26-75

EP.75 Festival – 2 

The festival of the Bastil Kingdom was nothing short of magnificent. 

With the king making a personal appearance, such grandeur was only fitting. 

“From now on, our kingdom will prosper even more, and to achieve this, we must unite the will of our people! If we do so, everyone will enjoy an abundant life!” 

As soon as the king’s speech ended, cheers erupted from all around. 

On the surface, it was a successful festival. 

But not everyone was satisfied. 

In fact, most people wore uneasy expressions. 

“Tch… Last time, he raised taxes again, saying we needed to increase military strength.” 

“It’s just miserable. We can’t take much more. Even for this festival, they took so much from us for preparations.” 

“Shh, if you complain and get noticed, who knows what’ll happen. Just get to work.” 

The Bastil Kingdom was inseparable from wars of conquest. 

It was tolerable when they succeeded, but lately, only the downsides stood out. 

This was due to over-investment in the Aily Kingdom-money was flowing out, and there were no real gains. 

Of course, the king wasn’t unaware of this. 

In fact, that’s why he held such a grand festival. 

‘I’ve placed cheerleaders all over, but… the reaction isn’t great.’ 

It hadn’t crossed the line yet. 

For now, it was just simple grumbling. 

But if things continued, there was no telling where it would end. 

“I need to move things along a bit faster, even if it’s radical.” 

“Are you saying we should prepare for war?” 

“If we don’t vent these complaints, they’ll only get worse. It’s better to redirect resentment toward another country in advance.” 

“But if it fails…” 

“Of course, I don’t mean an all-out war. It’s enough if the people blame another nation. It’ll also serve as justification for a bigger war later.” 

Hounded was deliberately planning to stir up conflict. 

He already had collaborators. 

There was nothing that could become a problem. 

He felt a bit rushed, 

but thought he could proceed slowly if needed. 

He also believed his own country’s superior strength gave him the advantage. 

“What does the princess think?” 

“…I think it’s dangerous to provoke things recklessly without preparation.” 

“If you only worry about risks, nothing gets done. And… if you, as the princess, help, there won’t be a problem.” 

“…” 

Katrina fell silent. 

She’d given up on persuading him. 

‘Suspicious.’ 

Hounded felt a sense of unease from his daughter’s demeanor. 

It was different from light rebellion- 

it was like watching someone quietly sever a thread. 

‘Has her mind changed? Maybe I should cut her off first. I’ll have her watched soon.’ 

He didn’t think it was too late. 

If anything, he believed he’d spotted the signs early. 

There were too many obstacles to suspecting the princess of betrayal. 

Eldric had promised cooperation for his own benefit, and there was no domestic faction strong enough to support the princess. Even if she betrayed him, the losses outweighed the gains. 

‘At most, she might pressure me to let her take the throne early, but I’ll have to block that.’ 

The princess’s usefulness was already at an end. 

Passing the throne to her later wasn’t essential. Without a role, she could be discarded harshly. 

“This is the place.” 

Darkness hung thick around them, 

but there were also spots that were abnormally bright. 

People wandered around, drunk-proof that the festival had taken place today. 

“It’s my first time visiting a foreign royal palace.” 

“It’s my first time too, but we should be careful not to make mistakes. Security is tight from here on. Let me check the situation first.” 

Milleiyu scanned the surroundings and cast a spell. 

I didn’t know what kind, but all of us-including the royal guard-watched in silence. 

“…Luckily, the festival has made the guards a bit more lax.” 

“Can we storm straight into the king’s chambers?” 

It was Bella who asked the strategic question, 

her charisma as captain of the guard clear in her armor. 

“There are still plenty of royal guards near the king’s quarters.” 

“If it’s with Milleiyu’s magic…” 

“That’s impossible.” 

Milleiyu shook her head immediately. 

Her firm decision left Bella saying nothing more. 

Even if she’d come to help, the difference in status between queen and captain was stark. 

“I’ll help you in another way.” 

“Do you have a good plan?” 

“It’s impossible for this many people to approach the king unnoticed. But I can prevent word from getting out.” 

“Prevent it… how?” 

“I’ll cast a barrier to temporarily cut us off from the outside. It’s late, and there are a lot of drunk people, so we can delay word getting out.” 

“So we’ll have to fight as planned.” 

A simple assassination was out of the question. 

In the end, everyone would have to storm in and end it quickly. 

“If you’re late, even I won’t be able to help. If the barrier breaks, you’ll all be in danger. So…” 

As everyone steeled themselves, 

Milleiyu smiled at me. 

Right now, I was just one of the guards. 

“As the princess said, Eldric’s role will be very important…♥ I trust your skills too.” 

All eyes turned to me in an instant. 

Bella was one thing, but even the other guards looked at me. 

You could read their thoughts from their eyes. 

It was only natural to be suspicious of someone they barely knew. 

And now, even the elf queen had high expectations of me? 

If that didn’t attract attention, that would be stranger. 

‘This is definitely something the princess ordered.’ 

There was no need to ask who was behind it. 

No wonder she’d insisted I make sure to achieve something before leaving. 

“Katrina.” 

His voice calling his daughter was cold. 

So cold, it was hard to believe they were related by blood. 

Anyone clever would notice that chill. 

“Yes, Father.” 

“You acted strangely during the day.” 

“I don’t know what you mean.” 

Katrina’s response was as cold as Hounded’s. 

The difference was that she was pushing back. 

A chill colder than the night air passed between them. 

“Are you harboring other intentions?” 

His sharp gaze pierced Katrina’s body. 

Even the slightest reaction was information to him. 

“That’s nonsense. Why would I turn away from you, Father?” 

“For now, perhaps. But since I’ve promised you the throne, it wouldn’t be strange if you tried to seize it quickly.” 

Katrina had to suppress a laugh. 

Her father’s thinking was based on himself. 

He wouldn’t betray for profit. 

But if a chance for greater power appeared, he’d seize it without hesitation, regardless of sacrifice. 

It was a simple, greedy nature. 

He could treat even family as tools. 

“…I am not like you, Father.” 

She couldn’t stand being seen as the same as him. 

“Now I see. That’s why I need to keep you on a tighter leash. From tomorrow, you’ll be under surveillance.” 

“And if you’re giving me the throne, will things go smoothly?” 

“…The next king is for me, the king, to decide.” 

“Will you break even family promises? Even after demanding sacrifices?” 

“Scheming is a necessary virtue for a king.” 

It was outright betrayal. 

But there was nothing Katrina could do immediately. 

Keeping silent was the best revenge. 

“I see.” 

“Don’t think me heartless. You hate war, so you should understand. It’s all for me and the country. Still, if you achieve something everyone can accept, I’ll give you the throne later.” 

“I doubt I’ll have any more role to play. And recently… you’ve even taken a concubine.” 

“…” 

All that remained between them was silence. 

Katrina knew what it meant for him to take a concubine: 

he was hoping for a child to replace her. 

“It’s good for a king to have many options.” 

“Understood. Then… have a peaceful night.” 

She had no intention of talking further. 

That night, the rift between them became irreparable. 

‘Maybe I should expect a child from the concubine.’ 

Hounded didn’t even look at Katrina as she left. 

His mind was already working on his next plan. 

Making Katrina queen was now a last resort. 

“…I suppose I’ll have to look into ways to extend my life.” 

Hounded’s lust for power was relentless. 

No matter the blood tie, anyone who showed opposition was an enemy. 

In the struggle for power, family meant nothing. 

He planned to block Katrina’s every move in advance- 

at least until the clamor broke out. 

“An intruder!!” 

It had been dozens of minutes since Katrina left. 

The king didn’t spare a thought for his daughter. 

Behind his hardened expression, other emotions were swirling. 

“…Katrina.” 

Hounded’s intuition realized he’d been outmaneuvered.