CH 178

For a definite conclusion (4)

My head was spinning.

Is this real or is it a dream?

The Marquis Benedict, who had been enjoying unparalleled power only a week or so ago, looked ahead with a blank face.

"Tell me the solution!"

"Is there any solution? It's already over. Baron Winston's army has been completely shattered, and it's no wonder when Benedict's Castle falls. Didn't the Imperialists abruptly cut off contact as soon as they heard the news? The only way to survive now is to open the gates and surrender!"

"It's surrender! Does that make sense?!"

There was a riot.

People who did not raise their voices even once, centering on the Marquis Benedict, were now blushing at each other without noticing.

It was a truly miserable situation.

At one time, I thought that the aristocracy was the future of Cairo, but when I faced a crisis, I felt that it was more like a sand castle than the Cairo royal family.

That was then.

Quang!

"Everyone, stop! Now is not the time."

It was Viscount Owen.

At his act of smashing the table, the nobles swallowed their words even though they were excited.

"As you say, we have been pushed to the brink. But it is absolutely impossible to surrender. Although it has not been officially revealed, according to information from the northeast region, it is said that Roman Dmitry was involved in Barco's annihilation. Not only that, but just by looking at the steps he has shown, Roman Dmitry has shown that he thoroughly trampled down the forces that were hostile to him. It is different from the weak and soft king. But what if you open the gates to him? Ordinary soldiers will save lives, but it is clear that our leaders will all have their necks blown away."

" So what are we going to do? The mana stones to maintain the magic defense are almost running out."

Yes. It will be two or three days at most. In it, we need to turn the situation around."

I saw the Marquis Benedict.

Looking at him, who was still undecided, Viscount Owen said in a firm voice.

"Marquis Benedict. The imperial faction is not the only force that will solve our problems. Why not skip them and join the Empire directly?"

"What do you mean?"

"It is a battle that is over. Rather than waiting for the day to die like this, it is more important to survive, even if it means becoming a vassal state. The Kronos Empire will never turn down our offer. Those who have always wanted to use Cairo as a bridgehead for conquest of the continent will unconditionally accept our offer of self-sacrifice. The situation where all the heads of the Imperial faction were taken away. This is your last chance to convince the Empire."

The eyes of the Marquis Benedict came to life.

yet.

The war is not over.

Now that Benedict's Castle had not collapsed, it was their last chance to sell their hand at a high price.

The worries were brief.

The decision to sell the country was such a light concern.

"Call Kronos right now. I will negotiate with them myself."

* * *

Magical communication was immediately connected.

When Baron Charlton, a member of the Kronos Ministry of Foreign Affairs, revealed his face, the Marquis Benedict spoke straight-forward.

"I think you already know our situation. Please save the nobility. If you help us bring down the royal family of Cairo, we will claim our sovereignty and swear allegiance to Kronos from now on."

There was no pretense.

As I bowed my head, I did not tremble with arrogance.

[ ] hmmm. I'm sorry, but there are already forces following the Kronos Empire in the Cairo Kingdom. Isn't it an undisputed fact that it was Count Gregory? If we were to choose a scarecrow to rule the Cairo royal family, we should choose Count Gregory, considering all his hard work, not you, Marquis Benedict.]

"Yes, I know. But now things are different."

gave strength to the voice.

Without persuasion, there was no way to stop Cairo's demons from coming.

"The Cairo royal family started the purge with Roman Dmitry. As a start, he captured the Earl of Gregory and the Earl of Denver first, who followed the Empire. Do you think they will be released safely? The moment the aristocrats following me collapse, their lives are no different. Roman Dmitry will certainly try to take full control of Cairo this time, leaving no room for the Empire to invade. So I'm trying to use each other. If Kronos grants you a little mercy, the nobles will bring the Cairo royal family to their knees as minions to the Empire. Later, when the Continental Conquest was declared, the Kingdom of Cairo would be willing to sacrifice for the sake of the Kronos Empire."

Continental Conquest.

It is a decision that requires sacrifice.

However, if Kronos remains the only winner, in fact, only the soldiers will die and the leaders will be able to maintain power.

finally.

He took the kingdom as collateral.

For his own survival, the Marquis Benedict never hesitated to become a patriotic slave.

"It is a choice that will not change much for the Kronos Empire. From Gregory to Benedict. The sacrifices made for the Kronos Empire are different, and the Empire will only be as long as we take our mistakes."

[You're saying it's really interesting.]

Baron Charlton grinned.

The Marquis Benedict saw the essence.

In fact, for the Kronos Empire, it didn't matter who occupied the kingdom, which was only a bridgehead.

when needed.

Someone who will do what you need.

It didn't matter if it was Benedict, not Gregory.

[Actually, we were also very disappointed that Count Gregory was captured helplessly. We've been so supportive all this time, but they've never taken advantage of their advantage. Say it once. What do you want Kronos to do?]

"Attack the Western Front."

[Are you saying you want to attack your country now?]

Yes. Send a warning message to the Cairo royal family, not just attack the first line of detention, as always, but go beyond that. To prove that the Kronos Empire and the Nobility have joined forces. If you show an aggressive move on the Western Front, I'll take care of what happens after that.

didn't expect much

The single fact that the Empire of Kronos sided with the aristocracy alone would give the Marquis a breath of fresh air.

Once they have turned away from the difficulties, there will be a justification to reintroduce the imperial faction, and if they threaten the Cairo royal family based on this fact, they cannot continue to attack Benedict's Castle.

as long as it was left alone.

You would think that the troops from the Western Front might be able to capture the royal family.

It was a reasonable suggestion.

Even if they were at war with the Kingdom Union, attacking the Western Front wasn't too difficult for Kronos.

[Okay. I accept your offer.]

authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

It was so easy that it didn't even require the emperor's permission.

With one reply from Baron Charlton, Cairo, a small country, fell into great confusion.

* * *

only 12 hours.

Immediately after Kronos accepted the offer, a hellish hell was unfolded due to the imperial forces that stormed the western front.

3 jerseys.

Two of them were drilled.

Unusually, the Cairo royal family caught fire on their feet as they attempted to attack the third line of defense as well.

Simon said.

" Now, the Kronos Empire is forming its ranks and preparing to attack the third line of deterrence. If even there is breached, the Kronos Empire's army will attack Cairo's territory. King's Majesty. Please give the order. We must somehow stop the imperial forces coming from the Western Front."

this attack.

It was a sudden disaster with no cause.

It may be criticized later through the international community, but the problem was a tragedy that was happening right before our eyes.

That was then.

"There is a communication request from the Marquis Benedict."

couldn't refuse

the movement of the empire.

It is likely that it came from the nobles, so Daniel Cairo connected the communication with a cold expression.

beyond the screen.

The face of the Marquis Benedict appeared.

[Long time no see, Your Majesty.]

"What the hell is this? No matter how disadvantageous you are, you are bringing the Empire into trouble within the Kingdom!"

[We couldn't help it. Roman Dmitry has been putting pressure on him to the point of suffocating, but shouldn't he somehow survive? Listen carefully from now on. The nobility joined hands with the Kronos Empire. For that reason, the Kronos Empire has attacked the Western Front, and while the kingdom's army is wasting time with Benedict Castle in front of them, they will ravage Cairo's territory.]

It was a ferocious voice.

The man who had been bowing his head showed his sharp teeth with an arrogant face, out of nowhere.

[The Chronos Empire has always coveted Cairo. We gave them a justification to intervene in the civil war, and it is only a matter of time before Cairo falls. What do you think would be different if Roman Dmitry captured Benedict Castle? Finally, I will give you a chance to make a choice. If you promise to be satisfied with the role of the Scarecrow, as it has always been, I will finish this task by cutting off His Majesty's limbs. Well, I'll save the Royal Knights. If you are not greedy, your Majesty may live long as King of Cairo. That is my last consideration considering the past.]

King's seat?

It didn't matter.

No matter who is called the King, people will think that the Marquis Benedict is the ruler of Cairo.

So it opened up the way.

Instead of pushing the opponent to the end and making them resist, the King of Cairo's offer to spare his life led to infighting with Dmitry. That was enough. While the indecisive King was confused and unable to make a choice, the Marquis Benedict had the confidence to overturn the board.

[This is a problem that has ended as long as the Kronos Empire has emerged. King's Majesty. Last chance. Please think carefully and make a wise decision.]

tuk.

Communication is cut off.

The face of the missing Marquis Benedict.

In a very one-sided conversation, Daniel Cairo couldn't hide his miserable expression.

* * *

Royal Palace Conference Room.

fell into silence

No one spoke hastily.

If you choose to fight back, the royal family will be destroyed, but if you choose the opposite, powers like Dmitry who followed the royal family will be wiped out.

It was a matter of choice.

The Marquis Benedict cruelly induced infighting in the hope of survival.

Benedict.

He was once called my uncle.

A person from the same lineage has now pushed himself to the brink.

'My condition is truly miserable.'

king's seat.

Daniel Cairo never wanted to.

It was a reality that had to be accepted because he was born into a royal family, and the power he occupied at such a young age meant nothing.

Scarecrow King.

It was his reality.

With Roman Dmitry's help, he tried to lead Cairo in the right direction, but the Marquis Benedict pulled in an unbearable monster.

What if I had killed him without giving him a choice?

Even if the neck was blown away by Cronus, Daniel Cairo would have boldly accepted the reality.

"If I let Dmitry go, I can survive."

However.

What does that mean?

Even if you want to keep a good life, you will have to live a life that moves as others tell you to do as a scarecrow.

'Even if I help Dmitry defeat the nobles, my power is not guaranteed. Dmitry will form a force comparable to that of the royal family, perhaps remaining as another scarecrow. I, Daniel Cairo, was destined to live as a scarecrow. If that is an unavoidable reality, I want to make choices for the kingdom no matter what my life is.

Benedict.

You are a peasant who sold the country.

To survive as his scarecrow, I wanted to at least represent Dmitry's words about the future of the kingdom.

wretched life.

accepted reality.

Although he did not have the ability to turn a weak country into a powerful one, he believed and followed his values in the options given to him.

"Simon."

Yes.

made a choice

Cairo royal family.

"Call Roman Dmitry right now."

Even if he will remain as a weak and incompetent king, he will not be recorded in history as a patriotic slave.