Chapter 13
#13
The lords listening to the story shook their heads with dismayed faces. Unlike the lords with dark faces, Walter remained impassive, only gripping Lucy's hand more firmly.
As the gloomy atmosphere subsided somewhat, Lucy regained her composure and continued.
"I don't know what the Empire's intentions are in interfering with this mess. However, war will certainly break out, and the rumor that Dopein has joined hands with the Empire will soon spread."
"So. What correlation is there between the war and Duke Kill not being able to ascend the throne?"
"I said earlier that 'the timing is bad.' It would be fine at other times, but if the rumor spreads that the Empire is behind this war, Duke Kill will be..."
"Portmeier Port."
Marquis Rutherford looked at Lucy with wide eyes and uttered the words as if by accident.
"That strait within the Kill Duchy... Surely you have a shipping agreement with the Empire. Isn't it a place where the Empire's ships can freely come and go? With the agreement, you, Duke, have established friendship with the Empire."
The free port that accounts for the largest axis that allows the duchy to be wealthy, Portmeier Port.
The strait connecting Portmeier Port was narrow and directly adjacent to trade routes, making it a strategic point always crowded with water transportation and merchant ships.
Perhaps the strait with the most ships coming and going in the kingdom naturally had an agreement with the Empire.
No one would be foolish enough to give up trade with the Empire, and Kill was able to amass enormous wealth as a result. As always, money brings favor, and Kill pretended to be pro-Empire because of it.
If he were to open a new dynasty and the fact that the Empire was behind a foreign country were to spread.
"You mean... I could be seen as a puppet of the Empire."
Kill, understanding Lucy's words, curled his trembling lips. In his eyes, the figure of the young woman calmly looking at him was reflected.
"If Duke Kill becomes king, it won't be long before the prestige of the royal family plummets with the rumor that the new king of Parnassus is a lackey of the Empire."
"...It's a conspiracy. It doesn't make sense."
"It's unfair. I understand. But the people of the kingdom will worry that our king might be a puppet of the Empire. Some will think that we will soon become a colony of the Empire, and public sentiment will be confused."
Lucy's speculation was not an exaggeration.
In fact, in her first life, the Crown Prince led the marines and invaded Parnassus through Portmeier Port.
Since the territory with the most private soldiers in the kingdom was helplessly captured, there was no need to see the other territories. The Imperial Army rushed to the capital in an instant, and even though Walter desperately defended the capital, Parnassus fell into the hands of the Crown Prince in a short time.
That's how it became a colony.
"Your speculation is just conjecture. Besides, if that's the problem. Wouldn't it be enough to break the agreement with the Empire?"
"That's right. It's just my speculation. But Duke Kill, do you have the guts to break the agreement with the Empire on the pretext of a mere speculation? The Empire hasn't done anything to Parnassus yet."
To unilaterally break a promise with an opponent who has done nothing wrong is something only a child would do.
If it were a promise between the kingdom's great lord and a country, it would be impossible to even utter the word 'break' unless something extraordinary happened.
It would have been fine if it were another lord, but Kill, who was entangled in an agreement with the Empire, could not easily sanction the Empire. Of course, as the lord of the duchy, he could not easily turn his back on them.
Kill, who had been silent, finally couldn't overcome his emotions and let out a hollow breath. Fatigue and anger were mixed in his wrinkled eyes, making him look older than his age.
"So, what is the conclusion you are trying to say?"
"I would like Duke Kill to act as my guardian until the situation stabilizes. Until then, I will be protecting the throne."
Kill moved his thumb, which was clenched in a fist, and slowly stroked the signet ring he was wearing. The corners of his tightly closed lips trembled, signaling his agitation.
It was absurd.
To be the guardian of that concubine's child of unclear origin, who, like her mother, no one knows where or how she lived, this brazen girl.
For this, to package this obvious ulterior motive, had she been laying the groundwork all along?
Kill manipulated his clenched fingers with his thumb and opened his mouth in a subdued voice.
"An interesting proposal. You will become king? I would like to hear what you think about your lineage."
"Wasn't the discussion of whether or not I am legitimate already discarded at the point when Duke Kill was going to open a new dynasty?"
"Even if it's not you."
"If you're going to mention the Third Prince and the Fifth Prince, I'll tell you in advance. Don't say anything ridiculous."
Kill, who had received the words he had always said to the lords, took a breath and chose a word to refute.
Before Walter, who was standing in the middle, stepped forward, Lucy strengthened her grip on his hand to restrain Walter and opened her mouth again.
"What's important now is not who becomes king or not. Think rationally. Now is the time to end the epidemic that is prevalent in the capital and prepare for war."
"Do you think you can handle it?"
"The former will be taken care of by the Grand General, and the latter can be resolved on my own."
Rutherford, who had been fanning himself with a fan with a gentle touch, jumped up from his seat as soon as he heard Lucy's words.
"You can solve it... Are you saying that you can cure the disease now?"
The epidemic that killed the king. To be able to cure that strange disease.
How can such a young woman cure a disease whose cause has not yet been properly found?
It was nonsense. Even in the face of her bewildered gaze, Lucy nodded without a care.
"I heard that the families of those here are also suffering from the epidemic. I heard that the health of the Marquis's eldest daughter is not very good... Yes. I know the cause of the disease."
"How, really...! If it's nonsense!"
"How dare I make such a boast in front of so many people. I also know the cure roughly. I can't guarantee that I can completely suppress the disease, but it will be enough to preserve lives for now."
A commotion spread like wildfire among the lords.
The small whispers gradually grew into chaotic shouts, and in the midst of it, Rutherford, who was talking to the adjutant in the loudest voice, folded his fan with a snap with an excited face.
However, her question did not come out of her mouth. This was because the person who should convey the words was focusing his attention elsewhere.
"Duke Kill."
Lucy ignored the nobles and approached Duke Kill, facing him closely. As the tall Lucy stood facing him, their eye levels were aligned.
Lucy fixed her gaze on the Duke and gently turned her head towards the conference hall.
"Everyone must be worried because someone without proper qualifications has come out and is talking about the throne. I am well aware that I am lacking. That's why I need someone to lead me on the right path."
"That's me now, you mean? I have to lead you on the right path?"
"Yes."
Lucy's eyes curved into a smile.
"What do you think, Duke? Do you have the heart to agree with my clumsy future design?"
Would Godel Kill value the rationality of the situation, or would he prioritize his pride?
The answer came quickly.
"Clumsy. As you say, it's nothing but clumsy nonsense."
Kill, distorting his eyes, slammed the table with an angry look.
"Most of your words are speculation! Suddenly appearing and what...! Besides, cure the disease? What can you do to cure the disease when you are not even a scholar! Aren't you just trying to look good in this situation? Am I wrong?"
She got him.
Kill's nature, which had been heavily armed, finally surfaced. Lucy faced the angry old man and controlled the corners of her mouth from rising.
"I clearly said that I know the cause. You'll know right away if you believe it or not. And one more thing."
Lucy took a breath and slowly scanned the faces of the lords.
"I didn't come to this place to volunteer. I will not share the cure with those who have not sworn to support me."
At the thunderbolt-like words, the lords turned pale and jumped up from their seats.
"Such ridiculous..."
"Are you threatening us now?"
Outcries of indignation erupted from everywhere. Lucy continued calmly, without a care.
"Everyone seems to be mistaken, but I didn't stand here to grovel to you. Of course, I have no intention of maintaining the throne by flattering you. You seem to have forgotten who I entered the conference hall with."
People's eyes moved behind her. Only then did the lords realize that Lucy's long self-defense and proposals were a consideration for them.
She appeared with the Grand General.
And the Grand General, at the previous meeting, said that Arsinoe was a candidate for the throne that met the legitimacy, and brought her to this place.
That meant that she was a person under the protection of the Grand General. His protection, who is the spiritual pillar and practical ruler of the kingdom's army.
"Grand General. Who is my father?"
At the sudden question, Walter slightly widened his eyes.
Realizing the intention in the facing golden eyes, Walter looked around and answered in a voice that felt deeply resonant.
"The Heavenly Execution King, His Majesty the late King Bishimonteus II Yenak Neoparnassus."
"Was it my will or your will that led me to this place?"
"...It is my will."
"You are the leader of the kingdom's army. So, believing that your answer is the will of the kingdom's army, I ask. Do you."
Lucy pulled her chin and stared at Walter with upturned eyes, asking in a more determined tone.
"Recognize me as king?"
