The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 103

Flandre was a traditional castle city.

Inside its outer walls, which were over 10 meters high, was the central city where the general residents lived.

In the innermost part, separated from the outer wall by a deep moat drawn from the Flandre River that was 5 meters wide, stood the main castle.

The main castle served as both the residence of the mayor and the city hall.

It housed the city’s officials, their families, and some of the guards, making it a considerably large and spacious place.

Thus, even with Zaitz, the Souden delegation, and their soldiers staying in the main castle, it didn’t pose any major issues.

Normally, only Zaitz and a few key figures would stay in the main castle, while the rest of the troops would stay outside the outer walls.

However, the fact that nearly 200 soldiers had entered the main castle was entirely Zaitz’s doing.

He had done this deliberately to intimidate his cousin-in-law, the Mayor of Flandre, Campbell.

It was an unspoken threat, though he never said it outright: “If things go south, our forces can take over your main castle.”

And until yesterday, that silent threat had been working exactly as Zaitz had hoped.

“Hahaha! Miss! Hm? How about tonight?”

“What kind of wine is this? Tch. As expected of a backwater place, the wine here tastes like crap.”

Even though some of Souden’s soldiers were behaving rudely, the people of Flandre’s main castle only frowned and didn’t dare to retaliate.

But today, the number of guards in the main castle had grown by fifty, bringing the total to less than a hundred.

These new soldiers wore armor adorned with hawk emblems and wielded what they insisted were “clubs” (though they clearly looked like swords) in their outstretched arms.

They were members of the Peregrine Division.

“I’m telling you, Miss Camilla definitely likes me! Yesterday, she told me I was cute.”

“Hey! Can someone shut this mutt up already?”

“Well, to be fair, Miss Camilla Gosan did say that Miska looked cute.”

“What!? That’s a lie!”

“Nope. Yesterday morning, that guy bumped into Miss Camilla while heading to wash up.”

“And… and then?”

“She said he was cute, but not because of his face. She was looking at something below his waist, you know? He was half-asleep, so he just grinned like a fool.”

“Below his waist?”

“…Oh.”

“Oh.”

“Ooooh.”

“Hey! Why are you all looking at me like that? Why are you staring at my waist?”

“It’s nothing. Just… hang in there, man.”

“Yeah, some people keep growing even after their twenties. Don’t get too depressed.”

“Bleh! Don’t pity me!”

“Snicker!”

What a bunch of uneducated idiots. Just like I thought, they’re worthless.

Zaitz looked down from the balcony at the Peregrine Division members, who were bantering and cracking silly jokes, and felt a sense of relief.

Adding fifty of these ignorant bumpkins wouldn’t change anything.

And what was this talk of Miss Camilla?

Were these monster-hunting mercenaries traveling with a prostitute? How disgusting.

Not even third-rate mercenaries would stoop so low.

Zaitz, who had been glaring disdainfully at the Peregrine Division members, turned his gaze to the troops from Souden stationed in the wide courtyard of the main castle.

Compared to them, look how elite my mercenaries are!

Well, some were lying around in a corner, others were leaning on one leg yawning, some were gambling, and a few were even catcalling a passing knight.

Anyway, half of them were elite…

“Wait, catcalling a knight?”

Zaitz suddenly turned his eyes toward the commotion.

The dirty mercenaries, with their unbrushed teeth, were surrounding two knights.

One of them, glancing this way, caught Zaitz’s attention.

“A… woman?”

A woman.

Not just any woman, but an incredibly beautiful one, even by Zaitz’s standards as someone who prided himself on having an eye for beauty.

Even more surprising—

“Both of them are women? And they’re both gorgeous?”

Zaitz’s jaw slowly dropped.

Their glossy hair (probably greasy from not being washed for a while), lips red as though they had been painted with something (actually stained from eating wild berries along the way), and bright, intelligent eyes (full of relief at finally having a chance to properly clean up and rest).

Two stunning women, the likes of which he had rarely encountered, were standing before him.

“Fools! What are you doing harassing knights on someone else’s land? You bring shame to Souden!”

The Zaitz from yesterday, who didn’t care what his knights and mercenaries did, was nowhere to be seen.

Suddenly, a sense of responsibility as the acting lord, along with a knightly pursuit of justice, flared within him like a wildfire.

Of course, this had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that both knights were beautiful women.

With a burst of speed, Zaitz rushed down into the courtyard.

“You fools! What do you think you’re doing?”

Zaitz’s furious voice boomed as the acting lord of Souden.

“Tch. Hey, here comes the puppet brat.”

“Ugh, what a pain. Let’s go.”

“Ladies, we’ll catch you later. Hehe.”

The mercenaries, laughing and making crude gestures, sauntered off after patting their crotches.

Like a hero vanquishing demon minions without lifting a finger, Zaitz confidently strode over to the two women.

“Are you alright? Please forgive the rudeness of my men, ladies. Ah, allow me to introduce myself. I am Zaitz Garen, the legitimate son of the Garen Count’s Family.”

Zaitz, standing tall, gave a polite and flawless greeting.

“Oh, hi. I’m Camilla Gosan. Garen? If you were a ‘Ka,’ we might’ve gotten along better. Anyway, nice to meet you. Bye.”

“I… days without… a word from… Sir… a conversation… Sir’s attention… needed…”

The brown-haired knight muttered something incomprehensible as she walked right past him, and the blonde knight mumbled something equally unintelligible without even glancing his way, ghosting right past him.

“…”

Zaitz, standing frozen with the same bright smile that had once captivated countless young noblewomen in Souden (who feared getting close to him), was completely stunned.

“Idiot…”

The sound of someone’s voice snapped Zaitz back to reality.

Blushing furiously, Zaitz hurried back the way he came, even faster than when he had rushed down into the courtyard.

Meanwhile—

“Hmmm…”

A pair of eyes that had been watching Zaitz’s humiliation from beginning to end gleamed with amusement.

“Piotr, go fetch Friel and Stella Gosan for me.”

“Yes, Grandfather.”

Piotr left the room, giving a brief nod to Campbell, who was seated at attention next to Si-on.

Now aware of Si-on’s true identity, Campbell returned Piotr’s nod with a small bow of his own.

“Campbell.”

“Yes, Founding Patriarch. What are your orders?”

“Call me Grandfather.”

“I dare not. However, in front of those who don’t know your true identity, I shall adjust my address accordingly.”

Despite being told to call him Grandfather, Campbell continued using the highest honorifics.

Si-on smiled gently at his dutiful descendant.

“Alright, do as you’re comfortable. Anyway—”

Si-on leaned back and spoke.

“Zaitz Garen, that guy from Souden. I’ve found a way we can deal with him immediately.”

“Huh?”

Campbell was a bit taken aback.

Earlier, Si-on had said they should formally expel Zaitz after confirming with the Obla Royal Palace whether or not permission had been granted for external forces to enter.

He had even suggested filing a complaint with the Garen Count’s family, putting them in debt.

Had he changed his mind?

“If this works, we can kill Zaitz Garen right here without any problems. Even if we capture and imprison his knights and soldiers, Souden and the Garen Count’s family will bear the responsibility.”

“I’m too foolish to guess at your brilliant plan, Founding Patriarch. Please, guide me.”

“I told you to speak comfortably. Anyway, I’ll explain once the actors arrive.”

“The actors… Ah, I understand.”

A little later, Friel and Stella entered the room.

“Si-on, did you call for us?”

“Si-on… Hah, Gosan. Responding… hah hah, to your call.”

Unlike Friel, who was as calm and respectful as ever, Stella came in panting, her cheeks flushed. Si-on tilted his head in confusion.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Most elves, who spent their childhoods running through mountains and forests, were healthier than humans by the time they reached adulthood.

Still, knowing that even elves occasionally caught colds or fevers, Si-on asked out of concern.

“No, I’m perfectly fine… hah hah…”

“Well, that’s good. If you ever feel unwell, let me know immediately.”

“Yes, Instructor.”

Finally, after catching her breath, Stella stood at attention.

However, her bloodshot eyes and intense stare, as if she wanted to devour him whole, still gave Si-on a sense of unease.

She’s getting weirder by the day. Still, she’s a good kid, so whatever.

“Anyway…”

Si-on gave the two elves a subtle look and spoke in a low voice.

“I need you two to help me with something.”

“…?”

As mentioned earlier, Flandre’s main castle was vast.

It housed not only the mayor, the direct and collateral members of the Si-on Flandre family, city officials and their families, but also hired workers, various skilled craftsmen, and resident guards. Nearly 400 people lived there.

As such, the communal dining hall could accommodate over 200 people at a time.

Normally, the hall was only half full at best, but today it was packed with people for the first time in a long while.

There was a banquet attended by the top officials of Flandre, led by Campbell, as well as some knights and soldiers from Souden, and Si-on and the Peregrine Division.

The initial atmosphere wasn’t great.

The Souden side was both looking down on and wary of the Peregrine Division.

However, the Peregrine Division, having been strictly instructed by Si-on, showed no reaction.

About 30 minutes after the uncomfortable banquet had started—

Hahaha!

The lavish spread of food and drinks satisfied everyone’s senses.

With performances by a band of musicians, dancers, and even a theatrical troupe showcasing unusual tricks, the atmosphere became lively.

But among all the festivities, one table in particular seemed to exude a strangely sweet and sticky energy.

“Oh! Lady Stella, your homeland of Gosan sounds beautiful just hearing about it. I hope I can visit someday.”

“Yes. Gosan. Is indeed. Very. Beautiful. The high altitude. Makes it hard. To breathe. For newcomers. And there are. Quite a few monsters. But it is. A wonderful place. To live.”

“Haha, I’ve been there myself. It’s a pretty nice place.”

Forcing a smile, Si-on chimed in.

“Yes. Very nice. Gosan. Wonderful.”

Hehe.

Stella’s face remained expressionless, but a bizarre grin stretched from ear to ear, making her look like she was wearing a hahoetal mask.

Si-on’s mind replayed a video he had seen long ago back in Korea.

— “Are you okay? Were you scared? Sorry about that.”

It was a performance so bad that Si-on could barely watch.

Looks like I chose the wrong actors for this job.