Chapter 202

Chapter 202

***

Rickart, who practically entered the Imperial Capital Nibelungen bloodlessly, first reassured the citizens.

He didn't take any particularly big measures, just said there would be no plunder or massacre, and to engage in their livelihoods.

Actually only a small number of knights entered the city, and the remaining 6 thousand or so troops were stationed outside the city.

The 5th Prince Bellator dying was a big change if saying it was big, and not if not.

Since the daily lives of ordinary citizens didn't change it wasn't a big change, but it was a big change for the nobles who had been suppressed so far or regarding the Imperial Succession War.

However, when the master changes it was courtesy to greet them first. Even if not necessarily courtesy, if one wanted to live, showing one's face tactfully was the way of making a living in the world.

It was established reputation that Rickart wasn't a person who killed anyone randomly, but it was also well known that he was a person who did what he decided to did.

People thought, would a person who even kills Kings or Royals bat an eye at killing a mere person of influence or low-ranking noble.

So people came seeking the Emperor's palace packing all sorts of gifts like clouds gathering.

Among them there were especially many knights and lords who had followed the 5th Prince then returned to their hometowns. Because they were once enemies they came thinking they should at least swear loyalty.

However not a single one of them could meet Rickart. Because Rickart didn't want to meet them.

"Are you going to kill them all? The people who were enemies?"

Roy sitting on the grass maintaining Rickart's sword asked. The place the boy was leaning his back against was the old defense tower where Marie was locked up in the past.

But actually rather than maintaining the sword it was closer to observing it. Because this mysterious magic sword, or holy sword never had its blade dull.

"No."

Rickart said looking around the defense tower. His gaze seemed to look at something invisible, or something that existed in the past. Things invisible now. Things that all became fleeting.

"Then everyone will be anxious. Anxious people are bound to cause accidents."

"Do you know how to read people a bit now too?"

"How long have I been following you."

"I haven't studied history much, but conquering monarchs usually kill their allies first if they succeed. Not the people who were enemies. I couldn't understand it then but now I somewhat get it."

"Yes?"

As Rickart carelessly spouted terrifying words Roy lifted his gaze from examining the sword and stared at his teacher and King.

As if escaping from the past, Rickart turned to Roy and smiled gently.

"Not me. Since I am not a conquering monarch. That's for Marie to take care of. There will never be an army like the Steel Knights again. But I promised to treat them as people, not tools, and I will continue to do so."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean the strongest ally can also become the most dangerous enemy. Even doing nothing wrong as time passes their existence itself can become a wrong. After dealing with the 2nd Prince, and holding the coronation ceremony I will return to Adelorn. Thinking about the future I consider that wise conduct."

"Like friends. Sometimes you have to keep a bit of distance to become closer, like that?"

"Yes, you know well."

Rickart was Marie's lover and husband, but at the same time a sponsor and political companion. Therefore if she became Emperor he would become the Emperor's sponsor.

Meaning there was an existence higher than the Emperor, which meant structurally something was misaligned. Rickart was looking ahead that far.

"I still don't know well but...... I hope you are happy, Master."

"Do I look unhappy to you?"

"No."

"Happiness is bound to betray you so it's better not to rely on it too much. It's merely like an incoming and outgoing wind for a moment. It's better to focus on what I want, what I wish for, what I must do, and what I can do."

"I understand."

"Did you practice the axe a bit? And the sword?"

"Practicing a thousand times is not as good as one real battle, isn't that what Master said?"

"You rascal, you didn't do it. Good, let's spar after a long time today."

Rickart reached out his hand as if asking for his sword. Roy blankly looked down at the sword for a moment, then slowly stood up. And then impulsively swung the sword fiercely toward Rickart.

Rickart avoided it lightly pulling his hand back swoosh. A highly dangerous and disrespectful action, but now having deep trust embedded in each other it was merely a joke.

Rickart smiled and said.

"It will hurt your pride more if you get beaten empty-handed."

Roy smiled too. They began to mingle like that. Before long the sword ended up in Rickart's hand, and Roy quickly stepped back and picked up his axe.

And without any hesitation, attacked Rickart with all his might. Each was a big movement, yet he minimized openings while doing so.

Bumping with his shoulder or pulling the axe to recover from openings, Roy was very skillful, natural, and destructive at handling the axe.

Only the weapon was different, it resembled Rickart's swordsmanship the most. Ice, Bori, and Marie each had their own unrivaled unique style, but Roy did not.

In a true sense he was the person who embodied Rickart's style the most. That was partly because he learned by constantly following and watching from the side, but perhaps also because their mindsets were similar.

Rickart thought raising one disciple properly well was as big a harvest as becoming Emperor. And Roy was a very excellent disciple.

"What are you going to do about Belynn?"

"Eh?"

Rickart asked abruptly while appropriately dealing with Roy. However at that simple question Roy who was gradually reaching a state of rapture slipped.

Rickart lightly took the axe away kicking Roy's foot that stepped on the ground with a thud. And even grabbed grabbing Roy who lost his balance and fell.

"What, you get shaken by something like this?"

"Is attacking with words allowed?"

Roy stood straight wiping sweat and asked.

"I can do it but you can't."

"I'm sure you do."

"I'm sure I do?"

"Isn't it so."

"Isn't it so?"

"Eit!"

Roy suddenly rushed in trying to snatch the axe but it was nowhere near enough. So he engaged in a physical scuffle with Rickart, but even Roy famous for his good strength couldn't compare to Rickart who gained the strength of the Dragonslayer Ilya. He didn't even need to raise his 'Inner Flame'.

Rickart played with Roy exactly like handling a child and roughly ruffled his disciple's head returning the axe.

Outwardly they were teacher and disciple, King and attendant, but quietly looking inside they just seemed like friends whose hearts matched well.

That was Rickart's attitude toward people close to him, and his way of making friends.

"Please re-think it once again. If you go on exactly like this will the King of Adelorn truly let you live?"

The 2nd Prince Nivellius said exactly like begging. Duke Brumbaer was already mounted on his horse looking down at him.

"Did you forget your promise? The King of Adelorn guarantees the title and rights of the Duke of Frederia didn't he. Then why must I continue to follow you Prince?"

Duke Brumbaer seemingly fully intended to leave anyway. But when he left it didn't mean he left alone, it meant close to 1 thousand troops and war supplies would also leave together.

"T, that is a matter to be r, resolved if I smash the King."

Duke Brumbaer smirked whether he found it dumbfounding. And then looked down at the 2nd Prince again with a gaze seemingly saying, if you had the ability to did that would the situation have come to this?

"I'll ask you once because I'm curious, Prince. What exactly do you want? Do you truly have the mind to become Emperor? You hold banquets every day, is that to command the nobles, or merely to play? Not being able to distinguish feces from urine exactly like that father that son is a spitting image of the previous Emperor."

Duke Brumbaer's tone had now completely changed. And his words were harsh.

Originally in terms of status there was almost no difference in height between a Duke and a Prince, but bringing up the previous Emperor felt a bit too much.

However Nivellius couldn't get angry at that.

"W, we have to harmonize well among ourselves to plan big things wouldn't we? To play you say, and your words cross the line."

"It's already all over. I heard the King spares everyone who surrenders, so Prince please think carefully once too."

As if he had no more to say, Duke Brumbaer kicked his horse's belly and moved forward. And left the camp taking the army that had already finished preparing to leave.

Nivellius stood blankly, looking at the departing Duke with a gaze seemingly unable to believe it. But what was dangerous if the Duke left, was that other nobles could also leave along with him.

"Now what should I do......"

He muttered exactly like talking to himself. Baldur who had been watching everything from nearby approached and said.

"Going outside the Empire is also a method."

"Wh, what did you say?"

"The King might not know but the Queen will definitely not leave the Prince alive. That is the difference between other nobles and the Prince."

"You mean they'll kill me even if I surrender?"

"Think about it conversely. Why would they let you live?"

"I think they will let me live......"

"Ha......"

Baldur let out a deep sigh. Unlike the solely cold 5th Prince the 2nd Prince had some human affection in his own way, but being excessively human was a problem if anything. He was a person unable to become a hero.

"It was the Prince who kicked away several opportunities. When I defeated the 5th Prince I said we must pursue quickly but you refused. I told you we must quickly strike the Duke of Frederia to tie up Duke Brumbaer and place Stormhearts under our influence but that also passed by doing things halfheartedly. And when the King of Adelorn seized the Imperial Capital was the final opportunity. The Duke of Frederia already submitted to the King, and he seized the Imperial Capital without a single troop loss. Even if the situation is advantageous to us it is hard to win if we clash, but even the situation is not good. Now there are no more choices, Prince."

"Y, even you speak like that?"

"......"

Baldur stared blankly at him, then suddenly shouted out loud.

"Wake up! You bastard!"

At something completely unexpected Nivellius was startled, and soldiers or knights, and nobles passing by nearby turned around to look this way.

Among them there wasn't a single person pointing out Baldur was disrespectful. Because they all had the exact same thought.

"Hey, Nivellius, you just gathered an army and felt the mood exactly like a becoming Emperor but did you ever think of properly carrying out work? When people came seeking you out and flattered you as the legitimate Emperor did you think it was really like that? Looking closely you know you are a fucking child right? It's really good you don't discriminate against people and know how to see abilities, but looking closely it seems you are begging."

"......"

Though not knowing whether it was sincere advice or what, at the roughly treating attitude he experienced for the first time in his life Nivellius was greatly shocked and just blinked his eyes.

"Outwardly you swagger but it seems you are begging please flatter me, don't leave my side. You think people won't know that?"

"......D, did I do that?"

"Ha...... now truly choose. Whether to die maintaining dignity at least like the 5th Prince, or whether to leave the Empire and survive at least."

Nivellius's heart pounded thump thump but swallowing dry saliva gulp once, he looked around. Everyone was looking at him expressionlessly, but there was no trust or loyalty embedded in their eyes.

Having heard sincere advice for the first time in his life Nivellius was bewildered and afraid. Still he wasn't a very cold person like the 5th Prince, rather exactly the opposite.

"I, innocent people don't need to die or get hurt because of me right. If outside the Empire wh, where would be good?"

Baldur calmly looked at such a 2nd Prince. It was a somewhat surprising part that he didn't get angry thinking how dare you jabber like this to me.

"Sinatria, or the Eastern Frontier."

"I heard Sinatria is hot, and the Eastern Frontier is dangerous......"

"Hasn't it always been like that until now? There is no perfect choice. Because you hoped for something that doesn't exist it came to this."

"......I think going to Sinatria would be good......"

"Okay, then let's go. To Sinatria. Already all directions are the Master's Federation. If an order drops they are swordsmen who will rush to kill us."

"You aren't leaving? Baldur."

"Until you can distinguish feces from urine don't you need a person to take care of your diapers?"

"Sorry."

Nivellius was in his 30s but exactly like a child making a friend for the first time. Because it had never been such an environment until now.

Receiving cold treatment in the Imperial family, and since becoming a Count there having always been only treacherous retainers putting all sorts of wind in his surrounding it was perhaps natural.

Still meeting a friend-like person even in his 30s was fortunate if fortunate.

Coming to now suddenly such a thought entered his mind. Did I truly want to become Emperor?