Chapter 425: I’ll Make You Accept It, Even If by Force (1)
“Urgh, ah, this tastes awful. Hey, why does this taste so bad?”
Maurice grimaced and smacked his lips after drinking the medicine.
The other nobles stared at him with bewildered expressions, prompting Maurice to respond shamelessly.
“What? Why? A kid, like a nephew, gave us this plague medicine for our sake. Isn’t it unreasonable to keep doubting it? The plague is actually spreading, isn’t it?”
He gestured to the guard standing beside him.
“Hey, bring me some water. I need to rinse my mouth.”
When the guard brought water, Maurice rinsed his mouth and spoke again.
“Ah, that’s better. Alright, continue with the report.”
The knight, who had entered to report, hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“The plague is rapidly spreading in the areas near the rift. Most of the soldiers who fought against the rift have contracted the disease and collapsed.”
The Marquis of Branford, eyes closed, asked calmly.
“I clearly ordered the troops who fought the rift to be quarantined, did I not? Are you saying it spread to other regions?”
“Well… Some lords refused to comply. They didn’t establish quarantine zones, so the troops mingled with the commoners. On top of that, some of them even moved to other areas, which seems to have caused the spread.”
“…Fools.”
The Marquis of Branford clicked his tongue, suppressing his anger.
He had never expected all the lords to obey completely, which was why he had sent multiple official notices emphasizing the importance of quarantine.
Yet, the plague had spread after all.
He had already been warned about this possibility by the Count of Fenris. While he couldn’t trust him completely, it wasn’t something he could dismiss either.
If it were true, it was far too dangerous to ignore, so he had taken the risk and prepared accordingly.
Looking around at the nobles, the Marquis of Branford spoke.
“Now do you understand? Everything the Count of Fenris said was true.”
The nobles, who had been skeptical and hesitant to follow Ghislain’s warnings, were left speechless.
They had only focused on preparing for the battle against the rift and the ducal families, dismissing his warnings as unnecessary panic over something that hadn’t happened yet.
They had even patted themselves on the back, thinking they were being rational. But in truth, they had been the fools.
Only Count Aylesbur seemed relieved, pressing his chest as if a weight had been lifted from it.
‘Phew, good thing I listened to my wife. I’ll just leave everything to her from now on.’
He had initially harbored significant resentment over the massive funds spent on producing the plague medicine. However, Mariel had acted decisively and secured a large supply of the medicine.
Now, looking back, it was clear that Mariel had been right. Thanks to her, the prestige of their household would only rise further.
The Marquis of Branford spoke coldly.
“I will let the matter of what the Count of Fenris did to Count Heseltine pass. As a lesson, Count Heseltine’s title will be stripped, and Baron Spenvel’s title will be elevated to that of a count, granting him the rights of a lord. Does anyone object?”
“…”
There had already been considerable murmuring about what Ghislain had done. Even if he had been granted full authority concerning the rift, stripping another noble of their rights had crossed a line.
He wasn’t a king, yet he had acted as one, and some nobles had even argued that his power needed to be curbed. Ghislain’s authority was now nearing the point where it could rival even the Marquis of Branford’s.
However, with the plague spreading and his warnings proven true, there was little room for argument. It was a fact that Count Heseltine’s defiance had worsened the situation.
Shutting the nobles up, the Marquis of Branford turned to the knight again.
“So, how serious is the plague? How fast is it spreading?”
“Those infected develop a high fever and red rashes all over their bodies. The infection rate is extremely rapid. Most of those infected have already collapsed, and the death toll continues to rise. Holy power is ineffective.”
“High fever? Red rashes? And holy power doesn’t work? Could it be…”
“Yes, the symptoms match those of the ‘Curse of Eternity.’”
“What? But isn’t that an incurable disease? Are you saying it shares the same symptoms, and now it’s contagious too?”
“Yes. The symptoms are slightly milder, but the infection and manifestation rate are much faster.”
“Haah…”
The ‘Curse of Eternity’ was the disease that had once afflicted Gillian’s daughter, Rachel. Ghislain had been able to cure her because he had already known the treatment method. The same symptoms had once appeared across the continent after the rift had opened in his past life.
Now, just as in his previous life, the plague spreading across the continent mirrored the ‘Curse of Eternity.’ Though the symptoms were somewhat milder, it was a mutated strain with extreme infectiousness.
The nobles wore grim expressions, clearly disturbed. This was a disease long believed to be incurable, even whispered to be a death curse yet now it was spreading.
Count Aylesbur, who had been listening blankly, spoke to the other nobles.
“Wait, then doesn’t that mean this medicine could also cure the ‘Curse of Eternity’? You’re using an incredibly small amount of Fairy’s Blessing in it right now. What if you increase the ratio?”
“W-Well, yes? Being able to cure an incurable disease…”
“But how does Count Fenris know about this?”
The nobles murmured in unison.
Even if he had received information from a priest of the Salvation Church, predicting the outbreak of a plague was close to prophecy. And knowing the cure as well?
It was impossible to comprehend. To the point where it was almost believable that Count Fenris had deliberately spread the disease himself.
As the nobles seemed to grow suspicious, Marquis Branford spoke up.
“That is something to investigate after this crisis is over. Now that the plague has already begun, we must take immediate action.”
“What do you mean?”
“We will prohibit the trade of materials necessary for manufacturing the medicine within the kingdom. Furthermore, in territories without proper manufacturing facilities or those not actively producing the medicine, we will confiscate the materials by force. Compensation can be discussed later.”
“Hmm…”
The nobles let out troubled murmurs.
Typically, it was best to avoid interfering with the private property or trade rights of nobles. After all, the nobles’ loyalty to the royal family was secured because the crown guaranteed those rights.
However, Marquis Branford continued, his gaze cold.
“If we focus on protecting rights, right now, we’ll all die. Even in a crisis like this, there are still many who cling to old personal greed. I will not tolerate it any longer. Do you understand?”
Everyone nodded. If they remained selfish, they really could all end up dead together.
The greater the chaos, the harder it became for Marquis Branford to maintain control with his authority alone. A stronger hand was necessary.
“Mobilize all available forces to enforce these measures. Strip the rights and confiscate the properties of those attempting to exploit the situation. And…”
Marquis Branford drew a deep breath as if steeling himself, then spoke.
“Once this is all over, we will discuss the elevation of the Ferdium family’s title.”
“W-What, Marquis…?”
The nobles were taken aback. How long had it been since Ghislain had been elevated to a count? And now they were discussing another elevation?
Moreover, he had referred to the Ferdium family, not Fenris. That meant he was considering creating another ducal family the only one in the kingdom.
‘Raising a marquis to an even higher rank?’
‘Breaking the long-standing tradition by creating a ducal family in the north?’
‘So, the rumors that Marquis Branford was considering Count Fenris as his successor were true!’
The Kingdom of Ritania had a unique tradition, differing from other realms. Since its founding, only the Delfine family had been allowed the rank of duke.
By normal standards, even royal descendants could hold a duke’s title. However, the custom established by the founding king had persisted, so even the royal cadet branches were limited to the rank of marquis.
Even Marquis Branford, the most powerful figure in the kingdom, had not attained the ducal rank.
No one knew exactly why. It had simply been that way for so long that people accepted it as natural.
But now, Marquis Branford himself was suggesting breaking that ancient custom.
And not for himself, but for Ghislain.
Marquis McQuarrie frowned.
“Now hold on. No matter how much you think of him as a nephew, this is a bit…”
“I’m not saying we should decide it immediately. But if the Delfine ducal family ceases to exist, wouldn’t it be a matter worth considering? Wasn’t that what you wanted as well?”
“Huh?”
McQuarrie’s nostrils flared slightly. Now that he thought about it, if the Delfine family disappeared, wouldn’t that tradition become irrelevant?
In that case, his own family could also rise to the rank of duke.
“Ahem, well, we can discuss that further when the time comes.”
‘Hehehe. The McQuarrie Ducal Family now that has a nice ring to it.’
McQuarrie smirked. If he could attain the ducal title in his generation, it would be a source of pride for generations to come.
‘And no less as the house, credited with ending the civil war. Heh heh heh.’
With McQuarrie silent, the other nobles also fell quiet.
Marquis Branford seized the momentum and drove his point home.
“Deliver my message to Count Fenris. I will take full responsibility, so let him act without restraint. Dealing with the rift is important, but containing the plague is just as crucial.”
“Understood…”
The nobles revealed troubled expressions, but couldn’t refute it.
Marquis Branford was determined to fully support Ghislain.
Currently, the army most actively traveling around the kingdom fighting the Rifts was the Northern Army.
While some of the royal forces would move to secure resources, it would be far more effective for the Northern Army to collect them as they moved.
Marquis Branford decided to enforce his will through the Northern Army.
And that will aligned perfectly with what Ghislain desired.
* * *
“Waaah! We won!”
The soldiers shouted in triumph after closing another Rift.
Morale in the Northern Army is at its peak.
Even after clearing several Rifts, they had suffered virtually no damage.
That was inevitable. No matter how many Riftspawn charged recklessly, they were helpless against the overwhelming skill and power of Fenris.
In fact, other armies found it more challenging to face the Equidema than the Riftspawn, as they lacked warriors strong enough to take down the superhuman-level beast.
But for the Northern Army, even the Equidema was no longer a difficult opponent.
“Graaaaah!”
“Goddess!”
All Piote had to do was close his eyes and kneel before the Equidema. Then Ghislain would shout immediately:
“It took the bait! Bring it down quickly!”
The Equidema would go berserk at the sight of Piote and charge at him. During that moment, the other skilled fighters would launch a coordinated assault, making it easy to bring the beast down.
Moreover, as time passed, their teamwork only improved, making the Equidema even easier to handle.
The soldiers beamed with pride as they watched Ghislain and his close aides return from slaying another Equidema.
“I really think we’re the strongest in the kingdom.”
“At this rate, we’ll wipe them all out in no time.”
“They say the other armies are barely managing to hold the line. No one else is pushing forward like us.”
These were soldiers from the impoverished northern territories who had once struggled just to survive. They had never felt such pride before in their lives.
The more they followed Ghislain, the more they transformed into elite warriors. Constant battles fueled their confidence it was only natural.
As their pride and sense of belonging to the Northern Army grew stronger, so too did the way they looked at Ghislain.
“I wish Count Fenris would just unify the North.”
“Yeah, we’d officially become part of Fenris then.”
“If Count Fenris decided to march on our lands, I’d follow him without hesitation.”
They say the era makes the hero, but voluntary defectors were emerging from within the Northern Army itself.
They genuinely hoped Ghislain would conquer the entire North. This collective desire spread throughout the entire force.
As if pouring oil on that fire, word arrived that Marquis Branford had declared his intentions.
Belinda, elated, said, “They’re going to discuss awarding another title after the war? Is our young master becoming a duke?”
Ghislain chuckled.
“Why does a title matter? Ending the war comes first. And if there is any promotion, my father should be the priority.”
Ghislain had no interest whatsoever in such titles. But others felt differently.
Belinda clenched her fist, her expression meaningful as she spoke.
“This is the perfect chance to lead the entire Northern Army and fully unify the North. Everyone’s eager to pledge their loyalty to you, young master. It’s entirely possible.”
“…Belinda, you’re quite ambitious.”
Ghislain tried to laugh it off, but Belinda wasn’t joking. She raised her voice, even more determined.
“After that, you can rise as the Grand Duke of the North!”
“What? Grand Duke?”
“Yes! It sounds amazing! It’s the ultimate dream!”
“Grand Duke? That sounds more like a fantasy. And besides, can I even become one? Isn’t a Grand Duke limited to members of the royal family?”
At that, Belinda and the other close aides exchanged dumbfounded looks.
This was a man who had lived his entire life without worrying about anyone else’s opinion, now saying something so strange.
“When have you ever cared about rules, young master? If you want to be a Grand Duke, you just do it.”
“…”
Ghislain had no retort and pressed his lips together. There were reasons for everything he did, but to others, he must have seemed like a wild rogue acting on a whim.
Belinda stepped even closer, her eyes blazing with ambition, enough to make him want to back away.
“You’re going to do whatever you want anyway, right? So, just do it become the Grand Duke of the North. It sounds way cooler than just a duke.”
“…What about my father?”
“He should retire. He’s worked hard for so long, don’t you think it’s time for him to rest? Seeing him struggle always breaks my heart.”
To Belinda, Ghislain was the absolute priority. Besides, Zwalter was constantly saying he wanted to rest, so he would likely approve as well.
Ghislain swallowed hard.
Somehow, the conversation had started veering toward rebellion mixed with a touch of filial impiety.