Volume 9 Chapter 4 Coup Suppression
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Are you planning to use Mr. Nokin…? If so, it would be quite rude not to prepare a gift of equal worth. If you insist, I can make arrangements with Helga as well…”
Lila was clearly reluctant about our participation.
Most likely, if we joined the battle, Alonsa would end up negotiating the terms of compensation with her. But the woman standing before me—the Chancellor—was one of the Kingdom’s most formidable bureaucrats.
”Mr. Nokin should just take the assets of the noble houses that joined the coup. Some of them are quite influential, and if you sell off their holdings, you should get a decent amount of wealth. That said, we can’t just take their lands, so Shifa will have to buy those instead. I’ll handle the negotiations, and if that doesn’t work out, we can cover the cost ourselves.”
To my surprise, Kent was offering me the confiscated assets of the coup’s masterminds.
He shouldn’t even have the authority to do that, yet he spoke as if it were already a done deal.
”Ha, ha, ha! Now this is amusing. I never thought you’d try to bait me in with someone else’s wealth.”
”After all, the nobles who started this coup are a bunch of scumbags. Whether they get wiped out or their assets get confiscated, it’s all the same to me. According to Milly’s report, the mastermind is Gilbert Browning──a major noble who was in charge of the east before the Gertroud incident.”
”He’s like a weathercock, always turning whichever way the wind blows──a dishonest man.”
I’ve always looked down on Gilbert, the man who wormed his way into Gwain, into Gertroud, and even into Shifa, as someone of low character.
I may have changed masters, but that guy has no sense of integrity.
He’s a man swayed by the strong winds of the moment.
This coup is just Gilbert getting overconfident with Gwain’s backing and blowing up.
”You’re absolutely right. I want to wipe out that weathercock and his cronies. We’ll handle the rescue of our foster father on our own, so we’d like Mr. Nokin to break through the city gate guarded by the coup forces.”
Kent anticipated that I’m all about the money and tasked me with the most dangerous direct combat against the enemy forces.
Even though they’re the boneless coup d’état army, I thought there would be considerable sacrifice involved in breaking through the fortified castle gates, as they were manned by soldiers after all.
”This is tough… I’ve only got 2 hundred men with me.”
”Do not worry, Lord Nokin. My riflemen will provide covering fire, so just taking down the castle gates would be sufficient.”
Kondrad made it sound like a simple task.
But, seeing the fearsome might of the magic guns equipped by the two hundred soldiers he pointed out, I was convinced.
I hadn’t seen the power of Kent’s new type of magic gun firsthand, but I’d heard from Alonsa that it was the most efficient weapon for putting down the Demon God Emperor’s Living Dead.
She had praised the weapon’s power, but unfortunately, Kent hadn’t allowed it to circulate overseas, so I hadn’t been able to get my hands on one until now.
Maybe this time, the reward could be one of these magic guns…
Glancing at Alonsa, it seemed she was thinking the same thing; her gaze was fixed on the guns.
”No can do. The magic guns are not for sale. These are not items that can leave the country. We’re using them as anti-personnel weapons in this emergency, but only as a deterrent to scare the enemy. These are weapons meant for hunting monsters, after all.”
Kent sensed our gazes and took the initiative.
He seemed hesitant to turn this weapon against people.
He’s talking like it’s nothing… but I can’t say much, since I don’t like the idea of using flying tools in a fight between people either…
”I see… that’s a shame. Well, it’s fine. Just make sure to give it your all. I’m counting on you to take the most dangerous meat shield charge with my soldiers.”
”…Understood. If the reward from His Majesty Shifa is insufficient, my house will make up the difference. But that depends on how you, Mr. Nokin, perform.”
Kent implied that there would be no bonus unless we produced results, but it seemed that if we did, the bonus would certainly be added.
”Got it, we’ll do it. Don’t underestimate my boys.”
”I’m looking forward to it.”
So here we find ourselves, marching on Gilbert, the one who orchestrated the coup with Kent’s troops.
We borrowed some Equipment from Kent and are heading toward the Capital City’s 4th layer, where the coup forces have taken shelter.
* * *
*Gilbert’s Perspective
”Sir Gilbert! We’ve secured the Palace!”
A soldier from the Noble Brotherhood, my comrade, came to report to me in the throne room.
His Majesty Shifa’s face twisted at the sound of the report.
”Your Majesty, we’ve captured all the traitors who infested the Capital City. The main culprits, the Kingdom’s Sergeant-Major Arbalest Haydon, the Kingdom’s Logistics Chief Quenelra Sobe, the Kingdom’s Foreign Minister Belt Velis, and the Kingdom Chancellor Aldo Dracul, along with all others who dared to disrespect Your Majesty’s authority as Demon Lord, are now imprisoned. As for their punishment, I await Your Majesty’s decree.”
I was certain of the coup’s success.
At this point, only Kent Blackdagger’s troops can move within the Capital City, but I believe he won’t move them if Arbalest is held hostage.
Lord Sven had said that Blackberry’s young daughter would hold back Blackdagger’s army, but I never thought a young girl could do that.
So, as soon as we captured Arbalest and learned he was staying in the Capital City, I planned to send an envoy to Kent Blackdagger.
I would offer him a deal: stay neutral in this political upheaval and we’ll release Arbalest.
After all, I had heard that Kent Blackdagger was keeping our adopted daughter, Sarah, who had run away from home, as his concubine.
In my envoy, I had instructed him to use this connection to persuade Blackdagger.
”Lord Gilbert. I allowed you to return. Why did you cause such a commotion?”
”…Allowed to return? You’re speaking of something strange. I only followed Your Majesty’s decree to return to your side…Your Majesty must have needed me, wouldn’t you say?”
Shifa’s face turns crimson at my words.
”You insolent fool! How dare you speak to me like that!”
”Your Majesty! Please be careful with your words! Surely you understand my situation.”
I subtly hint at the fact that I have the lives of the Queen and the concubines in my hands, to the enraged Shifa.
I had already seized the castle, capturing all the maids and nobles within and imprisoning them in the dungeons.
”Gah! You despicable wretch!”
”Despicable… quite fitting, isn’t it? This world has changed. It’s a world where those with ambition survive. The powerless are devoured by the greedy in this chaotic age. I hope Your Majesty understands that.”
”Doing this will only invite trouble from my comrade Kent. The Capital City garrison will surely move within a day or 2, or perhaps Kent has already begun his march.”
Shifa seems to be expecting Lord Blackdagger, his trusted retainer, to arrive.
But I have decided to shatter his expectations.
”Unfortunately, Lord Blackdagger will not be coming. You see, my daughter has become his concubine, and he has taken quite a liking to my wife, Marietta. In exchange for handing her over, he has agreed to remain neutral in this political upheaval. That includes the release of my father-in-law, Lord Arbalest, as well.”
A look of despair crosses Shifa’s face.
”W-what?! You’re telling me Kent accepted your daughter and wife…? Impossible…! So he’s not coming…?”
”So, Your Majesty understands the situation now, yes? Therefore, I’d like you to issue a decree appointing me as Kingdom Chancellor, first and foremost. Of course, it would save us a lot of trouble if you appointed me as the Kingdom’s Head Sergeant at the same time… After that, I’d like to request a royal pardon for the execution of the 4 individuals I mentioned earlier.”
Soldiers standing nearby wheeled a desk in front of Your Majesty Shifa, who was seated on the throne.
Normally, this would be considered highly disrespectful, but at this point, there was no one to stop me, so I didn’t need to worry about it at all.
”You… I am the Demon Lord of the True Demon Kingdom! You fool!”
”You misunderstand, Your Majesty. You are only the *current* Demon Lord. We could always select a new Demon Lord from among my allies after Your Majesty’s untimely demise, you see. Hah, hah, hah!”
Your Majesty Shifa’s face was turning red, and he was trembling with rage.
At that moment, a soldier entered with a new report.
”Sir Gilbert! General Letticia Lawrence has joined the coup, on the condition that Lord Velis is spared. She is currently heading towards the 4th layer’s castle gate defenses!”
The report the soldier brought detailed General Letticia’s defection, who had been holed up in Velis’s mansion and opposing us.
Although Letticia’s forces were small, she was known as the second-best tactician in the Capital City, second only to Lord Blackdagger.
Her joining the coup was expected to draw in many of the Noble who were sitting on the fence.
”Hah! Hah! Hah! This is perfect!”
Then, I sensed a presence behind me.
Turning around, I saw Sven in his robe.
”This is truly a joyous occasion. My master, Sir Gwain, will also be delighted with the success of this coup.”
Suddenly spotting Sven, His Majesty Shifa let out a loud cry.
”Sven! Are you the one pulling the strings behind this coup? Gilbert! Are you really planning to sell the True Demon Kingdom to Gwain again?”
”Ah, Your Majesty. It’s been a while. If you’re seeking an answer to your question, I must say ‘yes.’ However, do remember that the opening you’ve given us was created by you in the first place.”
Sven spoke respectfully, bowing his head towards His Majesty Shifa.
”Are you blaming me for this upheaval? I initiated these reforms to transform the True Demon Kingdom into a stronger nation!”
”That may be your intention, Your Majesty, but it only clashed with the desires of those who instigated this coup. Nobles are creatures driven by greed, after all. Therefore, it’s only natural they resent you for stripping away the privileges they once held. If Sir Gwain had been around, he would have advised against this. If so, you might not have found yourself in this predicament.”
His Majesty Shifa was reeling from Sven’s words.
It seemed he hadn’t grasped the full weight of the injustices he had inflicted on others.
This Demon Lord was, after all, only of this caliber.
It would be better for him to exit stage left so that we could choose a new Demon Lord from among our allies.
”I listened to the opinions of the Arbalests to restore the True Demon Kingdom… How can I be blamed for that? I thought it was for the best… I am not wrong… I am not wrong!”
His Majesty Shifa slumped forward, burying his face in his hands on the desk.
”Your Majesty, there’s no need for regret at any time, so please sign the decree and the permission I mentioned earlier. I have my own commitments, so I’ll come by to collect it later. I kindly ask that you have it signed by then.”
With a flick of my wrist, I tossed the papers detailing the appointment decree and execution permission onto the desk in front of Your Majesty Shifa.
”Lord Sven, I’d like to discuss something regarding our future plans, if that’s alright?”
”Ah, this must be about the reinforcements. Even though we’ve taken control of the royal castle, the Kingdom forces are still in Capital City. Once the ‘Kingdom Retro Brigade’ wipes out the cut-off supply lines of the ‘Kingdom Liberation Front’, they’ll come to our aid. Until then, I suggest we fortify ourselves in the castle.”
I left the throne room alongside Sven.
* * *
*Marietta’s Perspective
I had been instructed by my nominal spouse, Gilbert Browning, to seduce Kent Blackdagger.
Though I was born a commoner, fortune smiled upon me with a rare blessing, allowing me to be adopted by the northern noble Count Arclight family and receive extensive education.
The Arclight family was known for taking in promising young men and women, providing them with various educational opportunities, and sending them off to noble families across the land to extract different benefits, ensuring their prosperity.
When Gilbert came to the Arclight family, he recognized my looks and abilities and chose me as his secondary wife.
I had no way of knowing what kind of return the Arclight family had negotiated for this arrangement, but it must have been quite substantial.
For a brief moment, I wondered if becoming Gilbert’s wife would bring me happiness, but what lay in wait for me was an experience that would put even the most hardened prostitutes to shame with its humiliation.
I felt no love from Gilbert; I was treated as nothing more than a convenient tool for his lust, and I was forced to take on the responsibilities of managing the taxes he extorted from the people, as well as handling his military’s entertainment operations and supply duties.
Thanks to that, I became hated by the people of Gilbert as well.
During this time, only Sarah, Gilbert’s adopted daughter, and Olive, the daughter of a large-scale farmer, showed me any sympathy for my situation.
They even helped me with my secret donations of under-the-table money to the townsfolk.
However, Gilbert’s collections grew more relentless by the day.
When Sarah ran away after clashing with her parents, there was no stopping the tide.
It became even harsher, and soon Olive took the lead in fleeing with the people.
I was left engulfed in a sense of emptiness.
My life has never had a single good thing… I guess my end will be being stabbed to death by someone holding a grudge against me.
Lost in those thoughts, I was jolted by the rocking of the carriage when suddenly, a fully armed army appeared right in front of me.
”Hey! Where’s that carriage headed? This area might soon become a battlefield, so you’d best clear out quickly!”
A young man from the Garuda Clan called out to the coachman.
Watching this unfold, a cold sweat trickled down my back.
That’s because in the Capital City now, Kent Blackdagger was the only one aside from Gilbert capable of mobilizing troops.
Without thinking, I flung open the carriage door and spoke to the young man from the Garuda Clan.
”Excuse me, but is this army perhaps the garrison of South District Margrave’s capital city?”
The young man from the Garuda Clan scratched his head, looking quite troubled as he answered.
”Technically, we’re the Eastern Garuda Principality army, but for now, we’re leading the charge for the South District Margrave’s forces. I’m Nokin. And who might you be? You seem to be from the Garuda Clan, but you don’t recognize me?”
The man right in front of me claimed he was Nokin, who had just recently become the Clan Leader.
My mind went blank from the shock of it all.
”Oh, um, pardon me! I didn’t realize I was speaking to Sir Nokin, the newly appointed Clan Leader. My name is Marietta, the second wife of Gilbert Browning…”
Suddenly, the tip of Nokin’s great sword was poised threateningly at my neck.
”Hey now, you shouldn’t be lying. There’s no way the enemy’s wife would be wandering around here. Are you a spy? But you’re really standing out…”
I had been flustered by Nokin’s sudden appearance, but once I regained my composure, I activated my skill, Stage Mastery III, to manipulate the impression I made through acting.
”Oh no, I could never be a spy! I was simply captivated by Sir Nokin’s valiant appearance. Truly, you are the esteemed Clan Leader of the Garuda Clan!”
I praised Nokin in a voice that almost resembled flattery.
There was no way to confirm if my skill had worked, but from past experiences, I knew that men like Nokin, who boasted of such valor, often fell easily to sweet words.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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