The Shadowed Legacy of the Soulless Messenger [EN]: Chapter 381

From the moment Azadin paved a road through the Chadra Highlands and descended into the Naisandokar and Sandokar regions, the nobles and royals in the vicinity had been keenly observing his actions.

Outwardly, they disparaged him as a soulless blasphemer and an unlucky member of the Heraldic Clan [a noble or influential family], but it was impossible to ignore a force that was explosively growing in power and moving within their own territories.

That was why Count Iveczek of Sandokar had submitted to Azadin, and Arangi had maintained face by granting him the title of Margrave of Naisandokar, a region they couldn’t even claim.

Prince Sram was also well aware of Azadin’s actions up to this point.

He had openly mocked Azadin for taking in refugees.

‘He’s just gathering popularity by being generous without thinking ahead. Does he think other kings are stingy with food for no reason? Such shallow kindness. How foolish. He’s trying to imitate a noble with his lowly status, so it can’t be helped, but he won’t last long if he can’t see the future.’

However, while saying that, he was secretly burning with jealousy and envy.

He had been looking down on Azadin for his low birth, but he was unconsciously acknowledging that Azadin’s actions were noble and righteous.

He had been thinking that way, but after hearing Azadin’s words…

‘He’s much more formidable than I thought. All those kind gestures were calculated moves. Even if I’m like this, then what about his patron, Bishop Akenar…’

Prince Sram suddenly thought of Bishop Akenar. To him, she was a woman who was like a younger mother. Could she, who had been arbitrarily sacrificed to the whims of the nobles and the royal family, have supported Azadin even knowing his true colors? That couldn’t be. It would be easier for this cunning and insidious member of the Heraldic Clan to deceive Bishop Akenar than to flip his hand.

“You. I know Bishop Akenar is your patron, but did she know about your evil nature?”

“Well, I wouldn’t call it evil just because I acted a bit strategically. But why Bishop Akenar all of a sudden?”

Azadin paused for a moment when Prince Sram suddenly mentioned Bishop Akenar.

“I thought you joined the Relief Knights thanks to her favor. You… I never thought you were such a villain who would deceive even your benefactor for your own gain. I can forgive you for deceiving me or the world, but deceiving Bishop Akenar is too much, isn’t it?”

“Hmm.”

Azadin was lost in thought as he saw the affection in Prince Sram’s eyes whenever he mentioned Bishop Akenar.

‘I was going to deceive and manipulate him, but this guy is related to Bishop Akenar? Then, for her sake, I can’t treat him with schemes.’

Although Bishop Akenar was dead, her favor had greatly helped Azadin enter the Relief Knights and establish himself.

Out of respect for her kindness, Azadin could not deceive someone who showed her favor.

“Hey, Prince Sram?”

“What is it, Count Azadin?”

“I’d like to take back what I just said.”

“What?”

Prince Sram became suspicious again as he saw Azadin suddenly change his attitude.

‘Does he think I’m an idiot?’

*********

He had made things more complicated by using a shallow trick.

However, Azadin had Prince Sram as a hostage, so he had plenty of time to convince him.

Azadin explained to Prince Sram that he truly respected Bishop Akenar.

Whether he was the unforgivable villain he initially appeared to be, or a virtuous man who cherished each and every life of his people and tried to take them all in, Prince Sram was convinced that it was more beneficial for him to cooperate with Azadin either way.

If Azadin was a hypocrite and a villain, it would be good to deplete his food supply.

If Azadin was a virtuous man, it would be good to contribute to his good cause.

In the end, Prince Sram reluctantly sided with Azadin.

Prince Sram, while being a hostage, began to work on the reconstruction of Coxhall as a supervisor of the Arangi people.

As the commander, Prince Sram, sided with Azadin and began working on the restoration of Coxhall, his subordinates followed without complaint, and the work speed increased even further.

*********

“That’s what happened.”

Azadin explained to Count Iveczek what had happened with Prince Sram.

Count Iveczek clicked his tongue.

“Amazing. To think you could persuade an enemy commander to take over the engineering work of our army. But if the opponent is Prince Sram, I understand.”

“That Prince Sram?”

“Oh, it’s a famous story around here. Originally, Prince Sram fell in love at first sight with Bishop Akenar, or Princess Hawol of Chitai, and petitioned his father to marry her. But his father, King Arangi, quickly took her as his own concubine. It’s such a famous story that the bards around here have sung about it to the point of exhaustion.”

“Ah. Such a thing happened?”

“Yes. Shouldn’t the Heraldic Clan know about it too?”

“I was in charge of the east, not here, so I didn’t know. So that’s why.”

The longing and admiration that Prince Sram showed for Bishop Akenar had such a meaning. Azadin thought so and clicked his tongue.

To think that a father would take the woman his son wanted to marry. What a terrible father. Seeing Prince Sram betray his father now, I can feel how solid the position of King Yaegas is.

*********

Prince Sram was captured by Count Azadin as a hostage and a ransom was demanded.

Such a message arrived at the Arangi royal palace, but of course, the King of Arangi had no intention of paying a single coin.

Prince Sram’s maternal line also had no reason to invest in Prince Sram, who would never become king anyway.

Rather, voices calling for the execution of Count Azadin grew louder in the Arangi royal family.

“How dare he capture a prince of the Arangi royal family and demand a ransom? It’s ungrateful. Wasn’t it our noble Majesty’s grace that he was chosen as a count in the first place?”

“To repay grace with enmity, the Heraldic Clan is indeed heartless. We must take this opportunity to execute him and seize Naisandokar and Sandokar, which he has occupied.”

The civil and military officials of the Arangi royal family all raised their voices, saying that Azadin should be subjugated.

It was unforgivable that he had claimed the throne of the Banreung Kingdom, which was the long-cherished wish of the Arangi Kingdom, and it was confirmed that he had stockpiled a large amount of food by taking in refugees from various places.

Of course, not everyone advocated for subjugation.

“I am sorry to say this, but Count Azadin is by no means an easy opponent. Naisandokar was a land that we had given up on because we could not handle it with our troops and manpower even when the world was normal. Wasn’t the fact that he was appointed as a Margrave because his power and talent were extraordinary? Although the subjugation of the Banreung Kingdom is ostensibly the action of the Relief Knights, it was Count Azadin who took the actual benefits. Is there really a need to antagonize him?”

Surprisingly, it was Jiadel, the new queen of the Arangi Kingdom and the daughter of Cohen Lionair of the Northern Empire, who poured cold water on the war advocates.

As a half-elf born between an elf and the Northern Empire, she was over nine feet tall, exuding a unique presence even while sitting on the queen’s throne.

However, the vassals of the royal family were openly annoyed.

In the Arangi Kingdom, the queen was ultimately just a powerless ornament that would be sent to a convent someday.

Moreover, the current queen was not to the liking of the King of Arangi, so she had even less power.

The alliance with the Northern Empire was the only centripetal force that kept the queen’s crown on her head.

For her to interfere in state affairs was unacceptable.

“You seem to be unaware. Your Majesty. It was Count Azadin who first bared his teeth at the royal family.”

“Yes. He has claimed the throne of Banreung. Isn’t that a grave crime in itself? Just leaving it alone will damage the dignity of the royal family.”

“Moreover, he is spreading the teachings of heresy. He will surely shake the public’s mind and deceive people with his sophistry. It is better to deal with him before it becomes a problem.”

The vassals were talking about why they had to strike Azadin now.

But the queen did not back down.

“You speak as if victory is guaranteed just by sending troops against Count Azadin.”

“No, Your Majesty…”

“If he has claimed the throne of Banreung and is spreading the teachings of heresy, the King’s Church will surely take action, and it won’t be too late to move after seeing that. There is no need to put your hand in the fire when it is burning, is there?”

“No. Seeing how he is taking in so many refugees, he must have quite a lot of food.”

“The Chadra Highlands are originally famous as a granary.”

The military officials of Arangi did not hide their true purpose.

The vassals of the royal family were plotting war because of their desire for plunder, like a group of bandits.

But they were confident.

Originally, when winter approached, feudal states prepared for war.

When the farmers finished all their harvests and rested for a while, that was a good time to go to war. Even if farmers were conscripted to carry out the war, it was a season that did not cause much damage to productivity.

That is why the rulers of the Hybris Continent have the authority to mobilize troops for 90 days at a time.

For 90 days in winter, the rulers do not have to pay for the conscription of vassals.

Winter was the traditional season for war.

“Are you trying to start a bandit business by consuming the lives of the people? Unbelievable.”

Queen Jiadel was appalled by the sight of all the officials gathered in the Arangi palace.

King Karnago IV of Arangi, seeing this, became annoyed.

“Queen, you should go and rest. You should not interfere in matters of military affairs.”

“But…”

“Go now.”

At the king’s gesture, the queen’s maids surrounded her.

‘Tsk, she doesn’t know her place. She was sold to her father, yet she tries to interfere in domestic affairs? When will she realize that she is a hostage, no, a tribute?’

King Karnago IV of Arangi dismissed the queen and her maids and ordered his subordinates to prepare for war.

Winter is the season of war.

And this winter was expected to be unusually long.