Chapter 45: An Important Turning Point (1)

The three great duchies of the empire responded to the emperor’s summons.

The Muelia Duchy of the South.

The Argon Duchy of the North.

The Tarnerus Duchy of the East.

The heads of the duchies, also called the pillars of the empire, all gathered in one place.

“It’s good to see you after a long time.”

“Haha. How long has it been, half a year?”

The Duke of Argon and the Duke of Tarnerus shook hands and talked. Delkarmen Muelia of the Duchy was also in the same place, but they did not talk to him.

This is a testament to the relationship between the three duchies.

In the distant past. When the empire was founded, there was a man who assisted the founding emperor.

He was granted the title of Duke for his contribution to the founding, and from then until now, he has maintained the surname Muelia.

As the history of the imperial family and the history of Muelia is long, it is bound to have more power and fame than the other two duchies.

Although they are called the three pillars of the empire in the world, if they clash with Muelia, they usually bow down.

So, from the past, Argon and Tarnerus have joined forces to keep Muelia in check.

Because of that, Muelia has suffered damage, and there have even been territory wars.

Delkarmen Muelia, who had been closing his eyes, opened them. He looked coldly at the two dukes.

“Be quiet. It’s very noisy.”

“…Tsk.”

“Ahem.”

Because the master’s momentum was mixed in, the two dukes could not rebel and swallowed their saliva.

Even though the two dukes are also in the upper ranks of mana users.

Then the door of the conference room opened and someone came in.

A man wearing a gold crown and dragging a thick cloak. It is Rodmile Seedrop, the current emperor of this empire.

“”We greet the owner of the empire.””

The dukes all stood up and bowed their heads. When Seedrop sat down, they finally sat down.

“Everyone has gathered. Then, since there is no time, let’s start right away. Have you all heard the situation?”

“Yes. I have heard.”

“The monsters of the south have moved, right? At this rate, isn’t it because Muelia didn’t properly subdue them?”

The two dukes openly pressured Delkarmen Muelia. But Seedrop ignored the dukes’ quarrel and looked at Delkarmen Muelia.

“Delkarmen. When was the last subjugation?”

“I did it myself half a year ago. There is no reason for it to explode until at least next year. It’s probably because of that vibration.”

Vibration.

It is the cause of all this.

I sent my subordinates, but nothing has been revealed yet.

“Is there a way?”

Seedrop, who made a serious expression, asked Delkarmen Muelia.

Seedrop openly gave him a hint. It means to take care of it because it is a matter of the south.

Delkarmen Muelia also knew it, so he just said the main point.

“I have already deployed the army. A week later, I will lead the knights myself and head to the depths.”

“To the depths of the southern Great Forest? Even for you, a Sword Master, it would be dangerous.”

“Even if it’s dangerous, it’s the only way to reduce the damage by moving myself. Please let me know in advance who will come from the imperial family.”

Even if it is a matter of the south, the imperial family originally manages the entire empire. Therefore, when this happens, the imperial family cannot be left out.

“The Second Prince is scheduled to move.”

“The Second Prince…”

“Come in.”

Seedrop clapped twice. The door opened and a blond man who resembled him came in.

It is the second prince of this empire, Rodmile Chris.

“It’s been a while. Duke Delkarmen.”

“It’s been a while.”

Delkarmen Muelia looked at Chris with a strange look.

‘He’s an unpleasant guy no matter when I see him.’

Delkarmen Muelia was uncomfortable just being in this place, so he quickly finished speaking.

“I will share the strategy as soon as it is established. Please let me know when the Second Prince’s escort is formed. Then, I’m busy, so I’ll leave.”

He greeted roughly and left the place.

In the distant past, the relationship with the imperial family, which was as close as could be, was split as the power of Muelia grew stronger.

They thought that the growth of Muelia threatened the imperial power.

In fact, Muelia, the two duchies, and the imperial family are in a fierce battle of wits with each other.

And this news also reached Rachel’s ears.

It was a peaceful day, no different from any other day.

The sky was blue without a cloud, and the warm sunlight shone on the chirping sparrows.

Thud!

“I, is this true? Why is this happening now?”

I quickly put on the glasses on the desk. There was no prescription. I’m just wearing it because it has magic related to concentration engraved on it.

I looked around the newspaper.

At the very front. A shocking title written on the first page.

[Monster Raid in the Southern Great Forest!]

It’s a strange thing, but it won’t come all the way to where I live.

Even when the demon king himself attacked, this place where Muelia was located was peaceful.

Nevertheless, the reason I’m surprised is because this incident is the starting point of the fall of Muelia.

Delkarmen Muelia of Muelia, who died after being caught in a trap. The elders of Muelia who devour the family as if they had been waiting. Emily, who was kicked out because of that.

As I listed the things that would happen in the future, I staggered for a moment.

“No, what the hell is this? Why is it happening now?”

According to the original work, the time when that happens is about 2 or 3 years later. Of course, since there was a lot of time left, I didn’t make any special preparations.

All I have prepared now is the funds I earned through various investments.

“There’s no chance that this is not it. Think. Think. How did Delkarmen die?”

He enters the center of the Great Forest and engages in a fierce battle with Flame Nova, the cause of the earthquake. Just before he kills Flame Nova, the prince intervenes and kills him.

Since it happened during a one-on-one duel with Flame Nova, there will be no witnesses.

“And the elders of Muelia made this board itself.”

In the first place, they made this incident in collaboration with the Second Prince.

I was confused. It’s even more so because it’s a completely unexpected moment.

I tried to find a solution somehow.

But for this incident, there is nothing I can do.

I can’t go directly to the forest where monsters are swarming.

Even without that, the prophecy that I heard from the fortune teller a while ago that I would die is bothering me. I can’t risk my life to save Delkarmen.

The only way for Delkarmen Muelia to survive is to stay away from the prince.

“If I go to him and tell him to be careful of the prince, he’ll think I’m crazy.”

I need to think of an excuse or create a connection.

The biggest card I can use now is that I am the heir of the Medicine King. But it’s not very useful right now.

“Shall I use that tarot grandmother?”

If I use the fortune teller who can see the future to some extent, there will be a connection. But is this the right way?

I kept thinking about it and finally came to an answer. Then I went to see Emily.

Knock, knock.

“Emily. It’s me. Rachel.”

“Rachel? What are you doing here at this hour? Come in.”

Emily, who was in the middle of processing her work, took off her glasses and greeted me.

I sat on the sofa. As time is of the essence, I went straight to the point.

“Emily. You know that monsters are attacking in the southern Great Forest now, right?”

“Yes. So I have more work to do.”

“The Duke will be seriously injured there.”

“My father? How do you know that?”

“Actually… I met a fortune teller a while ago who is similar to a prophet. When I was talking to her about this and that, she made a strange prophecy.”

Emily, who cares for Yona, will already know about the fortune teller.

Her escort must have said it.

So it becomes even more credible.

Because the fortune teller I met at that time really had divine power.

“The cause of the Duke’s injury at this time is said to be a person, not a monster.”

“A person? Wait a minute.”

Emily closed her eyes and thought.

I was a little nervous.

Even if I use the fortune teller as evidence, if you think about it honestly, there are many clumsy parts here and there.

If Emily digs in with determination, it will be revealed that it is a lie.

After finishing her thoughts, Emily asked again.

“Then, how about talking to my father directly?”

“Yes?”

“It’s much better to talk about such things in person than through me.”

I’m embarrassed.

It’s not like I’m going to check it, but she’s telling me to talk to him directly.

“What if I’m lying?”

“Would you be lying? Are you lying?”

“No. I’m not lying, but….”

“So. I trust Rachel.”

Something feels strange.

It was nice that Emily trusted my words completely, but on the other hand, she told me to meet Delkarmen Muelia directly and talk.

It’s hard to say to his face that the prince is aiming for your back.

But since this is the only way, I decided to think positively.

At least I won’t be considered a liar and beheaded. So that day at lunch. I met Delkarmen Muelia.

White hair. Even just making eye contact made my legs tremble. That’s how much the momentum he exuded was considerable.

“So what do you want to say?”

Gulp.

“That, that. Actually.”