Published at 21st of June 2023 6:56 pm

Volume 12, Chapter 3 – Snake Queen, Part 5

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The Principality of Lichtine―The capital city of Azbakar.

In Azbakar, there was a place where successive dukes resided, a palace called the Golden Palace.

Its form and use of gold were reminiscent of the Golden Palace of Sunspear.

This was because the Golden Palace of Azbakar was built in imitation of Sunspear.

Although Sunspear belonged to the Great Grantz Empire, there was a strange sense of kinship on the part of the Lichtine because they lived in the same barren land. One day, however, Sunspear acquired a gold mine, and after successfully trading with it, it began to develop rapidly. Lichtine, seeing this up close, envied them, and this envy turned to resentment, which turned into intense hatred.

However, Lichtine, who had no resources, could not compete with Sunspear. Realizing that no matter how hard they struggled, they could not win, the Duke of the time forced his people to pay heavy taxes, bought up all the gold, and rebuilt the palace. The result was the Golden Palace, a structure built by the foolish leader of an impoverished nation who had gone to the limit of his extravagance―a structure built out of vanity and jealousy. The interior of the palace was also luxurious in order to receive envoys from other countries.

The marble used in the corridors was imported from the east of the Grantz, and the crimson carpet on top of it was purchased from the Vanir Three Kingdoms. The weapons and armor on the walls were made by a master craftsman of the dwarf race of the Republic of Steichen, and the gold used everywhere was purchased from the South of Grantz. The corridors, made of such local products, lead to a single location. The hall where the Duke held his audience was the equivalent of the throne room in Grantz.

Inside, the nobles rush about, whispering their dissatisfaction with the Duke’s family.

“What is Karl-sama doing?”

“I see he hasn’t come out of his room yet.”

“Didn’t he say he would make a decision today?”

“Ranquille-dono! Did you give Karl-sama any advice? He cannot make such an important decision on his own.”

Despite his dismay at the noisy nobles, Ranquille spun his words without raising his voice.

“I didn’t give any advice. I was never asked to do anything. Karl-sama said he wanted to think about it alone. Whatever the decision, I will respect his opinion.”

Just as Ranquille said this, the door to the hall opened, and Karl appeared.

“Everyone, I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

Karl’s expression was not good as he sat on his throne. He looked paler than ever. He was sickly, to begin with. It was only natural that his health would deteriorate if he had not slept for several days.

When Ranquille realized how much Karl was hurting, he sighed. He wanted to help him, but it had been three years since Karl became a duke. He was now becoming aware that he was the lord of a country. It was a good time for him to become independent. Above all, he had reached the end of his days of advising by his side. Many of the nobles were disturbed by Ranquille. Although they had yet to take direct action, there was no telling when the Lichtine nobles would run out of patience and bare their fangs.

(As expected, the level of difficulty was too high this time… but if we don’t overcome this, there will be no future for Lichtine.)

Looking at Karl with a prayerful heart, he nervously turned his gaze to the nobles gathered in the great hall.

Karl opened and closed his mouth several times under the pressure of his surroundings, but he made a fist and spoke out as if he were trying to muster up the courage.

“We, the Principality of Lichtine, will not attack the Great Grantz Empire. I have decided that we will continue to build friendly relations with the Grantz.”

A shock rippled through the hall. All at once, the Lichtine nobles were in a flurry of color.

“Please wait! You have just seen an opportunity come your way, and you want to let it pass you by? Not only did we lose our territory in the battle of three years ago, and not only did the Grantz give us a hard time, but they also killed your elder brother and younger brother. And yet you say you won’t attack!”

Karl, too, was overcome by the red-faced Lichtine nobles and raised his voice.

“Yes, that’s right. I think that the present situation is more important than any grudge and that now is still a time for resignation. Even if we attacked the Grantz now, we would not be able to take back the territory. Not only that, it will be difficult to even regain the north. I don’t think we can beat Grantz.”

“P-pathetic! Too pathetic! And yet, you are the Lichtine’s――”

“Shut up!”

Surprised by Karl’s voice, the Lichtine nobles backed away. Karl stood up from his throne, knees trembling as if to corner them.

“I am the duke of Lichtine! If you disagree with this decision… gather the troops and drag me down from this place!”

At Karl’s bullish attitude, the voices of the Lichtine nobles who had been ranting and raving disappeared.

Ranquille gazed dazzled at the imposing figure of Karl.

“It took him three years, but he finally made it here, fufuhahaha.”

The nobles around him gave Ranquille a reproachful look as he began to laugh, clutching his belly in amusement. The attention did not stop him from laughing, and Karl, who had been so regal earlier, also rolled his eyes at his bizarre behavior.

“Lo-Lord Ranquille, do you disagree with me too?”

His attitude was weak, a complete change from the one he had displayed earlier. Even Karl had to be prepared to die if he made an enemy of Ranquille.

“Good heavens… you’ve grown up quite a bit, although you still need to be supported.”

Ranquille whispered and shook his head with a smile on his face.

“No, I agree. If there is anyone who disagrees with Karl-sama’s decision, I will do everything in my power to bring the hammer of justice down on them.”

“I-I see!”

Karl’s face beams with joy, and Ranquille relaxes his shoulders in relief.

“I was prepared to fight, but… it’s Karl-sama’s decision.”

Even if he had chosen either side, Ranquille would have followed Karl’s words.

He had vowed to continue fighting as long as his life lasted―even if it was a choice that would destroy his country.

But Karl had grown beyond Ranquille’s expectations. Then he must congratulate him on the path he had chosen.

“Then, Karl-sama, let’s send a fast horse to Grantz. Tell them that we will spare no expense in providing them with supplies.”

“I understand. Then, prepare food and other supplies――”

Karl was about to send word to the nobles but was stopped short by Ranquille, who immediately stuck out his hand.

“No need. They won’t say they want it either.”

“Is that so?”

“Although they are in need of soldiers, they are not in need of food. Even if they were in need, they have the will of a great nation and would not accept our help.”

“Then why do you say you want to help them with supplies…?”

“If it were soldiers, they might ask us to send them over. That would be damaging to us as well. Then we must offer them something they want, which will not hurt us much either.”

“You mean material support?”

“Yes, and the most important thing is to offer our help. I am sure they will appreciate it.”

The position of the Duchy of Lichtine must be made clear. If it was thought that the Principality had second thoughts about the Great Grantz Empire, it would be suspected of having a double interest in the Vanir Three Kingdoms after they had been defeated. If things go badly, they would send an army against the Principality.

However, if they were to loudly claim that they would spare no aid and that they were on the side of the Grantz, they would not feel bad about it—even the Principality of Lichtine, which was despised as a slave state.

After the war was over, they would be thanked once again. For that reason, they must sell their debt of gratitude, even if it was by force.

“I see what you mean; then I will send a letter immediately.”

“That would be good.”

Ranquille saluted and bowed deeply to the now-grown lord.

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