BBYW Vol. 4 Chapter 74 (WN)
Chapter 74 – The Final Conspiracy
【POV: Marianne Rosais】
Lamperouge Kingdom, residence of House Rosais.
In a room located deep within the lavishly luxurious residence, to symbolize the prestige of our clan, there were two other people with me.
One was my loved and respected father, Gray Rosais.
He was the regent for young King Sulley and leader of the moderate faction of the central nobles, the “principal” authority of the capital.
“Oh Father, please listen…that House Maxwell has ruined my plans again!”
“…………”
I stepped behind the chair my father was perched in and whispered in his ear.
He, however, remained silent. His adorable daughter had her arms around his neck, hugging him dearly, yet he did not even lift an eyebrow.
I found his lack of reaction a bit disappointing, but pressed him again with another whisper.
“House Maxwell will only spell trouble for us…that much is clear. Now that a peace treaty has been established with the empire, what purpose do they serve? Do you not agree that they should be eliminated, once and for all?”
“…I see.”
Father finally made a sound.
He did not even attempt to turn around and look at me, however, but continued facing straight forward.
“…I leave everything in your hands. Do as you please.”
“I knew you were going to say that, Father.”
Having obtained the satisfying answer I expected, I nodded and released Father from my embrace.
“Now that we have Father’s approval, it’s time for Dyngir Maxwell to disappear. I left him alive until now, since even poison can have its uses, but it turns out the venom spread out of control.”
My most recent plan involved manipulating Nahib Massab, to let the “Terror Armies” inside the western province and weaken House Sphinx.
This — I should say brilliant — scheme, however, was thwarted by Dyngir Maxwell.
Despite being ordered by the royal palace to not send reinforcements, he rode to the western province on his own and brought victory to House Sphinx.
This heroic exploit garnered him praise and admiration even among the central nobles, who normally look down on and despise “countryside” nobles.
“…in this battle, Dyngir Maxwell gained even more fame, and now House Sphinx owes him an enormous debt as well. He cannot be allowed to do as he pleases any longer.”
The “Four Houses” were some of the most powerful clans in the kingdom. Now two of them, the Maxwell of the east and the Sphinx of the west, were tied by a strong bond.
House Thunderbird of the south maintained a neutral position, as they viewed their financial gains as the highest priority, but the head of the clan was a longtime friend of Margrave Maxwell, and their children — Dyngir and Echidna — knew each other since childhood. House Thunderbird was clearly closer to the Maxwell side.
“If House Maxwell decides to rebel against the kingdom, three of the four houses might become our enemy…on top of that, it appears that the Baal empress has close ties to Dyngir too. That man is going to become the beast that devours this country from the inside.”
Once again, I steeled my resolve.
Dyngir Maxwell had to die. House Maxwell had to be destroyed.
In order to protect this country — to save the Kingdom of Lamperouge, there was no other way.
“I see. Then…just leave it to me.”
The casual reply had come from the third person in the room.
The woman, wearing a white military uniform, dipped her golden chalice in a barrel of wine, filled it and shoved the contents down her throat.
“Oh? Can I really trust you with this?”
“Sure, no problem. I owe you for the wine, after all.”
The woman answered like it was nothing, then went for more wine.
“The matter is in your hands then, Lady Sharon.”
“Nh…yes, I’m going to kill Dyngir Maxwell. There is no one an Utgard cannot kill, anyway.”
After making her declaration, as the feat she promised was the simplest of chores, Sharon Utgard continued to swallow wine, much like a whale would do with seawater.
(Vol. 4 – Desert Conspiracies – End)