The Lich of Glory Knight Spirit: Moving towards Krimasha!
Chapter 77 - 12: Audilet Grand Theater (2)

Chapter 77: Chapter 12: Audilet Grand Theater (2)

"Duke Fernandes invites you to attend tonight’s ball at his estate in Lion King City. Count Sanchez, Earl Durand, Count Shulz... nearly all the nobles of Lion King City will be there. The scale may even surpass the ball previously hosted by His Majesty the King."

"Duchess Tangjis invites you to this afternoon’s tea party, which should have no fewer than fifty attendees."

In the Lion King Palace, Yilin was leaning against the armrest of the sofa, sipping tea while listening to Abi Robbs’ report. She asked softly, "Has Duke Tangjis already arrived in Lion King City?"

"No, he himself has not come."

"He won’t come," said Count Gruglu, seated nearby. "He just had a fallout with the Royal Family, so it’s impossible for him to be here at this time."

"But his wife and son have come." With that, Abi Robbs glanced at Count Gruglu and said, "My Lord Count, names of both you and the Holy Knight are included in the invitation from Duke Fernandes. Additionally, Duchess Tangjis specifically invited Miss Shelley in her invitation. These two invitations are the most significant ones today. And then there are... this many others."

Abi Robbs displayed the stack of invitations in his hand. A thick pile, no fewer than thirty.

"The most influential families in all of Lion King City have sent invitations? It seems the Beishier Duchy is already at the center of the storm." Count Gruglu chuckled.

Yilin, however, said nothing, merely listening quietly.

"To be precise, not just Lion King City, but the entire Isaac Kingdom," Abi Robbs clarified. "The day after tomorrow is His Majesty’s investiture ceremony, and every family in the Isaac Kingdom has sent representatives here. Many of these invitations have conflicting schedules, all crammed into the days leading up to the investiture. However, none conflict with Duke Fernandes’ ball or Duchess Tangjis’ tea party. Furthermore... none of these gatherings have the Royal Family on their guest lists."

"Uncle Gruglu, what’s your view?" Yilin asked casually.

"Things are shifting; everyone is on edge." Count Gruglu spoke softly. "The Royal Family’s authority is at an unprecedented low, and the Allen Kingdom is showing signs of movement. This is the calm before the storm. If I weren’t sitting beside you, I too would have sent you an invitation."

"Why?"

"To see if you intend to uphold royal authority. The Royal Family no longer has the prestige to command this nation. Should the Allen Kingdom send troops... I imagine many would seize the opportunity to break free from royal control, especially families that have faced oppression by the Royal Family. After all, the majority don’t believe the Royal Family can win this war. Of course, if you and the Holy Knight were to stand with the King, the outcome could be vastly different. They want to test your stance to gauge the future landscape. In the worst-case scenario, it’s possible that the other two Dukes have already developed traitorous ambitions. If that’s the case, they may seek to draw you to their side. This way, while maintaining the integrity of the Isaac Kingdom, you could jointly carve up everything that originally belonged to the Royal Family."

"If they’re thinking that way, the King surely is too," Yilin murmured, taking a sip of her tea.

Count Gruglu sighed. "So, what’s your plan? The Beishier Duchy has never been this powerful in its history."

"Uncle Gruglu, if it were up to you, what would you do?"

"Me? Ha, that depends on what sort of outcome you want. If the goal is to depose the Royal Family, then aligning with the other two Dukes is the simplest strategy. Or, you could take a bolder risk. In the current situation, swallowing the entire Isaac Kingdom on your own isn’t out of the question. After all, with Gray at your side, neither the Allen Kingdom nor the other two Dukes would want to face off against the Holy Knight."

"But I don’t wish to do so. The King has done no wrong—at least not yet."

"Has he not?" Count Gruglu let out a dry laugh. "He originally had seven brothers; now only one remains, and even he has been banished to tend horses in the royal stables here in the Lion King Palace. If none of that counts as wrongdoing..."

"He’s also drafted plans to reduce taxes, and after his formal investiture, he intends to lessen corvée labor. He’s even promised to abolish unjust laws."

"That’s only because he has no other choice. The powerful nobles no longer support him. If the petty nobles and commoners fail to support him as well, his throne could be toppled at any moment. Anyone in his position would do the same. It has nothing to do with good or evil."

"As a King, what he’s doing is still acceptable. I don’t wish for the commoners to suffer because of my ambition."

"I understand your stance."

Yilin turned to Abi Robbs and instructed, "Tell them that I am unwell and cannot attend in person. But I will send Count Gruglu and Miss Shelley to represent me at the gatherings. Will that be acceptable? I appreciate your efforts, Uncle Gruglu."

Yilin looked toward Count Gruglu.

"That will suffice," Count Gruglu nodded.

Abi Robbs bowed respectfully and said, "I will make the arrangements immediately."

After a moment of thought, Abi Robbs added, "By the way, Miss Yilin, I heard that the Holy Knight left early this morning, apparently at the King’s invitation."

"Let him be. Let the King interact with him personally. If the King can understand Gray’s stance, that would also be a good thing."

...

At this moment, Audilet Grand Theater.

Outside the open door, the King was speaking with his ministers, his expression somewhat grim.