My villains episode 496
interlude. Judges and riders
entered May.
Like most provinces encompassing the Empire and Kingdom, Obdorf also reached the peak of spring.
The Zelntree, drenched in a brief shower, boasted unprecedented green, and the broad plains to the south were filled with lilacs dyed in deep purple and azaleas emitting orange.
Beside the road paved with old flagstones, there was a little hedge that barely reached the knee, holding a small bean field. Standing alone in the middle of the bean field, the Scarecrow seemed to stare down at the soft, hairy young pods filling up little by little.
“Isn’t it so peaceful?”
The middle-aged man, who had been appreciating the scenery with a blank face, turned his head away from the relaxed question. I thought it was the voice of a horseman pulling his reins, but the middle old man’s eyes met a pretty young man wearing plate armor.
“Baron Daeon.”
“I thought it would be full of ashes and blood, screams and wails because it was said to be a land swept by warfare, but... I guess it wasn’t as terrible a war as rumor has it.”
A noble-looking young man leaned over on one side of his horse, picked a wild flower, and smelled its scent. Brilliant blonde hair, a handsome face, a handsome white horse, and shining armor harmonized, making him look like a knight straight out of a fairy tale.
It was a look that would make many girls blush, but it didn’t seem to give any impression to a man in his sixties. The middle-aged man, slightly tired, opened his mouth with an expressionless face.
“It must be because the period of war was not so long. The collateral damage would have been relatively small, as three or four decisive battles decided the outcome.”
“So is he.”
Baron Daeon, the sixth horseman of King Milanol and the head of the ‘New Siother’ family, said with a slightly confused tone.
“I never expected that the war would end so easily and so quickly. I’m a knight I can’t help it, so I’m sorry I missed the opportunity to show off my dance... but on the other hand, I feel proud that the newly incorporated Wang Ryeong is so beautiful.”
The middle-aged man, the high judge of the royal capital and one of Crown Prince Zacharis’ aides, shook his head with a firm face.
“It is still too early to be optimistic. No one knows how the situation will end, so we must not relax.”
“her. I don’t know what Prince Kingsley or the other riders are afraid of.”
“It’s not scary, it’s difficult, Baron.”
The king’s young rider did not seem to understand the prudent attitude of his opponent.
“What is difficult? The two former princes of the empire have dared to invade, and they have counterattacked and taken away large lands. What further explanation do you need?”
“Isn’t it a victory won by our kingdom?”
“If so, whose victory is it? The flag was raised by the 3 princes, the heirs of the royal family, and the various vassals of the kingdom gathered there. Of course, it is a victory for His Majesty the King and our kingdom.”
As the young man tapped his breastplate in frustration, the old judge quietly narrowed his forehead.
‘Are you deliberately pretending to be stupid? Do you want to believe that simple logic as if it were an immutable truth?’
“...The Baron heard the news, too. The three princes, no, their subordinates have attained imperial titles. The ‘Red Dragon’ was awarded titles by King Ruilix II himself, with the rest under the emperor’s observation. What do you mean by that?”
“Of course you weren’t cheating, were you? Your Highness, the 3rd Prince, is a natural tactician. Since we do not have enough strength to face the enemy’s large army, we bowed our heads in lies to buy time to join His Highness the Crown Prince’s army.”
“...If that’s the case, why have the fortresses on the border held on with their gates locked up until now? It won’t give way to reinforcements.”
“Aren’t we heading to Eisbovald now to solve that very problem?”
At Baron Patina’s gaze, the young merchant bowed his head.
“Unfortunately, there is no news.”
His superficial status is a merchant who makes money by somehow connecting with the royal family, but his real identity is Sejak, who has over a hundred subordinates. He explained that he served as a guide for nobles when passing through the gates, but in fact his real mission was to obtain necessary information in the current situation.
“But looking at it, it seems that the problem is caused by no one trying to take the vacant seat of the 3rd Prince.”
“It’s the exact opposite of what I expected. Are you procrastinating rather than fighting for the seat of power?”
“It is not procrastinating. In one word... ‘Who dares to replace him?’”
The middle-aged woman nodded slowly.
“I get it roughly. Then, would His Highness the Crown Prince have a chance?”
The young merchant hesitated for a moment, then lowered his head.
” doesn’t exist.”
“You are firm.”
“I’m sorry, Nari. However, I have only made a judgment based on the information obtained.”
“The grounds?”
“The hostility is too strong, needless to say at length. Words are openly circulating in the military camp that the reason why the 3rd prince has been wandering around the battlefield and the borders for the past 10 years is all because of His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Are the top leaders thinking the same?”
“I will. Most of them, including Langbolt Earl Shore, Anki Le Whitestone, Ariad Barin, Lay am Summersong, etc., served His Highness for a long time and went through penance.”
“The ones who received the title?”
“I think that will be the breakthrough. Lu Yan, who was sealed after the Empire, has a high reputation, but is still a young boy and unmarried. You will find a suitable way to appease them. Since Atalanta, who was sealed by the prince of Angst, is also a seed of Nudane, there will be positive results if you present the appropriate amount of money.”
The young merchant took a small breath and continued.
“The variable is the red knight.”
“Phoenix von Defelken.”
“yes. He is called the Seventh Knight of the Silver Prince, but his service period is relatively short. Nevertheless, he played an active role based on terrifying force and became a figure close to the second in command of the silver prince’s army. You can get a glimpse of its status through occupying the yolk land of Obdorf and obtaining a permanent position.”
“Even if a red knight like that came forward, they couldn’t sort out the situation.”
“That... no.”
“no?”
As Baron Pattina narrowed her brows, the young merchant replied in an uncertain voice.
“It is said that the silver prince died-no, but disappeared anyway. The red knight is known to be in hiding.”
“Chip?”
“yes. Especially after returning to Eisbovald, except for a few people closest to me, I can’t even see their faces.”
The young merchant offered his opinion cautiously.
“It’s my guess, but maybe the answer to the letter can only be received when the red knight reappears.”