Golden Mage - Chapter 99
Volume 4, Chapter 9
Despite the unusual appearance of Duke Klayan, Duke Madrion’s expression was full of composure.
“Well, from your conservative perspective, I suppose you could see it that way? But that’s only if this fails. If it succeeds, it becomes a revolution for the empire.”
Duke Klayan’s eyebrows twitched. He was irritated by Madrion’s words.
“A revolution? You call this a revolution?”
Kwa-kwa-kwa-!
An enormous momentum erupted again, dominating the conference hall.
“Kuk!”
“Kuuh!”
The nobles groaned and retreated as the tremendous energy surged like a flood.
Each of them belonged to a powerful family of the empire. Moreover, a considerable number of them are sword masters.
But even the momentum emitted by the Grand Master made them groan, unable to withstand it.
The momentum that the Grand Master emitted with determination was truly enormous. Duke Madrion laughed as he watched Duke Klayan emit his momentum.
“Haha! Truly amazing! As expected of a Grand Master.”
Despite the words he uttered with a laugh, his face was filled with a deep sense of self-deprecation.
Duke Madrion and Duke Klayan were friends. They learned the sword together when they were young and attended the same academy.
But now, decades later, one has become a Grand Master and is dominating the continent, while the other is in a state where he cannot see the light, overshadowed by the former.
“….”
Duke Klayan drew his sword while watching Duke Madrion laugh. And he opened his mouth, aiming at Duke Madrion.
“Admit your mistake now. If you do, His Majesty the Emperor will forgive you with his generous heart.”
With that, knights stormed into the conference hall.
They were all sword masters of the Bliard Empire’s strongest knight order! They were the Bliard Knights. They entered with disciplined movements and surrounded the conference hall.
Chuk-chuk-chuk!
Knights emitting a momentum like well-forged swords!
As nearly 50 knights exuded their presence, the atmosphere in the conference hall began to turn fierce in no time. The nobles looked at Duke Madrion with anxious expressions. They were overwhelmed by the anxiety of being surrounded by 50 sword masters.
On the other hand, Duke Madrion’s expression was calm.
No, rather, he looked at Duke Klayan with a smiling face and said, “This is scary. Are you thinking of arresting us?”
“If you don’t change your mind.”
Duke Klayan spoke emotionlessly.
At the sight of Duke Klayan like that, Duke Madrion shook his head.
“Oh dear, you haven’t changed, have you? Are you really going to do that, Klayan?”
“I have no intention of changing my mind.”
Duke Klayan’s expression hardened coldly. And he gave an order to the Bliard Knights.
“Arrest them all! The charge is treason.”
But,
“….”
No one moved.
At that, Duke Klayan’s eyebrows twitched.
“Can’t you hear the command! Arrest them all!”
“….”
At Duke Klayan’s words, the Bliard Knights began to move with a wink. But the action they took brought about an unexpected result.
Surprisingly, they surrounded Duke Klayan! Duke Klayan’s expression cooled down.
And he spoke to Count Omer, the deputy commander of the Bliard Knights.
“What is this behavior, deputy commander?”
Count Omer bowed his head to Duke Klayan.
“I apologize, commander.”
“….”
“Are you saying you also participated in the treason?”
Duke Klayan’s expression turned desolate. And he shifted his gaze to Duke Madrion. Duke Madrion was still smiling as he faced Duke Klayan.
Duke Klayan said, “Huh, truly amazing, I never thought the Bliard Knights would participate in the treason….”
His tone was filled with a deep sense of desolation. He had never thought that even the royal knights, who must be absolutely loyal to the empire, would betray.
Duke Madrion shrugged his shoulders.
“They just know what the trend is, Klayan. You’re too blind. The continent is changing rapidly. And our empire just wants a new ruler to match that change.”
“Is that so….”
When Duke Klayan answered listlessly, Duke Madrion opened his mouth.
“I’ll ask you one thing, Klayan. Who are you really loyal to? The Emperor? Or the Empire? If you truly care for and cherish the Empire, follow our will.”
“If I don’t?”
“We’ll have to suppress you by force.”
As Duke Madrion spoke, looking at the knights surrounding Duke Klayan, Duke Klayan shifted his gaze to Count Omer, the deputy commander.
Count Omer, with a solemn expression, drew his sword and opened his mouth to Duke Klayan.
“Duke, please follow the words of Duke Madrion. No matter how much you are a duke, you cannot beat us in this narrow space. If you attack us, we will risk our lives to capture you. Regardless of the outcome, the national power of the empire will be severely damaged.”
“Hmm….”
Duke Klayan groaned.
The words of Duke Madrion and Count Omer plunged him into serious contemplation.
Thinking about it, who had he pledged his loyalty to?
The Empire or the Emperor.
When he was deep in thought, Duke Madrion spoke to him.
“Seeing you ponder, it seems you’ve realized something. I don’t particularly want you to cooperate with our plan. But it would be good if you didn’t interfere either.”
“….”
However, Duke Klayan, lost in thought, did not answer.
Duke Madrion, who had been watching him, looked around at the surprised nobles.
Their faces were full of surprise.
How could they not be?
The Bliard Knights are the best knights of the empire. The Bliard Knights, made up of the best talents of the empire, are the best power of the empire.
To have pulled such people to one side!
Moreover, even Duke Klayan, the biggest variable, was virtually out of this matter.
Duke Madrion spoke to the nobles.
“So, do you think I would have invited you to participate in a plan without certainty?”
When his gaze turned to the nobles, they all avoided his gaze. Duke Madrion had momentarily forgotten that he always only carries out something when the success is certain.
Seeing the nobles avoid his gaze, Duke Madrion smiled and said,
“This is not important, let’s move on. All of you go back and prepare to welcome the new world. I will inform His Highness the Crown Prince of our intentions.”
All the nobles nodded their heads.
“Understood.”
And they hurriedly left the conference hall, quietly looking at Duke Klayan, who was lost in thought. They didn’t know what would happen when Duke Klayan woke from his thoughts.
When all the nobles had left, the Bliard Knights began to leave.
Count Omer bowed his head to Duke Klayan.
“I apologize, commander.”
With that, Count Omer also left the conference hall.
Then, the only people left in the conference hall were Duke Klayan and Duke Madrion.
Duke Madrion approached Duke Klayan.
Then, Duke Klayan, who had been quietly keeping silent, opened his mouth.
“Udron.”
Udron is the name of Duke Madrion.
Suddenly calling his name, Duke Madrion stopped and replied.
“Why so, Klayan.”
However, Duke Madrion did not call Duke Klayan’s name. Duke Klayan laughed bitterly.
“I miss the old days. Well, let’s stop talking about this… Is the plan you planned really for the empire?”
“….”
Duke Madrion looked at Duke Klayan. And he retorted to Duke Klayan.
“There’s no need to answer. I’ll ask you. Have I ever not done something for the empire?”
“…That’s right.”
Duke Klayan nodded. As Duke Madrion said, he was a loyalist of the empire. Then he closed his eyes.
When he opened his eyes, he was looking squarely at Duke Madrion.
“I will remain silent about this matter. I will watch. What is it for the empire. If it’s not for the empire… I will point my sword at you.”
Duke Madrion nodded. He was sure this was the way for the empire.
“Of course.”
“Watch. What will become of the empire.”
Duke Klayan turned and left the conference hall.
Watching his retreating figure, Duke Madrion chuckled softly.
“Watch. Our empire will become the strongest country on the continent under the rule of Crown Prince Alcaid.”
A strange light flickered in Duke Madrion’s eyes.