Chapter 79
Chapter 79
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 79
Chapter Title: Proposal
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“You must have come all this way alone for more than just an ordinary reason.”
Arthur entered the study with Ingenium.
Ingenium snickered as he sat down in a chair.
Arthur calmly took a seat across the table from him.
Ingenium looked at him and spoke.
“You don’t seem afraid of me.”
“There’s no reason to be. You wouldn’t have come here on the emperor’s orders, and for the heir to secretly visit someone branded a ‘follower of the devil,’ that’s suspicious no matter who looks at it.”
Ingenium flushed as he replied.
“Not a bad guess.”
“Is it because you’re young? You still can’t control your expressions.”
“Mm...”
Ingenium let out a groan, his displeasure evident. Yet Arthur didn’t blink as he continued.
“Stop wasting time and say what you came to say. I don’t have the luxury to chat here.”
“You’re awfully arrogant. No one’s ever spoken to me like you have.”
“You still haven’t grasped the situation. You’re not meeting a subordinate right now—you’re facing the leader of your enemy. Be grateful I haven’t killed you yet. Got it, kid?”
“What did you say?”
Ingenium scowled.
Arthur snickered, leaning back in his chair and crossing his legs.
“I’ll give you one minute. Sort out your thoughts.”
“You bastard, right to the end!”
Ingenium shouted angrily and shot to his feet.
“Ram!”
At his call, Ram appeared to Arthur’s left, thrusting a dagger forward.
Just before the dagger reached Arthur’s throat!
Ram grimaced and froze. Then he slowly lowered his head.
An unseen weapon was pressing into his side.
It was the barrel of the K1 Rifle.
‘H-how...’
Panic was clear on Ram’s face.
Arthur looked at Ingenium and said calmly.
“Tell him to back off.”
Ingenium narrowed his eyes and asked.
“How long have you known?”
“From the start.”
“Damn it.”
“You thought I’d believe a ten-year-old came all that way alone?”
“...”
“They say you’re clever, but the rumors are exaggerated.”
“Ugh.”
“Relax your face and sit down.”
“I won’t forget today.”
Ingenium grumbled as he slumped back into the chair.
“Now let me go.”
Arthur didn’t even glance at Ram as he said.
“Get lost.”
“Mm.”
Ram glared at Arthur before walking toward Ingenium.
Ingenium stared at Arthur and told him.
“Keep everyone out.”
“Yes.”
Ram vanished, and the door opened then closed.
“I’m curious what serious problem brought you here to see me.”
Ingenium’s face grew serious as he spoke gravely.
“There’s something I want you to do.”
“Something you want me to do... Let’s hear the details first.”
“No, it’s something you have to do.”
“And if I refuse?”
“If you plan to screw me over to the end...”
As Ingenium gritted his teeth and clenched his fists, Arthur crossed his arms and said.
“Ask politely. My mind might change.”
“Politely?”
“Yeah, if you’re as smart as they say, you’ll know how.”
“Mm...”
“But I won’t force you. I don’t want that either. So, what’ll it be?”
“...Fine.”
Ingenium replied in a subdued voice, staring at the table.
“I have a... request.”
“Again.”
“Really...”
Ingenium scowled at him.
“I have a request.”
“You don’t make requests with a scowl in the palace?”
“I’ll never forget your arrogance.”
Ingenium took a deep breath, smoothed his expression, and spoke politely again.
“I have a request, so I came... sir.”
“That’s better.”
Arthur looked satisfied and continued.
“What’s the request?”
Ingenium stared at him silently.
For a moment.
Then he spoke gravely.
“My father’s acting strange.”
“...!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed.
“From some point on, he’s been acting like a different person.”
“For example?”
“Everything’s changed, but the strangest thing is, when we’re alone, he used to always call me by the nickname he gave me instead of my name. But lately, he calls me by name.”
“That doesn’t seem too suspicious.”
“You’d think so. That’s why I called my old dog the way I used to in front of him, using my nickname. His reaction confirmed it.”
“Confirmed what?”
“That he’s being controlled.”
“Controlled? Who the hell is controlling the emperor...!”
Suddenly, one name came to Arthur’s mind.
Altros!
He’d suspected that just as it had entered Arthur Julius, it might have possessed the emperor or that guy.
If the Demon King had entered Altros’s body...
But it was possible it had entered the emperor and was acting that way.
For now, it was hard to judge hastily based only on Ingenium’s words.
“Mm...”
Seeing Arthur’s darkening expression, Ingenium said.
“That’s why I came to you. If you grant my request, I’ll repay the favor.”
“What’s the request?”
Ingenium met Arthur’s eyes and spoke gravely.
“Kill him.”
“That’s no easy request.”
“I’ll handle the time and place.”
“You? How?”
Arthur tilted his head.
“I have a plan. If it goes as expected, we can take him out.”
“You’re underestimating him.”
Arthur scoffed and continued.
“You think I can take on a guy called a grand archmage?”
Ingenium shook his head with cold eyes.
“No. No matter how strong he is, he can’t face a large force alone.”
“A large force? If you’re counting on the troops here, think again.”
“You’re not the only one helping me.”
“...!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed.
The more people who knew this, the worse it was for the imperial family’s authority—not to mention the emperor or him.
No matter how young, he was sharp enough to be named heir at seven.
He must have considered that.
His cold, deep eyes suggested hidden motives.
Arthur felt he couldn’t let his guard down, or he’d regret it.
He needed to find out who he was allied with.
“Who besides me?”
“I can’t say. From now on, just prepare as I tell you.”
“I thought I heard a request, not an order.”
“Ugh.”
Ingenium scowled.
Honestly, he hadn’t expected this when coming here.
Informants said the youngest son of Count Malcolm was practically leading the Julius Family, so he thought he could persuade him easily.
But meeting him, he was as tricky as dealing with the cunning Duke Sihazna, and he’d been turned inside out.
He wanted to storm out, but he needed the Julius Family for his plan.
Suppressing his boiling anger, he forced an awkward smile.
“No way. My stiff tone must’ve made it sound that way.”
“Hah.”
Arthur smirked and continued.
“So, who’s your ally?”
“I’ll tell you when the time comes.”
“Must be someone important.”
Arthur pondered for a moment.
His most immediate threat was the emperor.
Settling things with the emperor before the war with the Demon King would benefit him, so he decided to take the offered hand.
“Alright, I’m in.”
“Good choice.”
A smile crossed Ingenium’s face.
Arthur smiled faintly too and asked.
“When does this plan of yours start?”
“If no variables, three months from now.”
“What?”
Arthur’s face hardened.
Ingenium nodded, as if knowing why.
“The emperor won’t attack the Julius Family until then, so don’t worry.”
“How?”
“By now, a strategy meeting’s underway in the palace. My ally agreed to buy time.”
“That long?”
“Valtre Marquis can manage it.”
“What!”
He never imagined that name from his mouth.
Ingenium grinned at Arthur’s wide eyes.
“The enemy of my enemy is my friend, right?”
“You don’t say...”
“After you crushed Yarve Count, I suspected, but he must’ve spilled about Valtre Marquis. Lighter tongue than I thought.”
“You’re sharp when it suits you. Your ally’s at least a marquis.”
“Seems just as clever as me.”
Ingenium smirked and continued.
“I know Valtre Marquis is plotting a coup, so I’ll use him.”
“As long as you live, he can’t become emperor. I wonder at his motive for helping you. I’d eliminate both.”
“If you’re worried about me, don’t be. He doesn’t want the Oscar Empire’s throne.”
“Then what does he want?”
“Land.”
“...!”
“He wants his own country. So, after the war, in exchange for allying with me, I promised him half the empire.”
“I see.”
Arthur nodded, lost in thought.
Ingenium expected Arthur to demand something in return and waited silently.
After a few seconds.
Arthur spoke gravely.
“You said you’d repay the favor if I grant your request?”
“Of course. Tell me what you want. I’ll accommodate as much as possible.”
“My request is simple. When I call, send troops anytime.”
“What does that mean...?”
The unexpected reply hardened Ingenium’s face.
He’d expected gold or a title promotion.
Or land, like Valtre Marquis—he’d give some.
Unlike his father, he cared about the empire’s growth and had no territorial greed.
Troops?
It meant the Julius Family was preparing for war too.
Against Valtre Marquis?
Or like his father, targeting the Nanshar Empire?
Even with palace support, conquering Nanshar was impossible.
He couldn’t fathom his thinking.
Ingenium asked seriously.
“Why do you need troops?”
“I have enemies to fight.”
“Not Valtre Marquis, I hope?”
“After Yarve Count, if he stays out, I won’t fight him.”
“Then who’s the enemy?”
“Like you told me, you’ll know when the time comes. Just promise.”
“Mm.”
He’d hidden his ally, and Arthur answered the same.
Since he hadn’t answered Arthur’s questions, he had to wait.
“No choice then.”
“So, what’s your answer?”
“I’ll send troops. But if it’s for something unjust, I’ll refuse. Maybe even stop you.”
“That won’t happen, so relax.”
Arthur stood, offering his hand.
“Let’s get along.”
“Sure.”
Ingenium stood and shook it.
As the two left the study.
A knight came rushing from the end of the hall.
He managed reports from informants deployed across regions.
‘What’s going on?’
Arthur’s face slightly hardened.
Moments later.
The knight stood before them, panting.
He glanced at Ingenium beside Arthur, then cautiously spoke.
“News from Nibon Territory.”
“Speak.”
“The one next to...”
The knight hesitated, glancing at Ingenium.
“It’s fine.”
“Understood.”
The knight bowed politely and continued.
“Yarve Count’s castle burned down to ashes.”
“...!”
Arthur’s eyes flashed.
Ingenium looked surprised at the knight too.
“Attacked?”
The knight replied to Arthur’s question.
“Reports say no external attack. It started internally.”
“Internally...”
As Arthur narrowed his eyes in thought, Jackal came to mind.
‘Could it be him?’
He’d left for Nibon Territory to save Yarve Count based on his beliefs.
‘What the hell happened...’
Arthur’s mind grew endlessly complicated.
***
At that time.
Around dusk, Jackal entered the beggar village entrance from the castle.
His body was covered in blood, and blood dripped from the dagger in his hand.
One beggar widened his eyes and shouted.
“Who are you!”
Jackal advanced on him, radiating intense killing intent.
“I’ve come to collect your debt.”