The Villainess Whom I Had Served for 13 Years Has Fallen - Chapter 364



364 – Wolfgang and Desmond-5-

Three days ago.

A grand noble meeting was held at the imperial palace.

‘All nobles of the empire must respond to the emperor’s call.’

Various emotions were etched on the faces of the nobles who came out at the sudden call of the emperor. The young head of the family, who had succeeded his father, had expectations, while the old nobles, who had attended numerous meetings, were filled with annoyance.

They wondered what bothersome matter had called them this time.

“…”

It was not common for all the nobles of the empire to gather in one place. Every noble had territories to manage and duties to fulfill.

This meant that the agenda of this meeting was important, and the emperor had something to say, but even that was not welcomed by the busy nobles.

Darvav, who attended the meeting with Kyle, walked through the conference hall, memorizing the faces of the attending nobles.

‘So many have come.’

Duke Lumiere, the guardian of the eastern sun.

– Congratulations on becoming the head of the family, Duke. Now the empire will be blessed with prosperity!

– Haha, you flatter me. Compared to my father, I am nothing. My strength is not even half of what my father has done for Lumiera.

– So humble!! Lumiera’s future is enviable!

The Ardella Duchy, guardians of the Northern Forest of Death.

– …I don’t know why the Emperor called us here again. I’m already dying from the headache caused by the monsters.

– Father. If other nobles hear you, you might end up like Desmond.

– Daughter, if Desmond hears that, it will be an even bigger problem.

– …

From noble mtl dot com

– I’m more afraid of Desmond than the Emperor.

And the head of the Bellian Duchy, who failed to protect the Western Sea, was filling the empty seat in the banquet hall.

More high-ranking nobles had come than expected.

It was a huge deal just to have all four of the Empire’s Dukes gathered in one place. Although they had all seen each other three years ago due to the Olivia incident, it was honestly nice to see them like this.

“Hmmm… The Emperor must be quite scary.”

No nobles approached Darbav.

In the murmuring voices, occasional slanders about Desmond could be heard… It seemed they were subtly keeping their distance.

The family showing the most hostility was the current ruler of the West. There had been an unfortunate incident.

“…Desmond”

Wolfgang Louis was glaring at Darbav. Even while talking to other nobles, he kept glancing at him, showing his hostility.

The reason was predictable.

He had heard that the Western Canal had frozen over.

Although there was no clear evidence, he couldn’t understand why he was being looked at like that, but it didn’t feel too bad. Honestly, he thought he knew who had frozen the canal.

‘Looks good.’

“…By the way, what does the Emperor want to say?”

The Emperor was usually perceptive, so he didn’t make attendance mandatory for most meetings…

– If the head of the family does not attend the meeting, they must sign a document stating they will not complain about the conclusions reached at the meeting.

– …Sign, you say.

– Yes. It is an order from His Majesty the Emperor.

– He is being troublesome to the end.

Darbav pondered the Emperor’s unusual behavior, thinking he seemed to have another motive.

‘It seems like he wants to catch one of the Dukes.’

Most of the Dukes, having immense power, sent representatives to the meetings. It was more convenient for both the Emperor and the high-ranking nobles that way.

Unlike Lumiere, who recently inherited the title of head of the family and focused on building connections with the nobility, everyone else was expected to concentrate on their own affairs… Since the head of the family explicitly mentioned that everyone must attend this meeting, I thought it wouldn’t be an ordinary matter.

Just as Darbav’s thoughts were beginning to take shape, a loud trumpet sound announced the king’s arrival in the spacious banquet hall.

– Puuu…!

“It seems he has arrived.”

The sound echoed through the banquet hall, indicating that the brightest sun of the empire had finally lifted his heavy bottom to resolve Darbav’s curiosity.

[The Sun of Leogard, His Majesty Emperor Leogard, is entering the conference hall!!]

The nobles, who had been chatting, lowered their heads. Darbav also bowed his head as a noble, for nobles were not allowed to look at the emperor’s face unless permitted.

“…Raise your heads.”

With the emperor’s heavy voice, the nobles raised their heads, and soon the face of the emperor, who had gathered everyone here, began to appear.

White hair and a white beard covering his chin.

His overall appearance gave a warm impression, but he exuded a more authoritative presence than anyone else in the room.

To his right was the Sword of the Empire.

To his left, the crown prince stood by the emperor’s side.

Darbav clicked his tongue as he looked at the crown prince. He thought the immature crown prince was finally starting to work.

The emperor always attended official events with the head of the Histania family. The crown prince, who should have been standing by the emperor’s side to learn about state affairs, was always absent, using the excuse of exploring the world.

When the crown prince, who had appeared just as negative public opinion about his conduct was spreading among the nobles, Darbav sneered. He thought the foolish boy finally seemed to be using his head.

The banquet hall was filled with murmurs.

Those aligned with the crown prince’s faction cheered. Those aligned with other princes bit their lips and expressed their thoughts on the situation.

Darbav didn’t think too deeply about it. It had been a long time since he had withdrawn from politics.

If Olivia had any interest in politics, she would have been working hard to expand her influence even now, but Darbav thought it was pointless to do anything for Olivia, who had no interest in politics at all.

Kyle was doing well on his own.

– Kyle. I will pave the way for you. To manage the family more comfortably, you will definitely need your father’s influence.

– I refuse.

– …Why?

– I want to prove that I am a more capable head of the family than you.

– How unpleasant.

– You were the same, father.

– …

The emperor, seated on a golden throne, looked at the nobles gathered in the banquet hall and quietly expressed his gratitude.

“Thank you for responding to my call.”

A boring story began.

As always, it was a story about state affairs and expressing gratitude to the nobles who put in the effort. And while talking about the hard work of the nobles who obey him, he silently announced the start of the meeting.

“Yaaawn…”

“Father.”

“What can I do if I’m sleepy?”

“Can I go to sleep?”

“Hmm?”

Darvav’s eyes widened at his son’s remark, which was even more audacious than his own.

“I don’t know how long we’ll keep talking nonsense. I could earn 100 gold in this time…”

“That’s true, but.”

“It’s been an hour. We’ve been talking about unproductive things for an hour.”

“Hmm… But you have to endure it. You never know when the emperor will throw the bait.”

“…”

“The emperor’s words are money. If you listen selectively, it’s beneficial, so bear with it.”

“Understood.”

Only after the emperor’s speech, which lasted for an hour and thirty minutes, ended, did the emperor finally begin to speak softly about the reason he had gathered the nobles here.

“The empire has been striving to subdue the beast of the west for a long time.”

The moment the story of the west was mentioned, the head of the Bellian duchy, who had failed to subdue the beast of the west in the past, ground his teeth.

“The empire lost a capable vassal on that battlefield and gained an indelible scar.”

A capable vassal.

He was referring to the head of the Bellian family, who had once held the hegemony of the west. He was also a sword master like Rowen.

“In this meeting, I want to discuss making a new plan to subdue the beast of the west.”

The moment the emperor’s true intention was revealed, all the nobles avoided eye contact with the emperor. From the baron with the lowest rank to the duke, they were openly showing their reluctance to take on a task that threatened peace.

And then.

“Father…”

“I know.”

Wolfgang was smiling.

The pieces of the puzzle that had been set in advance were falling into place one by one. Who had thought of this plan, who was helping him, and so on.

And the target of that plan was…

“Us.”

The Emperor singled out a family among the bowing nobles.

“Desmond.”

He called out Desmond’s name.

Darvab kept his lips tightly shut and remained silent at the Emperor’s call. He was trying to push the affairs of the West onto Desmond, even if he didn’t know about the South.

“…”

“I think it would be good if Desmond raised the flag in this subjugation battle.”

“…”

“What does the head of the Desmond family think?”

“…Ha.”

He was at a loss for words.

He wondered what the Emperor was saying now. When he didn’t want to do it, he pushed it away, but now that he needed help, he was asking to lead the charge. It was so absurd that it made him laugh.

Kyle spoke to Darvab in a voice soaked with anger. He said it was clear that the Emperor was trying to feed Desmond to the wolves.

“Father.”

“I know.”

“Will you do it?”

Darvab shook his head.

There was nothing to lose by displeasing the Emperor once more, as he was already out of favor. Breaking the long silence, Darvab retorted to the Emperor.

“Your Majesty, I believe the West should handle its own affairs.”

Darvab, who was giving the Emperor a sidelong glance, firmly spoke his mind without the slightest hesitation.

“Desmond is currently receiving the punishment given by Your Majesty. I hope you understand that he cannot move to a public position.”

“…Hmm. I see.”

The Emperor replied to Darvab with a raised corner of his mouth.

“I think there is no better way to restore Desmond’s fallen honor.”

“…”

Darvab clicked his tongue and replied to the Emperor, who was openly humiliating him in front of other families.

“Already tarnished honor. Even if it is restored, nothing will change.”

“I am giving you a chance. A chance to once again stand as the guardian of the South.”

“…”

“After the matter with the princess, I will return the authority of the South that was taken away.”

“…”

“The territory you returned.”

“…”

“The authority you were deprived of.”

“…”

“I’m saying I’ll help you regain even the lost honor through this matter, so why are you afraid to take the lead?”

Saying this in front of everyone was clearly an act of disregarding Desmont. It was something that could have been said in private.

“Do I have to command you in the name of the Emperor for you to follow?”

“…”

“I want to give you a chance.”

“…”

Darvab decided to take an interest in something he hadn’t thought deeply about.

‘Should I replace the Emperor?’

He had tried not to take an interest in politics, but the Emperor had crossed the line today.

“Father…”

“Kyle.”

“Yes.”

“Which direction do you think I should send the meteor?”

“Please hold back.”

“Hmm…”

A long silence followed.

It was as if the dreadful silence enveloped only Darvab and the Emperor in the vast banquet hall.

“Sigh…”

Darvab, who had clenched his fist tightly, exhaled deeply and answered the Emperor.

“Darvab, head of the Desmont family.”

“…”

“I will obey His Majesty’s command.”

A smile appeared on the Emperor’s lips.

Similarly, smiles bloomed on the lips of the nobles who had avoided the bomb.

“But.”

Darvab said with a smile.

“I request the authority to directly organize the personnel accompanying the subjugation.”

“Alright.”

“Then I…”

Darvav raised his head with a smile.

“I request the Crown Prince as my companion.”

*

And now.

“Eeeek?!”

Olivia, who was packing for the west, was trembling her eyes greatly while looking at the fluttering piece of cloth in front of her.

“Miss, how about this?”

“Ricardo, that’s a nipple cover.”

“It covers everything that needs to be covered.”

“Eeeek?!”

Ricardo was showing strange clothes.

A piece of cloth the size of a palm.

Underwear the size of a fist.

He was lining up clothes that one might wonder if a person could wear, with a big smile on his face.

“Then how about this chic black one?”

“Is that for the head?”

“No. It’s pants.”

“Eek?”

Ricardo was excited.

And then.

“Rosanna!!! How about this bikini!”

Avi was also excited.

Just like Ricardo.