Puck! The Command
Puck! Loki had just slapped Hallum Marquis across the face. Whether he hadn't controlled his strength or not, the marquis's nasal bone shattered, and his teeth flew out.
"Urgh... ahhh! It hurts! It hurts!"
Loki rose from the sofa. He grabbed the marquis, who was rolling on the floor, by the throat and forcibly yanked him to his feet.
Only then did the memory of the skewers in the banquet hall flash through Hallum Marquis's mind.
"St-stop! Don't kill me! Please... spare my life at least...!"
Hallum Marquis covered his face, regretting his actions. Loki gazed at his bloodied visage and spoke in a calm tone.
"You mentioned negotiations earlier? In the old days, I might have taken it as a joke, but right now, I'm in quite a hurry."
Loki brought his face close to the marquis's.
"I'm not here to negotiate with you. I'm here to issue you a 'command.'"
As Loki released his grip on Hallum Marquis's throat, the fat man's bulk toppled backward onto his rear. The marquis crawled across the floor, desperately trying to put as much distance as possible between himself and Loki in his pathetic state. He pounded on the only exit with his thick hands and shouted.
"Isn't anyone there?! Save me! There's a barbarian in here trying to...!"
The two Berserk Warriors standing guard outside the door exchanged glances at Hallum Marquis's cries. They shrugged and looked toward Kudan, who was waiting by the door.
"What should we do?"
"Ignore him."
With no response, Hallum Marquis paled and turned to see Loki approaching, his back to the door.
"H-hey! Wait a minute! Hold on...!"
Hallum Marquis frantically pointed at Loki, trying to stop him.
"D-do you know what happens if you lay a hand on me right now? There are over ten thousand troops in my territory! If you touch me, they'll come straight for you...! S-so just let me go, and we'll let it slide quietly...."
Loki seized Hallum Marquis's pointing finger. The sound of breaking bone echoed through the room.
"Argh!"
Hallum Marquis clutched his mangled finger.
"It seems you still don't grasp your situation. Allow me to teach you clearly right now."
"W-wait... ah, I understand! Yes! I'll do anything...! So please, stop now...!"
Pain-wracked, Hallum Marquis submitted. But inside, his mind seethed with thoughts of tearing Loki apart.
'The moment I get out of here, I'll rip you to shreds! I'll mobilize every soldier in this territory to...!'
Loki crouched down to meet the groaning marquis's eye level. As he gently stroked the man's head, Hallum Marquis flinched and bowed his head, terrified of more pain.
"I know exactly what you're thinking."
Gazing at the terrified marquis, Loki continued.
"Hallum Marquis."
"Y-yes...?"
"When you speak, look me in the eye."
Hallum Marquis slowly raised his head to meet Loki's gaze.
"I will issue you a command."
"A... command, you say...?"
Loki's lips curled into a smile as he leaned in to whisper directly into the marquis's ear, ensuring he heard every word. Hallum Marquis's eyes widened in shock.
The Nords of the North are barbarians. Colluding with them is a disgrace to Ronia and a foolish act contrary to the doctrines of the great Holy Church.
Thus, we seven nobles hereby declare our intent to subjugate these wicked Nords and their leader—
Ash Ronia.
The sky was being devoured by darkness. Even the moonlight vanished behind thick clouds, plunging everything into deep night. Amid the faint candlelight, someone spoke.
"Lord Marquis Hallum?"
At those words, the dazed Hallum Marquis snapped back to reality. He looked ahead. A long table flanked by gathered nobles—all of them the ones who had voiced complaints against him.
"Why have you summoned us?"
"Hm? Ah, my apologies... I was lost in thought for a moment."
The drizzle intensified into a downpour. Amid the rain lashing the windows, Hallum Marquis smiled softly at the assembled nobles.
"Everyone's here."
The man who had been groaning over the banquet hall incident just days ago was gone. Instead, he exuded confidence, as if things had gone perfectly.
The nobles exchanged bewildered glances.
'Why did he call us here?'
'Who knows? From his expression, it looks like things worked out.'
'Did he ally with those Nords?'
'But we still need to hold him accountable for the raid incident.'
'He's probably trying to win us over.'
To evade responsibility for the raid by recruiting them? If so, it wasn't bad for the nobles. Gaining authority or territory would be more than satisfactory.
"Here...."
Hallum Marquis drew a black line across a large parchment with a quill pen. He handed it to a nearby noble.
"Write your names below the line."
"...Our names?"
"I have a gift for you all."
The nobles' faces brightened. He was clearly giving them something. Even if the sincerity was lacking, it didn't matter—they'd make enemies of everyone present otherwise. Greed took hold as they began signing by candlelight.
The parchment made a full circle and returned to Hallum Marquis. He verified all the names and began writing above the line.
A nearby noble peeked at the text.
The Nords of the North are barbarians. Colluding with them is a disgrace to Ronia and a foolish act contrary to the doctrines of the great Holy Church.
Thus, we seven nobles hereby declare our intent to subjugate these wicked Nords and their leader—
Ash Ronia.
Huh? The peeking noble blinked. Weren't they supposed to cooperate with the Nords? And why put that in a 'contract'—?
In the end, negotiations with the Nords had fallen through. No helping it, then....
[We hereby declare our intent to subjugate Prince Ash.]
"......?"
The noble doubted his own eyes. Sweat beaded on his forehead. This wasn't a mere contract. It was a 'declaration of rebellion.'
He raised his gaze tensely, meeting Hallum Marquis's eyes.
"L-Lord Hallum? What is the meaning of this...?"
Hallum Marquis smiled and unfurled the paper, showing it to all the nobles present. Above the black line: impeachment of Prince Ash. Below: the names of those plotting treason....
"What have you done?!"
"Marquis! Why would you...!"
"You're mad! To do something like this—!"
The nobles shot to their feet.
"Hahahahaha—!!!"
Hallum Marquis burst into laughter. He spread his arms elegantly.
"I am the one who will be king!"
"......!"
With those words, the conference room doors flew open. Soldiers poured in. The nobles backed away at the sight.
Hallum Marquis's eyes gleamed.
"'That one' stands behind me."
"What nonsense is this—!"
"You will serve as sacrifices for my future!"
Hallum Marquis's ecstatic expression turned cold.
"They are traitors. Kill them all."
The soldiers advanced on the nobles. Hallum Marquis quietly closed the door and exited. Screams echoed through the midnight hour.
Gazing fondly at the document in his hand, Hallum Marquis set off. Only one thing remained.
***
"We pay our respects to Your Highness."
Rapilta, Alber, and Pol knelt before Ash Ronia on the throne, bowing their heads in genuine loyalty. Unlike the nobles and knights who had feigned allegiance, these three were true.
Tears welled in Ash's eyes at their devotion.
"Forgive us. We couldn't obtain any information on the legendary potion."
Pol clamped his mouth shut at Rapilta's words. He knew about the potion but was waiting for the right moment to speak.
"I see. You've worked hard."
Since he hadn't expected success anyway, Ash felt no regret.
Alber glanced at Ash cautiously before speaking.
"However, the atmosphere in the territory feels off. Has something happened?"
"There have been several incidents. Listen to my story and give your opinions—"
"W-wait! Lord Marquis! His Highness said no one is to be admitted...!"
At that moment, the doors burst open, and someone entered. It was Hallum Marquis, clad in full plate armor with a sword at his waist. The knights guarding Ash drew their blades to block him.
Ash stared in shock, his face draining of color. Why was the marquis armed like this?
"Hallum Marquis. Wh-what is the meaning of this? That attire...? Did negotiations with them fall through?"
Gasping for breath, Hallum Marquis replied to Ash's question.
"No! They offered to support us instead!"
Ash's expression brightened dramatically, mingled with confusion. Then why was Hallum here in armor?
Hallum urgently pulled a document from his bosom and shouted.
"Rebellion!"
Rebellion!? Ash leapt from the throne. Hallum thrust the document forward. Ash's face flushed red as he read it. It bore the signatures of seven nobles impeaching him.
Of all the timing...!?
"The reason for the rebellion..."
Hallum caught his breath.
"Distrust toward the mysterious group Your Highness brought, and backlash from the Holy Church for accepting them!"
"B-but didn't they advocate accepting those Nords?"
"That was just for show! Do you still not see their true intentions?"
"......!"
"They're using Your Highness as a hostage to beg for their lives in western Ronia!"
Hallum knelt before Ash and bowed low.
"Prince Ash! I vow to crush the rebels with this life! Delegate command of the troops to me!"
As prince, Ash held authority over Roden Territory's full army. If he approved, command would transfer to Hallum.
"B-but..."
Ash glanced at Alber. Given the circumstances, he couldn't outright refuse the influential marquis.
Sensing Ash's gaze, Alber stepped forward.
"Please wait, Your Highness. We cannot delegate command lightly. We must verify the truth of this matter."
Hallum's face twisted. As he rose hastily to approach Ash, the knights blocked him.
"Your Highness! The situation is dire! I cannot stop their rebellion alone! If they move first, it will be too late!"
"Hallum Marquis, can you guarantee this is true? The document could be forged—"
As Alber pressed Hallum, a knight rushed in shouting.
"Your Highness, disaster!"
All eyes turned to the knight, who cried out in horror.
"The castle is on fire! Some soldiers are chanting for your downfall and plundering the territory indiscriminately!"
"...No!"
Ash hesitated no longer. With even nobles turning, hope was lost. He stamped the command delegation and approached Hallum personally.
"Very well. Hallum Marquis, I delegate partial command to you."
Not full command, but partial. Still... it was enough.
Hallum took the document.
"I accept your command! In Your Highness's name..."
Light gleamed in his eyes as a viscous smile spread.
"This rebellion will end."
***
Under Ash Ronia's name, over 3,000 troops assembled before the castle. Precisely because of the document in Hallum Marquis's hand. Hallum loyalists had also mustered their private forces.
Rain streamed through the soldiers' helmets. They looked up at Hallum on the platform, awaiting orders.
As Hallum addressed the three thousand-plus troops, the soldiers doubted their ears.
"From this moment—"
Rebellion. Led by none other than—
"We march on the castle!"
Hallum Marquis himself.