Proof

“Did you hear that rumor?”

“What rumor?”

“About the prince who newly appeared!”

“Ah! That territory in the north that doesn’t collect taxes?”

“What are you talking about?”

A drunk approached the two people conversing at the tavern, and the man continued his story as if he’d been waiting.

“Her Majesty the Queen personally headed to the northern territory and gave the sword’s proof to someone impersonating royalty. But, oh my! He was truly a prince!”

“Even so, isn’t it a story unrelated to us?”

“Oh my, don’t be surprised. They say that prince fought through fire and water for the territory residents!”

“What does that mean?”

“Unable to bear seeing territory residents plundered in another count’s territory, he drew his sword instead and fought, winning proudly. And then he embraced all those count’s territories himself and is fixing wrong things one by one.”

“So?”

“They even say that place doesn’t collect taxes for one year from newly settling immigrants, gives provisions to the hungry, and if there’s no house, even builds shacks to prepare places for people to live!”

The man raised his voice and praised Pernok to the skies.

When everyone at the tavern looked that way, the man naturally continued the story as if he’d become a minstrel.

“What kind of story would only come from a fairytale book?”

“Goodness, what use not knowing how the world turns? Our neighbor does commerce. Seems he had business going north.”

When people listened closely, the man shouted with all his might.

“I saw directly! His Highness the Prince rolling up both sleeves and giving even food and houses!”

“Hey, you! Even lies need plausibility!”

“Where in the world is there such a prince!”

“I wish our territory would let us pay less taxes.”

The tavern people dismissed it as nonsense, but returning home, they jokingly told families the fantastic story about the north.

Those words again went from each gathering to other gatherings.

Wives to housewives, children on neighborhood alleyways.

Old people gathering friends to drink while lightly chatting—those stories spread everywhere.

The ripple effect was indescribable.

Because even merchants who’d been to the north responded that those words were correct.

“They say His Highness the Prince prepared provisions to eat and live on, even warm houses!”

“Didn’t a bloodbath sweep through that place once? There are plenty of empty houses.”

“Don’t even mention it. They say how much His Highness cherishes territory residents—he opened all storehouses and filled territory residents’ bellies with those treasures.”

“We must go quickly! Go first and claim empty houses!”

Rumors swelled beyond facts like a dreamed utopia.

People already in tight situations with even taxes tight due to drought didn’t care if they were groundless rumors chasing clouds.

If those words were true, they were ready to move to a well-fed foundation for their children.

People who’d been doubtful began leaving for the north.

Those left behind also stirred.

“The person living next door. They say he went to the marquisate and got a proper house.”

“Is that true?”

“I’m telling you. The general store owner who delivers goods to the marquisate told me directly.”

“Mm…”

“Let’s quietly leave after paying just this tax. Go to the marquisate and see directly, and if there’s no place for us, come back.”

“If there is a place?”

“We should live there! When they say we’ll eat fuller than now, is there reason to worry? Honey, think of the kids!”

The first step is hard, but the second and third are easy.

Those trying to confirm the utopia’s truth began peeking around the marquisate, and they directly examined places that would become new foundations and settled down just like that.

Rumors swelled uncontrollably.

When the appearance of people escaping territories became noticeably numerous, nobles of each castle firmly locked castle gates.

“Since public sentiment is turbulent due to war, I feel sorry for this, so even if lightning strikes, remain at home to endure firmly…”

But when Pernok sent guilds, their petty tricks lightly shattered.

“Who are you!”

“We came from the marquisate. I’m called Sallio, Named’s deputy guild master.”

“What, Named? No, why from there…?”

“They say our territory residents’ families are left here, so His Highness the Prince personally told us to care for that pitiable situation.”

All royal factions know the recent incident.

Having firmly heard advice not to get tangled with Named, they opened castle gates to avoid even getting tangled in trivial quarrels.

And leading luggage carts and wagons, they leisurely took people back to the north.

Many people were watching that appearance.

* * *

Pernok gazed at people entering the marquisate from the castle tower.

“How many this time?”

“Five hundred.”

When Sallio spoke with a smile, Pernok also smiled.

Thanks to showing the sword’s proof before numerous people and nobles, rumors of this place spread day by day.

At first, many people seemed dubious, so he deployed agitators at each castle.

He also intentionally showed changing appearances to business partners, making rumors gain conviction.

The first immigrants were merely thirty people, all middle-aged men.

And after seeing the castle’s situation, they brought families.

In an instant, immigrants exceeded one hundred.

When he inflated their stories and conveyed them to agitators, those with connections came in doubt.

What happened after was the same as before.

After confirming the situation, doubt became conviction and spread to families and neighbors.

“How many total immigrants so far?”

“Five thousand.”

“We’ll need to bring more guild members.”

When considerable numbers escaped, lords took the expected action.

They locked castle gates and blocked people from going anywhere.

Therefore, Pernok used his illustrious reputation.

He sent guilds and broke through head-on.

“Was there separate action?”

“They avoided quarrels fearing territory war might arise.”

“Regrettable.”

Though he’d even thought of cases where they’d get tangled with other castles if necessary, as expected, each faction was in a sensitive state toward Pernok now.

“Territory war will be difficult for a while, so distribute immigrants to each count’s territory to fortify the fortress more solidly.”

“Yes.”

“And I’m thinking of entrusting one castle to you—where would be good?”

“To me?”

“A title will be bestowed to you before long. Ruling a territory in advance will help later.”

“Won’t Your Highness be involved?”

“It’s the territory you’ll receive. Naturally you should manage it. If you manage sloppily and work gets hindered, I’ll immediately retrieve it, so choose carefully.”

Then Sallio spoke with a moved expression.

“I want to receive the marquisate.”

“Why? Because the land is large?”

“No. Isn’t this place closest to Rezhen? I just thought it’s a very convenient position to receive support.”

“But officials are insufficient?”

“I’m thinking of bringing people who managed my guild.”

Pernok smirked.

“You were already preparing.”

“I learned watching Your Highness.”

“Good. Then you govern the marquisate, and I’ll deploy Zodiac, Jad, and Yail to each count’s territory.”

“Do they also want titles?”

“Yes. Therefore, I’m planning to watch who governs territories best.”

Sallio spoke with a firm expression.

“I’ll absolutely prosper it most to not burden Your Highness.”

“Not just the territory. You must also prepare for war together.”

“I’m resolved for that too, so don’t worry.”

“I’ll watch.”

Pernok smiled and packed luggage.

Right next month, there’s a departure ceremony for succession candidates who prepared a banquet.

He must move from now to arrive at the capital.

When Pernok brought out one horse, all guild masters approached.

“You’re a prince of one nation—no matter what, one horse is somewhat…”

When Enri shook her head, other guild masters rushed to volunteer as escorts.

“Appearances can be fixed after this place is organized without being late. Each be careful in fortification work, and don’t get tangled in sloppy quarrels.”

When Pernok spoke resolutely and mounted the horse, guild masters answered with bows instead.

“I’ll reward those who manage territories well, so everyone be without a single speck of carelessness.”

“Yes!”

Pernok rode the horse and left through the castle gate.

Heavy tension flowed among guild masters watching his back.

‘I’ll make this castle even bigger.’

‘If I secure funds by utilizing specialty products, His Highness will be pleased.’

‘I should also gain a title.’

‘Now is the chance to show myself!’

Guild masters trying to catch Pernok’s eye burned fighting spirit toward each other.

* * *

Flemyr thoroughly revealed all incidents at the capital.

“The counts conspired with criminals without hesitating at human trafficking and privately used dishonestly accumulated wealth.”

“How so?”

“They raised private soldiers not reported to the royal palace and created and operated gambling dens and personal trading companies. Wealthy people from each region cooperated with this, and all transaction facts are written in this ledger.”

An investigation team member offered Phillena details organized on a silver tray.

Before turning a few pages, sensitive words were caught.

‘Vans’s trading company?’

Most content said circumstances suggested it, but she could easily guess why they bothered writing Vans’s name.

‘Is this guy trying to shake the competition?’

It was Flemyr who’d maintained consistent silence after Arjan died.

Though he was first priority for all factions’ recruitment, a prince’s name came from his mouth that firmly refused.

It meant he’d strike if necessary.

‘Why Flemyr…?’

Duke Flemyr who doesn’t bend his will once he decides something.

Having helped Arjan’s throne, she knew his stubbornness better than anyone.

What reason would he have to jump into competition without any faction while maintaining an observer’s position?

‘Was he persuaded by other children? Or perhaps that bastard son?’

After visiting Pernok’s territory, a change occurred in Flemyr’s feelings.

This is an unfavorable change.

“As you see, Prince Vans’s trading company also seems involved, so I’ll search.”

“It’s nobles’ business. Is there need to pressure the trading company with just circumstances?”

“Shouldn’t the nation’s discipline straighten by handling incidents related to this without a speck of suspicion?”

“Perhaps because of Pernok?”

“Your Majesty.”

Flemyr sent an indifferent gaze.

“I’m judging by seeing only the incident. There’s no other reason, so rest assured.”

“Mm…”

His inner thoughts are utterly difficult to read.

From before, Flemyr felt uncomfortable because it’s hard to know what he’s thinking.

Why does his appearance from his youth overlap with the duke’s appearance now after Arjan died?

Phillena exhaled a faint sigh and spoke.

“Do as you wish.”

“And please let me continue maintaining the investigation team leader’s duties.”

“Didn’t you say no at first? But now you’ll continue that harsh work?”

“Since it seems the incident will be deeper and longer than thought, I’m requesting to not leave uneasy corners.”

Though everything was hard to understand, this is certain.

Flemyr is lit now.

Brilliantly and strongly like his youth.

“Your…”

How far will this fire spread?

Or is it her sensitive worry?

Phillena rubbed her temple with her finger and spoke.

“…Do as you wish.”

“Your grace is immense, Your Majesty.”

A faint smile formed on Flemyr’s lips as he turned around.

* * *

Though they paid reparations, the three people stripped of noble titles didn’t fall into slavery.

Because the First Prince’s faction summoned them.

“Y-Your Highness!”

Vans sat in a shaded place.

Even in the dark, glittering red eyes seemed to strangle their hearts.

“We-we apologize…”

“Do you know why I entrusted those territories to you?”

It was a parched voice containing absolutely no emotion.

“Because those territories that others dismiss as frontier bordered a boundary where I could communicate with my intimate friend Zayl of Rezhen.”

Swoosh.

The three people froze at the blade-edged sound.

“Zayl’s circumstances have been terrible lately. I was going to support him a bit, but thanks to you guys easily mixing with that bastard, everything went wrong.”

“Pl-please spare us just once…”

“In Rakis, even Magi can’t have titles without ability. I think it’s a truly correct method.”

“Your High…”

Slice!

Vans beheaded all three with one stroke.

Severed heads with wide eyes rolled on the floor.

When blood was about to spurt like a fountain from bodies, fire rose from severed sections and made them ash.

The First Prince’s faction swallowed dry saliva seeing counts they’d mingled with disappear in an instant.

“Haa, I’m very tired hearing bad news immediately after returning home.”

Vans’s indifferent gaze swept the faction.

“You all won’t betray my expectations, right?”

“Yes!”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

When Vans turned around, factions withdrew like ebbing tide.

And shadows rippled as a voice was heard.

[Your Highness, Duke Flemyr is searching the trading company.]

It’s a secret messenger attached from the Rakis Empire.

“Flemyr?”

[Don’t worry. Didn’t you cut out all the counts? They won’t find anything at the trading company.]

“Anything else?”

[Marquis Breia will come to this delegation. Since he once showed interest in Pernok as a black-rank mercenary, there was a message from the duke to be careful not to look bad.]

“Convey my thanks.”

When the shadow withdrew, Vans buried his back deep in the chair.

“Pernok…”

He clearly thought he’d killed him, yet how is he alive?

An unexpected variable kept being heard from surroundings, making a cold smile form on Vans’s lips.