Volume 2 Chapter 41: Verdict【The Aristocratic Council Arc】

“Tch. What’s going on?”

Clearly irritated to the core, Kelphine clicked his tongue.

That was because the assassination unit he had dispatched had yet to return.

“No way… Are you telling me Bros failed? That can’t be…”

Kelphine had placed great trust in his assassination squad.

After all, they had never once failed when he had given orders.

Moreover, Bros was a prodigy he had personally nurtured.

With strong loyalty and the ability to achieve his objectives by any means necessary with cold precision, he had immense faith in him.

Yet Bros had not made any contact and still hadn’t returned.

The possibility of betrayal was low.

Then the only option was that Bros had failed and been counterattacked.

“…Well, fine. In that case, I’ll resort to other measures. Even just learning that he’s fairly skilled is a gain.”

Bros was not someone to be confronted with mere mediocrity.

Additionally, Kelphine’s assassination squad possessed an extraordinarily high level of teamwork.

Through their coordination, even if one member fell, they would undoubtedly accomplish the intended assassination.

That they had been repelled in counterattack meant that Balor possessed power beyond that.

What sort of power did he have?

Or perhaps, did he have subordinates strong enough to drive Bros and his team away?

Either way, it meant that this was an opponent who must be crushed with even greater caution than before.

Even without resorting to direct force like this time, there were countless ways to crush regional nobles.

That 【Cursed Child】… because of sheltering Izun, the Apophis family could not be allowed to live.

Izun was already in a precarious state, and if it were loudly proclaimed that she had ties with Kelphine, trouble was bound to follow.

Balor—and Izun as well—will be killed.

Even so…

“They were useless.”

He summarily disposed of Bros and his men, who had until now devoted everything for him.

For Kelphine, those who were no longer useful were simply unnecessary.

His assessments had always been harsh.

Now then, how should he go about cornering Balor and his group next?

As he was mulling it over, one of his subordinates addressed him.

“Kelphine-sama, the Noble Council has been convened.”

“What?”

He raised his eyebrows in puzzlement.

“…It’s far too frequent. What’s going on?”

The Noble Council met on a monthly basis.

And there were also extraordinary sessions held.

Since the regular session had already been completed, this was an extraordinary meeting.

Even the recent session regarding the rebellion inquiry against Balor Apophis was an extra meeting.

It was unusual for meetings to be convened so frequently without much interval.

It might even be a matter of national importance.

“Will you be absent?”

“There’s no way the Four Great Nobles can be absent. I’ll attend.”

“Ha”

Unaware that this would prove to be a major strategic blunder, Kelphine set off for the Noble Council.

　 ◆

“We’ve been expecting you. Please, proceed to the seat of honor.”

Upon entering the Noble Council chamber, he was greeted with grand pomp.

Kelphine, as was only natural, made his way to the seat of honor and sat down.

After all, he was one of the Four Great Nobles.

Looking around, he noticed that the other Four Great Nobles had already taken their seats.

“…How unusual.”

It wasn’t that the other Four Great Nobles had arrived before him. The seats in the chamber were nearly all occupied.

The few absences were solely from Kelphine’s faction. In any case, it’s rare for everyone to attend the Noble Council.

It’s natural for absentees to appear—a fifty percent attendance rate is the norm. Yet every member of Resk’s, Silthia’s, and Yoldak’s factions is present.

He frowned in puzzlement at what was going on, but as soon as the moderator began speaking, those doubts were pushed aside.

“Then, since Kelphine-sama is present, allow me to announce today’s agenda.”

For the Noble Council to be convened this frequently, there must be a serious reason. A national crisis could be one, but such matters would have reached Kelphine’s ears in advance, so that possibility is ruled out.

Then, the next possibility is that the Four Great Nobles themselves requested the convening of the Noble Council. But for what reason, exactly?

“That is, the assassins dispatched by Balor Apophis-sama.” “!?”

Words caught in his throat. He had never expected that to be the topic.

He hadn’t believed it could be kept hidden forever. Information is extremely important.

To gather prompt and accurate intelligence, the court nobles have expanded their networks. Among the Four Great Nobles, their networks are vast beyond compare, and Kelphine’s is no exception.

He had assumed that even Silthia—with her exceptional intelligence-gathering skills among the Four Great Nobles—would expose it, but he never expected it to become today’s agenda. What is she planning?

Who is behind this?

“Then, Balor-sama, please explain.”

Furthermore, the detested Balor appeared in the chamber. As expected, he was not dead.

It would have been better if Bros and his men had managed to force a mutual defeat, but they couldn’t even manage that. Though he seethed inwardly, he made no show of it.

“I was staying at an inn arranged by the Noble Council—a venerable establishment with a long history—when suddenly the staff and other guests vanished. In their place, assassins targeting my life appeared.”

Below, Balor began his explanation. Kelphine noted, “I see.”

How Balor managed to bring about the convening of the Noble Council is unclear, but this is not a bad move. In fact, without resorting to this measure, no one could have stopped Kelphine, one of the Four Great Nobles.

However, the other Four Great Nobles surely didn’t convene this Noble Council for free. What did they offer, exactly?

Kelphine found himself somewhat intrigued.

“We managed to repel them somehow, but unless the root of the problem is eradicated, I will continue to be targeted. Therefore, I wished to hear the reason directly from you…”

For a moment, Balor’s eyes locked onto Kelphine. Yet, Kelphine remained unfazed.

He had expected this reaction as soon as Balor began speaking.

“So then, why did you dispatch assassins against me, Kelphine-sama?”

The eyes of the court nobles all turned toward Kelphine. While many would stiffen at the feeling of such gazes, he did not.

He already had a way to get through this.

“…Huh? I don’t get it. Why is my name coming up?”

The way to get through this was simply to feign ignorance. If Kelphine played dumb, he would win.

In this council, his influence is clearly stronger than Balor’s, and he can simply ignore him.

“You insolent bastard! To dare accuse our Kelphine-sama of assassination…!” “But the assassins who attacked me called out Kelphine-sama’s name.”

A noble from Kelphine’s faction raised his voice, but Balor continued without concern.

“(Bros. Failing to accomplish his mission and still spouting off unnecessary words…)”

He cursed, but Balor’s words could not slice Kelphine like a knife.

“That is no evidence. It might simply be that the one trying to frame me happened to call out my name.”

It’s easy to feign ignorance and dismiss it as a baseless accusation. In reality, although no one would openly try to bring Kelphine down—one of the Four Great Nobles—many would attempt to undermine him from behind.

There are even those within his own faction. That makes the claim that he is being framed all the more persuasive.

On the other hand, Balor’s words carry little evidentiary weight. There is no way to prove that he isn’t lying.

“You didn’t really call me here just to falsely accuse me based on that alone, did you?” “…………”

If anything, it becomes a weapon against Balor. He would have nothing to say in response.

The only proof of his innocence is his own word. He grinned.

“If that’s the case, I won’t forgive it. Ah, I won’t forgive it. I will never forget this humiliation, this insolence.”

How fortunate. Even if Bros and his men fail, Kelphine can kill the man who harbors the detested 【Cursed Child】.

He has been humiliated in front of the Four Great Nobles, at the Noble Council, and before many court nobles. From now on, even if he retaliates against Balor in various ways, there will be little criticism.

This contest is his. He doesn’t know who cooperated with Balor to convene the Noble Council, but he will find out and use that as a means to strike back.

“Now, let’s get this verdict over with. Wrap it up quickly—I’m not exactly idle.”

The Noble Council is decided by a majority vote: whether he is guilty or innocent.

Once the majority vote confirms his innocence, he will thoroughly corner Balor and his group.

“…………Then, the verdict. Those who support Kelphine-sama’s innocence, please remain seated. Those who support his guilt, please stand.”

A brief explanation came from the moderator. Kelphine wore a relaxed smile.

His victory is assured. He had wondered what he would do if Bros and his men had failed in their assassination, but as always, things unfolded according to his will.

Therefore…

“Then, the verdict!”

And so, seeing all the other court nobles rise simultaneously, Kelphine…

“――――――Huh?”

Balor, unseen by anyone, raised the corners of his mouth in a grin that threatened to split.