The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 141
Nightmare (3)
The lively streets of the capital were filled with a strange atmosphere.
The bleak air. The tension of imminent danger flowing through the skin.
Choreuk-
“… … .”
Suddenly, a piece of paper scattered on the street was picked up by the shoe of a man walking there.
The man in the black suit looked down at it for a long time, then lowered his posture, picked it up, and pulled up the corners of his mouth.
“It’s a battle of public opinion… … .”
The extra editions that had been distributed throughout the capital had now spread widely enough for everyone to know about.
So the people’s opinions also became divided.
There are those who hold back, thinking of the prince’s activities, those who react strongly, thinking of those who have committed treason, and those who are swayed by public opinion.
That is why the political situation is extremely confusing.
The strategy of riding on their support was about ‘half’ successful.
……no.
“Maybe not half, but all.”
The man took his foot off again and sent the paper flying carelessly.
Soon, it will be blown away by the wind and become nothing more than trash decorating a corner of the dirty capital city floor amidst the indifference of everyone.
At that moment, a figure in black robes approached the man stealthily like a shadow.
“Can you just wait and see?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The First Prince is a good business partner. If he falls like this, it won’t be good for us either… … .”
“Falling? That guy?”
Khehehe.
The eerie laughter mixed with the gray streets, creating an eerie atmosphere.
and.
“That’s nonsense.”
… … It was a one-off.
It was a ‘firm’ attitude that the man had never shown before.
How can you think like that?
The figure in the black robe looked at the man with a puzzled look.
The man, who had been smiling meaningfully, stopped walking and pulled the brim of his fedora tightly.
“Certainly… … It was an effective method, assuming the end. Even if we knew about the movements of the Second Prince’s faction, we wouldn’t be able to stop the change in public opinion.”
Even though it is a consequential story, isn’t there actually a change in public opinion?
It was a huge success just because his image as someone who was trusted was shattered.
It would have been the most appropriate method to attack the First Prince, who was preoccupied with the affairs of the Holy Empire and Asus.
but…….
“There’s no way that the first prince would fall so easily in the first place.”
The man couldn’t forget the cool gaze of the first prince.
A noble beast.
I didn’t know why I thought that, but I wasn’t the type of person to blink an eye in a situation like this.
No, rather, I have the absurd belief that this situation was also induced.
After all, even a fierce wild dog is nothing more than a lynx in front of a true beast.
‘Well, if we use our power, we can easily turn public opinion around… … .’
At least the prince he thinks he is would not be pleased with that.
Rather, he will take control of this map and break it as much as he wants.
… … just as it had been to them someday.
“It’ll be fun to watch. It’ll be an interesting spectacle.”
Step by step – step by step –
“… … .”
The footsteps that followed once again left only questions, and the two figures walking along the quiet street remained silent.
It was at that moment that a faint light began to flow through the man’s black suit.
“……that.”
“You can’t be a nobleman.”
What came out of her arms was a magical communication tool.
And in the splendid light of mana, the man’s face, which had been shadowed between the brim of his hat, was revealed.
“What kind of prey will he throw at us next?”
A bandage covering all areas except the bloodshot eye.
“I hope I make money this time too.”
At the prince’s gesture, the shadows began to shake again.
However, there was no way the Second Prince faction could have known that fact.
* * *
Esteban’s royal family spent each day in chaos, and the voices criticizing the first prince grew louder by the day.
“The first prince must be brought to trial! We cannot just stand by and watch him forever!”
“That’s right! That outburst will be a great disgrace to Esteban!”
The cries of the nobles resonate continuously.
The number of nobles who agreed with this was also increasing day by day.
How much worse must it have been for the nobles of the First Prince faction, conscious of public opinion, to hold their breath and watch the situation unfold?
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“How could it not work?”
“If things continue like this, the citizens will also join in and rise up.”
“Even so, how can we refute such nonsense? Even when they are ignoring the achievements that have already been revealed… … .”
“I think we need another way. Even if we respond to absurd instigation, the citizens are already feeling uneasy.”
The nobles of the first prince’s faction expressed their anxiety.
Of course, even discussing it like this was ridiculous. It was ridiculous to criticize the first prince who had achieved such things as bringing dwarves and occupying some of the lands of the northern barbarians.
But sometimes the truth itself is uncomfortable.
It was very effective in exaggerating some of the aftereffects that emerged as a countermeasure.
“To make matters worse, you haven’t been seen at any official events recently… … .”
In the end, what the nobles of the First Prince faction chose in that situation was to directly discuss a way to overcome the situation.
should.
“I should go and see him.”
“Then… … .”
“Baron Vidor.”
The nobles’ stern faces nodded.
As the First Prince’s closest confidant and right-hand man, he would be able to discuss the First Prince’s thoughts on this situation and ways to resolve it.
It might have seemed comical that the situation had to be left to a baron, but that was out of the question in the current situation.
……however.
“What?! Are you saying you sent me back without any consultation?”
“exactly.”
Baron Vidor sent the nobles away, repeating only that everything would be fine.
He didn’t even grant my request to meet the First Prince in person.
“Even at this moment, the Second Prince faction is moving… … .”
“Are you not even going to show any response… … !”
It was at that time that the nobles of the 1st Prince faction were suffering from anxiety.
“That’s urgent!”
“Urgent news?”
“The Crown Prince has finally spoken! It is a royal proclamation!”
“It’s a royal proclamation!”
“Ohhh… …! Finally!”
1The prince moved.
And that too, it was not an individual’s voice, but the name of the royal family.
In other words, it was no different from saying that this matter was accepted as part of the succession struggle rather than a simple incident.
He literally drew his sword and raised it.
“What did Your Majesty say?!”
“Let’s go and see!”
The nobles rushed to check the contents of the announcement.
And at the same time, he had a questioning look on his face.
“ah…….”
“This is… … .”
okay.
The announced content does not resist the resolution put forward by the 2nd Prince faction.
– I will correct the confusion right at the hearing.
… … just submitting to that fate.
The only content was that they would create such a place.
The nobles could not hide their puzzled expressions.
“Giving them their demands at this point… … This is a somewhat disheartening announcement.”
For a moment, I felt so empty and disappointed.
A nobleman discovered something strange in the published material.
“Hmm? But what on earth does this mean?”
“well…….”
-Nobles residing in the capital must attend the hearing.
It was something strange, yet at first glance meaningful.
What on earth are you trying to say by mentioning the word “must”?
“Let’s participate for now. Based on the way Your Majesty has acted so far, I’m sure you have some ideas.”
“… … Okay, I understand.”
So, the nobles of the 1st Prince faction decided to participate, although they were puzzled.
Not only was the unusual mention of “pilcham” so odd, but I instinctively sensed that the situation itself was going in a strange direction.
As if something was going to happen there… … .
Also, the fact about the hearing had been passed on to the Second Prince faction for a long time.
“Okay!”
“We succeeded in getting the first prince to the hearing!”
The nobles cheered.
A hearing is never a light matter.
The mere fact that he was in a position to stand there was proof that he had succeeded in tarnishing that reputation.
I couldn’t understand why he complied with the request so meekly.
“… … Well, it must have been an inevitable choice to defend against public criticism.”
“That doesn’t mean the problem will be solved though.”
Even if it were possible to somehow explain away much of the content of the resolution, which was exaggerated, there were clearly some parts that could be problematic.
For example… …things related to the Galder Plains.
“We are focusing on that area as planned.”
The Second Prince’s plan was there from the beginning.
Let them do whatever they want with the parts that can be explained, and focus on the parts that cannot be explained, damaging their image.
Anyway, public opinion will only remember the negative things.
“The hearing is scheduled for four days later… … .”
The nobles felt their bodies heat up and wiggled their buttocks.
“… … I’m really looking forward to it.”
A trap that you absolutely cannot avoid.
In the end, there would be no way for him to prove the usefulness of that insignificant plain.
* * *
The four days passed by in an instant.
Could it be because there was such a big commotion going on? The solemn atmosphere of Daejeon was unusually silent today.
… … Well, it would be more correct to say that both sides are keeping their mouths shut.
“I don’t see many nobles who used to nag me.”
I spoke absentmindedly, looking at the faces of the nobles attending the hearing.
There was no way that anyone present would not know that what I was talking about was the nobles of the ‘Second Prince Faction’.
“You must be busy moving in a hurry.”
“… … .”
“Ahem!”
The voices that occasionally popped out were from the nobles of the Second Prince faction who participated in the hearing.
Although they held the hearings as they wanted, they were still agitating to sway public opinion in their favor even a little.
However, it was not my mistake that I saw an unexpected face among them.
‘Duke William.’
… … The beginning of all this.
How long has it been since I saw that aged face? The golden glory of the past has faded and turned white, and the face is wrinkled with desire.
Although he hasn’t appeared in public for a long time, he seems to have made an appearance in person today.
‘Did you want to see my distorted expression?’
I stood there for a while, making eye contact with the man who was quietly looking at me.
A very tenacious gaze. I could clearly feel the anticipation.
But I can’t make it happen.
Boom boom-!
“Be quiet.”
Father’s voice echoed, and the nobles’ bodies shrank.
“At your request, a hearing has been held regarding the qualifications of Prince Allen Esteban to run the government.”
As it was an important agenda, my father was in charge of this agenda.
A person famous for never expressing personal feelings in public.
“First, let us hear the opinions of the nobles who raised this issue.”
And only then did a faint smile appear on Duke William’s face.
It was just the beginning.
“Ahem! This is the Viscount Salton of the South.”
“Let me speak.”
“Your Majesty the King, do you remember the conversation you had with the Federal Empire delegation here last year?”
Every time I remember.
Father nodded slightly.
“If you were to ask me about the time when I received the Galder Plains from the Federation Empire, which denied its relationship with Asus, I remember.”
“Yes, if that’s true, you must also know the public opinion when you received the land.”
“hmm.”
Half of the public opinion is asking why we are accepting such things.
The remaining half were of the opinion that they should not be offended by receiving land from the Federal Empire.
That means there were no positive aspects.
2nd Prince’s faction’s Earl of Salton continued speaking, the corners of his lips raised.
“As many of you know, the land is of no use. At best, it is now used as a dwarf sanctuary.”
“So, what you’re saying is that it was the First Prince’s arbitrary action and that it didn’t help the national interest at all.”
“Yes.”
In doing so, the Count emphasized the ‘usefulness’ of the land by mentioning the evidence he had previously submitted.
“If you refer to the contents submitted earlier, that 20 kilometers of land is worthless. At the very least, it would be of little use for farming and picking fruits, since the land was lent to the dwarves.”
“Hmm.”
“How can we trust and run the government of someone who has chosen to ‘unilaterally’ proceed with such a big task as taking over a region like this?”
“… … .”
“Ahem!”
The nobles of the First Prince faction were already making uncomfortable expressions as if they had expected the question.
Even if I wanted to refute that statement, I had no way to refute it.
Although it was a refreshing experience for them at the time, they were clearly divided.
“… … I understand your argument. This is proof of the incompetence of Allen Esteban, as you say.”
“Yes.”
The nobles of the Second Prince faction nodded their heads confidently.
That was the moment.
“Allen Esteban. Do you have anything to say?”
My father’s gaze turned to me, and soon I began to open my mouth.
“The problem they have is that the land was useless.”
“Yes.”
“But that land is definitely a useful place.”
… … Is it useful?
The nobles of the Second Prince faction laughed as if it was ridiculous.
“Are you saying that it has more meaning than just lending it to the dwarves?”
It was a question filled with a very sharp and malicious intent.
But I shrugged my shoulders, ignored it, and then spoke to my father as if asking for his permission.
“I have brought a witness to prove it. May I have him come in here?”
“As a witness… … .”
This was one of the submissions made before the start of the previous hearing. There was no reason to reject it.
“Let’s do that.”
Squeak-
My father gave permission without hesitation, and soon the door to the main hall opened and a man began to walk in.
But the faces of the nobles looking at this were full of doubt.
“hmm?”
“Who the hell is that?”
A timid gait.
And the attitude of always being aware of the surroundings.
The man was an extremely ordinary ‘commoner’ who did not fit in this place.
“Please introduce yourself.”
“Yes, ah, I understand, Your Majesty.”
Finally, the man who stood proudly on the witness stand bowed his head deeply and said,
“Oh, hello. I am a staff member from the Geological Society of Esteban.”
“… … What association?”
Finally, the nobles’ doubts deepened.
Rather, I just felt the absurdity itself.
