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Battle at the Royal Palace – Part 02

Later that night, at an hour when most people would be asleep, numerous individuals gathered in a room of the royal palace.

“Say that again.”

“Um…”

The chamberlain, drenched in sweat, repeatedly wiped his forehead with a handkerchief, but the sweat resurfaced almost instantly. Crown Prince Austrin wore a demonic look on his face.

“The three Dukes have gathered in response to Duke Jackrune’s call. It appears they are holding a meeting…”

“What kind of meeting?!”

“I-I don’t have all the details, Your Highness.”

Austrin hurled a goblet at the chamberlain’s chest, spilling wine all over his fine clothes.

“Please… Please stay calm, Your Highness,” the chamberlain pleaded.

“You cretin! How can I stay calm in this situation?!”

The nobles present, all supporters of Austrin, realized that the chamberlain’s plans had failed. They began whispering among themselves, criticizing his status and questioning his involvement in politics.

The chamberlain glared at them with bloodshot eyes. Despite being granted advantageous positions through his intervention, these individuals now acted as if they had completely forgotten any past favors.

“Look at me, chamberlain!” Austrin roared. “You said it yourself. Duke Nightblaze won’t make a move, and the three Dukes will not unite. Am I wrong?!”

“N-No…”

“Then why are the three Dukes gathering? What is there to discuss?!”

“Lord Galeicrada’s condition is still deteriorating…”

“That’s not what I’m asking!”

Austrin kicked the massive table, but it only lifted slightly, and the wine bottle remained in place. Had the table toppled over, it might have further fueled his agitation, but Austrin seemed to regain a hint of composure, exhaling sharply.

The prince had been drinking with his allied nobles when the chamberlain appeared with a pale face. Wondering what happened, he demanded a report from the man.

Austrin turned his attention to the nobles. “Do you understand why I allowed you all to stay and listen?”

“Is it because we are worthy of His Highness’s trust?” one of the nobles said, followed by others expressing delight and honor.

“Precisely.” Austrin’s lips contorted.

Only the chamberlain noticed the intensity in that smile. The nobles remained unaware of what was happening. There was only one reason why the three Dukes would gather for discussions at this particular moment, and their minds couldn’t fathom it.

“I expect you all to live up to that trust.”

“Please, feel free to ask us anything, Your Highness. No, perhaps it is time we start calling you Your Majesty.”

“Hahaha! How amusing! Isn’t it, chamberlain?!”

The chamberlain sensed that something was amiss. The discussion among the three Dukes was undoubtedly centered around the succession of the throne. Considering that Margrave Grugschilt had made contact with them, it was safe to assume that they would endorse Kujastria as the next ruler.

Although he hadn’t told Austrin about it, there were reports that Duke Nightblaze’s son was present at the meeting, indicating that the curse had been lifted. The chamberlain believed they hadn’t been exposed as the ones who cast the curse, but their leverage against Duke Nightblaze had vanished.

If all went according to plan, the matter would be concluded today, and tomorrow it would be presented to the king.

In other words, tomorrow Austrin’s title would change from Crown Prince to Brother of the Next Queen. Austrin should be well aware of that, hence the fury.

So why…

Why was he smiling? Why was he roaring with laughter?

“Let us all go visit His Majesty, shall we?”

Austrin abruptly ceased his laughter, and a shiver crawled down the chamberlain’s spine.

“Your Highness,” he muttered.

“Chamberlain, how many allies do I have within this palace?”

“…”

“The Sword Saint is currently absent from the capital.”

A different kind of cold sweat broke out on the chamberlain’s forehead. He shivered from a sudden chill.

“About 300,” he replied.

“Mobilize all of them.”

“U-Understood.”

The die had been cast. The chamberlain had placed all of his chips on this side a long time ago. His only future lay in supporting Austrin’s ascent to the throne.

“A visit at this hour?”

“Is this appropriate?”

The nobles seemed to see it as a simple visit.

“Fret not. This is nothing new,” Austrin said. “Father’s head is much clearer during the late hours. We will go see him directly and humbly request my appointment as his sole proxy for the future of our kingdom.”

“That is a splendid idea.”

“Onwards we go.”

The nobles followed Austrin, casting disdainful glances at the chamberlain.

Fools, the chamberlain muttered to himself. They were now bound to Austrin, and betrayal would not be tolerated.

“And I’m in the same position. There’s no turning back now.”

The chamberlain hastily left the room to mobilize their allies, some 300 mercenaries hired with money, mere pawns with diverse backgrounds and identities, despite their somewhat uniform appearance.

“I paid a hefty sum to the Adventurers’ Guild. I expect them to give it their all.”

Known as C-rank Rejects, they were Rank C adventurers, many of which were skilled.

---

Meanwhile, in Princess Kujastria’s room within the royal palace, two unfamiliar figures were present. Visitors were rarely allowed in the princess’s private chambers, so it was evident that these two women were treated with special regard, partly due to their gender.

“Hmm! So tasty!”

“If you enjoy it that much, please have some more.”

“Don’t mind if I do!”

“Um… I apologize for this.”

While the black-haired girl enthusiastically devoured the cake that Princess Kujastria offered, the other girl displayed proper etiquette befitting a noble, sipping her tea with grace. A sword hung at her waist, sheathed in a lovely scabbard.

“Thank you for coming,” the princess said. “Being alone in my room gets quite dull. I’ve heard about the Four Eastern Stars before.”

“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”

“Though, um… You two might attract attention.”

“Adventurers, and female ones at that, in the palace, yes. But that also means entering this room won’t rouse suspicions, since we’re not men or knights.”

“I appreciate the concern.”

Selyse and Serika were here because they received a message from Sophie. After curing Galeicrada’s illness, she learned about the upcoming discussion among the three Dukes and, as a member of the Church and someone familiar with dealing with nobles, quickly caught on.

Though Sophie didn’t have a strong attachment to the kingdom, the Church couldn’t ignore the possibility of a civil war. The lives of the many high-ranking Church officials residing in the capital would be in danger.

The Dukes intended to endorse Kujastria as the next ruler—meaning, Kujastria needed protection.

She was the eye of the storm, the precious gem to be safeguarded. With a letter of recommendation from Duke Nightblaze, Selyse and Serika were unofficially assigned to be by the princess’s side for her protection.

“We feel more of an emotional connection with you than Prince Austrin,” Selyse said, implicitly giving Kujastria her support as the next ruler.

“Please be mindful of your words.”

“Adventurers don’t have a favorable impression of the current king.”

“He’s awful!” Serika interjected.

Kujastria blinked repeatedly, taken aback by the blunt remark.

“Serika,” Selyse sighed. “I apologize, Your Highness.”

“Um, he’s my father…”

“That’s true! You should be glad you don’t take after him!”

Selyse turned his head to the ceiling and closed her eyes. She thought Serika had angered the princess.

“You’re an interesting person.” Kujastria chuckled softly. “I’ve never heard anyone speak of my father like that before.”

“I apologize for her rude remarks,” Selyse said.

“I’m sorry!” Serika said. “I’m just telling it as it is!”

“That’s even worse.”

Watching the banter between the two, Kujastria burst into laughter. “I can’t remember the last time I laughed this much.”

“I hope one day you can smile freely, Your Highness.”

“You met with Duke Nightblaze, didn’t you?” Kujastria asked. “Did you come across someone named Silver Face?”

Both Selyse and Serika gave a start.

“No,” Selyse replied. “Do you know about him too?”

Sophie’s agreement with Silver Face prevented her from telling Selyse about Paula and Silver Face. Selyse simply met Silver Face at the Ruler’s Rumble tournament.

“Yes, I met him… once recently. If you also know him, could you please tell me what kind of person Lord Silver Face is?”

Selyse was taken aback. Kujastria just addressed Silver Face with the title “Lord”. It wasn’t exactly strange, given that in Kujastria’s mind, the true identity of Silver Face was that of a noble’s son.

“Let’s see… I met Silver Face at the venue of the Ruler’s Rumble tournament held in the Confederacy of Einbiest. I had a feeling I had met him before, but he claimed it was our first meeting.”

“I see. Why did you think you had met him before?”

“A woman’s intuition, I suppose. Maybe we’ll meet again.”

“Selyse is technically a woman too!”

“And what do you mean by that?” Selyse grabbed Serika’s whole face.

“Ouch! They call you a pretty lady in men’s clothing when you walk around town!”

“But this isn’t men’s clothing.”

Kujastria’s grin grew even wider. “Miss Selyse, you mentioned the Ruler’s Rumble tournament.”

“Yes. It’s a martial arts tournament to choose the next leader of the Confederacy. Although the Confederacy is not a country, the leader still holds significant respect. Silver Face participated in that tournament.”