Player Who Became A Constellation [EN]: Chapter 72

The Player Who Became a Constellation – Episode 72

Smack!

Loki’s fist connected with Marquis Halloom’s face.

Perhaps he hadn’t fully restrained his strength, because Marquis Halloom’s nose shattered and several teeth were dislodged by the blow.

“Ugh, ugh…. Uwaaaah! It hurts! It hurts!”

Loki, now standing, seized Marquis Halloom—who was writhing on the floor—by the neck and hauled him upright.

Only then did the memory of the skewers from the banquet hall flash through Marquis Halloom’s mind.

“P-Please! Don’t kill me! Please…! Spare my life…!”

Marquis Halloom, overcome with regret, shielded his face with his hands.

Loki, observing the bloodied visage, spoke in a measured tone.

“You mentioned negotiation earlier? I would have dismissed it as a joke before, but I’m rather desperate now.”

Loki brought his face close to Marquis Halloom’s.

“I didn’t come here to negotiate with you. I came to issue you an ‘order.’”

When Loki released his grip on Marquis Halloom’s neck, the obese man collapsed onto his backside.

Marquis Halloom scrambled across the floor in a pathetic attempt to distance himself from Loki.

He pounded on the only exit with his thick hands, shouting.

“Is anyone there?! Save me! This barbarian is…!”

The two Berserker warriors guarding the door exchanged glances at Marquis Halloom’s cries, then shrugged.

They looked towards Kudan, who was waiting in front of the door.

“What should we do?”

“Ignore him.”

Marquis Halloom, receiving no response, turned pale and stared at Loki, who was approaching with his back to the door.

“H-Hey! Wait! Hold on…!”

Marquis Halloom gestured frantically, trying to deter Loki.

“D-Do you know what will happen if you lay a hand on me right now? There are over ten thousand troops in the territory! If you touch me, those troops will attack you immediately…! S-So, if you just let me go, I’ll quietly let it pass….”

Loki seized Marquis Halloom’s finger.

The sharp crack of breaking bones echoed in the room.

“Ugh!”

Marquis Halloom clutched his mangled finger.

“I don’t think you fully grasp your situation yet. I’ll make it clear to you now.”

“W-Wait… Ah, I understand. Yes! I’ll do anything…! So please stop…!”

Marquis Halloom adopted a submissive posture, driven by the intense pain. However, his mind seethed with thoughts of tearing Loki apart.

‘As soon as I escape this place, I’ll tear you to pieces! I’ll mobilize every troop in this territory to…!’

Loki crouched down to meet the eye level of Marquis Halloom, who was groaning in agony.

Loki reached out and gently stroked his head, causing Marquis Halloom to flinch and cower.

He was likely afraid that the pain would resume.

“I know what you’re thinking.”

Loki continued, his gaze fixed on the terrified Marquis Halloom.

“Marquis Halloom.”

“Yes? Yes….”

“You should look me in the eye when you speak, shouldn’t you?”

Marquis Halloom slowly raised his head and met Loki’s gaze.

“I will give you an order.”

“I-If you mean an order… ?”

Loki’s lips curled into a smile, and he whispered in his ear so that he could hear clearly.

Marquis Halloom’s eyes widened in disbelief.

***

The sky was being consumed by darkness.

As even the moonlight was obscured by dark clouds, a deep darkness descended over the land.

Amidst the dim candlelight, a voice broke the silence.

“Marquis Halloom?”

At the sound of his name, Marquis Halloom, who had been staring blankly, snapped back to attention.

He looked ahead.

A long table stretched before him, flanked by nobles gathered on either side.

All of them were nobles who had previously voiced their dissatisfaction with him.

“What is the reason you summoned us here?”

“Hmm? Ah, I see…. I’m sorry. I was lost in thought for a moment.”

The raindrops that had been falling sporadically gradually intensified into a steady downpour.

At the sound of raindrops drumming against the windowpanes, Marquis Halloom offered a gentle smile to the assembled nobles.

“Everyone’s here.”

The Marquis Halloom who had been groaning in pain from the banquet hall incident just a short while ago seemed to have vanished. In his place stood a man exuding confidence, as if everything was proceeding according to plan.

The nobles exchanged bewildered glances.

‘I wonder why he called us?’

‘Well, judging from his expression, it seems things have gone well.’

‘Did he manage to forge an alliance with those Nordics?’

‘But shouldn’t he be held accountable for the attack?’

‘Perhaps he’s trying to appease us?’

To evade responsibility for the attack, he’s attempting to win them over?

If that were the case, the nobles stood to gain considerably.

They would be more than satisfied with receiving additional authority or a portion of the territory.

“Here….”

Marquis Halloom drew a thick black line on a large piece of parchment with a quill pen.

He handed it to the noble seated next to him and said.

“Please write your names below the line.”

“…Names… you say?”

“I have something I wish to bestow upon you all, hence the request.”

The nobles’ faces lit up with anticipation.

It was evident that he intended to offer them something of value.

The sincerity behind the gesture was irrelevant. Refusal would only turn them into enemies.

The nobles, consumed by avarice, eagerly pressed their pens to the parchment.

Illuminated by the dim candlelight, they each inscribed their names.

The parchment, having completed its circuit, returned to Marquis Halloom’s hand.

Marquis Halloom verified that all the names were present and began to write above them.

The noble seated beside him surreptitiously glanced at the inscription.

[The Nordics of the North are barbarians. Communicating with them is a disgrace to Lonia and can be seen as a foolish act against the doctrines of the great Holy Order.]

Huh?

The eavesdropping noble blinked in confusion.

Wasn’t he supposed to be cooperating with those Nordics?

More importantly, why was such a statement included in the ‘contract’…?

[Therefore, we, the seven nobles, will subjugate the treacherous Nordics, and their leader-]

In the end, the negotiations with the Nordics must have collapsed.

If that’s the case, then there’s no other option….

[We declare that we will subjugate Prince Ash.]

“……?”

The noble questioned his own eyes.

Sweat beaded on his forehead.

This wasn’t a contract at all.

This was a ‘declaration of rebellion.’

With a nervous expression, he cautiously raised his gaze and met Marquis Halloom’s eyes.

“H-Halloom Marquis? What is this… ?”

Marquis Halloom smiled and unfolded the paper, displaying it to all the nobles gathered in the room.

Above the black line was an impeachment of Prince Ash, and below it were the names of those who had unwittingly plotted treason….

“What are you doing right now!”

“Marquis! Why would you do such a thing…!”

“You’re insane! How could you do this-!”

The nobles all leaped to their feet.

“Hahahahaha-!!!”

Marquis Halloom erupted in unrestrained laughter.

He elegantly spread his hands.

“I am the one who will be king!”

“……!”

As he uttered those words, the meeting room door burst open.

Soldiers flooded into the room.

The nobles recoiled, their eyes fixed on the soldiers.

Marquis Halloom’s eyes gleamed with malice.

“‘He’ is backing me.”

“What nonsense are you spouting-!”

“You must become sacrifices for my future!”

Marquis Halloom’s expression, previously filled with manic joy, turned cold and devoid of emotion.

“They are traitors. Kill them all.”

The soldiers advanced upon the nobles.

Marquis Halloom quietly closed the door and exited the room.

A chorus of screams echoed through the night.

Marquis Halloom gazed at the document in his hand with a satisfied smile.

Now, only one task remained.

Marquis Halloom turned and walked away.

***

“We greet the Prince.”

Lapilta, Alber, and Paul knelt before Prince Ash, who was seated on the throne, and bowed their heads in respect.

Prince Ash’s eyes welled up with emotion at the display of unwavering loyalty.

Unlike the nobles and knights who had offered only superficial allegiance until now, these were individuals who had genuinely pledged their devotion.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t uncover any information regarding the legendary potion.”

At Lapilta’s words, Paul pursed his lips.

In truth, he possessed knowledge of the potion.

However, he was biding his time, waiting for the opportune moment to reveal it.

“I understand. You’ve worked diligently in the meantime.”

Ash wasn’t disappointed, as he hadn’t held high expectations in the first place.

Alber cautiously broached the subject, carefully observing Ash’s mood.

“But the atmosphere within the territory is unsettling. What has transpired?”

“Several incidents have occurred. Listen to my account, and then offer me your perspectives―.”

“W-Wait a minute! Marquis! The Prince instructed me not to admit anyone…!”

At that moment, the door was forcefully thrown open, and someone barged in.

It was Marquis Halloom. He was clad in full armor, complete with a sword at his waist.

At the sight, the knights guarding Ash drew their swords and blocked Marquis Halloom’s path.

Ash was startled and looked at him, his face paling with apprehension.

Why had he arrived in armor, wielding a sword?

“Marquis Halloom. W-What’s going on? What is the meaning of this… ? Perhaps the negotiations with them have failed?”

At Prince Ash’s words, Marquis Halloom took a deep breath and panted.

“No! They expressed their willingness to support us!”

At Marquis Halloom’s declaration, Prince Ash’s face brightened considerably, although a seed of doubt lingered in his mind.

Then why had Marquis Halloom arrived in full battle armor?

With an urgent demeanor, Marquis Halloom retrieved a document from within his armor and held it out, shouting.

“It’s a rebellion!”

Rebellion!?

Ash swiftly rose from the throne.

Marquis Halloom extended the document.

Prince Ash’s face flushed crimson as he scanned its contents.

The document accused seven nobles of impeaching Ash.

Why at this particular moment…! ?

“The reason for the rebellion….”

Marquis Halloom paused to catch his breath.

“It appears to stem from distrust of the unidentified group that the Prince has brought in, as well as the antipathy of the Holy Order that will be incurred by accepting them!”

“H-However, they suggested accepting those Nordics, didn’t they?”

“They may have feigned agreement on the surface! Are you still unaware of their true intentions?”

“……!”

“They are attempting to secure their survival in western Lonia by using the Prince as a bargaining chip!”

Marquis Halloom knelt before Ash and bowed his head.

“Prince Ash! I am willing to sacrifice myself to quell the rebellion! Therefore, I implore you to delegate command of the troops to me!”

As a prince, Ash possessed the authority to mobilize the entire army of the Loden territory.

Granting permission would transfer control of the troops to Marquis Halloom.

“H-However….”

Ash glanced around the room, his gaze eventually settling on Alber.

Given the gravity of the situation, Ash couldn’t immediately dismiss the words of the influential Marquis Halloom.

Alber, sensing Ash’s gaze, stepped forward.

“Wait a moment, Prince. You must not delegate military power carelessly. You must ascertain the truth of the matter first.”

Marquis Halloom’s face contorted in anger.

As he hastily rose from his kneeling position and attempted to approach Ash, the knights blocked his path.

“Prince! The situation is dire! I cannot suppress their rebellion alone! If they strike first, it will be too late!”

“Marquis Halloom, can you guarantee the veracity of your claims? This document could be a forgery-.”

Just as Alber was about to interrogate Marquis Halloom further…

“Prince, something terrible has occurred!”

A knight rushed in, bearing grave news.

All eyes turned towards the knight.

The knight addressed Ash, his face etched with disbelief.

“The castle is ablaze! Some soldiers are calling for the overthrow of the Prince and are plundering the territory indiscriminately!”

“…That’s!”

Ash no longer hesitated.

If even the nobles had turned against him, all hope would be lost.

He stamped the letter of delegation of military power and approached Marquis Halloom himself.

“I understand. Marquis Halloom, I will delegate some military power to you.”

Not all military power, but a portion thereof.

But… this was sufficient.

Marquis Halloom accepted the document.

“I will obey your command! In the name of His Highness….”

Marquis Halloom’s eyes gleamed with triumph as he offered a sincere smile.

“This rebellion will be crushed.”

***

In the name of Ash Lonia, approximately 3,000 troops assembled before the castle.

Their presence was solely due to the document held by Marquis Halloom.

Furthermore, the nobles aligned with Marquis Halloom were also mobilizing their private armies.

Raindrops trickled down the soldiers’ helmets.

They looked up at Marquis Halloom, who stood on the platform as if awaiting orders.

When Marquis Halloom addressed the assembled soldiers, numbering over three thousand, they could scarcely believe their ears.

“From this moment forward-.”

Rebellion.

The leader is none other than-.

“Advance to the castle-!”

It was Marquis Halloom.