Disciple Of The Three Kings [EN]: Chapter 221

The Crimson Duke, who had been concealing his presence, was making a rare public appearance.

Since Einheart had seized control of Europe, the Crimson Duke had only shown himself a handful of times.

Therefore.

“This might be our only chance.”

This party was likely the only opportunity to capture the Crimson Duke.

Even if Rowan had the power to defeat him, it would be useless if they couldn’t find him.

This was their chance.

And.

“…….”

It was a turning point.

Regardless of the outcome, the moment Rowan moved and encountered the Crimson Duke, Einheart would face a significant shift.

“It seems you have Seran’s blessing.”

Phile said, looking at Rowan.

The answer that had been hidden until now became clear the moment Rowan appeared.

“It’s like….”

Phile hesitated for a long time.

The answer she was about to give could shake her very foundation.

But she was already wavering.

“You’re the center of the world.”

She finally said it.

A world revolving around Rowan.

As if anything Rowan wanted would come to pass.

“That kind of thing isn’t important.”

But Rowan was indifferent.

“So?”

Rowan, who had only given Phile a brief glance, looked back at the Crow.

“We need preparations.”

The party would be held, and the Crimson Duke would appear.

Of course, preparations were necessary.

“First, we need an identity to get into the party.”

“That’s….”

Phile tried to say something, but the Crow spoke as if he had already anticipated her words.

“We mustn’t forget that he is a Duke of the Empire.”

The highest rank except for the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

Even the imperial family members who were pushed down the succession line had to yield to the Dukes of the Empire.

That was the kind of existence a Duke was.

“Everyone knows the fake identities the Crow has.”

He was someone with that much ability.

“Even if we create a new identity, it will be the same. Just as the Empire has the Crow, the Crimson Duke also has people who handle such matters.”

“…….”

“It’s the same even if we use another method.”

It wasn’t an easy task.

“The Duke will notice if we try to use any roundabout way.”

And the worst-case scenario.

“The Duke will disappear.”

Then they wouldn’t know how to find the Crimson Duke again.

They didn’t know how long it would take, or even if it was possible.

This was their only chance.

“Of course, there is one sure and simple method.”

“What is it?”

At Phile’s question, the Crow looked at Rowan.

“It’s to appear as the successor of the Empire.”

“……!”

The legitimate heir with the Ring of the Monarch [a symbol of imperial authority].

The imperial family of the Empire was connected by blood, but as long as one had the Ring of the Monarch, they were also recognized as royalty.

Also, not all members of the imperial family had the Ring of the Monarch, so Rowan was….

“As the Crown Prince of the Empire, that position would solve all of this.”

It was too simple.

But.

“If that happens….”

Phile, who lacked knowledge of the world but was raised as a Knight Commander.

She was well aware of the politics and strategies of the nobles.

Especially about the Empire, which had a neutral adversarial relationship with the Church.

If Rowan appeared as the Crown Prince?

“It would be an all-out war.”

The current Emperor would never tolerate Rowan.

The entire Empire would mobilize.

Rowan might be able to build his forces as he was now, but before that, the Empire would mobilize all its forces to hunt Rowan down.

Chaos, a scene of carnage, everything was clear in her mind.

“Yes. You wouldn’t want that, would you?”

“Not yet.”

If Rowan didn’t want that either.

“Then….”

Was there another way?

While Phile was pondering, the Crow spoke.

“There is a way.”

***

-There is a way.

The Crow said there was a way to create an identity to attend the party.

The method that would work on the Crimson Duke, who wouldn’t be fooled by any trick or the Crow’s methods, was very simple.

-It’s a direct approach.

A direct approach.

Approaching truthfully without lies.

That was the answer.

“It feels similar yet different.”

Phile said, pulling down her hood.

“I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

Kanehlich expressed his unease.

“…….”

Goliath was silent as always.

Rowan was quietly walking ahead of the group.

This was not France.

-A direct approach means.

Following the Crow’s words, they moved with their help.

-It’s about using the ceremony for the conferment of a noble title.

To Eastern Europe, Romania.

-There are several ways to obtain a noble title. But the easiest way is….

They had business here.

-To catch the eye of the Emperor or a Duke-ranked noble.

To obtain a noble title.

-To be recognized for one’s achievements and inherit the title of a noble who has lost it.

To be recognized for one’s achievements.

To inherit the title of someone who had lost their noble status.

It was nearly impossible to fulfill both of these at the same time.

First, the war between Einheart and Silver was in a ceasefire.

They were still at war with Gehenna, but it was even more difficult to achieve merit against the demons of Gehenna, whose existence had not yet been revealed.

Second.

‘A person who has lost their noble title.’

The noble rank, a supreme right recognized by the Emperor, was not something that could be easily lost.

Nobles above the rank of Count could be easily forgiven for any wrongdoing, and even if they committed a major crime, they would only be punished and not have their title taken away.

But.

-For example, when a family is annihilated, and there is no one left to inherit the title.

Killing off an entire family without leaving a single heir.

However, this method was difficult to inherit the title because it was a crime against the Empire.

Both conditions were difficult to meet.

The Crow told them about the method.

-But what if you annihilated the family of a noble who had plotted treason?

A person who had plotted treason.

Prevent the treason, gain merit, and take everything from that noble and crush it.

If they did that.

-You will be able to receive the noble title.

Both conditions would be met.

“Treason against the Empire…. Is that even possible?”

Phile had come all the way to Romania following the Crow’s guidance, but she still seemed doubtful.

That was because she was the Knight Commander of the Seven Great Knight Orders of the Church.

She knew as much about the Empire as the Crow did.

“It’s almost impossible to rebel against the imperial family.”

Realistically speaking.

“The Emperor’s authority is absolute, and that is ingrained deep in the bones, no, deep in the minds of the nobles.”

It was instinctively impossible.

The Ring of the Monarch.

The relationship of the Circlers [individuals with unique abilities].

The inescapable power structure made everything impossible.

“The very act of plotting treason….”

That was why Phile thought it was impossible.

“It’s possible.”

Rowan’s thoughts were different.

‘Not bad.’

Rowan smiled as if satisfied with the Crow’s suggestion.

“Treason is possible.”

“How….”

Phile knew that Rowan also had the Ring of the Monarch.

Then.

“Is there a way to ignore the authority of the monarch?”

“No.”

There wasn’t.

But.

“We can try to break free.”

“……!”

“That’s treason.”

Even attempting it was a crime, and even taking precautions was a crime.

That was the nature of the Empire.

Also.

“Treason isn’t just against the Emperor.”

“……!”

Phile had a lot of knowledge but lacked experience.

She might be better than Baek Cheong in battle, but she would be less so in strategy and politics.

Knowledge and information do not provide all the answers.

Only experience can connect knowledge and information to create a picture.

“Rebelling against a Duke who isn’t a member of the imperial family is also treason.”

Treason against a Duke.

-There was intelligence that Count Blando Petus, the lord of Romania, was targeting the Duke of Slaughter.

A secret that had not been reported by the Crow’s line due to necessity.

-The evidence has been secured. Successor….

The Crow said.

-You can investigate the situation as a wandering knight and handle the matter.

Wandering knight.

A knight who wanders the world without belonging to a specific knight order.

They had received the qualifications of a knight and could join any knight order, but they did not.

Moreover, the qualifications of a wandering knight were very strict.

However, Rowan was qualified enough.

-We have taken care of the Count Obura case. He also plotted treason, and you have dealt with him.

Rowan, a Circler.

Since he had also achieved that merit, he could temporarily receive the qualifications of a wandering knight from the Crow.

It was not a trick, but something that Rowan had achieved.

“If you say so much….”

Phile was determined to be sincere in this matter.

Her eyes changed from those of a girl to those of a knight.

“Kanehlich, Goliath.”

“Yes, Commander.”

The two answered, bowing to Phile’s call.

“From now on, move separately. Check for suspicious things in Romania, and let’s meet again. You can do that much, right?”

“Of course.”

“We can do it.”

The two nodded.

“We won’t cause any worries.”

Kanehlich said, smiling at Phile.

Knowing Phile’s skills well.

“I’m counting on you.”

No, they knew Rowan’s skills well, so they had no worries at all.

Swish.

The two quickly moved and disappeared.

Now, only Rowan and Phile were left.

“What are you going to do?”

The one who had the initiative and command of this mission was not Phile but Rowan.

Phile and the Batella Knights were just playing the role of Rowan’s followers in this matter.

Everything would be decided by Rowan, and Phile would follow it.

“Well….”

Rowan seemed to have already made up his mind.

“Shall we draw some attention?”

Rowan’s languid eyes slowly began to sink.

Whoosh.

The wind blew.

And.

Kuuuuung!

The air was compressed.

“……!”

Even Phile was surprised and shocked by the sudden change.

The aura emanating from Rowan’s body in an instant was that of a Sword Master [a highly skilled swordsman].

‘How….’

Phile was astonished.

Until just now, Rowan had been hiding all his power and had only the aura of an ordinary person.

But Phile could do that much.

When one reached the realm of a Master who could completely control the Circle, they could stop the rotation of the Circle and act like an ordinary person.

But that didn’t mean they could immediately unleash the aura of a Sword Master.

Rotating the Circle again, resonating with mana.

And amplifying that power.

Rowan had completed that series of processes in less than a second.

That was a difficult task even for Phile.

But.

Kuuuuuung!

Rowan’s aura grew even stronger.

Now, the power emanating from him was at the level of a Grand Master [an even higher level of swordsmanship].

“……….”

Rowan, who had fully unleashed two levels of power in less than two seconds, shouted.

“Come here!”