Chapter 173: ???????????????????????????????? ???????????????????????????? (2)

Chapter 173: Exciting Banquet (2)

When the promised date came, the city and nearby nobles all came as expected. It was an opportunity to get on the emperor’s good side.

There were no fools stupid enough to miss such a joyous occasion celebrating victory.

“We hope the glory flowing through the dragon’s bloodline continues endlessly, Your Majesty!”

“We thank you once again for saving the city, Count.”

People gathered around Johan as much as around the emperor. Everyone in the city knew the role Johan had played.

“. . .Thank you for overlooking this matter, Count.”

“It was nothing.”

The young emperor seemed more nervous than Johan. His expression was unchanged, but his hands were sweaty.

Come to think of it, the emperor was as young as Johan. He kept mistakenly thinking he was old because of his aged face, but it was natural for him to be nervous.

‘After all, he’s still young so he likely lacks authority, has many political rivals, and the emperor’s position itself is difficult in many ways.’

While the highest position was coveted by all, sometimes a rural feudal lord could be more carefree.

“Do you have any other advice?”

‘Why’s he acting so burdened?’

The emperor seemed to have strange expectations of Johan’s abilities. While the high regard was good, the burden was also real.

If he were to fail and flee. . .who would they blame?

Johan decided to give some safe advice.

“Are you wearing armor underneath?”

“I’m not.”

“Anyway it’d be hidden by your outer garments, and with the fighting over, who would scowl if you had some armor on.”

It was traditional to remove weapons and armor at feasts, but this much could be overlooked if discovered.

Besides, the emperor had a reputation for not following orders and fraternizing with his own soldiers. This rumor wouldn’t change much.

“I guess there’s no harm in wearing it. . .”

The emperor calmly put on the armor. It seemed unnecessary and could draw pointless complaints, but he trusted Johan’s advice.

What meaning could it hold!

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The plan was simple. The chamberlain sits down and when the alcohol circulates a bit, the emperor rebukes his rudeness and disloyalty and throws a glass to send a signal.

━Chamberlain Leoanos has brought quite an escort, Your Majesty.

━They won’t be able to get in anyway.

━That’s true but. . .

━Just act as I said. Then no one will be able to do nonsense no matter who they are.

Leoanos arrived at the front.

Despite recent mistakes, the political authority held by the chamberlain was considerable. The surrounding nobles flocked to somehow get a word.

Leoanos was pleased with the reaction.

Whenever he saw this, he felt the power he had. Power is like a drug, once you grab it, you can never let it go.

“Leave your weapons outside. The chamberlain can only bring one escort in.”

“I know.”

Leoanos obediently left the escorts outside and went inside. A lower nobleman chamberlain followed him inside, holding Leoanos’s hem.

Seeing that, Johan wondered, holding a silver cup and stretching his neck.

‘Isn’t it too far?’

No matter if the escorts were swordsmanship masters or not, they had to get closer to do something. Shouldn’t they be able to run right up and intervene?

But the distance was too far.

‘Did I worry for nothing. . .’

The chamberlain knelt down in front and kissed the emperor’s hand. It was a sign of obedience and loyalty.

“Thank you for coming like this. Your Excellency.”

“It was something I had to do.”

“I appreciate the other people here as well.”

“Does the person who knows that send an insult?”

Clang!

Instead of the sound of a dagger piercing flesh, there was the dull thud of something smashing into a head. Still clutching his dagger, Leoanos dropped dead. Beside his head, a crushed silver cup had fallen.

“. . .”

“. . .”

The sudden series of events stunned everyone. Jusvan was the first to scream.

“Assassination attempt! Escort His Majesty inside!”

Belatedly, the imperial guards behind rushed over.

“Cut down anyone who moves! Don’t move!”

“Your Majesty! Are you alright!”

“I. . . I’m fine. What happened?”

“The count saved Your Majesty’s life. He. . . threw that cup.”

Jusvan explained the situation then tripped over his words, seemingly finding it unbelievable himself.

Jusvan, beside Johan, saw it clearly. The moment Leoanos stabbed with his dagger, Johan picked up a silver cup from the table and hurled it squarely at his head.

He threw it with such force that his opponent smashed heads and couldn’t get back up. It would have been legendary material for war annals if it hadn’t been a mere silver cup. . .

“I-I don’t know anything! Today was my first time meeting the chamberlain.”

“We’ve only met once, years ago. . . we barely know each other.”

The nobles seated there hurriedly spewed excuses, afraid they might get involved with the chamberlain.

The emperor shoved them aside and had all of the chamberlain’s attendants arrested. He had no intention of interrogating the nearby nobles, but not the chamberlain’s subordinates.

“On your knees!”

“We. . . we didn’t know anything either! About his plans. . .”

Violence rained down in response to their pleas. Screams erupted from all sides as Johan’s slave troops rushed over. Johan signaled he was alright.

‘No need to summon the soldiers either.’

And the belt.

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While the emperor and his subordinates were oppressing guilty and innocent people alike, Johan waited. It was natural for there to be chaos for a while in such tumultuous times.

When the situation had calmed down somewhat, Johan went with Jusvan.

“Are you alright, Your Majesty?”

“Thanks to you I survived, Count.”

It was not merely courteous words, but heartfelt sincerity. Those who had interrogated the emperor’s attendant were shocked at first when told poison had been prepared.

If not for Johan’s advice, he could have collapsed much sooner.

“Not only the poison, but the armor too. Did you happen to have some information beforehand?”

“How could that be so?”

“Your Majesty, if I’d had such information, I would have told you first.”

Jusvan spoke with the pride of a republican. The emperor nodded.

The emperor chatted about this and that before sending Jusvan out. Then he asked Johan,

“Count, I heard from the viceroy that you’d be staying in the city until autumn after receiving payment. Is that correct?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to buy out that contract.”

“Your Majesty, my soldiers are expensive and great in number.”

“I don’t intend to hire them all. Half of the soldiers here would be sufficient.”

With only a thousand or so soldiers, what could be accomplished was limited. Johan immediately grasped what the emperor wanted.

‘He wants protection?’

When one’s position was unstable, reliable soldiers were necessary.

“I will pay three times the amount the viceroy mentioned. And I will promise privileges at the harbor. Would this be enough as payment for the count and his brave subordinates?”

“. . .!”

For a moment, Johan envisioned piles of gold coins behind the emperor.