# The Great Noble Council
The Great Noble Council was a gathering where nobles of sufficient standing in the Empire came together to discuss important national matters.
In the past, nobles had assembled to consolidate opinions before wars between the Empire and other nations began. Recently, they had also gathered to discuss the subjugation of the monster in the west.
Dressed in formal attire, Shartia asked the maid who was styling her hair about the Empire's troublemakers.
"Has my brother arrived?"
"The First Prince is on his way from the west with Marquis Wolfgang, and the Second Prince is currently greeting guests in the reception hall."
"The Second Brother is... greeting guests?"
"Yes."
"What is he plotting..."
The atmosphere in the Empire was far from peaceful.
The power struggle had begun among blood relatives who revealed their ambitions for the Emperor's throne, and discussions about influence in the western region had started to emerge.
"Haah..."
While the subjugation of the monster had brought great benefits to the nation, it had also triggered numerous consequences.
As Wolfgang, who held real power in the west, became entangled with slave traders, conflicts among western nobles intensified.
'Why did that fool join hands with Wolfgang...'
Meanwhile, Duke Bellian, who had participated in the monster subjugation, gained power, further deepening the conflicts.
Due to the frozen canal, Wolfgang was moving leisurely, treating the news of rewards that should be paid as if time would resolve everything. Honestly, his actions should have been discussed at this meeting, but...
'Why did this heretic incident have to happen now...'
Shartia sighed deeply at the complicated situation, watching the carriages entering the imperial palace through the window.
Wolfgang's carriage, gilded with gold as if to show he was still powerful.
The Lumiera Duchy from the east, guardians of the sun, with their warm-colored carriage.
And the blood-stained carriage of the Ardela Duchy, protectors of the Forest of Death in the north.
As the great nobles gathered, Shartia's tension doubled.
And finally, that carriage.
*Clench*
Shartia bit her lip and clenched her fists as she watched the ebony carriage, seemingly larger than the imperial carriages, enter the palace grounds.
"Desmont."
With the worst duchy now gaining wings, there was no telling what might happen.
*
"I now call this Great Noble Council meeting to order."
As the Chancellor's voice echoed through the meeting hall, the nobles began to move in accordance with the heavy atmosphere.
"I ask for your understanding regarding the urgent nature of this assembly."
Various emotions were etched on the faces of the gathered nobles.
"These are the end times, truly the end times..."
While some showed pessimistic attitudes toward the Empire's chaotic situation...
"Hahaha! Duke Bellian, congratulations! You've finally subjugated the monster in the west!"
Others were busy flattering.
This wasn't to say they were wrong.
The pessimistic attitude.
Taking opportunities to forge connections was their freedom and their business.
Of course.
"Damn... what will we do when those bastards return?"
There were also those who were anxious, biting their nails because of this incident.
The Chancellor, dressed in ceremonial attire, nodded at a servant's signal and silenced everyone.
"I ask for your solemnity."
For the Emperor of the Empire was entering.
"The Sun of Leogard, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Leogard, enters the council chamber!!"
"...Raise your heads."
With the Emperor's heavy voice, the nobles lifted their heads to behold the face of the ruler who had summoned them here.
His white hair and beard covering his chin remained the same, but the dark shadows around his eyes seemed to reflect the Empire's troubling situation.
As always, the Imperial Sword stood to his right, and the Crown Prince guarded his left side.
Shartia clicked her tongue as she looked at the Crown Prince with his gloomy expression. She thought it was because of him joining hands with Wolfgang that the division in the west had worsened.
"Tsk."
Shartia knew.
"..."
She knew that Theo, standing beside the Emperor, wouldn't step forward regarding the prison issue.
Even if he were to pursue the escaped prisoners, there would be no benefit, and focusing on western matters during that time would be more advantageous to him. She guessed he wouldn't actively participate.
Of course, if it were her, she would act differently to gain public support.
As Shartia was turning the situation over in her mind, the Emperor's somber voice broke the silence.
"You've all heard the rumors, I presume."
The rumor that the prison boasting the Empire's highest security had fallen to heretic forces without any resistance.
"The Black Sanctuary has been breached."
"..."
"The place where the Empire incarcerates its worst criminals was penetrated by a group of fanatics three days ago."
"..."
"The enormous taxes invested in the prison and the personnel deployed were shattered in a single day."
"..."
"Do you understand what this means?"
The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince sitting beside him as he spoke.
"..."
Erasing his usual gentle demeanor toward the Crown Prince, he spoke coldly.
"Well..."
Surprised by the Emperor's question, Theo began to stammer. He hadn't expected his father to question him in such a formal setting.
"The escaped prisoners could cause secondary damage, which is a significant problem for the Empire. And... the criminals incarcerated in the Black Sanctuary have serious offenses, so..."
"...Is that all?"
"...Pardon?"
After listening silently to the Crown Prince, the Emperor looked directly into Theo's eyes and asked.
"I asked if that's all you have to say."
"...Yes, it is."
"..."
The Emperor sighed deeply and continued.
"This incident openly displays the Empire's vulnerabilities to other nations."
"..."
"It means that the Leogard Empire, the strongest power across the continent, has fallen to a mere group of fanatics."
"..."
"Crown Prince."
"Yes, Father."
"Get your head straight."
Though they spoke in hushed tones, preventing other nobles from hearing their conversation, Shartia could tell.
'Father... has started to lose faith in Theo...'
Her father's principle of primogeniture succession was beginning to crumble.
With Shartia's delight, the Emperor sighed deeply and began questioning the man standing below the platform, limping as he walked.
"I apologize for summoning you despite your injuries, Warden."
"Not at all, Your Imperial Majesty."
"..."
"I am the one who should apologize for failing to fulfill my duties to the end."
"..."
Having summoned the warden of the Black Sanctuary, the Emperor continued with a grave expression.
"Let me ask you a few questions."
"Yes."
"Where were you when the fanatics attacked?"
"I was in my office."
"And alcohol?"
"I had a little before retiring to bed..."
"...I see."
The warden lowered his head at the Emperor's sharp questions. He had much to say, but anything would merely sound like an excuse.
"I apologize for asking what has already been investigated."
"Not at all."
The warden simply bowed his head to preserve his life.
The Emperor looked down coldly at the warden and pressed further. In front of so many nobles, he needed to show that he was questioning and investigating thoroughly.
"Are you a heretic?"
"No...! How could I be a heretic...!"
"Yes, if you weren't, you wouldn't have fought to the point of losing a hand."
"..."
"Many soldiers died."
"..."
"Many people were injured."
"..."
"I don't take your sacrifice lightly, but I wanted you to know that I'm aware of your negligence."
As the Emperor's pressure on the warden was coming to an end, the Second Prince, who had been listening with his arms crossed, quietly raised his hand and spoke.
"I believe his crime should be punished with death, Father."
"...What did you just say, Second Prince?"
"I said he should be executed."
"..."
"It's true that the warden sacrificed by losing an arm for the Empire. However, his actions resulted in many casualties, and he failed to complete his duty..."
"Second Prince."
"I believe death would be the honorable way to handle this."
'That idiot...'
Shartia gritted her teeth as she watched the Second Prince, who failed to understand their father's intentions. Right now, their father was acknowledging the warden's hardship instead of rebuking everyone.
Acknowledge the mistake and reward the effort.
That was their father's thinking.
'That dung-headed fool...!'
As the Second Prince continued without any sign of stopping, Shartia raised her hand and spoke.
"This would have happened regardless."
"...Shartia."
"Even if they had known about the intrusion, there would have been no way to stop them. While the incident must be addressed, I don't believe execution is appropriate."
"Are you defending him now?"
"No. I'm merely suggesting that his sacrifice should be highly valued."
"..."
Shartia stared directly at the Second Prince's frowning face, revealing her hostility.
'Think before you speak.'
The Second Prince, listening to the conversation, spoke angrily, feeling his opinion had been dismissed.
"Then why don't you handle it?"
"..."
"You insignificant little star."
*BANG!*
The Emperor frowned and put an end to the commotion.
"That's enough."
"..."
"This gathering wasn't created for you two to fight."
"...I apologize."
The Emperor shook his head and spoke.
"I heard 40% of the escapees died in Hamel."
"..."
"It seems the Desmont territory has accomplished something significant."
Hearing this, Darvav shook his head and shrugged.
"We did nothing, Your Majesty."
"..."
"They were simply unfortunate enough to climb the Hamel Mountains where monsters reside and died suddenly. I don't believe Desmont did anything."
"...I see."
The Emperor asked.
"Is there anyone willing to help with this matter?"
"..."
"Wolfgang."
Wolfgang bowed his head and gave a negative response.
"I cannot leave my territory at this time."
Unable to move easily, even to counter the growing power of Bellian, Wolfgang declined the Emperor's proposal.
While it was a good opportunity to recover lost trust, Wolfgang chose profit over trust to counter the Bellian family.
"What about the Bellian family?"
"The Bellian family will capture criminals crossing into the west."
Nobles who didn't want to get involved in dangerous matters declined the Emperor's request with a shake of their head. After all, the escapees weren't ordinary criminals.
Naturally, the Emperor's gaze turned to Desmont. Among the escapees, many held grudges against nobles, but none against Desmont.
With powerful private soldiers, the wealth to maintain them, and a reputation for thoroughly annihilating their enemies, Desmont was a family that couldn't be turned into an enemy, no matter how much they were disliked.
"Then may I ask for your assistance again?"
Darvav smirked and replied.
"Why should I do it?"
"..."
"Desmont has no connection to this incident."
"..."
"I believe once is enough for such matters, Your Majesty."
The king had returned.