I quickly looked at Ryan.
“What is it, Dad?”
"I don't know?!"
Ryan was also looking at me with his eyes wide open.
He also seemed completely unaware of why the imperial carriage had come out of nowhere.
Then?
'I have to go out and check it out myself!'
I ran out in a hurry.
“Oh my! Even cold water has its ups and downs, so where’s the little bunny!”
“Yes?!”
The ill-mannered lion pushed me away and ran ahead. I followed suit.
When I came out, indeed.
A luxurious four-horse carriage pulled by four muscular black horses was visible.
The royal seal with a sticky note.
And behind them... countless steeds with glossy black fur stand in rows!
'What?!'
As I approached nervously, the carriage door opened, and someone got out, accompanied by the royal knights.
A man with a gray mustache, dressed in luxurious silk. He wore white stockings and a stern expression...
'Wow, it's the imperial messenger.'
I recognized him the moment I saw his attire. And then I quickly looked at what he was holding in his hand.
A red... ornate scroll.
'Wow, really?'
Bam.
The chessboard was laid out.
Crown Prince Bane sat alone in his office, lost in thought.
“The Konrad massacre was not the work of that guy Ryan.”
Nike said so.
Ryan Wassenberg.
The mastermind behind the Konrad Massacre.
Even Bane had suspected that he might simply be a scapegoat abandoned by the Duke of Wassenberg.
The most 'useless' thing to blame for the family's sins.
But this ability is scary.
Even if he were a useless pack, he would still have the power to commit a massacre. Moreover, even if Ryan Wassenberg committed the massacre on the Duke's orders, it was still a crime.
He didn't even care about the circumstances of that damn Wassenberg blood bastard, scapegoat or not.
‘...It was like that.’
Bane placed a pawn at the edge of the chessboard.
'You weren't even at Konrad that day?'
Everything Nike said came from Ryan Wassenberg's mouth.
Of course, he can't believe it.
However, Bane believed in Nike.
“What exactly do you want from me, Nike?”
“I just want to let Your Highness know that Ryan has been wronged.”
"Yes?"
"Yes. That's all I have to say. Will you believe me?"
Nike seemed to know something more, but he didn't reveal everything, just said that.
Bane smiled as he thought of his always-steady younger brother.
“...even if you lie, your brother will believe it to be the truth.”
Nike isn't stupid. There must be a solid reason why he concluded Ryan wasn't a murderer.
If so, he believes it.
And... He guessed Ryan’s intentions, which popped up from an unexpected place.
He volunteered for the punitive expedition, fought for the empire without compensation, and served with distinction, saving the imperial family. He then conveyed his message, "Please let the Crown Prince know of my injustice."
In fact, his intentions were obvious without any need to guess.
He wants a title.
“Hmm.”
Bane continued to fiddle with the pawn he had placed at the edge of the chessboard and sank into a deep sleep.
No matter how great their achievements, there has never been a case of a 'criminal' being given a title.
But breaking this long-standing custom...
What if the imperial family bestowed a noble crown on a 'criminal'?
Everyone will be surprised.
Granting a title of nobility to a high-ranking criminal who committed mass murder?
If it were an occasional occurrence, it might be frowned upon as a royal abuse, but isn't there a precedent for such a thing?
Before you object, you might be wondering why.
And, naturally...
'13 years ago, questions will be raised about the massacre of Konrad.'
If Ryan were clearly a criminal, would the royal family have given him a title?
...starting with the question, the tragedy of that day will surely somehow surface again.
This means that it will really upset the Duke of Wassenberg.
“It was fun.”
The imperial family was infinitely weak in confronting Wassenberg.
However, we must not always, without any reason, just hand over our flesh to these vile beasts.
Then the royal family will be imprinted on everyone as powerless herbivores.
That's why Bane always struggles. He hopes his meaningless resistance will one day become a sword that will stab Wassenberg's neck.
So this choice is...
Part of such 'resistance'.
“Ryan Wassenberg.”
Bane began moving the pawn at the edge of the chessboard up one space at a time.
This most useless-looking thing goes up, up, up...
“I hope that helps.”
Anything can happen when you reach the other end of the chessboard.
Bane changed the pawn into a knight.
The King, the King's piece, was visible nearby.
King.
Edgar Wassenberg, the de facto king of this empire.
'Will your world last forever?'
The small knight pushed the King off the chessboard.
The King's neck fell down helplessly.
The Crown Prince, who had been watching it for a while, got up with sharp eyes and left the office.
"You asked the Third Prince to explain to His Highness the Crown Prince that my father wasn't a murderer? Is that all? What's so unreasonable about that?"
“Hey, if you try to eat too much at once, you’ll get a stomachache. You should go slowly.”
Ryan's request to Nike wasn't anything special. Honestly, there was no need to ask for it.
I know Nike very well, and he would tell his brother about Ryan's situation without you having to ask him.
"You asked to meet the crown prince again? Wouldn't that be too much of a request if it had to be arranged?"
“Oh, you might be saying it so easily because you have fond memories of being flirty with the Third Prince, but the first time I had a proper conversation with him was during the expedition?!”
Ryan grumbled. He was really upset because he was being harassed for doing something that didn't even make sense.
"I'm sure you told me to tell him that my father is incompetent, right? His Highness the Crown Prince is suspicious and intelligent, so if you just tell him you're not a murderer, he won't believe you."
"Huh. I didn't ask him to be that specific. But if you're going to prove I'm not a murderer, wouldn't you also have to admit I'm incompetent?"
“...? Wow, no!”
There was really no income! Really!
“The Third Prince promised to keep the fact that my father was incompetent a secret!”
“…? That’s what I’m saying, don’t tell those you shouldn’t tell. I’ll tell the Crown Prince.”
"No! That guy... if he promised to keep it a secret, he wouldn't tell! He wouldn't tell even if you tortured him! Not to anyone!"
"What? Oh my god. You're such an inflexible idiot?"
"Is it a bit harsh to call him an idiot? Why would you call him an idiot? He's an honest man!"
Nike is... Nike is that kind of man...
Ryan asked him to keep his secret, so he will keep it no matter what.
Without revealing that he doesn't have this ability, he'll just say, "The Konrad massacre wasn't Ryan's doing."
I know my boyfriend well.
It's so obvious. Really.
“Wow! This is really pointless! You idiot lion!”
“Why am I such an idiot! Your boyfriend is such an idiot!”
Crown Prince Bane is a wise man who also hates Wassenberg.
He only knew that Ryan was a murderer, and he only heard Nike's words without any evidence.
'Oh, really? Haha~ He wasn't a massacre~ Then even Wassenberg is okay~ We're all friends~' What are the chances that he'll say that?
Is the Crown Prince stupid? 0%!
'I thought so.'
I was blank.
I looked at the unbelievable sight unfolding before my eyes.
Ryan gets down on one knee.
The Crown Prince's messenger stands before him, holding the imperial edict spread out before him.
“..You have contributed to the peace of the country by performing outstandingly on the front lines and have saved the lives of the royal family of Valencia, the foundation of the empire. I would like to commend you for your great achievements.”
Is the Crown Prince stupid?
“You are granted 100 gold bars, 50 silks, and 20 war horses, and the title of Baron, a decoration for great knights.”
...I guess he's stupid.
"From this time forward, Sir Ryan Belzer, as a noble of Valensia, is to watch over and love the people of the Empire, and serve as a role model for all. This is hereby commanded by the royal edict bearing the seal of Crown Prince Bane Valensia."
I couldn't believe it.
So my plan is...
Contact the Crown Prince → Make him believe by personally explaining that Ryan is not a mass murderer → Go out to the battlefield consistently and achieve merit → Receive a title from the Crown Prince.
...was.
The plan, which was thought to take a considerable amount of time, succeeded in skipping all the intermediate steps and seeing the fruit of 'receiving a title from the Crown Prince' in one go.
'Wow. You don't know what the Crown Prince is thinking?'
I don't think he's really that stupid.
At that moment, the messenger rolled up the scroll he had been reading and handed it to Ryan, who accepted it.
"...Thank you."
Ryan said with a face that still didn't grasp the situation.
During a peaceful lunch hour, the family suddenly witnessed the sight of a person being awarded a title in the front yard, and they all fell into silence with their mouths wide open.
You all won't believe it.
Is this a dream or reality...
When the messenger finished his business, he got back into his carriage and disappeared like the wind, and we didn't speak again after that.
The only reminders of reality are the twenty warhorses lined up on the front yard promenade, whining and whining, and the mountainous pile of fifty rolls of silk and one hundred gold bars.
After a while, Ryan slowly looked around at his family, who were all stunned.
‘...See the expression on his face?’
Chin up. Eyes downcast with arrogance.
As expected, he immediately became arrogant after receiving a title.
“Listen, my people.”
Oh, I think I'm going to burst out laughing.
Ryan closed his eyes tightly and spread his arms out to the sides.
“Everyone, starting today...”
He paused, took a deep breath, and declared with some dignity.
“Let this body be called the Great Baron!!!”
“What is it, Dad?”
"I don't know?!"
Ryan was also looking at me with his eyes wide open.
He also seemed completely unaware of why the imperial carriage had come out of nowhere.
Then?
'I have to go out and check it out myself!'
I ran out in a hurry.
“Oh my! Even cold water has its ups and downs, so where’s the little bunny!”
“Yes?!”
The ill-mannered lion pushed me away and ran ahead. I followed suit.
When I came out, indeed.
A luxurious four-horse carriage pulled by four muscular black horses was visible.
The royal seal with a sticky note.
And behind them... countless steeds with glossy black fur stand in rows!
'What?!'
As I approached nervously, the carriage door opened, and someone got out, accompanied by the royal knights.
A man with a gray mustache, dressed in luxurious silk. He wore white stockings and a stern expression...
'Wow, it's the imperial messenger.'
I recognized him the moment I saw his attire. And then I quickly looked at what he was holding in his hand.
A red... ornate scroll.
'Wow, really?'
***
Bam.
The chessboard was laid out.
Crown Prince Bane sat alone in his office, lost in thought.
“The Konrad massacre was not the work of that guy Ryan.”
Nike said so.
Ryan Wassenberg.
The mastermind behind the Konrad Massacre.
Even Bane had suspected that he might simply be a scapegoat abandoned by the Duke of Wassenberg.
The most 'useless' thing to blame for the family's sins.
But this ability is scary.
Even if he were a useless pack, he would still have the power to commit a massacre. Moreover, even if Ryan Wassenberg committed the massacre on the Duke's orders, it was still a crime.
He didn't even care about the circumstances of that damn Wassenberg blood bastard, scapegoat or not.
‘...It was like that.’
Bane placed a pawn at the edge of the chessboard.
'You weren't even at Konrad that day?'
Everything Nike said came from Ryan Wassenberg's mouth.
Of course, he can't believe it.
However, Bane believed in Nike.
“What exactly do you want from me, Nike?”
“I just want to let Your Highness know that Ryan has been wronged.”
"Yes?"
"Yes. That's all I have to say. Will you believe me?"
Nike seemed to know something more, but he didn't reveal everything, just said that.
Bane smiled as he thought of his always-steady younger brother.
“...even if you lie, your brother will believe it to be the truth.”
Nike isn't stupid. There must be a solid reason why he concluded Ryan wasn't a murderer.
If so, he believes it.
And... He guessed Ryan’s intentions, which popped up from an unexpected place.
He volunteered for the punitive expedition, fought for the empire without compensation, and served with distinction, saving the imperial family. He then conveyed his message, "Please let the Crown Prince know of my injustice."
In fact, his intentions were obvious without any need to guess.
He wants a title.
“Hmm.”
Bane continued to fiddle with the pawn he had placed at the edge of the chessboard and sank into a deep sleep.
No matter how great their achievements, there has never been a case of a 'criminal' being given a title.
But breaking this long-standing custom...
What if the imperial family bestowed a noble crown on a 'criminal'?
Everyone will be surprised.
Granting a title of nobility to a high-ranking criminal who committed mass murder?
If it were an occasional occurrence, it might be frowned upon as a royal abuse, but isn't there a precedent for such a thing?
Before you object, you might be wondering why.
And, naturally...
'13 years ago, questions will be raised about the massacre of Konrad.'
If Ryan were clearly a criminal, would the royal family have given him a title?
...starting with the question, the tragedy of that day will surely somehow surface again.
This means that it will really upset the Duke of Wassenberg.
“It was fun.”
The imperial family was infinitely weak in confronting Wassenberg.
However, we must not always, without any reason, just hand over our flesh to these vile beasts.
Then the royal family will be imprinted on everyone as powerless herbivores.
That's why Bane always struggles. He hopes his meaningless resistance will one day become a sword that will stab Wassenberg's neck.
So this choice is...
Part of such 'resistance'.
“Ryan Wassenberg.”
Bane began moving the pawn at the edge of the chessboard up one space at a time.
This most useless-looking thing goes up, up, up...
“I hope that helps.”
Anything can happen when you reach the other end of the chessboard.
Bane changed the pawn into a knight.
The King, the King's piece, was visible nearby.
King.
Edgar Wassenberg, the de facto king of this empire.
'Will your world last forever?'
The small knight pushed the King off the chessboard.
The King's neck fell down helplessly.
The Crown Prince, who had been watching it for a while, got up with sharp eyes and left the office.
***
"You asked the Third Prince to explain to His Highness the Crown Prince that my father wasn't a murderer? Is that all? What's so unreasonable about that?"
“Hey, if you try to eat too much at once, you’ll get a stomachache. You should go slowly.”
Ryan's request to Nike wasn't anything special. Honestly, there was no need to ask for it.
I know Nike very well, and he would tell his brother about Ryan's situation without you having to ask him.
"You asked to meet the crown prince again? Wouldn't that be too much of a request if it had to be arranged?"
“Oh, you might be saying it so easily because you have fond memories of being flirty with the Third Prince, but the first time I had a proper conversation with him was during the expedition?!”
Ryan grumbled. He was really upset because he was being harassed for doing something that didn't even make sense.
"I'm sure you told me to tell him that my father is incompetent, right? His Highness the Crown Prince is suspicious and intelligent, so if you just tell him you're not a murderer, he won't believe you."
"Huh. I didn't ask him to be that specific. But if you're going to prove I'm not a murderer, wouldn't you also have to admit I'm incompetent?"
“...? Wow, no!”
There was really no income! Really!
“The Third Prince promised to keep the fact that my father was incompetent a secret!”
“…? That’s what I’m saying, don’t tell those you shouldn’t tell. I’ll tell the Crown Prince.”
"No! That guy... if he promised to keep it a secret, he wouldn't tell! He wouldn't tell even if you tortured him! Not to anyone!"
"What? Oh my god. You're such an inflexible idiot?"
"Is it a bit harsh to call him an idiot? Why would you call him an idiot? He's an honest man!"
Nike is... Nike is that kind of man...
Ryan asked him to keep his secret, so he will keep it no matter what.
Without revealing that he doesn't have this ability, he'll just say, "The Konrad massacre wasn't Ryan's doing."
I know my boyfriend well.
It's so obvious. Really.
“Wow! This is really pointless! You idiot lion!”
“Why am I such an idiot! Your boyfriend is such an idiot!”
Crown Prince Bane is a wise man who also hates Wassenberg.
He only knew that Ryan was a murderer, and he only heard Nike's words without any evidence.
'Oh, really? Haha~ He wasn't a massacre~ Then even Wassenberg is okay~ We're all friends~' What are the chances that he'll say that?
Is the Crown Prince stupid? 0%!
'I thought so.'
I was blank.
I looked at the unbelievable sight unfolding before my eyes.
Ryan gets down on one knee.
The Crown Prince's messenger stands before him, holding the imperial edict spread out before him.
“..You have contributed to the peace of the country by performing outstandingly on the front lines and have saved the lives of the royal family of Valencia, the foundation of the empire. I would like to commend you for your great achievements.”
Is the Crown Prince stupid?
“You are granted 100 gold bars, 50 silks, and 20 war horses, and the title of Baron, a decoration for great knights.”
...I guess he's stupid.
"From this time forward, Sir Ryan Belzer, as a noble of Valensia, is to watch over and love the people of the Empire, and serve as a role model for all. This is hereby commanded by the royal edict bearing the seal of Crown Prince Bane Valensia."
I couldn't believe it.
So my plan is...
Contact the Crown Prince → Make him believe by personally explaining that Ryan is not a mass murderer → Go out to the battlefield consistently and achieve merit → Receive a title from the Crown Prince.
...was.
The plan, which was thought to take a considerable amount of time, succeeded in skipping all the intermediate steps and seeing the fruit of 'receiving a title from the Crown Prince' in one go.
'Wow. You don't know what the Crown Prince is thinking?'
I don't think he's really that stupid.
At that moment, the messenger rolled up the scroll he had been reading and handed it to Ryan, who accepted it.
"...Thank you."
Ryan said with a face that still didn't grasp the situation.
During a peaceful lunch hour, the family suddenly witnessed the sight of a person being awarded a title in the front yard, and they all fell into silence with their mouths wide open.
You all won't believe it.
Is this a dream or reality...
When the messenger finished his business, he got back into his carriage and disappeared like the wind, and we didn't speak again after that.
The only reminders of reality are the twenty warhorses lined up on the front yard promenade, whining and whining, and the mountainous pile of fifty rolls of silk and one hundred gold bars.
After a while, Ryan slowly looked around at his family, who were all stunned.
‘...See the expression on his face?’
Chin up. Eyes downcast with arrogance.
That look that says everyone but me deserves contempt...!
“Listen, my people.”
Oh, I think I'm going to burst out laughing.
Ryan closed his eyes tightly and spread his arms out to the sides.
“Everyone, starting today...”
He paused, took a deep breath, and declared with some dignity.
“Let this body be called the Great Baron!!!”
Comments
Post a Comment