A Stuffed Cheonma in my Head - Chapter 116



Only Noblemtl

Episode 116. I had a good dream.

* * *

The day of the final battle has dawned.

The long-awaited day when the leader who will determine the success or failure of the nation for the next several decades is decided.

People crowded into the circular stadium where the battle was taking place to watch the moment.

Even from a distance, it was a huge crowd.

It seemed like everyone living in Blake’s capital, Valeria, had gathered there.

“There are so many people here.”

Shushuruta stood precariously on the edge of the tall circular arena, looking down at the scenery and muttering.

It wasn’t time to enter yet.

Still, the line of people was so long that it wrapped around the large circular stadium several times.

You can guess how many people there were by looking at the fact that even those who arrived at the crack of dawn were positioned in the middle of the line.

“Is it because it’s been a while?”

It was a festival that rarely came back, as the reign of the current king was long.

It was only natural that many people gathered since it had been a long time.

Then why are they all gathered in such a crowded place?

Of course, the highlight of the festival. To watch the final match.

Even leaving aside the grand implications of the princes of a country fighting over the throne.

A fight between the country’s greatest knights is a rare spectacle.

In reality, most of the people were not interested in the new king, but rather came to watch the knights fight.

As such, the atmosphere in the stadium was far from solemn.

“This is… also what the royal family intended.”

Those were words of inspiration.

The royal family held grand festivals every year before and after the decisive battle.

On the surface, it is a festival to welcome the new king and pray that he will be reborn as a saintly king and lead the kingdom well, but… … .

The important thing is to make people treat the showdown like a festival.

The roles that the crown assigned to non-noble commoners were simple.

We were having a great time, caught up in the festive atmosphere, and when a new king was born, everyone cheered and unknowingly accepted the new king.

In short, don’t even think about interfering with state affairs.

Keep being so stupid.

We will provide you with things to see and enjoy, so that you will not have time to wonder, ‘Why can’t we choose our king?’ Enjoy the festival to your heart’s content. Don’t think too deeply.

“Hmm… … .”

Shushuruta thought that the inspiration’s views were somewhat cynical.

But looking at it from above, it seemed to make some sense.

If you actually listen to the words coming from down there… … .

Because they seemed to have little interest in the momentous event of a change of king.

I just want to see knights fight.

Perhaps, it is the result of long-term learning.

It must have been a custom as old as the history of the kingdom that had become familiar to them.

In reality, they have no influence whatsoever on deciding who will occupy the throne, unless they rise up like a swarm of bees, crying rebellion.

Because commoners were not given the right to choose a king.

However, the arrogant thought characteristic of nobles that how could a lowly commoner be involved in important state affairs has crept in.

Basically, it was a rule that started from the nobles’ unwillingness to give up their privileges and rights.

“What did the inspiration say again… … .”

There is a saying that if there are too many captains, the ship will end up in the mountains.

If we give everyone the right to participate in politics, things can get a little confusing.

Because there is a high possibility that foolish public politics will unfold, influenced by momentary impulses rather than reason.

All the important matters of the country will be decided in the hands of foolish people.

Of course, this is very likely to happen at present as the education system is not well-established.

Therefore, the current monarchical-aristocratic political system is to elect a few outstanding people as representatives to rule the country.

However, this only works properly when the privileged class that rules the country is capable and morally right.

It may have worked fine at first.

But as time goes by, all that remains is the incompetence of leaders and increased privileges.

This is because, as it was passed down to the next generation, privileges remained the same or slightly increased, while abilities were gradually lost.

Because sloth has eaten them up.

“… … What inspiration says is difficult.”

Inspiration summarized the current situation in one word for Shushuruta, who was having a hard time.

“It has rotted as much as it could.”

It was also a phrase that inspiration would mutter habitually.

Every time that happened, the words “a hundred if a hundred” followed.

“A tyrant must emerge and purge the rotten nobles.”

It was Shushuruta that I had memorized by listening to it until it was stuck in my ears.

Every time that happened, Shushuruta would grumble that the old man was noisy and get hit on the back.

The head of the Thieves’ Guild, who had been preaching to Shushuruta about the need for a tyrant, naturally welcomed the appearance of the Black Prince.

The Black Prince and the Thieves’ Guild have been in secret contact for a long time to confirm each other’s intentions.

After Ashvan met the Black Prince, they exchanged opinions through Shushuruta.

The list of knights expected to appear on the 1st Prince’s side was also information provided by the Thieves’ Guild, and the information about the Red-Eyed Demon was leaked to the 2nd Prince’s side, and the Black Prince’s long-prepared operation was also aided by the Thieves’ Guild.

However, Shushuruta did not particularly agree with the inspiration and helped.

Just because Ashvan decided to help the Black Prince.

It was nothing more, nothing less.

To Shushuruta, the Black Prince was no different from the countless others down there.

“It’s so bustling. It’s like ants.”

As Shushuruta tilted his head and looked down at the people who resembled ants.

A man appeared next to her.

“Thank you for waiting.”

If you wear all black in bright daylight, you’ll stand out.

The man who suddenly appeared was wearing casual clothes of a similar color to the stones of the circular stadium.

Even if I went down here and mixed in with the crowd, or even if I left my clothes out here, they wouldn’t stand out.

Shushuruta asked the man who appeared without a sound in a calm tone.

“What did you ask me to find out?”

“Yes. I was already paying attention, so I was able to confirm it right away.”

Wherever there are people, they cannot avoid the eyes of the Thieves’ Guild.

It was a saying that had become a proverb in the Blake kingdom.

Shushuruta had already learned from the guild’s informant that Ashvan had encountered the royal knights the day before. In addition, there were suspicious movements by the assassins.

“After checking, it was confirmed that they were not under the orders of the First Prince.”

“then…….”

The man nodded.

“Yes. Above that. The royal family.”

“……hmm.”

“It has been confirmed that they are the people the king was secretly using behind the scenes.”

Shushuruta also noticed that the situation was turning out strangely.

I never thought that the King would break such an old rule and tradition.

Anyone who breaks the rule of not engaging in combat will be subject to extreme punishment.

But that’s if a person within the royal family is in collusion with the prince.

There was no way to do it if the king took the lead.

Who can punish the highest authority in the kingdom?

Until now, no king has attempted to break it.

It was simply an inviolable law that was considered to be the way it should be.

There was no separate national law for cases where a king broke this rule.

Strictly speaking, there was no way to force you to do the same as your ancestors, other than the unspoken pressure that you should do the same.

That had been enough until now, but this time it was different.

The king intervened directly. It was an unprecedented event.

Shushuruta nodded.

“i get it.”

She also had no idea how the king would intervene in the battle.

There are so many eyes watching, so I can’t do anything more blatantly foolish…

“Your Majesty.”

Shushuruta looked at the man.

There was a look in his eyes that said, “You haven’t left yet.”

The man looked at her with deep eyes.

“There was a message from the Dark Lord.”

Shushuruta’s eyes widened.

“… … inspiration?”

“yes.”

Shushuruta looked at the man with surprised eyes, thought for a moment, and then said.

“Speak.”

“yes.”

The man cleared his throat for a moment and then slowly opened his mouth.

The voice that came out was different from before.

It was the voice of an old man, worn and rough by the inevitable passage of time.

“Young wolf. Please take care of yourself.”

“… … !”

Inspiration had not sent a single word to Shushuruta since he ran away from home.

Given what had happened, this was certainly surprising.

“That’s all.”

“… … Let’s go and take a look.”

“yes.”

The man who answered jumped down over the railing.

When Shushuruta popped his head out to look, the man had already disappeared somewhere.

“… … .”

Shushuruta’s face became serious and he thought deeply for a moment.

I didn’t know inspiration could say something like that. Something didn’t feel right.

Meanwhile, it was soon time to enter the stadium. People began to flock into the stadium.

The seats filled quickly, starting from the front.

“Buy popcorn, popcorn! A delicious snack of corn fried in oil!”

“Refreshing fruit juice for just 3 coppers!”

“We also have cold draft beer!”

Merchants were going back and forth between the seats, selling food.

“Who do you think will win?”

“Of course it would be the First Prince. Sir Riley. Sir Stephen. Sir Lionel. All the famous knights are gathered there.”

“What are you talking about? The Black Prince has a golden flash. Didn’t you see it yesterday? He made the knights of the Viscount’s house run away with just a few words.”

“Who else is there besides the golden flash?”

“Isn’t there the Black Tiger Knights of the Black Prince?”

“No. The Black Prince’s character is not solid. It’s hard to guarantee victory just by relying on the golden flash.”

“Is that so?”

“Look at Prince 1. There’s not a single person missing.”

People debated heatedly over who would win.

The atmosphere was as lively and bustling as it was exciting.

But even as the seats were filling to capacity, one side of the stadium was empty.

“Hey, why aren’t people sitting there?”

“This guy. That’s where the nobles sit.”

“Ah, somehow.”

After a while, nobles dressed in gorgeous clothes and adorned with various precious metals slowly appeared.

“It’s finally today.”

“That’s right.”

The heads of each family, their ladies, and their children sat in their respective seats and chatted.

They naturally split into two camps.

On the right were the senior families of the First Prince’s side, and on the left were the new families lining up to the Black Prince.

The Black Prince’s side included a mix of families that were under the command of the Second Prince and those who originally supported the Black Prince.

“No, were you one of the Black Prince’s people too?”

“I thought it was neutral… … !”

Those under the command of the Second Prince could not hide their surprise at seeing that there were more people supporting the Black Prince than they had expected.

This is because most of them were families that claimed to be neutral.

They secretly supported the Black Prince, but they pretended to be neutral and quietly crouched until the Black Prince rose up in revolt.

Anyway, since they were now on the same boat, they quickly became acquainted.

The nobles, divided into two camps, engaged in a subtle war of nerves, glancing at the other camp while talking among themselves.

“Ahem. The tiger cub has gathered quite a few people.”

“It seems like they were doing some dirty work behind the scenes.”

“Tsk tsk. Who does he resemble…?”

“How can such a sinister and violent person sit on the throne? That is unacceptable.”

At their words, which were met with laughter.

A man on the Black Prince’s side muttered, picking his ear.

“Where is the dog barking?”

“What, what?”

The man looked at them and answered calmly.

“Ah, now I see it was a pig.”

“… … !”

“Old people are noisy. After doing this for so long, isn’t it time to step down?”

“This is so outrageous… … !”

“I’m just talking to myself. Just like you did.”

Beginning with the man’s soliloquy, the people on the Black Prince’s side, many of whom were relatively young, began to openly talk.

“How come my greed keeps growing despite my lack of ability?”

“Just look at their bellies. They’re all fat and bulging.”

“Those who have absolutely no ability are taking power just because they inherited the family.”

“Be careful. After the final battle, you will be the first to be slaughtered by the Black Prince.”

In fact, the deep-rooted conflict between them has been going on for a long time.

It was only when the decisive battle was imminent that the truth was revealed without any hesitation.

“These, these… lowly things… …!”

“Those who couldn’t even say a word dare… …!”

To those who were shaking with flushed faces, the Black Prince’s people smiled darkly.

They say dogs resemble their owners.

They resembled the Black Prince in many ways.

Shushuruta, having heard that, swayed back and forth on the top of the circular stadium before falling down.

She fell down without a sound, disappearing into the shadows and moving to the waiting room located at the bottom of the stadium.

Ashvan, with a black cloth wrapped around his eyes, greeted her.

“Are you here?”

Shushuruta tilted his head to one side and looked at him as if he had become a real person.

“Why are you doing that?”

Ashvan answered with a sly smile.

“They don’t know that I’m the devil in the enemy’s eyes.”

“so?”

“This is also a psychological warfare. You have to use everything you can. They probably think that Bok-sil is the red-eyed demon.”

Shushuruta looked at Bok-sil, who was catching her breath while holding Vlad on one side.

Come to think of it, ever since he became Vlad’s master, his eyes had turned red.

Although the color wasn’t as dark as Ashvana.

“and.”

At the following words, Shushuruta looked at Ashvan.

He said with a grin.

“It’s fun.”

“… … .”

Shushuruta stared blankly at Ashvan, who was smiling sinisterly.

‘Wow… this is a colleague I can’t understand.’

Shushuruta thought so.

But since I was also not understood by people, I felt a sense of kinship with them.

‘Is this what a close-knit camaraderie is?’

“Hehehe.”

“Hehehe.”

The Black Prince, who had been staring blankly at the two people who were laughing, shook his head.

‘Is it okay for weird guys to just look at each other’s faces?’

Shushuruta suddenly looked Ashvan up and down and said.

“You. What happened?”

“Not really. Why?”

“Um… I’m not sure. It just looks different.”

“Oh, really?”

Ashvan smiled meaningfully.

“I had a good dream.”

At that moment, a magnificent trumpet sound was heard from outside.

The Black Prince stood up and said.

“It means His Majesty has arrived.”

The ten knights who had been waiting all rose from their seats to follow him.

Ashvan said, relaxing his shoulders.

“Then let’s go.”

Led by the Black Prince, ten knights headed to the vast arena.