Chapter 255: I’m Going Independent (1)
Chapter 255: I’m Going Independent (1)
White Town, the capital of the Atronia Kingdom.
Inside the royal hall, the King sat before his assembled subjects, a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
“Hahaha. Truly magnificent. To force a surrender from the Harbor Kingdom and seize their eastern coastal territories as war reparations… He is indeed ‘my son-in-law.’”
“……”
“……”
Pride was written blatantly across the King’s face.
In stark contrast, cold sweat trickled down the faces of the silent ministers.
The King looked at them with a look of deep amusement and spoke.
“Why so quiet? The war with the Harbor Kingdom—the hottest topic in this hall recently—has ended in a resounding victory. Why is no one speaking?”
“C-Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
“It is truly a joyous occasion, Your Majesty.”
“We celebrate this great victory.”
The ministers squeezed out their words of praise. At that, King Fiesto’s expression turned overtly arrogant.
“Hahaha, your tune has certainly changed.”
The ministers hurriedly bowed their heads.
As they stared at the floor, too afraid to even meet the King’s eyes, the King stroked his chin and addressed the tops of their heads.
“Was it not just a short while ago that you all rebuked me for granting special privileges to the House of Schneider?”
“Rebuked you? Never!”
“Your Majesty, I would never do such a thing.”
“That’s right. That was… that was what Viscount Belto said.”
“When did I ever say that?!”
“Didn’t you say it before? That His Majesty might have given too much power to a young man…”
“That… well, that was…”
Watching the ministers bicker amongst themselves, King Fiesto naturally covered his face with his hand to hide the corners of his mouth, which were twitching upward toward his ears.
You spiteful lot… Serves you right.
To understand the full context, one must look back.
Rewind to the moment Patrick entered the Harbor Kingdom with a thousand elite troops to begin the war.
Naturally, the Atronia Kingdom was thrown into an uproar.
*
Double Dragon.
This incarnation of destruction, who carried chaos and ruin in his wake, had caused a massive incident the moment he opened his eyes.
Without a word of warning, he had handpicked a thousand of his finest troops, marched into the Harbor Kingdom, and joined their civil war on the side of the dwarves.
To the Atronia Kingdom, it felt like being struck by three consecutive bolts of lightning from a clear blue sky.
“Your Majesty, you must recall Patrick Schneider to the capital immediately.”
“He is right. For a mere young master of a noble house—not even the head of the family—to interfere in a foreign war on his own whim? It is unheard of!”
“We must stop this war at once and clearly inform the Harbor Kingdom that Patrick Schneider’s rampage does not reflect the will of our kingdom.”
The Harbor Kingdom was a powerful nation.
At the very least, they were far more powerful than the Atronia Kingdom.
Going to war with such a power was the surest path to ruin.
Thus, they had to stop it somehow.
And if it was too late to stop it, they had to at least distance the kingdom from the incident to survive the fallout.
Even if it meant abandoning Patrick Schneider, a talent who carried the kingdom’s bright future on his shoulders.
That was the consensus among the high-ranking nobles of White Town.
With ninety percent of his ministers demanding he stop the war and discard Patrick, King Fiesto found himself in deep thought.
Rationally, he was inclined to agree with them. However…
[This is the last time.]
[If Your Majesty betrays our family’s trust again and demands one-sided sacrifice and patience, an independent nation might just spring up within the Atronia Kingdom.]
He had only recently managed to mend his relationship with Patrick.
And he had received a very pointed warning in the process.
If he turned his back on Patrick again now…
It will be irreversible.
As a King, he was torn.
As he hesitated over what choice to make for the sake of his country, a visitor arrived.
“Your Majesty, Chancellor Cardios has requested an audience.”
“What? Duke Cardios?”
Strictly speaking, he was the former Duke, but that wasn't the point.
Though he had passed his title to his son and retired from politics, his opinion as a former Prime Minister of the Atronia Kingdom was worth hearing.
“Let him in.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
A moment later, an elderly gentleman with white hair and a thick beard entered the King’s office, leaning on a cane.
But he was not alone.
Two middle-aged men followed behind him, both of whom the King knew well.
“Count Justin Late, Head Professor of the Academy’s Knight Department, greets the rightful and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom.”
“Aaron, Leader of the Elvador Merchant Group, greets the rightful and sole ruler of the Atronia Kingdom.”
Both were figures King Fiesto knew intimately.
Professor Late was a 7-Star Knight whom the kingdom kept under special management, and Aaron, though a commoner, was a merchant prince who dominated the eastern regions of the continent.
Furthermore, Aaron’s status had soared even higher as he held a near-monopoly on the distribution of grain from the Schneider territory.
Chancellor Cardios, appearing with these two giants, gave a hollow laugh and spoke.
“It has been a long time, Your Majesty. It may be presumptuous for an old man retired from politics to discuss state affairs, but I have come in the hope of offering some small assistance.”
“Who would dare say such a thing to Chancellor Cardios? I would have to punish them severely.”
At the King’s words, Cardios smiled warmly.
“Then I shall speak boldly. I have come to discuss young Patrick Schneider, who has been causing quite a stir in domestic politics lately.”
The King nodded readily, as if he had expected this.
“Speak.”
Chancellor Cardios’s eyes gleamed.
“You must not withdraw from the war with the Harbor Kingdom.”
“…Are you saying I should risk war to save my son-in-law? I didn't realize you held him in such high regard.”
“As for Patrick’s value… Ahem, I shall hold my tongue on that.”
Even for Chancellor Cardios, it was delicate to evaluate the person who had forced him to live on stomach medicine during his time as the Academy’s Chancellor. However…
“Regardless of that, we must not miss this opportunity.”
“Opportunity?”
“Indeed. Currently, the Harbor Kingdom has exhausted its national strength through the civil war with the dwarves. Furthermore, they are suffering from the poor harvest that has struck the entire continent.”
“Mmm…”
“In comparison, our Atronia Kingdom has avoided both war and the great famine, steadily building our strength. Our national power is at a peak rarely seen in our history, while the Harbor Kingdom is at its weakest.”
“……”
The King closed his eyes, mulling over Cardios’s words. After a moment of silence, he spoke.
“I understand your point. However, the majority of my ministers oppose the war and are telling me to abandon my son-in-law.”
The King let out a deep sigh, looking troubled.
“With the majority against it, how am I supposed to persuade them?”
At that, Professor Late, who had been standing beside Cardios, spoke up.
“Your Majesty, I know nothing of international affairs or politics.”
“Mmm…”
That was a well-known fact.
The reason Justin Late remained a professor at the Academy despite reaching the 7-Star Realm was partly his own wish, but also because he was notoriously ill-suited for the political arena.
Professor Late continued.
“However, I pride myself on knowing Patrick Schneider better than anyone else here.”
“And? What are you trying to say?”
“The brat will win.”
“…Win? Who? Are you saying my son-in-law will defeat the Harbor Kingdom?”
“Yes. He will.”
“Now see here, Count Late. My son-in-law entered the Harbor Kingdom with only a thousand troops. Even if he joined forces with the dwarves, he is still at a strategic disadvantage. And yet you guarantee his victory?”
“Yes. I do.”
There wasn't a hint of hesitation in Professor Late’s voice.
Faced with such absolute certainty, the King had to ask.
“What is the basis for such confidence?”
“There is no clear evidence. I simply know that Patrick does not lose. From his victory at Arcana to the battles during his knight training, and even the pioneering of the Great Forest…”
“Mmm…”
Citing his past achievements made the argument quite persuasive. Professor Late added a final note of conviction.
“He is a brat who somehow, stubbornly, manages to achieve things that are absolutely impossible for an ordinary person. That is Patrick Schneider.”
Aaron, who had been listening, chimed in as well.
“Your Majesty, as Professor Late said, Patrick will win. And the future of this kingdom will depend on the choice you make when he does.”
“Leader Aaron. Are you willing to bet the future of the Elvador Merchant Group on Patrick’s victory?”
“No.”
The King’s expression soured at Aaron’s denial. But then…
“I am willing to bet everything I own, far beyond just the merchant group, on his victory.”
“…You trust him that much?”
“I do.”
“……”
The King fell silent.
He trusts him to this extent? Enough for that iron-blooded merchant to bet his everything?
Aaron, Leader of the Elvador Merchant Group.
King Fiesto knew better than anyone how ruthlessly thorough and cold-blooded this man was.
Even when the King himself issued a direct order, Aaron would not comply if it meant taking a loss.
And if the King tried to suppress him by force, the international backlash for oppressing a merchant who controlled the entire East would be immense.
He was one of the few people in this country the King could not easily push around.
And that man was now staking everything to guarantee Patrick’s success.
I knew they were close, but I didn't realize it was to this degree.
It was enough to inspire both admiration and a touch of jealousy.
Chancellor Cardios spoke to the impressed King with finality.
“Your Majesty, the power and order of the international community are not fixed forever. New foundations are laid whenever the era is shaken.”
“……”
“That opportunity has arrived during your reign. The chance for our Atronia Kingdom to surpass the Harbor Kingdom—one of the three central powers—and shed our status as a weak nation has come.”
As he persuaded the King, Chancellor Cardios radiated an intense spirit that belied his age of over ninety years.
The final passion of the veteran politician drove the final nail into the King’s wavering heart.
“Very well. I, too, shall place my bet on my son-in-law.”
Once the King made his decision, the three men bowed deeply in gratitude.
“A wise decision, Your Majesty!”
“A wise decision, Your Majesty!”
The very next day.
Appearing before the assembled ministers in the royal hall, the King declared his full support for Patrick.
“In the worst-case scenario, we will not shy away from war with the Harbor Kingdom. You are all to ensure that the administration of the state is flawless in preparation for this.”
At the King’s declaration, the ministers rose up in a frenzy.
“Your Majesty, you must not!”
“Please, reconsider!”
“Think of the kingdom’s future!”
With the majority of ministers opposed, it is never easy for a King to force his will.
Regardless of whether it’s possible, the risk of failure is far too high. However…
“In the name of Piesto Cloria Atronia, the monarch of the Atronia Kingdom, I command you. I will allow no further dissent. We will provide our full support for Patrick Schneider’s actions!”
The King took a bold step forward.
At that moment, he had crossed a political point of no return.
*
What followed were days of agonizing political conflict.
The ministers persistently tried to persuade the King, and some even crossed the line, attempting to shift the blame for the entire situation onto the royal family.
King Fiesto endured their criticism and attacks.
And now…
King Fiesto had won his gamble.
The moment Patrick received the declaration of surrender from the King of the Harbor Kingdom, the nobles who had criticized his foolishness and recklessness were struck dumb. He had become the wise King who successfully predicted the future.
Arrogant fools. What was that? Hold the royal family responsible for the defeat?
King Fiesto looked down at the ministers, who couldn't even meet his eyes, with a faint smile.
Through this gamble, he had gained a firm upper hand over them.
And he had no intention of stopping there.
He planned to use this opportunity to establish absolute royal authority. To that end…
“Duke Cardios.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The man who answered was a middle-aged man in his late forties with light gray hair.
As the current sole Duke and Prime Minister of the Atronia Kingdom, he had stood by the King during this war.
The King gave him a warm smile.
“My son-in-law will be returning home soon. How should we reward such a monumental achievement?”
“Hahaha, I am not quite sure. Not since the founding of our nation has a single individual achieved such massive feats in such rapid succession.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. If you think about it, Young Master Schneider has left a trail of dazzling achievements, starting with his victory at Arcana.”
“Haha. True.”
“During his knight training, he traveled the continent, punishing evil and practicing justice, raising the prestige of our kingdom’s chivalry.”
“Mmm, a truly great achievement.”
“Furthermore, he succeeded in pioneering that barren Great Forest, producing vast amounts of food and strengthening the nation’s foundation.”
“Yes. That was also my son-in-law’s doing.”
“And now, he has conquered the treacherous Harbor Kingdom, elevating Your Majesty’s honor and dignity. He is truly the most loyal of subjects, the knight among knights.”
The knights of the Schneider territory would surely disagree. However…
“Hahaha. Indeed. Quite right.”
The King chuckled and agreed with Duke Cardios. Then…
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. To think there were mindless fools who suggested we abandon such a talent…”
At the King’s words, a significant number of ministers in the hall hung their heads low.
At this moment, they knew that responding to the King—or even just making eye contact—could lead to them being singled out for any number of faults.
To the ministers who were keeping their heads down as if they were dead, the King said:
“I’ll have to think more about what kind of reward to give him… but first, shouldn't we hold a victory ceremony?”
“You are wise, Your Majesty. It is only natural to hold a victory ceremony for a commander returning from such a great campaign.”
“Right. Then, Duke Cardios, you take responsibility for preparing the ceremony.”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Understood. Then, what should be the scale of the ceremony?”
“It must be the best.”
“In that case, the budget might be a bit tight.”
“Hahaha. Is that so? The budget is tight? Well, that’s a problem.”
After saying that, the King turned to the ministers, who were drooping like withered leeks.
“What do you all think? It seems the bud-get might be a bit tight.”
Anyone who couldn't understand what this meant had no business being in central politics.
“Your Majesty, we, your subjects, will contribute to raise the funds.”
“How could we hold a meager victory ceremony for the kingdom’s greatest hero?”
“My family will also provide financial support.”
The ministers competed to offer their money.
It was a form of atonement.
Here is the money. Please forgive us.
That was the meaning behind the funds.
Looking at them, the King smiled contentedly.
“With so many loyal subjects, I am truly a happy King.”
“Ha… haha…”
“It is an honor, Your Majesty.”
Leaving the awkward-faced ministers behind, the King spoke to Duke Cardios.
“Since the ministers are being so cooperative, do not worry about the budget. Prepare a victory ceremony so grand and magnificent that it will be recorded in history forever.”
[Bleed them dry.]
“I, Giorgio Dion Cardios, shall do my utmost to fulfill the command of Your Majesty, the sole and rightful ruler of the kingdom.”
[I’ll clean them out completely.]
The signals between the King and his subject were in perfect sync.
And the nobles who understood this turned pale.