YM778.TV Chapter 236: Alfred Sacrament
“This is the room.” (??)
The guard who guided me said so.
“I see. How is he doing?” (Yuri)
“How is he? He’s fine. Ever since he was threatened by the School of Liberal Arts’ kids that he’d be put in a windowless cell if he acted up, he’s been quiet.”
‘I see. Well, windows are nice to have. Just looking outside can help pass the time. He’ll likely be moved to a cushioned cell eventually though.’
“Does he say anything when you bring him food?” (Yuri)
“Well… he says something, but we don’t understand it at all, so I can’t really say.” (??)
‘Well, that’s understandable.’“I know it’s probably meant as a nasty remark, but… it feels like I’m feeding a growling animal.” (??)
The report left by the School of Liberal Arts’ kids who interrogated him was full of complaints about his severe insults. I guess it’s better not to understand him.
“Alright, I’m going in.” (Yuri)
“Are you really going in alone?” (??)
“If he can beat me in a one-on-one fight, I’d be willing to let him go.” (Yuri)
The last time he caused a disturbance, he was subdued by a single not-so-great guard. It should be fine.
“Well, if you hear a loud noise, come in.” (Yuri)
“Understood.” (??)
I opened the door and went inside. This was a room in the royal castle, with a sturdy, outward-opening door that was newly fitted with a latch. There was one window, but no balcony, and the fall from it would be fatal.
‘For now, he has no reason to die, but since he might want to die soon, it would be better to move him to a cushioned cell. Unlike Epitaph, he doesn’t have any religious reasons preventing him from committing suicide.’
“Hey.” (Yuri)
“…Who are you?” (Alfred)
Alfred was sitting in a luxurious chair, dressed in Shaalta-made loungewear. He looked listless.
“My name is Yuri Hou. I’m the commander-in-chief who destroyed your army.” (Yuri)
“What? You?” (Alfred)
Alfred looked at me with suspicion.
“Yes, that’s right. Surprised I can speak Telor language fluently?” (Yuri)
“…Hmph, not really.” (Alfred)
‘Apparently, he’s not too impressed.’
“We’re going to the Albio Republic to negotiate your ransom. You’ll be released in exchange for it.” (Yuri)
“I see. Then proceed quickly. It’s too boring here.” (Alfred)
“Soon, the Holy Scriptures will be distributed. Read them to pass the time.” (Yuri)
‘Since it’s now known that Eisa-sensei is the translator, it’s been approved. A copy will be placed in every prisoner’s room.’
“Boring. So, what is it? Do you have other business with me?” (Alfred)
‘I do, indeed.’
“Your beloved sister has escaped.” (Yuri)
“…What?” (Alfred)
“Angelica Sacrament.” (Yuri)
When I mentioned her name–…
“What?! That whore!” (Alfred)
Alfred pounded the desk with his fist, venting his frustration.
‘Just as the rumors said.’
“She’s a sharp and capable woman. As soon as she foresaw that you would be killed in battle, she was the first to abandon camp and flee north.” (Yuri)
“That woman…!” (Alfred)
He was grinding his teeth.
“She’s much smarter and stronger than you. Quite remarkable, given the intense pursuit.” (Yuri)
“Shut up!” (Alfred)
He knocked over a metal pitcher on the desk, and it rolled across the floor.
‘The human relationships revealed by the prisoners’ testimonies seemed mostly accurate. It’s convenient.’
“Of course, she plans to seize the imperial throne in your absence. Otherwise, she’d be killed.” (Yuri)
“Let me go back immediately! I’ll pay any ransom!!” (Alfred)
‘As I expected. If he’s at risk of losing the imperial throne in his homeland, he must return quickly, assert his survival, and protect his throne.’
“Is that so? She has already returned. Even though your return would spell her ruin, would she really pay the ransom so easily? She would not only hesitate to pay, but she would also go to any lengths to obstruct it.” (Yuri)
‘In reality, it would still take more than a month for Angelica to reach the imperial capital, Andal. Since her supplies were destroyed, she would have to scavenge for food along the way, and like my experience in Kilghina, avoiding the main roads would slow her down. Even after shaking off the pursuit, she wouldn’t easily decide to use the main roads. Though unlikely, she might even perish by the roadside somewhere.
Considering the possibility of her escaping pursuit, I didn’t include Alfred’s name in the list to be handed over to the Albio Republic. Essentially, Alfred would now be considered dead in battle. Of course, Alfred is alive, and many prisoners know this. Once they return, the truth of his survival would come to light. However, by declaring him dead, Angelica would quickly gain power within the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire.
According to information from the prisoners, Angelica Sacrament is reputed to be a wise lady lord, highly favored by the late emperor. On the other hand, Alfred’s reputation isn’t as good. He earned the infamy of a cruel emperor, having plotted bloody conspiracies upon his accession and even killed his younger brother. The populace might surprisingly prefer Angelica as the emperor. Although her being a woman needs consideration in this era, she is so capable that she could skillfully sway the people.’
“You may not know, but in our country, royalty cannot simply become king on their own. They must be chosen through the imperial election by the electors.” (Alfred)
Alfred said.
The elector system arose from the unique political situation of the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire. The emperors of the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire did not originally ascend by asserting their dominance.
The region of the Tyrellme God-Protected Empire was once a patchwork of small states or powerful clans with a strong sense of solidarity. When they faced the mighty Kalghinion Empire at its peak, they were easily defeated as they were just a ragtag group of weaklings. To strengthen their military unity, they needed a leader. However, no single entity among them was powerful enough, and they disliked the idea of one of their own assuming that role. So, they chose a leader from outside, and that’s how the Sacrament imperial family came to power.
The elector system was designed to balance their desire for military leadership to counter external threats while maintaining their internal authority. By holding the power to elect the emperor, they ensured that candidates would curry favor with them during each succession, thereby reinforcing their own power and preventing the emperor from becoming too authoritative.
“I know. But you have no children. As for Angelica, there isn’t a single opposing candidate left because you’ve assassinated them all.” (Yuri)
“Hmph.” (Alfred)
Alfred sighed in boredom.
This man killed his two elder brothers to claim the throne, and out of fear for his position, he even murdered his younger brother. Of course, Angelica was also targeted, but she managed to escape. There were apparently many close relatives with a claim to the throne, but he either crushed the influential ones with false accusations or left their deaths ambiguous, poisoned under mysterious circumstances. This man had fallen into a pathological distrust of others, typical of powerful figures who resort to assassination and execution.
“But I do have a wife. Surprisingly, my sister has a soft side. She wouldn’t dare kill my wife.” (Alfred)
“That may be what I’ve heard from the rumors. You seem different from the incestuous bloodthirsty you are, who repeatedly commits slaughter.” (Yuri)
“Watch your tongue. You lowly demon. Don’t mock me, inheritor of the holy blood of Xerxes.” (Alfred)
‘Oh my.’
“Are you angry because I told you the truth? But remember, whether to contact or not is my decision. Besides, my country has not signed any prisoner exchange treaty with the Crusaders. Whether boiling or burning, you have no right to complain.” (Yuri)
“Anyway, contact your wife. She’ll find a way to raise the money. Once it’s prepared, there shouldn’t be any complaints.” (Alfred)
‘It seems the ransom for the king would be about twice the national budget. Well, since Angelica Sacrament will interfere, it might be better to secretly contact her when the time comes. If she thinks he’s dead, she might not interfere.’
“I can’t say if money will satisfy you. I think you may have some personal grudge against me. I wonder if you were the one behind that scheme.” (Yuri)
“The one where the queen died?” (Alfred)
“That’s right.” (Yuri)
‘The queen is dead, my parents are dead, and recently my wife has also died. But for them, the only visible achievement is that the queen is dead, and they couldn’t see anything else. In the end, the queen died, and I rose to power in her place and took control of the country. Everything progressed at lightning speed, so while they were mobilizing the Crusaders after executing the assassination plan, we were already prepared. That’s why it’s like this, and in reality, many may think it would have been better not to carry out such an assassination plan.
If it hadn’t been carried out, at least I would have held only the army of the Hou Household, and the Noza Household and the Boff Household would have been active in protecting the royal capital without going to the main battlefield, such as the Second or First army.
“I loved my parents more than anything. I loved my wife too. All three of us died in that scheme. Were you involved?” (Yuri)
“So, you really are Yuri Hou. I thought you were an imposter, using a false name.” (Alfred)
‘He still seems suspicious. Well, I’m only 20, so to Alfred, I probably look like a kid, maybe 18.’
“Yeah. Want to see if you can take me hostage? Test if my dragon hunting skills are for real.” (Yuri)
I wanted him to try it. Just sitting there, he seemed strong enough, and I didn’t feel like I’d lose.
‘If I beat him up myself, guys like him would definitely shrink back. Like how a woman who’s been badly beaten will flinch when a man just raises his hand, he’d retreat in war too. Doing rankings like this isn’t a bad idea considering the future. There aren’t many men who, even after getting beat up, will stand up immediately and want a rematch.’
“Even if I take you hostage, I won’t be able to return to my homeland.” (Alfred)
He decided to stop. Just as I thought.
“So?” (Yuri)
“What?” (Alfred)
“Were you involved in that scheme? I haven’t heard your answer yet.” (Yuri)
“If I was involved, what would you do?” (Alfred)
Alfred smirked meaningfully.
“I have many enemies, but there aren’t many I’ve sworn to take revenge on even if it costs me my life. You’ll be one of the few.” (Yuri)
When I said that, Alfred’s expression briefly showed a hint of fear.
‘This man’s true nature is cowardly after all. He is a proud, confident person who is bossy towards his family. But deep down, he’s afraid. After taking the throne, he worried that someone in his position would do the same to him and pull him down. With each assassination, his fears grew, reaching pathological levels. That’s the kind of man he is.’
“…Epitaph Palazzo planned it. I only received the message, but I didn’t do anything else.” (Alfred)
“What message?” (Yuri)
“They were trying to deceive the so-called witches, so if anyone who looked like a high-ranking government official came to Reform, they were instructed to coordinate their story. But it seems they never actually came.” (Alfred)
“I see. So, you were involved.” (Yuri)
“Huh? I was not involved.” (Alfred)
‘I didn’t think he was directly involved either. However, regardless, this man would be used by me and suffer hellish torment. He was the one who led the previous Crusaders and crushed Kilghina. He deserves to suffer.’
I tried to deceive myself by thinking that way.
“Repent for your sins. I’ll return once I’ve contacted your wife.”
With that, I stood up.
‘For now, I’ll do nothing to him. I’ll let him rest until Angelica makes her move. That will likely be before the prisoners start returning.