This Kingdom Needs a Coup

Karl VII is to be stripped of all his authority.

In essence, this is just a legal redefinition of the current kingdom’s system.

From the start, after my first coup, Karl VII had no real power to speak of.

Taxation rights? They effectively came under my control after the Supreme Council for National Reconstruction took over the Ministry of Finance.

Legislative power? That was officially stripped when the Parliament was established. He was given the final approval authority for new laws, but there’s no way he can use it.

Personnel authority? That was also lost long ago when the Parliament took over personnel hearings and verification of key appointments.

If we were to gather what little ‘rights’ he has left…

The right to hold mass on holidays, receiving daily greetings from the Prime Minister and the Capital Mayor, the authority to approve rewards for soldiers, and the right to bestow various medals and commemorative awards?

‘In short, he’s just a clown who can only do meaningless things.’

Normally, it’s me. When I’m not around, it’s Kamilla. Together, we’ve been gradually cutting off the king’s limbs.

At first, we just forcibly confined him to the palace, but after all sorts of schemes and tricks, he’s become a perfect puppet.

Even so, stripping him of his authority means this:

[We no longer recognize Karl VII as our king.]

We will now completely take over the power we’ve been borrowing in name only.

We won’t leave any room for anyone to say it has to be returned someday.

We will also reclaim all the ceremonial privileges and special treatments we’ve been giving him in name only.

He is now less than a commoner on the street. We must also strip him of his status as a subject of the Kingdom of Ullanor.

Since he abandoned the country and its people, why should we keep our loyalty to him?

Not the legitimate descendant of a royal lineage that has lasted for hundreds of years, but just a man named Karl von Liudolf.

That is the judgment we will pass on him.

‘But just making a law isn’t the end.’

If this could solve everything, it would be great, but unfortunately, just making a law isn’t enough.

‘There will still be those who don’t understand and hold resentment.’

No matter how much of a despicable, idiotic, pathetic, and shameful human being he is, he is still the king.

He ascended to the throne at the age of twenty-two and has ruled the country for decades.

He was the ruler of this country even before I was born, and he could have continued for at least twenty more years.

The age and experience of a monarch can sometimes be a powerful political weapon in itself.

For a long time, everyone’s mind has been imprinted with the idea that Karl VII is the rightful ruler of this country.

If we suddenly try to change that, there will inevitably be some backlash.

No matter how justified our reasons are, there will always be some opposition. That’s the nature of human society.

“Then we have no choice but to use other means.”

After returning from the Parliament meeting to my office.

I pointed to the Cardinal standing before me and gave my instructions.

“Father Walter, can you mobilize theologians and biblical experts from across the country?”

“Huh? That’s not difficult, but for what reason…?”

“Have them prepare justifications for punishing a king who has abandoned his duties. Use as much theological reasoning and perspective as possible.”

In this era, religious figures are synonymous with intellectuals.

They are considered well-educated and scholarly (regardless of reality), so their words naturally carry weight.

If the religious community of the kingdom collectively condemns and criticizes Karl, it will lend legitimacy to our actions.

“If possible, also prepare arguments that can be used to depose him.”

“…..Do you intend to remove him from the throne?”

“Should we just leave him there? That idiot who abandoned the front lines for jewelry and treated the lives of hundreds of thousands of soldiers like trash?”

“Ah, no. My thoughts were too short-sighted.”

“Once this is over, we will remove Karl by any means necessary. Whether it’s abdication or exile.”

Karl and we have already crossed a line of no return.

For now, we’ll keep him alive, but once the situation is under control, we must expel him.

“And General Albrecht.”

Next, my gaze turned to my senior in the military.

“We must prepare for war. Please replenish military provisions and prepare additional weapons. Also, stockpile gunpowder as much as possible.”

“Suddenly? I thought we were about to end the war with the Empire.”

General Albrecht, who has a longer military career but is lower in the power hierarchy, respectfully addressed me.

I shook my head with a complicated feeling.

“We must prepare for any eventuality.”

If, by any chance, the pursuit unit fails to capture the king.

If the royal family successfully flees to another country.

What follows will be nothing but a new war.

He will surely appeal to the entire continent for his situation and request reinforcements.

He will offer anything to get help in reclaiming his throne.

Our kingdom has already messed up international diplomacy in many ways.

In such a situation, everyone will surely jump at the chance to take a bite.

In the past, it might have been different, but with our country’s strength depleted from prolonged wars… if we don’t prepare thoroughly, we’re in for a rough ride.

“Please also expedite the reorganization of disbanded units for restructuring and new personnel assignments. If necessary, mobilize cadets from the military academy. We need to secure as many combat-ready units as quickly as possible.”

“That won’t be easy. But we’ll do our best.”

“If needed, I can also allocate some personnel from the central army. Just let me know anytime.”

This is just a precautionary measure for emergencies.

If we capture the king in time, the officers we urgently called can return to their original posts, and the cadets can go back to school.

If not… we might have to rot on the battlefield for another ten years. For now, I just hope it doesn’t come to that.

“Deploying troops and organizing units will cost a considerable amount of money. How will we handle the expenses?”

“Request it from the Parliament. We’ll secure it even if we have to seize royal assets.”

“Uh, is that really okay?”

“We’ll make it okay. Even if we have to rewrite the law and apply it retroactively.”

We’ll cover the shortfall by selling off the jewels and artworks piled up in the palace.

We also have assets seized from Duke Loengram and Duke Barellmont, so we won’t be completely strapped for cash. At least for a while.

If a full-scale war breaks out, we’ll run out quickly though.

“If you understand, everyone please return. We all have a lot to do, so let’s hurry.”

After seeing off the guests, I leaned back on the sofa. I took a deep breath and chugged a bottle of high-proof wine.

“Damn it.”

Why do these noble bastards never do anything useful for my life?

Our cavalry unit better do a good job…

* * * * *

Meanwhile, contrary to Karolus’s worries.

The royal family, whose lives are at stake, is enjoying a leisurely and relaxed exile journey.

“Father! The water here is so cool!”

“Don’t go too deep. Be careful not to hurt your feet.”

“Okay!”

After hiding in a specially modified carriage and racing through relay stations for hours.

As soon as they left the capital area, the tension completely dissipated, and the royal family relaxed completely. They acted just as they did when they were in the royal palace.

What I mean is,

They couldn’t bear the discomfort of the carriage, so they stopped at a village along the way to relax and have fun.

“Your Maj… I mean, Master. If we waste time here, our future schedule…”

“We’ve already traveled 60 miles. Taking a short break won’t be a problem.”

A ten-year-old child dipping his bare feet in the stream and splashing around.

Karl von Liudolf, watching this scene with a smile, held a large pig trotter dish in his hand.

It’s a famous local delicacy. They say it’s boiled for two hours and then steamed in sauce.

They’ve spent enough time to enjoy such a complex and time-consuming dish.

The attendants’ hearts were burning with anxiety in real-time.

Unaware of this, the king was completely at ease.

“But it’s still too dangerous. You know how sharp and cunning Karolus is.”

“Alright, alright. I said I understand, didn’t I? We’ll leave in an hour, so stop nagging.”

Despite repeated pleas, the king remained unmoved.

Eventually, the attendants gave up on persuasion and prepared to leave. So they could depart immediately when the royal family was ready.

“Did we change the coachman?”

“Yes. Where should we go now? We need to tell the coachman the next stop.”

“We’re in Münhausen now, right? Then…”

After checking the map, someone calculated the route and shouted.

“Barene! We’re going to Barene!”

Barene is a major stop on the relay station system leading to the eastern outskirts of the kingdom.

The plan was to get a new carriage there to safely continue the escape.

After informing the coachman of the destination, the attendant packed the wine bought in the village into the luggage.

…..Unaware that passersby nearby had overheard their conversation.

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