My Lord Who Is Being Prudent! [EN]: Chapter 307

307 – The Revealed Truth (3)

Cyan immediately sent Diana to Ruben’s healing center.

He thought about asking Aria for treatment again, but…

He shook his head.

Aria’s divine power couldn’t heal Diana’s wounds.

So, Cyan transported Diana to the ‘Divine Healing Center Lv.10,’ which he had upgraded through repeated cash investments.

After sending Diana to the healing center, Cyan sat in his office, lost in thought.

He pondered, carefully considering Diana’s words again.

“The Holy Empire was targeting Ruben.”

It was a sudden situation, but upon closer inspection, it wasn’t.

It was only sudden for Cyan.

“Isabel…”

For Isabel, it was the result of a meticulous plan.

Moreover, everything before was a smokescreen for this.

Isabel’s rebellion.

The plan was to divert Ruben’s forces, including those in the Imperial Palace, elsewhere.

Isabel intended to focus all attention on Elan Durst.

She planned to direct the Imperial Family and Ruben’s forces toward Elan Durst.

And very subtly,

she planned to move the Holy Empire to strike Ruben.

They almost succeeded… they almost caught him completely off guard.

But fortunately, he noticed it first.

Cardinal Alberto’s message.

The information Diana risked her life to obtain.

Based on these two things, he was able to discern Isabel’s scheme.

And as the saying goes, there is opportunity in crisis.

Isabel didn’t know this.

She didn’t know that Cyan had noticed her plan.

A gap in information had occurred in reverse.

“If I can use this…”

If he could use this in reverse.

If he could pretend to fall for Isabel’s plan and set a trap.

He could mess up Isabel’s carefully laid plans.

He could completely overturn the meticulously crafted game.

And as part of that,

“I’ll go back to the Holy Empire.”

Cyan snapped out of his thoughts at Aria’s sudden words.

When he looked at Aria, she nodded slightly and spoke again.

“I’ll go back to the Holy Empire and gather people.”

Aria’s words about returning to the Holy Empire.

Cyan paused for a moment, but quickly shook his head.

“Even if you go, it won’t mean much.”

Of course, he knew Aria’s reputation as a Saintess [a woman considered to be exceptionally holy].

But she was still just a Saintess.

A mere human being.

However, the Holy Empire already had a God in existence.

What could a mere Saintess do there?

The current Holy Empire was like a cult.

“Besides, you’ve already been dismissed from your position as a Saintess. Cardinal Alberto is right. You shouldn’t go back to the Holy Empire.”

In many ways, there was nothing Aria could do.

She would only be in danger.

But.

“I disagree. I think I should go and rally the remaining priests.”

Aria seemed to think differently.

“I know the situation. I understand what Alberto is saying. But Alberto alone won’t be enough. Maybe… Alberto has already been defeated. So, I have to go.”

Aria was the leader of the Dawn Faction [a group within the Holy Empire].

Aria was essential to gather the will of the Dawn.

“Above all, the entire Holy Empire won’t be of one mind.”

Aria nodded slightly and continued.

“Just look at Cardinal Alberto? Even if God exists, there are always heretics who defy God’s word. God cannot embrace everyone.”

This was also evidence that God was not omnipotent [all-powerful].

Aria uttered the last words quietly.

Cyan pondered once more at Aria’s words.

Putting aside the points about God, what she said wasn’t wrong.

The entire Holy Empire was not in agreement with Isabel… or rather, with God’s will.

Immediately, priests of the Dawn Faction like Alberto were not in agreement.

If Aria could rally them.

If she could hold back the Holy Empire.

If she could shake the entire Holy Empire.

It would be a great help.

But Cyan couldn’t easily nod.

“It’s too dangerous for you.”

It would be too dangerous for Aria.

Anyway, Aria was just going back to the Holy Empire.

In short, it was like sticking her head into a dragon’s lair.

What if Aria was taken hostage?

Then it would be irreversible.

There was no way Cyan could protect Aria.

Aria must have known that.

“Do you think I’m just a child who needs protection?”

Nevertheless, Aria’s thoughts were firm.

“Don’t you know who I am? I’m the Saintess called the reincarnation of Muriel. I can protect myself, so don’t worry. And I told you before, you tend to try to solve everything alone.”

Aria then tapped her chest and continued.

“Lean on this older sister when things are tough.”

She made a smug expression…

Cyan couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Just trust this older sister.”

“We’re the same age, why do you keep calling me ‘older sister’… And if we’re just going by birthdays, aren’t I the older brother?”

“Hey. In times like this, you just say ‘Yes, older sister!’ Don’t nitpick…”

Aria grumbled with a sulky face.

Once again, a smile escaped him.

“Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

Cyan asked Aria cautiously.

“Don’t worry. I’m going to slap the Pope, who I didn’t like anyway.”

Aria nodded back with a determined face.

#

After Aria left for the Holy Empire,

Cyan moved quickly.

With the Holy Empire preparing for war against Ruben,

there was no time to sit idly.

Of course, war wasn’t something that could be done easily.

There needed to be a justification, even if it was just a pretense.

And there needed to be time for preparation.

Nevertheless, Cyan didn’t have much time.

The Holy Empire, unified by God’s will, would move as one.

The justification could be anything, like a holy war or something invoking God’s will.

The Holy Empire would move quickly.

Ruben couldn’t avoid such a war.

So, the first thing Cyan had to do was decided.

“Are you telling me to go back to the Imperial Palace?”

Princess Elena.

He had to send her back to the Imperial Palace.

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Cyan nodded calmly.

War with the Holy Empire was inevitable.

And that battlefield was none other than here, Ruben.

Soon, this place, Ruben, would be devastated.

He couldn’t leave Princess Elena in such a battlefield.

Elena looked at Cyan silently, her eyes showing disappointment.

But the main emotion was still questioning.

Elena’s eyes, silently looking at Cyan, were asking for the reason.

Cyan didn’t need to hide the reason.

“The Holy Empire will declare war on Ruben.”

The story wasn’t long.

To tell it in detail, many additional explanations were needed.

Cyan gave a brief explanation of the situation.

So, it was practically a notification rather than an explanation.

“So, there was a reason why Marchioness Isabel openly committed treason.”

Nevertheless, Elena seemed to understand the situation.

“And their intention was to divert the Imperial Family’s attention to themselves.”

Beyond understanding, she was seeing through the entire situation.

Cyan was slightly impressed by Elena’s insight.

So, Cyan didn’t try to persuade her any further.

He thought that the wise Elena would willingly return to the Imperial Palace.

“No. I won’t go back.”

However, Elena shook her head firmly.

Just as Cyan was about to open his mouth again,

“Since this is the situation, I won’t beat around the bush. Can Ruben’s current forces handle the Holy Empire?”

Elena asked a beat faster.

And Cyan couldn’t easily nod.

The opponent was none other than the Holy Empire.

It was on a different level than Elan Durst.

No matter how much Elan Durst was one of the two pillars supporting the Empire, it was still just one family.

However, the Holy Empire was a country.

A country that had risen to the ranks of an Empire.

The ruler of this continent, rivaling the Charlotte Empire.

On the other hand, Ruben was a small, remote territory located in the Dark Forest.

Frankly, it wasn’t easy to win against the Holy Empire.

It wasn’t just difficult, but barely holding on was all they could do.

This was only possible because the battlefield was Ruben.

It was possible because they could use the buffs of the World Tree and various territory buffs.

In the first place, it was amazing that a small territory could withstand an Empire.

However, enduring and winning were different things.

“Frankly… it’s difficult.”

Cyan shook his head and answered.

Elena immediately opened her mouth as if she expected it.

“The Imperial Family’s help is needed for the Count. But if I go back like this… the Imperial Family can’t help the Count.”

Cyan tilted his head at Elena’s words for a moment.

However, he soon understood Elena’s words and nodded.

“You mean the Imperial Family has to deal with Elan Durst’s rebellion first.”

“That’s right.”

Elena nodded.

Currently, Elan Durst was in a situation of rebelling against the Imperial Family.

By massacring the Imperial Palace’s investigation team, they announced the fact of their rebellion to the world.

The Imperial Family’s response to this was, of course, immediate execution.

The Elan Durst family had to be exterminated from this continent.

Thereby, the Imperial Family’s dignity had to be shown.

They had to show their power so that the Imperial Family wouldn’t be taken lightly.

“But if the Imperial Family helps Count Cyan instead of Elan Durst’s rebellion…”

“The Imperial Family’s position will become quite difficult.”

What if Elan Durst was left alone in the current situation?

What if they left the rebels alone and helped Ruben?

People would definitely think this much.

Even if they openly commit treason, they don’t take any action?

Could it be that they don’t have the confidence to suppress the rebellion?

What, the Imperial Family is nothing special.

Such words were bound to come out.

Even now, such words were slowly coming out.

Now that the Imperial Family was not taking action at Cyan’s request,

stories were slowly leaking out from the surroundings.

Therefore, the Imperial Family couldn’t help Cyan.

Exterminating Elan Durst first was the Imperial Family’s priority.

Even if they helped, it would only be possible after exterminating Elan Durst first.

“Marchioness Isabel really planned meticulously.”

This was the reason why Isabel openly committed treason.

It was to divert the Imperial Family’s attention to herself and prevent the Imperial Family’s support for Ruben.

In many ways, it could be said to be a checkmate [a move in chess that puts the opponent’s king in a position from which it cannot escape, resulting in a win].

But this was also a situation where Cyan had noticed the plan first.

It could be used in reverse.

“If I stay in Ruben, the story changes.”

It could be used as an opportunity to strike at Isabel’s weakness.

“I am the Empire’s Princess. If they point a sword at me, that’s also treason.”

Even if it was the Holy Empire, there were no exceptions.

If anyone on this continent pointed a sword at a member of the Imperial Family, it was the crime of treason.

So, the moment the Holy Empire waged war against Ruben.

To be exact, the moment they entered Ruben’s territory where Princess Elena was located without permission.

“The Imperial Family gains the justification to protect me and at the same time, the same justification for treason as Elan Durst.”

Thereby, the Imperial Family doesn’t have to deal with Elan Durst first.

Another traitor who threatens Princess Elena.

They gain the justification to draw their sword first against the Holy Empire.

“Only then can the Imperial Family help Count Cyan.”

Reason and justification.

Both are beautifully shaped.

Furthermore, the game set by Isabel could be overturned.

Elena finished speaking like that.

Cyan was speechless for a moment.

He had nothing to say to Elena’s words.

Frankly, he was surprised.

The wisdom to understand the situation even without much explanation.

Furthermore, even the insight to establish countermeasures according to the situation.

Is the Imperial Family’s bloodline the Imperial Family’s bloodline after all?

Elena had the qualities of a ruler.

So, Elena’s words were the perfect solution.

Nevertheless, Cyan couldn’t easily nod.

“Then it becomes too dangerous for Your Highness.”

In the end, Elena’s sacrifice had to be supported.

All those things were only possible if Elena was here in Ruben.

No matter how strong Ruben’s defenses were, they were not invincible.

Moreover, this time the target was the Holy Empire.

Just being in Ruben was a great danger.

“It’s okay.”

Nevertheless, Elena was firm.

“I want to overcome the danger with the Count too.”

Elena then looked at Cyan.

Her eyes contained emotions that could not be explained.

Cyan could only stare blankly at those eyes.

“And if a dangerous moment comes, the Count will protect me, right? Like in a fairy tale where a prince on a white horse appears.”

Of course, Cyan would protect Elena at all costs.

But war was a cold reality.

A reality where you never know when and where what variables will occur.

Fairy tales are fairy tales, and reality is reality.

Above all.

“I’m not a prince.”

Doesn’t it seem like our positions are a bit… reversed?

But Elena didn’t care at all?

“You are a prince to me.”

Elena only gave a shy smile.

#

Immediately after finishing the conversation with Elena.

Cyan headed straight to the personal training ground located in the basement of the Lord’s Castle.

Originally, he shouldn’t have headed to the training ground.

He had to gather all the people of Ruben and hold a meeting.

So, he had to explain the current situation of Ruben in detail.

And he had to proceed with the tight preparations for the upcoming war as soon as possible.

But Cyan moved his steps to the training ground instead of the conference room.

First of all, Ruben’s forces had enough power to stand against the Holy Empire.

But you never know what might happen.

Cyan had to make his own preparations.

Ding!

《DLC maintenance has been completed.》

《DLC content is available from this time onwards.》

.

.

Kyle’s memories that he hasn’t seen yet.

He has to finish the highest level of the Mahon Sura Sword here.

Also, he has to find it in Kyle’s memory.

He has to find out how to kill the existing God.

Cyan stood in the center of the training ground and stretched out his hand.

Swirling through the air, he touched the 【DLC Item】 that appeared on his retina.

He ran the rising ‘DLC Content – Kyle’s Journal’.

Soon, a notification window saying ‘Loading…’ popped up.

Cyan took a deep breath as the numbers slowly rose.

He suddenly wondered if he could do it.

Honestly, he didn’t know.

The realm of Exceed was literally a realm of mythology.

And even if he stepped into the realm of Exceed.

He also doubted whether that alone would be enough.

The Demon of Pride is an existence comparable to Kyle.

It was an existence that even Kyle couldn’t handle after being possessed.

It was literally an existence no different from God.

Is it possible to kill such an existence?

It’s something even Kyle couldn’t do.

It’s something that even Kyle ultimately failed at.

Can I really do that?

All sorts of thoughts swirled around.

But Cyan shook his head and brushed them off.

Thoughts and worries later.

Now is the time to do it.

Above all, Kyle definitely found a way.

At the end of that road, Kyle controlled the pride that had possessed him.

If not, the world would have already been destroyed a thousand years ago.

There would have been no such thing as Cyan becoming Kyle’s successor.

Kyle knew how to kill God and tried it.

Although that attempt ended in failure, his legacy still remained.

So, the last memory containing everything Kyle left behind.

[Run DLC Content – ‘Kyle’s Journal’.]

He has to find it here.

He has to end it here.

Cyan strengthened his resolve.

And then, Hwaaaak!

A flurry of white light covered Cyan’s vision.

#

The light that had covered the entire field of vision.

The dazzling light, as if facing the sunlight head-on, lasted for a long time.

How much time had passed?

As the flurry of light that had covered his vision slowly subsided, Cyan slowly opened his eyes.

That way, his vision began to clear dimly.

The first thing he saw was, of course.

“Heok…! Heok…!”

It was Kyle’s figure.

Cyan quickly looked around.

And he grasped at what point the current memory was.

Kyle, who was breathing heavily for some reason.

His whole body was soaked with cold sweat.

‘Is it a memory after returning from that space?’

None other than the space full of white light.

The unidentified man he met in that space.

“Heok…!”

It seemed like it was the memory right after coming out of that space.

In short, the memory was not cut off.

However, from Cyan’s point of view, it could be said that only that memory was cut out.

In other words, it meant that only Cyan was banished.

It meant that Kyle had a conversation with an unidentified man in that space.

Cyan quietly examined Kyle’s condition.

Kyle right after returning from the space of white light.

Kyle was different in two ways from before.

‘I can’t feel the Demon of Pride.’

First of all, Cyan couldn’t feel the Demon of Pride from Kyle.

In the last memory, Kyle was suffering from guilt for killing Charlotte.

A loophole was created in Kyle’s state of mind.

The Demon of Pride had crept into that gap.

So, Kyle was completely possessed by Pride.

He couldn’t handle the soaring sin of Pride, and at the end, he wanted to become God.

But that wasn’t the case now.

The power of Pride that had possessed Kyle was not felt.

But it wasn’t that it had disappeared either.

It was possessed within Kyle, but it was suppressed by something.

Will? Barrier? Bondage?

It was a power that even Cyan’s senses couldn’t define.

Pride was suppressed by the power of something unknown.

It seemed like it was something he did in that space…

‘What the hell happened in that space?’

He was very curious, but unfortunately, he couldn’t see that memory.

And the second thing that changed.

It was none other than what was in Kyle’s hand.

A rectangular object.

An unfamiliar design that cannot be seen on this continent.

But it was more than familiar to Cyan.

‘Smartphone…?’

In Kyle’s hand, a smartphone was held at some point.