Chapter 39

Chapter 39 – The Last Rat (1)

Nobles who have long protected the Count of Arsene.

The four most loyal retainers of the Count of Arsene had gathered in one place.

“I am truly worried about the future of our house.”

It was Rodri, the only viscount among them, who began the conversation.

At the same time, the other vassals started chattering noisily.

“Can we win?”

“Our opponent is the Marquis of Foltaine, one of the most formidable forces in the kingdom. Perhaps it would be better to resolve this amicably through dialogue......”

“Even still, both the lady and the young master have lost their lives. If we extend our hand first in this situation, won’t the other nobles look down on us?”

For nobles, honor was everything.

The moment that honor was tarnished, they would be far removed from the center of power in the future.

“His Majesty is being unreasonable. By now, he should have sent reinforcements......”

“That child said it, didn’t he?”

Viscount Rodri reiterated the context of the conversation.

“That it would only be meaningful if we stopped them with our own strength.”

“......”

A sudden, profound silence descended.

In that stillness, Viscount Rodri continued.

“I am truly...... worried.”

Finally, pent-up discontent burst forth.

It began with Baron Tucker’s outburst.

“How can this be reasonable? No matter how much he’s done, to be swayed by the words of a mere child, barely of age! How can we focus on the war with peace of mind? After all, isn’t that child a commoner of unknown origin!?”

“Hmmm......”

“Of course, a true noble should repay their dues regardless of the other’s status. I am not denying what the house has received from that child. He exposed the lady’s crimes, played a crucial role in capturing the spies, and even foiled the assassination plan against the head of the house in advance. However!”

Baron Tucker’s voice dropped even lower.

“We must distinguish between public and private matters, mustn’t we?”

“......”

“Because of that child’s merits, it seems the head of the house is unable to see the current situation accurately. So, at times like this, shouldn’t we, at the very least, speak frankly?”

Baron Tucker, who seemed to have a lot bottled up, did not stop talking.

“We vassals share our fate with the head of the house. If the head is the ruler, we vassals assist and fulfill our roles. Naturally, it is also our important duty to enlighten the head’s eyes and ears!”

“You make a very valid point.”

“The courage to say what is wrong. I believe that is what we vassals need more than anything right now. That is all I have to say.”

At this point, the other vassals began to agree.

“How about meeting the head of the house right away? Whatever happens, we all agree that sitting still is not the answer, don’t we?”

“That’s right. We cannot accept the crazy idea of just sitting and waiting.”

“First, we should remove that child. After that, we can decide whether to reshape the strategy or negotiate with the enemy.”

“But will the head of the house listen to us? Judging by recent events, he seems overly fond of that child......”

At that moment, Viscount Rodri, who had been silent, quietly raised his hand.

“......There is one thing that has been bothering me for some time.”

The attention immediately focused on him, the most influential voice among them.

“Since the lady was murdered, and even the young master Hersen passed away. Following that, the hidden spies all revealed themselves in this series of events......”

Viscount Rodri’s gaze hardened as he continued.

“......All of this happened after that child appeared, didn’t it?”

“......!”

The eyes of the other vassals widened.

“To properly deceive the enemy, gain their trust. It’s a basic principle in military strategy.”

“Do you mean......?”

“At the very least, we must consider the possibility that the child is a spy.”

It was the decisive blow.

As if planned, the vassals stood up.

“Let’s go to the head of the house right now!”

***

It was right after Narakas had just left.

“My lord, we have something to say.”

A horde of vassals came rushing in.

“All of you coming in with such dissatisfied expressions...... Should I be nervous? Take a seat, everyone.”

“Before that......”

The leader of the horde, who had been trailing off, stepped forward to speak on behalf of the others.

“We would like that child to leave for a moment.”

“......!”

At that moment, I flinched slightly.

The leader’s finger was pointed directly at me.

“Haven’t I already explained? The honored guest is......”

“Lord, forgive my boldness, but we say this because there is a possibility that the child is a spy.”

“......!”

“......!”

Multiple guards were stationed to prevent such incidents.

Yet, they all agreed to tell the same lie?

And not a single loyal soldier reported the truth?

“If the house is in such disarray, you shouldn’t expect victory in this war.”

By this point, Viscount Rodri had risen from his seat and was glaring at me as if he wanted to kill me.

And that wasn’t all.

“Impudent wretch! How dare you insult a noble!”

Baron Tucker beside him had even drawn his sword.

But I wasn’t finished speaking.

“What if I don’t hold back?”

“What?”

“You can insult the guest of the lord, who aske you to treat them with the same respect as himself, yet I can’t do the same?”

“How dare you!”

I fixed my gaze on Viscount Rodri.

“Why don’t we hear it directly from you?”

“......”

“Viscount Rodri, you’re the traitor, aren’t you?”

His eyes blazed with murderous intent.

“That’s impossible!”

Even Count Arsene denied the accusation this time.

“They may have been rude, but the vassals here have served me loyally for over twenty years. To say that there’s a traitor among them......”

“I understand your feelings, my lord.”

“......What?”

“It’s called the five stages of grief.”

“......!”

Betrayal is like an incurable disease.

No matter how much you manage and strive, there is no guarantee such a result won’t occur.

Even if you live your life as best as you can, when faced with that devastating outcome, people typically go through five stages of emotion.

At first, they deny reality, like the Count of Arsene is doing now, insisting, ‘That could never happen!’

Then they express anger, ‘How could those bastards do this to me!’

They attempt to bargain, ‘There’s still time to turn things back. It’s not too late......’

They fall into depression, blaming themselves, ‘I was a fool...... A fool.’

Finally, they accept that miserable outcome.

That’s how most people I’ve met have reacted.

‘Of course, I intend to stay in the second stage for life.’

I spoke firmly to the Count of Arsene, who was still in denial.

“Being betrayed by someone you trusted hurts the most. It’s more painful than having your heart cut out with a knife.”

“......!”

“I understand your feelings, but you must face reality.”

A crisis is also an opportunity.

Humans are creatures driven by desire above all else.

If the law disappeared from the world, it would immediately become a realm of beasts.

History already tells us this.

There were far more traitors who changed their allegiance for their own benefit than there were patriots who fought for their country till the end.

-If your true aim is to ensure the victory of the Marquis of Foltaine, tell me. We should know, at least.

Narakas’s intention echoed in my mind.

It seemed he was watching the scene unfold from outside the window.

-I personally think this is counterproductive. With a major war approaching, if there’s suspicion, why not send those people to the front line?

No.

This is not a misstep but a necessary one.

Moreover, I cannot entrust the honorable role of the front line to a traitor.

‘Turn the enemy’s strategy into your own.’

This is the first step to upholding that principle.

“Previously, my lord, you explained the four unacceptable situations to me. Allow me to add to that with five reasons why Viscount Rodri is the traitor.”

“......!”

“If you still don’t change your mind after hearing them, I will leave this house immediately.”

At that moment, the murderous intent in the room grew even stronger.

“Insulting a noble is punishable by death!”

Swoosh!

There was no time for anyone to intervene.

A sharp sword was already flying straight at me.

‘Making things easier for me?’

A twisted smile spread across my face.

It’s always more satisfying to catch a rat by hand.