Chapter 54: Into a Civil War (1) (1/2)
Chapter 54: Into a Civil War (1)
A civil war In the end, the princes’ political conflict descended into the worst possible scenario No one thought that things would reach this stage; froions far detached frole, to even the nobles in the Capital that were engaged in this violent shadoar
However, there was just one person who anticipated this turn of events At present, that person was elegantly drinking a cup of black tea in Forrest territory
“I was right in the end, wasn't I?”
“… what dark ic is this?”
Milton said as he watched Princess Leila form a detestable smile
At first, Milton talked to Princess Leila with the proper respect anda superior when he had discovered her identity But after soether, Princess Leila implicitly allowed Milton to speak more casually Her supposed pretext was that in order to ensure her identity remained hidden, Milton needed to mind how natural he sounded when he spoke to her in front of others
Whatever the case was, Princess Leila had continued to patiently reside at the Forrest Estate, passing the time day by day She seemed so carefree that Milton once asked if she really had the liberty to be passing her time like this Her response was…
[The seeds have already been spread, Count Now is a tiht moment]
[You speak as a mastermind would; as if you know all that will happen fro those lines]
Milton laughed as he felt that she was bluffing
[You don’t seem to believe me]
[Ah, I may have let that slip]
[Veryyou, but if you continue providing your services just a little longer… Soon, the First Prince and his faction will be the ones to seize the royal prerogative in the Capital That future is near – the victor will likely be decided within the month]
[Will it really now…]
Milton did not believe her There was no way that the staleht over many years would collapse so suddenly
Princess Leila sold]
[Call!]
[……?]
[I mean, I shall partake in this bet]
Before a month passed, news came from the Capital: the First Prince exposed the military corruption in the Second Prince’s faction, and the strength of the Second Prince's forces was reduced by more than half
[Was I not correct?]
[…How on earth?]
[I made preparations for this beforehand I secretly leaked infor the faction of the Second Prince's weaknesses to the First’s faction]
[…Are you conningback on your word after you lost?]
Milton formed an icy expression at her words She continued to sly
[Or shall we play another round? According to n a declaration of surrender to the First Prince, then, he'll retreat to the North where he has strong backing There, he will begin a civil war]
[A civil war? How preposterous… if anything, the First Prince would not let the Second Prince make his way to the North scot-free, would he?]
[It will all unfold as I say Shall we make a bet once old this time?]
[Very well Let's see what happens]
Milton was full of confidence He didn’t think for a second that the First Prince was stupid enough to let his brother go to the North – and even if it did happen, he certainly didn’t think that the Second Prince was a villain so blinded by power that he would start a civil war
The results of this bet were out now The First Prince was stupid, and the Second Prince was a villain blinded by the pursuit of power
‘damn it…’
Princess Leila took a sip of her black tea while Milton maintained a deadpan expression
“That will be 5500 gold altogether Making ree?”
“……”
‘Does this girl start every day thinking of how to make my blood boil?’
Milton could not refute Princess Leila’s incessant teasing, because everything she said was right
‘Perhaps that 92 Intelligence and 91 Politics weren’t just for show’
He was not convinced there was no point in doubting her abilities
‘Though her personality is a different story’
At any rate, Milton could no longer pass off her words as nonsense
“What do you think will happen from now on?”
“Oh? Did you want to hear it for free?”
“You’re staying for free at my… never mind, you're not”
The fact that Princess Leila had invested a considerable fortune did not change Milton sighed
“What is it you desire?”
“Hmm… let's keep it on credit, for now”
“On credit, you say?”
“Yes – I speculate that keeping you indebted may prove to be more useful down the line, Count Forrest”
“……”
Milton received an unpleasant pang, but he did not pursue thePrincess Leila’s insight came first
“Firstly, the royal palace will soon issue an order of subjugation”
“I can see that they would”
Milton could see thata civil ith the rationale that he would advocate for Republicanis so were yet unknown, at face value this was a suicidal y by not only the Lester Kingdo as he submitted this as his justification for war, the First Prince could officially carry out an order of subjugation Besides the Central Arions would certainly receive this order as well
Everything up to here ithin Milton’s predictions – but what he did not foresee at all were Princess Leila’s next words