The Failure Marquis Is A Genius [EN]: Chapter 172

20. Bloodline: Confronting the Scoundrel

After the commotion at the hot springs, I waited for the Emperor’s contact, anticipating his decision.

Of course, I had prepared countermeasures for any unexpected actions.

If he decided to use military force to kill us, I would judge that I could no longer trust the Emperor and side with Gazel, the Desert King, hastening the empire’s demise.

Fortunately, such an unfortunate event did not occur. Exactly one week after entering the palace, the Emperor sent a messenger to the Merrybell Tavern.

The week-long delay was probably the time he took to investigate the Reynold case on his own.

Surprisingly, the Emperor sent his close confidant, Commander Hans, in person. Sitting in the Merrybell Tavern, he awkwardly looked around.

“Was there a fierce fight recently? The interior is almost completely destroyed.”

“Some crazy bastard came by. We plan to repair it soon. What would you like to order?”

“No drinks for me. I have someone to meet here.”

“Please wait a moment.”

After receiving the message, I met Hans with Pahel. Unlike last time, I revealed my identity without wearing a mask or hood.

“It’s good to see you again.”

“…Greetings, First Prince.”

Hans, having heard the story from the Emperor, knelt before Pahel.

“I’m just a thug from the back alleys. Please don’t do this.”

“I remember Queen Sandy as well. She used to bring steamed potatoes every day for the Royal Guards who were hungry. It is only natural to serve her son as a prince.”

Hans’s gaze shifted to the side.

My appearance was too noticeable to ignore.

“Who is that?”

“Count Henon Lloyd.”

“So, you’re the man of the rumors.”

Hans had apparently heard about me recently.

His eyes narrowed as he scanned me up and down. At the same time, a suffocating pressure surged. It felt as if a mountain was approaching with heavy footsteps.

He intended to gauge whether Henon Lloyd was worthy of being the continent’s eighth star. Should I call him a true warrior? A smile crept onto my face as I faced his pure competitive spirit.

An ordinary knight might have been mentally disoriented and trembling just from meeting his gaze head-on.

But I had met all Seven Stars. I had fought life-or-death battles with many of the Seven Archdevils.

The inner vessel that already existed within me had expanded like a vast ocean. Hans was not much different.

I drew up the Tri-Origin Mana from my dantian [energy center] and gently deflected the onrushing force. A textbook-perfect response. Hans’s eyebrows twitched as he saw that I was unmoved even by the full force of his aura.

“Impressive for someone so young.”

“You flatter me.”

“But you are a citizen of the Elven Kingdom. Why are you interfering in a war between other countries?”

“If the Empire falls, the continent will be shaken. How can I stand by and watch as if it’s none of my business?”

“That’s right. Count Lloyd came from afar to help me. If it weren’t for him, Reynold’s and my mother’s deaths would have been buried in darkness forever.”

Hans nodded at Pahel’s defense and took out the Emperor’s letter from his inner pocket.

“This is a message from His Majesty.”

The letter read as follows:

________________________________

I have learned the truth about the Reynold case. I take full responsibility for this and will soon depose Crown Prince Alex and appoint Pahel in his place.

I will also announce the truth about Queen Sandy’s death. I will reveal that Duke James plotted the assassination and hold him accountable.

Of course, Duke James will deny it. He may wage an all-out war to depose me. This will lead to the empire’s division and destruction.

But is the answer to cover up the festering wound and let it rot? I don’t think so. Eventually, this path will also lead to the empire’s demise.

If the empire is going to fall either way, wouldn’t it be better to reveal the truth? At least this path offers a chance for revival.

Therefore, Pahel, I want to ask you a favor. Persuade Gazel, the Desert King. He is currently pushing the war too hard. His goal is not victory, but mutual destruction.

You need to have the Desert Kingdom on your side to balance the power struggle with Duke James. Remember that this is directly related to your survival.

I have made my choice. Now, you just need to choose. I hope today’s decision will be a little comfort to Sandy.

________________________________

The writing style of the letter was simple.

Every detail was essential.

Commander Hans opened his mouth.

“His Majesty will soon set out on a personal campaign to engage the Desert Kingdom. Duke James will probably follow. From there, Pahel, you can go to the Desert King as an envoy.”

“Persuading the Desert King won’t be easy.”

“It won’t just be difficult, it will be a challenging mission. Currently, the Desert King is executing all envoys sent to negotiate peace.”

To enlist someone who harbors murderous intent towards us as an ally is an absurdly difficult task, even if it’s a royal command.

On the one hand, I felt that the Emperor was a meticulous person.

Looking at the letter alone, it seems like he cares a lot about Pahel. But if you look at the reality, it’s a little different.

Suppose Pahel, as an envoy, fails in his mission and is killed by the Desert King. In this case, will the Emperor depose Crown Prince Alex and fight Duke James?

That possibility is slim.

If he fails, the Emperor will feign ignorance and prepare for a full-scale war with the Desert Kingdom, while maintaining his uneasy alliance with Duke James. The truth about Reynold’s and Sandy’s deaths will also be buried.

The Emperor will only move after he is certain that the Desert Kingdom has become an ally. Until then, he won’t budge.

In short, the content of that letter can be summarized as follows:

‘I’ll give you a chance. If you prove yourself, I’ll be on your side, and if you don’t, I’ll turn my back on you.’

That was the message.

No matter what situation he faces, the Emperor has an escape route, so the expression ‘cunning raccoon’ suits him perfectly.

There’s no way the intelligent Pahel wouldn’t have noticed what I noticed. He smiled bitterly and shook his head.

“You’re amazing to the end, Your Majesty.”

Unlike Pahel, I was satisfied that the Emperor had given us a chance. That alone made the hot springs operation a success.

It’s one thing if there’s no chance at all. If even a sliver of a chance is given, it can always be seized. I’ve been piercing through the eye of a needle to get here all along. I just need to do the same thing this time.

* * *

After conveying the Emperor’s message, my companions, including Zion and Campbell, volunteered for the envoy mission. Even Old Man Orneo.

But to be blunt, it was right for only Pahel and me to go on this operation.

In the worst-case scenario, the entire royal army, including the Desert King, would pursue us, and it would be harder to escape with more companions.

Therefore, Pahel, who was essential to persuading the Desert King, and I, who had the most suitable skills for escape, decided to go.

The Melbus Great Plains.

A magnificent sight unfolded on the vast plains, three days away from Osdin City to the south, where two hundred thousand troops faced off.

Hundred thousand troops of Gazel’s Desert Kingdom, hundred thousand imperial troops led directly by the Emperor, and finally, hundred thousand troops brought by Duke James.

In a triangular formation, Pahel and I approached the Desert Kingdom’s camp.

“Stop!!”

As expected, the security was tight.

A spectacle of arrows aimed over the palisade [defensive wall] and eyes full of animosity.

It would be normal for most people to run away, but Pahel and I are not ordinary people.

“What’s going on?”

“We are messengers sent by His Majesty the Emperor. Open the gate so we can speak to His Majesty the Desert King.”

“His Majesty no longer trusts the Emperor’s forked tongue. If you value your lives, go back now.”

“We can’t do that. We must see His Majesty.”

When we expressed our firm refusal, a chilling murderous intent enveloped my entire body. The soldiers, including the warrior we spoke to, drew their swords and surrounded us in a circle.

“If you don’t understand, there’s nothing we can do. Just die.”

The approaching soldier swung his sword down from above. It was such a slow movement. By the time the blade touched the ground, I had already leaped into the sky, using his shoulder as a stepping stone.

“Breaking through!”

“Is he crazy? He’s going to break through this?”

“Stop him! Everyone attack!”

[Wind Control]

[Haste]

[Shunpo] [instantaneous movement]

I increased my speed with wind skills and soared into the sky. I kicked through the air and crossed the gate in one breath.

Pahel was also an assassin taught by Sloth. He crossed the palisade with a top-notch Water Strider Step combined with a Haste wind buff.

“Druids are truly amazing.”

“Save the admiration for later. Let’s run.”

Soldiers and paladins, hearing the commotion outside, rushed in from all directions.

The sight was like a black wave crashing in. The moment we were swept away, meeting the Desert King would become distant. We had to keep breaking new paths.

Fortunately, I had a skill that made it easy to deal with crowds.

[Wood Control]

[Enhanced Bind]

Tree roots rising from the ground bound the enemies’ ankles, and

“Ugh! What is this!”

“Release me!”

“It’s tough and hard to cut!”

[Crystal Control]

[Crystal Shield]

The suddenly rising crystal wall properly blocked the path of the pursuers, and

[Wood Rain]

They were busy holding up their shields to protect their lives from the pouring wooden icicles. Naturally, the shields they raised became good stepping stones. Pahel and I jumped over them and headed straight to the center.

Gazel’s tent was easy to find. The largest and most splendid tent was the Desert King’s residence. The level of the paladins guarding the area was also high.

“You bastard! Where do you think you’re going!”

But strength is relative. Even the paladins, who were considered elite forces in the kingdom, were lightweights to me. When he swung his sword, emitting aura, the guy who was facing him was horrified.

“What? A Sword Master?”

While he was panicking, the Aura Blade had already blown away his shamshir [a curved sword]. I kicked the paladin, who had lost his weapon, in the abdomen. He was hit squarely and sucked into Gazel’s ger [nomadic tent].

Finally, I set foot in the ger.

The Desert King was inside.

Meeting the Desert King after breaking through a hundred thousand troops.

Everything was going according to plan so far.

Gazel’s first impression was… the epitome of manliness. He was shirtless, revealing a sculpted, muscular body. His sun-tanned skin further emphasized his strength.

“Who are you?”

“Henon Lloyd.”

“A young pup.”

Once again, a sense of pressure covered me.

Commander Hans and Desert King Gazel, why do they all try to pressure me with their aura?

Of course, it didn’t work. I didn’t budge. Besides, I just broke through the encirclement of a hundred thousand troops. It’s safe to say that my strength has already been proven.

“You have the spirit. You’re not even an imperial, so what brings you here?”

“I came to end this war.”

“You’re a presumptuous one.”

Gazel picked up a bottle of alcohol and gulped it down. After squeezing out the last drop of alcohol, he threw the bottle aside.

“Everyone, step back. I’ll talk to these guys.”

“Your Majesty! Their martial prowess is unusual. It’s dangerous without guards!!”

“Dangerous? Are you worried that I, Gazel, will be defeated by a greenhorn from a foreign country?”

“That’s not what I meant…”

“I don’t want to hear it. Everyone, step back!”

Eventually, everyone left the ger.

Only Gazel, me, and Pahel were left.

“It’s a little quieter now.”

The Desert King smiled with a satisfied expression.

“You broke through my men to get here. You’ve shown your spirit, so I’ll listen to you until my patience runs out. Go ahead and tell me what you have to say.”

“What we want is simple. Please stop the war.”

“The same thing I’ve heard from all the envoys so far. Do you think I came here for personal ambition? Your emperor provided the pretext for the war.”

“Does Your Majesty want the Emperor to acknowledge Queen Sandy’s assassination and sincerely apologize?”

“Yes. Until then, the desert’s fury will not stop.”

A parallel conversation. It’s been like this all along, but this time it’s different. Because we have Pahel, a hidden card.

“His Majesty the Emperor will reveal the truth about Queen Sandy’s death.”

“You want me to believe that?”

“Crown Prince Alex will also be deposed soon.”

The Desert King changed his posture when the story of Alex came up.

“What do you mean?”

“His Majesty also knows that Queen Sandy died from murder. He even knows who ordered it.”

“Keep talking.”

“But the person who ordered it is a powerful figure that His Majesty can’t touch easily. That’s why we need Gazel’s help.”

The Desert King furrowed his brow and pondered.

“An existence that the Emperor knows but can’t touch… There aren’t many people like that in the empire. Could it be Duke James?”

“That’s right. His Majesty truly loved Queen Sandy. But he couldn’t protect her from Duke James.”

To be exact, the Emperor was tricked by Duke James and contributed to Queen Sandy’s death.

However, in a situation where the desert’s help is desperately needed, telling the raw truth would only backfire.

I put a little wrapping on it, just enough to make it look good. It wasn’t exactly a lie, since the Emperor did love Sandy.

“Okay. Let’s concede that the Emperor covered up the incident because of Duke James. But what does that have to do with Crown Prince Alex?”

“It’s related. Because Sandy’s son will ascend to the vacant Crown Prince position when Crown Prince Alex steps down.”

“!!!”

Even the steadfast Gazel couldn’t remain calm at this moment. The Desert King, who had jumped up, strode towards me and thrust his head in front of me.

“Say that again. What did you just say?”

“I said that Sandy’s son will be appointed as the Crown Prince.”

“So… are you trying to tell me that I have a nephew?”

“I guess that’s how it would be.”

Gazel, who had returned to his place, burst into laughter.

“Kuhahahaha!!!!”

Gazel, who was holding his stomach and laughing, opened a new bottle of alcohol and poured it down his throat.

“That was quite a funny joke. On the one hand, it’s unpleasant. Because you brought up a nephew who doesn’t exist.”

“I only spoke the truth.”

“Okay. Then prove it. If you can’t prove what you said… you won’t leave here alive.”

A chilling murderous intent tightened around my neck. It was different from the pressure I had felt earlier. Every pore on my skin screamed and warned me. I barely managed to restrain myself from reaching for the Demonic Heavenly Sword.

“Seeing is believing. It’s better to see it directly than to hear it.”

This is why I brought Pahel. He took off his hood.

Snow-white hair like snow and bright yellow topaz eyes. Even if everything else was different, his sun-tanned skin and eyes were exactly the same.

Gazel slowly got up and approached Pahel. Pahel also did not avoid Gazel’s intense gaze. Was it a communion unique to men born with the desert bloodline? I wouldn’t know.

Silence continued for a long time. Gazel didn’t ask Pahel about this or that. He didn’t suspect it was the Emperor’s trick. He just looked into Pahel’s eyes with a deep gaze and sighed for a long time.

“You must have had a hard time surviving.”

Just one word. Short but impactful. It was the moment Gazel recognized Pahel’s bloodline.