The Villain Carries the Holy Sword – Chapter 66.1

Chapter 66.1: A Journey for Spring (2)

「Article 1.

The Kingdom of Airian shall be established to protect those who suffer from the war with the elves.

Article 2.

The sovereign of the kingdom shall be limited to the Airian Royal Family. However, the sovereign may be replaced if he neglects the Northern Expedition or fails to prepare for the war with the elves.

Article 3.

Considering the existing balance of power and the upcoming war with the elves, the kingdom’s political system shall consist of two marquises and four counts, with the position of duke left vacant.

Article 4.

The Duchy of Airian shall be limited to the Northern Elf Forest. Therefore, the vacant position of duke shall be filled by the one who contributes the most to the conquest of the Northern Elf Forest.

…….

Article 44.

In the event that a title of count or higher is added, it shall be limited to a single generation for the purpose of maintaining the chain of command during wartime. However, new hereditary nobles shall be recognized if approved by the Airian Royal Family and all marquises and counts.

…….

━Excerpt from the First Draft of the Airian Charter.」

🔹🔹🔹

“That’s sudden.”

Cain reminisced about the Airian he knew from the past.

Even if it was the western frontier where news didn’t reach the continent, he would have heard at least once if a duke had appeared.

‘There wasn’t.’

That meant the Elf War hadn’t happened.

‘Then this happened because of me.’

The previous world line and the current world line differed by exactly 17.5%, and the impact must have reached Digrid, who was opening his mouth excitedly before his eyes.

“Yes, yes. As soon as I heard Marquis Ross report to His Majesty Hybolt, I left immediately!”

“…….”

Unlike Oleciren, who developed the story logically, Digrid spoke as he pleased.

Thanks to that, Cain felt a headache as the conversation went on. However, he couldn’t ignore it because of the content, so he asked the question he was curious about.

“What on earth does Marquis Ross’ report have to do with the duke?”

Digrid slapped himself on the forehead and spoke again.

“Oh, my. I’m sorry. I jumped ahead too much. It wasn’t the expedition that the marquis has been on until now, but he insisted on an elf war. In other words, a northern expedition.”

If the Elf War broke out and they took over the forest, they would make it the duke’s territory and become the first duke of Airian.

From the kingdom law to the country calling for a northern expedition, the greatest hero of this war will be appointed as a duke.

‘Does he want me to be the hero of the war?’

However, it was still a story that skipped too much in between for Cain to hear.

“…Does that make sense?”

“Why?”

“The reason why it has been limited to the Northern Expedition so far is because the power of humans and the power of elves are equal. But all of a sudden, war?”

Digrid took out several pieces of paper from his arms and showed them to Cain.

Although he didn’t know much about magic, he had never seen anything like it before.

“That Ross is said to have persuaded one of the elders of the elves! He submitted to our magic tower a technique for the barrier of the great forest, which the expeditionary army had never been able to penetrate, and this is a copy!”

Count Garick, who was listening from behind, looked at the paper Digrid was shaking.

“Is that real?”

“The kids are still researching it at the magic tower, but my gut tells me this is a real barrier formula!”

The intuition of the great mage, honed through numerous studies, could not be ignored.

As Digrid, the best mage in Airian, said so, both Garick and Cain had no choice but to agree.

“He’s bald, but when it comes to political power, he’s Heatherward. For the first time since the founding of the country, he persuaded an elder!”

Count Garick clenched his fist in awe, and Count Digrid turned and approached Count Garick and began to explain the barrier excitedly.

“Brother.”

Abel whispered to Cain in a low voice.

“As far as I know, none of the nine elders would ever side with humans, even if they died.”

Having been born and raised on the outskirts of the Northern Elf Forest, Abel knew the forest well.

“Yeah, that’s right. Maybe it’s the opposite.”

Abel’s eyes widened at Cain’s answer.

“……?”

Cain vividly remembers the ominous green aura of 〈Ross de Kaerot〉, the Knights of Marquis Ross, who were dispatched to Count Lamaring.

Therefore.

“Marquis Ross sided with the elves.”

“……!”

“I’ll have to talk to Oleciren about the details.”

Abel nodded and straightened up again.

Knock, knock.

Cain knocked on the frame of the bed, drawing the attention of the two middle-aged men who were excited about the Northern Expedition.

“Let’s say it’s all true.”

“Have you been living under a rock? You’re so suspicious!”

Digrid pouted as he looked at Cain, who was taking his claim indifferently, as if he had forgotten that he almost killed him.

“I’ve been living under a rock.”

Cain said calmly in a low voice.

“Ah…….”

Digrid’s excitement subsided and his shoulders drooped.

He couldn’t help but remember what had happened in Count Ethelred’s territory.

It seemed like he just remembered.

Cain uttered cold words that would instantly freeze their excitement.

“First of all, it’s impossible for me to become a duke. The wartime command is in the hands of the two marquises or their deputies, so what authority would they give me?”

Cain awakens the cold reality that the excitement of the Northern Expedition had obscured.

“McLoud or Ross are those kinds of people.”

Garick nodded his head.

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