Chapter 46 (2/2)
Royce stood up as Prince Alfred looked towards him.
As he stood up, Royce heard murmurs all around him.
”That deserting coward…”
”Selfishly using the Brave's power doesn't change the fact that he tried to flee.”
Royce felt scornful gazes from all around him.
To the other n.o.bles, he was just a former General who had been demoted to the rank of Lieutenant.
As Count, he had some influence, but to them, his demotion was proof that he was on the losing side of a power struggle.
Since he couldn't take part in the Council through his military rank, he had to force his way in as a lord of the affected area. They only saw him as somebody who was desperately trying to regain his power in vain.
He himself didn't deny those accusations.
Moreover, his bulging belly and outward appearance lent even more credence to those rumours.
Royce did not say anything about the rumours surrounding him.
If he were to be dismissed from the Imperial Court due to those rumours, he would consider it a blessing.
'I have to look after my subordinates. I can't just get framed and hole up in my territory.'
Royce sighed discretely.
”I was tasked with sheltering the commoners at the rear of the army. I would not have had the honour to work with the Brave.”
”You weren't escorting commoners, you were deserting, were you not?”
Royce glanced at the source of the voice, and saw Marquis Welt van Cliffdorf.
”There were reports that you had used your militia to drive off an enemy force stationed at some village, but there were also reports that you had actually stole the Brave's accomplishments.”
”Oh? I am very interested in where you heard those reports, Marquis. I was ordered to escort the commoners by the late General Feyl. Somebody must have greatly misunderstood, if they thought I had fled. As for the enemies in that village, I had summoned my militia to drive them off so that I could protect the commoners. I am, after all, a coward. I prepared for every possible outcome. I was just blessed with the fact that I came across an enemy force while retreating. Also, the 'some village' you were talking about, happens to be a village in your territory, Doria Village. I do believe some thanks are in order for driving out an enemy force that was terrorizing your precious subjects.”
”Tch… I am deeply thankful.”
Welt clicked his tongue in annoyance.
”We will leave it at that, Count Elstead, Marquis Cliffdorf. There truly was an order signed by General Feyl ordering Count Elstead to retreat. He did not desert. Furthermore, the Brave stayed at the Royal Villa.”
Alfred looked towards the n.o.bles who had claimed that the Brave was at the battlefield.
”Do you have anything to add? Will you claim that I am lying?”
”No, I wouldn't presume to… ”
”With all due respect, Your Highness. Even if she's the Brave, she is still a full-fledged n.o.ble of the Empire, with royal blood in her veins. If Your Highness were to order it, would she not have no alternative but to obey?”
”That should be the case. However, she has been consecrated by the G.o.ddess Anastasia. We cannot force her to do anything. Duke Mavis, am I right?”
Alfred then turned to face Leticia's father, Duke Lecter van Mavis. Duke Mavis wore a sour expression.
”I am afraid so. Your Highness does not have a higher blessing than her.”
”As I thought.”
”If I may, Your Highness.”
Welt once again spoke up.
”Even if the Brave will not proactively lend us her power, it does not make sense to not consider her as part of our military strength. If her country is in a crisis, she will still move to save it. That possibility can still act as a deterrence to other countries.”
”I also have one more thing to say. The army also has the Knight Cadet known as the Master of the Brave. He cannot disobey an order from the leaders of the Knight Order. We could always consider the possibility of ordering him to ask the Brave to lend us her power.”
”Ah, that is true.”
”I see. It is true that he cannot go against an order. And as his disciple, she cannot disobey her Master.”
Some of the n.o.bles murmured in approval.
”At Your Highness's command, I will immediately order that Knight Cadet to ask the Brave to lend us her power against Petersia. We shall show those Petersian dogs h.e.l.l. Shall we?”
Welt gloated at Royce as he said that.
As a n.o.ble, he could also express his opinion, despite Welt's higher rank.
However, as according to military ranks, he was a mere Lieutenant, while Welt was a Commander.[2]
He couldn't object, nor speak up. He could only comply.
”Only Marquis Cliffdorf could think of that action.”
”I can already imagine those Petersian whelps turning tail and fleeing upon seeing the Brave at the head of our Imperial Knight Order!”
Welt nodded in satisfaction at that exclamation of flattery, raising his hand in the air.
”Your Highness, at your command, I will lead the army with the Brave, and the Empire's flag shall fly over Peterisa's palace. Will it, and it shall be done!”
”Ah, about that, Marquis Cliffdorf.”
Believing that everything was decided, Welt smiled at Alfred.
”I am sorry, but Knight Cadet Wynn Byrd has been rea.s.signed.”
”Huh?”
”There's a good reason behind this.”
After a stunned silence, the conference hall broke into an uproar.
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