Chapter 503
Chapter 503: I Will Demand Justice from the King (1)
“Pwaha!”
Ghislaine, on the hot air balloon, let out a loud laugh as she exhaled deeply.
It was truly a thrilling situation for the first time in a long while. I had hardly experienced such a rush throughout my entire previous life.
Moreover, having pulled off a stunt against both the Duke Faction and the Kingdom Army, I couldn’t be more delighted.
Watching the ecstatic Ghislaine, Belinda shook her head.
“Ugh, this is really reckless.”
If things had gone slightly wrong, she could have been caught and killed. Even Belinda felt her heart race at the sight of the approaching enemies.
Still, Ghislaine seemed oblivious to the danger, busy laughing with joy.
Belinda remarked, somewhat scornfully, “Is it really that enjoyable?”
“Of course! This is the most fun time, pulling off a stunt like this.”
“Who could possibly stop the Young Master’s personality? Did you bring the goods back safely?”
At her words, Ghislaine pulled out the items from her belongings. It had been quite the challenge to ensure nothing broke during the escape.
Everyone’s eyes focused on Ghislaine as she revealed the items. Everyone was curious about what could have caused such a commotion.
When she produced the item that Berhem called the ‘Life Gem,’ everyone frowned. The ominous energy emanating from it was clearly reminiscent of the magic circle of the rift.
In contrast, when they saw the cup and necklace, everyone gasped in admiration. Especially, Parniel and Piote’s astonishment was unrivaled.
“Such incredible divine power.”
“W-wow! Lord, is that also a sacred relic?”
Ghislaine shrugged her shoulders.
“I don’t know. They also call it a sacred relic, but I’m not sure what it’s used for. I guess I’ll have to find out from now on.”
As Ghislaine took the necklace out of the cup, the bright divine power that had been radiating faded away. Everyone continued to gaze curiously at the necklace.
Except for one person, Ereness.
‘Why is that item here?!’
Her expression was severely tense.
Ereness knew well the identity of the item. She didn’t know why divine power radiated from it, but it was undoubtedly something she recognized.
The necklace had belonged to a comrade who fought alongside her against the disasters that swept the world long ago. The same went for the cup.
There was no way she could forget after so many years.
‘Why does it belong to the Ruthania royal family and the Salvation Society…?’
All eyes were on Ereness, who was lost in thought. Her reaction was quite strange compared to others.
Finally noticing the atmosphere, Ereness relaxed her expression.
Ghislaine narrowed her eyes and asked, “What’s up? Do you know what this is?”
But Ereness shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
“It seems like you do, though?”
“I don’t know.”
“Hmm…”
Not only Ghislaine but everyone else was looking at her with suspicious eyes.
It couldn’t get any more awkward than this. She was really bad at this act.
Ereness let out a heavy sigh and continued stiffly.
“I was just momentarily lost in thought because it resembles an old comrade’s item. It’s just similar; I don’t think it’s the same item. My comrade’s didn’t have such divine power. It was just a regular necklace.”
Ghislaine chuckled and nodded.
“Right. I thought there might be a clue, but that’s a pity. Well, I can just wear it for now.”
‘It’s not that simple.’
Ereness had said she’d been fighting the Salvation Society for a long time. Surely, she had some insight on this.
However, she didn’t seem willing to say anything yet, so I decided to let it go for now.
I could slowly investigate and subtly ask. The noble Elf Great Chief wouldn’t be the type to be intimidated by power.
Everyone else, like Ghislaine, had similar thoughts and pretended not to notice anything. Who in the world doesn’t have their stories?
Belinda, feigning a grimace, changed the topic.
“So, Young Master, what will you do with that unpleasant gem?”
“Um.”
Ghislaine fell into slight contemplation. While she could absorb the power contained in the gem, it didn’t feel like a positive influence.
If it could increase her power, she would use it without hesitation, but honestly, it was rather disgusting and unsettling.
Wasn’t it created by draining the life force of many people? And painfully, at that.
Pondering, Ghislaine turned to Parniel and said, “That gem only contains malicious thoughts. It would be best to destroy it and release the trapped sentiments inside.”
“Sentiments?”
“Yes. Parts of the life force of those who died unjustly will be left there against their will. It seems Salvation Society priests amplify their power using the anger of the wrongfully deceased.”
Piote nodded in agreement and interjected, “Y-yes! We must bless and send the poor souls off!”
“That’s right.”
Even though I felt it was unpleasant, I hadn’t realized it was to that extent. It seemed that Parniel and Piote were sensing something different.
Hearing such things made me even less inclined to absorb it. Destroying it would bring more comfort.
“I’ll properly dispose of it when we return. By the way, is everything ready?”
Gillian nodded and replied.
“Yes, we can depart at any time. Perdium has also nearly finished preparing.”
The Northern Army had long since completed their preparations for war. They just needed a bit more time to prepare in Perdium.
Establishing a new king wasn’t something that could be done just by winning a war.
Ghislaine put the necklace around her neck and continued.
“Alright. Let’s take back the kingdom.”
*
Clang!
“Uwaaaaah! More! You need to get me more!”
Berhem shouted with wild, bloodshot eyes as he tossed items around. Those around him trembled in fear.
The king was becoming increasingly insane. Now he was openly capturing and killing people indiscriminately.
It was unavoidable for him. To prevent his body from collapsing, he had to continuously absorb the life force of others.
“Chamberlain! Why are things getting slower?”
“Your Majesty, please wait a bit longer. More prisoners will be coming tomorrow.”
“What about the Duke Faction? Are they also being sent?”
“Yes, half of the secured personnel are being sent south.”
Marquis Domont reported with a darkened expression.
Creating more Life Gems required immense life force. They needed prisoners not just to maintain the king’s health but to send south as well.
To maintain the king’s state while making the gems, at least over a hundred thousand lives were necessary.
But how could you produce that many prisoners at once? Thus, the supply continued to face interruptions.
Berhem, drooling, exclaimed, “Are there no more prisoners in the capital? Just create more!”
“Your Majesty, Cardenia is the heart of the kingdom. If we further reduce the numbers in the capital, the entire kingdom will fail to function properly.”
“Ugh……”
Berhem clenched his teeth and suppressed his desire.
For him to exist as a king, the kingdom couldn’t collapse. He couldn’t turn the capital into a wasteland, so mass slaughter was on hold.
Instead, other areas were rapidly losing people. Soldiers entrusted with Berhem’s orders were capturing people indiscriminately.
The royal direct territory was starting to see a shortage of people. They had captured so many that production activities had nearly halted.
In desperation, the royal family urged the lords to hand over their territory residents and prisoners.
The local lords and nobles were at a loss regarding this situation.
“The king has completely lost it.”
“Not content with allying with the Duke Faction and now killing his own subjects like this!”
“Isn’t asking for territory residents way too much?!”
It was no longer a secret that the king was sustaining himself using the Salvation Society’s sorcery.
“There’s no way I can hand over more territory residents.”
“Is there really no other way?”
“No one can stop the king’s madness.”
At first, the lords had planned to simply hand over prisoners and brush past the issue. But as the demands grew increasingly unreasonable, it became an overwhelming burden.
The problem was that the king had seized power during a war and commanded a formidable military force.
When the army was sent to exert pressure, they had no choice but to comply with the king’s demands.
Moreover, the royal house had struck a ceasefire agreement with the Duke Faction. No one could contend with their power.
The Northern Army had already retreated in preparation to face the royal and Duke Faction’s forces, and rumors circulated that even the Allied Forces were retreating.
In this situation, the nobles who had united to protect the kingdom expressed their lamentation.
“How did the kingdom end up like this?”
“Eventually, the royal family will be consumed by the Duke Faction.”
“Only cruel and savage individuals remain around the King.”
They endured days full of anxiety, worrying not just about the king’s madness. Those who hadn’t liked Marquis Branford and Count Penris were quickly flocking to the king.
They were now like fish thriving in water, rampaging without restraint. Not only were they capturing people indiscriminately, but they had also started extracting immense taxes from the remaining populace, seizing what little they had left.
The finances carefully hoarded by Marquis Branford and the other nobles were being devoured greedily.
Everyone was solely focused on filling their own pockets. Just months after the king seized power, the kingdom had fallen into chaos.
“This kingdom is now finished.”
That was the honest feeling of the remaining nobles. No, it was no longer a time to worry about the kingdom.
They brandished their swords against the Duke Faction, fully aware that they could be suddenly burdened with charges they never committed and trampled.
Such an atmosphere was pervasive. Those who were soon to be consumed by the king were rumored to begin seizing a territory as an example.
To survive, they had to kneel before the king and offer up their people willingly.
Thus, the kingdom began to crumble. The screams of people resonated endlessly.
“P-please spare me!”
“I’m innocent!”
“Please, not the children…”
The Kingdom Army captured everyone, regardless of age or gender. In fact, the younger they were, the more the king seemed to enjoy it due to their overflowing life force.
The soldiers carrying out these orders were not feeling particularly at ease either. They were also individuals who had fought against the Duke Faction to protect the kingdom.
However, most of the commanders had now aligned themselves with the king. There was nothing a mere soldier could do.
As a young soldier dragged people away, trembling and teary-eyed, an experienced soldier grabbed him by the collar and shouted.
“Hey, you! Didn’t I tell you to keep a low profile? Do you want to die?”
“B-but…”
“Shut it. Wipe those tears and bear it. If not, we’re all dead.”
The veteran soldier gritted his teeth, desperately suppressing his own tears. Any hint of disobedience towards superiors would get soldiers dragged away too.
Those who had once defended the kingdom were now tasked with killing its people.
Both the captives and those capturing them were engulfed in despair.
Clunk, clunk, clunk…
Silence filled the procession transporting innocent prisoners. The only ones laughing and joking around were the commanding officers in the king’s favor.
The captured had long since given up on life, leaving them speechless, while the soldiers couldn’t find words due to their guilt.
Even those who managed to avoid being captured were stripped of everything and suffered from hunger. Some succumbed to the oppressive taxes and took their own lives.
In unison, they all cried out.
— The gods have forsaken this kingdom. The king has allied with the Salvation Society.
A thick gloom descended, enveloping the world. It was a time when no one could laugh or chatter.
As a soldier walking along the escort line bowed his head, he noticed a piece of paper fallen on the ground.
“Hm?”
Curious, he picked up the paper.
“Uh…?”
On the paper was a single line written.
[Hang in there a little longer. Soon, the northern wolves will come to save you.]
The soldier involuntarily raised his head towards the sky.
Though not clearly visible, he thought he could see a few birds flying. In the distance, a paper fluttered down from the air.
Looking around, he noticed several more pieces of the same paper falling.
The soldier hurriedly crumpled the paper and stuffed it into his pocket. With his face flushed, he tried to calm his trembling heart.
‘Could it be…’
The term ‘northern wolves’ had long been used to refer to a certain territory.
A territory that had endlessly battled against the barbarians at the borders. Despite its poverty and mockery, it had quietly fulfilled its responsibilities.
And so, it was now the territory that produced the strongest Count Penris and the Northern Army.
‘Perdium!’
They were saying they would soon come running.
At the moment when the soldier began to see a glimmer of hope, Perdium was preparing for battle.
The entire army radiated a sharp momentum reminiscent of when they fought the barbarians. At the forefront rode Zvalter, donning a firmer expression than ever.
Perdium’s chief officer, Baron Homern, wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said.
“Lord, the preparations aren’t completely finished yet. Not to mention, we should also prepare for the Duke Faction’s army moving…”
“It’s already too late.”
“What?”
“I said it’s already too late.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
Zvalter turned his head to look at the sky.
“There’s no time to wait. Every citizen of the kingdom is groaning in despair. I can’t sit by and watch it any longer.”
“Lord…”
The king and nobles’ rampage had gone too far.
It wasn’t just the king who needed the Life Gem. The nobles were also seizing the common people viciously, clinging close to the king.
Zvalter could no longer stand to see it.
“I’m not raising an army because I covet the king’s seat. I’m stepping forward for the sake of this kingdom. But what good is it to become a king if I turn a blind eye to their suffering?”
“L-lord…”
“Even if I perish due to inadequate preparation, I must do what must be done now.”
At his words, Baron Homern and the retainers lowered their heads. They couldn’t dare oppose him.
That’s why Zvalter had garnered the respect of all territory residents throughout the years, defending the north.
It was as if he had reverted to the time when he was filled with infinite responsibility and an unwavering will not to bend.
Zvalter raised a hand and slowly opened his mouth.
“All troops…”
His heavy voice resonated with everyone.
“We shall march to Cardenia. I will demand justice from the king.”
Boom!
With Zvalter’s orders, the Perdium Army began to move towards the capital.
