Chapter 11

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Translator: Harry Potta
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: An Unexpected Arrival
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Every time they spoke, Lucy felt as though she and Walter were speaking different languages, despite being of the same race.

Perhaps geniuses simply had a different way of thinking.

Though she had only met him a few times, he always managed to bewilder her with his disconnected remarks.

Just like now. She had no idea why, or how, her work as a refugee broker appealed to him.

And it made even less sense that this was supposedly the reason she should be king.

“I don’t understand the context of what you’re saying at all.”

“Your Highness has fled the world of men and is now helping Lycans in a city of Raphi.”

Walter spoke in a gentle tone, then added a powerful statement, as if stamping a seal.

“I believe that is what drew me to you.”

She was even more lost now.

Was he deeply moved by the sight of her helping another race?

He was always one to treat people without prejudice, so it was possible. Still, it felt like there was more to it than such a simple reason.

Lucy’s lips twitched as she sorted through her thoughts with a small sigh. In the end, an ordinary person could never understand a genius. Whatever the reason, if he found her favorable, that was all that mattered, wasn’t it?

Yes, that was enough.

It had been a long time since she had resolved to become king. Even as she had idled away the years, hoping her desire for revenge would fade, the deep-seated grudge to kill that damn Crown Prince had never died down, like embers, and was still burning through her emotions this very moment.

If she was going to die someday anyway, she would at least kick the bastard once before she went.

There was no reason to turn down an offer served on a silver platter.

It was a sword she had intended to seize anyway. Since Walter had taken the initiative and offered to make her king, she would gladly ride on his wings.

“If you intend to put me forth as king, you will have your work cut out for you, Grand General.”

“As long as Your Highness is prepared, I do not mind.”

“Are you certain you won’t regret this?”

“Yes.”

“Hmm.”

Long shadows stretched out behind the two as they sat side by side. Lucy, who had been watching the rising sun, drained her cold tea and let out a light breath.

“Well then, why not? Let’s give it a try.”

At Lucy’s answer, Walter gave a barely perceptible nod.

The air, warmed by the sunlight, chased away the chill and carried a gentle breeze. The faint scent of burning wood suggested that shepherds were lighting fires to brew their tea.

Having casually settled a matter of great importance, the two savored the quiet moment, realizing their interests had aligned. To an outsider, it would have seemed like an absurdly swift compromise.

Walter, who had been calmly watching the flock of sheep, was the first to speak, letting out a faint sigh.

“You must have been surprised by my sudden proposal… but please, do not worry too much. It is quite embarrassing to say this myself, but I pride myself on being a rather useful soldier.”

She looked at him, wondering what he meant. Walter turned his gaze toward her, a faint smile on his lips.

“I have always dedicated myself to my training with unwavering loyalty, but I never predicted that the object of my loyalty would vanish in such a manner. Perhaps my rushing to you like this is based on a psychological need to find a replacement quickly. For now… that may be so, but.”

Walter brushed his thumb over his lower lip and continued with a low hum.

“I hope you will not consider my allegiance a momentary whim. I have glimpsed the qualities of a wise ruler in you, Your Highness. To prove it, I will devote my life to serving you.”

Lucy rose to her feet. She set down her teacup, crossed her arms, and seemed to ponder for a moment before stepping in front of Walter and looking down at him.

After staring at him intently, as if examining something, a boyish grin spread across her face. Then, she slowly extended her hand toward him.

“I don’t know the details, but… fine. I’ll hold you to that forever, so protect me. As of now, you’re the only one I can trust.”

“…Your Highness.”

“And I, too, will strive to be the monarch you wish for. I look forward to working with you, Walter.”

The sunlight of a new morning shone down brightly upon the hand offered for a handshake.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Of the three kingdoms, Parnas had the most diverse climate.

Dopein, in the south, was perpetually hot and dry, while Antevasila, which occupied a long stretch of land along the eastern coast, showed a stark contrast in climate between its northern and southern regions.

Parnas, however, experienced four distinct seasons throughout its entire territory. The northwest, in particular, was famed for its beautiful scenery, with autumn leaves coloring the entire landscape.

Duke Kill, admiring the festival of colorful foliage, exhaled and raised his gaze a little higher.

Through the carriage window, the deep blue sky announced the arrival of autumn.

“Your Excellency, you seem to be in low spirits.”

The attendant sitting opposite him spoke with a puzzled expression. The Duke crossed his arms with a faint smile.

“I’m worried about today’s council meeting. I slept poorly last night, and I have a bad feeling about it.”

“In any case, there is no one else as worthy of the throne as you, Your Excellency. I don’t believe you have anything to worry about…”

A month had passed since the last meeting.

The lords were still busy sharpening their claws against one another, and the Grand General, who had opposed the coronation of a new king, had been running around the north and west, offering no alternatives.

Even while testing the waters, the other lords were saying they could no longer tolerate the absence of a king. Rumors that the royal palace had been left in shambles were slowly spreading to the capital, and the two neighboring kingdoms, which had been keeping Parnas in check, were seeking to confirm the rumors by sending envoys under the pretext of wishing the king a swift recovery.

No more delays were possible.

It was time to choose a king.

Among the lords, the only ones with enough influence to vie for the throne were Duke Kill, an elder among elders; Marquess Rutherford, the pillar of the new faction; and Duke Witten, who had maintained close ties with the royal family.

Of course, the most likely candidate for the next king was, without a doubt, Duke Kill.

With his broad insight and swift execution, Kill had led countless reforms. He had brought prosperity not only to his own duchy but also to the stagnant capital by opening new trade routes.

Unlike other nobles who were preoccupied with protecting their own fiefdoms, Kill had lived a life dedicated to Parnas. If not him, then who else could be king? Thus, his attendant believed his master would inherit the throne with little difficulty.

But Kill silently shook his head.

“I have yet to ascertain the Grand General’s intentions. If he does not bend and continues to be stubborn… it will be difficult, even for me.”

“Surely the Grand General’s opinion doesn’t matter at this point. Even if he disagrees, he’ll be too busy with other matters to interfere in domestic affairs.”

“Hmm… the situation around the borders has been rather tense lately.”

The attendant nodded, his face brightening.

“Dopein and Antevasila are on the brink of war. If a war breaks out, it will affect Parnas, but it will also divert the Grand General’s attention until our internal affairs are stabilized.”

“Hmm.”

“And even if something were to happen, the Grand General would handle it. After all, he is the undefeated general, is he not?”

Kill thought of Walter and gave a vague smile.

“Indeed. I can manage the capital and wait for him to distinguish himself. Announcing a new era during a ceremony to honor the Grand General… the optics wouldn’t be bad at all.”

Perhaps a war could be quite helpful in the current situation.

As they say, there’s no better spectacle than watching a fire from a safe distance. If Dopein and Antevasila declared all-out war, the people of the kingdom would focus on the war between their neighbors rather than the chaos in the capital.

Even if that weren’t the case, the Grand General couldn’t move recklessly while tensions between the three kingdoms were so high.

The king’s untimely death had been tragic and shocking at first, but in retrospect, it might have been a stroke of luck, occurring at the perfect time for a generational shift.

“Whatever happens, it’s not bad. No… not bad at all.”

Muttering to himself, Kill touched his forehead.

It was a plausible plan, and no matter how he looked at it, there were no obvious obstacles. Yet, an anxiety he had pushed to the back of his mind crept up, sending a chill down his neck.

The clatter of hooves gradually slowed, and the carriage came to a halt at the coachman’s call. He had arrived at Central Command while lost in thought.

“Today will be your day, Your Excellency.”

The attendant smiled, putting an end to his hesitation. Taking a moment to compose himself, Kill straightened his back and willed himself to be calm.

“Indeed. Let us go.”

Kill was a seasoned old man who could effortlessly exude the etiquette and dignity appropriate for any situation.

Instantly shaking off the faint, lingering anxiety, Kill stepped into the command headquarters with his usual confident demeanor.

As he passed through the barracks and entered the command building, soldiers who recognized him bowed respectfully. In the wide corridor, vassals of the lords who had arrived earlier were gathered, whispering their predictions about the day’s meeting.

Among the barely audible whispers, the name mentioned most often was, by far, Goedel Kill—his own.

“The man of the hour has arrived.”

As soon as he entered the council chamber, Duke Witten greeted him with a generous smile. In contrast, Marquess Rutherford, sitting opposite, covered her mouth with a fan and shot him a sharp glance.

“For a meeting you so eagerly awaited, you don’t look well. Did something happen last night?”

“Who knows. Perhaps I was too excited to sleep. I appreciate the concern, but I would prefer it if you focused on the meeting today.”

Skillfully parrying the sharp question, Kill took his seat. At his signal, the murmuring that had filled the room instantly vanished.

In the solemn atmosphere, probing glances were exchanged rapidly.

As no one dared to speak, the old man at the center of the meeting slowly turned his head to survey the room.

His slow gaze swept over the chamber, and his brow furrowed slightly as he noticed an empty seat at the far right end.

“And I asked him so earnestly to attend.”

The seat where Walter Hyverge, the Grand General, was supposed to be, was vacant.

He knew the man was busy, but to be absent from such an important meeting…

Kill, who was openly displaying his displeasure, collected himself with a small breath.

There was no need to be upset.

In fact, it was better this way. It was preferable for him to be absent altogether than to show up and voice his opposition.

If a decision was made by a majority vote with all the lords present, not even the Grand General could easily dispute its rightness.

Composing himself, Kill lifted his head again. With a stern expression, he exchanged glances with the lords, carefully choosing the words he would need to deliver.

“It seems everyone is here, so let us begin the meeting.”

The warm autumn sun settled around the council chamber, and teacups were placed one by one on the table.

A silence long enough to melt their hardened convictions passed, and then Kill slowly rose from his seat. Just as the opening words were about to pass his firmly closed lips—

“My apologies for being late.”

The door opened, and Walter, dressed in formal attire, entered the chamber, accompanied by an unknown woman.