Vol 2 Chapter 75 – A New Enemy【Vol 2 – The Condemned Knight Edition】

“After Biriel, now Natan’s been taken down too. Hmph! Fool.”

“Well, in Natan’s case, he didn’t explicitly oppose the royal family—it was more like being mauled to death by his own dog.”

Two men sat facing each other in conversation.

One was a well-built noble with a stern face.

His name was Main Raat.

The other was a man with refined, youthful features.

As for him, Main didn’t even know what position he held.

In fact, he didn’t even know his name.

He knew the man was supporting Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation, but he knew nothing beyond that.

“Hmph! That guy got tripped up because he was hiding his true nature. It was the failure of someone who didn’t know the obvious truth that secrets can’t be kept hidden forever.”

Main mocked Natan, who’d been a comrade in Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation, with a loud, thunderous voice.

Well, the term “comrade” in this organization differed somewhat from its general meaning.

While they were united in their goal of changing the current regime of the Kingdom of Vilemse, their motivations varied.

For example, some like Natan were satisfied merely infiltrating the nation’s core, while others like Main couldn’t be satisfied unless they rose to prominence themselves.

“I’ll become king! For that, I can’t fall pathetically midway like Biriel or Natan!”

Main was the most ambitious man in Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation.

There was probably no one else besides him who so loudly proclaimed their intention to kill King Rei and become king.

However, to the man, Main’s claims were irrelevant.

He didn’t care whether the king of the Kingdom of Vilemse was King Rei or Main.

“So? How do you plan to achieve that goal?”

“It’s obvious! From ancient times, there’s only ever been one method used to accomplish revolutions or uprisings. Military force.”

Main grinned wickedly at the man’s question.

Unlike other members, he tended to place considerable emphasis on military force.

Indeed, the quickest method would be to overthrow the current regime with military force.

He’s probably not thinking at all about the chaos that would cause or the disadvantages the people would suffer.

The man evaluated Main lowly in his heart.

He believed that those in power, like kings, should care for their people.

While the current King Rei wasn’t exactly a kind king, he couldn’t rate Main—who was trying to cause a civil war that would inflict tremendous damage on the people—higher than King Rei.

Well, it’s not my concern.

The man wouldn’t stop Main for the sake of the Kingdom of Vilemse’s people.

He had no reason to.

“But how do you plan to gather enough military force to overthrow the current regime without King Rei and the others finding out? That’s nearly impossible, isn’t it?”

He knew King Rei didn’t trust the nobles.

The king’s agents were surely lurking in Main’s territory, ready to report any suspicious movements immediately.

However, Main drowned out the man’s concerns with loud laughter.

“Hahahahaha!! You think I’m gathering forces now? Of course not! They’re already gathered in my hands!”

“What?”

At Main’s leering grin, the man showed a dubious expression.

Main’s private army was certainly more rough and sturdy than other nobles’, but it shouldn’t be enough to topple a kingdom with an elite knight order.

However, thinking that far, he remembered something.

“…I see, you plan to use that force? …But do you think that fierce group will obediently follow orders?”

“Hmph! You don’t know their nature. As long as they have conflict, that’s all they need. As long as I provide that, they’ll follow my orders.”

“…I see.”

At Main’s confident words, the man simply nodded.

Indeed, since he didn’t know that group in detail either, he had nothing more to say to Main.

He didn’t care what happened to him.

“I’ll use them and become king! And I’ll create the strongest nation on the continent!!”

Main stood up, raised both arms, and roared loudly.

The man frowned at the noise as he watched, but stood up, having no more business here.

Watching his back, Main muttered.

“…I want to know about you too.”

“…”

“Everyone in Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation, including me, are people trying to do something about this Kingdom of Vilemse. Is that true for you too?”

At Main’s question, the man turned and answered.

“Since you seem to misunderstand, I’ll tell you—I’m not a member of your organization. Let’s see… I’m more like an advisor. If any of you take control of this kingdom, I’ll have you lend me your strength for my purpose afterward.”

“Purpose?”

Hearing the ominous word, Main pressed further.

“Nothing difficult. I just want you to gather information within your territory.”

“Information gathering, huh…”

So once he became king, he wanted him to allocate personnel to search for that information.

I see—that wouldn’t be disadvantageous.

The more people, the easier information gathered, so he understood why the man was helping Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation.

“I see. Then why don’t you help directly? That would speed up my conquest of the nation, wouldn’t it?”

“No, I’ll pass on that. I don’t know when my objective will appear. If I’m exhausted when that happens, it won’t do.”

The man said this and finally left the room.

This time, Main didn’t stop him.

He sat deeply in his chair and chuckled darkly.

“Now that Biriel and Natan are gone, the influential nobles in Knot Fall, Hand of National Salvation can be counted on one hand. That guy who’s my equal seems busy now too… Kukuku, it seems my time has come…!”

Main couldn’t suppress the laughter welling up inside him and continued laughing endlessly.