NOVEL WEB Chapter 44
Episode 44: The Royal Council Meeting (Part 2)
“Atrocities? Duke Zarfing… are you insulting our military?”
The first to react to Lord Giorg’s words was Marquess Leparendas, the Protector of the Realm. As the supreme leader of the military, he interpreted Lord Giorg’s statement as suggesting that the Galvate army would engage in looting and violence against the former subjects of the Gildolq Kingdom.
“Insult? What do you mean?”
In response, Lord Giorg replied to Marquess Leparendas without changing his expression.
“I am saying that our military does not engage in reckless actions that would require looting and violence.”
“Of course. But in this case, it would be wise to assume that such reasoning won’t hold.”
“What do you mean?”
Marquess Leparendas looked as if he had been caught off guard by Lord Giorg’s response.
“As I mentioned earlier, King Jilvol is seeking foreign intervention to gain support from the former territories. Therefore, the foreign armies intervening will be portrayed as perpetrators of atrocities.”
“Are you suggesting that King Jilvol will spread rumors, Duke Zarfing?”
“No, it won’t just be rumors.”
“You don’t mean… he’ll actually do it?”
“Yes. King Jilvol will undoubtedly take action. Whether he disguises his forces as ours to commit looting or infiltrates our ranks to do the same, he will make his move.”
At Lord Giorg’s assertion, Marquess Leparendas fell into deep thought.
“But would he really go that far? Even if he has a goal, weren’t they originally his own people?”
At this point, Duke Fizir, the Chancellor, spoke up. Known for his calm and composed demeanor, he naturally questioned Lord Giorg’s opinion, as he held a strong aversion to actions that would harm the populace.
“To King Jilvol, his own people are the citizens of the Zabeil Kingdom. The former subjects of the Gildolq Kingdom are not.”
“Why do you think that?”
“If he considered the former subjects as his own people and worthy of protection, he wouldn’t leave them to their fate. The first to suffer from deteriorating public order would be the socially vulnerable—specifically, the children. The fact that he is willing to abandon them shows that King Jilvol does not see the former subjects as deserving of protection.”
“…That does make sense.”
“Yes. To King Jilvol, it doesn’t matter what happens to the former subjects. That’s why he won’t hesitate to disguise his forces as ours and commit looting and violence.”
At Lord Giorg’s assertion, the attendees seemed convinced.
“And finally, the third point. As I mentioned earlier, King Jilvol shows no mercy to his enemies. He will not hesitate to take measures that no sane person would consider. He likely draws a clear line between those he must protect and those he does not. And for those he deems unworthy of protection, he treats them as mere pawns.”
Here, Lord Giorg paused and looked around at the attendees. Their expressions were stoic, but Lord Giorg could sense their agreement. Seeing this, he continued.
“Pawns come in many forms—expendable, sacrificial, and so on. But for King Jilvol, no matter how much a pawn achieves, their status remains unchanged. A pawn is always a pawn, and he will use them as he sees fit, whether as a tool or as a sacrifice.”
“So, by sending the former Crown Prince to us, King Jilvol intends to make us his pawns, is that it?”
Ilzam’s words carried a natural sense of displeasure. No one would feel kindly toward someone who treats them as a pawn to be used and discarded.
“Of course, it is possible to establish a cooperative relationship with King Jilvol, but I doubt his fundamental attitude toward others will change. From our perspective, there is no need to willingly become King Jilvol’s pawns.”
“…So, Duke Zarfing, you believe we should not use Demitul as a justification?”
“Yes, that is my opinion. However, the decision lies with His Majesty or the Crown Prince.”
At Lord Giorg’s words, Ilzam nodded. The ruler of Galvate was King Alzeis, and the decision-making authority rested with him. As the Crown Prince, Ilzam stood as the king’s proxy, and he understood that he would eventually assume that position himself.
“Your Majesty, I agree with Duke Zarfing’s opinion. Given the current situation, the Gildolq Kingdom has already fallen, and attempting to seize power amidst the chaos could result in us losing more than we gain.”
Ilzam addressed King Alzeis. None of the other attendees voiced any objections to Ilzam’s proposal.
“Hmm… It seems no one opposes the Crown Prince’s opinion. Very well, we shall not provoke the Zabeil Kingdom.”
With King Alzeis’s declaration, the attendees bowed in agreement.
“Now, the question is what to do with the former Crown Prince… His purpose in coming here is to use our strength to rebuild the Gildolq Kingdom. Even if it is all part of King Jilvol’s plan, the former Crown Prince himself likely believes in this goal.”
Here, King Alzeis turned his gaze to Lord Giorg.
“Duke Zarfing, you will keep an eye on the former Crown Prince, Demitul.”
“As you command.”
“If Demitul acts against our nation’s interests, do not hesitate. Deal with him as you see fit.”
“As you command.”
At the conversation between King Alzeis and Lord Giorg, expressions of surprise appeared on the faces of the attendees.
“Your Majesty, even if he is a former member of the royal family, killing him could… cause problems.”
Duke Fizir’s voice took on a stern tone. He was concerned about the potential backlash from the former retainers of the Gildolq Kingdom if the Crown Prince were to die under suspicious circumstances.
“That won’t be an issue.”
“Why is that, Your Majesty?”
At King Alzeis’s assertion, Duke Fizir looked puzzled.
“We have not officially announced that we are sheltering Demitul.”
“That is true, but in that case, couldn’t we simply announce that he was an imposter and deal with him accordingly?”
Duke Fizir’s words were cold and calculating. From his perspective, protecting Galvate came first, and if necessary, he would not hesitate to employ ruthless measures. Moreover, he was more inclined to use such measures against nobles than commoners, as he believed that those with privileges bore greater responsibilities.
“Hah, the Chancellor is quick to act.”
“?”
“We can deal with him at any time. But doing so would make it difficult to establish a cooperative relationship with King Jilvol in the future.”
“A cooperative relationship?”
“Yes. No matter what the Zabeil Kingdom’s goals are, as long as they do not conflict with our interests, coexistence and mutual prosperity should be possible, no?”
At King Alzeis’s words, Duke Fizir nodded.
“That is why I am entrusting Demitul to Duke Zarfing. There may still be some value in using him. Killing him would be a waste, wouldn’t it?”
“As you command.”
“Now, you have heard my decision. The former Crown Prince, Demitul, will be placed under Duke Zarfing’s supervision. And from now on, consider him not as a member of the royal family, but as a commoner. He is merely a refugee who fled to our country to escape the turmoil in Gildolq. How we treat him is of little consequence… Understood?”
At King Alzeis’s proclamation, everyone bowed in acknowledgment.
“Duke Zarfing, take Demitul to your residence immediately after this.”
“Understood!”
“This concludes the meeting.”
With that, King Alzeis left the council chamber.
(Now then, Jilvol of Zabeil… What kind of man is he, I wonder?)
Lord Giorg murmured to himself in his heart.
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