Chapter 18: Civil War Period – The Blue Knight (2)

Chapter 18: Civil War Period – The Blue Knight (2)

Translated by Mara Sov

Civil War Period The Blue Knight (2)

In the guest room of the mansion.

Ive declared confidentiality for now. So please dont worry too much.

Eris gave me an awkward smile as she heard my words.

I hope youll treat me the same as you did before.

You dont need to worry about this, Eris.

As soon as I changed my tone, Eriss eyes widened.

After blinking her mesmerizing purple eyes a few times, she spoke.

Did you know all along?

Yes.

Upon hearing my answer, Eris pouted before turning her head towards Francois, no, Sir Beaumont.

Well, thats ridiculous. Was I that obvious?

I do not believe so, My Lady.

She turned towards me with a suspicious look before sighing.

How exactly, or rather, since when? Was I completely tricked into a devious contract from the beginning?

No. Even though I knew you were a princess, I never intended to make use of this secret. And I was completely honest in my promises to you.

Eris looked rather wronged, but to be honest, I was feeling just as wronged.

Before my regression, no one recognized her as a Princess, until the church delved deep into her past.

It was no wonder that a child from the Kings favored concubine was kept hidden with the political turmoil that sparked the Civil War.

In hindsight, with her distinctive looks and her sensitivity to sunlight, its no wonder the Late King was very proactive in hiding her existence.

Although the Marquis is a ridiculous monster who managed to recognize a middle-aged man as a former Royal Guard just because he saw him wield a sword years ago on the battlefield.

Initially, I planned to introduce Eris as my patronized artist and if the Marquis showed any signs of wanting to use Eris for her divine power, I would leave her in Christines care.

But how could I have anticipated that he would recognize her as the Princess right away?

Eris looked at me with her unique eyes and sighed, perhaps sharing my pain at this moment.

Right. If I wanted to avoid trouble altogether, I wouldnt have accepted your offer in the first place, and I cant blame him for finding my identity either. So what is his goal now?

He probably wants to announce the existence of Her Highness the Princess and rally the remnants of the First Princes faction.

Of course, this decision doesnt consider Eriss wishes, as she is a semi-prisoner under the guise of protection.

The Second Prince has already been crowned, so whats the point of announcing my existence now? My mother wasnt a noble, so Im second to King Louis in legitimacy.

Yes.

Honestly, announcing Eris as the Princess wouldnt benefit the First Princes faction in terms of legitimacy.

However, thats the narrative for the entire faction.

The current faction leader is Duke Lorenne, the right hand of the First Prince. Though the Prince is dead, he is still a powerful and authoritative figure.

And the power-hungry Marquis of Lafayette was not pleased that Duke Lorenne received more attention than him, who was the real main fighting force of the First Princes Faction.

But by announcing that Lafayette harbors a descendent to the Throne, the story changes.

Eris, theyre thinking that by endorsing you as the heir to the Throne, the Lafayette family could take the lead in the faction.

Giving me a very displeased look, Eris also added her thoughts.

He would also make me a puppet queen and marry me off to someone, making Lafayette a family with royal blood?

Was she referring to me?

Dont worry, these are just some plans the Marquis made, nothing is decided for now. And they certainly wont risk Her Royal Highness the Princesss life just for an internal struggle. This chapter made its debut appearance via N0v3lB1n.

The Princess disappeared right before the Civil War, and because of this, she has become a completely forgotten Royal.

Thus, whispers about the Princess can be dismissed as mere rumors, but the moment Eris is announced as the Princess and enters the succession dispute, then there will be no turning back.

If that happens, not only will King Louis and his faction target Eris, but the Revolution as well.

When Eris is declared a contender for the Throne and affiliated with Lafayette, the Revolution will make us a primary target for purging.

Thats why the timing of Eris reveal must be at least after I manage to establish some connections with the Revolutionaries, and when they show themselves willing to accept some coexistence with the Royalty and nobility.

And now is definitely not the time.

After listening to my reasoning, Eris stared at me for a while and then showed a small smile.

You are very peculiar, you know that? I should be feeling very suspicious of you, but for some reason, I feel like I can trust you.

Perhaps your divine power, or rather your personal power is trying to tell you something?

I dont know. I like to think that my hunches are usually spot on! But If I had such a handy ability to predict the future I wouldnt be in this situation, would I?

After saying this with a mournful expression, Eris regained her usual cheer as her tone became playful.

I made a deal with you to earn the hearts of the people. So Ill continue to work hard at it! And as promised, I count on you to protect me. Since you know my identity, I believe youll do a good job as my patron!

I could only offer her a wry smile.

Thats the plan, Your Highness. Or should I say, Eris? Its comforting to know that your hunch compels you to trust me. Although I cannot deny that Im a little anxious for the future.

Hey, when you say things like this, Ill start getting anxious too, you know?

Thats just how life works, doesnt it? If we could be certain of the future, things would be so much easier.

But thats not how the world works

Before regressing, I faced unexpected situations such as a sudden revolution and the plague. So this time around, given I was armed with foreknowledge, wasnt it unfair to once again be blindsided by absurd events?

Late in the evening.

I stood in a dark room, holding a candlestick.

A room that was seldom visited by anyone but me, so it was left abandoned.

The light from my candlestick illuminated a portrait that had been shrouded in darkness.

It revealed an elderly man, who despite his age still appeared robust.

The 5th earl of Toulouse Xavier De Toulouse.

This man wore his armor and held a sword with a confident smile.

He was a true warrior and my grandfather. Known for his favorable treatment of his subjects.

If he was alive, I wonder what he would say to my father, the Marquis.

Do as you wish, Your Excellency.

IWhat?

I said. Do. As. You. Wish.

The vassals and retainers who had been frightened by the Marquiss anger now looked at me with their mouths agape.

Even the Marquis, who had been raging mere seconds ago looked shocked as I naturally curled the corners of my mouth.

But would that be wise, Your Excellency?

Even after my mothers death, the Marquis didnt take another wife.

Was it out of love for my mother? No, this man enjoyed the presence of countless concubines and never bothered to hide them.

He was utterly ashamed of his son, for losing to a commoner in a Knights tournament. He was so concerned with his lost honor that he even imprisoned the Knight who won against me in our domain.

Nevertheless, he still appointed me as the Acting Lord. Was it because he discovered his lost love for his son? Or because I was the only heir?

He could have simply taken another wife and sired a more favorable heir.

This land was part of the Earldom long before it belonged to the Marquis, it dates back to when this place was still called the Toulouse Earldom.

Everything he owned. This land was originally left to my mother by my maternal grandfather.

The loyalty of the vassals, including Baron Domont, is not towards my father but towards the Earl of Toulouse, which has been passed down from my ancestors.

And now, with my mother gone, I am the Earl of Toulouse, Your Excellency.

Without me, he is just a Knight with the fancy and empty title of a Marquis.

Thats why, even though he regards me as worthless, he could never cast me aside.

Before my regression, during the times he was in the domain, I was too young and too afraid to even grasp this simple truth. By the time I realized this, the Marquis had already died of the Plague.

The great Blue Knight Hubert De Lafayette. A man so obsessed with greatness and power that he commands the inclusion of his title as the great Blue Knight when referred to.

A man who only remembers the frustration and discrimination due to his humble origins.

But a man who forgets what he has received.

Your Excellencys foundation was built by my maternal grandfather, Xavier De Toulouse, and lent to you by my mother. Your lofty reputation is also built on top of the blood of the Toulouse soldiers.

The man, who claims to have achieved everything he had, through his might and sword, but actually, had only obtained the title of Blue Knight and the title of Marquis.

A title higher than a Count but lower than a Duke, an ambiguous honor without a single land attached to it.

Even the highest honor conceded to him, is just a nickname given to a Knight.

So for him, installing a puppet princess as the Queen and becoming the King himself must seem like a heaven-sent opportunity to make up for his inferiority complex.

You, you dare threaten me now?

The Marquiss eyes bulged in rage, and he seemed ready to draw his sword at any moment.

I was merely listing some facts, Your Excellency. MoreoverI highly doubt that you would be able to conduct the war as it is without me. Baron Domont?

Ah, Yes? Oh, Yes.

Baron Domont, who until now had been sitting with a dumbfounded expression on his face, hurriedly stood up and handed some documents to the Marquis.

As the Marquis twirled his mustache and looked over the documents, I calmly opened my mouth.

The report on last years taxes for the Marquisate, or rather, the Earldom of Toulouse. You may not be aware, but it falls drastically short of the military funds you demanded.

Until now, he was content to simply bark orders at me, the Acting Lord. If the domains tax income was insufficient, then it was my responsibility to raid and pillage villages to make up for it.

The plague has spread, and now the main battlefield has moved south, you will have to worry about the reduced income from the neighboring domains, instead of plundering them. Even if you want to put the Princess on the Throne, do you think you have the military funds to do it?

By the Marquiss look, he seemed ready to charge at me.

But no matter how much he rages, hes the one who has been sucking the life out of this land while he maintained his luxuries on the frontline.

Hes the one who ended up breaking the engagement with the Aquitaine family simply to take their money in compensation.

And what about you?

Taking out the documents I had prepared I handed them to a servant.

As the Marquis received the documents from the servant, his eyes widened and he began to tremble.

How dare you embezzle money from my domain?!

You misunderstand, Your Excellency. Baron Domont, who has been overseeing the domain administration, will attest to it. After all, how could such funds come about from the struggling income of the domain, when we had to send you your military funds as well?

The Marquis turned his head and glared at Baron Domont, who flinched but nodded in agreement to my words.

The Earl is correct, Your Excellency. You can even verify this yourself by looking through the domains financial records.

What the Marquis held was a deposit certificate from a bank operated by the Aquitaine family.

Those were the funds I had left after borrowing money from Christine to buy a large amount of raw materials, and then selling it to the Abyss Corporation after their industrial revolution.

I gave some of that money to Christine, who managed the army, but even then, there still remained a tremendous amount.

And he says I embezzled money?

At this point, I would praise even those damned Demons from the Abyss Corporation.

If your Excellency insists on ignoring my rightful claim as the Earl of Toulouse, and try to control the matters pertinent to the domains administration, then I shall renounce my name, De Lafayette, and leave the estate.

What nonsense are you spouting now, boy!?

After this, I will go to King Louis and ask him to restore my rights, perhaps Ill even offer him that money as a gift. Im sure those who are impoverished and desperate because of this Civil War will find my proposal quite enticing.

I highly doubt the Marquis will be able to properly manage his vassals and retainers after disposing of me.

Y-you, youYou

Ah, I think hes about to pop a vessel at this point.

But that would be problematic. As entitled and consumed by jealousy and lust for power as he is, his abilities are still worthy of being called the strongest Knight in the Kingdom.

It would be rather tragic if someone who should be charging at the enemy lines died of stress.

Of course, since Im a Lafayette myself, I would be rather reluctant to act on such acts of filial impiety.

Extending my hand to the Marquis, who shook it, trying to convey all his rage through it as he seemed ready to kill his only son.

Therefore, Your Excellency, the great Blue Knight Hubert De Lafayette. Please give up your useless contests of honor and let Duke Lorenne bear all the hatred of our enemies.

This way, the revolutionaries hatred will also fall upon him while we could simply switch sides at the opportune moment.

Should you do as such, I, Pierre De Lafayette, Earl of Toulouse, shall fulfill my allegiance as your ally, providing financial and military support. Of course, since we are allies, Your Excellency will have to show me proper respect as well.

Otherwise, Ill take your hollow title of Marquis and leave you to wage war by yourself, while trying to appease your vassals who would have lost every reason to remain loyal.

TL note: Damn mah man Pierre was cold as fuck on dis chapter, Hes almost reaching Ferzen lvs of chadness.

Hehehehehehehe.

Also also, a real TL note here, In Korean the world can be translated either as Count or as Earl. Blame English lmao, so I made the choice to put the Toulouse rank as Earl, because we already have an absurd amount of Counts in this novel, and both Count and Earl are basically the same thing.

/genesisforsaken