TGS - Chapter 96
Chapter 96: Gaining Momentum
The bookstore owner and the assassin involved in the matter were both taken back to the Princess's residence. According to the law, this was only temporary detention; in a few days, they would have to be handed over to the Royal City's Tribunal.
The Stubborn Faction's men watched from nearby, anxious. The only thing they could do was return to their masters as quickly as possible and report the news.
The old man with graying hair and beard heard the report, and his expression darkened for a moment.
He hadn't held much hope for this operation in the first place.
What was one gladiator? If the target had been the Princess herself, they would have certainly planned it meticulously, laying a truly inescapable trap for a single, fatal blow.
But this was just a female official. No matter how much they wished to be rid of her, there was no need to cause a huge commotion. If one attempt failed, they could also observe the Princess's reaction. With a little care, they could even shift the blame to someone else. In any case, neither the assassin nor the bookstore owner knew who the true instigator was.
Next time, they would arrange a more perfect time and place, with more battle-hardened assassins. Even if that female official grew the wings of an eagle, she wouldn't be able to escape.
If they were lucky, they might be able to use the opportunity to plot against the Princess. As long as they succeeded, the continuation of the royal bloodline would be within reach.
The future of the royal family, and even Solancia, all hung on this one thread!
Even if the methods were despicable...
The old man told himself that everything he did was for the royal family, for Solancia.
He let out a long sigh, barely suppressing the unease in his heart.
However, the old man did not know—
No matter how well he planned in secret, he would never have another chance to act.
The act of trying to assassinate Lotus had already crossed the Princess's bottom line. It could not be tolerated, nor was there any need to tolerate it further.
The falcon in its rocky nest opened its sharp eyes. The golden-spotted tiger in the jungle stalked silently. Beneath the full moon, the alpha wolf ascended a high place, raised its head, and was about to let out its first howl.
Perhaps at this moment.
Perhaps in the next.
At the routine court council a week later, the nobles and ministers were lined up on both sides of the royal court. They bowed their heads with deferential expressions, but many were secretly exchanging glances, brewing something.
Horst sat upon the throne, listening to the reports from those below on the major events of the past few days.
When the last minister finished his report and returned to his place, Horst looked from side to side. "Does anyone present have anything else to report?"
No other major events had occurred this week, so he thought this question was merely a formality. He expected no one to answer, and that the day's court council could thus conclude.
But the next moment, a round-faced, spirited old man stepped out from the crowd. "I do indeed have a matter I would like to ask Your Majesty to decide upon."
Horst said, "Speak, Bodoer."
Bodoer was the oldest man among all the ministers present, but he was not a member of the Stubborn Faction. Incidentally, he was the grandfather of the noble who had invited the Princess on the hunt.
Bodoer's round face appeared extremely amiable. "Your Majesty, I have recently heard some rather unpleasant rumors concerning Her Highness the Princess."
Unpleasant?
Horst immediately perked up. Hiding his interest and satisfaction, he put on a righteous and worried expression. "Is that so?"
"As you know, Her Highness the Princess swore an oath to the Goddess Lotus in exchange for the power to fight for the gods and Solancia. This matter has now spread among the common people, who are full of praise for Her Highness, singing her praises everywhere."
"..." How was that unpleasant?
Bodoer continued, "But as the story spread, they began to recall the military achievements the Princess accomplished before she came of age. They all feel that Her Highness should certainly be a general commanding the northwestern border by now. But when they ask about her current status—still a deputy commander—some have voiced their complaints, and some improper remarks have even begun to circulate."
"Improper in what way?"
"They say that Your Majesty is intolerant of others' talents."
The latter half of the sentence was spoken in a very low voice, but Horst could hear it.
Alyuin had illustrious military achievements, yet she was merely a minor deputy commander. Before, it could be explained away with the excuse that it was difficult to confer a general's rank upon her while she was far away in Digebia City. But she had been back in Akhet for several months now, with no sign of receiving the rank she deserved. To others, wouldn't it seem that the one in power was the problem?
Horst's expression sank imperceptibly. He then heard Bodoer say, filled with righteous indignation, "This is baseless slander, a defamation of Your Majesty! You have always been magnanimous. How could you be the sort of person to make things difficult for the former king's daughter? I believe Your Majesty must have your own reasonable considerations and would never turn a blind eye to the Princess's merits!"
"You are right, but Alyuin is too young. I worry that some will not be convinced."
Horst forced a smile.
Immediately after, Carlton, the leader of the commoner-born Pragmatist Faction, took a step forward and said bluntly, "I do not agree, Your Majesty."
Compared to Bodoer, who was accustomed to beating around the bush, his style had always been direct, striking at the heart of the matter. "Her Highness the Princess's abilities are more than sufficient for a higher position. She is the goddess's warrior, an outstanding commander."
"As for her age, the current Lord of Digebia City was only twenty-one when he first took the position of commander. The Princess's achievements surpass his; that is enough to convince the masses."
Carlton paused for two seconds, then bowed. "Her Highness the Princess is worthy of the title of commander. This is merely my humble opinion. I ask for Your Majesty's decision."
"I second the motion."
"Seconded."
"Lord Carlton speaks sense."
"We ask for Your Majesty's decision!"
One after another, officials stepped out from the ranks to support Carlton's opinion. Although less than a fifth of them had stepped forward, for so many to step out at once was already a rare occurrence, not to mention how many of them were high-ranking nobles and officials.
Horst inadvertently caught a glimpse of his son's expression.
Crown Prince Romuer frowned in deep thought as he looked at the supporters. He lifted the tip of his foot, but before he could make his next move, he was tugged by the Grand Vizier beside him.
The Grand Vizier's lips opened and closed imperceptibly, as if he were dissuading him. Romuer showed a troubled expression but still did not take that step.
But this was enough to make Horst's heart clench.
My son, what on earth are you thinking? What good does it do you to let the former king's bloodline gain more power?
It seemed Romuer had been raised by him to be too magnanimous and kind, which was why he couldn't see things clearly in a matter like this.
Secretly adding "remedying the Crown Prince's way of thinking" to his agenda, Horst still had to face the immediate trouble. He used the excuse of "this matter is of great importance and will be discussed next time," wanting to delay it again and again.
After some delay, perhaps the Stubborn Faction would succeed in the meantime, and it wasn't as if he had no countermeasures of his own.
Under the dim yellow candlelight, a quill pen moved swiftly across the dark brown paper, leaving behind milky white script.
A moment later, Horst stopped writing. He carefully read over what he had written, then put on an air of unconcerned patience as he waited for the ink to dry. He folded and sealed it, then handed it to a subordinate.
"Deliver this to the Sun God's city of Surinia, into the hands of my cousin." Horst ordered, "I recall Naimaer doesn't like Surinia? In that case, she will welcome this gift."
Horst's secret agent spurred his horse on, delivering the secret letter all the way to Surinia and placing it in the hands of the God-Concubine of the City of the Sun God, without it passing through anyone else's hands.
The night-luminescent pearl emitted a faint, cold light, accentuating the God-Concubine's pale, sharp-featured face, making it appear all the more grim and eerie.
The agent lowered his head, not daring to look at her directly. He felt the God-Concubine was like a ghost from legend, drifting among the graves of sinners. No wonder His Majesty said the God-Concubine disliked Surinia; what ghost would like the sun-drenched City of the Sun God?
Naimaer finished reading the letter. She leisurely twirled the ends of her hair, not saying a word.
It had been a tradition for hundreds of years for the eldest daughter of the royal family to inherit the positions of God-Concubine and High Priestess of the Sun God.
Alyuin had previously escaped this fate, but Horst wanted to push her back into it, onto the seat of the God-Concubine, to become a puppet who could not take a single step outside the city gates.
When Alyuin had passed through Surinia, Naimaer had made a pact with her that if she were faced with this situation, she must refuse.
In fact, the Princess's secret letter had arrived three days before Horst's. On it were only a few short lines of text:
Aunt Naimaer,
I am a devout believer in Lotus and have received her favor. The entire royal city knows this.
In the future, all of Solancia will know as well.
The agent had no choice but to speak, breaking Naimaer's train of thought. "Your Highness the God-Concubine, what is your decision?"
"Me? I cannot comment on His Majesty's decision." Naimaer gave a faint smile. "However, I've heard that Alyuin is a favored one of the Goddess of the Yilu River, and has even sworn to remain chaste for her. Is there such a thing?"
"Yes, but—"
"Then there's nothing to be done. Alyuin's faith in the Goddess of the Yilu River is widely known. It wouldn't be appropriate for her to take my place, would it?"
"But she is the only one who can succeed you. Once the Princess arrives here, you can go wherever you please." The agent lowered his voice. "The King said that when you return to Akhet, you will still be the one and only princess, the most honored woman in Solancia."
"Moreover, this year's festival for the Sun God is fast approaching. As long as Her Highness the Princess arrives in time, you will not have to preside over the ceremony."
The God-Concubine feared sunlight and had a psychological trauma regarding all open flames, which was why she used night-luminescent pearls and glowing insects instead of lamps and candles.
Horst understood this and was adept at exploiting it.
The faint light of the night-luminescent pearl shone steadily and eternally upon Naimaer's face, half of which was hidden in shadow, her expression pensive.
The agent waited anxiously for a response.
Finally, Naimaer let out a low laugh.
"I've heard all about the affairs in the royal city."
"Ah?"
"Alyuin is the Goddess Lotus's warrior and has vowed to remain chaste for her. If you round it up, isn't that basically a God-Concubine?"
Naimaer shrugged, her tone perfectly perplexed.
"Making Alyuin, the God-Concubine of the River Goddess, serve as the God-Concubine for the Sun God... don't you think that sounds problematic?"
The agent: "..."
Hearing it put that way, it did indeed seem to risk angering the gods.
And angering two gods at once, at that.
Naimaer picked up a long, agate-inlaid pipe and began to puff out clouds of smoke. The scent of tobacco mixed with spices spread throughout the hall.
"This is why I cannot agree," she said, her tone stern and righteous.
The agent: "Y-Yes, of course. I will return and report to His Majesty."
The agent scurried away from the God-Concubine's chambers.
Naimaer watched his retreating figure disappear, her smile gradually fading.
The festival of the Sun God, held once every eight years.
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