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Frontier Lord Chapter 042 – Gossip Amongst the Knights of the Royal Capital

In various parts of the royal capital, located in the eastern part of the kingdom, stations for knights had been built to ensure security.

Inside one of the rude brick buildings, which were made to look sturdy without any consideration for its appearance, various facilities were prepared… Among them, there was a training room for the knights to strengthen themselves. However, the knights didn’t show the slightest incentive to train. Rather, they were engaged in their customary gossip.

「Did you hear? There’s been another defection from Lady Diane’s faction.」

「Really? Again? Her faction doesn’t have either power or money, but hearing that people leave just goes to show that it’s nearing its end.」

「No one knows what his purpose was, but apparently he was kicked out because he went around the territory spewing rumors that there was going to be a war, that the monsters were going to attack and so on… I hear that His Majesty will be sending the news for his arrest sometime soon.」

The knights, wearing dull-colored iron armor that clearly showed their lack of care even from a distance, leaned their bodies against the walls and floor of the training room as they spoke.

「I heard that Sir Muse’s faction also lost Lord Casdex, who was in charge of business in the Western district…I guess that means that Richard’s position for the throne has been set.」

「I wonder about that. Lady Isabelle and Lady Helena haven’t given up yet. We have to see what they do first.」

The knights used their fingers to write the names of the contenders for the throne on the dirty floor of the training room. The names were as follows: The first Prince Richard, the Second Prince Muse, the First Princess Isabelle, the Second Princess Helena, and the Third Princess Diana.

They then continued by writing the names of the nobles and wealthy merchants that were a part of each faction next to the faction leader’s names. Following which they began to exchange opinions about the power and military strength of each faction.

「Prince Richard is one step ahead with the Temple in his corner.」

「Princess Isabelle isn’t one to take lightly as well. After all, she’s got Lord Saachuz and his territory in the East on her side.」

「Come to think of it, why did Lord Casdex move away from Prince Muse’s faction? Did he go to Prince Richard?」

「No, no. Lord Casdex didn’t leave or anything, rather, he died of illness. Apparently his second son is taking over right now, and according to rumors he’s trying to move away from Prince Muse.」

「His second son? What happened to his first son?」

「His first son died of illness as well. I guess it’s some kind of illness peculiar to the nobles…」

One of the knights muttered, and the other two sighed, painfully understanding what he meant to say.

「So? What’s Lord Casdex’s second son like?」

「I was interested as well so I managed to gather a lot of information about him out of the merchants… Although, all of the stories seemed like such bull that I find them hard to believe…」

「Now I’m even more interested. Just tell us already.」

「Okay, just don’t come crying to me afterwards if it seems unbelievable.」

The knight warned before recalling the stories about Casdex’s second son.

「Apparently Lord Casdex’s second son is a brilliant child that showed great talent as a business man even before he was ten. And it’s not just that. Apart from his talent for business, he’s said to have developed various never-before-seen gadgets and farming tools. On top of that, he apparently also excels in military prowess, being able to lift a grown man with one hand and toss a large rock, able to block a road with ease, all while being young of age.  Apparently that large rock is now situated in front of his residence as a memorial. He’s also said to be quite the stud and has more than a dozen wives.」

「Even stories about nobles should have their limits…」

「Right? That’s what I said as well. But all of the merchants that came from the west all say the same stories.」

「If the stories are true, then that’s amazing. If it’s not then that means that Lord Casdex’s second son has the wealth to spread ridiculous stories and make the whole merchant society in the west spread them. Meaning that he’ll be a strong ally to any of the present factions. The balance might shift.」

One of the knights said, drawing a large circle on the floor, quite some space away from all of the factions.

「There’s more.  Apparently, he’s also on good terms with Dias. There were several stories about the strong friendship between them, and how the two of them single handedly defeated a dragon.」

「Come to think of it, Dias was given the Nettsrose Meadow that borders Lord Casdex’s territory.」

「Nettsrose?! The Nettsrose Meadow that’s famous for being cursed and killing any lord within a month of their appointment?!」

「I’ve heard that it’s cursed, but only to the point of no crops growing there, and houses catching on fire.  I haven’t heard about anyone dying.」

As they were discussing the curse of the meadow they subtly added another circle with Dias’ name in it.

「This means that Lord Casdex’s second son’s and Dias’ actions may as well determine the future of the kingdom. I haven’t met Dias personally, but he’s the bastard that they call either the softy or ball-less, right?」

「Hey! Just where-」

One of the knights was about to say something, when a young knight burst into the training room, looking extremely flustered.

The young knight shouted out in a distraught voice while the other knights, who had been gossiping about what was going on, frowned at him.

「H-Hey! J-Just now Princess Diane gathered a lot of knights and headed out of the capital… D-Did something happen?!」

「What? I guess it’s her usual election campaign, no? What’s all the fuss about?」

When one of the knights, still sitting calmly, replied, the young knight shook his head violently to the side and screamed.

「B-But this time she took close to 200 knights?! There were also dozens of wagons likely carrying rations!!! A-Are they heading out to war again?!」

At the young knight’s words, the knights stiffened and turned blue for a moment, but they soon realized that 200 men weren’t enough to set out for war, and that even if something bad was happening again, the others would take care of it……. And so the knights calmed down, completely forgot about the young knight and returned to their gossip.

The young knight was dismayed and bewildered by their attitude, but there was nothing he could do on his own. He simply stood there in a complete daze.