I Became the Childhood Friend of the Northern Duchess - Chapter 228



228 – What Must Be Repaid

Meanwhile, the imperial palace was literally devastated by the sudden news.

The Robeheim family suddenly attacks the Bertus family.

It is said that it is not a trivial dispute over territory, and that they are already moving to the front of the castle with the intention of destroying a family.

Some of the ministers, in awe of this, announced that the imperial knights should be dispatched immediately.

What purpose and justification is there for the Robeheim family’s attack? They are acting as they please with just the name of the archduke family, without receiving permission from the imperial family.

Of course, if you look at it from a third party’s perspective, it wasn’t wrong.

However, Bartheus remained silent and did not say anything about this.

The ministers were standing in front of him, raising their voices, saying that he had to make a decision quickly, but he looked at his wife sitting next to him as if he had something to say.

“…”

Nod.

In response to this, Beatria nodded her head without saying anything and responded with warm eyes.

She knew what her husband wanted to say.

Since long ago, he was a man who had always expressed his opinion that responsibility was necessary when it came to choices.

He will not be someone who will just watch from afar as the Bertus family collapses like this.

Moreover, the timing was just right.

While they were talking about the cause of the Robeheim family, Bartheus tried to relieve them of some of the burden by speaking out on their behalf.

“Ministers, please listen to me for a moment. “It’s going to be a bit of a long story.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

The ministers who were childishly arguing over whether it was you or me suddenly stopped talking and lowered their heads.

Bartheus was anxious about how these people would change their attitude if they found out that he was nothing more than a powerless puppet emperor.

However, because he thought it was a truth that had to be said someday, he decided to open his mouth without hesitation.

“Actually, the reason the Archduke is currently leading his soldiers to attack the Bertus family is because of my request.”

“!?”

“What do you mean, Your Majesty’s request!?”

The ministers looked up at him sitting at the head of the table with their eyes wide open at the unexpected remark.

So does this mean that it was not a private dispute between the two families, but rather the intervention of the imperial family?

Considering that the will of the imperial family is the will of the country, the justification should have been in the Robeheim family.

But I couldn’t understand why they kept that fact hidden until now.

“This is why I called all the ministers together. The Grand Duke told me not to publicize this fact as it could cause confusion, but… “I can’t just sit back and watch them be criticized for my shortcomings.”

Of course, if you return after successfully defeating Albrich, you will be able to hide the details and simply report that the Robeheim family has carried out justice.

The story could have ended in a way that the royal family simply remained as victims and was not criticized by anyone, and that the evil enemy disappeared and everyone lived happily ever after.

But Bartheus has always questioned whether that was really the right choice in recent times

If Albrich had not approached him, he would have raised a normal family and continued a peaceful life as the emperor of a country.

So, is it really the right choice to pass all the blame on to him?

No, it wasn’t like that. At least that was what Bartheus thought.

There are only a few of Albrich’s evil deeds that he hid, and if you go back to his grandfather his, the number would be too numerous to even count.

In other words, the evil deeds Albrich has committed so far are directly related to the incompetence of the imperial family.

Can the royal family, which has been tied by a thread and continued to act as a puppet for three generations without anyone being able to make a clear choice, let go of this just because it is truly a victim?

And if he had to be judged as a fellow evildoer, he thought it was right to tell the whole truth.

There is no need to hide all the truth in the world, but the truth that needs to be known must be made public.

That was Bartheus’ theory.

“Actually, Albrich, he has been manipulating the imperial family for a long time. Including his luggage, all the way to his grandfather and father …”He controlled us for a total of three generations.”

“Your Majesty. We don’t know what you’re suddenly saying…”

“Yes, that’s right. Even if you say that is true, why do you say that Marquis Bertus did such a thing?”

The man named Albrich was a person who was quite good at disguising himself on the outside.

To be precise, he was a person who did not care about anyone and tried to avoid making enemies as much as possible.

When you get close to someone, your weaknesses are bound to be revealed and your true nature is revealed.

That’s why he tried not to get close to anyone. As a result, there were hardly any among his ministers who had malicious feelings toward him.

In other words, he should be seen as a wise man who did not make enemies because he was not afraid of his allies.

Except for unusual cases like Edgar.

For that reason, upon hearing the news that Albrich was an evil enemy who manipulated the imperial family, the ministers showed signs of agitation, unable to even speak.

I don’t know if he was someone who had at least a hint, but I was just dumbfounded when Albrich’s name was suddenly mentioned.

“I understand your confusion. However, please know that what I am saying here is the truth without a single lie.”

“How can I criticize Your Majesty’s words? It’s just that it’s such a sudden story…”

“You’re right. But if he is truly an evil person who pressured the imperial family behind the scenes, how come Your Majesty has not been informed of this fact?”

The heads of the subjects answered simultaneously to the most fundamental question.

The look in his eyes seemed like he wanted to ask about that.

Bartheus thought it would be better to show rather than tell, so he immediately got up and took off his shirt.

“I’m sure everyone knows about this spot. “My father, the late emperor, and my grandfather also had it.”

“I am following your Majesty’s words.”

Some of the older ministers had been in the service since the previous emperor, so they were familiar with the spot.

I know it didn’t exist originally, but it was a birthmark that started appearing during the time of the current emperor’s grandfather, and it was thought to be a unique lineage of the family that arose at some point.

However, there was a shocking truth hidden in the story that the ministers never realized.

“Actually, this is Albrich, the mark of the curse he placed on Jim and his family. It was a powerful curse that could easily take our lives if he wanted to.”

“Well, what a curse…” ” … !”

“Whose prisoner would that vicious person dare to be in… ” … !”

A curse is sometimes considered a type of magic, but in reality, it is closer to a practice that deviates from ethics, such as black magic.

In fact, in the Hellvenir Empire, curses are considered an evil device that should not be used even on slaves.

Although there are some people who study curses, they are also strictly prohibited from using curses directly on people and experimenting with them.

However, because you can know the curse and heal it, you just tolerate it, just like studying poison to deal with it.

There are also cases where warlocks exist as similar examples.

Anyway, the important thing is that such a vicious technique was used on the body of the emperor and not anyone else.

In addition, there was a high possibility that it was an evil curse that was not even mentioned in the literature, as it could kill the subject depending on what the caster wanted.

It could be said that it is a restraint device that is possible because he is the best wizard in the empire.

On the way, the ministers’ eyes, who understood the part about ‘burden and family’, did not turn to the emperor, but to Beatria, who was sitting next to him with sunken eyes.

“I also said those words to Her Majesty the Empress…”

“… That’s right. Even though I can’t show it, the same mark remains on my back. “To our children too.”

“How could a human being with the same blood do such a thing… ? … !”

Family is precious to everyone.

To think of taking charge of the imperial family using such a natural attitude.

It is said that Amman is blinded by power and power, but can humans be so cruel?

“Anyway, that’s how it happened. If the Grand Duke and her lover discovered this fact, had not helped us, we would have been doomed to live like a bird in a cage. “I couldn’t even think of conveying this truth to the people of this country and to you.”

“Huh, those two… !”

“So, it seems like the fact that you stepped forward to subdue the foreigners was all a strategy to blind the eyes of the Bertus family. How can you be so wise at your age? … !”

Some quick-witted ministers found out the details of the large-scale subjugation operation that had taken place a few days ago and unanimously praised the two men.

“The reason I’m telling you this is so I can pay for my sins. Even though the Archduke wanted it not to happen, he just couldn’t keep his mouth shut.”

“The penalty for sin… ! “Your Majesty, how can you say such a thing!”

“You’re right! It is only the fault of that wicked man’s underworld, and it is by no means your Majesty’s fault!”

At the end, when the emperor recited the reason for revealing what he had decided to hide, the ministers jumped up and tried to dissuade him.

What is the fault of a man who took his family hostage and was manipulated by someone who was drunk on power and power?

Among them, those who were particularly loyal to the imperial family even shed a single tear.

“It is true that although Jim had a reason, he cooperated with him anyway. “If I had been a little more decisive as an emperor and head of a family, something so impure would not have happened.”

“It was an unavoidable situation! “No one can blame you!”

“It is as Sir Nort said! How can you blame it on His Majesty!”

Bartheus felt his heart sink at the actions of the ministers who unanimously supported him.

Of course, not all of these ministers would take sides based on loyalty alone, but if there was even just one person among them, it would seem that he had lived a not-so-bad life.

“Thank you for your comfort. But don’t worry too much. I have no intention of suddenly going up to the guillotine, nor do I plan on coming down from this position. All I can do is announce this fact and ask the people of this country whether they will elect a man of such shortcomings as emperor.”

Just telling the truth that needs to be known. That’s just it.

From noble mtl dot come

If they want to pay for their sins, they will pay.

Otherwise, I just focus on leading this country like this. That is my mission as emperor.

“The Archduke said that before he left. There is a high possibility that a resolution will be reached tonight. So please let me know this fact by tomorrow at the latest.”

“The people will be in great confusion. Are you really okay with this?”

“I guess so. But wouldn’t that be the right choice?”

Even if chaos breaks out, it will only be a fever for growth.

And this was just the result of Bartheus asking the opinions of all his children, including his wife.

No one was afraid to publicize this fact, saying that it was their responsibility as a member of the royal family.

‘If we are no longer the royal family, the only place to take over is the Robeheim family.’

Justification is enough.

They are also rare heroes who defeated evil enemies, and they reigned as the rulers of the North for a long time, accumulating a lot of benevolence and public support.

With a certain measure in place, Bartheus felt that the burden on his mind was lighter.

Now all we have to do is defeat that man and hope that they return safely.

Change will come soon.