Episode 589 Departure from the Royal Road (6)
After passing through the castle gate and driving along the long road, the scenery of the Royal Road was clearly revealed.
Just around the time the crescent moon rises.
The faint stars in the sky showed off their presence, and the image of the village dyed in vermillion to try not to lose came into my eyes.
The small stream of water flowing leisurely in front of the red roof and white wall house was beautiful even at a cursory glance.
Seeing couples enjoying boating and chatting with a lantern on it makes me feel better.
Ray was genuinely amazed.
“It’s a great view.”
As soon as you enter the gate, such a magnificent view awaits you.
If you go up along the long stream of water, there is a huge castle.
As if preparing for a festival, even in the early evening, the stalls lined up on the streets and the bustling merchants seemed lively at a glance.
Count Sylvester proudly spread his chest and spoke.
“Isn’t it a nice scenery? I also hate the nobles around the capital, but I tend to like the capital itself.”
Who would hate to see such scenery?
Ray nodded without speaking.
The carriage rides up the hill.
It is visible that the horses are struggling because they have turned off the wagon for a long time.
Moreover, the place where the castle was located was uphill, so the tired horses were on the verge of collapsing with bubbles.
Could it have been ten more minutes from that?
Finally, the castle gate was visible, and the horses, which had been struggling to survive, collapsed to the ground. The Royal Knights who
stood
guard laughed when they saw it.
“It seems Count Sylvester doesn’t have the money to buy a few more horses.”
“You overworked the horse to the point of collapsing. No matter how little it is, isn’t it too much? ha ha ha.”
The fact that they talked with each other in a low voice and the knights of Sylvester who had clear ears had to endure all the insults.
In the case of young knights, there were also those who turned their heads away while blushing.
The captain of the knights approached them and showed them their cards.
“Count Sylvester has arrived. Please open the gates.”
“For what purpose did you find the royal castle?”
Now it’s openly half-worded.
No matter how much he is a knight of the royal family, it was not enough to treat the captain of the knights of the count family disrespectfully for a mediocre knight, so the captain’s sword taste squirmed for a while.
Holding back his anger, he opened his mouth.
“You have come to have an audience with His Majesty the King. Did you get an answer?”
“Hmm, I get it. Hey, open the gate.”
The gate
opens with a loud sound.
The carriages of the Sylvester family entered the castle one by one.
After a few days of camping, it was the moment we finally arrived at the castle.
* * *
Upon receiving the news that Count Sylvester had arrived, King Heron’s face brightened for an instant.
“You’ve finally arrived.”
How long have you been waiting for your neck to drop?
The Marquis of Garen and Viscount Mace, who usually didn’t want to see them, but at this time, I was curious about their safety.
The news reporter lowered his head and said.
“Yes, since the sun has set, it seems that I will see you in the morning.”
At that, King Heron shook his hand.
“done. You will meet the Count right away, so prepare and tell him.”
“…Are you talking now? All right.”
Since when was the king unable to live without Count Sylvester?
I wondered if the sun had risen, and I was willing to see what I could meet now, but the driver didn’t ask and left Daejeon.
* * *
Earl Sylvester, who was resting in the private room assigned to the royal castle, was startled by the messenger’s sudden words.
“Your Majesty wants to see you now?”
“yes.”
“Is anything going on? Somehow…”
Count Sylvester, who was about to say something, shook his head and cut off his words.
“No, no. I’ll let you go soon.”
What were you trying to say?
The knight tilted his head for a moment, then gave a short yes.
“Then let’s go.”
Left alone in the private room, Count Sylvester let out a drool.
He was a king who was usually not interested in whether or not he came to the royal castle.
However, it must be because of the work of the Marquis Garen and Viscount Mace that they are receiving such an enthusiastic welcome.
‘I made him shut up so much… but rumors must have spread somewhere.’
If the king knows, sooner or later the central nobles will also know.
Of course, the king wouldn’t want the central nobility to move.
That’s why it must be trying to finish it quickly.
Count Sylvester, dressed neatly, headed for Daejeon, guided by a servant.
* * *
Nobles began to arrive at the Heron Castle.
Numerous wagons lined up to enter the gate, leaving only the soldiers and attendants busy.
“The Viscount is coming!”
“Come this way!”
No matter how much it is a prince’s birthday, it is rare for so many nobles to visit.
Gathered under the solemn order of King Heron, they entrusted the wagon to the attendants and immediately had a meeting among themselves.
The nobles who had gathered one by one sought each other to ask what was going on.
Viscount Veron, who inherited the title of Viscount at the young age of thirty, looked around and asked.
“I am here because His Majesty called urgently… Does anyone know the reason?”
The nobleman sitting across from him shook his head slightly.
“It’s something we don’t know. I heard that Count Sylvester visited the royal castle, so it might have something to do with it?”
The other nobles didn’t react much to his half-questioned words.
However, only those who belonged to the central aristocratic faction were talking about Gingaming.
They gathered quietly in a corner and exchanged glances among themselves.
‘Don’t you think the Marquis Garen and Viscount Mace are related?’
‘I think so too.’
Count Sylvester suddenly found the royal palace, or the king who summoned all the nobles by holding a grand banquet.
There was nothing suspicious about it.
If Marquis Garen and Viscount Mace had committed something wrong…
‘The status of the central faction would fall significantly.’
If it wasn’t for that, there’s no way that Count Sylvester would have confidently visited the royal castle.
A few quick-witted nobles left quietly so as not to be noticed by others.
* * *
Count Sylvester, who visited Daejeon, straightened his back while straightening his clothes.
“Count Sylvester eats it!”
The door slowly opened with the soldier’s loud cry.
King Heron, who was sitting on the throne, rose from his seat.
“Count Sylvester was waiting for you.”
“Yes, Your Majesty…”
Count Sylvester was thrilled in his own way.
I never thought the king would welcome me and stand up from the throne.
Count Sylvester’s face was slightly more excited than before, as he had never received such a warm reception before.
Did you notice that fact?
King Heron even made him sit in a chair.
“Come on, don’t stand still. Sit down. Aren’t you embarrassed to even stand up for nothing? ha ha ha.”
Now Count Sylvester seemed to be in tears as he burst into laughter as he offered a seat.
He never thought that he would be welcomed by the king while he was still alive.
He put aside his overflowing joy for a moment and paid his respects.
“It is late to say hello. I see His Majesty the King.”
“Okay, sit down first. I have a lot to ask of you.”
“yes.”
As soon as Count Sylvester put his ass on the chair.
As if he had waited, King Heron launched a barrage of questions.
“I read the letter. I heard at first glance that you are escorting two criminals?”
“That’s right. If it weren’t for the guests staying at my mansion, I would have been in big trouble.”
“Oh-oh, that was so dangerous.”
At the word ‘big deal’, the king wriggled his sword.
The bigger the job, the better for him.
I hope it’s a big deal like Count Sylvester said.
while hiding my feelings.
King Heron pretended to appease the count and asked.
“Those who dare to play tricks on the count will be dealt with especially severely by me. But what crime did you commit to personally escort me?”
Now, Count Sylvester’s words will decide everything.
Is it an issue worth bringing before the king?
If it was a big event, the status of the central aristocrats would fall to the ground, and if not, only their side, which was inflated, would be sold.
The King waited for the Count’s reply to follow.
After clearing his throat for a moment, Count Sylvester quietly opened his mouth.
“…The Marquis of Garen and Viscount Mace have poisoned the mansion they saw.”
poison!
King Heron’s eyes widened.
Isn’t this absolutely awesome?
It was not difficult not only to execute the ringleader, but also to dethrone his title and confiscate his property, if it was to the extent of poisoning the mansion.
If he was a little more greedy, it was possible to drive the nobles related to him.
“They poisoned my attendants and also tried to kill my family members.”
At those words, King Heron pretended to think and nodded.
“good night. If it’s that level of crime, it’s not difficult to punish me. I have only one concern.”
“What is?”
“Is there any evidence? The two will surely deny their guilt. If things go wrong, we might end up punishing only you, the poor one.”
King Heron deliberately made his expression strong.
‘If you don’t want to be like that, put something that can be evidence.’ It could be said that it was a word with a meaning.
Count Sylvester nodded obediently.
“I saw it myself. My knights and I witnessed them release the poison.”
“Why would someone who knows do this? You know that eyewitness accounts have limits, don’t you?”
It means to provide clearer evidence than that.
At that, Count Sylvester unpacked the bundle he had brought.
Then, a dark gray incense burner, which should have been kept in the royal family, appeared.
The Count didn’t say anything after that, but King Heron was able to notice what had happened.
‘It looks like it was stolen from the report. Besides, it would make sense if the poison was released after putting all the attendants to sleep. On top of that, Count Sylvester, who had never been to the royal castle, would never be falsely accused of stealing from the treasury.’
That was perfect evidence.
King Heron raised an eyebrow.
“good night. I will punish them severely. Also, I will reward you for finding the royal property.”
“thank you.”
The Count, who wants the Marquis and Viscount to be punished, and the King, who tries to weaken the power of the central nobility.
A deal that was not a deal between the two was concluded that way.
