READ NOVEL ONLINE Chapter 81
“So, Rekuryaku Castle has fallen, huh?”
“Yep.”
“You don’t seem surprised.”
Roy brought the news of Rekuryaku Castle’s fall to Giorg, who had just returned to Galvate.
“Well, not really.”
“So, it went exactly as you expected, Lord Giorg?”
“Up to this point, yeah.”
Giorg’s response made Roy raise an eyebrow, which in turn made Giorg smirk.
“Roy, I’m not all-knowing or all-powerful. I’m just a regular human. There are infinite things in this world I can’t predict.”
“I know that. That’s why we need to support you, Lord Giorg.”
“If you know that, why do you look so surprised?”
“Well, since you orchestrated Sosua’s ascension, I thought you had everything figured out.”
“Fair point.”
Giorg smirked again. It was true that Sosua’s rise to power was largely due to Giorg’s schemes, so Roy’s assumption wasn’t far-fetched.
“So, Lord Giorg, what do you think will happen next?”
“Huh?”
“I mean, your predictions are way more accurate than mine, so as your loyal subordinate, I just wanted to bask in your brilliance again.”
Roy was being cheeky, but what he really meant was, “Tell me what you think.” Giorg, having just wrapped up a major negotiation with King Jilvol, was now back to his usual routine. And since handling paperwork was a breeze for someone like Giorg, he had some time to spare.
“Alright, fine. This is just my speculation, but Sosua probably won’t be executed.”
“Won’t be executed?”
Roy tilted his head, confused.
“King Jilvol hated the Gildoruk royal family with a passion, right? But he still won’t execute Sosua?”
“Yeah, Jilvol-Zabeiru isn’t the type to let hatred cloud his judgment. If it’s necessary, he’ll make the pragmatic decision.”
“But won’t the people of Zabeiru be upset about that?”
“Jilvol-Zabeiru will handle that, no doubt.”
Giorg’s tone was confident, and Roy couldn’t help but nod in agreement.
“Roy, Zabeiru’s goal is to take control of the old Central Nobles’ territories. To do that, they need to use Sosua effectively.”
“I thought about that too. But I figured executing Sosua was still a possibility. You’re saying that’s off the table?”
“Yeah, it’s simple. Not killing Sosua is more convenient for Jilvol—no, for Zabeiru.”
“Convenient?”
“If Sosua is executed, the old Central Nobles’ territories will definitely rebel. Suppressing all those rebellions would exhaust even the mighty Zabeiru Military. And that would invite interference from neighboring countries.”
“I see… But didn’t King Jilvol want interference from neighboring countries? That’s why he sent princes to Galvate and Frastul, right?”
Roy tilted his head again, puzzled.
“He did want interference, but only if it was under his control.”
“Under his control?”
“Yeah, he placed his own men around Demitul, Lukult, and Sosua. He wanted neighboring countries to interfere, but only under his terms. But now that he’s almost secured the Central Nobles’ territories, he doesn’t need that interference anymore.”
“Ah, I remember you saying that Lord Giorg aimed to establish dominance by crushing any interference. So, he’s reached a point where he doesn’t need that anymore, huh?”
“Exactly.”
Roy nodded, satisfied with Giorg’s explanation.
“So, what part of this can’t you predict, Lord Giorg?”
“How Sosua will be handled.”
“You think she won’t be executed… So, it’s about how she’ll be used, right?”
“Yeah, I’m certain she won’t be executed. The question is, how will they use her?”
“Well, the obvious answer is marriage. She’s a woman, and a queen at that. Marrying her would be the logical move.”
Giorg nodded. Marrying Sosua and having a child who could inherit the throne would unite the two royal families. That would make it easier to win over the commoners in the old Central Nobles’ territories.
“That’s the most likely scenario. But… I’m not sure if Jilvol will go for it.”
“Why not?”
“It’s about Jilvol-Zabeiru’s first fiancée.”
Roy’s expression shifted to one of understanding.
“Ah, she was assassinated by King Orutas II, right?”
“Yeah, and I think that’s where Jilvol-Zabeiru’s hatred began.”
“It’s impressive that he spent five years preparing for revenge. Even though he was treated poorly during that time, he never showed any weakness.”
“Yeah, his self-control is terrifying. To go five years without showing any cracks is astonishing.”
“…”
Roy seemed to want to say something but held back, which made Giorg curious.
“What is it?”
“Nothing, never mind.”
Roy quickly brushed it off.
(Lord Giorg and King Jilvol are really similar. They both meticulously plan their revenge and don’t let any humiliation faze them.)
Roy couldn’t help but feel there was something fate-like about the two.
“But if King Jilvol doesn’t marry Sosua, won’t Zabeiru Kingdom become unstable?”
“Yeah, if Jilvol-Zabeiru doesn’t marry Sosua, she’ll likely marry Yuan. But that would split Zabeiru Kingdom into the King’s faction and the Prince’s faction. Do you really think he’d let that happen?”
“Hard to imagine. King Jilvol would hate that, so he’d probably marry her himself, right?”
“Exactly. He’s a thorough realist, but he also prioritizes his own emotions. It’s a contradiction.”
(Just like Lord Giorg.)
Roy immediately thought that. Giorg was also a realist, but he often changed plans for the sake of his subordinates. That humanity was why his subordinates respected him—they weren’t just pawns to him.
“That’s why I can’t shake the feeling that he might not marry Sosua.”
“So, you’re stuck on that, huh?”
“Yeah, it’s a real headache.”
“They’re both troublesome, aren’t they?”
“Both?”
“Ah, never mind. Forget I said that.”
“Hmm… Alright, fine.”
Giorg gave Roy a suspicious look but decided to let it slide.
“Well, I should get back to work.”
“Yeah.”
Roy bowed and left the office.
As he closed the door, he saw Giorg already diving into his next task.
(Somehow… I feel like Lord Giorg and King Jilvol will meet again soon.)
Roy couldn’t shake the feeling that their reunion was just around the corner.
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