Chapter 248: Liberating the Royal Capital

Chapter 248: Liberating the Royal Capital

Editor: Tseirp

It was an hour after the west gate was breached that Abel, leading the ‘Crimson Sword’ and the ‘White Brigade’, arrived at the entrance of the royal castle.

Not long after the breach, the surrender of Raymond’s army in the royal capital spread in the name of Parker Fletcher, Count of Kirkhouse, and that was the reason for the lack of resistance.

Ryo and Parker were waiting for Abel at the entrance to the royal castle.

“Ryo and...Count Kirkhouse? I see, my uncle is...”

With just the two of them, Abel seemed to have guessed the situation.

Those in high positions are more accountable for their responsibilities. The higher the position, the more severe.

This fact is the same in any world and any era.

The representative of a country...will have to put his life on the line...that’s just the way it is.

“This is King Raymond’s keepsake.”

Parker said and handed Raymond’s necklace to Phelps.

Then Phelps handed it to Abel.

“Ah...I know this necklace. It’s a pair and my father and uncle both had one .... I see, turns out uncle still wore it.”

Abel closed his eyes for a moment as he said that.

Perhaps he was mourning the loss of Raymond.

Abel opened his eyes and looked at Ryo.

Ryo nodded and opened his mouth.

“His Majesty King Stafford IV is in the central temple. Captain Dontan is leading a party to the temple to secure him.”

He explained in a polite tone since Parker and others were present.

“I see.”

Abel smiled only slightly.

“Just...”

Ryo said just that and looked at Parker next to him.

Parker nodded and opened his mouth.

“I’ll take it from there. His Majesty Stafford has been poisoned by the hands of the Empire for the past several years. After the Empire seized the royal capital, he seemed to have stopped taking the poison, but maybe due to having consumed the poison for so long, it’s proving difficult for him to recover, even with the full might of the temple.”

“Even with light magic...<Cure>, I believe, that didn’t do it?”

Abel asked, and Parker nodded with a bitter look on his face.

“<Cure> is a magic that heals one from poison and disease, but the longer time passes, the less effective it is. The fact that he’s been afflicted for several years...”

Priest Rihya explained about Cure.

Her face, too, was somewhat sad.

“I see...”

Abel simply muttered that.

After confirming Raymond’s death in the office chamber, Abel headed to the central temple.

Accompanying him were the ‘Crimson Sword’, the ‘White Brigade’, and Ryo.

Abel, who had been in a heavy mood since they departed, smiled a little when he was greeted by High Priest Gabriel at the central temple.

They had fought together in the underground tombs during the royal capital chaos.

The four of the Crimson Sword and Ryo entered the room where Stafford IV lay.

The White Brigade remained at the door as guards.

It was White Brigade leader Phelps’ idea that it would be better for the king to avoid exposing his poisoned visage to many.

The members of the Crimson Sword entered because they were originally Abel’s bodyguards.

Ryo entered because he was Abel’s bodyguard.

Stafford IV’s eyes were slightly open.

Abel stood at his bedside and gave a small nod.

“Father...”

Abel’s voice was low and feeble.

Even though he had prepared himself after learning that he was poisoned...his heart still ached seeing it with his eyes.

After that, Abel gave a one-sided explanation of the current situation.

It was unclear whether Stafford IV was listening or not, but his eyes were closed.

Finally, Abel told him.

“I will assume the position of king and drive out the Empire. I ask for your blessing.”

Upon hearing this, Stafford IV opened his eyes, looked at Abel, and smiled just slightly.

Then he nodded.

Thus, the throne of the Kingdom of Knightley was officially handed over from King Stafford IV to King Abel I.

The day after King Abel entered the royal capital, the ‘Liberation Festival’ was held in the capital.

Although it was called a ‘festival’, there were no special performances or events.

However, the gates of the royal capital, which had been closed since the invasion of the imperial army, were opened and food and other provisions brought in from outside were served free of charge.

These foods were brought from the south and were brought in by merchant Gecko, who approached other merchant associations in Rune, as well as Acre and others through the Rune Frontier Count.

Baron Harome began to cry softly as he said this, and Warren, who was standing behind Abel, continued to stand at attention, although his face was bright red.

Ryo, next to him, looked at Warren and Baron Harome alternately, nodding slightly repeatedly and muttering with a self-satisfied look.

“In any world, parents are happy when their children are praised.”

More greetings followed from nobles of all ranks...and it wasn’t until two hours later that it finally ended.

But then, there were two awestruck knights on one knee in front of Abel.

“Do you have something to say, Zack, Scotty?”

“There is someone we would like to introduce to you, Your Majesty. He was one of our earliest supporters as ‘rebels’ and is from the Kingdom of Ju...”

Ryo unintentionally muttered in the middle of Zack’s speech.

“Prince Willy?”

“Master* Ryo!” (TLN: Sensei)

Prince Willy smiled happily at Ryo, who was standing behind Abel.

“...Master?”

Abel muttered softly.

“I see, so you were already supporting Abel early on...”

“Yes. We could have chosen to remain neutral, but...as a weak country, we must take bold actions, or else our position within the Kingdom will remain weak.”

Prince Willy answered, smiling awkwardly.

“That was a good decision on your part. I read in a book back home that says, ‘if you remain neutral, you will not only become an enemy to the victor, but also to the loser, who will see you as an enemy because you did not help them’. More often than not, remaining neutral puts one in a more difficult position thereafter. So, I think Your Highness made the right decision and acted properly. I am sure that King Abel will appreciate it.”

Ryo turned to Abel as he said this.

“S-Sure...of course. Prince Willy, the Kingdom expresses its deepest respect and gratitude for the actions and position your country has taken.”

“Thank you Your Majesty, those words mean a lot.”

Abel expressed his gratitude, and Prince Willy was visibly excited, to say the least.

“Though I have to say I’m surprised to hear the prince of the Kingdom of Ju call you master, Ryo. And listening to what you just said earlier, do you dabble in imperial studies too?”

Abel turned to Ryo and said.

“Imperial studies? I don’t think that’s actually the name for it, it was another academic discipline though.... Earlier, what I mentioned was Machiavelli’s...Oh, I guess you could call it so since it is based in terms of the mindset of an emperor. The book title is ‘The Prince’, after all. But back in my hometown, it’s a very common book that can be found in any city library.”

“What kind of place is your hometown, Ryo, that a book on imperialism can be found in a city library?”

Ryo’s explanation was met with an exasperated mutter from Rin.

“That’s beside the point, the most crucial thing I told Prince Willy is that food is the domain of royalty.”

“Yes, that’s right! The hamburger steak we had that time...it was very impressive, I guess that’s to be expected from the cuisine of a major power.”

“Your Highness, there is also a restaurant in the royal capital that serves decent hamburgers. And I would also like you to try their curry and rice. Once the imperial army has been shooed away, what do you say we stop by there for a bit.”

“Please, by all means!”

Abel was watching from the side as Ryo and Prince Willy were having a lively conversation about food.

The only people who could hear Abel’s little mutterings were Rihya and Rin, who were standing beside him.

“Once the imperial army has been shooed away...huh. He makes it sound like we’re driving away flies...when we all know what we’re up against.”

“Professor, are you really okay with that?”

“As in?”

“You were the ‘brains’ behind them, weren’t you? The rebels in the royal capital were able to move effectively because of your plans and instructions. If you were to inform King Abel about this, I am sure he would appreciate it.”

“Your Highness...when you put it like that to my face, it’s quite difficult to say anything back.”

The ‘professor’ said with a wry smile.

“I have no desire for glory. I just want to do my research here without being restricted by anyone. For that reason, I would like to be the president of the university...that’s all. But the thing about giving instructions to the rebels and whatnot, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Saying this, he bowed his head lightly and turned to enter his laboratory.

But then he stopped and opened his mouth again.

“Besides, we’re not done yet.”

“Huh? What do you mean by that...?”

“I mean, there are cities in the eastern part of the Kingdom that are still occupied, right? There is also the Eastern Institute of our Magic University, and there are students who happened to return home only to be captured by the Empire, too.”

With that, the professor walked into the laboratory.

“The eastern part of the Kingdom.... I believe even if you don’t do anything in particular, the position of the president of Magic University is yours, with just your achievements in the Rune dungeon alone.... But you’re pretty shrewd yourself...I’m not sure how much of what you say I can take at face value.”

Prince Willy chuckled and stared at the door of the laboratory where the ‘professor’ had entered.

‘Chief Professor Christopher Bratt.’

Author’s note:

Eh? Who?

You know, there were three executives among the investigation team for the Rune Great Tidal Bore, right?

Magic Advisor Arthur, Commander Clive Staples who died on the 40th floor, and Magic University Chief Professor Christopher Bratt.

That’s him.

He’ll likely play an active role in the second and third volumes.

He’s a character that has been set up quite finely.

He looks like British actor Tom Hiddleston.

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