Chapter 105

The Duke Ocleang walked down the corridor, sharpening his knife of revenge.

However… there were no servants or knights accompanying him as he moved through the incredibly luxurious Marble Palace.

He had even borrowed the cart he rode here on from someone else, and even his outfit was given to him by another person.

He had lost everything—his offerings, his power, and his subordinates, leaving him utterly destitute.

Yet, despite this, a number of people accompanied the Duke Ocleang.

These were the rulers of the vassal states under the Holy Empire.

Their common trait was that they had all received enormous bribes from Duke Ocleang in the past, and at this moment, they were all moving together for a single purpose…

To discuss a prearranged agenda.

‘Everyone has to do well… but no matter what, as a foreign noble, I won’t have any say in this matter…’

*

Imperial Assembly.

Emperor Karl Frentz of the Holy Empire.

And a number of representatives from various vassal states were participating in this regular meeting.

Although it had greatly declined compared to the past, this meeting still discussed significant matters that determined the direction of the enormous nation that dominated the continent.

However, everyone present knew one thing:

None of the topics discussed in this meeting were as crucial as the agenda currently at hand.

“Now, the next topic for discussion is related to the Kingdom of Frantz. You all probably have some idea of it, but let’s confirm the details through the materials provided.”

As Emperor Karl spoke, servants began distributing the materials to the attendees.

Contained within was the current state of the Kingdom of Frantz…

More specifically, the situation surrounding the revolution occurring there.

A large-scale riot backed by the lowly commoners.

Those who claimed to be the Revolutionary Army had swiftly taken over the capital, Pare, and were espousing the absurd ideology of ‘liberty and equality,’ advocating a nation primarily led by commoners.

In the process, the ruler, Louis, had become uncertain in life and death, and the assembly of the Kingdom of Frantz had completely lost all real power.

Watching this situation where the ruling elite had instantaneously fallen from grace at the hands of commoners, the hearts of the vassal state rulers could not help but feel a deep, intense anxiety, beyond simply witnessing a rebellion in a neighboring country.

“How could common folk drive out the king and nobles! This is absolutely unacceptable! If we let this continue, there is a risk that such perverse ideologies will spread even to our Holy Empire.”

And in this tense atmosphere.

Wallenstein III, the ruler of the Duchy of Bavaria and an aide to the Emperor, raised his coarse voice to argue.

“This is no ordinary rebellion. It is a poisonous ideology that threatens the authority of the imperial family and the nobility, which has endured for thousands of years, shaking the rightful order of this land. To safeguard the continent’s order, we must all step forward and thoroughly suppress this.”

“Exactly!”

“Just as Lord Wallenstein says!”

“How dare the lowly try to taste the power amid this chaos! Such actions cannot be tolerated!”

Many of the electors expressed their active agreement with his words.

At that moment…

“I too… share this sentiment.”

“!”

A woman who had remained silent and occupied one side of the room spoke up.

The Chancellor of the Kingdom of Roycen, the strongest power among the vassal states of the Holy Empire, which operated almost as an independent nation.

At the moment she spoke in a voice imbued with a chilly air, all eyes in the assembly hall turned toward her.

Frankly, everyone present had already inferred some answers, but no one dared to hastily judge the reaction of the Kingdom of Roycen.

The Kingdom of Roycen possessed power that even the Emperor could not interfere with, and since the chancellor sitting here was no ordinary individual, there was always a possibility they might withdraw for reasons unknown, a scenario that had frequently occurred in the past.

However, contrary to expectations, the chancellor, typically sly and cunning, spoke clearly in this moment.

“Valuing freedom is important, but we must prevent it from devolving into chaos. Above all, even though she is a distant relative, Queen Louis carries the blood of the imperial family. The situation of her having faced danger cannot simply be overlooked.”

“Ooh… does that mean the Kingdom of Roycen will cooperate in this matter?”

The representatives showed expressions brimming with hope at her words.

In response,

The woman, with her red hair and red eyes, answered decisively.

“Of course. Our Kingdom of Roycen will aid His Majesty the Emperor and the Holy Empire in participating in the war.”

With the Kingdom of Roycen, the maximum variable, clearly expressing its intention to join the conflict, no one remained in the assembly hall to oppose the war any longer.

“I understand your intentions. I too cannot stand by idly when it comes to avenging my beloved cousin, Queen Louis. I hereby declare war against the Kingdom of Frantz effective immediately.”

“We shall obey your command, Your Majesty!”

All the vassal lords bowed their heads at the Emperor’s declaration of war.

Watching this from a distance, unable even to sit down on a chair, the Duke Ocleang was caught up in a strong excitement.

‘Excellent! As expected… they all rush in eagerly the moment a fitting bait is thrown!’

He considered it an impeccable justification.

While he was unsure of Queen Louis’s exact news, the fact that no official reports of her well-being had surfaced meant there was a high likelihood she was either completely dead or imprisoned somewhere.

Just the knowledge that she, a cousin of Emperor Karl, was in a dangerous situation was ample justification for the Holy Empire to declare war.

Moreover, the absurd claims about equality being touted by those dumb revolutionary scoundrels were akin to sacrilege—daring the lowly to tarnish the dignity of the nobility and the royal family.

Securing information about a justification that was perfect both in blood relation and ideology, Ocleang had successfully spread it to the Holy Empire using the connections and informants he had amassed through bribes in the past.

As a result, witnessing the declaration of war agreed upon under overwhelming support from the Holy Empire, Ocleang began to feel a deep joy for a future that already seemed attainable, banishing any fears of failure.

‘Hehehe… just you wait… you damned Raphael! How dare you put me in such a predicament. I will definitely return and sever your head and regain my power!’

*

Nobles promptly left the assembly hall to gather troops to fulfill the Emperor’s will.

However, beneath the seemingly united front, different thoughts occupied each of their minds as they departed from the Imperial Palace.

Although they spoke plausibly in this public setting, a majority of those present were far more interested in the spoils than in the goals of revolution or revenge.

The Kingdom of Frantz had been a competitor of the Holy Empire for hundreds of years.

Now that this nation was shaking from within, it presented a golden opportunity to finally end the long rivalry.

Thinking of the territories and riches to be gained in the process, it was stranger not to join in.

‘I must reclaim the lost region of Loren during this opportunity. If that happens, our Palatinate can regain its former glory…’

‘The region of Burgundy from the Kingdom of Frantz—I must seize it! I can’t live without the wine that comes from there!’

“War! It’s war! Just like my grandfather, General Wallenstein did, I too shall become a hero ruling the continent!”

Thus, the electors, seeking riches, territories, and fame, were filled with expectations for war.

However, unlike them…

The chancellor of the Kingdom of Roycen, maintaining her cold expression, slowly made her way out of the assembly hall…

Senel Polena Andreas.

She, who harbored vengeance in her heart above her nation’s interests, was sharpening the knife of revenge.

Memories of the burning hatred she had not forgotten for the past six years…

‘Finally… the chance has come… the chance to avenge my sister, Eli…’