Golden Mage - Chapter 63
Volume 3, Episode 3
“Sigh!”
El let out a sigh. It was an involuntary sigh. He couldn’t help but imagine what Rowlene must have gone through, and he felt deeply sorry for her.
El locked eyes with Rowlene, who was trembling. His gaze remained steady, without a hint of wavering.
“I understand that you might not comprehend my sudden kindness. But someday, you will understand. Rest assured, I’m not making any demands of the Viscount. I merely bought all the seafood out of necessity, and it’s also my intention to assist the Viscount. A pure act of goodwill… I know it’s hard to accept. Given the hardships you’ve faced, it’s only natural. But please, accept it for now. You will know everything in due time. Do you understand?”
Rowlene couldn’t say a word. Although El’s words were entirely incomprehensible, his sincere sentiments permeated her heart.
The silence lingered for a moment, and Rowlene finally regained her composure and nodded slightly.
Her eyes, which had been shaking, now focused sharply like El’s.
“I believe you. I don’t know why, but there is truth in your eyes, Tower Lord. But please, tell me everything later. I have a curious nature and find it hard to hold back my questions…”
Upon hearing this, El chuckled and nodded his head.
“Of course. The time will come when I’ll reveal everything. It won’t be long…”
Grinning, he watched as Rowlene rose from her seat and spoke to him.
“It will take about a day to prepare for the departure to the capital.”
El replied with a relaxed expression, “Whether it’s two days or three, it’s fine. We have teleportation magic, so take your time to get ready.”
“Understood. Well then…”
Rowlene bowed her head slightly and left the room, and El looked at her with a smile.
Bang!
He forcefully slammed his hand on the table. The table trembled and vibrated fiercely, imbued with mana.
“This meeting is an opportunity! We need to completely cut off Prince Yudmion! Do you all understand?”
In a grand conference room, five individuals were seated, excluding the one in the highest position.
The one at the top was Count Tregenvali, the stepfather of the current king and the leader of the Second Prince’s faction, which supported Prince Cran. Though he was the king’s younger brother, his actual age was only a few years older than King Redolph. The title of count was granted due to his relationship with the king, but in reality, it was a title without much power.
However, Count Tregenvali possessed exceptional political skills and had been involved in politics for decades, becoming one of the leaders of the two major factions that currently ruled the Tollian Kingdom.
His ability to grasp the situation and discern people’s intentions was outstanding, and recently, he had been feeling overwhelmed by the situation.
It was because of an unexpected turn of events caused by the appearance of the Third Prince’s faction, who had suddenly appeared with the support of the royal family, which had worked hard to prepare a countermeasure to deal a blow to the First Prince’s faction.
As a result, their attempt to make a move against the First Prince’s faction failed, and they had to yield the initiative by forming an alliance with the Third Prince’s faction.
Consequently, Count Tregenvali was currently in a rather low position.
Looking around at the nobles gathered, Count Tregenvali pounded the table once more.
Bang!
The momentum emanating from him, befitting a Swordmaster supporting the kingdom, was overwhelming.
“Speak up! Tell us your plan, Brigend Marquis!”
In response to Count Tregenvali’s urging, the Marquis of Brigend, a man in his late forties, stood up and replied carefully.
“Well, I do have something in mind, but…”
Hearing this, Count Tregenvali hesitated for a moment, then quickly made up his mind.
“Ah, it’s you, Marquis! Speak up.”
The Marquis of Brigend, who had a cunning mind and was the main brain of the Second Prince’s faction, had been preparing a move.
“Oh, Marquis! Please go ahead and tell us,” said Trun Viscount, the leader of the neighboring kingdom’s faction, as he glanced at the surrounding nobles and cleared his throat.
“Cough! For starters, this central conference in the capital can be considered an opportunity. The role of the military is crucial in this meeting.”
At the mention of the powerful military force led by the Trun Viscount, the surrounding nobles nodded in agreement.
Currently, among the factions composing the nobles, the First Prince’s faction consisted of nobles with considerable power in the central politics, while the Second Prince’s faction was composed of nobles with strong armies in border areas.
As a result, the First Prince’s faction held more political power, but the Second Prince’s faction had a more significant advantage in terms of military strength.
Therefore, although the First Prince’s faction had the upper hand in power, they were in a predicament due to the recent attack from the Monster Land, which caused the First Prince’s status to skyrocket. As a result, they had to give up the initiative and form an alliance with the Third Prince’s faction.
That was the point the Marquis of Brigend was addressing.
“That’s right…”
Trun Viscount, looking like a true Swordmaster supporting the kingdom, beamed with enthusiasm around him.
“Yes, that’s true! It’s an excellent plan to strike a blow to one of the neighboring kingdoms during this central conference! Everyone here is mostly affiliated with our side among the nobles from the neighboring kingdoms. If some of us join forces, we can conquer at least one kingdom.”
The surrounding nobles nodded at his words.
Currently, among the nobles forming the factions, the First Prince’s faction consisted of nobles who held significant power in central politics, while the Second Prince’s faction consisted of nobles who commanded powerful armies near the borders.
As a result, the First Prince’s faction held the advantage in terms of political power, but the Second Prince’s faction had the upper hand in terms of military strength.
Due to the recent attack from the Monster Land, the First Prince’s faction had gained an advantage, and the Second Prince’s faction was now in a difficult situation. There was a risk of the foundation of their faction falling into the hands of the First Prince’s faction.
That was what the Marquis of Brigend was referring to.
That expression briefly appeared in Trun Viscount’s eyes but quickly vanished, and he nodded his head.
“Hmm… We could completely occupy one of the neighboring kingdoms, thereby showcasing our power to the outside and diverting the people’s attention. Additionally, we could station our own people in the occupied territory. In the future, they will become a source of our strength. It’s a splendid plan.”
Seeing Trun Viscount nodding in approval, the Marquis of Brigend lowered his head.
“Thank you, Viscount. That is precisely what I had in mind. And I’ve chosen Hessen Kingdom as our target because it is the weakest among the neighboring kingdoms, and they have been plagued by famine for the past three years, causing their people’s sentiment to be quite low. If two viscounts combine their forces, it should be sufficient to merge Hessen Kingdom into our territory.”
“Hmm…”
Trun Viscount seemed to contemplate the situation for a moment before finally making up his mind and nodding.
“Understood. I’ll mobilize the military. However, as you mentioned, my strength alone may not be enough.”
To Trun Viscount’s prompt, the Marquis of Brigend nodded.
“Don’t worry about the support. We’ll provide ample assistance. You just need to display valor in Hessen Kingdom.”
Trun Viscount, who was also one of the Swordmasters guarding the kingdom’s borders, loved real battles, so he gladly accepted the Marquis of Brigend’s words.
“Understood.”
“Then it’s decided. What do you say, Viscount?”
Trun Viscount confidently nodded his head.
“Good. This is a brilliant plan. You’ve done well, Marquis.”
“Haha, I’m at your service, Viscount.”
“Heh, that’s the spirit!”
Observing Trun Viscount’s pleased expression, the Marquis of Brigend’s eyes momentarily flickered with a triumphant gleam before returning to their usual state.
Indeed, such a dark conversation was taking place in the capital city of Verdis, heralding an ominous development. The power struggle for the throne was spreading beyond the borders, an unforeseen development indeed.
“It’s been a while, and yet it’s still bustling as ever.”
El, accompanied by Rowlene, teleported straight to Verdis after finishing their preparations. Carrying a magic stone with him at all times, he could effortlessly travel long distances.
After arriving in Verdis, El turned his head and asked Rowlene, who seemed to hesitate over something.
“What are you doing? Did you come here without your attendants?”
“….”
Rowlene seemed to be about to say something, then hesitated. After a moment, she answered in a small voice.
“That… I’m here for the first time in Verdis…”
“Huh?”
El couldn’t help but show an astonished expression.
Considering that she was a Viscount of the Tollian Kingdom, she belonged to one of the few high-ranking nobles. How could it be possible for such a noble to have never visited the capital before? Did that even make sense?
As if sensing El’s complex feelings, Rowlene seemed to offer an explanation.
“Because… I’ve been so busy with my territory that I haven’t had the time to come here.”
“…I see.”
El could somewhat understand her explanation.
Finally, his face darkened slightly. Come to think of it, how difficult must it have been for her family if they didn’t even have time to come to the capital?
No longer wanting to think about it too deeply, El smiled inwardly and spoke with a more cheerful tone.
“Well, it could be your first time, but don’t worry. Come with me. I know a pretty good inn from the last time I was here.”