I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 144

CHAPTER 144

‘As expected.’

As soon as I entered the council chamber, I smirked. 

The relatively large chamber was packed to the brim, not a single seat empty. 

It was quite a sight. 

“Even though this assembly was called suddenly, it’s quite full.” 

“Indeed.” 

I lightly nodded in response to the chamberlain’s surprised remark as he guided me to my seat. “Despite not having a large number of nobles residing in the capital, it’s really hard to find an empty seat.”

 Originally, only a few nobles resided in the capital. 

The majority governed their estates and only came to the capital when necessary. 

So, in situations where the assembly was called abruptly, most would skip attendance if the agenda didn’t concern them. 

Otherwise, they would send proxies. 

But not this time. 

‘Clearly, they’re here in person.’

I chuckled. 

The faces filling the chairs had an air of ‘I’m here in person, not as a proxy.’

Some were even engaged in intense debates with their neighbors, sporting determined expressions.

This issue must be significant to them too. 

‘Ah, there’s one proxy.’

A representative from a family that couldn’t attend in person. 

I glanced at Lionel, who was here as the proxy for Duke Marcus. 

Sitting comfortably with crossed legs, he met my gaze with a bright smile. 

It was so cheerful, that I couldn’t help but smile too, like a dog meeting its master. 

“His Highness Prince Leonard seems troubled.” 

I pretended to observe Lionel with concern as the chamberlain pulled out a chair for me. 

“Seems so.” 

I nodded. Honestly, this gathering was labeled as a council meeting, but it was essentially a formal setting to attack Leonard. 

And the Empress too. 

‘With all the commotion, the noble factions won’t let this slip by.’

Since my father brought me here, he and the Empress had done everything to keep the noble factions in check. 

As a result, the nobles couldn’t attack the imperial family even if they wanted to. 

But now, this great opportunity had presented itself. 

“Hopefully, it yields good results.” 

“No need to worry.” 

I sat down confidently, smiling to myself. 

“Because I’ll win.” 

At the far end of my gaze sat Marquis Floyd. 

His expression twisted upon spotting me. 

‘Satisfying.’

Every time he looked at me with that grinning face, I wanted to punch him like a jack-in-the-box. 

Seeing his twisted expression felt like a punchline. 

Of course, we hadn’t even started yet.

Hehehe! 

“Looks like everyone’s here.” 

The final arrivals were the Emperor and Empress, along with Stella and Leonard. 

The main characters always make their entrance last. 

Unfortunately, Arkin couldn’t join us in the council chamber this time. 

To attend, one must be an adult, and Arkin, being only 15, was rejected. 

So, he waited in the nearest chamber. 

‘He must be fuming.’

It’s a good thing Raven is there with him, so he feels a bit less uneasy. 

Still, let’s wrap this up quickly and leave.

“The council begins.”

As the Emperor seated himself and raised his hand, the attendants by the door closed it as if they had been waiting.

Thud. The heavy sound of the door closing echoed through the room. 

Now, that door wouldn’t open again until the results were announced.

“We will begin the council!”

The council president at the front shouted in a booming voice.

“The agenda for this council is the suspicion regarding His Highness Prince Leonard’s lineage!”

The council president, after clearing his throat, lowered his voice this time. 

Despite the quieter tone, the tension in the council chamber was even more palpable than before.

“It’s still just a rumor. However, isn’t His Highness Prince Leonard a strong candidate for the next crown prince?”

The elderly president peered at Leonard over the rim of his glasses.

“In a way, this concerns the destiny of our empire. Therefore, we earnestly request that the Prince answer to these allegations.”

As the president spoke, his eyes briefly glanced upwards at the Empress seated above Leonard, almost as if implying that she was the one who truly needed to clarify the situation.

“I have a question!!”

As soon as the president finished speaking, a man stood up abruptly.

“The suspicion surrounding His Highness Prince Leonard’s lineage dates back to his childhood!”

If my memory serves me right, this person was one of the nobles supporting Leonard.

‘You’re trying to seize the momentum in advance.’

“At that time, Her Majesty asked the current mage tower lord, Mage Fordell… … !”

“The mage tower has lost its credibility!”

Immediately, a man stomped his foot and shouted at the speaker.

“Even in his childhood, Prince Leonard showed exceptional talent in magic! So, isn’t it obvious that the Mage Tower will naturally support Her Majesty the Empress?”

The person who had taken a deep breath continued to shout.

“If this time too he has brought back results from the mages, it’s futile to argue! Prince Leonard is a part of the mages, and he’s even slated to become the youngest mage lord!”

Yes, yes!!

Supporters waved their arms.

“Calm down!”

This time, someone from Leonard’s side stood up. 

He was one of Leonard’s closest aides.

“So, this time, we’ve sought the help of the royal mages…”

“Ah! But surely Prince Leonard has already influenced them, hasn’t he?”

Before the aide could finish his sentence, he was immediately attacked.

“Just because your arms bend inward! Who wouldn’t support Prince Leonard’s side, huh?!”

“Even the Count who’s speaking isn’t exactly impartial, is he…?”

“What, what?!”

The aide’s mutter made the Count blink.

“Are you talking about me?”

“Oh my, did you hear that? I didn’t know if you could. Anyway, right now, we are seeking assistance not only from our royal mages but also from mages of other countries.”

Wow. I blinked in surprise.

Since the opponents didn’t give him a chance to speak properly, he’d get annoyed and block their speech to make his point.

‘Fascinating.’

“Ex, excuse me! What is this disrespectful behavior? Is it acceptable to behave like this in the sacred council chamber?”

As the Count ranted, the aide maintained a nonchalant attitude.

“Isn’t it you, Count, who’s showing disrespect? Shouting here in the sacred council chamber! Is this how you behave, resorting to violence?!”

“…!!”

Now with his head throbbing, the Count grabbed at his neck. 

Nearby people rushed to support him as he staggered.

“That’s enough!”

“You’re the ones who’ve gone too far!!”

Now, others were rising, shouting as well.

I smirked as I watched them.

‘Ah, politics, always the same old game, isn’t it?’

Whenever someone tried to speak, they’d immediately counter and interrupt, picking apart their arguments, shutting them down, and pushing back with anger.

It wasn’t about reasoned debate; it was about using underhanded tactics to silence opponents, exploit their weaknesses, and steer the conversation in their favor.

That’s the fight on the political stage.

‘And that’s why a well-aimed argument is the most fearsome weapon.’

The path to the throne may be difficult, but no one can defeat it.

“Hah.”

The Emperor shook his head with an exasperated expression.

Of course, seeing this again and again, how annoying must it be?

The Empress was beside him, smiling detachedly.

‘Leonard and Stella must be horrified.’

Get used to it, both of you.

Politics has always been like this.

“Everyone, let’s stop this…”

“Just a moment.”

The Emperor interrupted the nobles, and before he could get into the agenda…

“May I request the floor first, Your Majesty?”

I took the lead.

“Permission granted.”

The council chamber fell silent instantly. 

The nobles, who had been bickering, now turned their gaze towards me, as if asking:

‘What’s this guy going to say?’

I grinned and looked at the council president.

“I request the floor, Council president.”

“Speak.”

The president sent a similar look but nodded.

“The mages who would have touched His Highness Prince Leonard are not to be trusted, are they?”

“That’s correct!”

The Count, who had collapsed earlier but now revived, shouted.

“Her Highness Princess Lottie has hit the nail on the head! How can we trust the mages of this country? After all, His Highness is not only a noble but also a grand mage.”

“Indeed, indeed.”

I nodded in agreement. 

Then, with an innocent expression and a sincere smile, I cheerfully asked.

“Then, can you believe it if it is proof from a mage tower in another country or a place that is opposite to the mage tower?”

“Yes!”

Thud! The Count, tapping his knee, vigorously nodded.

“Very astute, Your Highness Princess Lottie. This is exactly what we’ve been advocating for! We want to bring in individuals untouched by the royal or Prince Leonard’s hands to provide proof!”

The Count was at a loss as to how to bring up the subject of Gotrel.

But now, with me steering the conversation in the direction he desired, he even started applauding.

In contrast, the Marquis’ face darkened further.

One might wonder about the nefarious intent behind such actions.

I pursed my lips, deliberately waiting until the Count spoke.

“So, we are in contact with the nearest mages, specifically the Gotrel mages, and—”

“But isn’t it odd to entrust our empire’s destiny to people from other countries?”

I rose from my seat and walked slowly, cutting through the crowd.

“This matter, as the council president rightly stated, is crucially related to the fate of our country.”

Thud.

Standing at the center of the council chamber, I grinned broadly towards the entrance.

Thunk, the door opened once more.

And through the door, bathed in light, two figures entered.

“Therefore, let me introduce…”

Capable of divine judgment, omnipotent, and partly affiliated with our empire, beyond what any mere human could fathom.

“The High Priest of the Temple of Detmé!”

Or rather, the twig he holds.

<Using me like thissssssssssss!!>

It was Detmé, the goddess of abundance.