My Words Are the King's Words (1)
"Hire us."
"......"
Alex, King of Flovitz, was taken aback by Ghislain's proposal.
Though they were mere mercenaries, he had allowed them to be present among the lords. That was because the lords had insisted on it.
Alex understood that they valued these mercenaries, but for a lowly one to speak so boldly ahead of the nobles made him feel insulted as a king.
'Even a mere mercenary dares to look down on me.'
Andrew and Rio had been promoted to counts. It was only natural since they had seized Crest County and Swipel County.
Defeating Count Crest, a vassal of Marquis Falkenheim, meant they were absolutely not part of the Marquis's faction. That was why Alex had sought to bring them to his side.
Yet both Count Nordhill and Count Lacus were too passive. While Alex was growing impatient, a mere mercenary stepped forward—there was no way he could be pleased.
".... You said you are the vice-captain of the Yulian mercenary corps?"
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Alex twitched his lips. His words and actions were polite, yet his demeanor somehow was not.
His sly smile and strangely relaxed attitude made Alex feel even more uncomfortable.
With a face full of indignation, Alex asked,
"Do you also think lightly of me?"
Having suddenly ascended to the throne, Alex had not even had the chance to solidify his royal authority.
No, from the very beginning, he had been nothing more than a puppet. He hadn't even known that a territorial war had erupted until Andrew and Rio arrived.
That was how blind and deaf Alex had been kept. The royal capital was entirely filled with Marquis Falkenheim's men.
A king who could be killed at any moment—that was Alex's reality.
All the pent-up resentment and inferiority he had accumulated exploded at Ghislain's demeanor.
"I asked if you think lightly of me as well!"
"......."
Ghislain simply stared at Alex.
He had already investigated the state of the Flovitz Kingdom. He knew exactly why Alex was reacting this way.
A man cornered and tasting death every day could hardly be expected to remain sane. Ghislain had been the same when he had lost his family and territory and lived in hiding.
However, this situation was actually favorable for Ghislain. It would make it easier to establish Andrew and Rio as the real power within the kingdom.
With a gentle smile, Ghislain spoke,
"How could that be? I fully understand Your Majesty's concerns. We merely offer our help so that those worries may be relieved."
"A mere mercenary—how could you possibly help me?"
Seeing that Alex was too agitated to calm down, Andrew, who had been silently observing with a tense expression, stepped forward.
"Your Majesty, Vice-Captain of the Yulian Mercenary Corps is a superhuman."
"W-what?"
Alex was stunned. He had never heard of a superhuman working as a mercenary.
The man he had dismissed as a mere lowly soldier now appeared completely different.
Despite being king, Alex had no superhuman protectors by his side. How could he not covet Ghislain's strength?
"Is that… truly the case?"
"It is. Moreover, the other executives of the Yulian Mercenary Corps range from high-tier to peak-tier combatants. Our victory in this war was entirely thanks to them."
Hearing Andrew's serious words, Alex swallowed hard. If they were superhumans, they could not simply be treated as mercenaries.
The other executives were no different. They were individuals powerful enough to earn noble titles if they wished.
Yet Alex had foolishly tried to assert his pride before such people.
Glancing at Ghislain, Andrew continued,
"Your Majesty, you wished for us to be your strength, did you not? We are in no position to decide. Without them, we would have perished long ago."
Only then did Alex understand why the lords had been so passive. Their true strength lay in the Yulian Mercenary Corps.
Tears welled in Alex's eyes as he grasped Ghislain's hands.
"I-I am sorry. I acted out of ignorance. Please, I beg you, help me."
"........"
Internally, Ghislain smirked.
He had heard that Alex was incredibly intelligent in his youth. For such a man to break down like this, the pressure from Marquis Falkenheim must have been overwhelming.
Well, considering he had been under constant surveillance even by mere attendants, it would have been strange if he had remained sane.
"Can you do exactly as I say?"
It was a question no one should ever dare ask a king. Yet, it was necessary.
Alex hesitated. If he simply did as a mercenary commanded, how was he any different from being a puppet to Marquis Falkenheim?
As he wavered, Ghislain continued,
"Forgive my rudeness… but Your Majesty is still alive not because Marquis Falkenheim is merciful."
"........"
"It is only because the Holy Empire has yet to grant its approval. That is the only reason Marquis Falkenheim has left you be."
Alex hung his head low. His words were undeniable.
The Holy Empire of Mürond—the empire ruled by the Pope, overseeing all four great religious orders.
When Ghislain first learned of Mürond, he was slightly surprised. It was different from what he had known.
In the future, nearly everyone, including himself, believed that a single empire had once ruled the entire continent.
But upon coming to the past, he realized that was not true. The Holy Empire was only an empire in name, its territory surprisingly small.
Yet all the kingdoms regarded it as their spiritual anchor. This was because, in the war against the Demon Realm, the Holy Empire had always been the rallying point.
As the heart of the religious orders, it was only natural. Even dragons and other races respected the empire.
Thus, by tradition, every kingdom required the empire's approval for a succession to be recognized. Any monarch who seized the throne arbitrarily and was subsequently excommunicated would face grave consequences.
This custom was established to prevent kingdoms from falling into internal chaos amid their ongoing war against the Demon Realm.
Of course, if a successor had legitimate qualifications, the empire generally did not interfere. It had no reason to provoke the ire of the kingdoms.
In short, royal successions were more of a formality—simply notifying the empire after the fact.
But the situation in Flovitz was different.
"Marquis Falkenheim has not yet secured the empire's approval. He is still sending emissaries, desperately trying to persuade them, arguing that he must seize royal authority to prepare for the war against the Demon Realm."
"......."
"Most of the power in this kingdom is already in his hands. Even the attendants around Your Majesty are likely his spies."
"......"
"The empire will eventually side with Marquis Falkenheim. What matters to them is not justice, but whether he can contribute to the war. Your Majesty has no choice."
"........"
Listening to Ghislain's cold, brutal words, Alex looked utterly defeated.
Once the empire gave its approval, he would be killed immediately. And there was no doubt the empire would ultimately support Marquis Falkenheim.
Right now, this kingdom was practically under his rule already.
With a weary look, Alex asked,
"But you must also fight Marquis Falkenheim, must you not?"
"We have many choices. We could simply hand our territories to a neighboring kingdom and flee. That alone would be a massive headache for Marquis Falkenheim."
"...."
Alex's mouth fell open at the sheer audacity of that statement. Even Andrew and Rio flinched.
It was a declaration that disregarded all customs and honor. The worst part was that he had both the power and the will to do it.
Finally, Alex let out a deep sigh and asked,
"What is it that you truly want?"
"Simply that Your Majesty does as I say. If you do, I will restore your royal authority."
If he wished, Ghislain could make even Yulian a king. But he had no intention of doing so.
Yulian must always uphold his ideals. He would lead humanity as an impeccable hero.
That was why all of this troublesome maneuvering was necessary.
Alex nodded.
"If my fate is death regardless, I may as well remain a puppet. I will do as you ask."
"You will not be disappointed. Time is short—we must move quickly."
The moment Alex gave his confirmation, Ghislain sprang into action. Andrew and Rio simply followed his lead.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Armed mercenaries and knights began flooding into the royal palace in a disorderly manner.
"How dare you barge in here!"
The palace guards and royal knights tried to block them, but when Alex's royal decree was issued, they stepped aside for now.
Even if he was a puppet, he was still the king. If the king claimed he had summoned them for his own protection, it was not their place to question.
Of course, from that day forward, the ministers relentlessly visited Alex, pressuring him.
"What is the meaning of this!"
"How could you allow unknown knights and mercenaries into the sacred palace?"
"Expel them immediately!"
No matter what the ministers said, Alex remained silent. The ministers then decided to take matters into their own hands.
Though there were hundreds gathered around the king, that was all. If they summoned the palace guards and knights, the matter could be resolved quickly.
There would be bloodshed in the palace, but the ministers did not care.
"Does he think he can rely on the armies of Count Nordhill and Count Lacus?"
"Ridiculous. As if they could do anything."
"Surely he doesn't believe that occupying the capital will change the tide?"
The ministers clicked their tongues in disdain.
The armies of Nordhill and Lacus had been blocked by the kingdom's forces before even entering the capital.
Even with the king's decree, the royal army, now under Marquis Falkenheim's control, refused to stand down. They would not tolerate the king raising an army of his own.
Thus, Andrew and Rio had brought only a portion of their knights and soldiers for the king's protection.
Only the Yulian Mercenary Corps had managed to slip past the kingdom's army and enter the palace in small numbers.
Naturally, the ministers sneered. With such meager forces, they would never be able to seize the royal palace.
As the ministers prepared to order the palace guards and knights to expel these "intruders," the king summoned them all.
Brimming with confidence, the ministers strode into the throne room. They smirked at the sight of Andrew and Rio standing beside the king.
'They got lucky seizing land, and now they've grown arrogant.'
'They must have sided with the king since they're doomed to die under Marquis Falkenheim anyway.'
'We might as well kill them right here and now.'
The ministers harbored such thoughts without hesitation. With most of the army blocked outside the capital, these men wouldn't even be able to defend themselves, let alone retaliate, if attacked.
And without their leaders, their troops would inevitably surrender.
Under the sharp gazes of the ministers, Alex struggled to speak.
"I… have made a decision today. I have called you here… to inform you of it…"
Before Alex could even finish his sentence, the ministers interrupted.
"Your Majesty! Did we not ask you to leave the matters of governance to us?"
"Have we not told you that you still lack experience and need more time?"
"First, remove those lowly mercenaries who have infiltrated the palace! What kind of king allows mercenaries inside the royal sanctum?"
They all disregarded Alex. He was a dead man walking—his days were numbered, after all.
Standing behind Alex, Ghislain swept his gaze over the ministers.
Only a few among them looked uneasy, bowing their heads.
The majority were clearly aligned with Marquis Falkenheim. Their lack of subtlety made them easy to identify.
Ignoring their protests, Ghislain stepped forward. Sensing the moment, Alex hurriedly continued.
"This man… as the vice-captain of the Yulian Mercenary Corps, has become my new royal advisor. And… for the time being, he will act as my regent and participate in governance on my behalf."
The ministers' eyes widened in shock. A mere mercenary meddling in the affairs of the kingdom?
Before they could even erupt in outrage, Ghislain spoke first.
"By the grace of His Majesty, the true sovereign of this kingdom, I have been entrusted with the grave responsibility of representing him. As my first act, I issue His Majesty's first decree to you all."
Dumbfounded, the ministers could only stare at Ghislain. He, however, continued as if their reactions were of no concern.
"Marquis Falkenheim, who has threatened the royal family and ruled the kingdom as he pleased, shall be punished for treason. Inform all lords and nobles to rally their forces."
"......."
The ministers blinked in disbelief.
These weaklings spoke as if they could punish someone. If it were that easy, the king would have seized full authority long ago. Marquis Falkenheim wouldn't have been able to commit treason in the first place.
Unable to contain himself, the prime minister stepped forward and shouted.
"You wretched cur! Do you even realize where you are? How dare a mere mercenary prattle on about acting as the king's representative! Your Majesty! Have you gone mad? What on earth are you doing?"
Ghislain casually reached for the hand axe at his waist and said,
"Such insolence. I will not tolerate any further disrespect. Obey His Majesty's decree at once."
"Silence! You lunatic! Who let this madman into the palace? Everyone has lost their minds! Your Majesty! It seems you need to be confined in the tower for some rest!"
At those words, Alex flinched.
That was no empty threat—they meant to imprison him in the tower.
Despite their loud outbursts, the ministers inwardly thought this was an opportune moment. They now had the perfect excuse to imprison the king.
If they claimed the king had lost his sanity and could no longer rule, the empire would undoubtedly approve Marquis Falkenheim's ascension.
Ghislain glared at the prime minister and spoke again.
"This is my final warning. Obey His Majesty's decree."
"Guards! Seize this madman at once! Mobilize the royal knights and slaughter these mercenary dogs—"
Crack!
Before the prime minister could finish his sentence, Ghislain's hand axe flew through the air and embedded itself in his forehead.
With his skull shattered, the prime minister collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
A stunned silence fell over the throne room. The ministers, faces frozen in shock, stared at Ghislain.
To kill the prime minister so openly, in front of so many witnesses—such madness was unheard of.
In the heavy, deathly silence, Ghislain finally spoke.
"Listen well. His Majesty has granted me full authority as his regent. Therefore…"
He curved his lips into a cruel smile and continued.
"My words are the king's words."
"......"
The ministers finally understood.
The king had brought in a complete lunatic. A lunatic who could not be reasoned with.
While they stood in stunned silence—
Boom!
The doors to the throne room were shattered, and the royal knights and palace guards stormed in, their faces twisted with rage.
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