Chapter 103: Chapter 103
Duke of Ranpel’s castle was built in a style close to a classic Libert-style manor.
The first thing visible was a vast orchard.
Built inside a wooden fence to prevent monster attacks, it produced the highest-quality fruit in Pendia.
Of course, even that seemed difficult to maintain in these times, as the orchard was improperly managed, with broken trees and overly ripe fruit falling and rotting away.
Past the orchard, wheat fields, and sheep pasture, a bustling village and a tall castle appeared.
A flag fluttered atop gray castle walls whose height was no less than that of Hasra.
On the road leading up from the village below the castle, Cheryn spoke to Shan, who was riding a horse beside her.
“What are your thoughts on seeing the fief you almost had?”
“The fruit looks delicious.”
“Once refrigerators are distributed here as well in the future, we’ll be able to preserve freshly picked fruit and eat it even in Hasra.”
Cheryn was already looking ahead to the aftermath of reclaiming Hasra and unifying Pendia.
Should this be called hasty, or thoughtful?
Just like the other western lords, Duke of Ranpel accepted Cheryn’s army into his fief and castle without resistance.
In the first place, he had no army capable of resisting.
As Conrad’s biggest supporter, he was the one who had mobilized countless knights and soldiers in the past civil war.
Even if he hastily handed armor and spears to a few hundred village youths who farmed in the orchard, they would be no better than scarecrows in front of the Witch Princess’s army, which had already proven its skill in several battles.
“It has been a while, Princess.”
Duke of Ranpel was an old man over sixty with a stubborn impression.
The lord who once ruled the western region bent his straight waist flexibly and bowed his head so low that the crown of his head was visible.
His retainers groaned at the sight, which was excessively humiliating for a mere princess, especially when she was not even the ruler of Pendia yet.
“I had no intention of giving you more humiliation than necessary.”
“It is the price I must naturally pay as a loser. More importantly, Prince Conrad…”
“I have sent him to Palles for now. In exchange for surrendering, I decided to show consideration so that he can live in a suitable place after the civil war ends.”
Cheryn’s gaze, as she answered like that, turned toward a woman crouching as if hiding behind Duke of Ranpel.
The woman, who looked to be in her mid-to-late twenties, held a young child with a somber expression.
She was none other than Conrad’s wife and Marquis Abel’s younger sister, Prince’s Consort Fielle, and the child held in her arms was Conrad’s son.
Perhaps a being who might have become the successor to Pendia in the future.
“I will also protect the two of them from now on. At the very least, I will make sure they can stay with Conrad.”
“Everything shall be according to Princess’s will.”
“Take them away. Treat them with courtesy, for you are serving Pendia’s royalty.”
“Understood, Princess.”
While being handed over to Cheryn’s soldiers, the Prince’s consort glared at Shan with eyes full of resentment.
Was it because he was the very person who killed her older brother (the pride of the family) and turned her husband into a loser?
Strictly speaking, it would be right to take issue with Cheryn for both.
While Shan quietly watched her being escorted among the soldiers, Cheryn entered full-fledged surrender negotiations with Duke of Ranpel.
Upon hearing the terms presented by Cheryn, Duke of Ranpel spoke with a troubled expression.
“Princess, no matter what, this is…”
“Know that I am granting much simply by allowing you to retain your status as Duke of Ranpel.”
Duke of Ranpel wrinkled his lined face at the contents of the treaty, which rendered his deep bow meaningless.
Originally, Cheryn intended to strip all the western nobles, including Duke of Ranpel, of their titles.
That was because, in order to make the western region practically no different from an autonomous territory according to her contract with Shan, there was no other way.
However, since Shan was satisfied with becoming Count of Shedil’s adopted son and taking the eastern region, there was no need to use such a method.
Stripping titles from long-established families would require ignoring all sorts of customary laws, so there was no need to needlessly waste political resources, was there?
Of course, that did not mean leaving the western lords free like in the old days.
Since most of them were Old Faith believers who would oppose reforms anyway, their arms and legs had to be cut off securely.
“From judicial power to tax collection rights, and the right to raise and command troops… If you take everything, who would consider me a duke? How am I to defend this vast domain as well?”
“Money to maintain your dignity will be paid separately, and as for public security, I will directly send my own army. I won’t handle everything right this moment, so just know that this is how things will become in the future.”
Cheryn had long considered the existing feudal administrative system excessively inconvenient and irrational.
Problems that could not be overcome due to old customs, backlash from existing vested interests, and delays in communication time.
Now was the golden opportunity to resolve this, as the vested interests had lost power through the civil war and Court Count Tenon’s long-distance communication technology research was nearing completion.
Communicating with Shan to indirectly rule a territory from a distance was also practice for this.
She had already meddled in administrative systems in Palles and Shedil, systematizing everything so that the central authority could control it.
Ultimately, after expelling the Old Faith, the goal was an absolute monarchy in which the royal family perfectly controlled all of Pendia administratively, militarily, and religiously.
Of course, exceptions would have to be made for some territories like Treba and Shedil that had cooperated previously…
At any rate, as a loser and a rebel, Duke of Ranpel accepted Cheryn’s demands just as other lords had.
Decades’ worth of administrative documents stored inside the castle were loaded onto baggage wagons.
In the middle of having various necessary matters written into documents and stamped with seals, semi-horse archers released toward Hasra rushed over with urgent news.
“Finally…!”
“Has Elvin moved!?”
Cheryn’s retainers all shared a similar thought as they watched the messenger running in a hurry.
At this point, there was no other news that could be delivered.
However, the news brought by those who ran over was truly unexpected.
“The king is dead… No, I mean, His Majesty the King has passed away!”
*
The death of the King of Pendia, Gizel III, spread rapidly throughout Ranpel Castle.
Cheryn borrowed Duke of Ranpel’s conference room and urgently summoned her retainers.
“Everyone must have heard the news.”
“Yes, Princess. Though we do not know the detailed inside story…”
It was well known that Gizel III was not in good health.
In fact, for the past few years, he had not even regained consciousness.
Even so, he had recently shown considerable improvement and had spoken in front of the prince and princesses, so to suddenly pass away like this…
Anxious expressions appeared on everyone’s faces at the unexpected situation.
“That is something I do not know either. The semi-horse archers merely brought the rumor. What we must think about now is how to act.”
Unlike the shaken retainers, not a single trace of composure was lost from Cheryn’s face.
A cold attitude, as if a complete stranger had died rather than her father.
While some feared and some admired the ruthless demeanor fit for a ruler, Cheryn immediately issued orders.
“It so happens that touring the western region and accepting surrenders was almost in its final stages. Although we haven’t visited a few places including Solod Castle yet, moving to Hasra comes first.”
“Is it a siege war?”
“No. We plan to surround it and induce internal strife.”
Elvin, who had once been miserably pushed back by Conrad, was able to seize the initiative because Gizel III had woken up.
Although he did not actively support Elvin, the mere fact that the conscious king was with him gave Elvin a huge advantage in terms of legitimacy.
Conversely, now that the king had lost his life, a corresponding loss would occur.
Because there would be those who had followed out of loyalty to the king, but had no desire to follow Elvin after his death.
“We probably won’t even need to fight directly. Cutting off the southern supply routes alone will cause them to self-destruct. It’s a city that has already suffered terribly… but now we can only hope it endures just one more time.”
In the civil war of the past few years, there had been no city with as many troubles as Hasra.
Experiencing a breakdown of law and order during the princes’ civil war, having some residents banished under Conrad’s iron-fisted rule, and being pillaged alternately by Shan and Elvin.
Now, it was even on the verge of being isolated with its food supply cut off.
“At any rate, prepare as quickly as possible and head to the capital.”
“Understood!”
After the meeting ended, Shan followed Cheryn instead of preparing for departure with the others.
She was strolling alone in a garden where summer roses were beginning to bloom.
“Are you alright?”
“About what?”
“Well…”
When Cheryn had previously heard the news that the king’s illness was cured, she had shown a reaction close to a fit, so Shan thought she would show a intense reaction to the news of the king’s death this time as well.
Contrary to expectations, however, Cheryn’s face remained peaceful as could be.
Was it simply that she was adeptly wearing a mask, making it unfelt?
As if knowing what he was thinking, Cheryn chuckled softly.
“Ah, I see… I am truly fine. Rather, thanks to blowing my top back then, I feel nothing at all.”
In truth, she herself was inward surprised as well.
Fascinated by her own appearance of accepting the death of the king, the long-standing object of her hatred, without feeling anything.
She should have felt joyful, or at least a sense of emptiness.
Suddenly, Cheryn met Shan’s green eyes looking at her.
A boy who was once smaller than her, but now half a head taller.
He was the strongest knight in the world, and at the same time, a supporter who believed in and followed her no matter what she did.
He was also the sole understanding person to whom she could show the weak essence hidden beneath her solid mask.
And, perhaps…
At a sudden scandalous thought that crossed her mind, Cheryn slapped Shan’s forearm with a loud clap without realizing it.
Her striking hand hurt instead, as if she had struck a statue made of hard muscles.
“Why did you hit me all of a sudden?”
“I wanted to check how solid you are.”
When Shan wore a bewildered expression at the absurd nonsense, Cheryn ended up laughing because that sight was funny.
To be sure, a building with a large, solid support beam did not collapse from mere wind and rain.
*
Since they were people who had already gone on expeditions several times, the speed of preparation and movement was exceedingly fast.
Leaving Ranpel Castle, Cheryn’s army marched east at a relatively relaxed pace.
If a battle occurred, victory or defeat could be decided by how much fatigue had accumulated, so there was no need to move in a rush.
Marching with that mindset for a week.
Finally crossing the western region and arriving near Hasra, Cheryn frowned at unexpected news.
“…Elvin has fled already?”
“Yes. After His Majesty the King passed away, internal strife broke out, so he led only the army that followed him down to the south.”
Roden, who had gathered rumors from the vicinity, reported in a polite tone.
“And regarding that, a strange rumor is spreading from the capital.”
“A strange rumor?”
“It is a story that Elvin assassinated His Majesty the King. They say the internal strife broke out because of that as well.”
Cheryn’s eyes widened at the unexpected story.
“More details.”
“Originally, His Majesty the King had kept the High Priest constantly by his side to treat his chronic illness, but Elvin reportedly prevented this. Though he didn’t kill him directly, it was effectively…”
“That certainly makes sense.”
Nodding her head, Cheryn exchanged glanced with Shan standing beside her.
Because he was the sole person sharing the secret she knew… the fact that the king suffered from a venereal disease.
According to the subsequent report, currently remaining in Hasra were only the lords of the central and southern regions who had revolted against the suspicion of Elvin’s assassination, along with the soldiers they led.
Elvin was said to have headed south taking Marquis Beshalia, some lords who followed him, and the army of the Ruman Kingdom.
In effect, the army had split in half.
“What will you do, Princess? Shall we pursue Elvin like this?”
“No, let’s stop by Hasra first.”
To go down to Beshalia, Hasra would inevitably be left behind, and leaving an uncontrolled army there was far too dangerous.
Above all, once Hasra was controlled, Elvin’s force would have only the south remaining, so by that alone, the civil war was essentially almost over.
When the march resumed, Cheryn called Shan separately to share her thoughts.
“It seems Elvin is suffering from that disease as well.”
“…Really?”
“Yes. Actually, I had been suspicious ever since I met him before. His complexion looked a bit dark. At the time, I thought ‘no way’, though.”
The reason Cheryn hadn’t properly told Shan back then was literally because it was nothing more than an unconfirmed intuition.
However, if Elvin dismissed the High Priest who was treating the king, there was no other reason than that.
Hearing the story, Shan spoke with a startled expression.
“Then could it be… the king, and Elvin?”
“Huh? No, surely not. They probably just shared the same woman. Even that is dirty, but no matter what, it wouldn’t be worse than that. Probably.”
Having unconsciously laughed at a thought that was truly beyond imagination, Cheryn shook her head.
Cheryn, who had collected all the private lives of the royal palace, knew that neither of the two had homosexual inclinations.
Furthermore, the king had not been involved with women for at least the few years since she had awakened spider-controlling magic.
That being the case, if Elvin had caught such a disease, it must have been for some other reason.
For instance…
‘There is also a possibility that he was infected from birth through his mother.’
If that were the case, Cheryn herself was not safe either.
Because what exactly Gizel III’s illness was had not yet been revealed.
Mages who grasped the principles of bacteria through magnification magic already possessed the concept of incubation periods to some extent.
Infection by sexual contact and infection by birth might have different incubation periods.
Just imagining it made her feel as if she herself was becoming filthy, but Cheryn dispelled her anxiety by biting her lip.
Was it because Shan was right beside her? A feeling that would have been unbearable in the past could be brushed off reasonably well.
Come to think of it, since Conrad was fine, the likelihood of that was not high anyway.
Two days after hearing the news.
Cheryn’s army finally entered Hasra.
“Wow…”
“I felt the condition was really bad last time, but compared to this time, it was far better.”
Shan muttered like that while looking around.
Even up until the time when they last came to pillage, Hasra boasted the majesty fit for a capital, except that it was somewhat quiet and dirty.
Now, however, it had lost even that.
One city district was completely burned down, and the appearance of the people passing by was also miserably shabby.
Lug looked at this with a guilt-ridden expression and spoke.
“I was also there when Hasra was pillaged in the past. Thinking back on it, it was terrifying. Truly, at that time, this place was hell.”
The actions of the Ruman pirates, who had committed the greatest atrocities at the time, became the biggest trigger for Lug deciding to defect.
Had it not been for that, he would have at least refused to draw his sword against Elvin.
Receiving the gazes of Hasra citizens, which contained half fear and half expectation, Cheryn’s army headed toward the royal palace.
There were lords, knights, and soldiers wearing armor that was crumpled or stained with blood here and there, perhaps due to fighting not long ago.
Viscount Morin, a lord of the central region standing at the front, bowed his head politely on behalf of the group.
“Welcome back, Princess Cheryn.”
“Everyone’s appearance is quite a sight. More importantly, is the rumor true?”
Since it was obvious which rumor she meant, the remaining lords shouted with eyes full of hostility.
“Yes, it is true! All of us heard the testimony of High Priest Kaizal. That filial villain Elvin halted His Majesty the King’s medical treatment!”
“I see.”
The lords remaining in Hasra expressed that they could no longer follow the filial villain and had resisted him to stay here, and thus, since Conrad had fallen, they intended to pledge loyalty to Cheryn, the final victor.
“Your intentions make me pleased. However, since you are pledging loyalty to me belatedly, there are conditions you must naturally accept.”
Cheryn presented them with the same clauses she had proposed to the western lords.
At the measure of stripping almost all authority as lords and leaving only honor, the central and southern lords grimaced.
“Princess, this is…”
“It is too harsh!”
“We cannot accept such conditions!”
Fierce backlash erupted immediately.
Unlike the western lords, whose troops had almost all been drained, leaving them no better than scarecrows, they possessed enough soldiers to remain safe even after revolting against Elvin.
“If you cannot accept them, will you fight?”
At that moment, when Shan stepped forward and spoke, the front of the noisy royal palace instantly became silent.
Fear was reflected in the eyes of everyone looking at him.
Shan Barendil.
The one who had cut down Marquis Abel and the paladins, followed by nearly a thousand soldiers.
The strongest knight in Pendia, perhaps the strongest in history.
Just recognizing the fact that he was standing in front of them armed and glaring at them made their whole bodies tremble uncontrollably.
Furthermore, didn’t that infamous Black Army stand behind him as well?
“…It is not that we mean to fight.”
“Decide clearly. Whether to fight, or to yield.”
“We merely wish for the Princess to recognize our contributions.”
With their grand momentum from a moment ago nowhere to be seen, the lords servilely begged for mercy.
Afterward, continuing negotiations in the palace reception room, Cheryn obtained command of the forces the lords brought in exchange for terms slightly better than those given to the western lords.
Although more than half of the two thousand men were conscripts, increasing their size right away was a great gain.
After finishing negotiations like that, they finally confirmed the remains of Gizel III left behind by Elvin.
“Here it is.”
“It is certainly… Father.”
Cheryn quietly looked down at the deceased Gizel III.
His face, resembling Conrad but older, was completely stained black.
Had the venereal disease he had suffered from all his life penetrated completely to his bone marrow after receiving no life-prolonging measures?
Pretending to caress the corpse, Cheryn discreetly pulled out a strand of hair with her gloved hand and asked the lords behind her.
“In what manner did he pass away?”
“We did not witness it directly, but according to High Priest Kaizal, he passed away as if falling asleep.”
“Is that so.”
She would have preferred it if he had died squirming in horrific agony.
Hiding her true thoughts, Cheryn played the role of a daughter mourning her father’s death.
“Given the circumstances, a proper funeral will be held after we capture Elvin. For now, bury Father’s body in the underground catacombs.”
“Understood.”
Even after that, Cheryn instructed several more measures to stabilize the chaotic capital before ordering everyone to dismiss when night fell.
The place she decided to stay was not the main palace where the king resided, but the detached palace she originally used.
“Phew…”
Since the maids working in the royal palace had also scattered or followed Elvin down during several turmoils, Cheryn entered the bedroom after being served by Aran to wash and change clothes.
Just after laying her body down on the well-arranged bed, her eyes widened as she looked at the ceiling.
A single shadow popped out from the pitch-black ceiling and looked down at Cheryn while hanging upside down.
“You really are quite busy. Only now has time opened up to talk, Princess Cheryn.”
The high vampire who appeared out of nowhere grinned, showing sharp fangs.