Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)
Entering the Castle
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“Alright, you lot, line up! We’re entering the capital.”
Leo’s army had reached the capital, Horimas. After thoroughly defeating the kingdom forces, the nobles scattered, fleeing back to their local lands. As a result, Leo encountered little resistance on his way here. Some local lords and influential figures attempted to resist as he passed through, but for Leo, who had crushed the vastly larger kingdom army, these opponents weren’t even worth calling obstacles.
In the capital, the news of the kingdom army’s defeat caused widespread panic. The citizens feared Leo’s invasion and began to flee, allowing Leo to take the capital without a fight.
“There are far fewer people than I remember. The city used to be much more lively.” (Leopold)
“Of course, they’re afraid of us! They’re probably all hiding inside their houses.” (Kureo)
Following behind Leo, Kureo and Leopold conversed suspiciously. The wealthy had fled the city, and the poor, with nowhere to go, tried to keep a low profile. Most houses had their lights off, windows and doors shut, as if no one was home. Leo’s army, now reduced to about 3,000 soldiers after the battles, marched into the capital. Yet, their grand entrance had no spectators, making the procession feel dismally lonely.
“This is infuriating.” (Leo)
Leo muttered.
His subordinates remained silent. While it was true the people didn’t welcome them, there was little they could do about Leo’s displeasure. Leo was muttering to himself, and then, he suddenly remembered an idea. Nodding as if he had figured out a great solution, he slapped Kureo on the shoulder. When it came to revenge or punishing those who opposed him, Leo’s mind worked with the brilliance of a genius.
“Burn down all the houses along the road.” (Leo)
“What?” (Kureo)
“Don’t make me repeat myself. You heard me.” (Leo)
“Y-yes, milord!” (Kureo)
Kureo, who had instinctively asked for clarification, quickly nodded in a panic when Leo shot him a glare. He couldn’t afford to become the target of Leo’s irritation during their triumphant entry into the capital. And so, Leo’s soldiers began setting fire to the houses along the roadside, one after another. Unfortunately, the weather that day was dry, and the buildings quickly caught fire.
Some houses were indeed empty, as the residents had fled. But most of the ordinary citizens, who had nowhere else to go, remained in their homes. As the flames raged, people began to flee their burning homes. Since the houses were densely packed, the only safe direction to escape was toward the main road. As more homes caught fire, the surrounding residents came out to watch, and soon the road was filled with onlookers who had been hiding in their homes.
Seeing the gathered crowd, Leo was immediately satisfied. The cries for help from those trapped in the burning buildings sounded like cheers to him. Leo casually killed one of the onlookers who had been glaring at him with hatred, forcing the terrified crowd to cheer.
“Hahaha! They’re coming out, coming out. Remember my face, people! I’m Leo, the new king of Laplace!” (Leo)
After forcing the people to cheer, Leo’s procession ended. He then dismissed his army and entered the royal palace with just a few of his closest subordinates.
The palace was empty, as expected. Those who had been in the palace were kingdom officials, which meant they were the ones who had fought against Leo. Remaining in the palace would only get them killed, so some fled to friendly nobles, while others embarked on wandering journeys. However, despite the emptiness of the palace, one person remained to greet Leo. It was Grand Vizier Rubel.
“It’s been a while, Leo-sama.” (Rubel)
“Oh, Rubel. Long time no see.” (Leo)
Leo raised his hand in response to Rubel, who bowed his head. Behind Leo, Kureo, who had been with Leo for over 10 years and still hadn’t had his name remembered, made a frustrated face out of view. Leo had immediately remembered Rubel’s name, despite not having seen him in years.
“Why didn’t you flee?” (Leo)
“There are no nobles who would help me if I did.” (Rubel)
“Hahaha, is that so?” (Leo)
Leo quickly saw through Rubel’s lie. It was true that Rubel had served the royal family and worked to suppress the power of the nobles. Therefore, there were probably no nobles willing to help him. But even without relying on nobles, Rubel could have gone anywhere. Yet, he remained in the capital to greet Leo, a sign of his own resolve.
“Rubel, you were the Grand Vizier, correct?” (Leo)
“Indeed, I was.” (Rubel)
“You’ll continue to serve as Grand Vizier. I want to be king, but I have no interest in politics. I’ll leave everything to you. Live your life as you always have.” (Leo)
“Understood.” (Rubel)
Leo continued to appoint Rubel as Grand Vizier. Like his father, he recognized Rubel’s exceptional abilities. Although Leo had a thirst for power, he had no intention of actually governing. Handing over the tiresome business of politics to Rubel was the most fitting solution.
Next, Leo moved on to check on the status of his family.
“What’s become of my precious, precious family?” (Leo)
“Well… Zerold-sama has not returned yet.” (Rubel)
“Zerold… oh, Oyaji. Is he dead?” (Leo)
Leo, who had barely remembered his father’s name, paused at the mention of ‘Zerold’, then sighed deeply, as if reflecting on something.
Zerold I is dead. Probably.
During his final battle with Leo, Zerold’s forces had been routed, but his elite guard had managed to escort him off the battlefield. However, he never made it back to the capital. Leo had only looked ahead and had no intention of killing his father. If any soldier had struck him down, word would have reached Leo by now. Since no such report came, it was unlikely his father had died in battle. He had probably fallen from his horse during the chaos of the retreat, trampled by fleeing soldiers, or perhaps ambushed by bandits looking to plunder his luxurious armor. Either way, it would have been a miserable death for the ruler of a kingdom.
“Louis-sama has been taken in by one of the nobles who fled the capital.” (Rubel)
King Louis had apparently escaped the capital and was hiding with a noble. A pitiful story for a king. Though, Leo, who caused the situation, wasn’t really in a position to say anything.
“Marie-sama has found refuge in a church, and as for Casablanca-sama… she is, um, still in the royal palace. In the room next door.” (Rubel)
Rubel hesitated, understandably so. Leo had assumed all the royal family had fled the capital, but it seemed only Louis had. Both Marie and Casablanca remained in the capital, and Casablanca, in fact, was right here in the palace.
In the next moment, Leo kicked down the door to Casablanca’s room.
“CASABLANCAAAAAAA!” (Leo)
“There’s no need to shout. I’m right here.” (Casablanca)
In stark contrast to Leo’s beaming smile, Casablanca, who was sitting in her chair surrounded by her royal guard, wore a sullen, scowling expression devoid of any warmth.
“We’re about to have a sibling reunion after so long. Get out.” (Leo)
Leo kicked his attendants, forcing them out of the room. Kureo and Leopold hastily followed suit.
“Casablanca-sama…” (??)
“You too. Leave us.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca, too, dismissed her royal guards, who were nervously surrounding her.
Once everyone had left, only Leo, in high spirits, and Casablanca, in a foul mood, remained.
“It’s been a while, you little outcast.” (Leo)
“If you’ve got business, get to the point, you lunatic.” (Casablanca)
Leo teased her, and Casablanca fired right back.
“Don’t be so cold. It’s your brother, after all.” (Leo)
“I don’t have anything to talk about, even after all this time.” (Casablanca)
“Your brother ran away quickly, didn’t he? Why didn’t you? Oh, that’s right. Every single noble hates you. There was no one to take you in. You probably couldn’t escape even if you wanted to.” (Leo)
Casablanca’s face froze at Leo’s words, her anger clearly ignited. Unlike Louis, who had the support of the nobles, Casablanca had no one to protect her because of her oppositional stance towards them.
“His name is Louis. You really ought to remember that by now.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca’s voice trembled with anger, but her response wasn’t much of a rebuttal.
“Huh? Did I say something to upset you? I only spoke the truth. Besides, being hated by the nobles is something you’d be proud of, isn’t it? So, there’s no need to be angry.” (Leo)
“That’s right. I’m not angry.” (Casblanca)
Casablanca’s face flushed red as she desperately tried to calm herself, which only made Leo laugh even harder. To him, his sister was the most amusing toy. Unlike his subordinates, she talked back, and unlike his other siblings, she never backed down.
“Heh heh heh. You’re really fun to watch.” (Leo)
“Stop that.” (Casablanca)
“Stop what?” (Leo)
“Your laugh. It’s disgusting and gives me chills.” (Casablanca)
“Heh heh. Unlike our brother, you’ve been left behind by the nobles, so I guess it’s understandable that you’re in a foul mood. But you need to come to terms with it already.” (Leo)
Leo brushed off her complaints as if to provoke her further, casually patting her on the shoulder. He was fully aware that she hated being touched.
“Cut it out!” (Casablanca)
Furious at his taunts, Casablanca tried to punch Leo, but he easily caught her fist. Leaning in close, he whispered in her ear.
“You’re just like me. Selfish, and willing to do whatever it takes to achieve your goals.” (Leo)
“Ugh, disgusting.” (Casablanca)
Casablanca turned her head away and spat out her words, as though trying to rid herself of his presence.
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