A Barbaric Proposal Chapter 48

※Conspiracy※

[Liene] "Ah, I must have misheard. There’s no need to come in."

[Tiwakan] "I will stay by your side, if you wish. This room seems just right for sword practice."

The Tiwakan style of speaking, regardless of time or place, always made her smile, and she found it rather inconvenient.

She shook her head, a faint smile on her face.

[Liene] "I'll call you when I want to watch sword practice."

[Tiwakan] "Understood. Please do. I will be on standby right outside."

The clatter of the sword continued to echo until the Tiwakan exited the Audience Hall.

[Ellaroyden] "What kind of tyranny is this...!"

Just as Ellaroyden could not hold back and was about to shout, the other noble restrained him.

[Noble] "He is still outside. If you must speak, at least lower your voice."

[Ellaroyden] "Tsk...! Where is Lord Kleinfelter? Surely he hasn't been beheaded already?"

Ellaroyden looked back at Liene and clicked his tongue.

The posture of the two nobles had changed slightly, but their fundamental attitude toward Liene had not.

That was understandable. Both families had brought a substantial number of private soldiers with them.

Though they were not allowed inside the Audience Hall, they were waiting in the closest spot permitted by etiquette.

This, too, was based on the Risebury Treaty. That was why they had been able to shout whatever they pleased in front of her until now.

But today, she was different.

Today, she could point out their rudeness without worrying about repercussions, all thanks to the Tiwakan standing firmly outside the door.

Even while she still suspected Black, she was the one benefiting not only from the comfort of his presence but also from the practical advantage it offered.

The thought that she was being contradictory and selfish kept resurfacing.

[Liene] "It seems I was late in informing you, Elders, that propriety must be observed today. Royal etiquette has become stricter since the Tiwakan became the sworn knights of the Arsak family. Please be aware that things are different now. And Kleinfelter's neck is still firmly attached."

[Other Noble] "Hmph... That is as it should be."

Only then did the Elders glance furtively behind them.

[Liene] "Now, state the business for which you requested an audience. As I said, I am unwell and do not intend to sit here for long. If it's about convening the Grand Council Assembly, the date hasn't even been set, so why are you here?"

[Ellaroyden] "The convening of the Grand Council Assembly must first be discussed with the Chairman."

She let out a small laugh.

[Liene] "The two of you, Elders, are talking nonsense. You must have truly aged. Surely you know what the item on the agenda for the Assembly is."

[Other Noble] "We cannot trust that item in the first place. We came to confirm that the daughter of Arsak does not have the right to hold the Chairman of Nauk's Grand Council accountable."

...They want me to release Lyndon while I'm still in a good mood.

She paused, considering how she could effectively convey that she neither needed nor could grant their demand. It was a contradictory and selfish, but enjoyable, dilemma.

[Liene] "Is that because of the Risebury Treaty?"

[Other Noble] "That is correct."

[Liene] "Well, isn't that why I intend to convene the Assembly? To hand down the appropriate punishment to the Chairman. Don't worry about the rest. I have more than enough evidence."

Ellaroyden frowned, his gray eyebrows contracting unpleasantly.

As she recalled, he was a man like half of Lyndon: greedy, stubborn, and filled with family pride to the bone. Thus, his actions were only about half as rude and unscrupulous.

[Ellaroyden] "In that case, the Elders will refuse to convene the Grand Council Assembly."

She had anticipated this refusal even before summoning Arland.

[Liene] "Ah, well then, there's no help for it. Very well. We will proceed as if there is no Assembly."

The Elders looked visibly startled when Liene acquiesced so readily.

[Ellaroyden] "Then Lord Kleinfelter must be immediately—"

[Liene] "Since there is no way to immediately prove Kleinfelter's guilt, we have no choice but to keep him in prison. What can I do? Even if I wished to clarify the right and wrong and release him, if the Elders are against it, I have no alternative. I am truly regretful, both of you. I will faithfully convey your intentions to Kleinfelter, who is languishing in the dungeon."

[Ellaroyden] "Princess!"

He burst out in anger.

[Ellaroyden] "Are you calling that talk?"

[Liene] "Just as you have the right to refuse the Assembly, the bloodline of Arsak has the right to convene it. I have done my utmost to respect the Risebury Treaty. What, then, is the reason I must endure your pointing fingers?"

[Ellaroyden] "Where is the respect in your actions now!"

[Liene] "The respect is in the fact that Kleinfelter's neck is still attached. He committed acts for which it would not be strange if his head were severed the moment the Tiwakan's commander discovered them."

[Noble] "..."

[Ellaroyden] "...!"

That statement managed to silence the two Elders, at least for a moment.

[Liene] "Then I will take it that there will be no Assembly. Now that your business is concluded, you may all leave."

Liene waved her hand, indicating she had no intention of listening further.

The nobles, nervously watching her, reluctantly began to speak.

[Noble] "We... we did not precisely... say such a thing. Do not deliberately distort our meaning, Princess."

[Liene] "Distort? Did you not clearly state that you would refuse to convene the Assembly?"

[Noble] "That refusal is invalid as it did not include the Chairman's intent."

At the other noble's words, Ellaroyden nodded vigorously in agreement.

[Ellaroyden] "That's right. The decision to convene the Assembly requires the consent of all Elders. Surely you know that well?"

She deliberately showed her annoyance.

[Liene] "So, what exactly are you trying to say?"

[Ellaroyden] "Before making any decision, we must meet the Chairman."

[Liene] "..."

This really had become an irritating complication. The memory that nothing good had ever happened when the six nobles put their heads together stirred up unpleasant emotions.

---

Nevertheless, since the law demanded it, she could not ultimately refuse.

Following Liene's instruction, a Tiwakan led the two nobles to the underground prison.

A rather lengthy squabble ensued because both nobles insisted they needed a large contingent of guards to enter such a dangerous place.

For that reason, the number of people heading to the dungeon became quite high.

The Tiwakan, having grown tired of the argument, told them to bring whatever guards they wanted, then brought a security detail that easily outnumbered the nobles' guards.

The nobles, upon seeing their own guards entirely enveloped by the Tiwakan, turned visibly pale.

Liene had to clench her stomach muscles to keep from laughing out loud at their predicament.

[Ellaroyden] "Oh, good heavens... such... such a thing. How can we be treated this way..."

The two nobles muttered complaints the entire way down the narrow, steep stairs.

[Tiwakan] "Hey, if you have time to chatter, walk faster. The line is backing up behind you."

Each time, a Tiwakan would scold them, the hilt of his sword clattering.

The nobles, who had never been treated this way anywhere before, were so stunned they could barely breathe.

Yet, the sound of the sword was terrifying. If the one fondling the sword was a Tiwakan, that was all the more reason.

[Ellaroyden] "I-I've never walked on a path like this before..."

[Noble] "Exactly. We feel like we might trip, so we're being c-cautious."

That was their excuse for not being able to walk faster.

[Tiwakan] "Then roll. If you roll properly, you'll be less injured than if you fall."

The two nobles desperately contained their rage. They feared that if they got angry here, these savage-like men would gladly roll them all the way down the stairs.

In fact, they weren't far from the truth. The Tiwakan were the type of people who would roll the nobles down without batting an eye, and then calmly scold them for not walking faster.

Thanks to this, their speed increased slightly.

[Tiwakan] "Ugh, what is this? Why did so many people come?"

Upon reaching the prison entrance, they were naturally met with an unpleasant greeting.

[Tiwakan] "Are you out of your minds? How are all these people supposed to move in here?"

The prison itself was wide, but the corridor was extremely narrow. This was to make escape difficult.

[Tiwakan 1] "That’s how it turned out. You think I wanted to bring them?"

[Tiwakan 2] "Not everyone can enter."

[Tiwakan 1] "Should we select a few and make the rest wait outside?"

[Tiwakan 2] "It'll be too distracting. Put them in an empty room and make them wait."

[Tiwakan 1] "Got it."

Despite their small protest, the personnel were ultimately divided.

Three private soldiers, five Tiwakan guards. Adding the two nobles, a total of ten people headed for the cell where Kleinfelter was imprisoned.

[Tiwakan] "Here it is."

The prison door, guarded by two Tiwakan, was opened.

As the cell was narrow, all ten people couldn't enter.

[Ellaroyden] "With the Chairman and two Elders gathered, this is now no different from the Grand Council Assembly. Those who are unqualified dare not enter."

As the prison door opened, Ellaroyden asserted an authority he seemed to have momentarily forgotten.

The Tiwakan did not attempt to pick a fight.

[Tiwakan] "Suit yourselves. But I will leave the window open."

He wasn't referring to a separate window, but the small opening in the cell door used to pass food.

[Ellaroyden] "What are you talking about? What good is it to leave the window open?"

[Tiwakan] "Shall we leave the door open, then?"

[Ellaroyden] "Where did you get such preposterous talk!"

[Tiwakan] "Those are the prison rules. If you don't like it, you can simply leave."

[Ellaroyden] "Nonsense! Where is such a rule written!"

[Tiwakan] "Ah, it was just established. Since the Tiwakan are now in charge of security for Nauk Castle, we figured we needed a rule like that to prevent accidents."

There was no way to know whether the mercenary's words were true or if he had just made them up on the spot.

However, the nobles knew that further arguing would be futile. Glancing at his mere three remaining private soldiers, Ellaroyden sighed.

[Ellaroyden] "We... we have no choice. Open the window."

[Tiwakan] "You were going to do it anyway. Tsk."

At the Tiwakan's nod, they opened the prison window, which was wrapped heavily in chains.

---

[Ellaroyden] "Lord Kleinfelter!"

[Noble] "What happened! The Chairman is in prison!"

Lyndon faced their horrified expressions and twitched the muscles in his face.

[Lyndon] "...So you've finally come."

At his reproachful tone—Why are you so slow?—the two nobles looked flustered, their eyes darting nervously.

Lyndon’s appearance was equally shocking. The arrogant and unrestrained Grand Noble of Nauk was now lying on the prison floor with both his hands broken.

The splints on his hands were so crude and poorly done that one would never believe a proper physician had tended to him. This was the first time they had seen Kleinfelter in such a state.

[Ellaroyden] "Why do you... speak so to us? To those who risked coming down to this dangerous place to see you?"

[Lyndon] "You had to come anyway! Don't you understand what it means for me to be locked up here? It means the Tiwakan are going to overthrow this kingdom from the ground up and swallow it whole. Do you think you will be safe then?"

Ellaroyden jumped up and pointed to the door behind him.

[Ellaroyden] "My Lord. Mind your words. The window is open."

[Lyndon] "What does it matter? It’s not like it’s not common knowledge. If you haven't considered this, then you've been carrying a stone statue shaped like a head, not an actual brain."

[Ellaroyden] "My Lord! How can you speak so? Who else do you have on your side but us?"

[Lyndon] "For those 'on my side,' you look rather lacking in sincerity. Surely you didn't come to prison empty-handed?"

[Ellaroyden] "Nonsense... why would you think that?"

But Lyndon had a plan. The presence of visitors was his only chance. He worked his mouth intently and gestured to the noble who had come with Ellaroyden.

[Lyndon] "Can't those cloudy eyes of yours see the kind of treatment I'm receiving here? I'm yearning for a single slice of well-baked bread!"

The other noble, taking his cue, approached him. He quickly put his lips to the Chairman's ear and whispered.

[Lyndon] "...Go to the... and do the... Hurry."

The noble heard the message and stared blankly with his mouth agape in surprise.

[Noble] "What...?"

[Lyndon] "If you understood, then go out and bring me something edible! Don't be so foolish and complacent! The Grand Council can only survive if I am safe!"

Lyndon bellowed, feigning anger to erase the presence of the whispered message. Ellaroyden, still clueless, flushed with confusion.

[Noble] "...Ah, I understand. It seems you're highly distressed. I will do as you say."

At his sudden obedience, Ellaroyden widened his eyes and raised his voice.

[Ellaroyden] "W-wait...? Are you leaving like this? What about the Grand Council! What about the Assembly?"

The other noble tugged at Ellaroyden, who was slightly slow-witted.

[Noble] "That is not the issue right now. It seems the Chairman is too distressed to think clearly, so let us first get him something to eat. Hey! Open the door! We are leaving now!"

The prison door opened slowly.

[Tiwakan] "Why are you leaving already? You came all this way down here."

Since the window was open, the guard must have heard everything, and this was clearly intended to needle them.

[Ellaroyden] "The-the situation has changed. Let us out immediately."

[Tiwakan] "How peculiar. I thought you were on good terms since you came to visit, but I guess not."

In any case, the door opened, and the two nobles climbed the steep stairs again, their knees shaking.

That evening, a basket of food was delivered to the underground prison from the Ellaroyden household.

Consequently, a new rule was immediately established on the spot: it was forbidden to deliver food to the prisoner in the dungeon.

The messenger from the Ellaroyden house had to return the long distance, his shoulders slumped in defeat.

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