The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 138
Massacre (5)
Esteban’s alliance with the Holy Empire.
The declaration of cooperation between the two countries created a great stir on the continent.
However, most of them were not entirely positive.
-Esteban and the Holy Empire?
-What on earth does that alliance mean to the Holy Empire?
-Isn’t there nothing to gain from this for the Holy Empire?
Now that Esteban has trampled the barbarian lands and established his occupied territory.
Although the name was often mentioned, it was nothing compared to the majesty of the name Holy Empire.
The Holy Empire is a great empire known as one of the two great powers on the continent.
And Esteban is a weak country caught between two great powers.
It was clear that the two countries forming an alliance and continuing support was an extremely unfair diplomatic move for one side.
But if you see through the internal circumstances, you will be able to understand the true intentions of the alliance.
For some, it is the peace of residence and the satisfaction of their desires. For others, it is the means to use as they see fit.
The circumstances hidden under the name of reconciliation were even more secretive and would surely bring astronomical benefits to both countries.
And this was no different from saying that the balance of the great power structure that had been maintained was beginning to shift.
But if there was one thing that came to mind more than anything else, it was the story of the events caused by the man known as the ‘First Prince’.
A summary execution that occurred in front of the delegation of the Holy Empire.
… … and the brutal massacre that took place in the capital and the whole story behind it.
“That’s funny.”
I shrugged my shoulders leisurely and let go of my luck.
“Why is there so much noise over the killing of just criminals?”
Everything is done out of necessity. From what happened at the State Council to the execution of those guys.
Even the public opinion of the nobles who are currently in turmoil was part of the plan.
If you stir things up like this, the 2nd prince faction will come out of the anthill.
In front of me, there is only a cup of tea that has now grown cold.
“How did things go with the secret mansion?”
“The Knights are pretending to be a landslide and controlling the area.”
“That’s a good excuse.”
In reality, all the troops inside were shocked and died.
Well, that’s not a complete lie.
“So? Did you find out how he managed to sneak into Esteban’s land?”
I turned my gaze and looked straight ahead.
Then Edward, the leader of the Knights of Argon, continued his report.
“Yes, Your Majesty. We have discovered a passageway that could lead to Esteban around the collapsed secret mansion. We are investigating all traces found in the surrounding area, but fortunately, no one other than Marquis Carlos has entered yet.”
“You’re saying that no one has come and gone… … .”
“Yes.”
… … I see, that’s what it is.
The passage is a secret entry method for the slaves to infiltrate.
But, what does it mean that there is no trace of anyone entering that place?
“That passage must mean that he had a secret weapon set aside.”
“Yes, it seems that way.”
An arrogant smile flowed out between the hands that were caressing her lips.
A passage with strict security to prevent anyone from being caught.
This would have been a space unknown even to the three artists.
He had hidden a dagger that he would use to strangle Esteban at the last moment.
It was likely a secret tactic that was further hidden by handing over the mountain range during the meeting with us.
Yeah, I thought it was too quietly passed over.
“It is highly likely that no one except the Fourth Prince and the Emperor knew of its existence.”
It was clear to me that even I, who knew the exact location of the passage that would be built in the future, didn’t know.
But how could something like that get discovered… … .
“At this point, I wonder how he’ll react?”
Shhh-
The leisurely discussion of humor soon turned into cold laughter.
Not only had the existence of the secret mansion and passage been discovered, but he had also lost his beloved Sword Master, so I was very curious about what kind of expression he was making behind that mask.
‘Especially in a situation like now where the position is shaky, the absence of a Marquis-level nobleman is the worst of bad news.’
What about those who died in Esteban’s land, which was not even their own?
Could you explain why the Swordmaster was discovered in a foreign country?
Perhaps Marquis Carlos will remain missing forever, without even finding his body, and will be forgotten by the world.
The value of being a Sword Master during his lifetime no longer had any meaning.
Squeak-
After the report was over, Edward left and George, who had been waiting outside, came in.
“Are you really not going to announce it?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The existence of Marquis Carlos.”
Swordmasters, like great wizards, were no different from ‘strategic weapons’ that determined the outcome of battles.
Since such a person had infiltrated Esteban, it was clear that the moment it was made public, the Federal Empire would immediately be condemned by the public.
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but.
“They will never admit that fact. Rather, they will deny it and declare that the cause belongs to them.”
“You lured me into a trap in Esteban and harmed our country’s sword master… … Something like that?”
“Yeah. Since there’s no evidence of movement from that side, it should be easy to drive them away.”
Even if it was a false cause, it was enough.
Because it gave them a ‘legitimate’ excuse to somehow pressure their opponent.
I nodded and rested my chin on my hand.
“The reason we benefit from diplomacy with the Holy Empire is because Esteban is not yet in a ‘hostile’ relationship with the Federal Empire.”
“If war breaks out in this situation, it could look like we are relying on the Holy Empire.”
“We must always be willing to yield to the Holy Empire.”
At least the first thing that was said was that we shouldn’t create anything that could be considered a problem.
That way, Esteban will have the upper hand in this delicate balance.
“Let’s maintain the status quo until absolute power is achieved.”
“Well, for now, I know what you mean.”
……okay.
Until then, we just have to maintain this subtle relationship.
Also, using the Holy Empire as you see fit.
And to sharpen the blade of vengeance while diminishing the power of the Federal Empire.
For the Holy Empire, it was enough to just show their overwhelming presence here.
So, for the time being, we planned to pretend not to even know about his existence.
but.
“It won’t take that long.”
Only then did I finally pick up the cold teacup.
Soon all this will be in our favor.
* * *
“Come this way.”
Following the man’s guidance, Archpriest Garden eventually arrived at the palace’s secret storage room.
and…….
“Please check.”
“… … .”
The high priest absentmindedly reached out and touched the thing in front of him.
How many times have I been surprised since coming to this land?
But what I saw before my eyes was incomparable to anything that came before.
‘… … Shin Sung-cheol.’
Light as glass and so transparent that you can see through it.
And paradoxically, it is harder than any other mineral.
The quality was just perfect.
Even he, in his position as High Priest, had rarely seen this level of quality.
And there were dozens of these ingots of sacred iron smelted in piles… no, hundreds, to a ridiculous degree.
It is truly astonishing that the quality of each and every one of them has remained consistent.
‘It must have been the work of dwarves who fled from this land.’
The high priest naturally became cautious and examined them.
For a while, silence fell on the inside of the palace warehouse.
“… … !”
But at that moment, the face of the high priest who was caressing one of the sacred iron ingots suddenly hardened.
The relationship between the dwarves and the suddenly discovered Sacred Iron Mine in a land called Estevan.
It was because the thought that came to mind unconsciously was so coincidental.
‘Making the dwarves refine mithril… … .’
Can we really dismiss that as a coincidence?
It was too incredible a fate to be a coincidence.
The chances of accidentally discovering both, let alone one, are close to 0%.
For a moment, an absurd idea flashed through his mind.
… … Then, could it be that the First Prince created this situation?
The high priest’s expression hardened into a more serious expression.
But soon he shook his head and denied his own thoughts.
The task of rescuing dwarves who discovered the existence of the Mithril Mine and were able to refine it.
On the other hand, after rescuing the dwarves, we discover a mithril mine so that we can utilize them.
Because it would have been impossible to aim for either.
But how could he know that fact?
Did it occur to you that this was a product of design?
‘… … Phew, it looks like you’ve been through a lot.’
The end of that question was to erase the thought that had arisen from my mind.
The man who saw the high priest put down the sacred iron opened his mouth.
“As you can see, it has already been refined. The quantity will be sent to the Holy Empire according to the agreement.”
“exactly?”
“Once the Holy Empire delegation leaves today, trade procedures will begin.”
“Okay.”
The high priest, who had responded so reflexively, slowly turned his gaze towards the man in front of him.
… … George Hegmes.
He is the person who guided the delegation until they returned to the Holy Kingdom, and is the closest aide to the still-hidden First Prince.
It turns out that he was more involved in the plan than the First Prince’s aide, Baron Vidor.
If so, wouldn’t he know something?
At that moment, George felt her gaze and narrowed his eyes and asked.
“Do you have any other questions?”
“… … If it’s not too much trouble, may I ask when the Shinsungcheol mine was discovered?”
“A discovery?”
It might be a somewhat sudden question.
But fortunately, the other person answered my questions without any particular suspicion.
“Well, there’s no reason why it wouldn’t work out since the agreement has already been reached. The discovery was made around the end of last summer.”
“You mean after you discovered the dwarf?”
“Dwarves have the ability to sense the energy of veins. Well, I guess that means we’re just lucky.”
“… … I see.”
The ability to sense the energy of a vein… … .
Although the scope was limited, he certainly had that ability.
If that’s what you found out, then it was clear that you were overreacting.
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“What is it?”
The high priest’s expression brightened significantly.
If you think about it logically, it was just luck.
I knew full well that it didn’t make sense.
The rescue of the dwarf was purely a coincidence, and the record was the only conclusion.
However, the reason why it doesn’t leave my mind is because the actions of the first prince up until now are viewed with astonishment.
… … Wait a minute, is this the behavior you’ve been seeing so far?
“… … !”
At that moment, something I had been missing suddenly flashed through my mind.
Things like this that we have been greatly overlooking… … .
The high priest’s eyebrows trembled as he realized that fact.
‘… … The dwarves were definitely staying in the land called the Plains of Galderd.’
The dwarves had never left that land.
Since the world’s attention had been focused on them for a while, they could not have made any other moves.
In that situation, if the dwarves discovered a mine, it most likely meant that there was a mithril mine there.
But that plain… … .
‘It must have been the land that Prince Esteban received from the Federal Empire… … .’
An inexplicable chill ran through my whole body.
So the High Priest of Garden stood there blankly, unaware that his own white hair was standing on end.
That’s why I couldn’t check it in time.
Behind him, George Hegmes, the first prince’s closest aide, was smiling meaningfully.
* * *
And at the same time.
“It’s been a long time since we last talked like this.”
“… … .”
I was talking to a saint who had visited my office.
