Stepmothers Are Not Always Evil

Chapter 128 The road to the capital was smooth.As the march was unauthorized by the Emperor, they were prepared for a sudden attack, but no one stood in their wayThe Emperor did not want to cause unnecessary friction, as most of the territory had been damaged by monsters, and for the same reason, there was a great deal of antipathy toward the Emperor.On the contrary, the army swelled from a few hundred to thousands as more and more nobles joined in to lend their support to Helios.In particular, the Marquis of Hallstein and Count Turner, who rushed to hear the news, were a great help.“Perhaps we should slow down our movement and send a letter of complaint to His Majesty first.”“If Your Majesty locks the gate and responds back, won’t the people in the capital get hurt?”“If that happens, the capital will become isolated, so he won’t do it. If we advance into the capital without giving reasons, we become rebels.”After convincing the hesitant Marquis of Halstein, Count Turner wrote a petition himself.The complaint details the evil deeds of the Marquis Melks and the consequences of the Emperor’s misjudgment, and a polite threat to ask for an explanation in the name of ‘Hastings’ was attached.“Let’s wait three days until we get a reply.”The messenger who sent the complaint stopped a day away from the capital and waited for the Emperor’s reply. But no answer came.It was Grand Duchess Crawford who sent the message on behalf of the Emperor.Her letter was addressed to me. Sending a letter to Helios was ostensibly a way to avoid suspicion, as the Grand Duchess could be implicated as the mastermind behind the movement.“Your Majesty has withdrawn the knights guarding the Grand Duchess’ residence.”“I mean to avoid conflict.”“Since there is no commander to command the troops right now, it means that they can’t even dare to engage in an all-out war.”Count Turner cut in. I nodded, agreeing with him.The head of the Imperial Knights who had traveled with Helios to the western border was still there.We’d informed him of the situation just before Helios left the castle, but he hadn’t joined us or rushed to the Emperor, saying he’d take care of what was left and go up.As a knight leader, that would have been the best choice. And the Emperor who lost his commander was as if he was completely isolated.Helios made a decision.“I think we have heard Your Majesty’s answer, so let’s go.”The troops quickly made their way to the capital.   ***** The atmosphere in the capital was calm. Perhaps because of the announcement of the arrival the day before, people were not moved even when they saw the soldiers.Helios went straight to the Imperial Castle without wasting time. It was Count Tilburn and other nobles who greeted us in front of the Imperial Palace.In the front row stood Grand Duchess Crawford.“Are you coming now?”“Your Highness Grand Duchess.”I got off the carriage and bowed my head to the Grand Duchess.Perhaps because of her long imprisonment, the Grand Duchess looked rather thin, so she looked more dignified.“Come in.”Grand Duchess Crawford took the lead. Helios followed Grand Duchess, leaving Dustin and his knights waiting at the gates.I didn’t come here with the intention of bringing down the Emperor from the beginning, but it was a force to show off, so this was enough.Upon entering the Imperial Palace, the servants hurriedly ran around the palace. But the Grand Duchess did not give them a single glance and headed straight for the audience.“I have come to see Your Majesty.”The knight, who was guarding the audience, quietly opened the door without saying anything. Through the open door, the figure of the Emperor sitting on the throne could be seen.“Helios Anthemion, see Your Majesty.”Helios spoke first before Grand Duchess Crawford. The intention was to let people know that he was the one who was in charge of this.The Emperor glared at Helios with bloodshot eyes.“Duke Anthemion, are you commiting treason now?”“It is not treason.”“I think I ordered the Duke to defend the western border, but if it’s not treason, then why are you here?”“I have written to Your Majesty many times to inform you of the situation on the western border and to ask for your support, but you have never replied, so I was forced to come to you in person.”“I have never received a letter from the Duke.”“It would have been. All of my correspondence was intercepted by the Marquis Melks.”As soon as Helios’ words fell, Count Grenier set the document box at the Emperor’s feet. The document box contained dozens of letters obtained from the Marquis’ Office.“This is the letter the Marquis stole. Your Majesty, see it yourself.”The Emperor, who checked the pile of letters, muttered with a firm expression.“This is the order I sent to the Duke…”“Yes. The orders from Your Majesty have not been delivered to me either.”A deep sense of betrayal appeared on the Emperor’s face.“Where is Marquis Melks now?”“Marquis Melks is dead.”“Dead?”“The Marquis Melks first tried to kidnap my wife and son and then tried to kill them.”Helios answered without hesitation.The Emperor’s gaze quickly moved to me. I purposely lifted my head and stared at the Emperor so that the scar on my neck was clearly visible.There was plenty of evidence that the Marquis Melks had done this, so I wasn’t afraid to be questioned.Helios proudly revealed that he had killed Marquis Melks because there was already plenty of evidence.However, the Emperor focused only on the fact that Helios had killed the Marquis of Melks.“No matter how unforgivable the Marquis Melks may be, it is unacceptable for the nobles to judge others nobles on their own.”“…… ”“You should also know that visiting the imperial palace like this without my permission is also a crime of contempt for the imperial family.”The Emperor still seemed to think he was in control of the situation.Just as Helios grinned bitterly and was about to speak, Count Turner stepped forward.“The Duke of Anthemion has immunity.”“Immunity?”The Emperor furrowed his eyebrows as if it were a golden spit.“This is the right granted to the Royal Hastings Order, which Your Majesty bestowed upon the Duke of Anthemion. Those who have been awarded the Royal Hastings Order may be forgiven of all sins except treason.”“Then….”Judging by his bewildered expression, it seems that even the Emperor did not know about it.Since it was the last medal awarded so long ago, there are hardly any records related to it, and the decision was made without consultation for fear of opposition from the nobles, so he would not have looked into it deeply.But there was no doubt that the words of Count Turner, the imperial judge and the greatest jurist of the Empire, were true.The Emperor bit his lips as if trying to find a way out, and spoke again.“Okay. According to the Count’s words, the Duke of Anthemion cannot be blamed. But you are different.”“……”“I will regard this today as a challenge and treason to the Emperor.”After the Emperor had finished speaking, he pulled the string, and the knights hiding behind the audience came out, surrounded us and pointed their swords at us.Helios sighed softly.“We did not come to point the sword at Your Majesty.”“You are talking nonsense. coming in such a swarm and threatening me.”“Your Majesty only trusted the Marquis of Melks and did not allow audiences, so there was no other way.”“It’s because you…!”The voice of excitement rose and then subsided again.Helios strode toward the throne, ignoring the sword pointed at him, as the bewildered knights stared at him in confusion, then quickly pulled away their swords.Helios, standing right under the throne, knelt down and said.“Helios Anthemion, in the name of the Royal Hastings, I formally invite you to convene a General Assembly of the Nobility to discuss the issues of the Empire.”“……!”The Emperor’s eyes lit up with astonishment.To convene a general meeting of the nobility means to formally cover up the Emperor’s sins.If all the things the Emperor has committed are revealed, it will be difficult for the Emperor to protect his throne. Knowing that fact, the Emperor could not answer easily.The nobles followed Helios and knelt one by one. It was unspoken pressure.“I- I will not accept it”The Emperor, who spoke with difficulty, shook his head. It was natural. Accepting that offer is the same as saying that you will step down from the throne on your own.Despite the Emperor’s refusal, Helios did not move. So did the others.The Grand Duchess, who had been observing the situation until then, opened her mouth.“I will allow it.”The Emperor’s head turned quickly.“I may be your sister, but this is a monthly pass.”“It’s not a monthly pass. The General Assembly of the Nobility House may be convened without the consent of His Majesty, with the consent of three or more members of the Imperial Family and ten or more nobles.”“You’re right. This is something that at least three members of the royal family must agree on. Sister can’t call it on her own accord.”“No, Your Majesty. Three people are right.”Grand Duchess Crawford looked at the order of Royal Hastings on Helios’ lapels and said.“Me, the Duke of Anthemion, and the Duke’s wife are also Royal Hastings. Isn’t it, Lenia ‘Hastings’ Duchess of Anthemion?”I put my hands on my chest and bent my knees towards the bewildered Emperor.“Yes, Your Majesty. I approve of the convening of the General Assembly in the name of the Royal Hastings.”