Episode 183: The Usurper

The government building where Siegfried currently conducts his administrative affairs. In a conference room within that complex. In that space, which could hardly be called spacious, Siegfried and the executive officers under his command had gathered together.

King of Kirchhen, Siegfried.

Grand Master and First Corps Commander of the Kingdom Knights, Beatrice Nightray.

Second Corps Commander, Leon Vague.

Third Corps Commander, Fen=Val Gren.

Royal Aegis Commander, Ricardo Barcelos.

In Siegfried’s regime, which bore the strong characteristics of a military state, these military executives held positions equivalent to high-ranking officials such as the Interior Minister and other ministerial-level positions.

Additionally, Chamberlain Evan Easton.

The Chamberlain is both the head of those who manage the king’s personal affairs and someone who holds the position of advising the king.

While positioned below ministerial rank in the power structure, in reality, as the king’s closest aide, he wielded influence equivalent to that of a prime minister.

It should be noted that Siegfried currently does not have a prime minister position established.

And there was also the figure of the new Interior Minister, Wilhelm von Kreutzel. Besides him, high-ranking officials holding key positions in both military and political affairs had assembled.

While looking around at those gathered around the round table, Chamberlain Evan opened his mouth.

“The reason we have asked everyone to gather here today is none other than this. We are here to deliberate on the political upheaval that has erupted in Serodonia.”

The meeting’s agenda and content had been communicated to all attendees in advance. Everyone quietly waited for Evan’s words to continue.

“As you are all aware—His Majesty King Radophilias of Serodonia has passed away. And as his successor, His Highness Garfilia=Legrie Borbon de Serodonia has ascended to the throne.”

At that point, Wilhelm posed a question.

“There are rumors that the new King Garfilia murdered the former King Radophilias. What is the truth of these rumors?”

“In my assessment—those rumors are true.”

Siegfried quietly nodded.

“Certainly King Radophilias was aging—but he did not appear to be on the verge of death. Nevertheless, he died suddenly at this particular time. We can consider that Garfilia was involved in the murder.”

“……Wanting to become king so badly that he’d kill his own father? Even among us, while we do fight over clan leadership……I’ve never heard of patricide.”

Fen muttered softly.

“Luverios did the same sort of thing. The throne must be something one desires to obtain at any cost.”

“……What’s happening with Princess Sylphirosé? Is the princess safe?”

Leon voiced his concern.

“Yes. Regarding that matter, new information has just arrived. Lady Sylphirosé is reported to be safe.”

Those who showed expressions of relief at those words were—Ricardo, who was from Serodonia, and his deputy Feder.

“If he were to lay hands on Sylphirosé as well, that would be tantamount to confessing that he murdered King Radophilias. Garfilia isn’t foolish enough for that.—However, I don’t think he’ll leave Sylphirosé, who holds political influence, alone without doing anything.”

Siegfried showed an amused smile around his mouth.

“He’s probably unilaterally dissolving his engagement with me and trying to marry her off to some other man, right?”

“……You knew about this?”

Unable to hide his surprise, Evan turned his gaze to Siegfried.

“Garfilia is now the villain. And the actions a villain takes are predictable.”

“Your assessment is exactly right, Lord Siegfried. Just a moment ago, a secret messenger dispatched by Lady Sylphirosé arrived. According to his report, Lady Sylphirosé received threats from the new King Garfilia. She was ordered to break off her engagement with Lord Siegfried……and to marry Lord Dobrüil, a noble who fled from Kirchhen.”

Sylphirosé would not have yielded even if her own life had been threatened. However, when the lives of her retainers were held hostage, she likely had no means to resist.

“Hey, who’s this Dobrüil……?”

Fen tilted her head.

“Duke Dobrüil von Getis Radenberno. He is one of the ‘Five Great Nobles’ of the Kirchhen Kingdom, Lady Fen.”

Evan’s response was followed by Siegfried’s words.

“This man’s mother is from the Kirchhen royal family. In other words, he has inherited the royal bloodline strongly. Therefore, he was a man who saw no light under the Luverios regime.”

“Um……why?”

Fen swayed her tail back and forth.

“Because Luverios despised all royalty other than himself. Among the Five Great Nobles, Dobrüil, who was close to the royal family, was treated coldly. And—as soon as I became King of Kirchhen, Dobrüil fled to Serodonia.”

The reason was clear. Dobrüil feared being killed by Siegfried. In fact, all the other ‘Five Great Nobles’ had been defeated by Siegfried and his subordinates.

Furthermore, even if his life had been spared—under Siegfried’s regime, which advocated meritocracy, the former title of ‘Five Great Nobles’ and Kirchhen royal bloodline held no value whatsoever. But if he fled to Serodonia, the story was different.

“Probably, Garfilia’s scheme is this. He intends to treat Dobrüil as the legitimate successor of the Kirchhen royal family, and argue that Dobrüil, who carries royal blood, is truly worthy of being the true King of Kirchhen. Eventually, he’ll deny my royal authority. That I, who doesn’t carry a single drop of royal blood, am nothing more than—a usurper.”

Siegfried let his mouth relax as if he were enjoying that development.

At that moment, Beatrice’s voice rang out powerfully.

“Certainly, Lord Siegfried is not one who inherits the blood of the Kirchhen royal family. However, King Luverios met his end at the hands of the people. And it was Lord Siegfried who ascended to the throne with the support of those people. I do not believe that to be usurpation. Rather, isn’t King Garfilia, who murdered his father king and seized the throne, the true usurper?”

In response to those words, Wilhelm spun his words in a quiet tone.

“That judgment belongs to the realm of royal authority theory—that is, political philosophy that debates the legitimacy of rule. What is right and what is wrong……these are not matters that can be easily concluded. But regardless of theory, reality is in motion. ……King Siegfried. What do you intend to do?”

Everyone’s gazes naturally focused on Siegfried.

At the center of it all, he declared with a confident smile on his face.

“It’s decided. I will—strike down Garfilia.”