Volume 4 Chapter 5 (1/2)

Chapter 4 Episode 5

(A messenger of neighboring country 3)

*Unedited*

Midnight, 3rd Day, 11th Month, the Year 2813, Western continent calendar.

In a private room within the royal castle given to Mikhail. two men confronted each other across the lamp placed on the desk. -

One was the master of this room.

The other was a man who should not be inside this room.

”It seems the dispatch of troops has been decided as planned.”

Toward the sudden words Sudou had spoken, Mikhail who was sitting across him frowned.

”How did you know that? We still have not yet make it public you know?”

It was decided during the meeting today that the kingdom would sent reinforcement.

Such information had already been issued to the public offices, but the man in front of Mikhail should not be part of any of such offices.

Even if he will find out sooner or later, it was surprising that he could find out about it within the same day the decision was made.

”Even if you tried to hide it, such information would spread sooner or later.”

Toward Sudou's arrogant att.i.tude, Mikhail frowned further.

”As usual you're as arrogant as ever huh. Sudou...”

It sounded like he was complimented him but, Mikhail's eyes obviously showed despise toward Sudou.

'You're just a vulgar commoner who was sneaking around the castle.'

Although he did not put those words out, Sudou felt like Mikhail gaze told him so.

”Well, I have no other talent than that.”

”Fuuh... I could not understand why Ladine chooses a guy like you to be her aide.”

”Similar to Mikhail-sama, one cannot evaluate the other's loyalty toward the royal family without accepting the good and the bad sides.”

”But I don't think you have any loyalty to the Rozeria Kingdom.”

Mikhail replied him while feeling displeased.

Looking at him, Sudou mocked Mikhail inside his mind.

(Such an idiot. Being unable to restrain himself with just a mere small provocation.)

Since last year's civil war was over, Mikhail image had plummeted.

If one had to say it clearly, in fact, it was not just decreasing but his image had turned into minus.

(I guess this guy has already been driven to a corner... What left is just for me to give him the finis.h.i.+ng blow. Now then, how should I make him fall?)

Once he was known as Lupis adjutants he was praised as a glorious and best knight in the kingdom.

As a master swordsman, she had gained an unwavering trust from Lupis.

And his loyalty was once said to be one of Rozeria Kingdom treasure.

That was until he became a prisoner of war, being a prisoner of war was a huge embarra.s.sment, and instead of getting punished accordingly, he only got himself a house arrest for a few month, not only that, after he was being released, Lupis picked him up as the commander of the royal guard, caused his colleagues to looked at him with negative eyes.

Of course, it was natural for a ruler to put a reliable and trustworthy aide near you if you're Lupis. But the surrounding people won't understand that.

As a result, the surrounding thought of Mikhail as a coward who only survives because Lupis favored him.

And Mikhail reputation fell down to the ground following the rumor mixed with truth and lies made by Sudou spread inside and outside the castle.

His subordinates and colleagues gradually showed disdain toward him. And n.o.bles started to ridicule him.

For someone as prideful as Mikhail, the current situation was a living h.e.l.l.

If he was a truly wicked man then he won't care such situation.

But because he was genuinely a proud human, he was unable to bear such reality.

That was why he started to look down on others so that he can raise himself.

Despite knowing that doing such a thing would only narrow one's mind...

He tried to not depend on anyone, but because he tried to do that he ended up getting isolated. And because he was isolated from the surrounding, he fell down further.

Thus, just like that, Mikhail was unable to escape his own self-bondage.

”I course, I'm not someone with stature like Mikhail-sama after all. However, Ladine-sama is still a child. Even though she had already been recognized as a royalty, there were only a few people who swore loyalty from the bottom of their hearts to her. Even a vulgar person such as I could understand that you see.”

”I see...”

Mikhail answered while showing a satisfied smile on his face.

Such small praise from him had already made Mikhail's small-pride satisfied.

Although he smiled at him while saying those words, Mikhail knew that it was a blatant flattery.

However, such poisonous words give off a sweet fragrant scent for Mikhail who has become weak after being ridiculed all the time by his subordinates and colleagues.

That was why, even if he knew that Sudou said a lie, he might just want to be caught by that sweet words...

”By the way... I had already made the suggestion, just as you said. Are you sure this will be fine?”

”Of course. Although this might sound rude, does Mikhail-sama have another way?”

Sudou asked Mikhail a question.

”That is... But how are we going to expect him to do it obediently? At worst, we might actually cause internal disturbance instead...”

As expected, although he hated Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma for a personal reason, it seemed like a small amount of his judgmental ability was still intact.

(Truly, a contradiction huh... To think he gives suggestion during the meeting just like I had told him despite knowing this much. I wonder, how should I call this man head, a smart one or the other way around... Oh well,  this is why you're suited to be my puppet.)

Sudou tried to suppress his ridicule while showing a soft smile toward Mikhail.

Although it was Sudou direction, Mikhail's mind and act were certainly contradicting each other.

Mikhail had lamented his current situation but he seemed to also have blamed Mikos.h.i.+ba Ryouma for it.