Published: July 3, 2025
"Truly, Lord Aubrey is swift in his actions, unlike the Imperial Expeditionary Army."
With a bitter tone, Raymon, the younger brother of the crown prince, spoke without changing his expression.
"The area for invasion is..."
"Probably the Lance Region... It is likely the territory that the kingdom took from the alliance in the recent great war."
In response to the words of Count Park Fletcher of Kirkhouse, Raymon continued.
"The alliance must have realized the governance of Lance is left unguarded. The Imperial Army has occupied the royal capital, and the king is missing. The kingdom's government is nonfunctional. If that’s the case, now is the time when no one will retaliate. The Imperial Army certainly won’t go out of their way to retrieve Lance for the kingdom. Truly… This is why I wanted to ascend the throne sooner..."
Having said that, Raymon sipped the coffee that was placed in front of him.
"The Lance Region is already..."
"Ah, there’s nothing we can do. Let's accept it."
Both Raymon and Park had concluded that it was inevitable for the alliance to reclaim the Lance Region.
"Hey, Park. The procedure necessary for the king’s ascension is to wear the crown and declare the ascension before the high priest at the Central Sanctuary, correct?"
"Yes. At that time, the crown, royal scepter, and imperial seal must be present, but if they are, the high priest cannot refuse."
"Hmm..."
While pressing his left temple with his middle finger, Raymon began to ponder, considering Park’s explanation.
After a moment of thought, Raymon asked Park, "If we were to force the ascension, how would Marquis Mewzel and the others react?"
"It seems that you were thinking about that too."
Park shook his head slightly while looking at Raymon.
"Unfortunately, I believe they will not openly voice their opinions."
"That is true..."
"However, I am honestly unsure what actions they might take behind the scenes."
"Hmm..."
Once again, Raymon sank into a sea of thoughts.
"Your Highness, we have completed the deployment to Kashunin and the town of Gos, at the center of the Lance Region."
"I see, good work."
In response to the report from his aide, Lumber, Regent Lord Aubrey nodded in acknowledgment.
"While the Imperial Army will likely not move… do you think the royal army will eventually make an appearance?"
"Well... If I were the king, I would leave things be until I solidified control within the country... But who knows."
As Aubrey said this, he picked up the coffee cup in front of him.
To Lumber's eyes, seeing Lord Aubrey, who had been drowning in a murderous workload of paperwork since the annexation of Inverly and barely finding time to sleep, slowly sipping coffee was quite refreshing.
He had finally reached a stage where he could take a breath just a few minutes ago.
It was a secret that Lumber nearly burst into applause at that moment.
The busyness of their master, Lord Aubrey, naturally meant that Lumber, his right-hand man, was busy as well...
"However, while I thought there might be an invasion of the kingdom by the Empire, I was surprised that all the northern nobility betrayed us."
"Is it because they supported your highness Raymon?"
"No, that's not it. Your Highness is not incompetent, and reports stated he has matured quite a bit since entering the Duchy of Flitwick. So, I understood there would be those who would follow him...”
He took another sip of coffee before continuing.
"But it’s not to the extent of receiving support from all the northern nobility."
"Yet, in reality, all the northern nobility are on his side."
"That's it, Lumber. How many of them actually sided with your highness Raymon?"
"How many? Are there nobles who did not support him but betrayed instead? What then did they side with?"
"Common sense would suggest... they sided with the Empire."
At this point, Lumber grimaced.
"Traitors... Even if it concerns another country, it doesn't feel good."
"Well, nobles near the border are unstable creatures."
At that moment, Lord Aubrey suddenly deep in thought... but quickly raised his head.