Chapter 178

Cariosa accepted Valencius’s proposal.

They had advanced the grand army of 65,000 only to a location about a day’s march from Silentalouon.

The direct vassals from the eastern region who accompanied her arrived beneath the walls of Silentalouon with only about 300 guards and a handful of administrative officers.

The old court official treated them with courtesy, and the eastern vassals headed to the hotel with satisfaction.

Two days later, Cariosa arrived beneath the walls with Valencius.

Leading a guard of 4,000.

The security guards and constables attempted to state that the limit was 300 people, but only someone with an elite force of 5,000 could tell someone who brought an elite force of 4,000 to follow the rules.

The grand knight commanding the 30,000 troops gathered from the central region was making veiled threats and pleas, while the Chief of Police demanded an unreasonable amount of arms tax from Cariosa.

However.

“I will pay.”

“Excuse me?”

“I said I will pay. Step aside.”

Faced with Cariosa’s outstretched chest filled with gold bars, they could only stand dumbfounded like a bee with honey in their mouths and retreat.

“My safety is of utmost importance.”

The gold wall crumbled miserably before the hammer made of even more gold.

Thus, the grand army of 4,000 entered into the walls of Silentalouon.

Citizens from the central region, seeing the ornate armor of the blue-scaled sea men from the eastern region and the white shark flag, trembled and prayed that they would not turn into raiders or rebels.

No one thought the Emperor would be defeated, but it was entirely conceivable that the Emperor might look the other way at a “bit of unrest” to gain their loyalty.

However, the sea men following the heir of Summerlin were certainly not mercenary-like criminals.

They were united with unwavering military discipline and cohesion, and they did not threaten the citizens of the capital recklessly.

Barbatos, who had prepared additional constables thinking they would swarm the red-light district every night, was thrown into confusion.

Of course, there weren’t any incidents without exceptions.

Initially, Valencius and Hadrian did not plan to allow more than 1,000 troops from each family into the city, and of course, the open spaces they had prepared could not accommodate 4,000 soldiers.

“Just push them all east!”

“Then we have to find new barracks for the six families.”

“Not close to the Imperial Palace. Create space by any means necessary.”

“There is a market! Including the warehouse site, there’s ample space.”

“Good. It will be closed during the period of the High Nobles’ barracks.”

“Then there will be backlash from the citizens and merchants.”

The administrative officers of the Imperial Court and Hadrian made space “by any means possible.”

“Valencius…”

“It can’t be said that the Infiltrators entered twice. Compensate for the arms tax received so that they don’t starve.”

“Couldn’t it be prevented?”

“I reduced 65,000 to 4,000. Did you need more?”

“… No. That’s enough.”

“Good.”

Valencius flew over the market on a wyvern, conjuring low-temperature flames.

“Hahaha!”

The wave of flames swept over the market, and as traders fled, constables arrived to organize the scene and brought in the army.

People were not fools and quickly realized that Duke Valencius had closed the market to bring in the army.

“How much bribe did he take!”

“That insane bandit brat!”

“Our parents fell while fleeing and broke their legs.”

Curses burst out.

Maidens and attendants of the Imperial Palace feared going outside and even sent errand boys to do their shopping.

However, Valencius was always receiving insults.

“All 4,000 troops have set up an encampment.”

“Until now, there have been no military clashes with the Black Iron Knights or constables.”

“The audience preparation is complete, Your Majesty. His Majesty is waiting for you.”

He always suffered.

“Yes. I will go up right away.”

He endured again this time.

* * *

“A marriage alliance. You wish to take me as a son-in-law and become king.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Valencius reported respectfully, while Jeilliris tapped her desk with her ring-adorned fingers.

Tap, tap, tap.

The Emperor’s worry did not last long.

“I refuse that condition. If the eastern region becomes independent, the northern region will raise its voice for independence too, and the Empire’s territory will be split in two. I intended to stabilize the Empire and then liberate the entire continent from the threat of the Infiltrators through expansion policies. I cannot agree to conditions that go against my intentions.”

“If Your Majesty rejects the title of king, Cariosa will undoubtedly seek the title of Duke and my loyalty.”

There was no hint of trembling in Valencius’s voice as he spoke of seeking loyalty.

He believed that if one enjoyed the benefits of lineage, one had to take responsibility for that lineage, and of course, a political marriage could be arranged.

Moreover, Cariosa was a High Noble and a fascinating beauty shrouded in mystery, and her personality wasn’t particularly cruel or twisted.

If the marriage were to be likened to a contract, it was quite a profitable contract.

However, the Emperor shook his head again.

“I refuse that as well. I still do not wish to part with you.”

“Your Majesty. However…”

Valencius tried to argue, but Jeilliris responded firmly.

Her voice was not one that always carried a languid ease.

“Stop.”

The irrefutable authority of incantation resonated in the office.

“When you were ten years old, I once protected you. Only eight years have passed since then.”

Valencius’s face twitched.

Before that day, he was an eternal sinner.

Once Jeilliris brought up the story of that day, all he could do was comply obediently.

“I accept. …Then how do you plan to deal with Duke Cariosa? Shouldn’t she manage the eastern region? She is certainly a capable High Noble.”

Jeilliris momentarily tilted her coffee cup.

A sadistic glint flickered in the Emperor’s golden eyes, and a drowsy warmth returned to her voice.

“Call Duke Cariosa to the Imperial Palace. First, let’s cut off her right arm and discuss matters again.”

“Your Majesty! Please calm down.”

“Then you should console me. Tell me how to make Duke Cariosa swear loyalty to me without granting her either a title or you.”

“…”

“The more a person has, the harder it is to negotiate with them. When dealing with such individuals, it is easier to instill a sense of urgency to keep something rather than to give them something. I often choose to take their lives when it comes to that something, but what are your thoughts?”

Valencius chewed on his lips.

The cracks tore apart, and blood imbued with thick mana glistened.

He recalled what Cariosa possessed, what she cherished, and those things he could easily break.

“What about her power?”

“Power?”

Jeilliris frowned, and Valencius understood that it was not a sign of displeasure, but a question.

“The direct vassals who came with her likely have a general understanding of the situation. Cariosa will hold a title higher than that of Duke or Great Duke, and then they will wage territorial wars over their territories one by one, while we, the Imperial Palace, will be turning a blind eye. That was precisely why we promoted them in the first place.”

“Indeed.”

“There will certainly be those in the eastern region wishing for independence, gathering around Asenorta, who will want to revive, but it may not be pleasant for them to serve someone who was originally a fellow direct vassal of the Emperor.”

Although they currently shared the same status as vassals, should one of them become a Duke or Great Duke, those who once thought similarly would be divided into ranks, and if those in the higher ranks demanded subjugation through territorial wars, they would become the lords they had to serve.

Even a Count vs. Marquis distinction would be felt, and the direct vassals who originally shared the same rank would be driven to madness as they witnessed the unfolding circumstances.

“While they may have thought it advantageous to bow first, as they cannot compete in the east, the narrative might shift when it comes to the capital, don’t you think?”

Valencius smiled sadistically.

Jeilliris smiled in kind.

“Yes. It is not possible to summon the eastern army here overnight.”

“However… when I deal with the Great Lords, I will ultimately be acting in Your Majesty’s name. Even if I commit an act on my own, Your Majesty will face disgrace for being unable to manage a Duke.”

Valencius spoke in a worried tone.

Jeilliris, as if questioning what he worried about, laughed languidly.

“Duke. You may be called a bandit, but I am called a tyrant. I have been called an assassin of emperors, a murderer of kin, a usurper. If you insult me in front of me, I can strike your neck, and if you insult me behind my back, what does that have to do with me?”

“You are truly bold.”

“Yes. What are you planning to do?”

“If I am to induce internal strife, I cannot attack from the outside.”

“Indeed.”

“However, there is an exception; if that attack benefits only one of the members.”

A sadistic and wicked grin spread across Valencius’s face.

“If you entrust me with the task, I will ensure that Duke Asenorta bows his head to the Emperor in authority to subjugate the eastern nobles.”

The Emperor smiled with satisfaction.

“Then do so. But do not stake your life on it.”

“Do not worry. I will have no direct entanglement with House Asenorta.”

“Will the preparations take long? Is there anything I need to do for you?”

“The preparations should take a day at most. It would be conspicuous if magicians and knights from the capital move, so I don’t think I will require Your Majesty’s assistance. And—”

“And?”

“Please just allow me to sleep for four hours.”

* * *

Two days later.

“Your Excellency! There’s an uproar!”

Cariosa had to listen to the strange reports from her attendants and knights in her hotel room.

“An uproar, you say?”

“The Great Lords of the eastern region who came with Your Excellency are all gathered in the first-floor hall, shouting that they must meet with you.”

The instinct passed down from Summerlin warned her that this was no trivial matter.

“Tell them I will be down in twenty minutes.”

By providing a specific time, she calmed the confused individuals.

At thirteen, she had beheaded the neck of the Undersea People invading the beach, and at fourteen, she had conducted a landing operation in the stronghold of the same Undersea People—an impressive judgment for a High Noble.

She adorned her muscular body, sparkling as if sprinkled with pearls, in a linen outfit, topped with resilient ray leather clothing.

Wearing a suit of iron armor stitched together from hundreds of scaled plates inscribed with the Incantation Circuit, she donned thick iron gauntlets, and wore a belt made of shark leather, with the magical swords “Storm” and “Gentle Breeze” sheathed in shark leather scabbards.

She gathered her sea-green hair into a tight bun, tucked a helmet under her arm, and wore a coat made from the skins of sea giants and sea serpents.

Although it might be a bit burdensome for summer weather, this was necessary to establish Asenorta’s authority, and Cariosa was already beyond being affected by either heat or cold.

“I came to the capital to become king, yet before even receiving the coronation, I am facing a rebellion from future vassals. We are all just as impatient, it seems.”

As she muttered that, she slowly descended to the hall on the first floor.

With each step she took down the stairs, the eastern direct vassals, clustered below, murmured quietly.

With translucent cerulean-gray irises and vertically slit black pupils, she seemed as if she would swallow them whole.

The Summerlin, which once ruled the eastern sea, was now revealing itself even on land.

However, the fact that they had not yet been subdued by Asenorta meant that they were also nobles with at least one family legend.

“Cariosa. What is happening here?”

“Why are all our supply carts burned to the ground?”

They could rightfully hold the second most powerful swordmaster in the world accountable.

Although Cariosa feigned surprise at those words, she got straight to the point.

“It seems lightning struck the prairie. But why are you blaming me for your negligence in guarding?”

A marquis yelled, clearly furious.

“There is no issue with Asenorta’s supply carts at all!”

Hearing that, Cariosa gritted her teeth.

“Is this not a plot with the Imperial Court to starve us all? To make us reliant on you!”

As she recalled the sweet blood of her prey.

‘Valencius.’