Chapter 53 – Rebellion (1)

Since the founding of the Adria Kingdom, there had been numerous kings. Just as numerous as the history of those kings, various aliases existed, and this was the same for the current king, Edward.

It was a nickname given because he was said to be brave like a lion and possess fierce strength. Looking at the achievements Edward accomplished in his youth, he fully deserved to be called that.

Because he was a hero who slaughtered countless monsters and stabilized the country. Rumor had it that such a hero had been seized by madness. No, now he was said to be possessed by a demon.

“Nonsense! Rather than believing such wild rumors, do the job you were assigned properly! Anyone who doesn’t will face severe punishment!”

The captain of the guard, who was the head of the capital guards and took fulfilling one’s daily duties as a virtue, delivered a lengthy speech. However, to Griz, who wore a steel helmet, carried a heavy halberd, and received a measly salary, it was a story that did not hit home.

He wanted to finish work quickly and go to the tavern run by Jake, a retired mercenary, to wet his throat. However, the situation only grew more tangled. Several voices were heard from ahead.

“Impudent rascals! I am Count Barto! Surely you won’t claim you do not know my name? Get out of the way this instant!”

“I am Galik. Also called the Troll Decapitator of Arpen. I was knighted by Viscount Rohwand, and I have slain numerous monsters besides trolls.”

“We came after hearing the oracle. If there is something wrong, it must be corrected. All of this is to reveal the truth.”

Nobles who came leading their private soldiers with rebellious hearts, knights who came to devote their bodies out of loyalty to the King, and even priests who came up from various regions after being summoned by the capital’s Grand Church.

Currently, the gateway of the capital was the height of chaos due to the crowds of people. Furthermore, it was lined with those of extraordinary status.

The captain of the guard screamed while inspecting carriages and checking the belongings of swordsmen. As his superior did so, Griz naturally had to do the same.

To him, this was an ordeal. As a commoner, facing the sharp gazes of the nobles while inspecting them. Griz had profane thoughts inwardly.

‘This is all because the King did crazy things. If he hadn’t suddenly hanged people and brought down the guillotine, there was no way the capital’s checkpoints would have become this difficult. My workload would also have been as low as usual.’

‘Damn it, I crave liquor.’ To him, things like the capital’s safety were stories of the distant future, since making a living right now was urgent.

“Sigh. Next, please come forward.”

Leting out a sigh, Griz opened his mouth. At that, a knight carrying a giant greatsword, a mage draped in a crimson robe, and a female knight with short hair dismounted from their horses and approached.

Normally, Griz would have cast his eyes on them, calling it an extremely unique combination. However, he was too busy and had no peace of mind.

He inspected the luggage bags and weapons of this unique group, then opened his mouth once again.

“What is the purpose of your visit?”

The male knight replied.

“I have a relative I know in the capital. I came for sightseeing.”

Griz smirked. ‘Sightseeing? Looking at the surrounding situation right now, does such a word even come out?’ Griz knew the knight before his eyes was talking nonsense, but soon thought, ‘Whatever, what does it matter.’

This group of knights was different from the nobles or others who were acting violently nearby. They cooperated obediently with the inspection and did not scold him.

No matter how he looked at them, they did not seem like people who would cause trouble. Griz let them pass, resting his halberd on his shoulder.

“The capital is chaotic. Please take care of yourselves.”

“Thank you. Work hard.”

The group of three left, and Griz had to greet guests once again. This time, it was a harsh-looking noble. The private soldiers behind him exuded a fierce momentum. Griz’s expression beneath his helmet frowned. He craved liquor once again.

#

The group walked on the well-laid flagstone road just as they dismounted. Certainly, the capital of the kingdom was distinct in its power.

Rather than plaster buildings with thatched roofs often seen usually, buildings built only of neat bricks and shiny wood were lined. What about the high-rising towers, statues, and temples scattered around them?

As a knight, Adel tried to walk forward with a serious expression, looking only ahead. However, she could not prevent her eyes from rolling around unconsciously. Staring at her cutely, Kara opened her mouth.

“Many highly noble people live in the capital. The land prices are also incredibly expensive, aren’t they? With the money to build a grand mansion here, one could build several decent castles in the provinces. That is why the central nobles do not ignore provincial nobles for nothing.”

Although she threw those words to lighten the mood, Adel ignored them, and Belloc had an expressionless face.

Since he had already grown up looking at structures far larger and more marvelous than these.

‘Real estate exists everywhere. Right, land business is indeed the best after all.’

After looking around the surroundings for a long time, Adel spoke.

“It is a sight where it is hard to believe a demon is present.”

“It does not feel real to me either. However… if what we heard from the merchant is true, the starting point of all these events is the Lion King. Perhaps he is tightly hidden inside his residence.”

Kara pointed toward the royal palace with her finger. However, obscured by the surrounding buildings, only a few spires were visible.

Belloc also thought her opinion was reasonable, since it was said that the King locked the palace gates immediately after the oracle descended.

“In any case, looking at the surrounding situation, it seems something is bound to happen. First, we need to gather information.”

“Are we going to an inn?”

“No, let us look around a bit first.”

The group kept walking while holding the horses’ reins in their hands, since the surroundings were too chaotic just like at the gate earlier. Soon, that bustle reached its climax when they went to the giant fountain located in the center of the capital.

“The Lion King must open the palace gates right now and reveal the truth. How can he not know that the Goddess is watching?”

“Selene has also spoken. That a great evil secretly operates inside the palace right now. However, what is the King doing? Has he not hidden together with his retainers instead? The situation is clear. At this rate, a great disaster will occur. We must all unite our strength.”

Priests carved with different god symbols were shouting loudly while standing atop platforms. It appeared just like missionary work.

There were many people who frowned, but also many who nodded in agreement. Their occupations were also diverse, such as mercenaries, nobles, merchants, and ordinary women. Seeing this, Kara muttered.

“For priests to raise their voices like this in the King’s domain. It seems the oracle is indeed true?”

Although the ecclesiastical and royal powers were said to be in conflict, this was the place where the King resided. From the appearance of the Church acting recklessly in such a land, the group confirmed the truth of the rumors.

At that moment, armed knights parted the crowd and approached the priests. Soon, placing their hands on their scabbards, they shouted loudly.

“What is this commotion right now! Stop this assembly immediately!”

The priests on the platform shifted their eyes. They were the King’s knights. They did not care and snapped back at the knights.

“People have the right to know the truth. The fact that the King is possessed by a demon! We have not a single point of shame under the name of the heavens. Do not interfere!”

“How far do you plan to drag down His Majesty’s honor! Do you truly wish to see blood?”

“Try it if you want.”

At the knight’s fierce threat, the priests smirked. Soon, a sword fight broke out between the order’s paladins and the royal knights in the broad daylight square.

The people who were listening to the speeches instantly became spectators of the duel. ‘It’s a complete mess here. Should we go to an inn?’ While Belloc shook his head, Kara spoke.

“Let us slip away. There is nothing good about getting caught up in this commotion.”

“Let’s do that.”

Just as Belloc’s group shifted their steps to leave the square. Someone pretended to know them.

“What brings the brothers here!”

The group’s heads turned. Beneath the setting sun, a paladin wearing splendid armor stood. It was a familiar face.

It was also the man who had fought together when they were pursued by demons in the mountain village.

‘This makes things easier.’

Looking at him, Belloc smirked. Connections were important everywhere, although it wasn’t that they entangled by choice.

The paladin’s name was Mule. Belloc explained the rough situation to this young knight.

That they had caught the archdemon’s minions in the meantime, and finally traced the guy’s tracks to this place, but did not know how the situation was turning.

Mule drew the sign of the cross with an impressed face. Having already confirmed Belloc’s overwhelming martial prowess and Adel’s holy power with his own eyes, he did not doubt the group’s words.

“I had guessed it from the sight of you slaughtering demons back then, but you have also come to participate in the holy war, brothers.”

“Holy war? It seems they are indeed bound to start something.”

Mule scanned the surroundings. The fight was intensifying further. Blood and intestines scattered, and weapon gears that lost their owners rolled on the floor.

Of course, most of them belonged to the royal knights, since the difference in numbers was too severe. Seeing that, Mule smiled contentedly. It was a smile unfitting for a paladin who took justice or mercy as a virtue. It was closer to a fanatic’s. He opened his mouth.

“It is a bit difficult to speak here right now… Will you follow me for now?”

Kara frowned. Although she disliked the Church as a spellcaster who used sorcery, there were more diverse reasons.

Leaving aside their behavior of drawing swords without hesitation on the main street, she felt as if this entire situation was a board set up by the archdemon.

Nobles supporting the King, nobles trying to start a rebellion, and the Church trying to stop the King after receiving the oracle.

Combining the knights under their command or the hired mercenaries, a massive number of humans were currently gathered in the capital.

Even in that brief conflict just now, that many casualties had occurred. But what if that conflict intensified?

Before they could even face the demon, everyone would die from war among humans. Perhaps the guy had holed up in the palace with such thoughts in mind.

Could it be that the nobles or the Church did not have such thoughts? That wouldn’t be the case. However, the moment the interests of the groups they belonged to were at stake, people’s eyes were bound to be clouded.

Acting while thinking it will be fine, even though they know what will happen.

‘It’s not like they will listen even if we stop them…’

Belloc tapped the shoulder of Kara, who was lost in thought.

“Yes?”

When she turned her head, calm black eyes were staring at her. He spoke. As always, it was a low and serious voice.

“Let us do what we can do for now.”

“Yes. Right.”

Kara shook her head. No matter how much she pondered, there was nothing they could do currently. For now, they would follow that paladin and hear what the Church had to say.

Fortunately, they possessed goodwill toward them. They would be able to obtain reasonably good information. The group followed Mule and arrived at the capital’s Grand Church serving Helena. Soon, they met the person called the archbishop who ruled the place and could hear his words.

“Tonight, we plan to drag down the King possessed by the demon and execute justice.”

Although it was a benevolent tone, the inner content was not like that at all. ‘This quickly?’ Slightly flustered, Belloc asked.

“Do you mean exactly what I am thinking? Staging a rebellion…”

“Rebellion. Hahaha. It is out of the question, brother.”

Archbishop Hynek shook his head, stroking his beard. Then, his eyes sparkling, he grinned. It was the fanatic’s smile that Mule had shown earlier.

“How can killing a demon be a rebellion? This will be a noble holy war to re-establish the Goddess’s will. Of course, talks with the other churches in the capital have already finished. Will you join us?”