Chapter 66 - Battle for the Throne 3 (1/2)

Gwain was one of the court’s nobles which King John favored highly, so with how much he relied on advice from his entourage, he was essentially almost running the Rhine kingdom as it was.

Even John’s nephew, Duke Arnold, didn’t care too much. If he wanted to, he could easily get rid of Count Ludwig and be a strong competitor for the throne.

No doubt the Wildfire would act as his trump card when the time came.

As he watched Gwain order his troops, Woohyuk starting thinking in hypotheticals.

‘He must be deliberately hiding his ambition.’

Count Gwain was only biding his time, as he pretended to yield the throne to Count Ludwig.

Although he had a lot of influence on politics in the capital, it wasn’t to the point that he would have the army do his bidding. That was the reason he needed to make use of Count Ludwig.

Still, seeing as in the past it had been Count Ludwig that had emerged on top and taken the throne, his plan would most likely fail once more.

‘Obviously one of the two had betrayed the other.’

Han Jangmi had already informed him that the leaders of Akatsuki and Exodus weren’t on good terms. Such cracks could lead to internal conflicts and eventually a complete collapse.

Right now however he didn't care about the feud between the clans, Woohyuk had some business with Gawain.

“Then I’ll take my subordinates and search for Duke Arnold. If he were to be found by the loyalist faction, it might hurt us.”

“Let us help as well, you could use the extra manpower to scour such a large area as northern Cerendia.

As Shinichi tried to take the lead with his initiative, Sergei quickly jumped on the same boat.

A competition between them to secure favor.

Shinichi simply ground his teeth.

‘He’s so arrogant simply because he’s closer to Gwain.’

Sergei started in the Floren province, so it was normal for him to have quickly come into contact with Gwain. He started up as a mercenary doing odd jobs for him around the estate, gradually working his way up.

‘Watch out, I will surprise you.’

Unlike Sergei, he kept his options open. Even now, he was still secretly communicating with Count Ethan from the Issilon province.

If Count Gwain discriminated against him, he would have no reason to remain on a sinking ship.

Shinichi’s eyes shone as he left along with Sergei. Woohyuk then took the chance to descend from the wagon.

‘First let’s secure this batch of Wildfire.’

By stalking Count Gwain, he should be able to get inside the military warehouse without too many difficulties.

Of course he would have to use some force on his way out.

Recalling the layout of the underground layout of the kingdom's military headquarters, Woohyuk set off.

* * *

“What is this?”

The royal guard asked while giving his king a bow. King John proceeded to immediately open the letter and read its content.

“Typical, she’s treating me like a child again. What’s wrong with her?”

“She may have written this while her sanity had left her.”

Queen Joanna had been confined to her quarters, upon being deemed too sick to walk around by the Court physician.

It was all a plot by the nobles to hold her hostage and limit her influence. It was such an obvious ploy, but King John had never suspected a thing.

“What a joy kill, just as we were having a good time.”

He had been busy boasting about the boar he had just hunted. Of course the truth of the matter was that it had only been killed by his huntsmen after an hour long chase, but the nobles showered him with praise all the same.

Simply by being in King John’s good graces, you could basically get anything you wanted.

“I agree, why don’t you try some of this fine wine to change your mood. It comes straight from the Issilon province.”

“That's a good idea, let’s have a taste.”

As King John held his cup in the air, a noble walked over and poured the wine inside. It didn’t take long for the red wine to fill his cup.

“I feel like getting drunk tonight, I’ll also want to be accompanied by many women.”

“You can do as you please, your Majesty.”

“Who would dare stop you?”

As the nobles which participated in the banquet cheered him on, King John downed his cup of wine in a single shot.

Not long after however…

“Ugh….”

King John fell down to the ground, as blood seeped from his mouth. He had finally been poisoned by the rebels.

“Why aren’t any of you doing anything!”

“Call the court physician!”

Some noblemen who weren’t in on it shouted at the Royal guards to act, but they never budged. They had long ago turned their backs on King John.

“Everyone, attention please.”

As the banquet descended into confusion, Count Gwain stood up and spoke, causing all eyes to turn to him.

“I’ll take charge of investigating who murdered the king . Please stay calm and remain in your seats.”

Naturally they wanted to frame someone else for their crimes. All the present nobles trembled in fear, hoping that they weren’t the unlucky one to become the pazzi.

“If there is anyone who tries to escape, you can execute them immediately.”

“Alright.”

The Royal guards consented. He had already compiled his death list. All those that might interfere with their plans would need to be eliminated.

Count Gwain left the banquet hall behind, as he approached the Queen’s chambers.

“You are quite the trickster.”

Woohyuk said, as he had been awaiting his arrival.

“How are you!?”

Count Gwain had a startled expression.

Woohyuk had changed his appearance to match that of Duke Arnold using his Jester Mask. After all, technically the Duke was next in line to inherit the Rhine kingdom’s throne.

“Are you trying to seize power after assassinating the King? But how can you do so while I still live?”

“How did you get into Blackburn? Did you work together with the 1st Legion’s Commander?”

“Kennis? No, I don’t see why he’d help me. I’ll just say that my helper was some foreigner from the far east.”

“Akatsuki clan, that cursed Shinichi has betrayed me in the end….”

Count Gwain quickly jumped to conclusions based on Woohyuk’s description. It was because Sergei, who was Russian, had a similar appearance to the natives from the Rhine kingdom.

Shinichi would have been the only person that the Duke would refer to as a foreigner.

Woohyuk struggled to control his laughter as he saw Count Gwain give new instruction to a member from the Exodus clan.

‘Looks like there will soon be a war between those two clans.’

Sergei and Shinichi were both currently in the northern forests of Cerendia, out in full force with their entire clans.

It was only a matter of time now before the two fought, and he really didn’t care who it was that came out on top.

The goal was to weaken the rebel faction’s overall strength.