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Chapter 109: Worth a Try
Chapter 109: Worth a Try
Chapter 109: Worth a Try
At the time Al and the others are heading back to the capital.
The ministers, princes, and influential nobles were gathered by the Emperor.
The South has refused my investigation.
Emperor Johannes briefly declares in front of the gathered people.
The Emperor holds absolute power in the Empire. Declining his request for an investigation is nothing less than a rebellion.
Whats on everyones mind is that it is finally happening.
Most of the Southern Nobles and their cities have gathered under Duke Kruger and formed a Southern Confederacy. They have closed their gates and started preparing for defense.
Everyone was angry at Franzs report.
By doing whatever they pleased, they are showing that they are making light of the central government.
Its a show that they dont take them seriously.
We should immediately dispatch the army!
The majority of the people gathered propose to dispatch the army.
Franz, on the other hand, gives his calm opinion.
The Confederacys aim is probably His Majestys concession. If we give them that, the situation should not develop into a civil war.
If we make such a precedent it will only cause more rebellion to follow!
Thats right! We have to be firm in our actions!
Franz is accused of being soft but he simply did it to observe the attitude of the meeting participants for everyones opinions.
The reason for this meeting is to find a more effective response. Franz wasnt looking for such a simple answer like sending out the army. The same goes for the Emperor.
Time may come that we will eventually have to send out the army but what can we do before that? Thats the question I would like to ask everyone here.
Your Majesty! Forgive my rudeness but the time for that has already passed! They are raising their weapons against us! We must respond in kind!
Thats right Thats right.
Such voices continue affirming that opinion.
The Emperor let out a small sigh. Eric, who has an influence over the nobles and ministers, did not participate in this meeting. The reason being, he has to restrain the movement of other countries as the Minister of Foreign Affair. Perhaps, thats the reason the opinions of the nobles and ministers here are being concentrated on one side.
Your Majesty.
Among the heated up voices of the nobles, Gordon raises his voice.
He then stepped in front of Johannes, looking straight at him with a gallant expression.
What is it? Gordon.
Please give me control over the central army. I will immediately annihilate the Southern Rebels for you.
The nobles and ministers were delighted at his words.
Though not as much as Lize, Gordon is a general who has been consistently showing his strong military might on the battlefield. He hates the job of defending the border and he has no opportunity to act lately but he is still one of the most valuable generals of the Imperial Capital.
If that Gordon would lead the army then as he stated, he would soon annihilate the Southern rebels.
But of course, some were still against such a proposal.
Please wait. Your Highness Gordon. As the Minister of Finance, I cant approve of this.
Said the old man who has served the Empire as the Minister of Finance for a long time.
Gordon glances at the old minister.
What did you say?
At the moment, the Empires financial status can not be said to be in good shape. Starting with the mass outbreak of monsters and the previous Southern Incident, the supply chain was delayed and the people are suffering because of it. If we start a large scale civil war now it will cause a major blow to the Empires economy.
I will end it immediately. This war will not last long.
I can not agree with that. This is not the matter of simply finishing the war early, Your Highness.
Hearing the words of the old minister, Gordon angrily takes a step forward but at that moment, Leo who was silent until then spoke up.
Your Majesty.
Everyone focuses their attention on Leo.
Leo lined up next to Gordon, knelt down, and started stating his proposal.
The Southern Rebellion is my responsibility. Could Your Majesty give me a chance to correct my error?
Correcting your error? Do you want to be dispatched as a general?
The ministers who had placed their expectations on Leo looked disappointed for a moment.
However, Leo shook his head.
No, I have a plan.
Hou? You have a plan to deal with this situation?
Yes, I have.
Lets hear it then.
Yes. Please appoint me as the envoy to negotiate with Duke Kruger. I will enter his base as Your Majestys envoy and launch an ambush from the inside. If I can capture or defeat him before the war begins, the Confederates will collapse.
Johannes leans on the plan.
Among all the proposals to dispatch the army, Leos proposal is very attractive.
For you to bring this up means that you are aware of the danger attached to this plan, correct?
Yes, the mistake I made must be corrected with my own hands.
Saying so, Leo glances at Gordon beside him.
He met eyes with Gordon who was glaring sharply at him but he only lightly smiled in return.
The promise he made with Gordon is that he wont interfere with him during the war. As long as the Emperor hasnt decided to start the war, it could not be said that the war is on-going. Again, the fact that the Emperor is sending out an envoy means that the war still officially hasnt started yet.
Since he will be perceived as conducting a negotiation as the Emperors envoy, he will not be breaking any promise with Gordon.
Gordon is probably also aware of that as he glare at Leo with an irritated look but Leo simply acts nonchalantly as if he doesnt notice anything.
However, the upper hand Leo finally obtained was interrupted by an unexpected person.
I think that is quite a good plan. What do you think, Franz.
The plan is certainly sound but.I am against it.
Prime Minister? Why?
Prince Leonard is excellent in both military and civil affairs and has a great reputation among our people. Although I do think that he would be a great envoy.he is also the hero who solved the southern incident. Duke Kruger wouldnt let down his vigilance against him.
So how about we send someone else?
Prince Gordon has too much military achievement. The one Duke Kruger will let his guard down to the most would be His Highness Arnold but it would be difficult for him to lead the ambush after he entered the Dukes castle. Not to mention that leaving such an important task to him would arouse the Dukes caution in the first place.
Johannes thinks over Franzs words.
The plan itself is good but there are problems with the people who will execute it.
With the feeling that it needs some improvement, Johannes asks Franz for a suggestion.
Do we have someone who suits the job?
The envoy needs to have a decent rank. We need someone who has a rank that can speak on Your Majestys behalf. A member of the Imperial Family is preferable but someone who has a status comparable to that would be fine as well.
Then who?
I really do not want to say it.
Franz mutters.
Johannes frowns at him but Franz pays no mind to that and keeps his mouth shut.
At that time, a person entered the throne room.
Everyones gaze gathered at the newcomer.
Excuse my rudeness. Your Majesty.
Finnewhats wrong? Did something happen?
I came here thinking that there might be something I can do but it seems I am not wrong.
Saying so, Finne smiled and looked at Franz.
Franz slightly averted his eyes from her.
With that, Johannes was able to understand the meaning of Franzs words.
Franz..dont tell me, you are proposing for Finne to lead the envoy!?
Shes a good fit. If we attach His Highness Leonard as her adviser, the plan should probably work. Duke Kruger would never think that Your Majesty would endanger the Blau Mowe after all.
Obviously! Finne is neither a soldier nor a knight! She has no official position in the Empire either! Its one thing If its the problem related to Duke Kleinert but are you going to risk her life in the Southern conflict!?
Ever since Your Majesty bestowed that hair ornament to her, in a certain sense, she has already been given an official position.
Dont bring up such sophism! Sending a girl who doesnt even have the ability to fight to the enemy territory!? What would happen if they fail!?
In the case of failure, His Highness Leonard also bears the same risk, Your Majesty.
Leonard is a prince! He is involved in it from the start as the inspector! The responsibility he bears is incomparable to Finne!
Johannes strongly stares at Franz and turns to Finne.
Then.
Back down, Finne. We will come up with another plan.
No, Your Majesty. Please leave that role to me.
I wont!
..Your Majesty. The people are suffering because of the problems caused by the nobles. Even in different territories, the obligation of a noble is still the same. The role of the imperial nobles is to protect the people of the Empire. By avoiding this civil war, many people will be saved. The Southern People will not be sacrificed and our citizens will not suffer from hunger. Im Finne von Kleinert. A daughter of a duke. Thats all the reason I need to risk my life. If I cant stand up in the face of peoples suffering then theres no value for me to be a noble.
Finne coming here was both coincidence and inevitability.
When everyone is desperately moving around, what can she do? Thinking long and hard on that question, Finne decided to come to this place.
Neither Al nor Leo told her to do anything. Both of them never took Finne into account after all.
However, Finne understood her own strengths.
The fact that the Emperor bestowed that hair ornament and that she is important to him.
These two points will be the greatest weapon to keep their opponents vigilance at bay.
Finne understood it better than anyone.
Fine
Please allow me to go, Your Majesty. The gathering of the Southern Nobles is not so solid. Im sure that there are many who had to cooperate because they dont have a choice, not to mention the knights and soldiers who serve under them. However, once you cross blades with them, hatred will be born. It could eventually cause future disaster for the Empire. I want to stop that from happening.
..
Your Majesty. This is for the Empire.
.take the imperial knights with you.
Johannes said with a distressing look.
However, Finne declines that.
The imperial knights will make the enemy more cautious of us. It will not make sense to include them in this operation.
Saying so, Finne smiles.
When Al and Elna went off to persuade the Narbe Ritter, there was not a shred of worry in her mind.
The fact that she fearlessly nominated herself was also because of her complete trust in Al.
If she will be accompanied by the troop Al went out of his way to persuade, there will be no problem.
The only thing she worried about was whether Al would be upset at her for arbitrary doing things again.
Only that small worry exists in Finnes mind.
She has such an easygoing attitude for someone who bears the responsibility to take a group of soldiers behind the enemys line.
I cant leave your protection to anyone other than the imperial knights!
But Your Majesty, it is true that the imperial knights will surely arouse their suspicion.
Then what should we do!?
The Emperors wrath echoes through the throne room.
What remained was only silence.
Everyone was at a loss.
At that timing, a Prince finally decided to show his face.
Umm..Father.
Arnold..where did you go when we are having such an important meeting!?
Well, I have a little work to do.
The scolded Al frowned as he entered the throne room.
For a moment, his sight met with Finnes. Looking at the apologetic expression on her face, Al smiles.
Then, he decided to state his business quickly before the next scold came flying at him.
About the escort unit, there is a unit I would like to recommend.
What?
Come in.
The moment Al said that Lars entered the throne room wearing his military uniform.
His chest is bearing the Narbe Ritter badge.
Lars Weiglwhy are you here?
His Highness Arnold has told us the details. We Narbe Ritters will be volunteering for this operation.
Saying so, Lars salutes.
It was quite a rare sight.
The Narbe Ritter has been mobilized many times in the past but every time they were ordered. There have been none of the cases where they volunteer.
Just now, the said Narbe Ritter states that they have volunteered for the mission.
The nobles voices are buzzing at such an abnormal situation.
W, wait a minute! Are you saying that you want us to leave His Highness Leonard and Finne-sama to you!?
Please rest assured. We will protect them without fail.
Dont mess around! Who would be able to leave them to a betrayer like you!
.we certainly betrayed our lords before. We couldnt overlook the injustice committed by our lords back then. However, please do not worry. It is exactly because of that that we will never turncoat to the like of the Southern Nobles. We are the Scarred Knights. Injustice itself is our enemy.
The nobles were silent at Larss words.
This is because circumstances speaking, Lars was right.
The expression of everyone there is not exactly a good one either.
However, on his throne, Johannes raises a question at Lars.
There have been many such opportunities before but you never move. Why do you decide to do it now?
we were asked so strongly to protect his younger brother, Your Majesty. To not respond to that.the few remaining pride as a knight in us would never allow it.
Lars then looks at Al.
Johannes also turned his sight toward him and noticed the bandage that was wrapped around his hand.
Generally understanding what Al did, he let out a huge sigh and gave his order.
The Narbe Ritter will escort Leonard and Finne. I will leave Leonard to lead this operation. The details of the operation will be at your discretion.
Your Majesty. Instead of using such an uncertain plan, please entrust the army to me!
It is surely an uncertain plan but it is still worth a try. But be prepared. I will allow you to gather the army but I will not allow you to mobilize yet.
.understood.
Saying so, Gordon withdraws.
A dark light lurking in his eyes.