The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 120

Chapter 15: Accusation: The Swordsman Scion Draws His Sword

Fontano.

Elden Royal Palace.

The usual members gathered in King Rebecca’s office.

Me, Zion, Campbell, Rebecca, Andre.

And even Coco.

“Kkyuu!!”

After the wedding, I showed the baby dragon Coco to Rebecca and Andre.

Of course, Rebecca’s reaction was explosive.

“Oh my! How cute!”

Coco, curious about Rebecca being a vampire, kept sniffing her and eventually spread a mat on her lap and lay down.

Despite the hatchling’s adorable antics, which made everyone want to pinch its cheeks, the atmosphere in the conference room was heavy.

This was because I had delivered Hilton’s raw, unfiltered conspiracy.

“It’s truly sad. I realize that royal authority has plummeted to the bottom.”

“Even so, to dare to kidnap Her Majesty and threaten her to take their side… The Hiltons must have completely lost their minds.”

Andre snorted and fumed, while Zion and Campbell were speechless, as if they couldn’t even imagine it.

“Young Master, I have a purely curious question.”

“Speak.”

“Even if Hilton is a great family, is it possible to openly invade a country’s royal palace and take Her Majesty away?”

“I’ll answer that.”

Rebecca stepped forward.

“Unfortunately, the current royal military power is terrible. Quantitatively, it looks plausible, but qualitatively, it’s just an empty shell except for my uncle.”

This meant that except for Count Hornet, who had reached the highest level of Expert, the rest were duds.

With the level of the Royal Knights and defense forces in this state, the Hilton family could have come up with such a reckless idea.

The royal family of the feudal system is so pathetic.

Talented people are snatched away by local great families who treat them with much better salaries and fiefdoms.

The knights and soldiers working in the royal palace were said to endure meager wages and overtime with only the honor of defending the royal family.

“Damn it, that means we have no way to stop Hilton’s large army from advancing.”

“They won’t mobilize a large army. Currently, Hilton’s main force is confronting the Lloyd army at the territory border.”

“Henon is right. And if they deploy troops in the capital, it will attract a lot of attention, so they are likely to move with a small elite force.”

Even that is burdensome.

The reason why the Hilton family could form a duopoly with the Lloyd family, whose head was Seven Star, was because there were many masters in the family.

Unlike our family, where only Marquis Lloyd and Sebastian are Experts, excluding me, the Hilton family is said to have a good balance because they have more Expert masters than us.

“What should we do? The Queen can’t abandon the palace and run away; this is truly difficult.”

Seeing Rebecca, who lowered her head like a dejected puppy, Campbell jumped up and pounded his chest like a gorilla.

“Your Majesty, do not worry! Aren’t we here? Whether ten or a hundred dirty Hilton bastards come, the Vice-Captain and I will take care of them all. Hahaha!!”

Zion, a realist, rebuked Campbell.

“Say something that makes sense. No matter how strong we are, we can’t do anything if Expert masters rush at us in droves. Didn’t you say that even Count Hilton is as skilled as Count Hornet?”

Campbell and Zion glared at each other.

Amidst the barrage of insults like ‘sensitive maid’ and ‘stupid pig,’ Andre sweated profusely and mediated between them.

Coco, now accustomed to their bickering, yawned widely and nodded off, feeling Rebecca’s thigh was warm.

Is it my turn to step in?

When I raised my hand, silence fell in the room that was about to become a mess, and everyone’s attention was focused.

“Zion and Campbell are both right. It’s right to crush the fight that the Hilton family is starting head-on, and it’s also true that our forces are somewhat inferior in the meantime.”

“Then what is your plan?”

“So, we called for reinforcements on our side too. If they are a small elite, we will face them with a small elite as well. It’s about time they arrived…”

Swaeik! Tak!

No sooner had I finished speaking than a shadow fell on the window.

Zion and Campbell’s eyes widened as they saw the bizarre intruders who left the perfectly good entrance and deliberately came in through the window.

“Gasp!”

“Who is it!”

Rakan, Aiden, Amelia.

Familiar faces.

Amelia too… is somewhat welcome.

“We greet the Lord.”

“We greet the Commander-in-Chief.”

Amelia only nodded.

That’s enough.

It would have been nice to recruit Seven Star additionally, but everyone is busy, so there’s nothing I can do.

Anyway, the forces here are enough to crush most small countries.

I told Rebecca, who looked surprised.

“Let’s show the Hilton bastards clearly that the royal palace they looked down on was actually a lion’s den.”

* * *

Late at night.

Fontano.

Hilton Family Mansion.

Two carriages entered the mansion side by side, opening the gates.

Charlie Hilton and Philip Lloyd had been pacing back and forth for an hour, eager to greet them.

The black carriage door creaked open, and a mustached man in a neat suit, holding a cane, appeared.

“Father! Have you arrived!!”

“Count! Greetings!”

Charlie and Philip bent over like folders.

David Hilton, who was tall, looked down at Charlie and Philip with a pathetic expression.

“Did you finally make me come all the way here?”

“I’m sorry, Father.”

“Call me Head of the Family.”

“Yes, Head of the Family.”

Charlie bit his lip tightly.

In fact, Charlie’s position became quite precarious when Henon took the position of Royal Consort this time.

In the first place, Charlie, the eldest son, was supposed to be next to Princess Rebecca, and the second son was supposed to rule the County, but as the plan went awry, his position became uncertain.

“Actually, I didn’t even want to participate in such a reckless plan because, even if we left it alone, the royal family would collapse anyway.”

“I’m sorry! And thank you!”

“There’s no need to thank me. It’s not because of you that I accepted this operation.”

A black-clad figure, covering his face with a mask and wrapping his whole body in a hood, appeared behind Count Hilton.

The black-clad figure, exuding an eerie aura, scanned Charlie up and down and chuckled.

“Hehehe… a naive young master. Still, you have achieved considerable success at a young age, so your swordsmanship talent is just like the Count’s.”

“If it weren’t for his swordsmanship skills, I would have kicked him out of the family register long ago.”

It was too much to say in front of the person involved.

This was the atmosphere of the Hilton family.

A thorough meritocracy [a system where advancement is based on individual ability or achievement].

If you lack ability, you are not treated like a person, let alone family.

“Thank Urka for carrying out your plan. He is the one who came a long way from the Empire to help us.”

“I offer my thanks!!”

“Hehehe, I’m embarrassed to do things that are good for each other. More than that, I want to see the five fingers that Hilton boasts.”

Hilton’s five fingers.

It was the nickname of the five powerful Expert masters who guarded the family, excluding the head of the family and the direct line.

As the carriage door that followed opened, four people with unusual energy appeared.

Charlie’s mouth dropped open.

“Welcome! Welcome!!”

Charlie shook hands with the four people one by one and greeted them enthusiastically.

The proud fingers looked displeased but accepted the handshake because he was the son of the head of the family.

On the other hand, Urka tilted his head and expressed his doubts.

“I heard it was five fingers, but why is one missing?”

The leader of the five fingers, a burly man called Thumb, frowned.

“Damn it. That bastard, Horman, who was the little finger, died to Henon. Today, we are here to avenge him.”

The four fingers all burned with animosity towards Henon.

“The momentum is good. Let’s not waste time and leave right away. We’ll finish it in two hours.”

* * *

A small elite unit led by Count Hilton invaded the royal palace.

The lineup was very colorful.

There were as many as six Expert masters.

David and Thumb, who were upper-level Experts.

Index, Middle, and Ring, who were mid-level Experts.

Charlie, who was a beginner Expert.

And the mysterious black-clad Urka.

With six talents who could be in charge of the best in the family anywhere, they thought that incompetent royal soldiers or knights who were barely users would not be able to stop them.

Until they saw the empty main gate of the royal palace.

“Why aren’t there any defense forces?”

When Urka lightly touched the iron gate, the gate opened weakly.

David looked at Charlie.

It was a silent signal asking what was going on.

“I don’t know what’s going on either…”

“Could it be that the information was leaked?”

“That can’t be. The control was thorough!”

Urka said to Count Hilton, who was resting his chin and pondering.

“Wouldn’t it be okay anyway? Even if the information was leaked, they can’t deal with us.”

That’s right.

Even if Seven Star Marquis Lloyd comes, they can’t stop the current force.

Especially with a weak, crippled leg.

Henon and Count Hornet are a bit of a concern, but all they have to do is overwhelm them with numerical superiority.

“By the way, it’s a pity. There should be more soldiers so that I can play an active role.”

They moved inside, listening to Urka’s muttering.

Still, no one was in sight.

The invasion team, including David, had entered the interior where the throne was.

Creak!!

The door opened.

The people who came in were greatly surprised.

Princess Rebecca, wearing a black dress, was sitting demurely on the throne.

Her eerie red eyes flashed.

“Welcome.”

They couldn’t have not known about their invasion while waiting like this.

David frowned and rebuked Charlie.

“How did you manage the information?”

“I’m sorry. I think Philip leaked it.”

“I’ll have to deal with that guy when I get back. Anyway, if the royal family collapses, he’ll become a useless pawn.”

Count Hilton rubbed his palms and looked at Rebecca, who was sitting on the throne, and opened his mouth.

“It seems you knew we were coming and kept your seat? You should have run away instead. You chose a very hopeless option.”

Rebecca calmly replied to his words.

“Count Hilton, it’s not too late now. If you kneel down and sincerely apologize for this, I will let it pass as a simple happening.”

“Khahahahaha!!!”

Count Hilton, who spread his arms and laughed wildly, stopped laughing.

At the same time, a suffocating pressure fell on the entire building.

“You’re too green. Why should I listen to what a young girl like you says?”

He abandoned even the minimum courtesy to the Queen.

Count Hilton had already made up his mind.

Rebecca, sensing that the conversation was over, clenched her fist tightly.

“We will send people from our side, so please follow us comfortably without unnecessary resistance.”

When Count Hilton raised his hand, the four fingers, including Charlie, moved at once and surrounded the throne in a crane wing formation [a military tactic involving surrounding the enemy].

As if expecting this, Count Hornet, who had been hiding behind the throne, jumped out, drew his sword, and covered Rebecca.

“How dare you threaten anyone! Traitors will pay the price for insulting the royal family!”

“Count Hornet, the ghost of the royal family. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have come either. Today is your last day of work. Rest in peace in the afterlife.”

The conflict between the two forces escalated.

A situation that was disadvantageous to anyone who looked at it, 1vs6.

It was at that moment.

Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!

A regular and definite clapping sound.

Henon appeared from where the shadows of the audience hall were cast.

His cloak fluttered every time he walked, and his verdant green eyes scattered a deep blue light.

“Amazing. Really amazing. Even if you search through the eight hundred years of the kingdom’s history, the guys who go as far as your family are few and far between.”

Count Hilton’s eyes deepened as he looked at Henon.

“Henon Lloyd, Viscount.”

He was the one who ruined all the businesses that the Hilton family had been doing so far.

If it weren’t for this guy, the Lloyd family would have collapsed long ago, the royal family would have been handed over to the Empire, and the Hilton family would have soared.

Henon, who received Count Hilton’s gaze head-on, scratched his cheek.

“It’s a little embarrassing to be looked at with such a hot gaze.”

“What the hell are you? That’s a pure question.”

It’s difficult but straightforward on the other hand.

Therefore, Henon also gave an answer befitting the question.

“The Scion [heir] of the Marquis family. That’s all.”

Pfft.

The corners of Count Hilton’s mouth twisted.

It’s a witty answer to a foolish question.

It doesn’t matter if that guy is a demon slayer or a saint destroyer.

The root was eventually a Scion.

All they have to do is press down on him.

“Everyone, draw your swords.”

Sreureung

Thumb took out a pair of axes.

Index and Middle each held a greatsword and a rapier.

Ring spun two daggers around his fingers.

Charlie and Count Hilton also drew their swords.

Urka took a step back and watched the situation.

“Cough, cough!”

Rebecca coughed involuntarily as the fierce momentum covered the hall.

“It’s my turn to make a suggestion this time. Your Majesty, please follow us quietly. Henon, you’re too good of a talent to kill, so I’ll spare you if you surrender.”

I answered David’s nonsense with a fist.

“It’s so vulgar, like a bastard.”

“Then how about this? Is this also vulgar?”

Ttaak!!

When I snapped my fingers, the ambush team that had been hiding all over the audience hall popped out from here and there.

Zion, Campbell, Rakan, Aiden, Amelia.

In response to their crane wing formation, which was wrapped in a crane wing formation, we stood in a fan-shaped formation.

David Hilton, who saw the faces of the reinforcements, laughed in vain.

“I was wondering what you were so confident in, but it was just a ragtag group like this? We are all Expert-level masters. You should have at least called Seven Star.”

Uuuuuung!!

Brilliant mana burst out from the weapons of the Hilton side’s forces.

The energy flowing through their bodies was visualized and swayed like a heat haze.

That’s how much they were real Experts.

“How is it? Do you think you made a little mistake now?”

Even at Count Hilton’s provocation, Henon’s smile did not disappear.

The Count felt unpleasant when Henon, who he thought would be a little embarrassed, still maintained a poker face.

“You’re full of bluff. Even if you pretend to be calm, the situation doesn’t change…”

“Everyone, draw your swords!!!”

A thunderous voice.

At the same time, mana burst out from our side as well.

Zion’s dagger.

Campbell’s bastard sword.

Rakan’s twin swords.

Aiden’s rapier.

Hornet’s longsword.

Amelia’s arrow.

Finally, the emerald-colored Cheonma Sword.

Without exception, distinct mana of various colors swirled and formed a solid belt throughout the formation.

David’s side, who had never imagined that everyone would be Experts, widened their eyes in astonishment.

Count Hilton’s face was also crumpled like paper.

“David Hilton, do you still see us as a ragtag group?”