Chapter 357
Chapter 357
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Translator: crow
Chapter Title: EP.75 – The Cog Declares (4)
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A chilling silence fell.
It was only natural.
He had suddenly called out a single noble youth by name, thrown a dagger at him, and ordered him to cut out his own tongue. The nobles had no choice but to remain silent.
"Th-this, I mean..."
The one singled out was still sweating profusely, his eyes darting wildly in confusion, and suddenly...
"Y-Your Majesty!! If I have committed any sin, please teach this foolish me what it is! And show mercy so I may atone for it! Please...!!"
His judgment wasn't bad; he immediately prostrated himself and begged, ugly even to behold as sweat mingled with tears and snot.
Yet no one scorned or frowned at him for it.
They knew that if they were in his position, they would ignore others' gazes and act just as pathetically.
Before this display, King Edmund...
"Mercy to atone for your sins, yes. That's not wrong. Even a king must show mercy at times."
"!!"
Robert's head snapped up at those words.
He had finally seen a glimmer of hope for survival...
"But after daring to insult the royal family with your words and actions, what makes you think you can beg for mercy?"
"......Pardon?"
"You brazen fool. Robert of the Solvenin family. To disgrace me in my own domain and think no one would know—truly absurd."
Clack.
At King Edmund's raised hand, attendants immediately unfurled documents.
There was written:
"This morning, in the palace, you conversed with your friends and said: 'The recent incidents are happening because the king is incompetent. The king knows nothing of economics and just squanders money, shaking the kingdom, doesn't he? If I became Princess Isis's second consort, I'd gladly revive this nation's economy.'"
"......"
"Of course, these are merely a summary of your words as I speak them now. To utter such seditious nonsense openly and think you'd go unpunished—how foolish."
"Y-Your Majesty, I-I..."
"I won't hear that you never said such things. The palace has ears everywhere, and those ears report only the truth to me."
"........."
"Yes, you show no sign of remorse to the end, scheming to escape this. Ha, I might have been swayed by your sly tongue, but now I see the family that raised a wretch like you must have issues too. No more mercy needed. Head Steward."
Step.
"Your command, Your Majesty."
"From tomorrow, ensure the Solvenin family is struck from the noble registry. Understood?"
"It shall be done as you decree."
The Head Steward signaled with his eyes, and swarms of royal attendants flooded in, dragging away Robert Solvenin and all associated with the Solvenin family.
They tried to resist, but the royal senior attendants matched upper knights in strength—resistance was nearly impossible.
Thus, they were swiftly subdued and hauled out of the banquet hall, and...
Whoosh-.
They vanished without a trace...
The entire process flowed as smoothly as water.
It was impeccably orchestrated like a play, but the watching nobles merely bowed their heads, faces pale.
Drip, drip-.
The weather wasn't cold, and the hall's temperature controls were active, yet many still sweated oddly.
As if explaining why:
"I know. There are those who speak ill of the king in his absence. I understand such words—humans can't be without complaints. But even so, one must not cross the line. Touching the royal family's authority and honor is unforgivable. Don't call me heartless."
"......"
"Some of you may feel watched now, reflecting on your own words. But worry not. No one crossed the line like Robert Solvenin, so I'll show leniency."
You can relax.
...The nobles who caught those trailing words bowed again, moved by the king's mercy.
For one deemed a tyrant and incompetent, his mercy blended with ruthless precision evoked a true sovereign—King Edmund.
'...As expected.'
He's no ordinary man to be called a tyrant.
Lee Han nodded to himself.
His eyes hadn't been wrong.
'Looks ordinary, but those eyes are sharp.'
From the first glance, Lee Han had realized King Edmund wasn't the utter incompetent rumored.
How, when his appearance and aura seemed so mundane?
'He's got backbone.'
His eyes alone showed backbone.
Lacking charisma but leading through resolve.
A man of self-conviction and drive.
'That flashy entrance isn't necessarily bad.'
Aware of his charisma deficit, he compensates with grandeur to assert presence.
Meaning he knows his flaws better than anyone.
Above average, at least.
That's how Lee Han rated King Edmund.
......However.
'Makes it all the more regrettable.'
Lee Han shook his head inwardly.
His assessment might be off, but if what he'd seen now and what Isis had told him directly was true...
"L-Lord Lee Han, p-please prepare. His Majesty will call for you soon."
"Timing's off. I was deep in thought."
"Pardon?"
"Never mind. What was I expecting from a gold nugget like you?"
"......"
"Let's go."
"Y-yes..."
The attendant pouted with inexplicable grievance as he replied.
Originally, the debutante ball—with the king's direct participation—was like an event for young noble heirs and ladies to meet the king for the first time and enter high society.
In short, getting face time with the bigwigs.
Since it was the final day, most young nobles had already done so without lining up like at a restaurant—fortunate, indeed.
Thus, only a scant few remained to step forward and show themselves.
"Levi Zan Dark pays respects to the descendant of the Great Knight King."
"Judia Loengrin greets the one blessed by the dragon."
"Karin Alensia de Guinevere meets the Lord of the South."
Amusingly, these remaining ones hailed from prestigious houses.
Tristan, Loengrin, and Guinevere.
With such lineages before him, the king's remarks grew longer.
"Levi Zan Dark, I've heard of you. The Marchioness Jenimia acknowledged your talent, they say? Yet such rumors are often dismissed as hype, but you've proven yours with real achievements. Excellent."
"You honor me too much."
"Not at all. When the time comes, I'll summon you and grant a fitting reward for such knightly potential."
"H-honored beyond words."
"Judia Loengrin... I never imagined Count Roseth would have a child he kept hidden even from me."
"I was born frail and couldn't appear publicly, so Father concealed my existence."
"Hm, I never thought Count Roseth capable of cherishing his own child."
"...You honor me."
"It's been a while."
"I greet Your Majesty."
"No need to bow so low. Your grandfather was my tutor. And we're not strangers. Be at ease."
"You honor me."
"Ha, I said be at ease."
Truthfully, ease was impossible.
He'd just erased a noble house moments ago—how could one relax?
King Edmund knew the mood but remained nonchalant.
As the atmosphere settled somewhat, he sent the ladies back to their seats.
"Your Majesty, it's time."
"I know without being told, Head Steward."
Thud.
King Edmund rose using his dragon-crest staff as support, and soon...
"-Everyone here knows it well. Unsettling events have plagued the kingdom repeatedly of late."
[[.........]]
His words naturally induced silence.
"A nefarious force exists—aiming to overthrow the kingdom, or perhaps something greater. The royals and noble council strive to eradicate them, but setbacks persist."
A candid remark, earnest despite its plainness.
King Edmund sighed.
"I know this sounds like mere excuses. Thus, all I can say is this: I will do my utmost. To regain your lost trust!"
Boom!
He slammed the staff down forcefully; the marble floor dented briefly.
Proving his royal lineage's mastery of Fighting Technique, some nobles voiced admiration.
Attention on King Edmund surged, and in that moment, he spread his arms wide.
"Yet amid this unease, a hero has saved the kingdom!!"
Boom, boom!
The military band played aptly, like a performance cue.
Heightening emotions.
"Lee Han Turtle, step forward!"
With the Head Steward's booming, measured call, a man strode confidently down the gold-embroidered red carpet.
"......"
Neither rushed nor slow.
His expression lacked smiles but held subtle emotion—not blank.
He embodied perfect royal etiquette.
"...Was he like that?"
"Why's our instructor acting like that?"
"????"
Those who knew him suffered cognitive dissonance.
That's not him—why act so?
But to strangers, his knightly poise stirred their hearts.
Ah! He must be the man the king calls hero!
In White Silver Lion Knight garb, exuding majestic dignity—he truly had a hero's aura.
As all held breath with the knight before the king, before he could kneel...
"Lee Han Turtle! I've long heard of your valor and prowess, and today we finally meet!"
Swish!
[Boom-!]
The guarding knights and soldiers stamped in unison.
The hall shook momentarily, hearts along with it.
A magnificent scene.
The king staging grandeur for a mere knight, praising him effusively.
Any knight—or man—would swell with pride.
The people wondered.
"Lee Han Turtle, loyal knight of Pendragon and new hero! I wish to bestow upon you the royal sword."
Whoa!
The royal sword.
Receiving it was the ultimate honor for a noble.
Considering no knight since Sir Baltar had received it, envy bordered on jealousy.
What would the knight say?
How would he pledge loyalty?
Or tear up?
"......"
Amid all gazes, pressure, the surging urge to bow— the knight thus...!
"─This is practically art. Hey, Your Majesty. Cut the theatrics. You should be begging for your life, not spouting nonsense. I could rip out that sly tongue of yours."
[[[......?]]]
......He threatened the king.