🔊 TTS Settings
Chapter 125
When signs appeared that the protests were about to intensify, the Emperor immediately summoned High Priest Hermann.
“I can’t tolerate this any longer!”
Hermann lashed out at the Emperor in an enraged voice.
“You told me all we needed was to trust Enoch Blois—yet now the situation has only grown worse!”
“Calm yourself, High Priest. How could I have known they would react like this?”
The Emperor was just as irritated by the situation.
Now, the entire Empire was beginning to doubt him.
The death of the Duke and Duchess of Velvet—an incident he thought had long been buried—had resurfaced.
On top of that, Crown Prince Lucius’s qualifications were being questioned, and the people were already grumbling about questionable tax spending.
“This is madness…”
Yet the High Priest pressed him even harder despite the Emperor’s suffering expression.
“His Holiness is furious. How dare the believers attempt to test the Pope’s holy power? Do you think this is something that should be allowed?”
“Then why did you let it slip and start this whole mess?”
“Are you implying this is the Pope’s fault?”
“No—that’s not what I—”
“Your Majesty.”
At that moment, the chief attendant approached the Emperor.
“Count Enoch Blois is requesting an audience. What shall I do?”
The High Priest, who overheard, raised his voice.
“Perfect timing. Let him in. I would love to hear what excuses he plans to make.”
The Emperor gestured lazily with his chin.
“Bring him in.”
A short while later, Enoch entered the audience chamber alone.
“I greet Your Majesty.”
He didn’t even flinch when he saw the High Priest present, as if he had expected it.
“So you were here as well, High Priest. Have you been well?”
“Ha! Look around you—does it look like I’ve been well?”
His anger flared at Enoch’s shamelessly calm demeanor.
“I lent you a sacred temple weapon, and you couldn’t even handle one man—what kind of result is this?”
“To expect so much after lending just one weapon… don’t you think your expectations are a bit too high?”
“What? Just one weapon?!”
“Now, now. Enough.”
The Emperor mediated before the argument escalated further.
“Your Majesty, how can you remain so indifferent after witnessing this man’s conduct?”
“You think I’m not upset? I summoned Count Blois the moment this incident occurred.”
The Emperor had refrained from arresting him not only because he feared the backlash, but also because Enoch had promised to devise a better plan.
“For now, sit and listen to what the Count has to say.”
The High Priest finally calmed himself and sat again.
Enoch took the seat opposite him and looked directly at him with a meaningful gaze.
“High Priest, why do you think Killian has been ransacking the temple and the palace like this?”
“He wants revenge on those who ruined his family, obviously.”
“Exactly.”
Enoch continued, pleased with the answer.
“Then what is the final goal of that revenge?”
“His final goal?”
“Rebellion. Isn’t it obvious?”
The Emperor’s expression hardened instantly.
He had suspected as much ever since Killian was revealed to be Adrian Velvet, but hearing someone else say it aloud made it feel all too real.
“We must label Killian a traitor and execute him.”
“Who doesn’t know that’s the simplest solution? We have no proof!”
The Emperor let out a frustrated sigh.
“With public sentiment already turning against us, if we apprehend Killian now, do you know what the people will say?”
“What does it matter what those ignorant fools think?”
Enoch shrugged casually.
“Just summon the nobles, declare Killian a traitor, and arrest him. Once it’s decided in a council of nobles, who will dare object?”
The High Priest nodded.
“You cannot ignore the commoners so much that you lose the nobles’ trust. I agree with Count Blois—summon a council.”
But the Emperor sank deeper into troubled thought.
“That is what I want, but the nobles who were close to the Duke of Velvet during his lifetime are now actively associating with Marquess Star. That concerns me.”
“Then lump them together as traitors as well.”
“Count Blois, do you even know who you’re talking about?”
The Emperor looked at him in disbelief.
Two of the Empire’s most influential houses—Duke Howard and Marquess Vifer—were both favorable toward Killian.
“Your Majesty has Duke Sadi. Why worry?”
“What do you mean?”
“Think carefully. Doesn’t Duke Sadi harbor feelings for the Lady Star?”
Enoch recalled the time he was invited to the Duke’s estate.
Pretending to be clueless and tactless, stirring up the matter of the Duke’s broken engagement with Emilie—it had all been to observe his reaction.
If the Duke still had lingering feelings for Emilie, Enoch could use that.
So this is how I get to use that card.
Enoch smirked inwardly.
“Persuade Duke Sadi—tell him to eliminate Killian and claim Lady Star for himself.”
Lucius had once asked for Lady Star, but there was no reason to humor that useless brat.
“…That will be difficult.”
The Emperor frowned.
“I was the one who annulled Duke Sadi’s engagement in the first place. How could I bring up such a thing again?”
At that, the High Priest interjected sharply.
“This is not the time to worry about appearances. Duke Sadi is a Sword Master—unless he joins our side, we cannot eliminate Killian.”
“Hm…”
“That’s right, Your Majesty. From what I’ve observed, Duke Sadi still clearly has feelings for Lady Star.”
“Is that so…?”
“Using those emotions is the quickest and most efficient method.”
After long consideration, the Emperor finally spoke.
“Very well. We will summon the council of nobles.”
✦✦✦
Before starting a rebellion, Killian gathered the last of those willing to join him.
But Duke Howard looked displeased as he glanced at Messina and Endymion across the table.
“I understand the Star family is under the Marquess, so I can overlook that. But involving other mafia groups in a matter this serious is worrisome.”
“Are you saying you can’t trust us because we’re mafia?”
Messina frowned.
“You must understand his concerns,” Marquess Vifer added.
“This is not a simple fight. We will be going up against knights trained for decades.”
“Oh, so in your eyes we’re just a bunch of thugs with guns?”
Killian stepped in before the argument escalated.
“I understand your concerns. But among the Razetta and Gotio families are individuals whose skills are comparable to any knight. They won’t hinder us.”
Killian rarely opened his heart to anyone, so hearing such recognition from him deeply moved Messina and Endymion.
“Just tell us what you need.”
“We’ll help however we can.”
Each of them owed Killian their lives at some point; their loyalty was genuine.
Still, Duke Howard spoke with a worried expression.
“And what about the subordinates under you? Can you guarantee none of them will betray us?”
“In our world, the boss’s word is law. Questioning the boss means death—who would dare betray?”
Endymion answered firmly.
“Hmm…”
“Not only knights swear loyalty. When we enter a family, we sign a blood oath to show loyalty to our boss.”
“Is that so? I didn’t know.”
“The ones joining us this time are like family. They’re people we can trust with our lives.”
Killian explained.
“And we intend to keep the coup contained within the palace. Inside the Imperial Fortress, where space is limited, the Razetta and Gotio families will be extremely useful.”
In confined spaces, knights used to longswords were at a disadvantage.
As Killian said, mafiosi trained in close‑quarters combat were more suitable.
“I see. You’ve thought this through.”
Finally, Duke Howard yielded.
“Then tell us how we should divide our roles.”
They unfolded the palace map as Killian explained.
“How should our soldiers move?”
“If you look here on the map, the waterway is connected. We’ll enter the palace through the underground water route.”
Marquess Vifer, familiar with the layout, was assigned to lead the infiltration.
“Duke Howard, your role is to ensure no royal family members escape. Guard the perimeter thoroughly.”
“Understood.”
“Gotio will handle the temple. Razetta will enter the palace with us.”
Against the likelihood of large enemy groups, they needed forces skilled in daggers and short‑fire weapons.
Razetta had many such specialists.
“Good.”
“Understood.”
As the meeting neared its end, Pete entered the room.
“I have urgent news.”
“What is it?”
“I was eavesdropping on the audience chamber and overheard the Emperor and Matteo. They’re planning to summon the nobles tomorrow.”
Marquess Vifer let out a dry laugh.
“It’s almost funny how predictable they are.”
Duke Howard clicked his tongue.
“Marquess Star, we should move quickly. Once the council is summoned, their next step will be arresting you.”
Killian nodded.
The day he would finally sever this long, bitter chain of fate was drawing near.
