The Villain Carries the Holy Sword – Chapter 127

Chapter 127: You Are My Spring (2)

Cain’s voice wasn’t loud.

Just loud enough for King Hybolt, the princesses, and the seven noble families to hear.

Hybolt let out a sound of air escaping his lips, unbefitting of a king.

“You. You noticed why I made this show, didn’t you?”

Airian’s highest title, obtainable only by the conqueror of the Northern Elf Forest.

Airian’s first duke.

Naturally, it was right for Cain to take it.

However, it wasn’t necessary for the king and all the great nobles to gather and kneel to offer it.

Cain smirked and whispered.

“How could I not know? It’s to strengthen the royal authority.”

Royal authority isn’t established by simply holding power.

Legitimacy and practicality are necessary, of course, but many other things are required, and what Hybolt used now was his own knee.

A knee bowing to Airian’s hero, the duke.

By lowering himself to the lowest position, Hybolt became a man worthy of being king.

“You’re a sharp one……”

Moreover, both princesses, who were to become Hybolt’s successors, were known to have fatal flaws.

First, Oleciren was a witch, and second, Olivia was suspected of colluding with the elves.

In this situation, the continuation of the Airian royal family was unpredictable.

Rather than the two of them, it was a cleaner and more perfect situation for Cain, who had taken care of the Northern Elf Forest and received the fervent support of the other great nobles, to ascend to the throne.

Treating such a Cain properly as a duke and stabilizing the future royal authority was also Hybolt’s aim.

“Don’t worry, I don’t covet the throne of Airian.”

Cain was quick to notice and straightened his back.

After exchanging a few words without taking the kingdom’s treasure that Hybolt was offering, Cain took a deep breath and shouted.

“I! Refuse the dukedom!”

“……!”

“W, What?”

“What is he saying?”

“Why would you refuse when you are the most deserving of Airian’s dukedom?!”

Murmurs.

The commotion gradually spread among those lined up behind the great nobles.

“You can’t!”

One of the knights from the expeditionary force.

“You are the most perfect duke!”

Two.

“At the end, we felt it. What Lord Duke Cain was willing to sacrifice!”

Three.

It didn’t matter which territory the knights were from.

Those who were connected to Cain through ‘Heart of Shadow’ when he used Dark Sky’s third verse, ‘Credo,’ knew.

Communication that couldn’t be explained in words.

Cain’s resolve, which they learned through the shadows.

His heart that wished to protect this land and peace, even if it meant burning his entire future!

‘……Well, it’s not exactly like that.’

Cain smiled bitterly to himself.

The price of ‘Credo’ was high, but hundreds of people shared the burden. As much as they shared it, they also came to know something.

“Therefore!”

Cain shouted with all his might.

The commotion that had become as loud as a marketplace was instantly silenced.

Crackle—

As Cain raised his energy, Pure White Thunderbolt naturally surged, passing between the people, and everyone’s gaze was fixed on Cain’s mouth.

“I repeat, I refuse the dukedom. It was not my achievement alone.”

“……!”

“It is our achievement. I didn’t do this by myself. What if the expeditionary force hadn’t distracted the elves at the entrance?”

“……!!”

“What if Abel Ethelred hadn’t moved with me?”

Cain pointed out one by one.

The eleven previous northern expeditions.

The knights’ preparation and supplies.

The help of the two princesses.

Marquis McLoud’s participation in the war.

And not only that, the laying of railroads, the development of rivers, all of Airian’s history accumulated by humanity had led to this result.

Therefore, Cain said.

“The dukedom belongs not only to me, but to all of Airian.”

Whoosh—

A warm spring breeze blew.

The overwhelming silence that had fallen upon Cain’s words began to melt away like snow, and

“Waaaaaaaaaah—!”

“Lord Duke Cain!”

“You’re the best!”

The greatest cheers in Airian’s history, perhaps ever, erupted.

And it wasn’t just the ignorant populace shouting, but the best knights of Airian shedding tears and shouting, which sent chills down the spines of the great nobles.

“Now, try to persuade me.”

Cain passed the next move to Hybolt.

Cain’s show to build up his image and perfectly secure the royal family’s position.

Hybolt rose from his seat, bursting with admiration.

And he turned around and spoke into the loudspeaker.

“We will persuade Cain! Before that, is there anyone who opposes the bestowal of the dukedom?!”

As if anyone would dare to refuse even if they opposed it, but it was a show for them to see.

“There is none!!”

Those who had become half-crazed like the followers of a heretical religion shouted in unison.

Even those who truly opposed it had to lower their heads under the pressure of the knights.

Count Bradley, who had no prior acquaintance with Cain, watched the situation with a sour look on his face, and Marquis McLoud, who was supposed to support Olivia from the other side of Cain, smiled bitterly.

“He’s really going to be a duke……”

Meanwhile, Count Digrid Wareham, who was holding his hands together and shedding tears.

“Oh, that rascal.”

And Count Garick Crowl, who was wiping away Count Wareham’s tears with a handkerchief.

“So, does that mean Abel will become the Count of Ethelred?”

Even Count Lamaring, who was curious about how the situation in the neighboring territory would change.

The end of the Great Airian War concluded with a spectacular show.

🔹🔹🔹

Someone once said that the end of war is the distribution of rewards.

In front of the ‘Deep Forest,’ several tents were set up on the wide meadow.

Inside the largest tent were the great nobles, Cain, the king, the two princesses, and the Saintess.

Hybolt sat at the head of the table, with Oleciren and Olivia on either side of him.

And as if naturally dividing themselves into their respective sides.

On the side of the First Princess Oleciren sat Cain, Lamaring, Crowl, and Count Wareham.

On the side of the Second Princess Olivia sat the Saintess, Marquis McLoud, and Count Bradley.

Hybolt glanced around at the composition and smiled wryly.

“Ross’s absence is certainly felt.”

No matter how great the Saintess was, she was still an outsider to the kingdom, while Cain was a rising hero.

Unlike before, when Oleciren had been overwhelmingly defeated, now her side had become stronger. The biggest reason for this was Marquis Ross’s death.

“You killed him too easily.”

Cain said, staring at the empty seat on Olivia’s side.

“The situation called for it, but he escaped too easily through death.”

Murderous intent seeped between his words. Count Bradley, who had been listening quietly, frowned and said.

“You, just because you’re hailed as a hero, you think you can speak without respect? Lord Marquis Ross is not someone you can judge like that!”

An attempt to seize the initiative by any means.

Marquis McLoud rubbed his forehead. If their opponent had been an ordinary swordsman, it would have been an effective remark, but…

“Ah, it’s nice to meet you. Lord Count Bradley.”

Their opponent was Cain.

A guy who was better at using his tongue than his sword.

“So, did you join hands with the elves?”

Bang—!

Count Bradley had no dealings with the Ethelred territory.

If Ethelred was located in the southeast of Airian, facing the continent, Count Bradley’s territory was located in the southwest, reachable only after crossing three other territories.

As befitting the largest producer of wheat in Airian, Count Bradley was a simple man.

“You dare say such a thing!”

“If not.”

Saaaaa—

Cain’s killing intent focused on him. Bradley felt as if his breath had been stolen for a moment.

Just because he was seventeen didn’t mean he was just good with a sword like his father. Those violet eyes held a chill that went beyond that.

“Why are you defending Marquis Ross?”

“How dare you speak so rudely……”

Thump—

Count Bradley suddenly fell to his knees.

[‘Winter’ says it hates the sight of that man.]

‘Winter’ added its power to Cain’s will, crushing him.

Bradley was speechless, his knees buckling under the sheer pressure of Cain’s gaze.

“Rude? Depending on your answer, I might just take your head right here.”

“……”

“How can I forgive you if you joined hands with the elves, the archenemies of Airian? Marquis Ross died by my hand for that reason, so I’ll have to deal with you as well.”

Count Bradley desperately reached out to McLoud, who was sitting next to him.

“Lord Marquis!”

He stammered.

He couldn’t handle this situation on his own, even for the sake of appearances.

Moreover, he himself had been connected to Cain at that time.

If Cain was going this far, it was difficult to take an opposing stance.

“Count Bradley was in a hurry to get here and is unaware of the situation. I apologize on his behalf.”

It was Olivia.

She rose from her seat and dispersed Cain’s killing intent.

Swoosh—

The violet eyes that shifted slightly to look at her were too sharp, but she had to do it.

Count Bradley, freed from Cain’s killing intent, was sending her a look of fervent loyalty.

“Young Master Cain.”

She couldn’t let Cain take control of the entire situation.

“Hoo.”

Cain was practically being acknowledged as a duke.

Olivia addressed Cain as ‘Young Master,’ refusing to acknowledge his authority.

She had cast aside the mask she always wore.

It was a mask that hid her golden eyes, different from the traditional gray of the Airian royal family, but…

She didn’t need it anymore.

It was already known, and Oleciren’s eyes, which had once been a clear gray, had turned pitch black.

“You may be great, but you still don’t have a title and are nothing more than Count Edmund’s son, are you not?”

Olivia’s first move.

“You want me to overlook someone suspected of colluding with the elves?”

Cain’s counterattack.

“It’s just a suspicion. And Count Bradley provided a great deal of support for this expedition. His past proves his innocence.”

Olivia’s defense.

“Well, you’re not free from the suspicion of collusion with the elves either.”

Cain’s finishing blow.

“……”

How many blades were hidden in their four exchanges?

Count Crowl just swallowed nervously, watching them alternately, while Lamaring and Count Wareham cringed so as not to catch their eyes.

They instinctively realized that this was not their place to interfere.

“Do you have any proof?”

Olivia asked confidently.

And Cain pointed at himself.

“I have a witness.”

“You could be lying to put Oleciren on the throne.”

“You’re saying it’s not right for me to accuse you of your crimes because I’m not neutral?”

“Yes.”

“Then do you have any proof that you didn’t do it? Proof of your innocence that will dispel my doubts.”

Olivia slowly sat down.

And with an elegant gesture, she placed her hand on her chest.

“I have no proof, but I can prove it.”

“……?”

“Marry me. Then you will know everything.”

“……!”

Hybolt opened his mouth, and those who were listening turned to look at Olivia with their eyes wide open.

Thud━.

Cain tapped the desk with his finger as if it was good.

She continued speaking.

“What’s the point of proving your innocence with a hundred words? I’ll prove it in due time.”

As soon as Cain came to from the mental confusion during the war, he recalled the figure of Olivia, who had acted like his wife or whatever.

[‘Winter’ says it can unleash lightning at any time.]

Crackle—

As if to warn her again, pure white lightning flickered in Cain’s right hand, and even Hybolt flinched.

At that moment.

Crash—!

The ceiling of the tent was ripped open.

The clear night sky came into view, and the twinkling stars twinkled.

Thud—

A man landed on the table where the royal family and the great nobles were facing each other, breaking through the ceiling.

“This pointless talk is dragging on too long. We don’t have time, explanations can wait. Cain.”

Edmund reached out his hand to Cain.

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