Chapter 442

Corinius
We arrived in front of the room where Corinius was said to be holed up.
The area was already surrounded by soldiers from Marquis Vardmoi, with no space left to escape.
Those who had once been Corinius’s soldiers had already been neutralized and lay crumpled in the corners of the hallway.
Well, they can blame the side they chose to support.

“Is this the place? The room where Corinius is supposed to be?”

“Yes. However, it’s been locked from the inside, and we can’t get in. What should we do?”

“Can’t we break the door?”

“It seems to be a very sturdy door. Even striking it with a hammer doesn’t leave a mark. The same goes for magical attacks.”

“I see. So a major obstacle appears now of all times.”

So we can’t get inside. That’s a problem.
Hmm, what should we do?

“Lily, can you freeze it with Talat’s mana and shatter it?”

“Uh, I won’t know until I try, but... shall I give it a go?”

“Please. I don’t want to waste time here.”

“Got it. Talat, I’m counting on you.”

(Understood. I’ll try freezing the door and the surrounding area!)

Talat launched threads and covered the area around the door.
The threads began to freeze, and even the surrounding walls turned to ice.
Then, Talat hit the area with threads again, and the ice shattered.
As a result, the wall broke before the door did, and the door toppled inward into the room, shattering on impact with the floor.
… Well, I guess that worked out in the end.

“Wh-What just happened? The door froze and crumbled!?”

“Not as planned, but it works. Long time no see, Prince Corinius.”

“You! Marquis Vardmoi!”

“Yes. Since negotiations for compensation with you fell through, I came to make a direct claim. However, since you made the first move, I’ve opted for a military resolution instead.”

“Damn you... do you think you’ll get away with doing something like this!?”

“I do. The old royal family has no more authority or strength. While you and the Third Prince squabbled for power, the regions that chose independence have grown strong enough to stand as nations in their own right.
There is no chance of unifying the former kingdom anymore, no matter what you try.”

“Don’t spout such nonsense! I am the true king! All the fools who oppose the throne—starting with that false prince—will be hanged!”

“You can still say such nonsense at this point? You’re already surrounded, with no way out.
Only a handful of soldiers remain to protect you.
If you surrender quietly, I guarantee your life won’t be taken here.
Though, I can’t be held responsible for how those you oppressed will choose to judge you.”

Looks like Corinius still hasn’t given up.
Maybe he still believes Duke Plafard is on his side?
What’s he going to do from here?

“If it comes to this, then I’ll destroy you and your army with the royal family’s secret treasure!”

“Secret treasure of the royal family? I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

“Prepare to be astonished! This staff is—!”

“That’s just a jeweled ornament, Prince Corinius.”

“What did you say!? Plafard, how dare you!?”

“Well, I’ve grown tired of pretending. Corinius, I’ll be taking you into custody now.”

“What nonsense is this!? If you betray me, your family—!”

“They’ve already been rescued. Along with the families of the other nobles.”

“Wh-What...!?”

“Well then, please wake up next time in our house’s finest holding cell.”

Ah, Duke Plafard just knocked Corinius out with a powerful punch.
That was a clean hit.
And with a metal gauntlet on—bet that hurt like hell.
Corinius didn’t get back up after that blow.

He was promptly arrested by the soldiers of the Vardmoi Marquis family, and the remaining troops surrendered.
A complete victory.
All that’s left now is to clean up and head home.

What do you think about this chapter?