Chapter 120: The Rebellion Begins to Move

Two days had passed.

Duke Alito Kright, the Chancellor, was meeting with Count Warren, who had been in charge of evaluating the princes.

“I thought we’d have ample time to prepare… and yet, only three days.”

“…I have no excuse.”

“How do you think the results will turn out?”

The place where the two met was extremely secretive.

There was no one around.

Then Count Warren, who had been keeping his lips tightly sealed, finally spoke.

“To be honest… the system they’ve established, combined with the profits from Kanas Territory, was something I’ve never seen before anywhere else.”

“In what sense, do you mean, for us?”

Count Warren was already one of the people Alito Kright had drawn to his side.

Naturally, he knew exactly what that question implied.

“It isn’t good for us. It’s on a completely different level from the territories the other two princes governed.”

“That much, you say?”

“If possible, I’d like to see it with my own eyes — to witness what Kanas Territory looks like…”

“Hmm…”

“M-my apologies.”

“It seems the situation isn’t in our favor. Can’t this be fabricated somehow?”

“…It’s far too clear to falsify.”

Even as he explained, Count Warren’s resolve wavered.

If he weren’t standing before Duke Alito himself, he might have already been swayed.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Alito opened his mouth again.

“You may leave now.”

“…Excuse me.”

Count Warren exited the room.

At the same time, another door opened from the shadows — the Commander of the Black Lion Order, Aspar Daker, stepped out.

“It’s become unavoidable.”

“We’ll have to see blood, then.”

“But what justification do you plan to use? Prince Raion is the heir the King himself has firmly supported. With the current results, I doubt the nobles will move as you wish.”

Many nobles and ministers had joined hands with Duke Alito purely for profit.

Of course, peace within the Canel Kingdom was part of that reasoning.

However, if Kanas Territory proved Prince Raion Canel’s legitimacy as successor, that trust could easily be shaken.

“Then we must act before that happens.”

“Count Warren only managed to secure one more day.”

“How far along are the preparations?”

“We only need the forces from Kright and Vaizen to arrive.”

“When will that be?”

“By sunset today, everything should be in place.”

“Good.”

“However, since the troops were summoned hastily, they’ll still need to be organized.”

Originally, Duke Alito and Queen Elina had intended to act with only the knight and mage orders they already controlled.

But Raion’s unexpected preparations had disrupted their plans.

Some nobles and ministers might have a change of heart.

So, to minimize risk, they decided to mobilize their full forces.

“We can’t afford to delay any longer. This ends now.”

“I’ll ensure there are no issues.”

“If blood must be spilled, let it be theirs, not ours.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Royal Knight Commander Trine Diego rushed into the King’s office.

“Your Majesty! A message has arrived — forces from Vaizen and Kright are on the move!”

“Is that true?!”

“It’s fresh news, just received!”

“So they’ve truly chosen to draw blood.”

“Your Majesty, you must make a decision now!”

Trine dropped to one knee as he shouted.

He had long known of Duke Alito’s atrocities — and had looked away.

Because of the immense power the Duke wielded.

“To think that the hand I once grasped for the kingdom’s peace would return to poison me.”

“At the time, there was no other choice, Your Majesty. But Duke Alito has crossed the line.”

The territories that had fallen into the Duke’s hands were growing more desolate by the day.

There was no way King Laskan Canel was unaware of that.

If, under the current circumstances, the Duke’s grandsons — the First and Second Princes — gained the right of succession, the kingdom’s peace would deteriorate even further.

But there was no clear solution at the moment.

If civil war broke out, it would expose weakness to the neighboring kingdoms.

“Kright may be beyond our control, but is there any way to stop the Vaizen forces?”

“I plan to mobilize part of the Knight and Mage Orders.”

“And the Duke’s troops within the capital?”

“That’s…”

The King had already sent requests for reinforcements to other territories, but they would arrive too late compared to Alito’s forces.

They needed to act internally — at least to block the Vaizen troops.

“There is… another way.”

“What is it?”

“To strike directly at Duke Alito Kright himself.”

“I’ve considered that as well. But remember, Queen Elina stands by his side.”

“Hmm…”

A mere soldier’s strategy had its limits.

King Laskan rubbed his temples as he looked out the window.

“To think the kingdom’s peace would become so precarious.”

With one misguided choice, Duke Alito had planted the seed of greed in the kingdom.

That seed had now grown, threatening to swallow it whole.

Still, there was one faint source of comfort.

“I should have passed the throne to that child sooner… how regrettable.”

He murmured as he thought of Raion.

Trine Diego bowed his head, sharing the sentiment.

“The Chancellor’s obstruction was simply too fierce.”

“At this rate, even if I personally name an heir, the nobles and ministers will only oppose it. I wonder… will the day ever come when I can officially name my successor.”

“For now, I’ll issue orders to block Vaizen’s forces at the gates as much as possible.”

That was the only course left.

“The Chancellor will likely move personally.”

“Even so, we can’t just stand still.”

“Phew… if only everything could be solved by the sword.”

If it were a war against another nation, he would have cut them down without hesitation.

But the current situation was far too different.

Internal conflict only threw the kingdom into chaos.

Of course, at first, King Laskan Canel had intended to pass the right of succession to either the First Prince, Ashuran, or the Second Prince, Valet, because of Raion’s lack of discipline.

However, the atrocities the two princes had committed in their respective territories had caused deep resentment.

That was around the time Raion had entered Taron’s Palace.

Duke Alito Kright had skillfully deceived both King Laskan and the eyes of the royal capital.

And it had taken far too long for the truth of the hidden territory to be revealed.

“For now, since the situation is urgent, I’ll make preparations immediately.”

“I’m counting on you. And continue to monitor Duke Alito’s movements closely.”

“I will, Your Majesty.”

In the dim heaviness of his worries, King Laskan remained alone in his office, letting out a deep sigh.

Step! Step! Step!

Heavy footsteps stretched deep into the forest.

They belonged to the forces under Duke Alito Kright, who had departed from Vaizen Territory.

Their number was around 1,500.

Except for the minimum garrison left behind, he had brought all available troops.

“At this pace, we’ll reach the royal capital by dawn.”

The man muttering on horseback was Count Derek Jenkins of Vaizen Territory.

Count Derek Jenkins wore a satisfied smile.

He was moving his troops at the request of none other than Duke Alito Kright — the Chancellor and foremost statesman of the kingdom.

And, of course, he understood the purpose.

“Hehehe… to think I’d get to take part in such a grand undertaking.”

Count Derek Jenkins of Vaizen had long dreamed of a day like this.

But a provincial lord could rarely interfere in the affairs of the capital.

Managing one’s own territory was already a burden.

On top of that, paying regular taxes to the capital and discreetly offering tributes to ministers and nobles there required delicate handling.

Then, the opportunity had finally arrived.

“If this plan succeeds, my lord, the Chancellor will surely recognize your great contribution.”

Nicholas, the administrative officer of Vaizen Territory riding beside him, smirked obsequiously.

Such flattery made Derek Jenkins’ lips curl up to his ears.

“No matter how mighty the knights and soldiers of the capital may be, aren’t they still within the Chancellor’s grasp? I’m merely lending a hand.”

“How could you say that, my lord? Your role is most important. Occupying the city gates and securing the outer perimeter is no small feat. The Chancellor will undoubtedly reward you highly for it.”

“Hahaha! Is that so? Of course it is!”

The two got along perfectly.

Thus, the force of 1,500 men continued onward on horseback and foot, through hills and mountain paths.

To preserve their stamina, they took occasional breaks.

“How much farther?”

At Count Derek’s question, the administrative officer checked the map.

After estimating the distance and direction traveled, he quickly grasped their position.

“Once we cross that ridge, we’ll be able to see the capital.”

“And until sunrise?”

“Still quite some time left. As expected, we’ll arrive before dawn.”

“Good.”

Knights and soldiers removed their helmets to rest.

They had set out early that morning, and despite occasional breaks, their strength was nearly spent.

Just then, one of the soldiers noticed a bright light through the trees.

“What’s that? A torch?”

The small flame grew larger as it drew closer—

Fwoooosh—! Boom!

“It’s a magic attack!”

A knight shouted in realization.

But by then, the flames had already struck the ground, spreading across the nearby area and causing casualties.

Its power surpassed that of a 2nd Circle Fire Arrow or even a 3rd Circle Fire Lance.

There was only one spell capable of such power.

“That just now—wasn’t that the 4th Circle fire spell, Flare?!”

That meant a mage of at least the 4th Circle had attacked the soldiers.

Count Derek Jenkins and Administrator Nicholas scanned their surroundings.

The knights and soldiers nearby did the same.

They considered approaching the direction from which the flames had come—but it was too risky to move carelessly.

“Who attacked us? A 4th Circle spell, of all things!”

The most powerful mage in Vaizen Territory was merely a 3rd Circle Master.

That mage was now struggling to locate the attacker’s position, but it was no use.

“Still nothing?”

“The flow of mana has vanished!”

“Stay alert! Another spell could come any moment!”

Normally, another 4th Circle spell would take time to cast.

After all, it required a lengthy preparation period.

But Derek’s assumption was utterly wrong.

Crackle-crackle-crack!

“Uwaaaah!”

“Help! Please!”

This time, it came from the opposite side.

White lightning burst forth between the trees, electrocuting scores of soldiers.

The lightning’s ferocity didn’t subside easily.

Over fifty men were struck down before the thunder finally dissipated.

“How can anyone cast two 4th Circle spells in such short succession?! Don’t tell me—it’s a Master-level mage?!”

If the caster had truly mastered the 4th Circle, it might be possible.

But even a 4th Circle Master was a rare sight.

Anyone of that level was treated as nobility within the kingdom.

That’s why mercenaries or adventurers above 4th Circle were almost unheard of—

Most were bound to the kingdom, living comfortable lives.

“Who in the world could it be?!”

There was no time to ponder.

At that moment, arrows came flying from yet another direction.

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