The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 160

Episode 160: Tap

, tap, tap.

“Wow.”

A group of horsemen leading horses towards Cornford Castle.

When those who arrived in front of the castle gate stopped talking, the commander of the castle tower asked.

“Where are you from?”

Then the riders raised their flags high and shouted.

“It’s from Viscount Austin. “This is Viscount Austin de Ashton and his sons.”

After the commander checked Viscount Austin’s coat of arms with a brown bear’s paw engraved on a red background, the heavy castle gate slowly rose.

“Please pass. Since you cannot bring soldiers with you from the 1st Outer Fortress, please set up camp in the temporary barracks first.”

Soldiers were waiting to guide them behind the open castle gate.

‘It looks like something has definitely happened.’

Viscount Austin.

The youngest son of the previous earl and Raoul’s uncle finally set foot in Cornford Castle.

Again and again.

Nearly 1,000 cavalrymen passed through the castle gates in an orderly manner, and among them, about 50 knights wearing brown armor stood out.

“Sir Albert, lead the soldiers to the camp and join them. “Trevor is heading to nature with me.”

“Yes, Viscount.”

“Your father.”

Albert, the commander of the ‘Brown Four’, Viscount Austin’s knighthood, led several knights and troops to the camp, and Viscount Austin and his eldest son Trevor headed to the count’s home.

“Is it true that the second uncle suffered a misfortune?”

“Rumors are just rumors, so don’t jump to conclusions. “The more important the issue is, the more important it is to get into the habit of checking it in person.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Viscount Austin was a kind of independent lord who declared independence from the earldom early on and pioneered territory on his own.

From the beginning, he knew that the title would not be returned to him, so instead of receiving fiefdom, he received soldiers and subsidies and pioneered the unexplored land in the north on his own, building a castle and a village.

Of course, this did not mean that they were completely free from the influence of the earldom.

This is because, after pioneering the territory, payment of taxes, military operation, and commercial transactions had to go through the count family.

However, from the beginning, there was a big difference between the vassal families, which were vassals of the earldom, and the independent lords.

This is because the independent lord was a collaborator rather than a subordinate of the count.

That was the reason why Viscount Austen remained silent during the earldom’s unrest and only now made an appearance.

Murmur.

A significant number of horsemen were gathered in front of the first outer castle gate.

There were more than ten flag bearers alone, so it seemed like at least ten lords were waiting.

‘It’s under strict control. Well, something happened a while ago.’

As I approached the castle gate, I saw several familiar faces.

“Ah, are you here? “Viscount Austin.”

“long time no see.”

Each lord bowed his head and showed respect to him.

Viscount Austin, who raised his hand to greet them, briefly exchanged updates with them, and the castle gate opened.

“Are you here, uncle?”

And Raoul himself rode out to greet him.

In the current situation, the most influential person other than the Count is Viscount Austin, so he expressed his sincerity.

“It’s been a while. “I heard a rumor, but is it really so big that you can’t recognize it?”

I was greeted by Raoul with a happy expression, but his pace was not that comfortable.

It reminded me of the memory of his youngest son, Dion, giving it to Raoul at his coming-of-age ceremony.

But now the gap was too big to compare the two.

‘You really don’t know what people are doing. ‘In just two years.’

Dion, who was broken by Raoul, gave up entering the academy and stayed in the estate to begin training in swordsmanship again.

He is sharpening his sword to take revenge on Raoul by developing his skills properly.

As a father, I was glad to see my son stop wasting his time and devote himself seriously to swordsmanship, but it seemed like it would be a long way for him to get his revenge.

‘Even if only half of the rumors are true, the count’s family will continue to prosper for some time to come. If only this situation is resolved well.’

“Let’s go in. “There are a lot of things I want to ask.”

“Yes, please come this way.”

Under Raoul’s guidance, Viscount Austin and the lords headed to the temporary conference room in the First Outer Castle.

* * *

“Here’s a report. Currently, the number of lords who have entered Cornford Castle is approximately one third of the total. And it is said that Viscount Austin has also arrived.”

Meanwhile, Viscount Jayden’s camp at Baron Garriott’s castle.

As he expected, perhaps because of the rumor that the earl had died, several lords and nobles joined in, filling the conference room with many more people than before.

“Well, I already expected Austin to go there. However, given his personality, he will not necessarily try to take Dylan’s side. Because profit and loss calculations have always been fast. “If they find out how powerful this side is, they’ll probably try to get out of the way.”

And the majority of independent feudal lords will be as concerned as Austin.

After all, there were many who thought that it didn’t really matter who the head of the count family was.

widely.

The status board in the center of the conference hall briefly displayed the names of lords and influential nobles who had joined both sides and the size of their forces.

The current balance of power was about 3 to 1, with Dylan’s side overwhelming in number and power.

However, after excluding the neutral lords, including Viscount Austin, the gap narrowed to 2 to 1.

“Huh, it’s amazing to see it all organized like this. Even though he was active outside the count’s family for so many years, he still has so many supporters! “As expected, you are the future of the count family!”

When Baron Tate, a member of the staff, applauded in admiration, all the nobles gathered responded and chanted for Viscount Jayden.

I felt that if things went according to plan, they had a chance of winning.

“Everyone worked hard. Tomorrow, an envoy will arrive from the capital. With a statement from the royal family saying they support me, Jayden. Then we will head proudly to Cornford Castle!”

“Wow!”

It may set a bad precedent for the royal family to be involved in the selection of successors for local lords, but who cares?

In any case, the declining royal family was a problem that could be quietly resolved once he ascended to the throne and took control of the family.

So the immoral people dreamed of victory and toasted with sweet wine.

* * *

“Hehehe. “I’m so happy to see my brother so safe.”

When Viscount Austin saw Count Melvin suddenly appear in the conference room, he did not show any signs of surprise and was happy to hug him warmly.

This was in contrast to the other lords and the Viscount’s son, Trevor, who was stiff and unable to hide his surprised expression.

“I’m very surprised. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you this embarrassed, hahaha.”

However, as if they were brothers, Count Melvin immediately noticed that his younger brother Austin was also agitated.

“This is true. I can’t fool you. So what happened to all this?”

In fact, just by looking at his appearance, Melvin still looked like a patient.

His face was slightly pale and he had lost a lot of muscle and his body size had shrunk slightly.

And above all, no mana energy was felt in his body.

The overwhelming energy or charisma that would normally take over the entire conference room even if you remain quiet has disappeared.

Of course, in reality, his muscles were compressed as he reached the level of master, and he was suppressing them on purpose to control his mana, but Viscount Austin could not notice that.

‘It looks like your physical condition is not normal. In this situation, it is true that the lords were invited together….’ The

nominal reason why Dillon invited the lords in the first place was to prepare measures for the chaos in the estate due to the earl’s illness and to discuss the succession issue.

The lords who saw the rumors and agenda naturally assumed that the count had already died or was in critical condition.

As the Count sat down, Dylan stepped forward and opened his mouth.

“First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the many lords and distinguished guests who accepted the invitation despite difficult and busy times. “The reason we have prepared this event today is…”

Dylan briefly briefed on the events that had occurred in the Count’s house and announced that fortunately, the Count was safe.

“For this reason, I invited you because I did not want any more confusion in the count’s family.”

“Wow, I’m really glad. “Then I guess things will go back to normal now.”

The return of the count also meant the stability of the count’s family. But the situation was too complicated for things to end so easily.

That is why Viscount Austin asked.

“Brother Jayden, what do you plan to do? “If we leave it like this, something like this might happen again in the future.”

“Raul will explain that part.”

Raoul nodded at Count Melvin’s words and climbed onto the podium.

“Let me introduce you first. Karisa, a 6th circle wizard from the Wizards Association. Archbishop Osvaldo from the Order of Zenon. And this is alchemist Nakia.”

After a brief introduction, Raoul brought up the subject again.

“The Count’s fall this time was not an accident, but a clear assassination attempt!”

“What!”

“What do you mean?”

“Is that true?”

Dozens of lords and influential nobles who were present jumped up from their seats and shouted.

Assassination attempt.

Also, an assassination attempt against the head of a count family was not something that could be easily overlooked.

Especially in the Kingdom of Ruben, a country of knights, such cowardly men and women would never be tolerated.

If found guilty, assassination was a serious crime that could result in not only deprivation of title but also death.

Of course, the reality is that it is still practiced secretly within noble families or among lords.

What’s the problem if you don’t get caught?

However, if it becomes public like this, the situation will be completely different.

“Is there any evidence? “This is a really important issue.”

Raoul confidently answered Viscount Austin’s question.

“of course. We have secured not only the evidence but also the behind-the-scenes witnesses. “Let them in!”

At Raoul’s signal, several people tied to gun rope bowed their heads and were dragged by the soldiers into the conference hall.

Among them were not only kitchen assistant servants working in the mansion’s kitchen, but also nobles who were arrested during this incident.

“Now, I will reveal the full story of the incident.”

With Raoul’s confident voice, the conference hall fell into a crucible of shock and anger.

* * *

Military barracks spread out in the open field.

This was a barracks installed near Baron Garriot Castle where Viscount Jayden and his party were staying.

Jiyiing.

A colorful cluster of lights sparkled on the floor of the barracks, and several figures appeared.

“Are you here?”

Kane, who had been waiting, bowed his head and greeted Raoul.

The sun had already set, dusk was covering the surroundings, and dinner was in full swing in the barracks.

“What is the situation at the castle?”

“There hasn’t been much change yet. According to intelligence, it appears that they plan to stay in the castle until an envoy arrives from the capital tomorrow.”

“Heh. “You must be very excited.”

“They say the music is constantly playing in the banquet hall.”

“Good. “I hope you enjoy the Last Supper.”

As soon as the meeting was over, Raoul took the portal and moved here.

While they were caught off guard, wondering if something big would happen in just one day, the Count had secured a justification to attack Viscount Jayden.

“In a moment, an order will come from the main body. Not only here, but all the soldiers stationed around the area will begin a night march to surround the castle. “Make sure you have agents well-placed to prevent those who sense the scent from escaping.”

“Please leave it to me. “The main escape route has already been completely blocked by our cavalry.”

“Yes, you had a hard time.”

“But…”

“Well, do you have anything to say?”

Raoul, who thought his business was over, was about to leave the barracks, but Kane hesitated and asked.

“Are you sure you want to go alone? “If you don’t trust me, I will accompany you.”

Raoul chuckled and patted Kane on the shoulder.

“You know my skills well, right? It’s not that I don’t believe it, it’s just that it’s much easier to be alone. And just in case, Kane has to secure the escape route.”

“Hehe, no matter what, Sir Philip will be upset if he finds out that I sent the Master alone like this.”

“Oh, you know that you can never let Philip know, right? “It would be difficult if the knights broke through the castle gate.”

Although he is currently away to lead the troops for a while, it would be a pain if Philip, who returned with the knights, found out about the truth.

“If you’re worried about that, please come back as soon as possible. If there is a problem, communicate immediately.”

“Don’t worry. It’s not that dangerous.”

And that night, when everyone was asleep.

A black shadow was flying leisurely across the sky of Baron Garriott Castle.

(Continued in the next part)