Chapter 51: Lay and Wait
The Duke arrived at the Royal Palace and headed straight toward the throne room.
Upon entering, the Duke was surprised to sense multiple King Realm experts within the room. However, he still walked inside, for he already knew what was to come.
He had come here not to fight or argue, but to plead.
According to what he and the elders had discussed, he would plead for mercy and volunteer for the Duke Family to lead the battle against the Javo race. They could also compromise by offering some valuable territories for the Church to build upon.
Finally, the Duke would offer to personally guard the border towns for a decade as punishment.
All of this represented the maximum the Duke Family could offer, all in the hope that somehow, it would be enough.
That it would be enough to atone for the Duke’s actions.
But could it really be enough?
Click!
The Duke entered the room.
Just as he had sensed, several King Realm experts were waiting for him while an aged man sat on the throne.
"Your Majesty."
The Duke greeted him with a smile.
"Kneel."
The King uttered a single word.
The Duke froze.
What now?
He wasn’t like the other nobles.
He was the Duke—the kingdom’s strongest military authority and the King’s right hand.
He and the King had fought together on the battlefield during their younger days, and ever since he became the Duke, he had never once bowed to the King.
It was a privilege granted to him as Duke and a recognition of his contributions and abilities.
So why now?
Why was he being ordered to kneel?
"Your Majesty, I’m sorry, but I can’t do that."
The Duke remained calm as he spoke.
The instant he said those words, the surrounding guards closed in.
Spears and swords were pointed directly at him.
The Duke’s expression changed.
"Your Majesty, I just lost my eldest son and—"
"Does that give you the right to destroy the treaty?"
The King cut him off, his expression cold.
"Not only did you break the treaty, but you attacked seven Supreme Realm experts of the Javo race. What were you thinking?"
The King continued.
"Let’s even leave aside the fact that they could ask for help from the main hive on the Central Continent. We’re already walking on thin ice because of the Abyssal forces. No one knows when they will attack."
"This was the worst possible time to start a war."
The Duke lowered his head.
"I take full accountability for my actions. I apologize, and I’m ready to lead the Duke Family at the forefront of the war. We will also provide all the necessary battle equipment and resources."
"I will personally stand guard over Conjol City after the war—"
"It has already been decided that your Duke Family will lead the war."
The King interrupted him again.
"It is not a matter where your opinion is needed."
"As for standing guard, Grand General Ren is more than capable."
The King paused.
"The Javo race has already begun its counterattack. Conjol City has held strong, but the other cities along the borders weren’t so lucky."
"Duke Nebrim, you are hereby convicted of the mass murder of two million lives, including the destruction of five Stage 1 cities and the deaths of more than five hundred thousand children."
"You have caused the worst loss of life in our kingdom’s history."
"Well done."
Bang!
The Duke’s knees slammed into the ground.
The King signaled the guards, who immediately stepped forward and chained the Duke.
"You shall be prosecuted publicly in seven days. Your punishment could range from imprisonment to death."
"Take him away."
The King ordered.
The guards immediately moved in and escorted the Duke away.
At that moment, Nebrim felt as though the voices around him were fading.
His eyes lost focus.
What had he done?
---
The moment the Duke left, the King smiled.
How refreshing.
The Javo counterattack had come much sooner than he expected.
That could only mean they had called for reinforcements from other hives.
And now, five cities had fallen.
All of it could be blamed on Nebrim.
After all, if the Duke hadn’t broken the treaty, none of this would have happened.
The Duke had provoked the Javos.
And now the Destal Kingdom had to pay the price.
It was a massive crime.
But once again...
This was the Duke.
This alone wouldn’t be enough to execute him.
He still possessed the Immunity Token.
The King knew exactly what it did.
Regardless of the crime committed, the Duke could not be executed while possessing the token.
It had been granted to the Duke Family when the Destal Kingdom was first established and had been passed down from one Duke to another throughout the kingdom’s long history.
But that was fine.
Even if Nebrim brought out the token, it would be useless.
After all, the true goal wasn’t simply to execute him.
It was to force the Duke Family to surrender its position and, with it, its influence.
The moment that happened, the Duke Family’s influence would be severely weakened.
And Tayin’s death had been the perfect development.
With him gone, the Duke Family’s control over the military had already been weakened.
After all, Tayin had been a general.
For the next seven days, the Royal Family would dig up as many dirty secrets about the Duke Family as possible.
The more evidence they found, the better.
By the seventh day, with enough proof of their crimes and misconduct, they could officially strip the Duke Family of their position as Dukes.
Once they were stripped of their title, the Immunity Token would become useless.
After all, it had been granted specifically to the Duke.
Once they were no longer Dukes...
They would no longer have its protection.
And then Nebrim could be killed.
His entire family could be dealt with.
The power of the King and Royal Family would be stabilized once more.
And this time, they would make sure no noble family ever grew beyond their control again.
"Now, all I have to do is wait for the Church’s army."
The King couldn’t help but smile as he leaned more comfortably against his throne.
Everything was going according to plan.
The Duke Family would be removed.
The Church would replace them.
And unlike the Duke Family, the Church didn’t possess significant military or trade power.
That meant the Royal Family would regain almost complete control.
The only issue left was eliminating the small Javo hive on this continent once and for all.
Fortunately...
They had the Church’s help.