"I'm glad you understand, Marquis Garm. And let me make a promise to all of you: once we have subjugated the Raging Kingdom, I shall restore our nation's taxes to their original levels, and impose that same burden upon the people of the Raging Kingdom instead."
"As expected of His Majesty True King Yulian Radius! A once-in-a-generation wise king! With this, our nation's prosperity is all the more assured!"
Marquis Garm, still firmly in the True King's faction, lavished praise upon the sovereign.
"With this, the taxes on our territories will return to normal as well. That should dispel the discontent among our subjects. There is no reason not to send troops — wouldn't you agree, Yarute?"
Marquis Garm seized the moment, borrowing the king's authority to press Yarute.
He was, of course, fully aware that Yarute had allied himself with Harold, son of the King of the Raging Kingdom.
What utter tripe, thought Marquis Round, concealing his agitation behind a calm exterior.
Isn't this simply a ploy to divert domestic discontent by adopting an aggressive foreign posture?
Whether he saw through Marquis Round's thoughts or not, Yulian turned to him.
"Marquis Round, you must feel the same. Your daughter is still missing, and you must be suffering greatly. My heart aches for you as well. But this is for the sake of the nation — send forth your troops. Is that understood?"
Katarina was still missing, and Marquis Round appeared to be searching for her.
By this point, Yulian had begun to wonder whether the matter of the collar had leaked to Marquis Round after all.
Whether that was the case or not, if the man dared resist, Yulian would simply crush him with the power he had obtained through [Royal Grudge].
"Y-Yes, Your Majesty. As you command."
Troops—
would
be
sent.
Marquis Round had already made up his mind.
◇◇◇
That night, the royal castle was surrounded by a multitude of soldiers.
The allied forces of Marquis Round and Marquis Yarute.
"The enemy is within the castle! Strike down the tyrant who dares call himself True King!"
Armored head to toe, Marquis Round rallied the troops with a fiery speech.
"I shall avenge my father's shame!"
Marquis Yarute, too, inspired his soldiers.
"I may be of small help, but please allow me to assist you as well, Marquis Round."
"Oh, you are far too humble, Lord Harold. I have the highest expectations for your [Royal Strategist]."
Harold's [Royal Strategist] was an exceptional skill that dramatically enhanced the capabilities of the armies under his command.
For that reason, Yarute and Round had delegated command authority to Harold.
Thanks to Harold's skill, after the last Elector Kelute was slain, Yarute had been able to gather military strength and amass a considerable force.
Additionally, Marquis Round joined the fold along the way, and although the time was brief, they had their elites compete against one another to hone their individual abilities.
Though the preparations felt somewhat insufficient, having already declared an invasion of another nation, now was the only chance to stop the True King.
◇◇◇
The castle grounds were too confined for a massive army to pour in.
Only the elites would charge in, while the rest surrounded the castle to ensure no one slipped through.
The elites, their abilities dramatically enhanced by [Royal Strategist], did exactly as Yarute and his allies had planned — they defeated the "King's Sword" guarding the king, leaving only the True King and a handful of retainers.
The outcome was decided, most believed.
All that remained was dealing with Yulian.
"Hmph. You managed to defeat the 'King's Sword' with a midnight ambush. How pointless. Kneel before my power!"
Yulian appeared in all his majestic bearing in the spacious central courtyard of the royal castle.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Skills: [Reverse][Divine Eye][Sword God][Fist God][Spear God][Blazing Magic][Frost Magic][Clear Gale Magic][Stone-Iron Magic][Sacred Magic][Dark Magic][Spacetime Magic][Thunder God Blade][Phantom Thief Gentleman][Ninja Master][Seeker of Truth][Monstrous Strength][Idaten][Pain Dulling][Complete Status Abnormality Resistance][Dark Spirit's Protection][Super Intuition][Heaven's Gate][Pact-Maker of the Abyss][Magic Hand][Treasure Search][Temptation][Incitement][Telimesmerism][Eloquence][Great Luck][Tenfold Growth Speed][Growth Limit Breakthrough][Afterimage Magic][Dark Stalker]
Rank: Orichalcum