Volume 3 - CH 38

Act 3-38: Ultimatum

Amelia kingdom, duke Ignister’s mansion.

The members of the faction gathered in a luxurious guest room.

「The matter regarding my elder sister has failed, you say?」

A handsome, blonde-haired youth wearing luxurious red clothes asked with modest face.

「Yes. Ketzer was punished with death penalty for his assassination attempt towards Her Highness Rosemary. His territory (Ksar) has also been transferred to the Akinashi house.」

「Are you kidding me! Ksar house has pledged their allegiance to His Highness Gilbert. Thus, in accordance to the tradition, the right to the territory should belong to us!」

「It seems to be a special reward granted to them for their cooperation in subjugating Deboa.」

The room was instantly filled with various voices resembling a bunch of insects in a cage.

「They defeated that evil dragon! That legendary evil dragon that even the hero had to risk his life to subdue!?」

「I received the report from the central government that Her Highness, duchess Felis, subjugated Deboa using the Titan.」

「Felis-sama, whose whereabouts were unknown did that…」

Upon seeing the old nobles showing distant look on their faces, The ones present in the room started getting convinced.

「If that’s true, then this news must be credible. She’s using the legendary spirit king after all.」

「Oh right. How about we use this chance to pull the duchess to join His Highness                  Gilbert’s faction? 」

「I agree. With the addition of spirit king, we will definitely gain an advantage in this crown contest.」

「What do you think, duke Ignister?」

Upon hearing prince Gilbert’s question, the creepy smile on duke Salpo Ignister’s angular face vanished.

「After subjugation of the evil dragon, Her Highness duchess Felis pledged her allegiance to Her Highness Rosemary.」

「My big sister again! Why it always her? Why does that woman always get what I want!?」

Prince Gilbert’s face showed deep sorrow as he said those words.

「I received a letter from His Excellency, the Prime Minister, regarding this matter.」

Everyone in the room held their breath upon seeing the letter in duke Ignister’s hand, as if the temperature in the room dropped below zero degree.

Even prince Gilbert gulped his saliva in anticipation upon hearing about the letter.

「R-Read it aloud.」

The duke ordered to read the letter, his voice trembling. Duke Salpo Ignister nodded lightly as he unsealed the letter and started reading.

『Your Highness Prince Gilbert and all his backers, good day to you all.

First, let me to praise you for your frantic effort in this crown contest. However, do remember that there is a limit to everything. I sincerely hope that you won’t try to break the rules of the crown contest again. 』

Amelia kingdom’s prime minister, Johannes Roosevelt, was the only figure in the entire kingdom that none of the nobles dared to offend. This had already become one of the few unwritten laws in Amelia kingdom among the nobles. It was clearly stated in the letter that this was Johannes’ ultimatum for Gilbert’s faction. Johannes was a just and upright man who always stood up to his words. If he said that he will purge someone, not even the next king of Amelia kingdom could stop him.

「Dammit! Now we cannot use a direct approach again!」

Gilbert stood from his chair, walked to the window, and cursed as he kicked the wall.

After venting his anger, he took few deep breaths to calm himself, and then moved his gaze to Salpo.

「Whatever. How’s our cooperation with the hero party? 」

「We received advice regarding territory management from Hero-sama. Implementing it in the West Land can undoubtedly boost its revenue. 」

「So it’s doing alright. Anyhow, my elder sister won’t have that much citizens in her territory. Even her royal guard is that leftover incompetent, who can’t change anything no matter how many of such are bundled together. The biggest factor to win this contest is the development our territory. Since that’s the case, victory is ours. 」

「Yes, as long as there’s no unseen factors, the one who win the crown contest is surely you, prince Gilbert. That’s why you’ve to endure this situation for now. 」

「I know. Once I become a king, I’ll return this humiliation to that woman many times over. 」

Gilbert, whose eyes glowed with fury and humiliation, muttered as if to remind himself.

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V2 cover: Kai and Pantiless Rena Grotte