“Ah, that’s right. It was a bit different from the draft you prepared. Something about sending Romelia to Lowburn to reclaim land from the Demon King’s army, wasn’t it? A grand and heroic vision, very much to my liking.”
Henry recited a part of the speech written by Cardinal Pharmaid .
The nobles’ gazes now turned to Cardinal Pharmaid .
In the past, Henry would have proudly delivered that speech. But with a clear mind, he saw it as foolish. Declaring the continuation of the war before an exhausted populace could incite a riot. Perhaps that was Pharmaid and Zaria’s aim.
“But wasn’t it you who suggested this? That draft was for the sake of King Henry.”
“Then, are you plotting rebellion for my sake too?”
When Henry accused them of rebellion, Cardinal Pharmaid ’s eyes widened in shock.
After attempting to assassinate Romelia, Henry had called Cardinal Pharmaid and General Zaria, but after Henry left, they began plotting a rebellion.
Their plan was to incite a riot with a provocative speech and seize power amidst the chaos. This was both their plan and Henry’s counterplan.
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
Cardinal Pharmaid denied the rebellion, but his voice was shaky, and his eyes wandered. General Zaria, however, remained stoic, maintaining a blank expression despite the accusation.
“I know all about your rebellion. Look around. You see few of my guards here? They are currently arresting those involved in the plot.”
As Henry spoke, Cardinal Pharmaid ’s face turned pale.
Of course, this was a lie. Henry had no evidence of the rebellion. But by predicting where the attacks would occur, he had ordered his guards to secure the city hall, armory, and gates just before coming here.
“By now, Deputy Commander Kalena, who commands the main force of the Black Hawk Knights, should also be captured.”
At the mention of the Black Hawk Knights, General Zaria’s brow twitched.
The Black Hawk Knights were participating in the ceremony, but most of them were stationed at the northern border of Ghazal. However, they should also be heading to the capital for the rebellion.
But Henry lacked enough guards to capture them, making this another lie. Still, it seemed to unsettle General Zaria.
“Pharmaid , Zaria, I cannot forgive your betrayal.”
Henry looked at the two standing there.
Cardinal Pharmaid had defiled the sanctity of the church, and General Zaria had neglected the internal threat of the Demon King’s army.
Henry had a part in the conflict with General Zaria, but abandoning the enemy and letting the people suffer was against the knight’s code. It was unforgivable.
Removing these two from the kingdom was one of Henry’s duties.
“Surrender quietly and admit your rebellion. If you do, I will spare your lives.”
Henry pretended to show mercy, pressing them to confess.
He had no proof of their rebellion. Therefore, he needed them to admit it before the nobles.
But the two who had held power for so long would not confess easily.
So, there was no other way…
Henry quietly steeled himself.
Removing Cardinal Pharmaid and General Zaria from the kingdom was uncertain through arrest and trial. Their strong ties to political and military factions could help them escape.
He needed definitive, irrefutable evidence.
Henry looked at General Zaria’s waist. Hanging there was his prized longsword.
Normally, the guards would have taken it before entering the castle, but Henry had arranged for them to leave it with Zaria.
“You won’t admit your rebellion? Then we’ll meet next at the execution ground.”
Henry coldly declared and turned his back to General Zaria. At that moment, a cold murderous intent emanated from Zaria. Henry could feel it without seeing that Zaria had gripped his sword.
As king, Henry also carried a sword. He could defend himself if needed, but he did nothing and simply stood tall.
Even if he wasn’t a hero, he didn’t want to die a disgraceful death.
Henry closed his eyes, ready for the blade.
He heard the sound of the sword being drawn, and in the next instant, blood sprayed.
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After hearing King Henry’s speech, Elisabeth’s mind went blank.
Everything was unexpected, and she didn’t know how to react.
Moreover, King Henry had exposed the rebellion plot of Cardinal Pharmaid and General Zaria, shocking everyone, including Elisabeth.
She couldn’t understand anything, but when King Henry turned his back to General Zaria, she realized he intended to die.
Elisabeth rushed in front of King Henry. The next moment, a flash of a blade, and Elisabeth was slashed from her right side to her left chest.
Blood gushed from her chest, staining the queen’s white dress a deep red.
Screams echoed around as the nobles fled in panic.
Elisabeth nearly collapsed from the pain and blood loss but managed to steady herself. With trembling fingers, she pointed at General Zaria.
“Someone… capture this traitor…”
With those words, Elisabeth fell backward.
King Henry, in a daze, caught her falling body.
King Henry’s eyes were wide open, but he couldn’t utter a sound.
Elisabeth tried to tell him to flee, but no words came out. King Henry, pale and unfocused, wore a face of disbelief, unable to comprehend what had happened.
General Zaria swung his blood-stained sword, aiming at the king once more. But a spear struck from the side, deflecting the blade. Sergeant Sergei extended his spear, blocking the general’s deadly attack.
Nearby, Cardinal Pharmaid ‘s face had gone pale. The maid Marie, defying the fleeing crowd, rushed over and pressed her apron against Elisabeth’s wound, desperately trying to stop the bleeding.
“Oh, Elisabeth! Why did you save someone like me?”
King Henry shook his head and forced his voice from his throat.
“Hen…ri… run…”
Elisabeth tried again to urge him to flee, but her words failed. She leaned forward, letting Marie support her instead of the king. But King Henry, his hands covered in blood, couldn’t move.
Men in servant uniforms, daggers in hand, pushed through the crowd toward them. They were assassins planted by General Zaria.
Sergeant Sergei and four royal guards fought the assassins, but they were outnumbered.
“King Henry! Fight! Are you going to be killed with the queen?”
Sergei’s shout snapped King Henry out of his daze.
“How dare you! Elisabeth!”
King Henry drew his sword and clashed with the assassins. His skill, which had defeated the demon king, was undeniable. With each swing, he shattered their daggers and took their lives.
Seeing the king as a formidable opponent, one assassin slipped past the guards and headed toward Elisabeth.
Marie shielded Elisabeth with her body, trying to protect her, but the assassin tore her away and thrust his dagger at Elisabeth.
“Move and the queen dies!”
The assassin threatened King Henry and the guards.
“No… don’t… fight…”
Elisabeth managed to force out the words, but King Henry lowered his sword.
Though the guards didn’t lower their spears, they were at a loss, the tips wavering.
“Good, well done.”
General Zaria smiled cruelly, pleased with the hostage situation.
“Pharmaid . What are you doing? Get to work!”
General Zaria’s sharp eyes glared at Cardinal Pharmaid , who was dithering nearby.
Cardinal Pharmaid ‘s gaze flicked between Elisabeth and the general.
With a look Elisabeth had never seen before, Cardinal Pharmaid finally raised his right hand.
A black light, like dark energy, enveloped his hand.
“Henry…run…”
Elisabeth desperately tried to tell the king to flee.
The black light from Cardinal Pharmaid ‘s hand was undoubtedly the rumored forbidden magic, a death spell. Its exact power was unknown, but such a hidden church technique couldn’t be mere show.
She feared King Henry would be killed, but Cardinal Pharmaid ‘s hand turned toward the assassin holding the dagger to Elisabeth.
Muttering something, the cardinal sent the black light into the assassin’s chest. The next moment, the assassin coughed up blood and collapsed, dead.
“What? Pharmaid ! You betrayed us!”
“Shut up! Oh, my dear Elisabeth, forgive me.”
Ignoring General Zaria’s angry shout, Cardinal Pharmaid rushed to Elisabeth, crying as he began to heal her.
“Father…?”
Elisabeth had never seen Cardinal Pharmaid cry before.
“Curse it! I should never have trusted a monk! If it comes to this, we have no choice. Kill King Henry at all costs. Without his death, we have no future!”
General Zaria commanded his assassins.
They hesitated for a moment, but then they reached into their cloaks, pulled out cords, and ran towards King Henry.
“No, you won’t!”
Sergei thrust his spear, impaling an assassin. The spear pierced flesh and bone, but the next instant, the assassin’s body exploded.
The blast threw Sergei back.
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