Merchant Noble is out (4/4 chapters for today)
Advice
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
Boris hurried to the royal palace.
He shouted at the officials who received him, urging them to hurry, and was granted an audience with the King during his private time.
“Your Majesty.” (Boris)
“Boris? I thought you had already left earlier.” (Tafman)
For King Lureid, who was anxiously awaiting news that his daughter had been safely found, Boris’s sudden audience was nothing but an interruption. He responded with a blatantly displeased expression.
Boris, who had risen to the rank of minister by constantly gauging the King’s mood, instinctively knew that making a plea now would be unwise. However, for his own sake, and for the sake of his daughter, he managed to squeeze out his words.
“I have something I must tell you, even if it costs me my life.” (Boris)
“Speak.” (Tafman)
Boris, who always flattered and grovelled, now had an unusual determination in his eyes. Noticing the difference, the King, though puzzled, decided to listen.
“Please halt the search of the slums.” (Boris)
“Boris, I told you earlier. This matter is entrusted to Kario.” (Tafman)
The King still seemed to trust Kario completely. Boris, who had been interfering since earlier, must have seemed exasperating to him. However, this time, Boris could not simply back down. His daughter’s life was at stake. For the first time in a long while, he pushed his brain to its limits and desperately argued the dangers of the slum search.
“Princess Alice is in danger.” (Boris)
“What do you mean?” (Tafman)
Hearing completely unexpected words from Boris, the King asked in surprise.
“If Kario’s assumption is wrong, and Princess Alice is not in the slums, we will become a laughingstock. Your Majesty’s authority will be tarnished. However, to put it bluntly, that is a minor issue. Compared to what would happen if Princess Alice is actually there.” (Boris)
“Boris, speak clearly. If my daughter is in the slums as Kario suspects, what kind of problem will arise?” (Tafman)
As Boris continued to speak in a roundabout manner, the King pressed him for an answer.
“Your Majesty, please think carefully. What will happen to the kidnappers when they are cornered? They will desperately resist. A bloody battle will break out in a cramped hideout. What do you think will happen to Princess Alice in the midst of that?” (Boris)
“Ah.” (Tafman)
The King let out a small gasp.
From his expression, it was clear that such a possibility had never even crossed his mind until this moment.
“She will be in extreme danger. There is no way she will escape without injury if caught in a battle. At worst, she could be taken down with them in a fit of desperation. Right now, Princess Alice’s life is in grave danger.” (Boris)
“That… is true.” (Tafman)
The King nodded, seemingly convinced.
In reality, the danger Boris described was a highly plausible scenario from an objective standpoint. It was only natural that Boris, who had been directly threatened by the Laplace Kingdom, was the only one aware of this risk.
“Then, why is Kario carrying out such a dangerous operation?” (King)
The King continued questioning.
In their urgency to retrieve the princess, Count Ludwig and Captain of the Royal Guard Kario had completely neglected to consider the impact on the kidnappers or the princess’s safety. That was the truth of the matter. However, Boris had no interest in the truth. There was no way he would pass up an opportunity to exploit his political rivals’ mistakes.
“He does not care about the princess’s safety.” (Boris)
With a completely neutral expression, as if he were merely relaying Kario’s own words, Boris spoke.
“What he truly cares about is ensuring that the Laplace prisoners, who serve as our hostages, do not fall into enemy hands. Preventing a prisoner exchange is his priority. Whether the princess is alive or dead is irrelevant to him.” (Boris)
The King’s face turned red with fury in an instant.
Boris and Kario’s standing had now completely reversed. With a trembling voice filled with anger, the King issued his command.
“Immediately halt the operation! And seize the insolent Captain of the Royal Guard at once!!” (Tafman)
(Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @
bayabuscotranslation 