Alright, There’s the Signal to Begin
Inside the royal castle, discussions about the future of the Hero’s Party had already started.
Amid the uproar, like everyone had completely forgotten about Julius, someone suddenly burst out laughing.
It was Giri, the [Iron Fist] of the adventurer clan Shiranui.
“Wahahahahahaha…!”
A towering tiger beastkin over two meters tall, built like a wall of muscle.
Big voice. Big body. Big attitude.
His laughter set off the others, his fellow clan members, the Yotsuba General Trading Company across from them, even the vassal nobles of the Margrave House…
A roaring wave of laughter erupted, overwhelming everyone else.
Only a handful of the more perceptive ones began to turn pale.
“Wahahahahaha…!”
“Ahahahahaha…!”
Even King Jimetz started to realize, this laughter… it was directed at them.
The members of the Hero’s Party looked uneasy now. Their faces? Idiotic.
Giri, the red-haired tiger beastkin, started walking toward Julius, still laughing, raising a fist.
Everyone who didn’t understand what was going on held their breath as they watched…
… and then he simply placed a hand on Julius’s shoulder.
“Wahaha… so you really got expelled. My stomach’s gonna burst… throwing out the boss… wahaha…”
He was clutching his stomach, laughing so hard tears were streaming down his face.
“See? Told you it was worth coming. Ahahahahaha. You’re probably never gonna see something like this again.”
Julius and Giri were chatting, casually slapping each other on the shoulders like old buddies.
Then…
A silver-haired beauty approached. Yukimi of [Ginka], assistant to the clan leader.
“Good work, Master. But I don’t enjoy seeing the one I love being laughed at. Giri, that’s enough.”
As she spoke, she draped a coat made from black dragon leather over Julius’s shoulders.
The number on it: [0].
The entire hall fell dead silent.
In that silence, a mature, beautiful woman approached Julius with a gentle smile…
Those watching reacted in all sorts of ways.
Some trembled, imagining the worst…
Some desperately calculated whether they could survive…
Some tried to run…
Some had already wet themselves…
Some just stood there, stunned and uncomprehending…
And some… burned with anger.
Amid all that…
Charlotte, General Director of the Yotsuba General Trading Company, fastened a golden armband onto Julius’s arm.
“That’s right, Chairman. We all adore you, you know? You really don’t understand a woman’s heart.”
Charlotte puffed her cheeks in irritation as she slipped on her own black coat, bearing the number [3].
Dante, standing behind her, wore [5].
“… Sorry.”
Better to apologize. The aftermath would be terrifying otherwise…
“Young Master…”
The vassal nobles of the Margrave House dropped to their knees, bowing deeply.
“Good work, everyone. I’ll be staying in the royal capital a bit longer, so head back first and start preparing for war…”
The moment those words left his mouth…
The royal castle exploded into chaos.
Ambassadors from every nation immediately sent messengers back home, urging preparations for war against the kingdom.
The guilds rushed to issue orders as well, warning their people to prepare.
“King Jimetz, this isn’t a mutual annulment of engagement, it’s a breach due to your side’s infidelity, correct? Naturally, we have mountains of evidence. I could present it right here, but if I do… I can’t guarantee what will become of Princess Elizabeth’s remaining life. The same goes for Lady Milian and Lady Almeria.”
Man, what a shame, he even made a little gesture.
“Not as nobles. As people. You visited the Crown Prince’s and the Hero’s rooms that many times and thought you wouldn’t get caught?”
Julius spun a finger beside his head, then flicked it open.
“And of course, a one-sided breach of engagement comes with compensation. I just so happen to be the leader of the strongest clan, the ruler of the global economy, and the heir to a Margrave House. The more titles I have, the higher the compensation gets. Now then, how much do you think that is worth?”
The nobles of the Titania Kingdom lowered their heads, trembling.
At that moment, Prince Erason gave a signal…
The captain of the royal guard struck at Julius from behind!
Julius deliberately caught the blade with his fingers, letting it cut him slightly.
Then he grabbed the captain by the neck, mithril full armor and all, lifting him up, and drove a backfist into his gut.
DO-GAH!!
The mithril armor caved in in the shape of his fist, and the man was sent flying straight into the wall.
“Ahh… there it is. You went and did it. If you’ve got no intention of negotiating, I’ll just head back to the South territory. Either way, that assassination attempt’s gonna jack up the compensation multiplier. As of this moment, all rights and interests in the South territory and surrounding areas held by central nobles are revoked. Sound good?”
He held up his bleeding finger, then gave an exasperated shrug.
“… I was wrong. Give us a few days to decide what to do.”
King Jimetz lowered his head, his face pale.
“Mmm… sure, fine. Everyone gathered here, one week from now, I’ll be hosting a party at a venue owned by my company. I’d like to invite you all. There, I’ll explain everything going forward, including today’s events. The royal family has until the day before that to give their answer. If nothing’s decided, I’ll just head back… Until then, I’ll only accept meetings with representatives from other nations. Well then, excuse me.”
He waved his hand casually as he walked toward the exit…
Then suddenly stopped and turned back.
“Oh, right. I’ve always thought guilds were unnecessary anyway. I’m starting a new organization, so I’ll be crushing those rotten old institutions you fossils are clinging to!”
With a casual “see ya,” he turned away, waving as he exited.
One by one, the remaining members followed, each leaving with killing intent… or mocking laughter.
And finally…
Dante of the Yotsuba General Trading Company spoke.
“Well then, ladies and gentlemen, farewell. Do your best to make it to the finale. We look forward to seeing if anyone can surpass our master’s scenario.”
With a formal bow of the kingdom, he departed.
Faced with what was about to unfold, most people’s minds went blank.
They couldn’t even move…
What do you think about this chapter?
