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DeMorgal Kingdom.
Presently, the kingdom is engulfed in a huge conflict.
Pax DeMorgal, the Second Prince, and Aldo DeMorgal, the Third Prince are confronting each other. Since the First Prince Carlo who had held the first right to succeed has lost his standing, the conflict had started to intensify.
However, since King DeMorgal is still young, it’s still not coming to a head.
Now then, the biggest victims of this conflict are those in the Prince Carlo Faction. They had severely lost influence. The cause is the fall of the Blouse Clan, the one which held the biggest power within the DeMorgal Kingdom as well as the fall from grace of the great commander Tonino.
The great clansmen from the two factions had attacked the Prince Carlo faction as if to say it’s their chance to do so. They’d do things like take territories from skirmishes, taking away their standing in the palace, and the like……it never rains but it pours.
They’re the ones holding the greatest dissatisfaction in the DeMorgal kingdom.
The reason great clansmen are attached to a country is to protect their own territory and social standing.
Conversely speaking, if they couldn’t protect such things, then there would be no point in being there.
King DeMorgal has drowned himself in women and is in a daze despite the powers of the two factions expanding.
((For him)), there’s no point in seeking their patronage.
There’s a man seeking to use that sentiment.
It’s Almis Ars Rosyth.
“Lord Bartolo, I’m honestly happy about the proposal but…….I want you to allow me to refuse.”
It was Lethys Blouse who answered Bartolo.
He’s the current head of the Blouse Clan.
Almis has begun dismantling the former Carlo Faction with a focus on the Blouse clan through Bartolo whom he stationed on the border with the De Morgal Kingdom.
As soon as the cease-fire agreement lapses, it’s easy to see that the DeMorgal Kingdom will come invading.
And because of the deterioration of relations with both the Eville and Belvedere Kingdoms due to last time’s curse affair, they, too, would certainly come attacking.
This is a countermeasure for when such a thing happens.
The members of the Carlo faction were extremely many. Even now, more than a fourth of the DeMorgal Kingdom is still of the Carlo faction. If they were to revolt right now, even the DeMorgal Kingdom would be all but forced to concede.
It’s that kind of plan but………negotiations have ground to a halt.
“Even us hold discontent towards King DeMorgal. However……if we were ever to revolt, then Prince Carlo would surely get executed.”
Although it was beyond expectation, the only penalty that has befallen Prince Carlo is the revocation of his social status as he was unexpectedly extremely popular.
It might have been a different story if Prince Carlo had been incarcerated or even executed.
However, he lives on, with even his right to succession intact.
And as usual, King DeMorgal is showing facor to Prince Carlo’s mother.
Should it happen……..THAT might happen.
Therefore, the Carlo faction is vetoing betraying the country.
“Well then, how about the Rosyth Kingdom be giving you our aid? To Prince Carlo’s right to succeed?”
Lethys shakes his head.
“That won’t be necessary. Just our forces alone are enough.”
They’re not stupid as to carelessly allow another country’s army to enter their own.
That’s what he’s saying.
Bartolo gives of a deep sigh within the depths of his heart.
“Is that so? Well then, should you change your mind, please don’t hesitate tot contact me immediately.”
The day’s secret meeting has ended.
“Husband, how did it go?”
“It completely went nowhere. It’s not going to work. It’s completely not going to work. If Prince Carlo had died, everything might have gone smoothly….”
While drinking the sake his wife had poured, Bartolo started airing his complaints.
“Oh boy, in the first place, there’s no way negotiations would succeed right? It’s a miss in personnel selection.”
“They don’t have any other person to whom they could entrust this right? Yal is going to the Zoldias Kingdom after all.”
While the Rosyth Kingdom is abundant in the quality of human resources, the quantity of their human resources is lacking.
Besides, Almis had become King almost impossibly fast.
Since he still doesn’t that much grasp the personalities of the great clansmen as well as a lot of other things, in the end, he could only rely on the seemingly most reliable Bartolo.
“The King trusts you to that extent, isn’t that great?”
“Haa….I guess you could look at it that way.”
Bartolo gives off a sigh.
In reality, it won’t be a stretch even if you call Bartolo as the most favored amongst the great clansmen.
Even the territory he received, even though he had to exchange it with his former one, is the biggest amongst the great clansmen.
“That said, even if you say that right of succession is something that follows a monarchial system of governance….can’t we do something about it? Although our country had overcome it, several tens of years later, it’ll come to a head again. How unpleasant, yes?”
“Is that so? Isn’t it still too early to tell? Lady Julia and Lady Tetra get along well after all. Won’t it depend on the education of the children?”
“Haa….get along well, huh… For now, yes. For mothers, their children are their most precious. Isn’t it safe to say that what happens in the future is still up in the air? What’s fortunate for us is that our king is not a henpecked husband. It won’t be funny if our political situation were to move according to the whims of women.”
Bartolo shrugs his shoulders.
There won’t be any trouble to the extent of spawning a rebellion because of the rights of succession. Although it’d be nice if it’s possible to be able to take them down in one sweep and in a short time just like in the previous civil war.
“And because of that, the enemy will come attacking yes?”
“In all probability. According to the information gathered by our planted sorcerers through hypnotism, they seem to intend to begin in six months. The supreme commander would be Pax, it seems. Well, their aim seems to be to safely give the second son some achievements and make him succeed.”
Bartolo stirs his alcohol.
Regardless of who the enemy is, he’d destroy enemies of the Rosyth Royal Clan. That is Bartolo’s duty.
“For me, I think it’s better to attack before we get attacked. The king looks half-hearted.”
“It’s only natural. He won the last time but nevertheless there’s still a gap in the national power of our country and the DeMorgal Kingdom.”
The population of the Rosyth Kingdom is approximately 250,000. The present population of the DeMorgal Kingdom is currently unknown but it’s said to be around 300,000 more or less.
Furthermore, you should add the coalition of the Eville Kingdom and Belvedere Kingdom.
In this situation, it’s overdoing it if you went aggressively.
“Well, if I were the commander then I’d win without fail, anyway.”
“Husband….for you to say that……”
“Welcome home, Annabella. How was the Rosyth Kingdom?”
Mari welcomes Annabella as if she was welcoming a family member that had gone sight seeing.
Annabella makes a displeased face.
“It was the worst. I was discovered by sorcerers at my house and was made to escape through a hole while being covered in mud, you know. After that, I was chased by soldiers, hawks, dogs, and I even fell into a cesspool! It’s a cesspool! For an unmarried woman in her twenties to fall into a cesspool, it’s the absolute worst!!”
Actually, it’s thanks to that episode that she managed to run away from the dogs’ pursuit, but she has no way of knowing that.
“Now, now, isn’t it all good that you managed to escape?”
“That’s true but……..I’m sorry. I wasn’t able to ensnare even a single person……..”
Annabella deeply lowers her head to Mari.
She seems to be extremely down.
Mari gives of a gentle voice.
“Now, now. Even I had failed several times so this time’s nothing. Although it went well with Prince Ledus, but he had the weakness of failing in his love, so I managed to succeed. Even I wont be able to make a person who doesn’t hold any dissatisfaction betray his master.”
Mari taps Annabella’s shoulders in anticipation.
Annabella embraces Mari while crying. She smells quite horrible.
“By the way, isn’t it about time you teach me the outline of the operation?”
“Sure, I’ll teach you. That said, it’s not that big of a deal, really.”
Mari answers with a grinning laugh.
First, the DeMorgal Kingdom will invade the Rosyth Kingdom.
This is something that’s attached in the secret intelligence that was gathered so any other support is unnecessary.
Next would be to make Ledus move.
They’ll have Ledus break off the alliance with the Rosyth Kingdom, and depending on his composure, have him invade.
That way, both the Eville Kingdom and the Belvedere Kingdom will, without fail, also invade.
That’s thanks to the distrust they hold against the Rosyth Kingdom born from last time’s curse (false accusation).
With this, the coalition is complete.
Certainly, a single country would be helpless if it were the target of a coalition of four countries.
After the Rosyth Kingdom gets weakened, at their discrection they’ll give a proposal.
“We’ll propose ‘if you give us territory, we’ll come help you.’”
“We’ll come help them?”
“Yes. If the Rosyth Kingdom falls, wouldn’t the DeMorgal Kingdom’s national power increase? We’ll come and attack the DeMorgal Kingdom from behind and destroy them. And as thanks for helping them out, we’ll have the Rosyth Kingdom give us a lot of territory. That’s pretty much it.”
After that, they’ll let time pass and then they’ll make the Rosyth Kingdom yield.
Mari has completely no intention of killing the man called Almis. She doesn’t have the knowledge that he has, especially that of bomb-making.
Mari would like to, by all means, take possession of those.
“But with that plan, the gains you made and you’ll make in the future from Prince Ledus’ fall and distrust curse would be for naught, yes?”
“I guess so. Or rather, that’s the only choice left right? They aren’t directly bordering us after all. Although I might still be able to make it work if I have three more of myself. You can’t make sorcery called mass after-image after all.”
Mari shrugs her shoulders as if saying it couldn’t be helped.
“Well, in my place, it would be you. Although barely, you’re worth that much. Or rather, it’s unbearable that you managed to catch up to my abilities that I cultivated for 500 years, you know.”
Mari laughs.
To say the least, Annabella would be the greater when it comes to talent.
“For the meantime, we’ve done what we needed to do. After that, we should just keep careful watch over the developments. Ah, would you like some tea?”
“Yes, I would love some.”
An elegant tea (matcha) party begins.
“Your Highness, King DeMorgal. The revocation of His Highness, Crown Prince Carlo’s social status had been decided but……what would you do now?”
“…….I’ll again appoint Carlo as the supreme commander in the next war…….or is that no good?”
“That would be difficult.”
King DeMorgal gives off a huge sigh.
He’s currently 45 years old. It’s just his dawn as a statesman.
That said, until the next king had been decided, the political situation wont stabilize.
King DeMorgal opens his mouth as his stomach that had ballooned jolts.
“If choosing Carlo would be overstretching it, then……..how about Pax? He’s the second prince after all. Her mother’s social status also isn’t that bad.”
“Personally, Your Highness, I would be happy if you choose Prince Aaldo. He’s much more intelligent after all. Plus, he has an abundance of charisma. …….If I were to pick just a little shortcoming, it would be that he’s naïve but if we appoint him an excellent aide then he should be able to safely govern.”
At present, the DeMorgal Kingdom is being forced to a dilemma.
In the south lies the Rosyth Kingdom commanded by its young king brimming with ambition.
In the north is the huge Rozel Kingdom
Both are troublesome opponents.
What this country needs now is not to high-speed player but a king that would be able to securely pass on the baton to the next generation.
With that in mind, Carlo should have been the most suitable but……he failed in the country’s push south.
He settled the matter with Carlo just losing his position as crown prince but he’s still hoping with the right to succeed still up in the air.
“Just like the Rosyth Kingdom, I wonder if we might as well just take in a son-in-law?”
“It would be good if there would be another son of the Griffon, huh.”
The close-aide makes a wry smile.
Such a convenient existence is a needle in a haystack.
“The three should……ughh.”
King DeMorgal grasps his chest area.
A pain slowly creeping up from his stomach area attacks him as he breaks out in a cold sweat.
“M-my King!! Are you alright!?”
“…….I’m fine. It’s settling down. But it’s starting to happen frequently.”
King DeMorgal leans his back on the throne and gazes at the ceiling.
“Recently, I’ve started to become easily tired. I run out of breath even when just walking up the stairs. My stiff shoulders have also been severe. I wonder if this is because of age?”
“Isn’t it because of that stomach? Please hold back on the food and liquor. Also, how about a little exercise?”
The close aide points at the huge stomach bulging out from the king.
The king like this now, but a long time ago, he was a warrior who could even ride horses and kill a deer with just one blow of the lance.
“If I excercised then my heart would collapse. It’s just the age. It can’t be helped.”
King DeMorgal heartily laughs.
…….A few months later, the DeMorgal Kingdom’s state of affairs took an abrupt turn.
It’ll develop into something that King DeMorgal, King Rosyth, King Rozel, and even Mari couldn’t anticipate.