＜Nobles’ POV＞
Northern Bernada Kingdom.
An old castle in the Raven territory.
Overcast skies.
A grand hall lined with towering ceilings and heavy pillars.
A dozen or so nobles had gathered around a large table, exchanging heated arguments.
「King Henry is setting out on a nationwide inspection!」
Count Elbeck’s voice echoed through the hall.
「And apparently, he’s going alone without any guards.」
At those words, anticipation and excitement spread among the gathered nobles.
The opportunity to assassinate the king had unexpectedly presented itself.
「This is a blessing from the spirits,」
Declared one viscount.
「A perfect chance to eliminate that devil of a man.」
Most of the nobles agreed.
They had been growing more fearful and enraged by Henry’s policies.
The abolition of tariffs between territories.
The elimination of transit taxes.
The preferential treatment of merchants.
All of it was a direct threat to their power and income.
But one count raised his voice in caution.
「Hold on. As we all know, Henry possesses absurd strength. He’s the king who defeated Glaston. I doubt a simple assassination would succeed.」
「Indeed. The fact that he’s traveling without guards shows how confident he is in his own strength,」
Marquis Rosso agreed.
Silence fell over the hall.
Henry’s overwhelming victory in the Grand Martial Tournament had already proven his power.
To raise a blade against him was to court death.
「So we’re just supposed to sit and do nothing?」
Count Elbeck shouted, unable to hide his anger.
「If we let him do as he pleases, our status as nobles will be dismantled from the ground up.」
As the debate grew more intense, an old knight sitting at the far end of the hall finally spoke.
「Power must be met with power. If ours isn’t enough, we must turn to strength from outside.」
Everyone’s gaze shifted to Count Belga, the elderly knight.
He had once served as strategist to the former king Glaston and had led many battles to victory.
「If a battle cannot be won alone, rely on others. Spare no expense. We nobles will pool our wealth and hire the strongest assassin money can buy.」
Belga stood, leaning on his cane, and made his declaration.
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