Debuff Master

Chapter 441

Chapter 441

The Kyiv Civil War was slowly coming to an end, and it seemed that it was going to end with the Rebel Faction’s victory. The Rebel Faction used the Horn Territory as their new base of operation and branched throughout the territories held by the Royal Faction.

The entire region was plunged into chaos for days, and today was the civil war’s climax, as Duke Taranis’ forces had already surrounded the Kyiv Kingdom’s capital city, Odessa.

The Rebel Forces prepared to lay siege to the capital while engaging in psychological warfare at the same time.

Duke Taranis was going to inherit everything within the kingdom once he emerged victorious from this war, so he saw no point in razing to the ground the capital city, which was the most affluent city in the entire kingdom.

“Bring me the megaphone,” Duke Taranis ordered. Then, he approached the city walls and raised his voice.

— Your Majesty! Please forgive my rudeness in conveying my words in this manner! I am left with no choice due to your refusal to speak to me through a call!

Duke Taranis did not forget to keep up appearances before saying what he had prepared.

— I am certain those poisonous vipers have covered your eyes and ears! They must be trembling right now as I speak these words of truth to Your Majesty! Fear not, my lord! For I, your uncle, Taranis, have come to rescue you from their treacherous clutches!

— I hope Your Majesty’s wisdom opens your eyes to my sincerity! Please do not forget that even though you cannot trust anyone in this world, you can always trust your own family!

Duke Taranis emphasized his blood relation to King Allen, that he was his most trusted subject, and that the nobles on the Royal Faction’s side were all treacherous vipers.

Then, Duke Taranis decided to threaten and coerce the nobles.

— To the treacherous vipers slithering around His Majesty! Heed my words!

— I, Taranis, know that not all of you have willingly chosen to commit treason against the crown! Therefore, I am giving you the opportunity to surrender and stop this meaningless bloodshed! I will also personally guarantee that His Majesty will not only forgive you of your crimes, but that he will also greatly reward you for your courage and loyalty! Also, whoever brings me the head of the traitor, Undertaker, will be bestowed with the title of Duke!

— Your Majesty! I implore you not to be deceived by the words of those traitors! May you realize that this uncle of yours only wishes good for you!

Duke Taranis put down the megaphone.

Count Oslo received the megaphone and said, “An excellent speech, my lord. That will without a doubt cause some of them to waver and surrender, and some of them may also—“

“Bring me that old man, Undertaker’s head as a gift,” Duke Taranis said.

“And that will be the best result for us...”

“What are the chances they will surrender?”

“It is highly likely that they will, my lord.”

Count Oslo had a very positive outlook for this battle. There was no difference whether the Royal Faction surrendered or not, as it was only a matter of time before Odessa fell, and they, the Rebel Faction, would emerge as the victors of this civil war.

It was no longer a matter of victory or defeat but a matter of how they were going to win.

“I believe they have no other choice but to surrender. I am certain they will open their gates in less than twenty-four hours with their arms raised.”

“I think so, too,” Duke Taranis said. Then, he smiled and added, “I will finally achieve my dream... It took me thirty years to get here.”

“They say that good things come to those who wait, do they not, my lord? Congratulations, my lo—no, Your Majesty.”

“Shh! I have yet to ascend the throne, so be cautious of your words,” Duke Taranis warned.

“I apologize, my lord,” Count Oslo replied with a bow.

Duke Taranis had warned Count Oslo, but he was elated to hear Count Oslo's words.

‘I'm about to become King; all of this will soon belong to me,’ Duke Taranis thought, believing without a shred of doubt that he was going to ascend the throne.

***

The atmosphere in the throne room was like that of a funeral parlor.

“...”

Nobody uttered a single word, and everybody was thinking of the exact same word—defeat. They could not think of a way to turn things around now that the enemy had surrounded Odessa.

Yes, the enemy had yet to lay siege to the capital city, but that was only a short respite, as the city was going to run out of provisions in two to three weeks' time.

“I will... surrender...”

In the end, King Allen had no choice but to choose to surrender to the Rebel Faction. The war was already lost, so he wanted to preserve the lives of his soldiers at least.

“...”

Nobody said anything in response. None of them were brazen enough to tell him not to surrender, to hang on for longer, and to fight when the war was clearly over.

Duke Undertaker suddenly stepped up and asked, “Your Majesty, may I speak to you in private?"

“What do you mean by tha—“

“Please command everyone except for a select few I name to leave the throne room.”

“Alright.”

King Allen commanded his subjects to leave the throne room, leaving only a select few, along with Duke Undertaker. The ones remaining were the most loyal of nobles who were prepared to lay down their lives for their king.

“Your Majesty...”

“Speak, Duke Undertaker.”

“I will... take my own life.”

“What?!” King Allen stood up from his throne. He couldn't believe what he had just heard, so he decided to check whether he heard Duke Undertaker right or not. “Are you saying that you will commit suicide?”

“My life will be lost once we surrender. There is no way that the traitor, Taranis, will spare me.”

“...”

“Once I commit suicide, Count Tanner will bring my head to Taranis.”

Count Tanner was not one of the loyal subjects remaining in the throne room. He had never shown his loyalty to King Allen, and neither was he close with House Stunner.

“Count Tanner hadn't shown it, but he is a true vassal of Your Majesty. I will give my head to him in hopes that he could become Your Majesty’s sword in killing Taranis in the future.”

Duke Undertaker was plotting to use his own life to let Count Tanner earn Duke Taranis’ trust, so he would become a spy for the king. This was the precaution he had come up with in the event that they lost the war and King Allen became Duke Taranis’ puppet.

“B-But, Duke—“

“This is our only hope,” Duke Undertaker cut him off. Then, tears started forming at the edge of his wrinkled eyes as he said, “Your Majesty... This is the last act of loyalty I can offer...”

“D-Duke...!”

“I implore Your Majesty to stay safe until the destined time comes!”

“Duke Undertaker...!”

King Allen failed to control his emotions as tears streamed down his face.

“W-What if you seek refuge in another kingdom? It’s not too late!”

“I would rather die for Your Majesty than live in shame for the rest of my life.”

“N-No...”

In the end, King Allen was neither able to accept nor reject Duke Undertaker's proposition. He could not bring himself to give an answer, and the only thing he could do right now was to weep in sorrow.

***

The next morning.

“M-My lord! My lord!”

Duke Taranis’ sleep was disturbed by Count Oslo’s shouts.

“Have you risen, my lord?!”

“Yes, I have just awakened, Oslo,” Duke Taranis replied as he sat on his bed. Then, he said, “You may enter.”

Count Oslo rushed in and reported, “My lord! Your expectations have come to fruition!”

“Hmm?”

“Count Tanner! Count Tanner is...!”

“Count Tanner? Isn’t he one of the nobles on the side of the Royal Faction?”

“Yes, my lord!”

“What about him?”

“He has brought us news of their surrender, and he came with Duke Undertaker's head!”

“What?!” Duke Taranis exclaimed in surprise.

Oh my god!

Who would have thought someone would really bring Duke Undertaker’s head?

“A-Are you certain? Did Count Tanner really bring that old man’s head?”

“Yes, my lord!”

“Haa...” Duke Taranis gasped in disbelief. He did expect King Allen to surrender as the war was as good as over, but he didn't have great hopes that Duke Undertaker’s head would be offered along with the news of their surrender.

“Count Tanner... That’s unexpected...”

“My lord, Count Tanner is with the Royal Faction, but he has rarely done anything to show he is fully loyal to King Allen.”

“Yes, you’re right.”

“He probably thinks he has already done his fair share for the king.”

“So you mean to say he believes he’s done more than enough for them?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“Hmm... So you’re saying he stayed loyal yet seized the opportunity presented to him...”

“I believe that is indeed the case, my lord.”

“People like him are easier to deal with. They’re predictable, and I can tell that he’s going to be a loyal retainer of mine in the future.”

“I agree, my lord!”

“Excellent,” Duke Taranis smirked. Then, he said, “Call Count Tanner at once. I should pour him a drink for bringing Duke Undertaker’s head as a present, right?”

“A wise choice, my lord!” Count Oslo replied before leaving the tent in a hurry.

“Victory is within my grasp,” Duke Taranis muttered as he clenched his fist. He was confident of his victory now that the central figure of the enemy, Duke Undertaker, was gone.

King Allen was out of options now that the old man was dead—surrender was his only remaining option.

***

Ten minutes later, Duke Taranis gathered the nobles loyal to him and welcomed Count Tanner.

“I greet Your Highness, Duke Taranis,” Count Tanner knelt on one knee and paid his respects.

Heh. Duke Taranis grinned after hearing Count Tanner's greetings.

Why?

Because this was a greeting a subject would use when paying respect to their king. In other words, Count Tanner was indirectly showing that he had already acknowledged Duke Taranis as the rightful owner of the Kyiv Kingdom.

Of course, he still addressed him as a duke, but that was for obvious reasons.

“Welcome, Count Tanner! It must have been a long and tiring journey for you!” Duke Taranis exclaimed and welcomed him with open arms.

“I am grateful for such a grand welcome unbefitting of someone like me, Your Highness,” Count Tanner replied with a bow.

“I have heard the news. So, have you really brought me Duke Undertaker’s head?”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

“It must’ve been a difficult choice to make.”

“...”

“Hmm... I see that this perturbs your conscience.”

“A person has to make difficult choices to ensure their survival, Your Highness.”

“Hoho! I’m pleased by your response!” Duke Taranis exclaimed. He was delighted by Count Tanner’s response. He preferred to hear such an honest and direct answer rather than beat around the bush with poor excuses or big meaningless words.

“Good job, Count Tanner.”

“Your words are far too gracious, Your Highness.”

“Come, let me pour you a drink.”

“I will gladly accept it.”

“But before that...” Duke Taranis muttered as he glanced at the wooden chest the count brought. Then, he said, “I’d like to see Duke Undertaker’s head first.”

“Certainly, Your Highness,” Count Tanner replied. He opened the wooden chest containing Duke Undertaker’s head.

Clack...! Clack...!

The chest opened, and Duke Taranis tilted his head in confusion.

The nobles around him reacted the same.

“I-Is that Duke Undertaker’s head...?”

“Huh?”

“...?”

“Is this some kind of a joke?”

They reacted that way because...

“Kyuuu?!”

...the object inside the wooden chest was not a human’s head but a cute furry hamster.

“Kyu!”