The Villainess Captured The Grand Duke - Chapter 196

Chapter 196

Before the imperial decree was issued, there was no one in the central region who didn’t know how deep the Emperor’s anguish was.

The imperial family had repeatedly requested a reconsideration of the treaty with the North.

They even proposed a new treaty.

However, it was impossible for the central region, which should act as a mediator, to offer conditions so heavily tilted in favor of the North that they would have to give up everything.

The Emperor stood at a crossroads of choice.

Should he abandon the role that the god Lapel had given the imperial family and choose the people of the central region, or should he give everything to the North to extinguish the immediate flames?

“Is there still no answer from the North? ”

At the emperor’s question, his advisor merely lowered his head with a gloomy expression. Whether the message was being delivered properly was uncertain, but the North responded in silence.

Ultimately, the Emperor had no choice but to make a decision.

“Let all the central nobles send their knights to assist the imperial knight order in hunting the monsters.”

He knew as well that even if the central nobles sent more knights, a proper hunt would be difficult to achieve. But he decided to believe. When the god Lapel revealed the third tablet to the world recently, it must have had significance.

Sure enough, as soon as the official notice was issued, the complaints from the nobles began to pour in.

“Our house has only daughters. There’s no one who can wield a sword. Who are we supposed to send? ”

“I’ve heard that the only orphans and poor commoners who can wield a sword have already been adopted out like cattle.”

Everyone was in a frustrating situation, but they couldn’t blame the Emperor.

Though the damage was great, the imperial knight order was the only one that could currently hold off the monsters. Amid their efforts, rumors circulated in the central region.

“I heard that Duke Litton has been approaching the houses that sided with the North recently. Have you heard, Count? ”

“Are they in contact with the North? ”

“They received a flower from Duchess.”

“Speaking of which, it was said that Duke Litton’s ex-wife had a scandal with Prince Silcaro.”

“Considering that Duke Litton is acting this way, the probability that it’s true is…”

Naturally, the houses in the central region that still supported the North began to gather around Duke Litton. While Silcaro was asserting himself, the houses that had remained silent began to move quietly. Duke Litton had seen many people during his time in the central region. Having been friendly with the North for a long time, he knew who could be sympathetic to their cause.

“I will not break the imperial decree.”

Before the heads of the six gathered houses, Duke Litton’s haggard appearance clearly showed the signs of hardship, yet his gaze was sharp.

One person cautiously asked,

“Duke, have you received a flower from Duchess Scheuer? ”

Duke Litton burst into laughter at the question.

“Is that the rumor going around? No, the Duchess’s did not sent me a single letter.”

“Then how can we be sure the North will accept us? ”

A hint of anxiety laced the question that followed.

The fact that Duke Litton’s ex-wife had attempted to harm Duchess Scheuer was well known. Wasn’t that practically equivalent to breaking the treaty?

Even if it wasn’t Duke Litton’s fault, human emotions don’t always operate rationally.

Despite their concerns, Duke Litton remained firm.

“It doesn’t matter whether I receive flowers or not. It’s simply to show the emperor the opinion of the central nobles regarding Prince Silcaro’s current behavior. That is the purpose of this decision.”

His resolute demeanor appeared determined. The North likely had many knights who were far superior and more experienced in dealing with monsters than the knight order they were taking along.

***

There was no reason to accept those who had no experience in monster hunting from the outside. After all, wasn’t it a place where monsters were much more abundant than in the central region? 
None of the nobles present were unaware of this fact. Even in this situation, heading to the north was a strong declaration of intent to not follow Silcaro, especially considering that they hadn’t broken the Emperor’s command to “send the hunting party. Realizing this, the steps of the noble heads heading north were resolute. Scheuer quietly gazed at the heads of the seven houses from the central region. 
Duke Litton bowed his head in acknowledgment.

“Her Grace, thank you for accepting this so readily.”

“No, I should have reached out first. Scheuer placed the official statement they had received on the table.” 

When she sent a bouquet to Sir Zeros, she thought that with the right rumors, the northern factions in the central region would naturally coalesce.

The imperial knight order must have faced enough turmoil by now. ’

If someone opposed Silcaro, who was openly leading the imperial knights, it would be difficult at first, but gradually, they would find their voice. In the quiet office, Duke Litton added,

“The extermination squad departed this morning.”

Scheuer tilted her head slightly toward Jess and quietly asked,

“What is the amount of healing flowers requested from the center? ”

“The amount is considerable. Most of the areas outside the city walls are expected to have been affected.”

At Jess’s frail response, Scheuer rummaged through the stack of letters. She pulled out a particularly stiff letter and stood up, saying,

“I need to go to the center now.”

“Pardon?”

A look of astonishment crossed the faces of the startled heads of families. Scheuer widened her eyes and asked again,

“Why? I thought that when the Grand Duke is absent, the Grand Duchess takes on that role. Isn’t that right? ”

Am I mistaken?

When Scheuer subtly gestured to Jess, he nodded to indicate that it was indeed possible. That was how the position of Grand Duchess worked. Since the reign of Grand Duke Blen was short, it was natural for the Grand Duchess to protect the North and act as a proxy for the heads of families until the heir grew up.

She held up a letter stamped with the imperial seal, one that the Emperor  had sent until recently, and said,

“I think it’s time to sit at the negotiation table.”

Scheuer smiled brightly and said to Cali,

“Cali, let’s wear the victory dress the Grand Duke gave us before! ”

It was the same design dress she had to reorder because it had traces of monsters on it, worn on the day when the returning knight, Raygrein, had not lost his emotions despite wielding his sword.

Duke Litton lowered his voice and cautiously spoke to her.

“Her Grace, I’m concerned. The Emperor is a person who is committed to his role as a mediator.”

“I know. That’s why I’m relieved.”

“What do you mean by that?” ”

Duke Litton trailed off, confused. Was it not because he hadn’t proposed a treaty favorable to the North that he remained silent? 

Scheuer walked past them and exited the office. Turning her head slightly at the eyes following her, she smiled and said,

“A mediator also means being fair.”

The knights tend to risk their lives for trust and justice. Their sense of justice often aligns with the beliefs of those they follow. However, what remained in a knight order that had lost faith was nothing but disobedience.

As Silcaro pushed aside the flap of the tent temporarily housing the injured, he shouted with a hint of irritation,

“Baron Baches has ordered you to secure the rear! ”

“What can we do? No matter how much we swing our swords, it won’t matter.”

Despite Silcaro’s bellow, the nobles didn’t budge. Unlike the seven houses that had already departed for the North, most of them had already completed their preparations with the imperial knight order for the hunt.

It was too late to head north now, and they couldn’t break the emperor’s orders, so they had no choice but to move with Silcaro.

But that was all. No one around dared to criticize their unfaithful words and actions towards Silcaro. It felt as if all the responsibility for the monsters rested solely on his shoulders. Silcaro clenched his jaw. Even though he wanted nothing more than to behead that fool, the situation didn’t permit it.

‘The Blen family was recognized solely for their ability to hunt monsters. Why? ’

Strength flowed into Silcaro’s hand, gripping the sword. Wasn’t it the same? He was the one hunting monsters, and he was also the one serving the empire.

What about those with power?

The North had abandoned the center, and Erina had lost her powers.

‘Then why me! ’

Wasn’t it normal for them to cling to him instead?

It was a time when they should be begging on their knees, crying to save the center, yet they were showing disobedience! The skin of the monsters was tough, and with every strike he drove his sword into, Silcaro’s arms tensed further.

It was only natural for his shoulder muscles to ache from taking on all the burdens.

‘Incompetent fools.’

Silcaro strode into battle, leaving behind the haughty Knight. Just then, Zeros came running up to him.

“Ah, Your Highness. This is fortuitous. The injured have been moved to safety.”

Had even Zeros, hailing from the North, only been reducing dying monsters to mere carcasses?

Silcaro replied with forced gentleness,

“Thank you for your hard work.”

Behind him, the piercing cry of a bird echoed.

“To be, or not to be: that is the question.” – Hamlet, Shakespeare