178fury
178For a clear ending (4)
My head was spinning..
Is this real or am I dreaming.
Marquis Benedict, who had enjoyed omnipotent power just fifteen days ago, looked ahead with a blank expression..
“tell me the solution!”
“Is there any solution? It's already over. Baron Winston's army was completely destroyed, and it would not be surprising if Benedict Castle collapsed at any time. Didn't the imperial faction suddenly cut off contact as soon as they heard this news? The only way to survive now is to open the gate and surrender.!”
“Surrender! Does that make sense??!”
There was an uproar.
People who had never raised their voices, led by Marquis Benedict, now blushed at each other without even paying attention..
It was a truly miserable situation..
At one time, I thought that the aristocratic faction was the future of Cairo, but when I faced the crisis, I felt that they were worse than the Cairo royal family..
It was then.
Kwaang!
“Everyone stop! Now is not the time.”
It was Viscount Owen..
At his action of hitting the table, the nobles huffed and held back their words..
“As you said, we are pushed to the edge. But surrender is absolutely impossible. Although it has not been officially revealed, according to information flowing from the northeastern region, it is said that Roman Dmitry was involved in the destruction of Barko. Not only that, but if you look at his actions so far, Roman Dmitry has shown that he thoroughly tramples the forces that are hostile to him. This means that he is different from the weak and soft king. But what happens if you open the gates to him? Only ordinary soldiers will save their lives, but it is certain that all of our leaders will lose their heads..”
“……So what are we going to do? We are running out of mana stones to maintain our magic defenses..”
“you're right. It's only two or three days at most. In that, we need to turn the situation around.”
I saw the Marquis Benedict.
Looking at him who was still confused, Viscount Owen spoke in a firm voice:.
“Marquis Benedict. The imperial faction is not the only force that can solve our problems. Wouldn't it be better to skip them and join hands with the Empire directly??”
“what does that mean?”
“It's a fight that's over anyway. Rather than waiting for the day to die, it is more important to survive even if it means becoming a vassal state. The Kronos Empire would never refuse our offer. If they were always trying to use Cairo as a bridgehead for conquering the continent, they would unconditionally accept our offer of sacrifice. A situation where all the leaders of the imperial faction were taken away. Now is your last chance to convince the Empire..”
Marquis Benedict's eyes came alive..
yet.
the war is not over.
Now that Benedict Castle had not collapsed, it was their last chance to sell their cards at a high price..
The worries were short-lived..
The decision to sell the country was such a light concern..
“Contact Kronos right now. I will personally negotiate with them..”
* * *
The magic communication was connected immediately..
When Baron Charlton, a member of the Kronos Ministry of Foreign Affairs, showed his face, Marquis Benedict spoke straight to the point..
“I think you already know our situation. Please save the noble faction. If you help us overthrow the Cairo royal family, we will declare ourselves a vassal and swear allegiance to Kronos from now on..”
There was no pretense..
When I bowed my head, I did not tremble with unnecessary arrogance..
[……Hmm. I'm sorry, but there are already forces in the Kingdom of Cairo that follow the Kronos Empire. Isn't it a known fact that it is Count Gregory? If we were to choose a scarecrow to rule the Cairo royal family, we should choose Count Gregory, considering his hard work, not you, Marquis Benedict..]
“Yes, I know. But now things are different.”
gave strength to my voice.
If we couldn't persuade them, there was no way to stop the devil of Cairo from attacking us..
“The Cairo royal family began a purge led by Roman Dmitry. To begin with, he first captured Count Gregory and Count Denver, who followed the empire. Do you think they will be released safely? The moment the noble faction that follows me collapses, their lives are no different from the end. Roman Dmitry will certainly use this opportunity to take full control of Cairo, and the Empire will not be allowed any room to intrude then. So what I'm saying is, let's use each other. If Kronos shows a little mercy, the nobles will kneel down to the Cairo royal family as stooges of the empire. Later, when the continental conquest is declared, the Kingdom of Cairo will be willing to make sacrifices for the Kronos Empire..”
conquer the continent.
It is a decision that requires sacrifice..
However, if Kronos remains the winner, in fact only the soldiers will die and the leaders will be able to maintain power..
at last.
I put my kingdom on the line.
For his own survival, Marquis Benedict did not hesitate at all to become a traitor..
“It is a choice that will not make much difference to the Kronos Empire. From Gregory to Benedict. The people who sacrifice for the Kronos Empire will be different, and the Empire will only have to take the fruits of our efforts..”
[You really enjoy what you say..]
Baron Charlton grinned..
Marquis Benedict saw the essence.
In fact, for the Kronos Empire, it was not that important who took over the kingdom, which was merely a beachhead..
when needed.
A person who will fulfill a necessary role.
It didn't matter if it was Benedict, not Gregory..
[In fact, we were very disappointed in the situation in which Count Gregory was helplessly captured. Although we have supported them so far, they have not been able to take advantage of them at all. Say it once. What do you want Kronos to do??]
“Attack the Western Front.”
[Tsk tsk tsk, are you asking me to attack my country now??]
“yes. Please do not just attack the first line of defense as you have always done, but go beyond that and send a warning message to the royal family in Cairo. So that we can prove that the Kronos Empire and the noble faction have joined forces. If you make aggressive moves on the Western Front, I will take care of the rest..”
didn't expect much.
The mere fact that the Kronos Empire has sided with the aristocratic faction will give Marquis Benedict some relief..
First, there will be a justification to bring back the imperialists who ignored the difficulties, and if they threaten the Cairo royal family based on this fact, they will not be able to continue attacking Benedict Castle..
If you just stood by and watched.
They would think that the troops coming from the Western Front might capture the royal family..
It was a reasonable offer.
Even though it was in conflict with the Alliance of Kingdoms, attacking the Western Front was not that difficult for Kronos..
[All right. I accept your offer.]
Authority of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
It was an easy problem that did not even require the emperor's permission..
With just one reply from Baron Charlton, Cairo, a small nation, fell into great confusion..
* * *
only 12 hours.
Immediately after Kronos accepted the proposal, a hell of chaos unfolded due to the imperial army that invaded the western front..
3dog cordon.
2 of them were pierced.
The Cairo royal family was shocked by the unusual move to attack the third cordon..
simon said.
“……Currently, the Kronos Empire is reorganizing its battle lines and preparing to attack the third blockade. If even that is breached, the Kronos Empire army will invade Cairo's territory. His Majesty the King. Please give me an order. We must somehow stop the imperial army pouring in from the Western Front..”
this attack.
It was a sudden disaster without cause..
There may be criticism later through the international community, but the problem was that the tragedy was happening right before our eyes..
It was then.
“A communication request has been received from Marquis Benedict..”
couldn't refuse.
movement of empire.
Since it was highly likely that it originated from the aristocratic faction, Daniel Cairo connected the communication with a cold expression..
beyond the screen.
The face of Marquis Benedict appeared..
[It’s been a while, Your Majesty..]
“What on earth is this? No matter how disadvantaged you are, why drag the empire into problems within the kingdom?!”
[We had no choice. Roman Dmitri is putting pressure on you to the point where you can't breathe, but shouldn't you survive somehow? Listen carefully now. The noble faction joined hands with the Kronos Empire. For that reason, the Kronos Empire attacked the western front, and while the kingdom's army wasted time in front of Benedict Castle, it would lay waste to Cairo's territory..]
It was a fierce voice.
The person who was bowing his head suddenly showed his sharp teeth with an arrogant face..
[The Kronos Empire has always coveted Cairo. We have given them a reason to intervene in the civil war, and now it is only a matter of time before Cairo falls. What difference do you think will make if Roman Dmitry captures Castle Benedict? Finally, we will give you a chance to choose. If you promise to be content to play the role of scarecrow as you have been, I will finish this job by cutting off your Majesty's limbs. Well, I'll save the Royal Knight. If you don't get more greedy, your Majesty can live as King of Cairo for a long time. That's my final consideration considering our past affection..]
king's seat?
it didn't matter.
No matter who is called the king, people will think that Marquis Benedict is the ruler of Cairo..
So it opened a way for me to live..
Rather than pushing the opponent to the end and making them fight to the death, the offer to spare King Cairo led to internal strife with Dmitry. That was enough. While the indecisive king was unable to make a choice and was in confusion, Marquis Benedict was confident of turning the situation around..
[This problem is over once the Kronos Empire steps forward. His Majesty the King. This is your last chance. Think carefully and make a wise decision..]
Tuk.
communication was lost.
The missing face of Marquis Benedict.
In such a one-sided conversation, Daniel Cairo could not hide his devastated expression..
* * *
royal palace conference room.
fell into silence.
No one was hasty to say anything.
If you choose to fight to the death, the royal family will be destroyed, but if you choose the opposite, forces like Dmitri who followed the royal family will be wiped out..
It was a matter of choice.
Marquis Benedict cruelly induced internal strife in the hope of survival..
benedict.
This is the person I once called my maternal uncle..
A person born in the same bloodline has now pushed himself to the edge..
‘My situation is truly miserable..’
king's seat.
Daniel Cairo never wanted to.
It was a reality I had to accept because I was born into royalty, and the power I gained at a young age had no meaning..
scarecrow king.
it was his reality.
Although he tried to lead Cairo in the right direction with the help of Roman Dmitry, Marquis Benedict brought in a monster he could not handle..
What would it have been like if they had killed him without giving him a choice?.
Even if his head was blown off by Kronos, Daniel Cairo would have calmly accepted reality..
‘If I abandon Dmitri, I can survive..’
but.
What does that mean?.
Even if you can maintain your meager life, you will have to live a life like a scarecrow, following what others tell you to do..
‘Even if I help Dmitry defeat the noble faction, my power is not guaranteed. Dmitry will form a force comparable to the royal family, and maybe he will remain just another scarecrow. I, Daniel Cairo, was destined to live as a scarecrow. If that is an unavoidable reality, I want to make choices for the kingdom no matter what happens to my life..’
benedict.
He is a traitor who sold out his country..
If I was going to survive as his scarecrow, I wanted to at least represent Dmitri's words when he spoke about the future of the kingdom..
a miserable life.
accepted reality.
Even though he did not have the ability to turn a weak country into a strong country, he believed in and followed his own values in the options given to him..
“Simon.”
“yes.”
made a choice.
The Cairo royal family.
“Contact Roman Dmitry right now..”
Although he will remain a weak and incompetent king, he will not be recorded in history as a traitor..
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