Chapter 65
“It’s finally happening.”
“Yeah.”
Garom and Miyum exchanged determined words, while Lukult watched from the side with a sly grin.
(Hehehe, Zabeiru can only muster half the troops of Flastarl. As expected. They have to keep an eye on Sosua’s forces too. After all, they’re just one faction.)
Lukult was enjoying the current situation in his mind. Or, more accurately, he was reveling in his delusions of victory.
(How should I have Jilvol, Hector, and Yuan killed? Ah, I’ll slaughter the people in front of those traitors, make them understand their helplessness, then cut off their limbs and crush their faces.)
Lukult’s mind was filled with visions of the Zabeiru family’s gruesome end. His expression twisted grotesquely. Despite his handsome features, his smile, which should have been charming, now radiated an unsettling aura.
(And… the Flastarl Empire is foolish too. They’re just puppets dancing in my palm. Once I become king, I’ll destroy the Flastarl Empire as well.)
Lukult grew more and more confident as things seemed to be going his way.
“Maybe I should just conquer Galvate while I’m at it.”
“Huh? Did you say something?”
Garom asked in response to Lukult’s muttering.
“After we destroy Zabeiru and rebuild the Gildolq Kingdom.”
“Did you just say Galvate…?”
“Yes, that’s right. Once I become king, I plan to take control of Galvate.”
“What do you mean? Why Galvate all of a sudden?”
Both Garom and Miyum tilted their heads in confusion. They had no idea why Lukult suddenly brought up Galvate.
“It’s simple. Galvate committed an unforgivable sin.”
“A sin?”
“Yes, the sin of not lifting a finger to help when my royal family was in crisis.”
Lukult’s words were utterly delusional. Galvate had its reasons for not interfering with Gildolq, but Lukult’s arrogance led him to label their inaction as evil. Garom and Miyum couldn’t help but feel contempt for his twisted logic.
“I see. Galvate is indeed unforgivable.”
“Yes, they should have bowed their heads and welcomed you, Lord Lukult.”
Their responses were laced with sarcasm, but Lukult was too self-absorbed to notice.
“My lord!!”
Sharis rushed to Lukult, followed by ten soldiers. These soldiers were mercenaries on the surface, but in reality, they were Zabeiru troops.
“What is it?”
“The battle is about to begin. My lord, it’s time for you to join the frontlines.”
“What? I have to go to the frontlines too!?”
Lukult was visibly flustered. He had assumed his role was already fulfilled just by being on the battlefield. In his mind, this battle was just a spectacle where he could watch the Zabeiru forces get slaughtered.
“Yes. We need to declare that the King of Gildolq is here…”
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Indeed.”
Sharis bowed, appearing every bit the loyal servant.
“Let’s go. Lead the way.”
“Yes.”
Sharis replied in a cold voice.
As soon as she spoke, the ten mercenaries behind her drew their swords and attacked the surrounding Flastarl soldiers.
“Gah…”
“Ugh…”
“W-what are you…?”
The Flastarl soldiers were caught off guard and quickly cut down.
“Y-you… what are you doing!?”
Before Lukult could finish, Garom and Miyum gagged him and restrained him.
(What the hell are you doing!?)
Lukult tried to scream, but with his mouth covered, no sound came out.
“Lukult, your role is over.”
Sharis’s cold voice made Lukult tremble violently. The threat to his life snapped him out of his delusions.
One of the mercenaries took a sword from a fallen Flastarl soldier and handed it to Sharis. Her intentions were clear, and Lukult couldn’t stop shaking.
Thud… thud…
As Sharis approached, Lukult’s eyes widened in terror. Intense pain shot through his sides.
(Gaaaaah!! Garom!! Miyum!! Why!?)
Lukult’s screams were silent. Fear, pain, and confusion raged within him.
“A message from Lord Jilvol.”
The name sent shockwaves through Lukult. Sharis ignored his reaction and continued.
“You will be branded as a traitor who tried to sell Gildolq to Flastarl for your own gain.”
“…!!”
“Lord Jilvol thanks you. Thanks to you selling Gildolq to Flastarl, it was easier for the people to switch sides. It’s all thanks to you.”
Sharis’s mocking tone filled Lukult with despair.
“What’s with that look of despair? You should have known you were just a pawn sent to Flastarl.”
“We were shocked when you offered to cede the old Duchy of Garsmice to Flastarl.”
Garom and Miyum’s cold words made Lukult tremble even more.
Slash… thud…
As the blade was pulled out, Lukult collapsed. He no longer had the strength to scream.
“H-help… me…”
Lukult barely managed to whisper. His voice was so weak it seemed to signal the end of his life.
“Originally, you were supposed to be captured and executed in Zabeiru after inviting Flastarl in. Even if you didn’t die here, the outcome wouldn’t change.”
“T-that’s…”
“Well, you’ve worked hard. Lukult… rest in peace.”
Sharis grabbed Lukult’s hair, lifted him with one hand, and without hesitation, plunged the stolen sword into his abdomen.
“Gah… ah…”
Sharis pulled out the sword, and Lukult collapsed once more.
“Now then… bring that guy over here.”
Following Sharis’s orders, the Zabeiru soldiers disguised as mercenaries brought over a dead Flastarl soldier. Sharis placed the sword that had pierced Lukult into the soldier’s hand. It was a crude setup, but as long as it fooled the Flastarl army until the battle with Zabeiru, it didn’t matter.
“Lukult is dead.”
“Yeah.”
Miyum checked Lukult’s breathing and pulse before answering Garom’s question.
“Now for the finishing touch.”
Everyone nodded at Garom’s words, then shouted in unison.
“Lord Lukult has been killed!!”
“This is terrible!! Lord Lukult has been killed!!”
“Lord Lukuuuuult!!”
News of Lukult’s death spread through the Flastarl army, causing chaos.
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