The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Chapter 144
Rebellion (1)
The change was taking place secretly, yet boldly, in the darkness of the middle of the night.
“Esteban’s current royal family is rotten!”
The peacock’s instigation echoed through it and rang in the soldiers’ ears.
Esteban’s royal family is supporting the birth of a potential tyrant.
The future of the royal family, who cannot even discern such simple principles, will be filled with nothing but despair.
“And the stupid nobles just watch this in silence!”
visor-!
A golden longsword was drawn out and raised towards the sky.
It was also a message to the soldiers who were watching this sight.
“Do you want to suffer under a tyrant and his subjects who cannot even tell right from wrong?”
“no!”
“Then will you just watch with your own eyes as the weakened national power mocks and tramples upon your family?”
“no!”
“Therefore, I, Duke William, the pillar of the East, have drawn my sword!”
As if he were really saying that his actions were only to save the citizens.
Or, you could say that the current situation is all your own doing.
“I, on behalf of the Second Prince and the citizens, will rectify Esteban’s justice!”
In such a hypnotic madness, they justify their own actions.
“Wow!”
The crowd cheered thunderously, and everywhere, golden falcon flags and torches symbolizing the Duke’s family rose high into the sky.
In it, the peacock’s bloodshot eyes flashed.
“I’m going to battle.”
“insect!”
chuck-!
The slings in the soldiers’ hands all struck their chests.
It was a scene that signaled the beginning of a civil war.
And it was around dawn when news of the rebels reached the royal family.
* * *
Squeak-
The door hinges squeaked, and George slowly entered the office.
“I just heard that preparations for the emergency meeting were completed.”
“I see.”
Less than twenty minutes had passed since the news from the East was delivered to the royal family.
It was highly unusual for preparations for a meeting to be completed in such a short period of time.
Especially considering that it’s almost midnight and everyone is asleep.
‘Those guys with heavy butts managed to move so quickly.’
Of course, that also means that the situation is just as serious.
Because the rebel army formed under Duke William’s command was advancing on the capital at this very moment.
I shrugged and stood up.
“Has it finally come?”
“They really rebelled when they were cornered.”
Duke William’s rebellion was not a sudden event for me.
I had already predicted every move he would make, and I moved with that in mind.
“Yeah, it was obvious from the start.”
… … If you even consider his personality.
It was the same before the regression. Even though Asus was holding out, the bastard couldn’t give up his foolishness until the end and tried to do something similar.
He was a man with an overwhelming desire for the throne, to the point that he finally gave up his ambition after Albedo suddenly disappeared.
Perhaps even then, if there had been a small justification like now, they would have tried to rebel at any time.
‘Well, it’s good that it’s consistent anyway.’
Of course, it wasn’t meant in a positive way.
I just meant that it was easy to read his actions, so I was comfortable with it. Thanks to that, I could accomplish everything I had planned.
“I bet you’re convincing yourself by now that it was the right thing to do.”
“I don’t know. He might really think that.”
“That might really be true.”
So it was even more regrettable.
Such petty conversations continued until we left the office, and eventually we were able to reach the conference room through the anxious and tense Wangseong corridor.
Squeak-
“Allen Esteban.”
“Greetings to His Majesty the King, the beacon of all knights and the leader of the Kingdom of Esteban.”
After setting the example, I sat down.
Unlike private meetings, this was a place for conducting public business.
Especially in a situation like now, it is necessary to clearly distinguish between public and private matters.
Because there was a gaze watching.
“Did you talk first?”
“Yes.”
“But I think the numbers are a little lacking.”
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There were only five people present at this time, including my father and me.
A member of the National Army staff came to discuss the news from the East.
… … and the 2nd and 3rd Royal Knights.
In Esteban, the land of knights, the command of all troops was coordinated by the king, who was the most honorable knight.
It was said that they would only appoint people as needed and that they would not have a separate general or commander-in-chief.
Even so, it was clear that the number was too small to conduct a meeting.
‘Have the rest of the nobles not arrived yet?’
My head tilted.
Then my father pointed to me and explained the reason.
“Of course. This emergency meeting was held solely to hear your opinion.”
“What on earth do you mean?”
An unexpected answer. I was a little embarrassed and asked a question, but my father answered without hesitation.
“You have proven your abilities in two northern expeditions, so I will ask for your opinion first.”
“… … .”
“Those present also agreed with it.”
“……okay.”
The first prince who led the previous wars with minimal damage.
He said that since it is a time like this, he will put his opinion first even if it means listening to other people’s opinions slowly.
Of course, this would have been the same for the Knights of the Sun and the Knights of Argon.
Because the abilities I showed them would have already gone beyond the realm of trust.
‘It goes without saying that it was the right decision.’
I nodded, understanding the significance of this position.
Well, if this is the case, I won’t have to ‘take the time’ to convince you of the operation separately.
“What is the exact size of the army and the number of nobles who joined the rebellion?”
“Your Majesty, I will tell you about it.”
The military staff was asked that question.
“There are six nobles who have been revealed to be with Duke William, including the Count of Balmons. And a total of 20,000 troops have been organized and are advancing from the respective territories.”
“20,000. That’s a large number considering they came from only seven nobles.”
The fact that so many troops came from the east, not the north, means that they were secretly training private soldiers.
As expected.
“But I don’t think that’s all.”
“Yes, that’s right. We are currently tracking down any hidden forces the rebels may have, but communications with the east are not going smoothly, as if they are attempting to sabotage the magic.”
“There must be a reason why there is such a thing as a barbershop.”
I shrugged.
Jamming communications is the very basis of war.
Unless you are a high-level wizard, it would be difficult to communicate through the interference.
Well, when I asked about ‘all’ I didn’t mean hidden troops.
“… … So what do you think we should do now?”
My father asked in a low voice.
It was natural that a bit of impatience was seen in that appearance.
They were still advancing towards the capital. They had to take action immediately, whether it was by sending troops from the surrounding territories or doing something else.
but…….
“Take it easy.”
“……spare?”
“Think about why you need to respond quickly to rebels.”
I was still just relaxed.
My father, on the other hand, seemed embarrassed by my questionable answer.
“Are you saying that it’s not too late to respond slowly now?”
“The reason rebels are scary is because their power grows quickly. The people’s anger spreads.”
“… … .”
“But it is not Duke William’s rebellion.”
“surely…….”
The oppressed people did not rise up, and even less so did some of the people’s hearts sway towards them.
He only thinks he is right. It was nothing more than a personal desire.
‘Moreover, even the wavering public sentiment does not harbor any resentment toward the royal family.’
Trade with the Holy Empire has allowed them to obtain basic necessities from the Federal Empire at cheaper prices than before.
And what about expanding the territory through conquest of the north?
Even if rumors about Mithril had not yet spread, there would be no one who would agree with them.
“That means we can respond however we want.”
“But their force is as many as 20,000. In order to deal with that many troops, we have to call in troops from neighboring territories. They know this and launch surprise attacks… … .”
“There is no problem.”
“… … No problem?”
And then I… … mentioned the strategy I had been thinking about.
“Let them reach the capital safely.”
“What, what?!”
“If you block its path for no reason, the damage will only increase.”
Leave me alone… … .
At those words, not only my father but everyone present looked astonished.
“Oh, are you saying that we should send troops from the territory near the capital and wait for an all-out war? But sending that many troops would take time… … .”
“No, let’s fight along the capital’s walls. There’s no need to send out troops either.”
“Th, those words… … .”
The corners of my mouth went up darkly.
“It’s a siege.”
“Wow, that’s ridiculous! The capital’s walls aren’t the right facilities for a siege!”
Crunch-!
The sound of a chair falling over echoed.
But that was the moment.
“… … Allen Esteban, I understand that you want to siege. But what do you mean by saying that we don’t need to send out troops?”
“Your Majesty the King… … !”
“That’s literally it. If you take advantage of the defense, you can hold them off without any damage with just the troops stationed in the capital.”
“There seems to be another number.”
“I would say they are similar.”
“… … Okay, I understand. Then let’s do that.”
“Your Majesty, are you satisfied with this plan?”
The first to object were the military staff who knew the internal situation best.
Of course, even that couldn’t break my father’s strong trust.
“I am confident that he will not go down the wrong path. I do not trust him simply because he is my son. I do not trust him simply because he has continued to win. I trust those eyes.”
Clear, fiery, straight eyes meet my pupils.
“Those eyes are full of confidence in something.”
I think he felt something through me. I smiled in return for that trust.
“majesty…….”
“Allen Esteban, what do we need to do before the rebels get here?”
“Well, that’s simple too.”
I shrugged and continued.
“Let’s start by cleaning up the inside first.”
“If it’s inside… … .”
“It seems like their hidden forces are inside.”
“… … !”
Finally, my gaze turned to the only empty seat.
Arnold, Grand Master of the First Royal Knights.
… … beyond the chair where he should be.
“It seems that the entire Royal Guard has betrayed the crown.”
It was before the regression or now.
It was an unchanging fact.
