The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen-Chapter 365-366
Three days ago.
A Great Nobles' Council was held at the Imperial Palace.
'Let all nobles of the Empire answer the Emperor's call.'
Various emotions were etched on the faces of the nobles who answered the Emperor's sudden summons. Expectation lingered on the young lords who had succeeded their fathers, while annoyance was evident on the faces of the old nobles who had attended countless councils.
They wondered what troublesome matter they had been summoned for this time.
"..."
It was not a common occurrence for all the nobles of the Empire to gather in one place. Every noble had a territory to be responsible for and duties to perform.
That meant the agenda for this council was important, and that the Emperor had something he wanted to say, but even that was not welcomed by the busy nobles.
Darbav, who attended the council with Kyle, walked through the council hall, memorizing the faces of the nobles present.
'Many have come.'
Duke Lumiere, who protects the sun of the East.
-Congratulations on becoming the family head, Duke. Blessings will now grace the Empire!
-Haha, you praise me too much. Compared to my father, I am nothing. My strength will not even reach half of what my father did for Lumiere.
-So humble!! I envy the future of Lumiere!
The Ardella ducal family, who protects the Forest of Death in the North.
-...I don't know what the Emperor is going to say to summon even us. I'm already getting a headache from the monsters.
-Father. If other nobles hear you, you could be ruined like the Desmunts.
-Daughter, it would be a bigger problem if the Desmunts heard that.
-...
-I'm more afraid of the Desmunts than the Emperor.
And the head of the Bellian ducal family, who had failed to protect the seas of the West, was filling the vacant seats in the banquet hall.
More high-ranking nobles came than expected.
Just the fact that all four great dukes of the Empire were gathered in this place was a huge event. Although they had all seen each other three years ago due to Olivia's incident, it was honestly not a welcome sight to see each other in this manner.
"Hmm... The Emperor must be scary."
Not a single noble approached Darbav.
He could hear scattered whispers of slander against the Desmunts... It seemed they were strangely keeping their distance.
The family that showed the most hostility among them was the current ruler of the West. Because of an unpleasant incident.
"...Desmunt."
Wolfgang Louis was glaring at Darbav. Even while talking to other nobles, he kept glancing at him, revealing his hostility.
The reason was predictable.
Because he had heard that the canals of the West had frozen.
He couldn't understand why he was being looked at like that without any clear evidence, but he didn't feel too bad. Honestly, he had a good idea who had frozen the canals.
'A good sight.'
"...By the way, what did the Emperor summon us to say."
The Emperor also paid attention to appearances, so he usually didn't make attendance mandatory for most councils...
-If the family head does not attend the council, you must sign a document stating that you will not have any complaints about the conclusions reached in the council.
-...A signature, you say.
-Yes. It is His Majesty the Emperor's command.
-He's being troublesome to the end.
Darbav thought deeply about the Emperor's eccentric behavior, which seemed to have sharpened its blade more than expected. It seemed he had another motive.
'He seems to be trying to catch a duke.'
Most dukes, due to their immense power, sent representatives to councils instead. That was more convenient for the Emperor and the high nobles.
Unless it was to build connections with other nobles, like the head of Lumiere who had recently inherited the family headship, they would usually focus on their own affairs... But this council had even mentioned that the family head must attend, so he thought it couldn't be an ordinary matter.
Just as Darbav's thoughts were gradually taking shape, the sound of a great trumpet began to announce the king's arrival in the wide banquet hall.
-Pooooooooo...!
'He must be here.'
The sound of the Empire's most shining sun finally getting off his heavy bottom to resolve Darbav's curiosity echoed through the banquet hall.
[The Sun of Leo Gard, His Majesty Emperor Liogard, is entering the council hall!!]
The nobles who were chatting lowered their heads. Darbav also bowed his head to show his respect as a noble. Because nobles were not allowed to look at the Emperor's face unless the Emperor permitted it.
"...Raise your heads."
With the Emperor's heavy voice, the nobles raised their heads, and soon, the face of the Emperor who had gathered everyone in this place began to be seen.
White hair and a white beard covering his chin.
His overall appearance gave a gentle impression, but he exuded a more authoritative impression than anyone else in this place.
On his right was the Sword of the Empire.
On his left, the Crown Prince was guarding the Emperor's side.
Darbav clicked his tongue as he looked at the Crown Prince. He wondered if the immature Crown Prince was finally doing his job.
The Emperor had always appeared in public with the head of the Histania family. The Crown Prince, who should be learning state affairs by standing next to the Emperor, was only absent with the excuse of seeing the world.
Just when a negative public opinion was forming among the nobles about the Crown Prince's conduct, Darbav sneered at the Crown Prince who had appeared. It looked as if the foolish fellow was finally using his head.
A murmuring sound was heard in the banquet hall.
Those who were on the Crown Prince's side cheered. Those who were on the side of other princes bit their lips and expressed their thoughts on this occasion.
Darbav was not thinking too deeply. It had been a long time since he had withdrawn from politics.
If Olivia had been interested in politics, he would have focused on expanding his influence right now, but he thought that doing something for Olivia, who was not even remotely interested in politics, was meaningless.
Kyle was doing well on his own.
-Kyle. I will pave the way for you. You will definitely need your father's influence to manage the family more comfortably.
-I refuse.
-...Why?
-I want to prove that I am a more competent head than you, Father.
-How cheeky.
-You were the same, Father.
-...
The Emperor, sitting on a golden throne, looked at the nobles gathered in the banquet hall and offered his thanks softly.
"Thank you for answering my call."
A boring story began.
As always, a story about state affairs and thanks to the hardworking nobles. And he was silently signaling the start of the council by praising the efforts of the nobles who were obedient to him.
"Yaaawn..."
"Father."
"What can I do if I'm sleepy."
"May I go and sleep?"
"Hmm?"
Darbav's eyes widened at his son's remark, which was one step ahead of his own.
"I don't know how long he will continue to talk nonsense. I could earn 100 more gold in this time..."
"That's certainly true."
"It's been an hour. He's been talking nonsense for an hour."
"Hmm... Still, you have to endure. We don't know when the Emperor will throw the bait."
"..."
"The Emperor's words are money. If you listen selectively, it's beneficial, so endure it."
"Understood."
Only after the Emperor's speech, which lasted for an hour and a half, did the Emperor finally begin to speak softly about the reason he had gathered the nobles in this place.
"The Empire has long been striving to subdue the beasts of the West."
The moment the word 'West' was heard, the head of the Bellian ducal family, who had failed to subdue the beasts of the West in the past, gritted his teeth.
"The Empire lost a capable vassal in that battlefield and gained an indelible scar."
A capable vassal.
He was referring to the head of the Bellian family, who had held hegemony in the West in the past. Because he, like Rowen, was a Sword Master.
"In this council, I want to propose that we re-establish a plan to subdue the beasts of the West."
The moment the Emperor's true intentions were revealed, all the nobles avoided making eye contact with the Emperor. Starting from the baron with the lowest rank to the duke, they were all showing their reluctance to take on a task that threatened the peace.
And.
"Father..."
"I know."
Wolfgang was smiling.
The pieces of a pre-arranged puzzle were being put together one by one. Who had thought of this plan, and who was helping him.
And the place where the arrow of that plan was aimed was none other than...
"It must be us."
The Emperor singled out one family from among the nobles who had bowed their heads.
"Desmunt."
The name Desmunt.
Darbav kept his lips tightly shut and remained silent at the Emperor's call. Because he was trying to push the affairs of the West, not the South, onto the Desmunts.
"..."
"I think it would be good for the Desmunts to raise the flag in this subjugation."
"..."
"What are the thoughts of the head of the Desmunt family?"
"...Ha."
He was so dumbfounded he couldn't speak.
He wondered what the Emperor was saying right now. It was so absurd that he was asking him to take the lead now that he needed a hand, after pushing him away when he didn't want him, that he couldn't help but laugh.
Kyle said to Darbav in a voice full of anger, that the Emperor was clearly trying to feed the Desmunts to the wolves.
"Father."
"I know."
"Are you going to do it?"
Darbav shook his head.
Since he was already on the Emperor's bad side, being on his bad side one more time wouldn't change anything. Darbav broke the long silence and retorted to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I believe it is right for the West to resolve the affairs of the West."
Darbav, who was giving the Emperor a hint, was steadfastly speaking his mind without the slightest wavering.
"The Desmunts are currently receiving the punishment given by Your Majesty. I hope you will consider that we cannot move in an official capacity."
"...Hmm. That's right."
The Emperor replied to Darbav with a smile.
"I think there is no better way to raise the fallen honor of the Desmunts."
"..."
At the Emperor's words, which were a public rebuke in front of the other families, Darbav clicked his tongue and replied.
"Honor that has already fallen. Nothing will change even if we restore it."
"I am giving you a chance. A chance to be reinstated as the guardian of the South."
"..."
"I am saying I will return the authority of the South that was taken away after the ducal lady's incident."
"..."
"The territory you returned."
"..."
"The authority you were deprived of."
"..."
"I am saying I will help you recover even your lost honor with this incident, so why are you afraid to take the lead?"
Saying this in front of everyone was clearly a disregard for the Desmunts. Even though it was something that could have been said through a private audience.
"Must I command you in the name of the Emperor for you to obey?"
"..."
"I want to give you a chance."
"..."
Darbav decided to take an interest in a part he hadn't thought deeply about.
'Should I change the Emperor?'
He had tried not to be interested in politics, but the Emperor had crossed the line today.
"Father..."
"Kyle."
"Yes."
"In which direction do you think it is best to launch the meteor?"
"Please endure."
"Hmm..."
A long silence followed.
A terrible silence enveloped them as if only Darbav and the Emperor were in the vast banquet hall.
"Haa..."
Darbav, who had been clenching his fists, let out a deep sigh and replied to the Emperor.
"Darbav, head of the Desmunt family."
"..."
"I will obey Your Majesty the Emperor's command."
A smile bloomed on the Emperor's lips.
Likewise, a smile also bloomed on the lips of the nobles who had avoided the bomb.
"However."
Darbav said with a smile.
"I request the authority to personally form the party that will accompany the subjugation."
"Good."
"Then I..."
Darbav raised his head with a smile.
"I request the Crown Prince as a companion."
And now.
"Hieeeeeek?!"
Olivia, who was packing for the West, was staring with wide eyes at the piece of cloth fluttering in front of her.
"Young lady, how about this one?"
"Ricardo, that's a boob cover."
"It covers all the necessary places."
"Eeeeeeeek?!"
Ricardo was showing her strange clothes.
A piece of cloth the size of a palm.
Underwear the size of a fist.
He was laying out clothes that seemed impossible for a person to wear with a big smile on his face.
"Then how about a chic black?"
"Is that for my head?"
"No. It's pants."
"Eek?"
Ricardo was excited.
And.
"Rosannaaaaa!!! How about this bikini!"
Daddy was also excited.
Just like Ricardo.
Before the noble council meeting.
The crown prince had persuaded the emperor.
-This is the last chance to get Desmunt.
A chance to bring down the family that could pressure the imperial family in the empire.
-Considering what Desmunt has done and the pressure they've put on the imperial family until now, this is an opportunity that must be seized. You know as well, father. How much pressure the imperial family has been under from Desmunt since the time of the previous emperor...!
-...
-They are a family that should not hold power. They are traitors who try to control the emperor as they please.
-Still, it's impossible to get Desmunt now. The forces that follow Desmunt have dwindled, but Desmunt is still Desmunt. Besides, Desmunt is an indispensable existence in the empire.
-There are many families that can replace Desmunt.
-And that is Wolfgang?
The emperor knew all of the crown prince's actions. He had given him freedom like a sheep let loose in a pasture, but he was a person who worried about the security of the empire more than anyone else.
The crown prince, angered by the fact that there were eyes watching him, clenched his fists and looked at the emperor.
-Yes, that is correct.
-Is Wolfgang your sword?
-...Yes.
The emperor let out a deep sigh and retorted to the crown prince.
-You know how important Desmunt is in this empire, don't you?
-...
-The existence of an archmage. This alone prevents other countries from easily looking down on us. Not only does it reduce defense costs, but it also maintains the peace of the empire.
-The empire's national power is not weak.
-Don't think that talents like the knight commander only exist in the empire.
-...
-Besides, Desmunt's butler doesn't seem ordinary either, so it's best not to touch Desmunt for now.
-...A mere commoner cannot threaten the empire.
-...
The crown prince's eyes, which see the truth.
And the emperor's eyes, which similarly distinguish the same truth, were glaring at each other.
The two knew.
That no matter what lies they told, they wouldn't work.
The emperor opened his languid eyes and said to the crown prince.
-Have you ever thought about why I didn't bring down Desmunt when the young lady used black magic?
-...
-It's because Desmunt is indispensable to the empire. If Desmunt is gone, there will surely be a noble to take that place.
-...
-There is no family that keeps the line as much as Desmunt. Yes, if we bring down Desmunt now, the operation of the empire will certainly be easier. Honestly, it's easier to run the country with Desmunt's influence diminished.
-...That's why I'm saying we should fix it now. Desmunt, which is expanding its power, could become a threat to the next imperial throne if it turns its fangs in the wrong direction!
-Crown prince, do you trust Wolfgang?
-...I trust them.
-...Alright, then let me ask you one thing. Why are you so obsessed with Desmunt?
-...I want to do my own politics.
The emperor, proud that the crown prince, who had always tried to avoid the weight of the crown, was starting to look at it properly, closed his eyes tightly and listened to the crown prince's stubbornness.
It was the first time the crown prince had interfered in state affairs, and it was the first request he had made to him.
-I will take care of Desmunt.
-It won't be easy.
-...I have a plan.
-If you're thinking of getting rid of the head of Desmunt, forget it. If something goes wrong, the entire imperial family will be in danger.
-...I understand.
The emperor listened to his son's stubbornness.
This choice might become the misfortune of the empire, but even this choice was a problem that he had to bear as the next king.
And so, the crown prince.
-Hiiiiiiik!!! Dad, the chocolate is all gone.
-Chocolate...! Bring the chocolate!
-Young lady! Didn't I tell you to eat it sparingly!
-Hic?
Was on his way to the West with Desmunt.
The atmosphere of Desmunt heading to the West was lively. It was so noisy and cheerful that he wondered if this was the Desmunt he knew.
In the imperial palace, Desmunt was a tyrant.
-Isn't raising the tax rate on magic stones a blatant attack on Desmunt?
-...
-You are generously overlooking the tax rates on the businesses of other nobles, but I believe it is unfair to burden Desmunt, which is engaged in the business of processing magic stones.
-'The emperor's word is law....'
-Is the national treasury running dry?
-'The emperor's word is also the law of the nobles.'
-I've heard that the second prince's personal spending is large.... On the contrary, Desmunt requests a detailed investigation into this matter.
It was unbelievable that such a Desmunt was going to subjugate the beasts in such a peaceful atmosphere.
He had thought they would depart in a heavy atmosphere, that they would show a face of injustice at the emperor's words and a promise of revenge, but the crown prince was quite flustered by the Desmunt family, who were only worried about chocolate instead of the beasts they were supposed to be worried about.
Besides.
"Eek?"
"..."
"Dad. Why is he in the same carriage?"
It was unbelievable that Desmunt Olivia was here.
He had heard that she had been kicked out of the family for using black magic, but the crown prince couldn't believe that she was participating in the journey to the West just fine.
Olivia, with a piece of chocolate in her mouth, was staring at the crown prince and spoke.
"The emperor has no money?"
While uttering an insult to the imperial family.
"The emperor is not your friend... use a respectful title, young lady."
"Eek?"
"..."
"Dad, what should we do about him, he's so pitiful. He must be a beggar."
At the words of the young lady who had nothing to lose, the crown prince almost lost his mind. He had never heard such words in his life.
'...I should have brought my personal carriage.'
Two families operated the carriages heading to the West. Originally, the imperial family was supposed to prepare a separate carriage, but a sacrifice was needed to check Desmunt's atmosphere.
-I'll go as an informant.
-You can't...!
-Aren't I the only one who can ride in Desmunt's carriage? And I was curious too.
Accompanying them on the trip to the West could be said to be a good thing. To see the fall of Desmunt with his own eyes, and when an unfortunate incident occurred, his words would be more credible than the Marquess's.
Come to think of it, it was a good thing, but....
"Hey."
"..."
"Hey!"
"..."
"Ricardo, he must be deaf."
The crown prince, who was being insulted more than he had expected, couldn't keep his mouth shut due to his boiling anger.
"Hey...!"
The crown prince, who was spoken to informally without any respect, let out a hollow laugh and ran a hand through his hair.
"Haha... Desmunt must not have learned any manners towards the imperial family."
"Eek?"
"You don't even know what kind of a bloodbath the words you are uttering could bring."
"It's fine. I have nothing to lose since everything was taken away."
"That's...!"
"Your dad took it all, didn't he?"
"...?"
"What! Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Is Desmunt always this arrogant?"
"This...! This bastard!"
The crown prince, whose eyes widened at Olivia's gesture of seriously trying to throw a punch, looked at a man who was covering his mouth.
'Ricardo.'
As if he knew that this situation was troublesome, the sight of him rolling his eyes while covering his mouth with his hand was quite pleasing.
'Yes... this is the gap in our statuses. A gap that you dare not cross.'
The crown prince wanted Yuria.
He hadn't felt much interest in her as a lover yet, but he was feeling an interest in getting to know more about her. To do that, the thing he had to get over was Ricardo.
The crown prince, who was displeased by the fact that she brought up Ricardo every time he met Yuria, laughed as he looked at the trembling Ricardo.
'I don't know if it was a good idea not to bring a knight.'
If he had brought a knight, he wouldn't have been able to ride in Desmunt's carriage, and he wouldn't have seen Ricardo's flustered appearance.
'This is fun.'
"Cough.. young lady.. sob... he's still the crown prince... your words..."
"Listen, Ricardo. Their dad stole our money, I'm telling you!"
"Sob... ah... please stop."
"Eeeeeeeeeek!!!!! Dad!!! I don't like this bastard!!!"
"Puhahahahahaha!!!"
'He's laughing?'
The crown prince clenched his fists as he looked at the laughing Ricardo.
"What do you think you're doing?"
"What?"
"How dare you insult the imperial family in front of the Crown Prince of the Empire...?"
"What?"
"When we return to the capital, I will definitely bring this matter to light."
"Okay."
"..."
Ricardo looked at the crown prince with a calm expression.
"Please tell the emperor well. Tell him to scold Desmunt for making you feel bad like this and that."
"Are you insulting me to the end?"
"Because I'm not alone today."
Ricardo shrugged as he looked at the young lady who was glaring at the crown prince as if to kill him.
"Eeeeeeeeeek!!! Let go!!! I'm just going to hit him once!"
Ricardo muttered to himself in a low voice, 'There is no one as reliable as the young lady when she's on your side,' and looked out the window.
"Wow... the sea is so pretty."
"Where?!"
"Over there."
"Eek? I can't see it."
"I mean that the young lady's heart is as wide as the sea."
"Heeeeeeek?!"
The crown prince clenched his fists as he watched Ricardo and Olivia playing well together, with a vow to wipe the smiles off their faces.
At the same time, Ricardo also had the same thought.
'How should I play with him?'
The ones who crossed the 'line' were the imperial family.
He was looking forward to it.
To the sight of the crown prince, who would have a huge weakness, being in trouble. He was looking forward to seeing him fall from the power that seemed so lofty and eternal.
"Ah, Your Highness."
"Shut up."
"What happens if a member of the imperial family is involved with a slave?"
The crown prince was silent for a long time, then let out a deep sigh and answered the question.
"...They will immediately lose all their authority as a member of the imperial family."
"I see. Then what happens if they are involved with black magic?"
"The imperial family is not weak like Desmunt."
"Is that so?"
"This will be fun."
"What did you say...!"
Olivia grabbed the crown prince's hair.
"Dad!!! This bastard is dissing me!"
The young lady hated the crown prince.
