Chapter 179

Chapter 179

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"More things are at stake than you think. In the succession war for the Emperor's throne. Who is the legitimate Emperor is merely a superficial reason."

It was a dark indoors. On the old table there was a liquor bottle, two empty glasses, and one candle. The candlelight dimly illuminated the surrounding objects and the two people.

The person who just spoke was Paolo. As for the other person the light only illuminated the vicinity of his mouth and chin, and above that was covered in pitch-black shadows so it was hard to recognize who it was.

Because the surroundings were very dark, their voices naturally lowered too. So it was an atmosphere exactly like secretly reciting a demon's name.

Paolo continued and said.

"Duke Brumbaer taking the 2nd Prince's side is to consolidate his own power. Because upwards he faces the Beringen Margrave, and downwards he borders Duke Frederia. If the 2nd Prince becomes Emperor, he promised to eliminate Duke Frederia's title itself and make it a gathering of minor Lords. From Duke Brumbaer's position it means he can blow away one powerful rival."

Duke Brumbaer was the higher lord of the Caldebern Count. Due to the nature of feudalism, if Duke Brumbaer followed the 2nd Prince the vassals under him naturally took the shape of following him too.

That didn't mean the vassals underneath merely followed without any thought.

So feudalism was complex. Because each had different interests and all have different thoughts too.

If there was one problem here it was that the Caldebern Count was Duke Brumbaer's vassal, and the Caldebern family of the Stormhearts line followed the Count.

At Paolo's words the person whose half face was covered in pitch-black shadow leaned forward slightly. He placed his two hands on the table, and lightly interlaced his fingers.

The face revealed in the light was none other than Rickart. Because of the light his eyes gleaming like oiled blades were heading toward Paolo.

"What I am curious about is what the Caldebern Count is thinking. Why Steel Arm Randel is staying in the Count's castle. Whether it's a Duke or a Margrave having power struggles among themselves I have absolutely no interest. Do you not understand what I am saying?"

His voice was low and his tone was gentlemanly but it seemed slightly reprimanding. So unable to handle that subtle anger Paolo couldn't look straight at Rickart.

He lowered his eyes and said.

"......To find out even such intimate information takes a long time. However, to give you my personal opinion I think his goal might be to merge Your Majesty's previous family. Although you are joined by marriage, because of Your Majesty's might he must be anxious. Afraid of being merged on the contrary, that is."

Withdrawing his gaze that seemed to slightly glare at Paolo, Rickart turned his head and quietly stared into the darkness. If he had a cigarette it was a feeling of wanting to smoke one.

Honestly Rickart knew what intention the Caldebern Count had listening to the words just now. It was circumstantial evidence but he didn't need something like proof.

In a matter of living and dying not a trial, especially a matter where families were on the line with just circumstantial evidence one could attack the opponent as much as they wanted. Even if it wasn't the case wouldn't it be fine as long as you succeed in surviving first.

Even rambling about manners or honor as a noble SSOYAE-SSOYAE, ultimately it was the wild. An ecosystem that runs on grudges and revenge, things like that.

For that kind of thing Stormhearts people had somewhat excessively naive corners. Perhaps it was because it was an isolated countryside village.

Anyway the Caldebern Count family and the Caldebern family of the Stormhearts line were exactly like one family yet two families. Because they split and came down due to divided inheritance during the time of the great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather, bloodline-wise they were quite close.

However the thing called power naturally mmade even parents and children point swords at each other, so who cares whether it's the great-grandfather or great-great-grandfather. Even if his own daughter had married there if power was on the line he could abandon her as much as he wanted.

"Taking advantage of the chaos due to the war if he sends swordsmen and annihilates the whole family he can merge them comfortably right."

The whole world knew Rickart had succeeded in life. However being in a position of having left the family, and recently even creating a new dynasty they seemed to have judged he had no room to interfere.

In ordinary cases, second sons who left the family had no loyalty to protect their own family. They didn't protect them either. Speaking openly they lived as complete strangers to each other.

Contrary to such social trends the reason Rickart paid attention to his family of origin was entirely due to personal affection. Leaving aside interests or power or things like that completely.

Launching the Master's Federation was also because of that. Whether it was the Beringen Academy or the Viola Clan they participated to protect themselves from big shots, but Rickart made such an organization to protect his father and older brother's family. Peacekeeping was a secondary effect, not the goal.

If there was one fortunate point, it was that at the time Rickart fought with the 2nd Prince with the river in between, that was before Caldebern participated in the war.

Even if there were no personal feelings between each other if a battle had been fought then it was no different from having split with his father and older brother.

"Actually forming the Federation is somewhat dangerous too. But if even the knights intervene the matter might grow big. Because it will take the shape of taking the 5th Prince's side."

"Does that word mean, we will come to participate in the war."

"It does. Regardless of the King's intention. Reaching a high place one is bound to be reflected to people differently from one's own intentions."

Fighting a battle wasn't a problem. However depending on what kind of war it was the pain and effort one must endure were bound to follow. Not only me alone, but the entire country called Adelorn, that was.

To summarize the Caldebern Count was currently aiming to merge Stormhearts by winning over the One-Eyed Clan, namely Steel Arm Randel.

But taking into consideration his position as King or this and that complex problems for Rickart to intervene in that problem there were difficulties in various ways.

"Would Randel have noticed our existence?"

Quietly thinking alone Rickart asked Paolo.

"He would slowly notice that something is at least strange. Only, he won't figure out who it is quickly."

The One-Eyed Clan didn't know about the Master's Federation. Because as soon as it was formed they annihilated 1 gathering place by surprise attack.

Because they thoroughly killed everyone, reports wouldn't have gone up and it was the point in time when he would consider it strange why order transmission wasn't working, why reports weren't coming up.

"How about doing it like this?"

Paolo said.

"How?"

"Anyway while you formed the Federation, place the headquarters in Stormhearts. Persuading your father and receiving permission that is. And if there are disquieting movements nonetheless eliminate up to the Count including the person named Randel. If problems erupt in that process, or after that solve it militarily mobilizing the knights. If you annihilate the Count's family remarkably the succession right will return to Your Majesty's father. The Stormhearts line taking control of the entire Caldebern family, that is."

"......It's plausible, but I'm reluctant."

"What is?"

"Whether Father will grant permission is unknown too, anyway it's a matter of killing relatives. I know too that there's no King in the world who hasn't killed his own relatives. But ultimately following such a fate doesn't make me feel very good."

Rickart doesn't reveal his deep inner thoughts unless it's a person he truly trusts, but unconsciously he subtly revealed them to Paolo.

Although in his head he continuously keeps a distance, because there was no one else but him with a similar level of discernment.

As for Paolo his appearance looked like a large toad but the person was unexpectedly sharp and delicate. And most of all his grain of thinking was similar to Rickart.

As Rickart revealed such a side of him unconsciously, Paolo also stared blankly at Rickart and said.

"What is the reason you formed the Federation?"

"To protect my family."

"If you set your route do it firmly. It's not like a King. Anyone becomes weak regarding the people they love. However loving someone, loving something ultimately means discriminating against everything you don't love. If so you must firmly discriminate."

"Now you Paolo are even playing the role of my advisor."

"Do you know why I chose the King? A bastard like me no matter how much you force work on me won't follow if I myself am reluctant. The reason I nevertheless chose the King, is because you were different from other people. Not simply because you are the strongest in the world."

"What was different?"

"Discernment. Because you aren't swayed by desire, don't deny desire, and don't put justice forward yet are just. The King merely walked the path of a King, and justice and goodness followed. However now your discernment seems to be clouding."

Paolo usually tended not to hide himself and revealed himself, but now he seemed to speak mixing in more personal emotions.

Since he who was thought to be only cold and cool-headed spewed somewhat heated words, Rickart found it fascinating so a smile softly leaked out.

"Understood. Don't be angry. You're scary."

"I apologize."

"But sorry to say this, the reason I chose you Paolo is to use you. Did you know?"

"I know."

"Knowing I will use you for what?"

"When you have completely used my talents and I become unnecessary you can throw me away."

"It's not like that."

"Then?"

"I was just curious. Why does every war follow looting. Can't it be eliminated. The nobles who are the main subjects of the war can't they just gather among themselves, fight and end it. Why do so many people have to suffer, and taste tragedy."

Rickart spoke half blankly looking at the candlelight.

"Touring the Holy Land I learned one thing in the Lunadan region. Ah, if the army and merchants move together it would at least be less, that is. If merchants enter a new region and earn money, and I receive a certain portion of that money wouldn't it be somewhat okay. I thought doing it with you Paolo would be quite decent. But what you must know too is, if the commercial supremacy grows internal strife will occur within the Benicio Merchant Guild too. Would merchants be different? Starting right away from you they'll doubt."

"......"

"And my thought is let's use everything I can use, but at least I don't use people's trust. If kids like Bori, Ice, and Bolka are friends who spent my childhood years together, I think you Paolo are a friend I can converse with an equal intellect with. I don't betray friends. Even if a friend betrays me. Because I have the ability to handle it."

Paolo didn't say anything. The vibe like being touched wasn't shown. He merely kept his silence, and his gaze seemed to be locked in deep thought.

Rickart grabbed his sword he had stood against the wall and rose from his seat. Doing so he said.

"If your words are right someday money will sweep away all the Kings of the world. But the thought occurred that rather that would be better. Though I don't know why."

Rickart untied the belt wrapped round and round the scabbard and wrapped it around his own waist.

"The Caldebern Count will die. It wasn't exactly that determination was needed. It's just uncomfortable. If somewhat messy parts remain I request you to handle the aftermath, Paolo. Because blood is best wiped with gold."

Leaving his last words Rickart walked somewhere and went down the stairs. Whether it was an old wooden floor a creak, creak sound occurred.

Like an abandoned place, the 1st floor was an old tavern with no customers, no employees, and no owner.

As Rickart passed that place and opened the door, a bright light exactly like a lie abruptly stabbed his eyes. Astonishingly because although he didn't know indoors outside was broad daylight in some forest.

He frowned his brow then quickly adapted to the light and opening his eyes, people wearing various weapons and swords were seen waiting in near and far places.

Roy brought Rickart's red horse over. Rickart leaped up nimbly sniffle and got on the horse. As Rickart rode the horse and slowly walked the forest path people followed.

Not long after the forest ended. The panoramic view revealed after the forest ended was Rickart's hometown Stormhearts.

The eternal resting place of the mind and nest of the soul.

With the men participating in the war the sight of old people, women, and children with difficulty scraping by a living was seen.

First, Rickart ran to that place. It seemed precisely exactly like red paint being painted on a pastoral landscape.