Chapter 228: Change to the Throne
Editor: Tseirp
“As expected of Lord Aubrey, unlike the Imperial Expeditionary Force, he moves very quickly.”
Raymond, the king’s brother, said bitterly, without changing his expression.
“The area they intend to invade is...”
“Probably the Reims region...which the Kingdom took from the Union in the last war.”
In response to Raymond’s right-hand man, Parker Fletcher, Count of Kirkhouse’s words, Raymond replied and continued.
“The Union must have figured that Reims was up for grabs. With the royal capital taken over by the imperial army and the king missing. The Kingdom is now practically without a functioning government. Since that’s the case, now’s the best time since the Kingdom can’t fight back. The imperial army won’t go out of their way to take back Reims for the Kingdom, either. Goddammit... this is why I wanted to ascend the throne as soon as possible...”
After such a lengthy remark, Raymond sipped the coffee that was placed in front of him.
“The Reims region is as good as...”
“Yeah, it can’t be helped. We might as well cut it away.”
Both Raymond and Parker had concluded that it was inevitable that the Union would take back the Reims region.
“Hey Parker. The procedure required to ascend the throne is to wear the crown and declare my accession before the High Priest of the central temple, correct?”
“Yes. The crown, scepter, and royal seal must be present, so long as you have them, the High Priest cannot refuse.”
“Good...”
As Parker explained, Raymond, pressed his middle finger on his left temple and began to ponder something.
After thinking for a while, Raymond asked Parker.
“If I were to force the accession, how would Marquis Musel and the others react?”
“So that’s what you were thinking about.”
Parker said, looking at Raymond and shaking his head slightly.
“I’m afraid, they probably won’t say anything openly.”
“Figures...”
“But honestly, we can’t be sure of what they’ll do behind the scenes.”
“Hmmm...”
Once again, Raymond sank deep into his thoughts.
“Your Excellency, we have completed our advance into the heart of the Reims region, into Kashnin and Goth city.”
“Good work.”
Aide Lamber’s report was met with a single nod of acknowledgment from Lord Aubrey, the Union Governor.
“The Imperial Army won’t sortie, but...the Royal Army will, eventually.”
“I wonder about that .... If I were the king, I’d leave it until the country is completely stabilized... we’ll have to see.”
Lord Aubrey said and picked up the cup of coffee placed in front of him.
In Lamber’s eyes, it was quite refreshing to see Lord Aubrey taking his time with a cup of coffee after the murderous amount of work he had done since the annexation of Inbury, including a lot of paperwork and not enough time to sleep.
That is, until a few minutes ago, when he finally got to the point where he could take a breather.
Lamber was so close to applause involuntarily at that moment.
Since Lord Aubrey, his boss, being busy meant that naturally Lamber, his right-hand man, was also busy....
“Still, I knew that the Empire might invade the Kingdom, but I never would have imagined that the entire northern nobles would also betray them.”
“You mean support the king’s brother, His Royal Highness Raymond?”
“No, not that. Prince Raymond is not incompetent by nature, and reports had been coming in that he had matured a lot since he entered the Flitwick Dukedom. So I knew there were a good number of people who would follow him...”
He took another sip of coffee before continuing.
Many people would call that being ‘professional’, but...that just proves that there are a lot of people everywhere who don’t understand the true nature of things.
Without a change in expression, Gabriel proceeded with the coronation ceremony.
“Raymond, the Central Temple recognizes you as king.”
At that moment, Gabriel’s expression wavered, just slightly.
However, it was a slight waver that might have been noticed if one had been watching closely, and none of those who were watching from a distance noticed it.
Also, Prince Raymond, who was looking down in front of him, did not notice it either.
Regardless of Gabriel’s feelings, Raymond’s coronation as king came to pass.
“Woo-oo! ”
Such cheers rose from the northern nobles lined up in the audience hall.
For them, this was the moment they became the new king’s closest aides, and they were elated about it.
However, if one looked carefully, it would appear that some of them were genuinely happy, some looked happy, and some were feigning it.
Sitting on the throne, King Raymond addressed Marquis Musel, who was seated among the guests.
“Now then, Marquis Musel. As you can see, I have ascended the throne.”
“Congratulations, Your Majesty.”
Marquis Musel stood up and congratulated him.
Even though it was another country, moreover in the city they had conquered, they had to be courteous when dealing with the king of a country.
“Now the chaos in the capital will die down. However, nothing can be settled if the army of another nation is present in the capital of a nation.”
“Uh, Your Majesty, what exactly are you...”
Marquis Musel was at a loss for words.
“I am grateful to the imperial army. You did a good job. However, I believe your job here is now done. I know it will be a bit difficult to do right away, so I will give you a week. You have a week to withdraw your troops.”
“Nonsense! ”
The one who stood up and shouted was the chief adjutant, Linus.
Marquis Musel was too shocked to say anything.
“Viscount Kruger, be careful what you say.”
Parker said to Linus again.
But this time, he didn’t back down.
“Cut the crap! You think you will get away with this? ”
“Stop.”
The one who stopped Linus, who was kicking up a fuss, was Marquis Musel next to him.
“Look around you.”
His words weren’t loud, but they calmed Linus down.
Both of them were surrounded by cold eyes staring at them....
“Ugh...”
“Your Majesty, I am terribly sorry. Viscount Kruger here is tired from the hard work he has been doing day after day. I beg your indulgence.”
“It’s fine.”
The new King Raymond nodded and replied to Marquis Musel’s request for forgiveness.
On that day, King Raymond’s accession to the throne was announced to every city in the Kingdom.
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