Count's Youngest Son is a Warlock-Chapter 223: Words to Share (3)
“I have to admit, I was worried when I heard you were coming to see me. But hearing that it’s good news puts my mind at ease; I’m really glad.”
Despite his words, Ketlan didn’t smile. His expression was more like someone preparing for a significant shock.
“First, Your Majesty, brace yourself,” Lucion cautioned.
“But you mentioned it was good news,” Ketlan interjected.
“While it does offer an opportunity to exert pressure on Nevast, the news itself isn’t entirely favorable,” Lucion clarified.
Bethel clenched her hands tightly as she listened to Lucion.
Nevast, Neubra, the Hand of the Void—how on earth would Lucion navigate this chaotic situation?
Just witnessing it made Bethel feel unsettled, and she could only imagine how Lucion must feel.
[Cheer up, Lord Lucion.]
Bethel supported Lucion silently, hoping to keep him focused.
Lucion broached the subject of the Sea of Death.
“Let’s talk about the Sea of Death. May I?”
“Of course. I recall your statement: only a warlock can purify the Sea of Death,” Ketlan acknowledged.
“I’m contemplating enlisting warlocks for the task. When would be convenient for Your Majesty?” Lucion inquired casually, prompting Ketlan to ponder his schedule.
“Wait a moment. Are warlocks readily available?” Ketlan queried.
“No. I was lucky enough to come into contact with them.”
Lucion considered elaborating with a lengthy explanation about how darkness guided them, but thinking about Hume, who would be restless, so he simply explained, “I was lucky.”
‘Since the Great Light Temple is now under the emperor’s control, it’s easy to control them.’
Following the Great Light Temple bombing incident, the temple rejected Nevast’s hand and instead bowed to the imperial family.
“The sooner, the better, Your Majesty.”
“I…” Ketlan paused mid-sentence.
Even thinking about it again was incredible.
How long had it been since they talked about the Sea of Death?
He was overwhelmed by the speed of Hamel’s work.
If only the other ministers could perform as efficiently, Ketlan would have been eager to show his appreciation.
Ketlan spoke with determination.
“I will quickly contact the High Priest and arrange for the purification of the Sea of Death under the pretense of controlling the eastern sea, and I’ll ensure you work with a priest who is tight-lipped.” 𝐑Α𐌽ȎβËs
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Lucion’s voice was very bright.
He was already anticipating how promptly Ketlan, as the emperor, would address matters.
“I hope Your Majesty assigns individuals who can keep secrets. The public’s perception of warlocks is still rather negative.”
“Don’t worry about that; I am the Emperor.”
Ketlan’s voice was laced with pride.
That issue was now settled.
Lucion felt a surge of joy that he wanted to express, but he restrained his emotions and gradually transitioned to the main topic.
“Aren’t Your Majesty curious about the origin of those warlocks?”
“I’d be dishonest if I said I wasn’t curious,” Ketlan expressed his interest with a smile.
“They are from Nevast.”
“You mean a warlock who fled from Nevast? Then, in Nevast, many things…”
“No, Your Majesty. It’s a warlock who was raised in Nevast.”
“…”
The smile on Ketlan’s face faded like a wilting flower.
“What… what did you just say?”
“The warlocks who came to me were raised in Nevast and managed to escape.”
“Wait, why would they be raising warlocks in Nevast?”
At the mention of ‘escape,’ Ketlan’s expression contorted further.
He seemed to be suppressing a strong urge to shout nonsense.
“Your Majesty understands why.”
Lucion said and exhaled softly.
“That makes no sense!” Ketlan erupted.
Bang!
His fist struck the table.
Although his hand trembled, he swiftly regained composure.
“I apologize. I got carried away.”
True to his title, the Emperor swiftly regained his calm demeanor.
No one would suspect that he had been angry just a moment before. Ketlan appeared as composed as ever.
“Nevast is a holy nation. It is home to divine beasts and ruled by those blessed by the light. How could they be associated with warlocks?”
“Your Majesty, this is indeed happening.”
Ketlan held his breath at Lucion’s response.
“I… I struggle to grasp this. They were the first to caution against warlocks and to brand them as the world’s enemies…”
Ketlan halted, his gaze narrowing slightly.
Despite his denial, the truth was right in front of him.
“Was this their motive? By reducing the number of warlocks, could those favored by light, their opposites, gain control over them? Is that what they were aiming for?”
“Possibly. However, while that may hold truth, Nevast is currently employing warlocks to eliminate the divine beasts.”
“…?”
Ketlan’s eyes widened in disbelief, his mouth agape.
“I learned this from a warlock who fled. To Nevast, the divine beasts are nothing more than pretty decorations.”
Lucion spoke calmly.
“Corrupting a divine beast requires various preparations. Warlocks are one component. Your Majesty must be aware of the Neubra Kingdom’s recent alliances.”
“The Hand of the Void, correct?” Ketlan responded, still bewildered.
“Yet, Neubra has now severed ties with the Hand of the Void under pressure from anti-monarchy factions and Nevast, correct?”
“Are you suggesting that Nevast is orchestrating these actions to recruit the Hand of the Void?”
“From Nevast’s perspective, having more warlocks to manage won’t make much of a difference.”
Ketlan frowned.
“If what you’re saying is true, then acquiring warlocks would indeed be advantageous for them—if they’re confident in their ability to manage them.”
“I believe a letter from the Myronist Kingdom has arrived at Your Majesty’s place by now.”
“Right. They have agreed to assist in dealing with those who were allied with the Neubra Kingdom. Thank you for allowing me to set things straight before Myronist falls into Neubra’s hands.”
Although he had barely managed to maintain his composure, Ketlan’s expression remained stiff.
“Does Your Majesty know what I saw there?”
“…Hah.”
Ketlan let out a breath.
“Now, I’m truly terrified of the things you say.”
Looking into Ketlan’s trembling eyes, Lucion could see the sincerity behind them.
But Lucion persisted in pressuring Ketlan for his plan.
“Nevast was using the people of the Myronist Kingdom as sacrifices for their black magic.”
“These bastards…”
Ketlan stood up angrily.
If they were sacrificing people, it was all too clear what Nevast was after.
“Nevast’s goal was to use war as a means for offerings! Those crazy bastards!”
[Really… Is that what Nevast was aiming for?]
Bethel reacted as if she couldn’t believe it either.
Because they had never talked about what Nevast was aiming for.
[It’s bittersweet, but when war comes, it’s a free ride for the warlock, and are we just going to let this happen? If Lucion hadn’t left the ghosts on the walls built on the border as they were, the walls would have already collapsed.]
Russell cast a sidelong glance at Bethel, a tinge of shame apparent as a fellow warlock.
“Your Majesty, please calm down. It’s just a high possibility.”
Lucion tried to calm Ketlan down.
Although it was a highly probable possibility.
“This, this matter is too difficult to… calm down.”
Visit ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.
“When do you think the enemy will reveal their true form, Your Majesty?”
“I think it will be before they think they have achieved everything. How many people can remain calm when there is gold right in front of them?”
“That’s right. Currently, the anti-monarchy faction in Neubra wants to oust the current king and seize power themselves. Nevast may want to easily gather sacrifices through Neubra’s civil war.”
Lucion respectfully gestured towards Ketlan.
“What does the Empire want, Your Majesty?”
“I have always wanted peace.”
“Then allow me to lend my strength for that peace. Currently, the only way to bring back the banner of victory between the tense situation of the Neubra king and the anti-monarchists is through one route.”
Russell’s eyes narrowed.
He realized what Lucion was trying to say.
Perhaps it was something only Lucion could do.
[Isn’t that a bit risky, Lucion…?]
“What might that be?”
Ketlan nervously moistened his lips.
He felt like Hamel could really give him a solution.
“Before we proceed, I have one request to make. This is my earnest plea to Your Majesty.”
“Feel free to speak.”
“Please… trust me, do not view me with suspicion, and do not make an enemy out of me.”
Lucion was mindful of the potential dangers, as Russell had warned.
Showing too much power could instill fear in others, including Ketlan.
“I don’t know what you’re planning. I do not doubt you, nor do I harbor any suspicions. If I did, I would not be standing before you now,” Ketlan reassured a visibly anxious Lucion.
“I…”
Lucion hesitated, his words caught in his throat.
Once he uttered these words, there might be no turning back.
But to achieve what he wanted, he had to do this.
As his heart wavered and fluttered, Ratta spoke up.
—From Ratta’s perspective, Uncle Emperor is super nice! So don’t worry, Lucion.
It was strangely comforting, and Lucion felt the fear that had been tightening around his chest dissipate quickly.
“I… I will obtain a handwritten document containing the confession of the Neubra King using black magic.”
“You…? Isn’t that too dangerous?”
Ketlan’s reaction was unexpected; instead of being alarmed or looking at him coldly, he showed genuine concern for Lucion.
Feeling grateful for Ketlan’s genuine worry, Lucion explained his plan further.
“Without sacrifice, we can not only overthrow the current Neubra King but also obtain a confession, which will force him to propose a deal to avoid punishment.”
“But you are putting yourself at risk. I do not wish to lose you.”
“If Your Majesty accepts the deal, we can make him a puppet. This way, we can deceive Nevast, uncover the truth, and at the same time put shackles on the anti-monarchists.”
The unfolding situation was putting pressure on both the current king of Neubra and the anti-monarchists.
Moreover, if it was indeed possible to seize the throne without any sacrifices, would the anti-monarchists refuse such a deal?
They must have already reached an agreement with the Empire to end the war.
“After that, I will leave the handling of the current king of Neubra in Your Majesty’s hands.”
Lucion was delighted to finally be able to carry out the end of Norvion Neubra, the King of Neubra, whom he had imagined countless times.
He thought that a quiet, very quiet death, losing his dignity as a king and pathetically clinging to him, would be the most fitting end for that man.
“No. His end will belong to you.”
Ketlan readily agreed to pass the responsibility for Norvion’s fate to Lucion, as he sensed the underlying anger in his words.
“I promise this as an emperor.”
“Thank you… Your Majesty.”
“Hamel, will you tell me what you wish for?”
Ketlan spoke gently.
“I am satisfied with just changing the King of Neubra and revealing the terrible truth of Nevast, so that those blessed with light can also know that they are just human beings like us.”
If Neubra changes and Nevast collapses.
The ending of the previous world will change.
And perhaps the future will change as well.
“…Ha.”
Ketlan sighed as if he had expected this.
How could he not have seen it coming?
If the plan succeeded, it was only natural that the King of Neubra would be replaced, and the privileges Nevast had would disappear.
It was all a natural course of events.
“Do you have a preference—North, East, West, South, or Central?”
“Pardon?” Lucion was surprised by the sudden question.
“Where would you like to be?” Ketlan repeated, smiling.
‘What is he planning to give me?’
Perhaps he was feeling sorry for him and wanted to provide him with a place to live.
His home was Cronia, and he loved the West where Cronia was located.
However, since most of the West was already under Cronia’s control, Lucion thought it might be beautiful if the Sea of Death returned to normal.
“I suppose… the East,” Lucion replied.
“Do you like high places?”
“Yes, I—I do.”
“I see. Look forward to it. Oh, I’ll try to add more to the part you wanted.”
Though Lucion didn’t understand what he meant by adding something, there were still pressing matters that needed his approval amidst the warm atmosphere.
“Your Majesty.”
“Proceed,” Ketlan replied.
“I regret to inform you, there is one more issue,” Lucion continued.
“…?”
“The abandoned Hand of the Void is now heading towards the Magic Tower.”
“This is crazy!”
Bang!
Ketlan slammed his hand on the table again.
