NOVEL NEXT WORLD Chapter 74
Episode 74: The Annexation of Gildoruk (Part 1)
The news of the diplomatic relations established between Galvate and Zabeiru, following the meeting between Lord Giorg and King Jilvol, spread like wildfire among neighboring countries.
(My brother has been abandoned…)
This was Sosua’s first thought upon hearing the news of the diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Galvate had Crown Prince Demitul. If her brother Demitul had been conducting operations in Galvate and they had been effective, Galvate would not have moved to establish diplomatic relations with Zabeiru.
(…Brother Demitul has probably been executed… No, he might already be dead.)
Thinking this, Sosua’s heart grew heavy. Despite her brother’s recklessness, their relationship wasn’t so bad that she wished for his death.
“W-w-what is the meaning of this?!”
Reos Markein’s voice was clearly flustered as he shouted. The panic in Reos’s voice was evident, and it was clear that others were also thrown into disarray.
Some, however, remained unfazed by the news of the diplomatic ties. Naturally, Ryoshua and the other operatives from Zabeiru maintained a cool demeanor. Though their expressions were serious, there was no sense of despair or fear, suggesting they weren’t feeling any immediate danger to their lives.
(Hmm, what should I do… The competent ones are our enemies, and the incompetent ones have no loyalty… The more I think about it, the more hopeless it seems.)
The more Sosua thought about her situation, the more despairing it became.
(Maybe it would be better to just submit… But if I do that, I’d be abandoning everyone gathered here… Even if they have no loyalty, they are still the people of Gildoruk… I can’t just abandon them…)
Thinking this, Sosua felt exhausted by her own thoughts. To her, the intentions of those like Reos who had gathered around her were transparent. They weren’t there to help her or out of loyalty to the Gildoruk Royal Family or its people—they were simply there to gain power for themselves.
Even though Sosua knew this, she couldn’t bring herself to abandon those who had gathered around her. In a way, this showed her strong sense of duty as a member of the Royal Family.
(In any case… The possibility of allying with Galvate is gone now.)
Sosua felt like sighing as one of her survival options vanished.
“Your Majesty, this is a grave situation!! Who would have thought we wouldn’t receive support from Galvate?!”
Reos spoke to Sosua, his voice clearly shaken.
To Sosua, it was never expected that Galvate would support them. If they had intended to support her, they wouldn’t have allowed Demitul to ascend as king instead of her.
If Galvate had truly wanted to support them, they would have backed Demitul and forced Sosua’s faction to submit, thereby increasing their influence within Gildoruk.
The fact that this didn’t happen made it clear that Galvate had no intention of supporting them. Sosua had hoped that Galvate might at least offer them asylum. But with the establishment of diplomatic ties with Zabeiru, it was unlikely they would do anything to sour relations with Zabeiru.
“Do not panic!! What we must do is strengthen our own camp!! Lord Markein, gather more mercenaries. Lord Cadolken, fortify the stronghold at Cogul!”
“Y-yes, Your Majesty!”
Reos and Cadolken, having received Sosua’s orders, straightened their backs at the firmness of her tone and left with their respective factions.
(Both Markein and Cadolken are planning to betray me. I need to do something…)
Sosua could sense that time was running out for her.
Click the heart to easily show your support. (Login required.)
Support
Log in if you have an account.
Learn more about the reading experience available on Kakuyomu.