“You can’t hang the Speaker regardless of the evidence.”
The noble who had opposed looked at the other elders as if asking for their consent. Instead of making eye contact, Rosadel and Elaroiden glanced at Black. Burley was busy holding his swollen wrist and enduring the pain.
“In case the council fails to reach a unanimous decision, Princess Liene has proposed a pardon. In exchange for avoiding the hanging, the two treasonous parties will be permanently banished from this land. Do you support the pardon?”
The meaning of the banishment as a pardon was clear. It meant that they would keep their necks, but they would not tolerate any more attacks on the royal family. The nobles' expressions became serious. What would have been impossible in the past was now possible. The royal family had obtained the power called Tiwakan. It was something that no royal family on the continent had ever done before. Aland's calm voice continued to echo in the Great Council Hall.
“If the House of Representatives opposes pardon, the Crown cannot grant pardon. It also opposes hanging, so the two prisoners will remain prisoners forever.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Linden Klinefelter screamed.
“Such ridiculous wordplay! How dare you say such things to the Kleinfelter family!”
Black gestured behind him. Then Tiwakan, who was guarding the entrance, approached.
“Keep the prisoner quiet.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Boom!
“Yes, that’s right.”
Liene quietly smiled at Fermos, who was trying to cover up Lafitte's existence with a cough. It made her realize that Black had kept his mouth shut even though he knew everything. How much does that man want to make her feel? Liene's heart pounds every day, and it's hard.
“Since the lord has gone in person, the remaining assets will certainly arrive in the royal treasury today.”
“Um... I’m a little worried, but is that okay?”
“What could possibly go wrong? This is something that has already been decided by the General Assembly.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m just worried about what might happen to Lord Tiwakan. The Kleinfelters won’t just sit back and let this happen. Wouldn’t it be better to send in a guard now?”
“Oh, that’s what you were talking about?”
Fermos smiled faintly. It seems that this Princess likes his master too much. It seems that she is worried about such trivial things.
“Since he brought eight guys who have been in the business for ten years, there won’t be any problems. Even though he hates busy processions, it seems he didn’t want the Princess to worry.”
“Eight is too small a number. Klinefelter’s private army numbers over five hundred.”
“I’ve already confirmed. The number of people living in the mansion is half of that number. There is a limit to the space.”
“Even if it’s half of half, it’s still over a hundred.”
Fermos's smile grew wider. The kind-hearted Princess surprisingly had quite an innocent side to her, and it was true that her eyes strangely felt happy whenever that expression appeared.
“The Princess does not know my master. A human who has survived ten years in Tiwakan would need to be struck by lightning to die.”
"Yes?"
Fermos was taken aback by the unexpected question.
“I need to redecorate his bedroom. If possible, use a color he likes.”
“Well, well...? Is there a color that my lord likes...?”
“Huh? Does that mean you don’t know or that there’s nothing like that?”
It was both.
“I don’t think there is such a thing, so I guess I just don’t know.”
“Oh, I see.”
Liene nodded as if she understood.
“Then I guess I’ll have to ask when he get back.”
The noble who had opposed looked at the other elders as if asking for their consent. Instead of making eye contact, Rosadel and Elaroiden glanced at Black. Burley was busy holding his swollen wrist and enduring the pain.
“In case the council fails to reach a unanimous decision, Princess Liene has proposed a pardon. In exchange for avoiding the hanging, the two treasonous parties will be permanently banished from this land. Do you support the pardon?”
The meaning of the banishment as a pardon was clear. It meant that they would keep their necks, but they would not tolerate any more attacks on the royal family. The nobles' expressions became serious. What would have been impossible in the past was now possible. The royal family had obtained the power called Tiwakan. It was something that no royal family on the continent had ever done before. Aland's calm voice continued to echo in the Great Council Hall.
“If the House of Representatives opposes pardon, the Crown cannot grant pardon. It also opposes hanging, so the two prisoners will remain prisoners forever.”
“That’s ridiculous!”
Linden Klinefelter screamed.
“Such ridiculous wordplay! How dare you say such things to the Kleinfelter family!”
Black gestured behind him. Then Tiwakan, who was guarding the entrance, approached.
“Keep the prisoner quiet.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Boom!
Tiwakan grabbed Linden Kleinfelter by the back of his head and slammed him into the ground.
Thud!
His forehead split open on the hard stone floor, blood spurting out.
“These... beasts... dare...”
“Don't talk nonsense.”
Boom!
“These... beasts... dare...”
“Don't talk nonsense.”
Boom!
And then it hit him again. Every time he opened his mouth, he knew his forehead would crack.
“...”
Eventually, Linden Klinefelter shut up, and Aland asked again.
“Are you against pardons? Then I will record that the traitors have become permanent prisoners according to the will of the Council.”
“Ues, wait a minute!”
Linden Kleinfelter clicked his tongue hastily. Tiwakan cocked the back of his head, but Black winked at him.
“Please grant me... pardon.”
Linden Kleinfelter gritted his teeth. Exile was simply unacceptable. The thought of giving up all the power he had here and leaving for another land with only his life on the line was like a fire burning in his stomach. Still, he couldn’t stay locked up underground forever. It would be better to find another country where he could get support even if he was kicked out. Fortunately, the eldest son of the family was the grandson of the Sharqa Kingdom. If he could just get to the Sharqa Kingdom, the path would open up somehow.
“Yes, I understand.”
Rosadel quickly accepted the words. When Linden Kleinfelter glared at him, he avoided eye contact and instead raised his broken left hand slightly. It was a protest that he couldn't help it.
“What about the other families?”
When Aland asked, the heads of the four clans reluctantly nodded.
“I will record that the pardon was unanimously approved. The exiles are not allowed to wear anything they acquired in Nauk. This includes their names, status, and possessions. The Princess has made a special exception for the exiles who wish to wear the garb.”
“Wait a minute! Then...”
Linden Kleinfelter hesitated and opened his mouth, but it was too late. The law, which had been meaningless until then due to power, was now applied to the Kleinfelter family as well when that power disappeared.
“All of the Klinefelter family’s property will go to the Crown.”
“What kind of robbery is this!”
Thud!
“...”
Eventually, Linden Klinefelter shut up, and Aland asked again.
“Are you against pardons? Then I will record that the traitors have become permanent prisoners according to the will of the Council.”
“Ues, wait a minute!”
Linden Kleinfelter clicked his tongue hastily. Tiwakan cocked the back of his head, but Black winked at him.
“Please grant me... pardon.”
Linden Kleinfelter gritted his teeth. Exile was simply unacceptable. The thought of giving up all the power he had here and leaving for another land with only his life on the line was like a fire burning in his stomach. Still, he couldn’t stay locked up underground forever. It would be better to find another country where he could get support even if he was kicked out. Fortunately, the eldest son of the family was the grandson of the Sharqa Kingdom. If he could just get to the Sharqa Kingdom, the path would open up somehow.
“Yes, I understand.”
Rosadel quickly accepted the words. When Linden Kleinfelter glared at him, he avoided eye contact and instead raised his broken left hand slightly. It was a protest that he couldn't help it.
“What about the other families?”
When Aland asked, the heads of the four clans reluctantly nodded.
“I will record that the pardon was unanimously approved. The exiles are not allowed to wear anything they acquired in Nauk. This includes their names, status, and possessions. The Princess has made a special exception for the exiles who wish to wear the garb.”
“Wait a minute! Then...”
Linden Kleinfelter hesitated and opened his mouth, but it was too late. The law, which had been meaningless until then due to power, was now applied to the Kleinfelter family as well when that power disappeared.
“All of the Klinefelter family’s property will go to the Crown.”
“What kind of robbery is this!”
Thud!
Black winked again, and his head fell to the floor as if he had been waiting. His head felt like it was in a mess. Linden Klinefelter fought back the thought of falling asleep.
“No, no...”
But his voice was too small. The other nobles all saw his eyes grow dull and listless. Now it was the moment when everyone realized that the name Kleinfelter had no power. Now, he was in a situation where if he opened his mouth once, his head would immediately break.
“The pardon will take effect immediately. It is the Princess’ mercy.”
Aland concluded the council.
“Linden Kleinfelter has lost his status as an exile and is therefore no longer worthy of being the High Chancellor of Nauk. With the High Chancellor position now vacant, the remaining five houses will have to elect a new High Chancellor. The deadline is tomorrow, at this time, when a new High Chancellor will be chosen. If no High Chancellor has the authority to nominate a High Chancellor, the Crown will assume that authority.”
Now, the five families were going to be locked in a war of wits until tomorrow. There would be rifts, conflicts, confrontations, and divisions. The days when the Treaty of Liseberg had absolute power were over. Black stood up satisfied. He didn’t fully agree with the option of hanging, but he respected Liene’s opinion that she would avoid clashing with the Kleinfelters by insisting on hanging. If the property was confiscated, the private soldiers would be busy worrying about their future. They were no longer a threat.
“Take these to the temple. You must dress them in priestly attire.”
Linden Klinefelter summoned up all his remaining strength and shouted.
“No, no...”
But his voice was too small. The other nobles all saw his eyes grow dull and listless. Now it was the moment when everyone realized that the name Kleinfelter had no power. Now, he was in a situation where if he opened his mouth once, his head would immediately break.
“The pardon will take effect immediately. It is the Princess’ mercy.”
Aland concluded the council.
“Linden Kleinfelter has lost his status as an exile and is therefore no longer worthy of being the High Chancellor of Nauk. With the High Chancellor position now vacant, the remaining five houses will have to elect a new High Chancellor. The deadline is tomorrow, at this time, when a new High Chancellor will be chosen. If no High Chancellor has the authority to nominate a High Chancellor, the Crown will assume that authority.”
Now, the five families were going to be locked in a war of wits until tomorrow. There would be rifts, conflicts, confrontations, and divisions. The days when the Treaty of Liseberg had absolute power were over. Black stood up satisfied. He didn’t fully agree with the option of hanging, but he respected Liene’s opinion that she would avoid clashing with the Kleinfelters by insisting on hanging. If the property was confiscated, the private soldiers would be busy worrying about their future. They were no longer a threat.
“Take these to the temple. You must dress them in priestly attire.”
Linden Klinefelter summoned up all his remaining strength and shouted.
“What... What did you say? Right now? Shouldn’t you give me time to see my family?”
“No way.”
“No, this can’t be happening! This can’t be happening!”
“If you want to leave this land on foot, don’t make a fuss. I’m not used to people making loud noises in front of me.”
“Th, what...”
“You still don’t know?”
“...”
Klinefelter, who had learned through his body that those soft and slow words had never been a lie, finally kept his mouth shut. No matter what he said, Black's job would not change. From now on, they had to leave Nauk, wearing rough uniforms and looking like beggars with nothing.
“My Lord has told me to tell you in advance. You must be curious, so shall we do it now?”
Fermos came to see Liene. Liene's bedroom was in disarray due to the tailor who was busy making the wedding dress and Madame Flambard arguing. Liene was watching the process of making the wedding dress and working on the documents related to the appointment.
“Was it? That’s good news. Let’s go to the next room.”
"All right."
Even though it was called the next room, it was actually Black's bedroom with a bathroom connected to it.
“Why did you clean it like this?”
He saw it as he came in, but Fermos was curious. It seemed like the bedroom, with its bed curtains and blankets gone, was no longer useful.
“Oh, let’s get a makeover. It’s a custom for spouses.”
“I see. But is it really necessary? You two will be sharing a bedroom anyway.”
Liene opened her eyes wide as if in doubt.
“Why?”
"Yes?"
Instead, Fermos looked embarrassed and asked back.
“Aren’t you still sharing the same room every day?”
“That happens sometimes. There must be a room for Lord Tiwakan to use.”
“Ah... is that so?”
“That's a given.”
“Ah... I see.”
Fermos was unaware of the Naukian aristocratic culture of separate bedrooms for married couples, and Liene had never seen a married couple sharing a bedroom.
“Then tell me. What happened at the council?”
“Oh, that’s it...”
The events of the Great Council were told briefly and simply. Of course, Fermos omitted the fact that all the elders of the Great Council, except for two, had broken their left wrists. Instead, he emphasized that no one had died.
“It was very peaceful.”
“Oh, really? That’s fortunate. Klinefelter accepted the banishment order so obediently.”
“You will be rich now, Princess.”
“No way.”
“No, this can’t be happening! This can’t be happening!”
“If you want to leave this land on foot, don’t make a fuss. I’m not used to people making loud noises in front of me.”
“Th, what...”
“You still don’t know?”
“...”
Klinefelter, who had learned through his body that those soft and slow words had never been a lie, finally kept his mouth shut. No matter what he said, Black's job would not change. From now on, they had to leave Nauk, wearing rough uniforms and looking like beggars with nothing.
***
“My Lord has told me to tell you in advance. You must be curious, so shall we do it now?”
Fermos came to see Liene. Liene's bedroom was in disarray due to the tailor who was busy making the wedding dress and Madame Flambard arguing. Liene was watching the process of making the wedding dress and working on the documents related to the appointment.
“Was it? That’s good news. Let’s go to the next room.”
"All right."
Even though it was called the next room, it was actually Black's bedroom with a bathroom connected to it.
“Why did you clean it like this?”
He saw it as he came in, but Fermos was curious. It seemed like the bedroom, with its bed curtains and blankets gone, was no longer useful.
“Oh, let’s get a makeover. It’s a custom for spouses.”
“I see. But is it really necessary? You two will be sharing a bedroom anyway.”
Liene opened her eyes wide as if in doubt.
“Why?”
"Yes?"
Instead, Fermos looked embarrassed and asked back.
“Aren’t you still sharing the same room every day?”
“That happens sometimes. There must be a room for Lord Tiwakan to use.”
“Ah... is that so?”
“That's a given.”
“Ah... I see.”
Fermos was unaware of the Naukian aristocratic culture of separate bedrooms for married couples, and Liene had never seen a married couple sharing a bedroom.
“Then tell me. What happened at the council?”
“Oh, that’s it...”
The events of the Great Council were told briefly and simply. Of course, Fermos omitted the fact that all the elders of the Great Council, except for two, had broken their left wrists. Instead, he emphasized that no one had died.
“It was very peaceful.”
“Oh, really? That’s fortunate. Klinefelter accepted the banishment order so obediently.”
“You will be rich now, Princess.”
Fermos, who could not be said to be very polite, quickly changed the subject.
“It won’t be easy. Klinefelter wouldn’t have accumulated all his wealth.”
“Still, we have to collect what we can. First, Linden Kleinfelter and Lafitte Klein... Ahem, we will recover all the assets left by their illegitimate children. Let’s hope they have a lot of cash lying around in the corners of their houses.”
“It won’t be easy. Klinefelter wouldn’t have accumulated all his wealth.”
“Still, we have to collect what we can. First, Linden Kleinfelter and Lafitte Klein... Ahem, we will recover all the assets left by their illegitimate children. Let’s hope they have a lot of cash lying around in the corners of their houses.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Liene quietly smiled at Fermos, who was trying to cover up Lafitte's existence with a cough. It made her realize that Black had kept his mouth shut even though he knew everything. How much does that man want to make her feel? Liene's heart pounds every day, and it's hard.
“Since the lord has gone in person, the remaining assets will certainly arrive in the royal treasury today.”
“Um... I’m a little worried, but is that okay?”
“What could possibly go wrong? This is something that has already been decided by the General Assembly.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m just worried about what might happen to Lord Tiwakan. The Kleinfelters won’t just sit back and let this happen. Wouldn’t it be better to send in a guard now?”
“Oh, that’s what you were talking about?”
Fermos smiled faintly. It seems that this Princess likes his master too much. It seems that she is worried about such trivial things.
“Since he brought eight guys who have been in the business for ten years, there won’t be any problems. Even though he hates busy processions, it seems he didn’t want the Princess to worry.”
“Eight is too small a number. Klinefelter’s private army numbers over five hundred.”
“I’ve already confirmed. The number of people living in the mansion is half of that number. There is a limit to the space.”
“Even if it’s half of half, it’s still over a hundred.”
Fermos's smile grew wider. The kind-hearted Princess surprisingly had quite an innocent side to her, and it was true that her eyes strangely felt happy whenever that expression appeared.
“The Princess does not know my master. A human who has survived ten years in Tiwakan would need to be struck by lightning to die.”
"Yes?"
“About a hundred is not a burdensome number, and in the worst case scenario, even if all five hundred remain, it is enough to save his life. And the area in which my lord is most talented is negotiation.”
"Yes?"
Fermos was right when he said she didn't know anything about Black. Liene kept asking what he meant.
“It means that he don’t fight those who don’t need to be fought. My lord’s sword is, as far as I know, invincible, but that’s why it’s so heavy.”
"Aha..."
Liene nodded as if thinking about something, then spoke seriously again.
“Still, I think it would be better to send the guards.”
“Yes? No, it’s okay.”
“No. I think it’s better to send it. You never know what might happen. I really want to send it.”
“Umm...”
It was really unnecessary. Sending Nauk's guards would have ended the situation before it could have helped. But the problem was that Liene, who seriously believed that it had to be done, seemed unnecessarily lovely. Fermos couldn't bring himself to say no...
"Yes?"
Fermos was right when he said she didn't know anything about Black. Liene kept asking what he meant.
“It means that he don’t fight those who don’t need to be fought. My lord’s sword is, as far as I know, invincible, but that’s why it’s so heavy.”
"Aha..."
Liene nodded as if thinking about something, then spoke seriously again.
“Still, I think it would be better to send the guards.”
“Yes? No, it’s okay.”
“No. I think it’s better to send it. You never know what might happen. I really want to send it.”
“Umm...”
It was really unnecessary. Sending Nauk's guards would have ended the situation before it could have helped. But the problem was that Liene, who seriously believed that it had to be done, seemed unnecessarily lovely. Fermos couldn't bring himself to say no...
Ha, damn it. I guess my lord feels the same way.
“What if the length is off?”
“That's a small thing.”
“Well, then... Yes. I will send it appropriately.”
"Thank you."
And of course, her face, smiling brightly with sincerity, was dirty and pretty... This is difficult. The lord is very quick-witted. Fermos couldn’t let it be known that he found Liene insanely pretty. He wouldn’t have other thoughts even if he was scared, but it was sacrilegious to even think that she was pretty.
“Then let’s go, Princess...”
Fermos bowed his head with a sullen face.
“Oh, just a moment.”
Liene grabbed him urgently. Fermos almost jumped.
“No, why are you holding my hand? Just speak. That will do.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable. If you don’t like being touched by others, be careful next time.”
“Yes, thank you very much for your kind words. Please, please do not ever, ever hold me back from doing that again. So, please speak now.”
“Lord Tiwakan, what color do he like?”
“Uh... Yes?”
“That's a small thing.”
“Well, then... Yes. I will send it appropriately.”
"Thank you."
And of course, her face, smiling brightly with sincerity, was dirty and pretty... This is difficult. The lord is very quick-witted. Fermos couldn’t let it be known that he found Liene insanely pretty. He wouldn’t have other thoughts even if he was scared, but it was sacrilegious to even think that she was pretty.
“Then let’s go, Princess...”
Fermos bowed his head with a sullen face.
“Oh, just a moment.”
Liene grabbed him urgently. Fermos almost jumped.
“No, why are you holding my hand? Just speak. That will do.”
“Oh, I’m sorry if it made you uncomfortable. If you don’t like being touched by others, be careful next time.”
“Yes, thank you very much for your kind words. Please, please do not ever, ever hold me back from doing that again. So, please speak now.”
“Lord Tiwakan, what color do he like?”
“Uh... Yes?”
Fermos was taken aback by the unexpected question.
“I need to redecorate his bedroom. If possible, use a color he likes.”
“Well, well...? Is there a color that my lord likes...?”
“Huh? Does that mean you don’t know or that there’s nothing like that?”
It was both.
“I don’t think there is such a thing, so I guess I just don’t know.”
“Oh, I see.”
Liene nodded as if she understood.
“Then I guess I’ll have to ask when he get back.”
Fermos wanted to ask, too, why her face was glowing like that as she pondered his favorite color, if there was a reason for it.
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