NOVEL WEB Chapter 499
Chapter 499: I Will Do My Best. (4)
At Baron Share’s words, Ghislaine offered a faint smile.
“When will it be?”
“In a month, negotiations will take place on Heine Plain, and they say they will exchange ‘items.’”
The rumor about exchanging something during the negotiations was already widespread. Although no one knew exactly what the item was, knowing about the exchange allowed the stewards to prepare accordingly and not get blindsided.
“It’s clear they’ve put a lot of thought into this.”
Ghislaine was well acquainted with Heine Plain. It was close to the southern front and didn’t have even a small forest or hill to catch a breath.
It was truly an open field.
If both sides brought 50,000 troops each to meet head-on, it would be quite difficult to catch someone off-guard.
Baron Share nodded.
“Yes. Scouts are consistently monitoring whether they are only bringing the promised troops. It shows they are committed to confirming.”
“Very cautious indeed.”
“It seems they regard this negotiation as quite significant.”
If it were merely an armistice negotiation, there would be no need for such caution. At this point, it seemed that the ‘item’ they agreed to exchange was indeed the true objective.
Baron Share continued carefully.
“The Kingdom Army will depart in a week. It’s quite far, after all. I plan to make an excuse to gather intel in three days and slip away. But… are you really okay with this?”
A total of 100,000 troops were about to gather in that open field. No matter how skilled Ghislaine was, it didn’t seem easy to snatch an item and flee from there.
In fact, it was doubtful whether she could properly acquire the item in the presence of the Kingdom’s Greatest Sword and the Royal Knight Commander.
Yet Ghislaine replied with an expression that suggested it wasn’t a big deal.
“Well… it won’t be easy, but I have to manage to take it and run.”
Baron Share looked at Ghislaine with disbelief and candidly said.
“If you fail, I’ll immediately flee to another kingdom.”
To be honest, it wasn’t very reassuring, but given that lives were at stake, taking such risks was necessary. After all, staying in the capital due to a mad king was hardly appealing.
Looking at Count Penris’s recent actions, it felt like he would pull something off again.
Ghislaine chuckled and nodded.
“Do that. For now, I will assign a knight to escort you to Penris.”
Sending Dark to arrange for the knights a week later would work. After confirming the destination with the baron, Ghislaine asked.
“Any other notable matters?”
“I hear His Majesty intends to go personally.”
“Really?”
“Yes, everyone tried to dissuade him, but he wouldn’t listen. It seems he must confirm the item himself.”
“I see.”
Ghislaine could roughly guess the reason. The king cared about his health, and the item received from the Salvation Society might be the way to ensure it.
Thus, he had no choice but to go confirm it himself. If he brought back something incorrect, it would be a huge disaster.
After sharing the information, Baron Share stood up.
“Then I’ll take my leave. I wish you success.”
“Yes, please be careful. I’ll see you in the territory.”
At Ghislaine’s confident words, Baron Share inadvertently smiled. Where did that unshakeable confidence come from?
It was both enviable and absurd.
As Baron Share was about to leave, he abruptly stopped and asked.
“Will you not see Marquis Branford before you go?”
To be honest, meeting him wouldn’t yield any benefits. Despite the Northern Army becoming enemies of the royal family, the safety of Marquis Branford was thanks to the habits of the king and the nobles.
Many local lords and nobles, including those from the Northern Army, were still known to be following Marquis Branford.
If they captured or harmed the marquis without reason, they could easily rise up against them, so it was best to leave him alone until the rest were completely subdued.
But what if someone discovered that Marquis Branford had a relationship deeper than mere political alliance? The possibility of taking him hostage and using threats would increase.
Thus, those who followed Marquis Branford had remained quiet for the time being.
“Well, since I’m already here, I was contemplating if I should greet him after all these years. He must be rather lonely now that he has stepped back from politics.”
Ghislaine was also aware of such risks. However, what of it? If she didn’t get caught, that would be it.
Baron Share simply smiled. That level of confidence and composure truly made him the best in the kingdom.
“I understand. I will see you again after our success.”
After Baron Share left, Ghislaine returned to the dining room. While other soldiers were drinking and enjoying abundant food and drink, she remained sober.
Since the date and location for the negotiations were set, she had to move busily.
“Dark, it’s about to start. I’ll let you know the location, so inform the others to prepare.”
– Got it!
In the dark night sky, a lone crow flew quietly without anyone noticing.
After sharing the news with the waiting Northern Army, Ghislaine received permission to go out the next day.
The place she headed to was none other than the mansion of Marquis Branford.
“Hmmm, I have to get in without anyone noticing… Can I do that?”
She had confirmed all the guard blind spots from the times she used to frequent the place. However, avoiding the magical traps and the knights’ senses wouldn’t be easy.
Nobles of Marquis Branford’s caliber set up defensive magic throughout the mansion to prevent even superhumans from sneaking in.
Controlling the entire space meant, no matter how skilled Ghislaine was, she couldn’t avoid being caught.
“Then… it’s best to charge right through.”
Ghislaine confidently walked to the front door of the mansion.
Seeing one of the guards at the entrance, she couldn’t help but smirk.
‘Working late, huh.’
The guard who had warned her previously was yawning. It seemed they were treated better than expected, working here for so long.
‘Well, staying at the Marquis Branford’s mansion these days is probably safer than enlisting in another army.’
Considering the world, where one could never tell when they might die, staying with the Branford household was wise.
Ignoring the other guards, Ghislaine approached the yawning soldier and spoke.
“Hey, is the marquis in? Don’t say he’s not since I know he is.”
The guard tilted his head. This line felt oddly familiar. It was something he seemed to have heard before.
“What?”
Ghislaine was now dressed in common clothes. She also bore a different face than Douglie’s.
At first glance, she looked perfectly like a commoner.
The guard frowned. Not looking like a noble, what right did this person have to come here so freely?
Still unsure, he replied as per his training.
“First, please leave your name and purpose in the guest book, and someone will come to find you for further arrangements…”
Ghislaine smiled unconsciously. How consistent could someone be?
With that, she grabbed the guard’s shoulder and turned him away from the others to whisper.
“It’s me, me.”
As Ghislaine’s face returned to its original form, the guard’s eyes widened in shock.
“Didn’t I see you somewhere… Whaaah!”
Ghislaine quickly covered the guard’s mouth and whispered while changing her face swiftly again.
“Shh, it wouldn’t be good for others to know, right? You’ll lead me in, won’t you?”
The guard nodded vigorously. Unless he was a fool, he knew causing a commotion here wouldn’t benefit him.
“L-l-l-let’s go in.”
As he was about to enter, another guard suspiciously looked at the suddenly changed demeanor of his colleague.
“Hey, what’s going on? Who is this?”
“Can’t we just let them in?”
As they tried to block the entrance, the guard snapped back.
“I know this person! The butler called for them!”
He just blurted that out. Since he couldn’t use the marquis’s name, he used the butler’s.
At those words, the other guards hesitated, licking their lips as they stepped back.
Though it felt uneasy, they couldn’t say otherwise given his boldness.
“L-let’s hurry. The butler is waiting…”
The guard led Ghislaine inside.
In reality, it would be hard for a mere guard to meet Marquis Branford. Meeting him required going through numerous protocols.
However, the butler was different. He was one of the few people capable of directly reporting to Marquis Branford.
Thus, the guard promptly brought Ghislaine to the butler.
“Um? What’s going on?”
The guard approached, speaking very softly.
“Th-this is Count Penris.”
“What???”
The butler stared at Ghislaine in disbelief. Ghislaine grinned and revealed her face again.
“I-I see…”
The butler, who had shown a startled expression, shouted to the soldiers outside the office.
“Everyone, step back! A very important guest has arrived, so we will have a quiet conversation!”
At that, the soldiers guarding the front all retreated. The guard who brought Ghislaine looked frantically around, unsure of what to do.
The butler spoke to him.
“You will be excused from all duties for the time being. I’ll provide you a room to stay alone. Do you understand? But you will be generously compensated.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
They decided to confine him to avoid any rumors. However, when the butler handed him gold coins, the guard smiled and nodded vigorously.
After sending off the guard, the butler asked Ghislaine, looking surprised.
“How did you come here?”
“I came to see the marquis. Just wanted to pay my respects.”
“Whoa…”
Though the Northern Army hadn’t officially rebelled, refusing the king’s orders was still a serious crime.
Right now, sentiments against the Northern Army were extremely negative. There were rumors that the royal family intended to ally with the duke’s family to strike against the Northern Army.
In such circumstances, to appear here alone!
He had known Ghislaine was bold, but he had never anticipated to this degree.
The butler, astonished, came back to his senses and said hurriedly.
“L-l-l-let’s go. I will take you to the marquis.”
Ghislaine followed the butler with a relaxed expression.
The butler led her past many knights and soldiers around Marquis Branford’s office.
Everyone was puzzled, but they obeyed the butler’s orders. After all, the Royal Knight Commander Toleo was inside.
Upon entering first, the butler spoke very cautiously.
“Marquis, a guest has come to visit.”
“Hmm?”
Marquis Branford looked up from his book. His face had grown considerably gaunt.
Seeing that face, Ghislaine felt a twinge of sadness and forced a smile.
“Have you been well?”
“Who are you?”
“It’s me.”
As Ghislaine showed her true face, both Marquis Branford and Toleo’s eyes widened in surprise.
“How did you…?”
“I came to say hello since I’m in the capital.”
“Hahaha…”
At her response, Marquis Branford let out a hearty laugh.
As always, he found her to be a truly entertaining person. To come alone to the capital in such a situation to seek him out.
“Bring some tea. I must have a good chat with an old friend.”
At Marquis Branford’s words, the butler brought in tea.
However, the two seated in front of each other didn’t converse extensively. They simply asked each other how they had been.
After spending some time chatting about this and that, Ghislaine stood up.
“I’ll take my leave now. Seeing you safe is enough for me.”
“Will you not see Maurice?”
Ghislaine shook her head.
“No, I’ll meet him later. If he starts making a fuss about drinking, it’d quickly spread rumors. Besides, I only have today to spare. I’ll see others later as well.”
Today was her only chance. She couldn’t visit everyone she was close with before facing important matters, lest she attract unwanted attention.
Marquis Branford asked again.
“What about Rosalyn?”
After a moment of contemplation, Ghislaine shook her head.
“Hmm… I think I’ll meet the young lady later. I don’t want to distress her unnecessarily.”
At that, Marquis Branford smirked. As a father of a daughter, he found her quite infuriating.
Thus, Marquis Branford, with a serious expression, asked.
“Have you made your decision?”
“I decided the moment I heard the news.”
“Just like you.”
Marquis Branford nodded with a subtle smile.
He had anticipated this turn of events. Though it might be troubling, it was something that couldn’t be halted. Those who had led the kingdom thus far needed to step back.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Marquis Branford looked into Ghislaine’s eyes and said.
“Ghislaine.”
“Yes?”
“I entrust the kingdom to you.”
He, who had always placed the royal family first, was now entrusting her not just the royal family, but the kingdom itself.
No one here was unaware of what that meant.
In truth, Ghislaine hadn’t given much thought to the future of the kingdom. She only wanted to eliminate the duke’s faction and protect Perdium and Penris.
However, the situation had now changed. To achieve her goals, she had to remove the royal family.
Those who dethroned a king were bound to bear the responsibility for the kingdom’s future.
With that, Marquis Branford shared his final wishes with Ghislaine.
For the future of the kingdom, not the royal family.
After a brief silence, Ghislaine deeply bowed her head and said.
“Thank you for everything. Marquis.”
Though she had been the one to approach him first, it was Marquis Branford who recognized her and provided unwavering support.
That was no small feat. One had to possess a discerning eye to notice talent and the resolve to trust it.
Ghislaine was truly grateful to him. Without Marquis Branford and the nobles following him, she wouldn’t have been able to rise so quickly.
Thus, she was determined to fulfill Marquis Branford’s final wishes.
Ghislaine slowly lifted her head. Her eyes now contained a beast-like ferocity.
“It won’t take long.”