The atmosphere turns awkward for a mont. Grand Duke Kolen raises his hand, signaling the knights and guards around him to step back.
Kolen flashes a smile. “Both of those explanations sound absolutely ridiculous! First off, there’s no way the entire Kingdom of Ika is targeting the Holy Spirit Church’s chosen ones. There’s definitely no disrespect toward the Holy Spirit Church, so I think you, Henwell, are misunderstanding that.”
”Second, the idea that rebel bandits killed Viscount Oyley and his elite troops is just absurd. Honestly, anyone who hears that will laugh it off. No one’s buying it. I think we need to discuss how to handle this situation properly.”
Henwell sneers. “From where I stand, there are only two possibilities. Either I killed Viscount Oyley, or the bandits did.”
Henwell’s goal is clear: he wants everyone to think Oyley’s death is suspicious and the reasons behind it are bullshit! Otherwise, more minor nobles might get reckless and co looking for trouble with him.
The kingdom’s two top officials realize just how tricky this situation is. It turns out that, Henwell didn’t keep moving ahead but stopped to wait for them exactly to ensure this matter proceeds according to his ideas.
Henwell’s stance is obvious now: either admit that Oyley was killed by bandits, or admit that Oyley tried to ambush Henwell and failed, and Henwell killed him in self-defense.
Besides, the fight didn’t happen out in the wild, but dozens of miles from Oyley’s castle. Oyley, with several hundred elite troops, forming formation like that can’t be seen as coming to greet Henwell and his group.
If they want to pin this on Henwell’s party, then Oyley had to have been killed inside his own castle!
But if they say Oyley was killed by a mob, not only would the South Regions’ nobles beco a laughingstock, but the Ika Kingdom’s higher-ups wouldn’t get any cooperation from local minor nobles when they try to deal with Henwell later.
You can’t just send an idiot against a clever bastard like Henwell.
You need scheming and planning, which ans smart people have to carry it out.
But after all this, which smart noble would dare to be the first to step up and take the lead?
Royal Inspector Bondis forces a smile. “Lord Henwell! This is indeed shocking! How about this: we slightly tweak the story you told earlier, and that should be the truth.”
”For example, because of the bandits, Viscount Oyley mistakes your group’s identity, leading to a clash. After things settle, Oyley lets you leave first. On the way back, Oyley’s heavily battered troops fall into an ambush by the bandits.”
”In the end, Oyley’s forces wipe out the enemy but are nearly wiped out themselves. As for you, Lord Henwell, you offer a small apology, hold a morial for the fallen Viscount, and pay so symbolic compensation.”
Henwell sneers. “Ha! Now you want to back down? Too damn late! I’m not taking the bla for indirectly killing a kingdom’s viscount. Either admit I killed him, or this has nothing to do with . And as for the morial? Sorry, I’m too busy!”
Dream on!
Viscount Oyley was there to block Henwell’s advance and stall for ti. If Henwell agreed to that, he’d be stuck for a month at least, unable to leave. By then, the ambush waiting wouldn’t be so random bandits but a carefully planned death trap.
The tension lingers. Grand Duke Kolen waves his hand. “Henwell, sit down first. Let lay out how we’ll handle this. Everyone, feel free to add anything.”
”The Orak passed through our lands, but soone tried to fra them. The Billie Kingdom sent spies early on, who infiltrated the mob under Oyley’s control. Oyley discovered them and led his troops to wipe them out.”
”But among the mobs were Billie Kingdom’s assassins, ready to ambush the Orak. The two sides clashed fiercely and both were wiped out on the battlefield. The Orak never entered the combat zone and know nothing about this.”
After finishing, Kolen looks at the kingdom’s two top officials. “Any comnts on this version?”
“No way! This damages the kingdom’s dignity too much!”
“A mid-to-high-ranking noble of the kingdom dies in such a ridiculous way?”
Kolen chuckles lightly. “I’m just suggesting. If you two think it’s inappropriate, feel free to handle it your way. You can arrest Henwell and the Orak. This isn’t my problem anymore. Just don’t start fighting in my mansion!”
With a sharp clang, Henwell draws his two long swords from his waist. He slaps the platinum cross star badge onto his chest, fastening it to a ring on his breastplate.
“Brother! Let’s fight our way out together! I’ll cover your escape—take the others and run straight back into Vorry territory. Then notify the Holy Spirit Church about everything that happened here. Rember everyone present. Make sure Archbishop Atwood arrests them all. Burn them at the stake! Or just use that divine punishnt magic to kill them outright!”
Orak chuckles, rubbing his nose. His brother really is sothing else. For so reason, he’s obsessed with holding onto his Holy Spirit Church identity.
Orak doesn’t quite understand what the Holy Spirit Church really is. From what he knows, the Church might have so influence over the kingdom, but surely not enough to control everything behind the scenes!
But Henwell knows better. The country’s rise and transformation all require the Church’s permission. Maybe the Holy Spirit Church can’t dominate the entire continent, but as long as they control the royal families and top noble houses, that’s enough.
Orak doesn’t get it, but he’s willing to play along.
He doesn’t draw his weapon, just stands beside Henwell as Henwell glares murderously at the crowd.
“Brother! If you get the chance, when you et Archbishop Atwood, make sure you tell him this, I didn’t disgrace the church knights. I fought evil to the end. I served the church faithfully and earned glory for the gods. You better add so extra spice when you tell the archbishop about these people’s ugly faces and rebellious acts!”
Grand Duke Kolen nearly bursts out laughing.
The other nobles roll their eyes at such shaless talk.
Orak presses a hand on Henwell’s shoulder. “Don’t get worked up. These two officials probably don’t an it like that. They don’t represent the Kingdom of Ika in opposing the church. They agree with Grand Duke Kolen’s proposal and wouldn’t want to embarrass him.”
“Here’s what I’ll do,” Orak declares. “Since Viscount Oyley died because of assassins trying to kill us, we can’t just let it slide. I’ll personally offer five thousand gold coins as thanks for the viscount’s righteous actions.”
There’s a way forward now. Continuing this deadlock benefits no one.
In the end, everyone agrees on this official story.
Henwell sheaths his swords but suddenly howls out, “Viscount Oyley died so damn unjustly—ah—”
The crowd’s faces darken. This ti, it’s no lie or nonsense.
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