, he had confidence in defending the king.
Paaahhhh…
The dark energy swirling from Placús’s hand grew thicker.
He brought that hand to Berhem’s heart, whispering softly.
“As you wish, Your Majesty… soon the hunt for lions can also begin.”
His corners of his mouth twisted absurdly as he spoke.
