Chapter 72

72. Disrupted Plans

“What does that mean?”

“The poor have taken over the site of the old slum and are staging a protest. They claim…… that Your Majesty, the Emperor, got rid of the slums and made it to the Velido Fields…….”

“……!”

Elkius’s face went white. The chamberlain’s words stunned everyone, as if cold water had been thrown over them.

“The slums have become the Velido Fields? Tell me more!”

“That’s all I heard.”

The chamberlain replied thoughtfully to the Duke of Lephisto’s question.

He fumbled for an excuse, claiming not to know the details. But it was clear that the situation was urgent enough to warrant rushing to the Emperor during the council meeting.

After some deliberation, Callion made the first move.

“I think we should get the details of the situation first. Are they on their way to the capital?”

“I don’t think so.”

“In that case, instruct the soldiers to guard the palace firmly and report to His Majesty as soon as new information comes in.”

“Yes.”

The chamberlain hurried off with the order. Callion quickly gave his next instructions.

“It would be best for all of you to remain in the palace until the disturbance is settled. Do not act hastily until the situation is understood. I will go and find out what is happening.”

“It’s dangerous, Duke.”

Duke Howard urged Callion. “We don’t know their numbers, but they can’t be small enough to carry the news.

There is no guarantee that the fury of those whose lives have been stolen from them will overshadow the man. But he did not hesitate.

“I’m fine with it. The Duke will see to it that everyone stays put, as confidential sources are crucial in times of emergency.”

“Understood.”

Duke Howard bowed to Callion as he left the conference room, glancing sideways at Elkius.

With that, the initiative shifted to Callion.

If the Emperor had any sense, he should have followed him out. Or he should have declared an immediate state of emergency and ordered the captain of the Imperial Knights to come and assess the situation.

By doing neither, Elkius relinquished his authority

Moreover, now that it has been revealed why the Emperor was so adamant about dismissing Velido’s investigation, the criticism will only grow when the dust settles.

‘Opportunities might come sooner than I thought.

Duke Howard gazed discreetly at Elkius’ profile.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

Leaving the palace, Callion headed straight for the slums, where the streets were packed with people even in the late afternoon. From the way they huddled and chattered, it was clear that the rumours had already spread.

Something wasn’t right. How could such a thing happen while the guards were focused on investigating the Marquis Flanders’ incident? The timing seemed too convenient.

‘Could it be Adele?’

If it was Adele’s plan, he needed to hurry even more, before she did something even more reckless.

“Hiyah!”

The horse reared its forelegs as it neared its destination. Not far away, he could hear the shouts of the people. Callion urged his reeling horse to turn towards the sound.

“We must not forgive the Emperor for what he has done to our home!”

“That’s right, the Emperor is to blame for this!”

“Let’s go to the palace!”

The scene was chaos. The angry crowd was fierce. Torches, scythes, pitchforks, and other weapons were clustered and shouting.

Dismounting from his horse, Callion rode toward them, his sword held upside down.

“Who are you?”

The man with the pitchfork shouted, pointing the blade at him. As if that were the signal, the men with weapons rushed forward and surrounded him.

“Who are you? Do you want to die?”

“Don’t come any closer! If you don’t put down that sword, I won’t stay still!”

The man wielding the sickle trembled. He wasn’t experienced in fighting, despite his size.

The others were the same. The gathering was large, but mostly women, old men, and children, who could be easily subdued if they set their minds to it.

Callion spoke up calmly.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“Shut up!”

The man shouted menacingly, his pitchfork pointed at Callion, but he didn’t bat an eye.

“No one will listen to you if you behave like this. If you have a demand, calmly…….”

“Shut up; you won’t even look at us if we don’t do this!”

The man snapped in a furious tone. Callion scanned the ruined slum grounds with a sinking feeling. There were over a hundred houses and nothing but grass.

Who wouldn’t be outraged to see their homes trampled underfoot for the pleasure of the nobility?

“Speak what you want. I will convey it to His Majesty.”

“Who are you!”

“I am…”

“The Duke of Tiflis?”

Someone recognised Callion and raised their voice. The crowd began to stir.

“The Duke of Tiflis?”

“The one Cardinal Samuel was talking about?”

“Put down your weapons!”

The mood, which had been so ghastly just moments before, had changed in an instant.

Samuel Dorfman’s name was well known, for he had visited the slums from time to time, and had praised the Duke of Tiflis. The old woman in the back stepped forward and knelt.

“Forgive our rudeness, Your Grace.”

“Do you know me?”

“We saw you on the way to the capital, Your Grace.”

“I see.”

It seemed like he had encountered someone begging for alms while on his way to the capital. Besides the old woman, there were several others who had received help from him.

“Help us, sir, help us! We’ll all die if we go on like this.”

“Dozens of people froze to death last winter alone. Please give us a place to live!”

A woman carrying a child wailed that she had starved her child for days because her milk wouldn’t come in. The old woman, who looked close to death, said she had frostbite from being homeless all winter because she had nowhere to sleep.

Complaints seemed endless. Callion listened to their words with a heavy heart.

It seemed to him that their greatest problem was that they had been able to live on the capital, doing odd jobs and earning a living, until the slums were torn down, and now they were homeless, evicted, and unable to find work.

“I shall petition His Majesty for permission to enter the capital.”

“If he would grant it, he wouldn’t have kicked us out in the first place!”

The man with the pitchfork raised his voice.

“His Majesty will not know the depths of your situation, so I will tell him well.”

“And how can I trust your word?”

“I promise you in my honour.”

Doubtful eyes turned to him.

“Are you sure you can keep your word?”

“I said on my honour. Trust me.”

Callion spoke firmly. The wary man replied in a softer tone.

“Very well, then, you must fulfil your promise to ……..”

“Don’t miss a single one!”

“……!”

Dozens of soldiers surrounded the Velido field.

⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜ ⚜

The capital was as bright as day in the middle of the night. Even the Duke’s residence, which had been put on alert hours earlier, was brightly lit.

Adelaide stood at the window, watching the knights scurrying about with torches, and turned at the knock at the door.

“You haven’t slept, Your Grace.”

“With all this noise, how could I sleep? And what about His Grace?”

“We haven’t been able to reach him yet.”

Lucid sighed, having travelled to the palace and back in vain at the news of the change of heart. Adelaide sat back in her seat, as if she’d expected it.

“If he’s not at the palace, he must have gone to the slums.”

“I suppose so, but…….”

Lucid said, plopping down across from me.

“I don’t see how it’s possible that there’s a Velido field in the middle of the capital.”

“They must have planned it knowing that no one would approach the demolished slum site. Quite clever, I must say.”

Lucid looked at her suspiciously.

“You don’t sound very surprised.”

“…….”

“Is this your doing, my lady?”

Adelaide avoided answering and changed the subject.

“Please ask Duke Lephisto to amplify this matter as much as possible. The nobles involved with Velido will desperately try to cover up the incident, so the Duke must step forward.”

“I see, and thanks to you, I get to see my father quite often.”

“It’s good to have a father-son relationship.”

She replied casually. Lucid was convinced that Adelaide was the mastermind behind this.

“By the way, I’m concerned for His Grace’s safety.”

“They’re after the Emperor, not him, so he’ll be fine.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but he’s a reckless man…….”

Lucid snapped.

“If you’re so worried, you should go to the temple.”

“Are you suggesting I pray for His Grace’s safe return?”

“Take Cardinal Samuel to the slums and bring him back. Cardinal Samuel is familiar with the poor, so he’ll let him go.”

“Ah…… that’s what you’re talking about.”

Lucid replied with a drained expression. Although there was little chance that Callion would be detained by the poor, Adelaide’s preparedness for any potential danger was commendable.

‘So that’s why she’s so relaxed.’

Somehow, the person who fretted over anything involving Callion seemed so calm.

Shaking off his worries, Lucid stood up.

“I’ll go to the temple then.”

“Take care.”

Lucid bowed curtly and left the room, Adelaide following leisurely after him.

When Callion returned, she thought she would rally the nobles to lodge a petition.

“My lady, something terrible has happened!”

Margaret rushed into the room.

“What’s the matter?”

“His Grace is currently in a standoff with the guards!”

“What?”