“Former King Gregory acknowledged this fact and even handed over control of the Grand Council.”

Duter confidently presented the document signed by King Gregory.

The high priest hurriedly read the document. It stated precisely that Grand Duchess Roanne had attempted to assassinate Grand Duke Duter, and as an apology, the authority of the Grand Council was transferred to him.

Even the Papal Office couldn’t pretend that what happened didn’t happen.

Moreover, what could the Papal Office do about something that even the deceased former king had acknowledged?

The high priest couldn’t help but be horrified after reading the document.

Even the Papal Office had limits to how much it could interfere in a country’s affairs. He had thought he might find fault with the invasion, but with the reason being an assassination attempt, even that was difficult.

The high priest, seemingly unable to continue discussing the invasion, changed his approach.

“How can you claim succession rights when the Crown Prince of Ptotr is still alive?”

At the high priest’s words, Duter handed him the thick document with the elders’ seals, as if he had been waiting for this question.

“This is…!”

The high priest read the document and opened his eyes wide in surprise.

“And if you look at the next page, you’ll see I’ve also obtained approval for stationing Grand Duchy troops in Ptotr.”

This should leave him speechless.

“If you need any more documents, just say so.”

Faced with Duter’s confident attitude, the high priest could only helplessly read through the papers.

Regardless of how it happened, as long as Duter was married to Roanne Habsburg, he met the conditions to be recognized for succession rights. Even a high priest couldn’t overturn a decision made by majority vote through the Grand Council. Not even if the Pope himself came.

“…It seems we arrived too late. I will report this to His Holiness.”

“Well, do as you please.”

The high priest frowned and withdrew. He seemed to have judged that arguing with someone who had prepared so thoroughly would be futile.

Duter smiled triumphantly as he watched the high priest leave the audience chamber.

When the door closed with a thud, he burst into laughter.

“Hahaha!! What can he do? Even the Papal Office can’t intervene in every matter. Isn’t that right?”

Duter, stretching his legs out in the chair, asked his servant.

“Now the troublesome matters are truly over. Congratulations.”

“Yes. It’s finally over. To think the day would come when I hold Ptotr in my hands.”

All that remained was for the Papal Office to recognize the current situation. Once King Gregory’s funeral was held, Duter would sit on the throne of Ptotr with formal succession rights.

Of course, he would have to end the Crown Prince’s life before then.

‘Actually, it wouldn’t matter even if the Crown Prince showed up now. How could a powerless Crown Prince defeat me?’

The elders’ opinions had been gathered by majority vote, and the dissenting elders were already dead. Anyone who might support the Crown Prince would be just a few nobles, and even they were currently away at the subjugation battle, leaving him effectively powerless.

“Just in case, make sure to find the Crown Prince’s location as quickly as possible.”

“Yes, the Lonavita land army waiting at the border is moving. They’ve set up camp at the border so no one can escape Ptotr.”

“Good, you’re doing well.”

Thinking that it was finally over, he took a sip from the wine glass on the table. The wine tasted unusually sweet today.

“Wine that doesn’t usually appeal to me tastes strangely good on a day like this.”

“It’s fitting to toast to your great success, isn’t it?”

“I suppose so?”

Duter smiled and drank the rest of the wine.

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but he started to remember someone he had forgotten.

“Come to think of it.”

Although he had achieved all this by himself, there was someone who had provided information before.

‘Eve Archild.’

Her contribution deserved recognition.

Although her methods didn’t particularly align with Duter’s, she had clearly provided information and created an opportunity to place Ptotr under his feet.

“As someone who will become the King of Ptotr, it would be wrong not to acknowledge her contribution.”

After briefly contemplating while swirling his wine glass, Duter seemed to reach a conclusion and said to his servant.

“Go to the Archild mansion now and summon her.”

“Yes, understood.”

The servant bowed deeply and left the audience chamber.

11. Counterattack (1)

Eve went to the room where Glishakov and Juliana were staying.

Regardless of how they would receive it, she needed to convey the information she had learned and persuade them to take action.

When Eve said it would be a long conversation, Glishakov entrusted Juliana to Marie.

Eve faced him with a troubled expression.

Sensing that today’s conversation would not be easy, Glishakov did not rush Eve. He waited patiently for her to organize her thoughts and gather her courage to speak.

A long silence fell between the two.

Eve finally parted her reluctant lips and spoke.

“…His Majesty the King has passed away.”

Lacking the courage to meet his gaze, Eve couldn’t raise her head.

“……”

Glishakov said nothing. When Eve slowly raised her head to look at him, their eyes met, his blue eyes trembling.

“The cause of death…”

“Grand Duke Duter invaded. The royal palace is currently under the control of the Lonavita army. Not only that, but Duter has gathered the elders and is obtaining approval for succession rights to the throne. You must be shocked by this sudden news; please understand that I had no choice but to tell you this.”

His face turned pale.

“How could this…”

“You need to return to the royal palace now, Your Highness.”

Sadly, he had no time to grieve over the news of his father’s death.

He was in a situation where he had to immediately fight against Grand Duke Duter, who had invaded the country and was attempting to usurp the throne.

His eyes, which had been staring into space, focused on Eve.

“The Duchess… you knew about all this and were preparing for it.”

“…It was the only way to save the country.”

She felt deeply sorry that she couldn’t tell him everything in this situation.

“…I have many questions, but now is not the time. Yes, as you say, I must return.”

Glishakov chose to save the country first rather than understanding the situation. He seemed somewhat angry, but Eve intended to discuss the alternatives she had thought of rather than comfort him.

Just then, there was a knock on the door.

She had instructed that no one should enter while they were in this room.

Thinking it must be urgent, Eve opened the door herself to hear what the maid had to say.

“My lady, I apologize for interrupting, but an envoy from Grand Duke Duter has arrived.”

Eve was startled by the sudden visitor to the mansion.

“Who did you say?”

“An envoy who has come to deliver a message from Grand Duke Duter.”

A visit from the Grand Duke’s servant at this time!

It was strange that he would visit here when he should be busy dealing with the Papal Office. Either he was trying to find fault with Archild or he already had.

Eve began to worry whether Airix’s espionage at the royal palace had been discovered, or if they had found out that she was protecting Glishakov and Juliana.

“Did… he say why he came?”

“Yes, he said that Grand Duke Duter requests to see you. He will be waiting at the royal palace and hopes you will come as soon as possible…”

Oh no…

Once anxiety began to sprout, it grew uncontrollably.

The reason for summoning her to the royal palace now was likely not good.

Eve pressed her lower lip with her teeth.

After contemplating for a moment, Eve regained her composure. This was going to happen anyway. She had been planning to go to the royal palace with Glishakov.

‘This might be for the best.’

Eve told the maid to relay that she would “depart for the royal palace immediately” and closed the door.

Glishakov, who had witnessed everything from behind, asked.

“Will the Duchess go as well?”

“Yes, I was planning to go together anyway, but now it’s come to this.”

“You were planning to go to the royal palace together originally?”

Eve looked at him as if it were obvious and explained.

“The royal palace is no longer Ptotr’s. With the majority of elders having stamped their seals, nothing will change even if you, not yet the King, go there. But I have a card that can defeat the Grand Duke. That’s why I must go too.”

Glishakov looked at her with surprised eyes.

“Just who are you…”

He swallowed the rest of his words.

“This is not the time. Let’s depart right away.”

“…Alright. But I have one request before that.”

“Please speak.”

“Can you continue to protect Juliana here as you have been?”

She could sense his desire to keep his young sister out of the fierce battle.

Eve looked at Juliana, who was reading a book and having refreshments with Marie.

“I can’t promise perfect protection, but this is the safest place for now, so yes.”

“Thank you.”

Eve left a message with Marie to take care of Juliana and left the room with him.

Glishakov had come to the Archild territory in such a hurry that he hadn’t brought a scroll. Eve had also tried to borrow a scroll from Duke Archild, but upon hearing that all extras had been used, she asked Hans to prepare a carriage.

On horseback, they could reach the royal palace in half a day, but Eve had only ridden a horse for about two hours with Medric.

Moreover, with Glishakov present, they had no choice but to take a carriage, even if it would take a bit longer.

Eve boarded the carriage, escorted by Glishakov who had pulled his hood down low.

Only after he too had boarded the carriage could he remove his hood.

The two departed for the royal palace in silence, gazing at the familiar scenery outside the window.

His expression was more complex than sad, lost in thought.

Knowing that no words could comfort him, she couldn’t readily speak to him.

The bumpy carriage was quiet.

After some time had passed.

He was the first to slowly open his mouth.

“Do you remember what I wrote in the letter I sent you before? That while I respect His Majesty who leads Ptotr, I regret that recently His Majesty hasn’t been taking care of the people.”

“…I remember. You wrote that he was focused only on military power and that the people didn’t look happy.”

Through their correspondence, Eve had learned that he was frugal and loved his people.

Glishakov answered with a faint smile.

“That’s right. I had no place to vent my frustration, so I told you about it. Actually, there was a major incident at that time.”

“A major incident?”

“Yes.”

He clasped his folded hands together and continued.

“You know about the plague that spread to Arante village after moving south from the Lonavita Grand Duchy?”

“Yes. I didn’t see it myself, but I heard the village was in a terrible state.”

“…Arante village ended up that way because Ptotr abandoned it.”