Proof

Pernok received the royal proof.

Flemyr meticulously organized the ledger’s contents and punished the criminals.

When he entered the prison, Counts Bolte, Charles, and Pukis grabbed the iron bars and cried out.

“Du-Duke Flemyr!”

“Duke! Please save us!”

“A rogue confined us here!”

Flemyr hadn’t examined the prison’s counts until now, busy organizing the situation above.

Naturally, they wouldn’t know what happened above either.

“I came here as the truth investigation team.”

“Th-then you know what that wicked bastard did!”

“Who are you talking about?”

“Pernok! That bastard who impersonated royalty!”

“Were you locked up so long your head stopped working? How do you think I got here?”

“Well, truth investigation…”

“Count Charles.”

Flemyr’s eyes turned cold.

“Her Majesty just visited this place.”

“What?”

“Prince Pernok received the sword’s proof and proudly proved he’s royalty.”

“…!”

“Also, he was entrusted with governing authority over three count’s territories including Marquis Falkion’s territory.”

The three counts’ complexions turned pale.

“Whether you waged territory war knowing he was royalty, or it was a spontaneous accident isn’t important now. Since Her Majesty proclaimed it, you guys must firmly pay the price now.”

“Pri-price!”

“I discovered all kinds of corruption and wrongdoing related between you bastards and Marquis Falkion.”

When Flemyr spat out coldly, the three counts’ hearts sank.

“Don’t you know why!”

At words cried like a last struggle, Flemyr smiled coldly.

“Of course, I must also report this fact to Prince Vans. If there’s a problem, I’ll handle it immediately.”

“Duke, have you chosen a faction?”

“Why are those words coming out now?”

“How else could you drive First Prince like a criminal!”

“Those damn faction sounds, truly sickening.”

Just Flemyr lightly releasing mana made them stick to walls trembling.

“Do you think the truth investigation team is an organization that watches your backs? If same-level actions occur in royals’ competition, it’s a position selected as the fairest under tacit consent to handle it fairly.”

Flemyr looked at Bolte.

“However, Count Bolte. Exactly how much territory residents’ blood did you squeeze out?”

“Th-that is…”

“And Count Charles. You had private soldiers not recorded in the nation.”

“You-you misunderstand.”

“That’s even connected with Count Pukis, your side.”

Flemyr struck the ledger against the iron bars and sent a cold gaze.

“Nobles of the nation fell into faction gambling and instead of showing exemplary conduct, they were gnawing territories like petty thieves with dishonesty at the forefront.”

At the anger contained in the calm tone, the three counts sank down.

“Since all charges and evidence are thoroughly revealed, your titles are revoked as of today. Also, you must fully pay the reparations Prince Pernok demanded, and if even the slightest hitch occurs, I’ll send you and your family members all to the mines. Until you repay that debt.”

The three counts’ minds went faint.

Flemyr is a person who’d be hurt to be called second in resoluteness in Illumina.

Few existences would pressure the nation’s pillar who reached Magus, and nobles of any faction trust him and try to recruit him.

However, because of their faults, Flemyr clearly showed intent to differ paths with the First Prince’s faction.

If Vans learns this fact, he’ll make them pay harsh prices regardless of disposition.

“Please save us!”

Flemyr had not even a trace of emotion for those wailing.

“As soon as you pay reparations, I’ll escort you to the capital.”

* * *

“They say criminals will be escorted to the capital to be handled by national law.”

As soon as news was delivered, Pernok faced the VIP children.

“Why are you doing this!”

“Didn’t you say you’d spare us!”

He looked indifferently at the wailing bastards.

“Didn’t I spare you?”

“The truth investigation team came! They’re trying to escort us to the capital!”

“If we go to the capital, we’ll die!”

“Your Highness! We gave everything!”

“Please save us!”

“Don’t make me say the same thing multiple times.”

Pernok smiled coldly.

“Clearly ‘I’ didn’t kill you.”

Instead, he just handed over all related ledgers to the truth investigation team so the bastards would be punished.

Pernok never planned to spare the VIP children from the start.

Though he didn’t want children to receive fathers’ crimes, the loyalty they showed Marquis Falkion involved similar corruptions.

If they had no crimes, they wouldn’t have trembled and cooperated with Pernok.

Bastards with many sins cooperated in making justification to strike count’s territories to prolong life even wretchedly.

He didn’t want to bother defending enemies with no utility value left.

“How can I stop Duke Flemyr stepping forward to severely punish? Your grievances will be thoroughly revealed at the capital.”

“Your Highneeeess!”

Entrusting the wailing bastards to soldiers, Pernok entered a different prison from where counts were confined.

Their core knight orders and officials performing administrative duties, scraped together from the three counts’ territories, were captured.

‘They gathered only the kernels.’

There’s land and people, but no one to manage them.

Trying to guard the castle with just the guild, hands were short.

Skilled talent was needed, but not many would come find Pernok who’s just now stabilizing the castle.

Therefore, when counts were disposed of, Pernok explored one method.

Bringing all talent remaining in existing castles under his command.

However, he decided to select only bastards with appropriate amount of dust when shaken out.

Those gathered here are the castle’s cream who maintained their own conscience even amid wicked bastards.

Pernok sat in their midst and spoke leisurely.

“Your masters are escorted to the capital today. Examining that price, execution would be possible, but they’ll probably preserve lives thanks to the backing called First Prince’s faction. However, your treatment hasn’t been decided yet. I decided to take full charge of everything.”

“Didn’t the count pay reparations!”

When Count Pukis’s territory’s knight commander shouted, Pernok shook his head.

“After fully repaying me, there’s no money to pay you. There might be private funds, but it’s questionable whether they’ll spend that on you. In a way, it’s pocket change, but the possibility they’ll ignore you to eat and live themselves is high.”

Everyone’s complexions darkened.

Because the end of hostages captured without paying reparations was drawn before their eyes.

Either worked as slaves together with families, or die like this.

Only the worst future was waiting for them.

Because Pernok knew such feelings well, he could whisper sweetly.

“But your talents are too precious. Your mindset that somehow tried to care for territory residents under incompetent lords is truly excellent.”

When Pernok snapped his fingers, maids brought clothes stamped with the marquisate’s seal.

“If you follow me, knights will again receive proud treatment, and those who devoted themselves to skills and administration will be promised generous hospitality.”

“…!”

“Forget I’m a prince. However, just think how I led Named guild. Don’t you all know? How the S-rank guild Named was born.”

People of the marquisate and count’s territories bordering Rezhen couldn’t not know Named.

Along with that reputation, Pernok’s words about valuing talent and treating even one worker preciously sounded like fantasy.

But now fantasy approached as reality before their eyes.

“Don’t forget how I treated Marquis Falkion’s confidants after killing him.”

They recalled the appearance of Joseph and the knight order stepping forward as territory war’s vanguard.

“I cherish my people.”

When Pernok stood brushing off his seat, Sallio opened the prison door instead.

“What to do is now your freedom.”

“The reparations…”

“Didn’t I say they’re unnecessary? You don’t have to join us. But let’s not meet as enemies. Prince’s generosity is only once.”

Then those who’d been troubled began grasping the clothes Pernok prepared.

Seeing talent joining warmly, when he went up to the surface, Flemyr was waiting.

“I thought you’d tie public and private together, but you have an aspect of embracing enemy people.”

“To govern territories, officials are needed. What use killing everyone recklessly? Discard what to discard, and pick up what’s usable to somehow use it.”

“Is there a separate ledger recording their crimes?”

“There isn’t. That’s why I’m embracing them.”

Flemyr nodded.

“Understood. Then I’ll also clearly report to Her Majesty the counts and criminals involved in the Fighting Pit, as well as the First Prince’s connections.”

“Is it okay to antagonize Vans?”

“I’m just fulfilling the investigation team’s duty.”

Examining his expressionless appearance, Pernok spoke.

“Come to think of it. No matter how much I thought, I couldn’t understand, so I looked into your past a bit.”

“You investigated me?”

“I was too curious why a capable duke stuck under a dissolute king and together raised the kingdom. And I drew my own conclusion.”

“What is it?”

Pernok smirked.

“The reason the dissolute king could be called a wise ruler is only one. An excellent second-in-command led the nation instead from beside. Otherwise it can’t be explained.”

“Are you saying I even governed by proxy?”

“The previous king listened carefully to your opinions. At least, when you offered opinions, since you never failed, didn’t he utilize you like an advisor? That’s also your wish.”

Pernok didn’t miss Flemyr’s eyes that wavered briefly.

“Other princes were stubborn, but the previous king was a fool with chaotic private life. Such people were easy to manipulate, so you who had your own ideals clung on.”

“He’s Your Highness’s father. Please refrain from insulting remarks.”

“Someone whose face I don’t know is my father? Hahahaha! Duke, is there a wrong point in my words? Then I apologize.”

Then Flemyr looked intently at Pernok and corrected one thing.

“It’s true I volunteered to become His Majesty’s advisor. But the Queen intervened and always took paths opposing my opinions. Still, I never had the slightest thought to disgrace His Majesty. Though Your Highness might not believe, His Majesty was the wisest among the royals of that time.”

“Let’s treat it as such. But the duke speaking that way seems passion hasn’t cooled yet.”

Pernok smiled and continued.

“At that age, bothering to volunteer as investigation team leader and coming all the way here—isn’t it because thoughts of still wanting to try adventure remain?”

“…”

“My offer is valid. And I guarantee, I have confidence to keep the meaning of harmony more than anyone. I can establish the ‘order’ you wish in this nation.”

“…Your arrogance resembles His Majesty perfectly.”

“Then does that mean I have the highest possibility of becoming king? Hahahaha!”

Flemyr quietly packed his luggage.

“Too much time has passed to adventure. I’m also sick of bloody battles between royals and factions now. But if Your Highness faithfully keeps what you just said.”

Flemyr’s voice softened.

“I’ll also do my best to correct nobles’ ‘dishonesty’ so as not to violate order.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

Flemyr threw meaningful words and escorted the criminals.

Sallio approached carefully and asked.

“Did you win over the duke?”

“No.”

“Then did he become an enemy?”

“No.”

“Then…”

“He’ll make our work more convenient.”

To Sallio who didn’t understand, Pernok smiled and spoke.

“If I just make legitimate justification like now, he promised to stir up any faction.”

Those words meant Pernok, who wants conquest, gained one more card called the Magus’s judgment stand.

“Even the world’s fairest-looking person ultimately opens their heart to someone whose intentions match theirs.”

“Shall we stop investigation related to Duke Flemyr?”

“There’s no need to do it anymore. Rather, contact Rio and have him bring in more provisions.”

The work of seizing the marquisate and three count’s territories ended.

Now only one thing remains.

“We fortify this place.”

The massive territory born in the north.

If they swallow other factions’ territories one by one starting from this place, the new nation Pernok desired will soon be completed.

“Other factions might use methods similar to mine. Monitor factions’ movements and prepare firmly to immediately stab if gaps show.”

“Yes!”

Around when fortification work connecting the north’s each castle began, one rumor spread throughout all Illumina.

There’s a territory in the north that cares for the people.

That place is ruled by Prince Pernok and welcomes those newly arriving.

A paradise for the starving unfolded there.

And this rumor piqued the ears of people with turbulent public sentiment due to drought.