Merchant Noble is out (3/4 chapters for today)
Rudolf’s Doubts
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While Casablanca and Fran were discussing, at the guesthouse located a little away from the royal palace where Rudolf was staying, there was also movement.
“Your Majesty Rudolf! Your Majesty Rudolf!” (Attendant)
As Rudolf continued thinking about how to regain Kali, his close aide who had gone out for a morning walk came rushing over in a panic.
“What is it? What happened?” (Rudolf)
“Th-this kind of letter was fallen in the garden.” (Attendant)
On the cover of the letter, nothing was written. Rudolf, having no memory of it, wondered what kind of letter it was as he opened it.
“Dear Casablanca-sama,
Currently, we have succeeded in capturing Kali without Rudolf. Finally, I too have become a lord of a country and a castle. However, in operating Kali from now on as a king, there is one concern. Needless to say, it is the existence of Rudolf who is currently in Laplace. As long as a person of royal blood remains alive even in form, I cannot sleep peacefully as king. Therefore, I apologize for the many past discourtesies, and again have a request to Casablanca-sama.
Could you execute Rudolf who has leapt into your bosom, and grant me his head? If you kill Rudolf, then as king of Kali I will prepare appropriate returns. Cession of cities along the border, fixed annual tribute, alliance with Laplace as the main. How about it? I am confident that even Casablanca-sama will be satisfied with the deal.
Casablanca-sama has two choices. To continue associating with the so-called King Rudolf who has lost territory as before. Or to discard past resentments and ally with me, and further develop her power.
I await the wise decision of the great Queen Casablanca-sama.”
“From the content, the sender must be Arc Warden.” (Attendant)
The attendant who had been peeking at the letter from behind Rudolf said. Surely, from the content of the talk, it could be no one but Arc.
“Arc, huh. He’s fully in the mood of being Kali’s king.” (Rudolf)
Rudolf, who wanted to shout in anger with a loud voice, held himself back firmly and spat out his words.
Calm down. First, confirm the credibility of this letter.
“Why did this come to the mansion where we are staying?” (Rudolf)
“Your Majesty. Next to this mansion is the house of a fairly high-ranking minister. Most likely, in the darkness, the secret messenger mistakenly threw it here.” (Attendant)
“I see…” (Rudolf)
Indeed, a minister lived in the neighboring house. On the first day Rudolf came to stay at the guesthouse, he came to greet him, so he remembered well.
“However, it’s very hard to believe. The Warden family was crushed by Casablanca both militarily and in commerce. Despite that, to propose forming an alliance…” (Attendant)
Indeed, as the aide said, normally it would be impossible in heaven and earth for an alliance to be formed between Arc-Casablanca. To Arc, Casablanca was someone to resent, and to Casablanca, Arc was the one and only absolute threat to the throne. But, it was that Arc. It was dangerous to think using measures like “normal” or “usual”.
“Arc is a merchant. He’s not a man swayed by emotions. If he thinks there’s merit, he’ll shake hands even with his brother’s enemy.” (Rudolf)
If Rudolf’s thinking was correct, the credibility was high that this kind of letter was sent by Arc himself.
“Wh-what shall we do?” (Attendant)
“It’s Arc. There’s a high chance he sent multiple similar letters to be thorough. In other words, it’s only a matter of time until Casablanca reads this letter too.” (Rudolf)
Rudolf simulated in his head.
The problem is not only Arc. He was originally an enemy, so there are many ways to deal with him. The real problem is Casablanca. She is just as outrageous a person as Arc.
To protect her throne, she would do anything with a calm face. She wouldn’t hesitate for a second to kill Rudolf, with whom she had been getting along until yesterday.
As expected of Arc. He understands Casablanca well. If Casablanca sees this letter…
“Casablanca will definitely accept the deal. To her, someone like me who had his land and people taken by Arc has no use.” (Rudolf)
Indeed, since the royal palace of Kali was taken over, her recent attitude toward Rudolf had become openly terrible. To her now, Rudolf had become a “useless” person.
“Then, what we should do is…” (Attendant)
The attendant muttered as if he had resolved himself.
Rudolf also nodded.
“If this continues, I’ll be killed. We must escape immediately.” (Rudolf)
Anyway, what Rudolf needed now was people. He had to secretly return to Kali and gather as many of his supporters as possible. Rudolf made an immediate decision to escape from Laplace without Casablanca’s permission and secretly enter Kali.
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