Chapter 245
Chapter 245
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 245
Chapter Title: Central Nobility
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The Haiman mansion, regarded as a miniature imperial palace in the capital.
It subtly implied that the duke's prestige rivaled that of the imperial family without falling short, but on the other hand, it was also a compliment to the mansion's grand and ornate exterior, truly resembling a palace.
A lawn spanning thousands of pyeong, gardens meticulously maintained year-round in perpetual beauty, and the mansion's walls kept pristine white, untainted even by rain or snow.
As always, the elderly gardener gazed toward the main gate and offered a prayer of thanks.
But then.
"Hmm?"
A procession of carriages entering through the distant main gate.
The master hadn't returned last night, as he'd been told, but was he coming home now? And those behind? Friends of the master? No wonder the mansion's atmosphere had been subdued.
Clop clop!
Neigh!
The old man removed his hat and frowned. Strange. Why were the carriages pouring in without end? Behind them came mounted riders, and after them, armed soldiers marching in perfect formation.
The old man dropped his hat with a clunk and hurriedly loaded his gardening tools onto the cart.
"Uh, hey! Hey there!"
"Where do you think you're going?"
His gestures caught the attention of the servants resting in the garden far off, and their commotion summoned the steward.
By the time the steward rushed down the central stairs, the carriages had already halted, waiting for signs of activity from within.
"What is the meaning of this? Where are you from? Duke Haiman is currently away."
The steward asked this, ignoring the fluttering imperial banners. The main gate was several minutes away. And no prior notice? That meant they had forced their way in without waiting, or the guards had been subdued.
The attendants pressed anxiously against the windows. Even at a rough estimate, their numbers were formidable—it felt like war had broken out.
"I am Jeyrat, Captain of the Imperial Palace Guard."
"Ah, yes. An honor to meet you."
"Is the duchess inside?"
"...Please state your business first."
The steward braced his waist with his left hand as if steadying himself, sending a hand signal. The servants who caught it dashed up the stairs to alert Duchess Haiman and her children of the trouble.
But they had overlooked one thing: the imperial messengers prioritized delivering the title revocation notice over seizing items or conducting searches.
Rustle.
Jeyrat drew the decree from his breast pocket.
"This is an order from the imperial family. All those bearing the Haiman name, come forth and obey the sovereign will of the throne."
The steward's face turned pale blue in an instant. From a fleeting glance, it surely contained the words "title revocation," didn't it?
Jeyrat checked his watch with a click. He had mountains of tasks ahead, and time was short.
"It's priority level one. If no one comes forward to comply, the declaration alone will take effect."
"What is this about?"
At that moment, Duchess Haiman, who had remained at the mansion, and Lady Melania emerged clutching their dress hems. Her eldest son and brother was currently in the study, checking for any problematic documents.
"Duchess Haiman and her lady. I will now deliver the [Temporary Title Revocation Decree]."
"What? What did you say?"
A combination of words she'd never heard in her life. Title revocation? Temporary? Decree? But instead of explaining, Jeyrat read the full text aloud.
"Effective immediately, the ducal title, authority, and privileges granted to House Haiman are temporarily revoked. This order is issued with the approval of the Prime Minister, proxy of imperial authority, the imperial representative, and the executive branch."
Was this what it felt like to be struck by lightning? It was so sudden and bewildering that words failed her.
Jeyrat gestured that it wasn't over yet and turned to the next page.
"The following measures will be implemented immediately."
First, asset freeze.
To facilitate smooth financial investigation, no coin transactions are permitted from this moment. This tied into the loss of nobles' right to "economic activity free from infringement."
"...This includes the inability to pay even a single coin in wages to employees."
At Jeyrat's proclamation, the servants exchanged awkward glances. No wages? Then what reason was there to stay?
"Second. Forced reduction of private soldiers. All knights, private guards—even lowly escorts hired for military purposes—must be disbanded."
Non-nobles could employ up to three times the number of their direct family members as private soldiers. This was to preempt rebellion risks. Thus, those seeking to build power had vied even for the lowliest baronies.
Jeyrat estimated their numbers and added,
"House Haiman has five direct descendants. Dismiss all but fifteen."
"What is the meaning of this! Where is my husband right now? How dare you bring such an absurd decree here of all places!"
"Madam. Do not act rashly. This is lese-majeste."
"No. Wait. Hold on!"
As the enforcers tried to enter the mansion, the duchess shrieked and blocked their path. The attendants and guards waiting behind joined the fray.
"Step aside. You're obstructing official duties."
"Wait! I am royalty of Ruswena before I am a duchess! No one—no one—may enter this mansion until I see my husband! Where is he now? Imprisoned by the imperial family?"
"It's detention, not imprisonment. And..."
"Out of my way! You insolent curs!"
"Madam, what should we do?"
"Block them! We can't let them! Hurry, everyone—"
Slash!
The moment the duchess tried to issue further orders, Jeyrat unhesitatingly severed the neck of an attendant blocking the entrance. The white marble floor was instantly stained crimson.
Melania gasped, covering her mouth at the sight of the head tumbling down the stairs. Jeyrat ground his teeth and growled lowly.
"...Do my orders seem like a joke to you, Madam?"
If private soldiers weren't disbanded, they would all be subdued. That was precisely why the Imperial Palace Guard captain had come to House Haiman. Among the nobility, their forces were the largest.
After tidying up the mansion, he planned to head to the nearby private soldier training grounds. Jeyrat pointed his sword at the remaining attendants.
"Well? Do I look like I'm joking?"
"Eek!"
"Any who block or interfere will be cut down on the spot. Those who value their lives, step back and cooperate."
The duchess sensed that something had gone terribly wrong. Prince Arsen's mana confirmation ritual had failed, or succeeded but been thwarted by some trick from Jin and Ian, solidifying the palace situation. She could only think that.
"Mother! Melania!"
"Brother!"
"What in the world is happening!"
Clang! Clang!
At that moment, the eldest and second sons, having finished sorting the study upstairs, rushed down swords in hand. They didn't know the situation, but swords dripping blood before their mother? As the eldest charged forward, Melania spread her arms to block him.
"No! Brother!"
"Melania!"
"Really, no. Please."
Stay put for now. First, assess the movements of other nobles allied with Father and the palace situation.
If her brothers opposed the imperial family here, it would give them all the justification they needed. If things were graver than expected, it could even escalate to treason. With Father gone and now the brothers, it might lead to an irreversible path.
Step.
Jeyrat stepped over the corpse and entered the mansion. The two brothers hesitated in confusion, retreating.
"Wise choice, my lady."
"Do not damage the mansion. Rights over personal property belong not only to nobles."
Jeyrat signaled, and the enforcers entered. Already familiar with the layout, they dispersed orderly without haste.
The servants, terrified, plastered themselves against the walls, emitting low gasps.
"And the duchess and eldest son will accompany us to the palace. There are matters to investigate."
Duchess and eldest son. Melania instantly grasped why these two were singled out. They held inheritance priority. If something happened to Father, authority would pass to Mother, then to the eldest brother. The asset freeze wasn't just for investigation.
"I will come too."
"Melania, then I will as well."
"Little brother, you must stay here and guard the mansion."
Melania soothed her younger brother with a whisper. Their forcing entry into the Haiman mansion meant other noble houses were suffering the same. They needed someone outside the palace to rally forces.
"Depart in five minutes."
"This way! This is the study!"
"The door is locked."
"Bring an axe!"
"Hurry! Smash it to pieces!"
Boom! Bang! Bang!
Crack-!
Jeyrat showed no mercy. No need for lengthy preparations. While they sealed the training grounds, others would transport the Haiman family to the palace by carriage.
Melania nodded and dashed up to her room.
Clop clop!
"Miss! What do we do?"
"Shh. Keep the others in line. If anyone tries to sneak out with mansion items, report it immediately and stop them. If we scatter, we're all dead."
Melania instructed her attendant like this, then pulled out a small jewelry box from the bottom drawer. Faint dust and fingerprints lingered on the fine cloth lining. Traces from when she'd opened it after returning from Gail's chambers.
Click.
Inside lay a half-shattered amber gemstone, a pressed red flower bookmark, and a few crumbling scraps of notes. Melania bit her lip hard and clutched them preciously to her chest.
"Let's go."
"Miss!"
"It's fine. Don't cry."
If Father was in crisis, it had to be due to Ian and his side. Melania prayed she could stop Ian.
'No matter how I think about it, too many things don't add up.'
That moonlit night, she'd tested Ian in front of Gail's chambers, but he hadn't flinched. His actions afterward made it seem genuine.
But now, she had no choice but to bet on even the slimmest possibility.
"What is that?"
"Just trifles. Shall I show you?"
"The box looks expensive."
"Nothing in Haiman is cheap. If you want, I can just wrap it in cloth. It's just a bookmark and notes from a friend."
Her mother was already loaded into a carriage, with her eldest brother waiting. An imperial official briefly inspected but, deeming it harmless, opened the carriage door.
Neigh!
Clop clop!
"We'll head to the palace first."
"Yes. We'll join shortly."
The enforcer seated beside the coachman saluted Jeyrat. Melania gazed back at the receding mansion, biting her lip in despair.
"Ahh, what in the world is..."
"Mother. It's alright. Calm down."
Her eldest brother soothed her, stroking her shoulder.
The carriage soon left Haiman private lands, merging onto the capital's main road. As it pushed through crowds toward the palace, similar carriages grew common.
But then.
"Ah."
Melania spotted bloodstains dotting the carriages and turned to the window. They were all returning from executing orders at central noble mansions.
One rider sat half-dazed, covered in blood. Jeyrat's question—"Do I look like I'm joking?"—echoed in her ears.
"What on earth..."
Familiar faces visible outside the carriage. The heirs of the capital's seven great noble houses were all converging on the palace.