Chapter 119: Chapter 119
On the second day after leaving the Demonic Realm, the expedition team finally returned to Treba City.
The lord, Viscount of Treba, breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving word that Asha had returned completely unharmed.
That relief lasted only a moment, however, as he widened his eyes upon realizing that the priestess he faced in the reception room was not wearing a mask.
She was not even covering her face with her hood pulled down as she usually did.
‘Is that really Priest Asha?’
‘I had no idea she was an Altoan…’
‘So that’s why she always wore a mask.’
Fortunately, among the whispering voices, there was not much sign of condemnation or contempt.
After twitching his lips a few times, the viscount asked with some effort.
“Priest Asha. Your mask… what happened to it?”
“It broke during this expedition. Now that many people have already seen my face, there is no point in continuing to hide it…”
She did not mention in detail reasons such as encountering a doppelganger and nearly getting decapitated.
For mentioning such things here and now would surely only chill the mood.
Along with her answer, Asha stroked down both of her cheeks with her thumb and forefinger and smiled.
“Besides, walking around without it turned out to be more comfortable than I thought, thankfully.”
On the way here, the people of the fief did not despise her for being an Altoan, unlike what she had vaguely imagined.
Unlike the villagers of her hometown who had driven her out of the village when she was young, long ago.
In truth, that was likely because the greatest Altoan stood right beside her, but all the same, a good outcome was a good outcome.
At Asha’s reply, the viscount let out a sigh of relief.
“Ah, I see. So that was it…”
“Did you think it was something else?”
“Well, many fine knights took part in this expedition, so I was just wondering.”
He secretly worried that Asha might have shared her heart with one of them, causing a change of heart.
At his hesitant tone, Asha gave a soft smile and spoke.
“You don’t need to worry about such things.”
Though she said nothing more, whether he read the underlying emotion in her words, the viscount wore a dazed look for a moment before his face flushed red.
He cleared his throat and spoke.
“Ahem, ah. Pardon me for acting so foolishly in front of our guests.”
“Not at all, Viscount. It’s quite nice to see.”
When Roden spoke with a smirk, Viscount of Treba’s face turned even redder.
That evening, the expedition team stayed at the castle and was treated to dinner by the viscount.
Since the territory was connected to Palles by road, the viscount was able to prepare a lavish banquet using fresh ingredients straight from the refrigerator.
Those whose palates had been accustomed to preserved rations and rustic village meals indulged to their heart’s content in fragrant whole roasted wild boar, elaborately prepared fruit dishes, and strong liquor.
Of course, Shan stayed away from alcohol and showed restraint when eating the delicious food due to the discipline he had to maintain as a holy knight of the Eastern Holy See and his promise to Cheryn.
After finishing his meal, Shan left the banquet hall holding a fruit juice drink to cleanse his palate.
As he looked outside while taking in the cool winter breeze, the viscount approached him with a smile and spoke.
“Did you enjoy the meal, Lord Protector?”
Instead of forcing a solemn tone like in official settings, Viscount of Treba spoke in an easygoing manner that was relatively friendly while still showing high respect for Shan.
Even though there were differences in accumulated honor, strength, and title, both he and Shan were vassals of Cheryn.
Considering that Shan was still a minor who had not even held his coming-of-age ceremony, it was a fairly respectful attitude.
“Yes, very much so. Your chef is quite skilled, Viscount.”
“Please feel free to call me Niron. The age gap between us isn’t that large, and Your Grace is a hero of the kingdom.”
Why had he become so soft and gentle when he had not acted this friendly last time?
Shan felt somewhat puzzled, but he nodded nevertheless.
Stepping so close as to feel somewhat uncomfortable, Viscount of Treba glanced around and spoke.
“The atmosphere in the capital has been suspicious lately.”
“…Suspicious in what way?”
“I heard that forces openly opposing Her Majesty the Queen’s policies are gathering.”
Though it was something he had already roughly heard from Cheryn, the viscount, unaware of that fact, informed him with a serious expression.
“There is immense backlash against the decree stripping authority from titled nobles with fiefs. In particular, Count of Shedil is said to be leading the opposition, so I wanted to know if this aligns with the Lord Protector’s will.”
While Shan was away, Cheryn had placed a significant portion of the governance authority over the Eastern domain granted to the Duke of Velakar under the royal house (more precisely, under the executive branch) almost like a rush bill.
The ones who reacted most fiercely to this were actually not the eastern nobles, but the nobles of the former western, central, and southern regions whose authority had already been stripped away.
They shouted that the Duke of Velakar had been ‘betrayed’ by Cheryn, publicly proclaiming that they must band together to resist before the royal house completely suppressed the nobility.
Yet the reason Cheryn could not sweep them away was that Count of Shedil, a lord of the east and Shan’s adoptive father, was personally rallying these forces.
For if she used force recklessly in such a situation, the kingdom she had barely managed to stitch together might tear apart once more.
Shan wetted his lips with the fruit juice drink he had brought instead of alcohol, then asked.
“Niron, what do you think?”
“As for me…”
Viscount of Treba spoke with a somewhat sheepish expression.
Saying that he was not particularly pleased to see the rights of nobles, maintained for hundreds of years, disappear.
Of course, the Treba region was already semi-subordinate to Palles administratively and economically.
However, having such conditions as a temporary state versus having them fully codified into law so that the same system would be maintained for hundreds or thousands of years to come were entirely different matters after all.
Shan quietly observed the viscount, then recited the blueprint he had heard from Cheryn.
“In the future, power in Pendia will shift decisively from the regions to the capital. Just as a human who moves organically according to the commands of the head and heart is stronger than one whose limbs judge and move as they please, the kingdom will grow stronger when it moves as one in the name of the Queen.”
“Mmm.”
“However, Her Majesty the Queen is not heartless enough to cast aside those who have stood with her, so think of ways to gain what you can in exchange for those rights. Discussions with the eastern nobles are already proceeding to some extent in that direction.”
For example, projecting one’s opinions onto the kingdom as a noble bureaucrat, or attempting larger-scale commerce using massive capital as a springboard.
Conveniently, the Treba region was a good area for raising various magical creatures thanks to the Kanzen Marshland, so making a business out of processing them would also be suitable.
Of course, such ideas had not originated from Shan’s head; Cheryn had informed him in advance that these were methods to entice the viscount.
The viscount did not comprehend all of it, but he was able to confirm one thing.
That the Duke of Velakar had no intention whatsoever of rebelling against the Queen.
Confirming that single fact was enough.
‘I must follow the general trend. I almost got caught up in strange winds for nothing.’
After the banquet ended, the viscount burned the invitation letters from various nobles urging him to come to the capital to stage a massive protest in line with the Queen’s coming-of-age ceremony.
*
After dropping off Asha and the guide Randol at Treba Castle, the expedition team loaded all the goods they had brought onto four supply wagons with the viscount’s support and headed south.
Passing through the marshland, the Eastern Holy See, and several cities, the capital city of Hasra finally revealed itself.
It was late in the year, with just three days remaining until Cheryn’s coming-of-age ceremony.
“It’s the Royal Guard!”
“Everyone, clear the way!”
The eastern gate of Hasra, where many people came and went every day.
Passersby stretched their necks high to catch a glimpse of the heroes who were said to have subjugated the remnants of the northeastern Ajun Kingdom not long ago.
Everyone could not help but marvel at the appearance of the royal knights wearing metal armor left in breastplate form for convenience during ordinary times, with hydra leather armor underneath.
“The one riding up front over there is ‘Tall’ Lug, right? He’s huge! He looks twice my size!”
“The fat person behind him must be ‘Commander’ Roden.”
Of course, rather than being fat, Roden simply had a well-developed muscular build, but because Lug was so lanky, Roden following right behind him did look that way.
While others could not hear due to the crowd and noise, Shan heard the two boys talking from a distance and burst into a chuckle despite himself.
As he waved to the people he saw while passing by to cover up his chuckle, the cheers grew even louder.
Duke of Velakar, Lord Protector Shan.
A knight renowned as the strongest among all warriors in the Arman Alliance as well as Pendia.
This Altoan boy, barely seventeen years old, was also the pride of a Pendia thrown into disarray by civil war.
To a people who had revered outstanding warriors since ancient times, the existence of a powerhouse capable of suppressing other nations rather than merely competing with them held immense significance.
After strolling through the streets of Hasra on horseback by virtue of his privilege as a royal knight for a short while, Shan took a light breath and hardened his face.
From now on, it was time to put his acting skills to work.
Although he was not very confident, if he deceived himself into believing he truly held such thoughts as Cheryn had instructed him before, he would manage somehow.
“Welcome, Your Grace Duke of Velakar.”
“Greetings. Where is Her Majesty?”
“She is inside preparing to receive Your Grace and the other heroes.”
The entrance of the royal palace in the center of Hasra.
A middle-aged chamberlain politely greeted Shan and the expedition team.
Unlike a moment ago, Shan handed his horse to the groom with his face full of displeasure, then moved deeper into the palace.
In the reception room of the gorgeously decorated red palace, he and the expedition team received a welcoming greeting from Cheryn.
“I have received reports that this expedition was successful. Duke of Velakar, Baron Satru, Baron Boldran…”
Cheryn praised the expedition force, which had obtained immense achievements from the ruins of the Demonic Realm following their subjugation of the Ajun remnants.
Unlike everyone else who rejoiced at the Queen’s hospitality, Shan, who had maintained an expressionless face, opened his mouth.
“Your Majesty.”
“Speak, my Lord Protector.”
“I heard that while I was away, a bill was passed returning all administrative and judicial rights of the Velakar region to the royal house.”
At Shan’s words, the friendly atmosphere of the reception room froze cold.
To be exact, all the royal chamberlains and servants nearby wore expressions that said, ‘What was bound to come has arrived.’
About half of those who had bet on whether the Duke of Velakar would protest or let it pass let out sighs.
After a moment of silence, Cheryn spoke.
“…It would be better to discuss that matter later. Today’s place is strictly to…”
“That position was what you promised me, Princess. Is this not entirely different from what was discussed back then? You clearly said before that you were only temporarily taking charge until things ran smoothly, so I can only think that you deceived me.”
Everyone wore bewildered expressions at Shan’s attitude as he openly stood up from his seat, looked at Cheryn, and addressed her as ‘Princess’ rather than ‘Queen’.
Though quite a few had expected the Duke of Velakar to push back, no one had anticipated he would show his anger so openly.
At most, they had only expected silent protest as before.
Who could have thought he would go so far as to cut off the Queen’s words and insult her as a liar?
Yet no one in that place could tell Shan that he was being insolent or that he dared not act that way toward Her Majesty the Queen.
For he was the kingdom’s foremost noble and Lord Protector, a knight known to possess the strength of a thousand men single-handedly.
Perhaps because the atmosphere was so heavy, even his flat, script-reading tone felt as if he were struggling to suppress fierce emotions.
After a long period of silence passed, Shan snapped his head around and spoke.
“I shall excuse myself first, Your Majesty.”
Leaving first without even receiving the Queen’s permission was also disrespectful, but his attitude showed he did not care in the slightest about such things.
After Shan walked out of the reception room with heavy footsteps, Roden spoke to Cheryn with a flustered expression.
“W-What on earth… Your Majesty. The Duke of Velakar must have acted that way because he was so exhausted from the journey. I shall speak with him later…”
“Yes. Do so.”
Cheryn spoke while covering her mouth with a pale, shocked face.
“I am sorry, but the rewards for the expedition will have to be discussed next time. For now… everyone, dismiss and rest. I shall call for you again next time.”
*
After ruining the return welcoming ceremony, Shan engaged in an argument with Roden, who had hurriedly chased after him, before shaking him off and entering the mansion granted to the Duke of Velakar.
Vico and Tavera, who were following behind, glanced at him nervously before speaking.
“U-Um, my lord…”
“Hmm?”
“Are you alright?”
The two boys, who usually assisted Shan closely, were equally bewildered by the situation.
Toward them, Shan asked in a low voice.
“Did I look that angry?”
“Pardon? Ah, yes…”
“Glad to hear that. You two go inside and rest as well. You’ve worked hard all this time.”
After pressing the hesitating boys once again to rest, Shan entered the mansion and greeted Count of Shedil.
His adoptive father had been staying in this mansion for the past few months as his adopted son’s representative.
“I have returned, Father.”
“Ah, yes. I heard you pulled off a big scene as soon as you arrived. Honestly, I didn’t think you’d go that far. Did you really just follow the script given by Her Majesty the Queen?”
Whether he had received information from someone planted at court, the count acted as if he already knew what Shan had done, despite having stayed at the mansion all along.
“Yes. I’m not sure if it looked awkward, though, since I had to spout words I didn’t mean at all.”
As the count chuckled and swirled his wine glass, Shan watched him, contemplated for a moment, and then spoke.
Though it might be unwarranted meddling, seeing his adoptive father’s complexion looking even worse than before made it hard to stay quiet.
“I heard alcohol is bad for your body.”
“I know that too. But what can I do when my heart feels uneasy without it? When I tried to quit, my hands started trembling, for goodness’ sake.”
After sharing trivial conversation for a brief moment, the count glanced around and spoke softly.
“I have finished all the preparations as Her Majesty the Queen requested.”
“It seems so. Even Viscount of Treba has heard the rumors, after all.”
During the time Shan was away, Count of Shedil had actively gathered forces to defend Shan’s rights as his representative.
As a great eastern noble who had played a major role in Cheryn’s unification of Pendia, he claimed he could not tolerate the confiscation of his own and his adopted son’s rights.
As those who actively supported noble rights rallied to him, the faction grew enormously.
It was fair to say that nearly everyone except the loyalists who absolutely supported Cheryn had attached themselves to it.
“Truly, I can see how immensely Her Majesty the Queen trusts you. A plan like this would be utterly impossible otherwise.”
Just as he said, this plan was equivalent to Cheryn handing a sword to Shan while putting it against her own throat.
For the moment Shan raised his voice together with the assembled forces and demanded the return of noble authority, Cheryn would have to submit.
Nay, merely by showing herself at odds with her sword, the Lord Protector, her authority was already shaken.
There was only one way to mend this: for Shan to show himself obediently submitting under her.
“However, a question comes to mind.”
“What kind of question?”
“Honestly, it doesn’t seem necessary for Her Majesty the Queen to take such a gamble. Though the small fry are bothersome, since most of their power has already been taken away, she could have proceeded more stably. I don’t understand why she is in such a hurry.”
Even if the nobles who had opposed her still maintained their titles, those were literally empty husks.
As time passed, everything other than honor would gradually fade away.
Waiting just a few years, or perhaps ten years, would have been more than enough.
In the eyes of the old count, it felt as though Cheryn was rushing far too hastily.
To this, Shan smiled and replied.
“Well, Her Majesty the Queen is always thinking further ahead than us. She likely has a good reason for it.”
“I see.”
A posture lacking even a shred of doubt.
Seeing this, the count could understand why Cheryn trusted Shan and devised such a scheme.
A degree of trust where, regardless of what she was thinking, he believed it would lead to a good outcome and followed.
If he had a vassal who trusted his lord to this extent, even he felt he would devise a faster and more efficient plan.
At that moment, a thought flashed across the count’s mind.
‘Through this act, it was revealed that the Queen’s power base was weaker than expected. If so, in the sense of mending things to maintain this system once again…?’
Though it would normally be a difficult matter, he thought that after the trash frequenting the royal palace was swept away thanks to the noble titles remaining if only as decorations, it might be something worth trying.
If the problem was that Cheryn’s authority shook when Shan pushed back, would it not be solved if the relationship between the two grew somewhat closer than master and servant?
For example, as husband and wife.
Only then did the count feel he understood a little of what Cheryn was thinking.
If she had truly thought out this far, the Queen was undoubtedly a terrifying person.
*
That evening, the Duke of Velakar’s mansion was boisterous.
It was because all the nobles who had come up from their fiefs months ago and stayed in the capital paid a visit.
The nobles who had originally supported Conrad and Elvin before losing their titles flocked to Shan, praising his great deeds and flattering him.
Considering that all of them had previously despised Shan as a mere Altoan, it was a laughable sight.
However, humans were creatures capable of casting aside mere face without hesitation in the face of a desire for power.
“I cannot tell you how refreshing it was to hear that the Duke of Velakar spoke the right words openly to Her Majesty the Queen earlier today.”
“Indeed. Is Pendia a country ruled by the royal family alone? An attitude that completely disregards the traditional rights of us titled nobles is nonsense.”
“I agree.”
Shan responded calmly while sharing drinks with the nobles.
Though his brow furrowed naturally at the bad breath of the old men leaning close, they interpreted this reaction as displeasure toward the Queen.
Just then, the butler approached and spoke carefully.
“Excuse me, master.”
“What is it?”
“Baron Boldran has arrived…”
“Tell him I am currently in an important meeting and cannot spare any time.”
“Understood.”
At Shan’s attitude of refusing the visit from Baron Boldran, Roden, everyone else nodded with satisfaction.
Since word had already spread widely that he had defended the Queen earlier today, clashed with Shan, and then had his visit refused after coming to the mansion, this was more than enough to be viewed as a positive sign.
Of course, in reality, it was merely pretending to visit a few times after conspiring with Roden in advance.
Looking at Shan, who wore a displeased expression, one noble spoke in a suggestive tone.
“Speaking of which, have you perhaps heard from your adoptive father?”
“About what?”
“Have we not decided to make a massive statement in line with Her Majesty the Queen’s coming-of-age ceremony? If Your Grace leads the way, the Queen will likely not be able to say otherwise.”
They could not even dare to imagine that Shan was putting on a play in collusion with Cheryn.
Common sense-wise, what reason could there be for a Queen to put on a play where she was openly humiliated by her own vassal and lost her authority?
Furthermore, through the eyes of those who lived placing power above all other standards, it was entirely plausible for Shan, who had obtained the immense authority of the Duke of Velakar only to have it stolen overnight, to express his rage.
Being a paramour warming the Queen’s bedchamber was a mere trifle in the face of power.
Especially when even blood brothers frequently stabbed one another.
“I actually had something to say regarding that matter.”
As Shan set down his glass and spoke, everyone’s gaze gathered on him.
Hardening his expression, he looked around at the surrounding nobles and spoke.
“I would like to draft and submit a formal joint petition altogether.”
“Oh, a joint petition…”
“What kind of content is it?”
Receiving everyone’s gazes mixed with half expectation and half curiosity, Shan mentally recalled what he had heard from Cheryn.
“It is a petition requesting Her Majesty the Queen to void all bills she has pursued thus far and restore the rightful authority of the Pendia nobles, as well as a pledge to fight to obtain it should this request be rejected.”
In short, it was telling them to sign an ultimatum declaring that the moment Cheryn rejected the demand, they would stage a rebellion.