The Returned Sword King Decided to Become a Tyrant Episode 16
Hidden Truth and Revealed Facts (1)
Taylor Beador.
The head of a baronial family with a loving wife and a precious daughter.
Although it would be an exaggeration to say he was ordinary, he was an ordinary nobleman who was praised by the people of the territory for his easygoing and straightforward personality.
If only it hadn’t been for what happened at the palace I happened to visit.
“Oh, welcome. It is a pleasure to welcome you to Esteban.”
One day, after the chilly wind of late spring had passed.
The delegation of the Carrot Federation Empire knocked on the palace gate at the appointed time, as if on purpose.
And the one who greeted them was Baron Vidor, the First Prince’s aide.
A representative of the delegation wearing the characteristically loose-fitting attire of the Federal Empire came out to shake hands.
“Countess Esula.”
“This is Baron Vidor. Please take care of me.”
“Please take care of me.”
This moment.
Baron Vidor wanted to cry.
‘How on earth did this happen… … .’
If I had to find the cause, I would have to go back in time.
Why did you visit the palace at the exact moment when a high-ranking nobleman’s murder incident occurred?
No. Rather, what happened when you were still and yet caught the First Prince’s eye?
If not that… … .
-You will be the guide for this delegation.
-……yes?
Three days ago, he could recall the time when his superior had handed him a lit gunpowder keg in passing.
What was certain was that all of this was going against his will.
‘Why did it have to be me… … .’
No matter how much I thought about it, this was not a place for a mere baron like me.
And to that question I heard this answer:
-No one came forward willingly.
-… … .
-That’s why I recommended you on the condition of an exclusive meeting with the delegation.
-Eww!
Before he knew it, he had become a loyal subject who did not hesitate to take on burdensome tasks for his superior.
Of course, let’s put aside for a moment the fact that his own opinions were not reflected there.
‘Just a little while ago, you were praising me for doing a good job… … .’
The Baron recited his prepared lines, trying hard to hide his rising disrespect.
“First, His Majesty the King of Esteban has provided a place for me to rest for a while so that I can recover from my long journey.”
“Oh! Is that so?”
“We will provide meals for those who wish, and if there is anything else you need at the time, please let us know.”
“That’s good. I’m just getting hungry, so can I ask you to bring me something to eat?”
“Of course.”
Baron Vidor is sweating profusely as he guides the royal palace.
The Baron was finally able to catch his breath when it was mealtime.
And the one behind him with an annoyed expression on his face was George.
“You guys are really busy.”
“fizzle!”
The Baron glanced at the envoys who were absorbed in their meal and jumped.
“Didn’t I tell you to behave properly? One day, you will become His Highness the First Prince’s aide!”
“… … There’s no one around.”
“Oh my! Even though you are still being trained under the name of my aide, those actions will further tarnish the honor of His Highness the First Prince, who appointed me as his temporary aide!”
“Yes, yes. I will keep that in mind.”
The boy eventually surrendered, shuddering at the nagging of Baron Vidor.
Of course, the mouth that was babbling was still alive.
“But doesn’t something seem strange?”
“Hmm? What are you talking about?”
George gestured to the delegation with his chin.
“I’m talking about the delegation.”
“Oh my! Another wild talk!”
Baron Vidor is about to jump again.
Before George could continue his nagging, he quickly made an excuse.
“This time, I’m not saying that I’m gossiping, but I just feel a sense of discomfort.”
“Feeling uneasy?”
“I should say that the actions are somewhat awkward… … It feels like they are moving as if they were planned out.”
“… … Hmm.”
The delegation was really hungry, as they were eating normally.
But why is that?
As he watched the delegation, a sense of unease lingered in George’s heart.
A very small sense of discomfort that I would never have felt if I had not been paying attention.
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This slowly seeped into George’s mind, leaving behind a great wave of questions.
“But I don’t know its identity.”
George shrugged and pushed up his glasses.
Then he started yawning repeatedly as if he had lost interest.
It seemed as though he was not trying to think too deeply about it, but it was not Baron Vidor who was listening to the story.
“I will tell this story to His Majesty directly. I know you are not the type of person to say something ridiculous.”
“Do whatever you want.”
George really thought that things like discomfort didn’t matter.
Whatever the Baron’s intentions, a new interest was blossoming in his mind.
“By the way, where is Your Majesty? I haven’t seen you all day.”
“I don’t know. All I know is that he left behind this letter and disappeared… … .”
“Is it a letter?”
“Huh. Didn’t you hear the destination? The meeting will start soon, so what are you going to do… …”
The Baron took out a note he had kept in his pocket and handed it to George.
… … Since the content was simple and didn’t need to be handed over in the first place, George’s expression changed to bewilderment as he read the note.
-I’ll go out for a bit and come back.
And the sentiment was simple.
“wow.”
* * *
“Nice to meet you.”
The king’s deep voice echoed throughout the palace.
Count Esula, the head of the delegation, bowed his head and paid his respects.
“Greetings to His Majesty the King, the beacon of all knights and the leader of the Kingdom of Astevan. My name is Count Esula.”
As an imperial envoy, you might expect them to be stiff-necked, but they are a perfect example without any fault.
You must have learned it separately for this moment.
The king nodded.
“I heard you had a hard time coming this far. I hope you have a comfortable time while you are here.”
“I am grateful for Your Majesty’s consideration.”
Although the conversation started off on a warm note, the expressions on the nobles’ faces in Daejeon were not bright.
Because the conversations that followed could have completely distorted the relationship between the two countries.
In fact, the King’s smiling expression even looked cold.
“The aftereffects probably haven’t worn off yet, but let’s get to the point before it’s too late.”
As the king rose from his seat and gestured, one of the attendants who had been waiting brought a small box.
As the attendant moved, white papers could be seen through the half-open boxes.
Anyone could easily guess what was contained inside.
“These are the evidences of corruption that came out of that Asus bastard’s room.”
“Hmm, I see. That’s it… … .”
“I have written down the details in the protest letter sent to the Federation Empire. You probably know what it contains.”
“Yes.”
Count Asus, who plotted civil war and assassinated the king.
Unfortunately, the whereabouts of the soldiers he trained and the locations of his hidden treasures have not yet been discovered, but his crimes have already been revealed in detail, and so has his collusion with the Federal Empire.
“In the meantime, the fact that you sent a delegation means that you brought the Federation Empire’s ‘excuse’ for this situation, right?”
okay.
Now that there is solid evidence, whatever you say is just an excuse.
In response to the King’s sharp question that penetrated the essence, Count Esula nodded and said.
“First of all, although he is not present, I heard that the First Prince has uncovered his corruption. As for Viscount Honoreo. It is truly a great thing.”
“… … .”
“However, in conclusion, the fact that the Count has betrayed his country has absolutely nothing to do with our Federation Empire.”
No relationship?
A ripple appeared on the king’s silent face.
“Are you trying to say that you don’t know anything?”
“That is exactly what you said.”
“Ha! This is truly a lamentable thing.”
“It’s a realistic story. There’s no reason for the Federal Empire to do anything that would cause a rift with Esteban.”
The Federal Empire was not one to acknowledge and ignore such diplomatic problems.
Who would admit that they had instigated a conspiracy against another country? It was only natural that they would turn a blind eye.
But their shameless antics didn’t end there.
“Yes. His Majesty the Emperor takes this situation very seriously and will spare no effort in supporting Esteban in uncovering the truth.”
“… … What?”
“As for that matter, there is a letter from His Majesty the Emperor.”
Count Esula took out a golden letter that looked like an invitation and handed it to the king.
Although he was a king who frowned at the grandeur and formality of the empire, he was not so weak in controlling his facial expressions that he would show his displeasure in front of the delegation.
but…….
“Hmm.”
As the King read the letter, his face began to harden.
And on the contrary, Count Esula’s face changed into a smile.
What on earth is the content that makes you make that face?
As the nobles’ curiosity grew, the king opened his mouth.
“Can we regard this content as the will of His Majesty the Emperor and the Federal Empire?”
“Yes.”
“Support… … Yes. Support… … .”
The king put down the letter and stroked his chin.
At first glance, it seemed like the king was trying to understand the situation, but his eyes were filled with anger.
And that gaze was directed squarely at Count Esula.
“It’s called support because it sounds nice, but in reality, it’s nothing more or less than a settlement fee. In the end, doesn’t it mean that you’re going to bury this situation with money?”
“I think you’re thinking too negatively.”
“Ha, I guess you can’t say it’s wrong.”
The king trembled as he recalled the contents of the letter.
The letter contained no excuses whatsoever, only a request to discuss the desired support.
There wasn’t even such a cliché method as tail cutting.
Regardless of the current situation where clear evidence has emerged, the Federal Empire’s response was correct.
Even if they were trying to take over Esteban through Asus from the beginning, what would be the point of that?
After all, history is made from the perspective of the victors.
And in this situation, the clear winner was the Federal Empire.
So the king could not back down.
If the Empire backs down from this, it will do something similar again as if nothing happened.
There was no guarantee that the arrow would not be pointed at Esteban.
That was the moment when I was trying to express my intention to not admit it.
“Isn’t that a pretty good suggestion?”
“… … Prince?”
The first prince appeared through the open door of the palace and naturally joined the conversation.
The king’s eyebrows twitched.
“Ahem! Allen Esteban, where have you been and why are you here now?”
“I was late because I had to check something.”
“Confirmation?”
Soon, the first prince, who was standing where he should have been, smiled faintly.
“Okay, let’s start again.”
Although he joined the conversation without much awkwardness, the atmosphere in the room became more tense.
Why did you have to show up at this timing?
It was natural that the king’s mind also became complicated.
‘What are you thinking?’
The words that the prince said as he came in were a good suggestion.
He seemed to think positively of this ‘agreement’. No, he seemed to think it was extremely good.
The one who wanted to know the truth of this incident more than anyone else was the First Prince himself.
“Okay, then what did you mean when you said it was a good suggestion?”
A lowered voice.
With everyone’s attention focused on him, the first prince’s mouth opened.
“It’s simple. It’s just the right way to do it.”
“… … It’s not even worth listening to.”
A seemingly thoughtless answer, unlike his appearance when talking about the intelligence agency.
Is it because of the recent performance that I overestimated it?
A feeling of disappointment arose in the king’s heart.
……no.
wait for a sec.
No matter how I thought about it, it was strange.
It was the First Prince who exposed their crimes and advised them to send a letter of protest.
And now you’re telling me to back down for a few pennies of support?
At this very moment, when the delegation has arrived?
‘Did you know this would happen… …!’
1The prince’s eyes met the king’s.
He, the first prince, was smiling peacefully.
As if to say that everything is according to plan… … .
“… … .”
The king, who had been lost in thought for a long time, finally opened his mouth.
“It was your fault for bringing this matter to light. So what kind of support do you think you would like?”
“Before that, I would like to hear a definitive answer as to the extent of your support. Countess Esula, you said?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Count Esula, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, answered.
“The scope of support may be tangible or intangible. His Majesty the Emperor has delegated full authority to negotiate to me.”
“Even if it has nothing to do with finding out the truth?”
“Yes.”
“Then the story will be quick.”
1 The prince approached the continental map hanging in Daejeon and stretched out his hand.
And that finger was touching a small piece of land between Esteban and the Federal Empire.
“… … Over there.”
“Esteban’s old territory. The Galder Plains.”
A small plain about 20 kilometers across.
1 The prince’s smile grew deeper.
“Let us receive the land as ‘support’ for this situation.”
