Chapter 260

Chapter 261. You Want to Fight Dirty? I’m All for It (1)

The Lilian Kingdom is divided into four regions: the north, west, east, and south, each further split into several territories.

Those who manage these territories are called “Lords,” responsible for overseeing the cities and families within their domains.

Most Lords are high-ranking officials affiliated with the royal family, but sometimes family heads also hold the position of Lord.

Thus, territorial wars were essentially legal civil wars within the kingdom. When Lords clashed, it involved mobilizing at least thousands of soldiers.

Although Hisop had never experienced a territorial war, he knew from history books why they were abolished. He was the first to raise his hand and speak.

“Your Highness, with all due respect, encouraging infighting among our own people to improve the quality of our military is a policy that has already failed. For example, the Adeus Kingdom is the only country on the continent where territorial wars are legal, but as a result, civil wars never cease, and the economy and public sentiment have hit rock bottom. Please consider this…”

“Do you think I don’t know what you know?”

The Crown Prince cut off Hisop, visibly displeased. Marquis Grace, the Crown Prince’s close aide, stepped forward to reprimand Hisop.

“His Highness said it’s not a territorial war but a family war. At least hear the full explanation before voicing your opinion. Why are you so hasty, Lord Hisop? Are you challenging the royal authority now?”

Hisop admitted his rashness and bowed his head in apology to the Crown Prince.

“I apologize for my imprudence.”

“Do you think a simple apology will absolve you of what’s practically treason—”

“Enough, Marquis Grace. Lord Hisop is still young and may not fully grasp the situation. I’ll let it slide.”

“Ah, as expected, Your Highness is truly a benevolent ruler. How can you be so merciful…!”

“As Lord Hisop said, territorial wars are a failed policy. That’s why I’ve created a family war, incorporating only the advantages of territorial wars. Marquis Grace, explain the family war.”

With the Crown Prince’s permission, Marquis Grace stood up with a triumphant air.

“Ahem! The family war, as the name suggests, is a war between families, wagering their own families. Of course, simply fighting would result in heavy losses, so His Wise Highness has created and introduced several rules.”

Marquis Grace explained the rules in a clear, resonant voice:

1. Family wars cannot occur simultaneously in the same region.

2. To preserve technology and manpower, families participating in a family war can only use half their soldiers and knights.

3. Defeat in a family war is acknowledged through the death or surrender of the family head.

4. The victor inherits all the technology, manpower, and assets of the defeated family, and the defeated family has no right to resist.

5. A family that has participated in a family war cannot participate again for half a year.

6. The survival of surrendered soldiers, knights, and retainers must be guaranteed, and they must be treated with the utmost care.

7. Family heads participating in a family war can create additional rules with the royal family’s approval.

“Hmm…!”

“Hmph!”

The family heads reacted with either interest or discomfort. The rules weren’t complicated—they were too simple, which was the problem.

Hisop’s fists trembled. The essence of the rules was…

‘Aren’t these rules designed to ensure weak families can’t survive?’

At that moment, someone voiced the irrationality Hisop had just thought of.

“Marquis Grace. Are those really all the rules? Are administrative families exempt from family wars?”

The objection came from the Turbin Marquisate of the south. Though a marquis and an upper noble, his family was administrative, with very few soldiers and knights.

Marquis Grace answered with a cold gaze.

“Administrative or military, there are no exceptions. Besides, the rules don’t prohibit seeking support from other families. You can even hire mercenaries if needed.”

“But military families can do the same. At the very least, if a military family challenges an administrative family to a family war, there should be a handicap for fairness.”

Though it seemed like he was speaking to Marquis Grace, it was clear he was addressing the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince, who couldn’t possibly miss this, spoke to Marquis Turbin.

“You’re shameless, Marquis Turbin. Despite being an administrative family, you secretly maintain over 2,000 soldiers and 300 knights. How is that the strength of an administrative family?”

Marquis Turbin’s pupils shook. It was an open secret that he had more troops than others, but he had only revealed about half of them. The Crown Prince knowing everything was shocking.

“Don’t think you can deceive the royal family, Marquis Turbin. We didn’t leave you alone because we didn’t know. We left you alone because you’re insignificant. Remember, the same goes for other family heads.”

Though the Crown Prince didn’t single anyone out, family heads with secrets squirmed like they’d been pricked by needles.

*Thud.*

The Crown Prince tapped the gavel once to focus everyone’s attention, then rested his chin on his hand.

“Those with opinions on the family war rules, speak now.”

He didn’t say it, but this might be their only chance. After all, when else would they have the opportunity to see the Crown Prince outside of a royal conference?

Though it was a golden opportunity, no one stepped forward. Not because they had no opinions, but because they knew nothing they said would matter.

Moreover, some family heads openly showed no concern, as if they already knew the Crown Prince would announce the family war and even had some idea of the rules.

Hisop didn’t want to show his anger, but he bit his lower lip hard without realizing it.

‘Families that prepared for the family war in advance will take the advantageous position.’

He didn’t need to look around. The heads of prestigious families all seemed to know and were relaxed.

Hisop, of course, knew nothing. He hadn’t even heard rumors. No one had told or mentioned it to Sephira.

“If no one has any opinions, I declare the royal conference adjourned.”

*Thud, thud, thud…*

The gavel would be struck four times to adjourn the meeting. On the third strike, Hisop raised his hand and spoke.

“When does the family war begin?”

The Crown Prince answered as if it were obvious.

“From this moment, immediately.”

*Thud.*

The royal conference ended.

And the family war began.

The family heads who had just heard the news of the family war fidgeted in their seats. They needed to return to their families and prepare as quickly as possible, their urgency indescribable.

But they couldn’t leave until the royals did. The moment the royal scribe Lerkin exited—

*Clang!*

The double doors of the conference hall swung open, and royal knights stormed in.

The suddenly intruding knights stood behind some family heads. There were exactly 32 of them.

The “chosen” family heads couldn’t hide their bewilderment. The quick-witted ones had already noticed a commonality among themselves and clenched their fists.

*Chuckle chuckle.*

“Then, good luck to you all.”

Family heads without knights assigned began to leave the conference hall, even though Princes Rukan and Rakan hadn’t exited yet.

Thus, only 32 family heads, 32 royal knights, and the two princes remained in the conference hall.

“If you have any sense, you’ve figured out why you’re still here.”

Prince Rakan, leaning against the wall, smirked at Hisop.

“Did you think you could remain neutral and watch comfortably when the fate of the nation is at stake? Or are you just fools who chose the wrong side?”

Indeed, those remaining in the conference hall were neither supporters of the First Prince nor the Second Prince.

They were either still neutral or supporters of the Third Prince. Their faces turned pale, fearing they might be killed here as an example.

“Not that we’re going to kill you all and make an example out of you. But you’ll have to make a choice. Otherwise, we have no reason to spare you.”

Choose between the First Prince or the Second Prince. Otherwise, you won’t leave this place.

Hisop took a deep breath and asked Rakan.

“Prince Rakan. Is this family war… to eliminate those who declared neutrality?”

“Haha, we don’t need to go through all that trouble to deal with you. It’s just ‘killing two birds with one stone.’ My brother and I are indeed going to have a showdown.”

The family war isn’t just about families fighting over land. It’s about the factions of the First Prince and the Second Prince clashing. That’s the true purpose of the family war.

Gaining war experience in the process is just a secondary benefit.

“Of course, I didn’t expect my brother to declare war… but he must have his plans, right? Though he’s delusional, he’s not irresponsible. Anyway—”

Rakan approached Hisop and stared him down.

“Still stiff as a board, huh? Haven’t grasped the situation yet? You should be begging on your knees, clinging to my pants, pleading for Sephira’s sake.”

“Prince Rakan! I swear my loyalty! Please take care of the Erehal family!”

“Yeah, like this guy. Erehal family? What’s that, some unheard-of family? Get lost.”

*Shoo shoo.*

Rakan shooed away the Erehal family head, who had knelt before him, like he was swatting a bug. The Erehal family head, pale-faced, quickly ran to Rukan.

“Prince Rukan! Please…!”

“Bats, get lost.”

“…!”

Neither the Second Prince nor the Crown Prince chose the Erehal family head, who looked incredulous.

“Ah, if no one accepts me, what will happen to me, to my family…!”

No prince answered his question. The Erehal family head finally realized the reality and began to laugh bitterly.

“Kehehe, I see. Our family is already doomed!”

At his words, the faces of the family heads who hadn’t hastily made a choice turned pale. They feared the same fate awaited them.

Seeing the family heads trembling in fear, Rakan couldn’t help but laugh. The thrill of seeing family heads, who acted like kings in their own domains, reduced to worms before him.

‘Even if they’re heads of prestigious families, it makes no difference.’

Rakan thought Hisop would be at a loss, too. But when he looked at Hisop, his expression twisted.

Hisop was calm. He showed no signs of trying to escape, nor did he seem to have given up in despair.

Rakan didn’t like Hisop’s composure.

“Like I said earlier, let’s see how long that composure lasts. Just so you know, there are only two ways you’re leaving this place. Either dead or chosen. Hehehe!”

Despite Rakan’s threats, Hisop didn’t react.

He simply believed.

‘Elder Panir, Elder Leganon. With you two, Sephira won’t fall easily. And most importantly… our family has Keter.’

Just thinking of Keter made Hisop smile in this situation.

‘You’ll protect Sephira even in this situation, won’t you? Even if I die.’

Hisop hadn’t come to the royal palace without a plan.

He had left a will, just in case.

If he died, Keter would be appointed as the temporary family head.

* * *

Meanwhile, Keter, whom Hisop trusted so much, was chatting with his companions.

“Prince Keter! Is it true you went blind fighting a dark mage?!”

Haribo wept as he looked at Keter, who was wearing an eyepatch. Keter spoke in a grave tone.

“Haribo. That’s life. Who would’ve thought I’d encounter a dark mage in the royal palace? I was lucky to only lose my eyes, but Haribo. If you met a dark mage, do you think you’d survive?”

“Of course, I’d run! I wouldn’t even think of fighting!”

“What if the dark mage infiltrated Sephira instead of the royal palace? Would you still run?”

“Ah, no! Of course, I’d fight to protect Sephira!”

*Thwack!*

Keter’s knuckle struck Haribo’s forehead.

“Idiot. Do you think you could last even a second against a dark mage? You should run and scream at the top of your lungs that a dark mage has appeared. That would be more helpful.”

“Ow! I’ll keep that in mind!”

“Catherine. Don’t you have anything to say? My eyes are like this.”

“Hmm, you look cool with the eyepatch.”

“I’d look cool in anything.”

“Lady Catherine! How can you be so indifferent to Prince Keter’s safety? I didn’t know you were so cold-hearted!”

Haribo looked at Catherine in disappointment, but she just smiled.

Catherine knew. Keter’s blindness was fake.

She hadn’t seen it directly, but having been with Keter for so long, she could tell.

But she didn’t show it. She figured Keter had a reason for pretending to be blind.

“Prince Keter. In an environment where mana is suppressed, is there any way to use mana? I’ve been trying, but I can’t control my mana. It’s like trying to grab fog with my hands.”

Catherine ignored Haribo and sought Keter’s advice.

In the divine realm, aura and mana are suppressed. The guest rooms were no exception.

“That’s because somewhere in this palace, a mana wavelength is constantly being emitted. To counter it, you either need to emit a counter wavelength or synchronize with it.”

“Since emitting a counter wavelength is impossible, the only way is to sense and synchronize with it. I’ll try that.”

As Catherine prepared to experiment with Keter’s advice, Maknun entered.

“Maknun, you’re here.”

“Brother. We might need to go with Plan B.”

Maknun mentioned Plan B out of nowhere, leaving Haribo clueless.

But Keter, who had been lying down, sat up and stretched.

“Ugh~ So it’s going that way? I was hoping for a fair and honorable fight.”

“Really?”

“Of course, I’m lying.”

Haribo, too curious, cautiously asked.

“Prince, strategist. What are you talking about? What’s Plan B?”

“Oh, it’s nothing. It just means the opponent is playing dirty.”

Even with Maknun’s kind explanation, Haribo didn’t understand.

Of course, how could he understand that the princes had detained the neutral family heads?

But Keter and Daat had anticipated this and were already prepared.

“Since the opponent is playing dirty first, we can play dirty without hesitation.”

“My mouth is already watering, brother. Hehehe.”

Keter and Maknun flashed villainous smiles befitting their origins from a city of crime.