How to Live as a Tyrant’s Spoiled Brat Chapter 249

(249)

Doroisen was a western power, and a great power meant a country that could bully its neighbors and still get away with it.

Of course, Doroisen's collection was somewhat logical, unlike Soletaras'.

“We have been holding back the westward advance of Soletaras for hundreds of years.”

“Why should we act as your shield?”

“The blood of our subjects protected the grain of your subjects, so we will receive its payment in grain.”

They are the ones who have stopped the invasion of Soletaras, which has expanded westward, so they will receive the price.

If we refuse, we will see Doroisen expand westward.

Doroisen was a powerful nation even before Ensis ascended to the throne.

The surrounding small countries had no choice but to use the symbol of the castle called Shield Tax.

Some people saw this as gangsterism, while others saw it as a legitimate defense expense.

“Anyway, it is true that we are blocking Soletaras’ advance.”

“Without lips, your teeth will be cold. If Doroisen falls, we will be next.”

“They may not be kind in words, but they’re better than those Dragon Blood Royals.”

A ripple appeared in the international situation that had been flowing like that.

“King Ensis has died and Crown Prince Philios has ascended to the throne!”

“It is said that Grand Duke Valencian signed a non-aggression pact with Philios.”

“There are also rumors that the Holy Emperor Jayrillis is in charge.”

“Find out the details as quickly as possible!”

The royal court of the Sword King Ensis, the crystal quartz crystal Kuit Az, an old conspiracy hidden in a meteorite, the counterattack of the scoundrel Valencianus, the royal court of the emperor, and an unequal treaty.

The minor countries, upon learning of the series of events, thought:

'So does that mean I don't have to pay the shield tax anymore?'

“To seek complete economic subordination means to have no intention of intervening militarily.”

If he had intended to destroy everything, he would have done so a long time ago.

“In reality, it seems unlikely that Soletaras will invade Doroisen again.”

“If we refuse to pay the shield tax, is there no chance that they will invade us?”

“Even after Ensis’ death, Doroisen is in chaos. There is no room for large-scale military activity in this situation.”

“The Inquisitors from the Empire are coming. There is no way Philios can leave his post.”

“Okay then. Send a messenger.”

Messengers and ambassadors from countless minor states reached the Doroisen royal palace.

“First of all, I would like to express my deepest condolences on the death of His Highness the King of Ensis.”

The audience that started like that always ended with similar words.

“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Doroisen for holding back the advance of Soletaras so far. Now you will no longer have to bear that burden.”

"no."

“We also have a conscience. We cannot continue to use Doroisen as a shield in this situation where the former king has passed away due to the attack of the evil Dragon Blood Royal Family.”

* * *

It was a maddening and ecstatic thing for Philios.

The country was already in turmoil after the death of the king.

If the tributary states were to all show their withdrawal here, the king's authority would surely fall to the bottom.

He decided to risk his soul and make a deal with the devil.

'If the twins are closer than we expected, then just getting one of them to like it could be enough to sway both of them.'

“Send a message to Grand Duke Valencian.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I think I’ll have to wander around for a while, so please send me some Paladins and administrative priests instead of the Inquisitors.”

Philios left the administration of the capital to the Church of the Light, and led a force of knights and swordsmen on a tour of the borders.

This served as a powerful demonstration of force to foreign powers, while also obtaining an oath of allegiance from local lords.

'If you don't keep paying the shield tax, you'll know it's not fun.'

In this process, the swordsman Julia, rumored to be Philios' lover, played a major role.

“If you want the thrill of life and death, if you want a reputation that will last long after you die and your bones rot!”

Most of Doroisen's swordsmen were either mercenaries or adventurers.

While the average mercenary and adventurer was a disinterested wanderer, the swordsmen of Doroisen were tightly knit into dojos and schools.

They voluntarily armed themselves, crossed the border, and threatened neighboring countries by lightly chopping down powerful demons or foreign objects that were troubling them in broad daylight before returning.

Externally, there was no problem as the adventurers were just doing adventurer's work.

“They could come and cut my throat at any moment!”

“What’s the matter? You’re no different from that father!”

like that.

Philios proved that he was the son of Ensis.

Julia also proved that she, a commoner, had the character to be the king's consort.

however.

If you make a deal with the devil, you have to pay a price.

As soon as Philios returned to the capital, he witnessed a bizarre sight.

“May the grace of light be with you, Your Majesty.”

The capital was teeming with knights, priests, fanatical inquisitors, and church purifiers.

“… … .”

They erected a stake in the middle of the square, ransacked even the mansions of the Dorois nobles, and burned anyone who appeared even slightly suspicious with their sacred power.

“Do you believe it?”

“I believe!”

The capital was sinking into the abyss of fanaticism.

Philios swore with a soft sigh.

“Julia. I will become stronger. I will become a sword king like my father.”

“What are you going to do about it then?”

“One day, I will definitely slaughter those damn Soletaras.”

Objectively, there was a significant difference in power, but Philios remembered the laughter between the two that he saw that day.

It was a laugh as if they were the only two people in the world.

It would certainly be possible to use it for operations such as using one side to pull out the other.

Julia hesitated for a moment and then asked.

“Would it be okay for me to be by Your Majesty’s side then?”

“There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

So the lovers began to sharpen their knives.

Not knowing that the purification soldiers from the Gwangmyeong Church were full of spies planted by Valencianus and Jin.

* * *

“Get some rest! You need to get some real, real rest!”

Valencian gave Tentia a long vacation of three months.

“Your Majesty! I am completely healed! I have drunk several potions and met with several priests.”

“Don’t talk nonsense! If the Mana Lord gets injured, it’s normal to rest for a year.”

“If I don’t pick up my sword even for a day, thorns will grow out of my hands! If I rest for too long, thorns will grow out of my hands!”

“Okay, then just rest for 50 days. Instead, go to the cathedral and receive treatment from the high priests. Just take this badge. It’s a kind of donation accumulation certificate.”

Valencian gave Tentia a shield made of ivory and decorated with gold, and Tentia had no choice but to accept it.

She walked slowly down the street without riding a horse or carriage, to see the capital city for the first time in a long while.

It was my first time in private clothes in a long time.

'What should I wear?'

As we were going to the cathedral, we had to be polite.

His red hair was neatly combed back, revealing his forehead, and he wore a red uniform over crisp black trousers and a black shirt, as well as combat-style boots and a hat.

It was a typical outfit for a plainclothes knight.

Deep autumn.

As the trees along the capital city street began to change color, Tentia enjoyed her leisurely time looking at the carefree breeze and the changing leaves.

But the moment she felt the card in her pocket, her mind was filled with Valencian again.

'I don't feel bad about worrying about him, but… I don't know what kind of mischief he'll commit while I'm not there to teach him chivalry.'

I was confident that he would not commit any petty crimes.

'I don't know if this is trivial or not.'

The Valencian she saw was not at least the kind of person who would take bribes from unqualified candidates to avoid being screened for candidacy.

Contrary to popular belief, he was very ascetic.

'Of course, they enjoy fine food and fine wine, and they like fancy uniforms and jewels. But at least they don't invite a bunch of young women over and engage in debauchery in groups, make fountains with alcohol, or throw grand banquets where the food rots.'

At that moment, three men passed by Tentia.

“Have you heard? The Archduke Valencian ordered his knights to kill three of his illegitimate children.”

“The Red Knight is pitiful. He probably didn’t become a knight to do things like that.”

“Huh. What’s so pitiful about that? It seems like he was completely taken in by that scoundrel and given a fief. And on top of that, he’s a knight of that corrupt bastard. Of course, he’d be with that scoundrel by now-”

Crackle.

Just because it was a rumor I had heard many times didn't mean I didn't feel bad.

In this world, it was a very serious sin to offend a knight when one was weaker than him.

Tentia immediately looked up to the sky and shouted.

“Do you dare insult the royal family in front of the knights?”

“!”

Everyone's attention turned to Tentia, who looked at the three men.

The faces of the three men turned yellow.

Short-haired, red-haired, dressed in a knightly uniform, wearing the finest leather belt and a longsword that only authorized personnel can wield, a dignified beauty.

If you still can't understand the situation after seeing this, then you're not fit to survive in this world.

“Huh, huh?”

“Red Knight Nari! We misspoke!”

"sorry!"

If you said the wrong names of high-ranking officials, you could be beaten in the square and hanged from the wall.

“It seems like you guys are taking the crime of insulting the royal family lightly.”

That was the law.

“Furthermore, you have damaged my reputation by spreading false rumors, so this cannot be taken lightly either.”

The men's faces turned yellow, almost black.

When honor comes from a knight's mouth, it means that it will end only when someone dies.

Even if Tentia immediately pulled out the sword and cut the three men into six pieces, there would be nothing to say.

But she too understood that for Valencian, notoriety was only a shield.

“… … .”

Tentia clicked her tongue lightly, slapped each man on the face, and instructed them to go to church this Sunday and pay for their sin of talking nonsense with an offering.

“Nari. Thank you.”

“I will definitely do that.”

The three men quickly disappeared, and the people around them glanced at the red knight Nari with eyes filled with fear and awe.

Tentia gladly accepted the gaze and walked forward.

That look of fear and awe told me exactly what kind of person she was.

'Actually, I like petty crimes like that just now. I can pass on the Grand Duke. I can indulge in some luxury, and enjoy some lewd entertainment.'

Among the noble young men and ladies of the court, there were many who enjoyed hunting humans in the slums under the escort of their private soldiers.

Moreover, Tentia was a knight.

He eats and drinks a lot, dances and shows off his charm, and makes lovers wherever he goes.

This was not a flaw for the knight, but a virtue.

'But His Majesty Valen's wickedness extends to a larger area. I don't know if this can be called wickedness, but whatever.'

Tentia continued her thoughts as she entered the cathedral.

“Red Knight? What brings you-.”

“He said I just had to show him this pattern.”

“Come in!”

'The murder of Gremorius, collusion with gangsters during the capital city's Demonic Crisis, the assassination of the Jahan Alliance after inducing them to buy promissory notes during the restoration process, and the unfair treaty this time. It's all for the sake of the empire and the royal family. It's not that it's not beneficial to me, but at least I didn't do it just for my own benefit.'

If it had been for my own personal benefit only, I wouldn't have had these concerns.

'I used to think that it was just a matter of scale, but they were essentially the same. But it's different. Doing something even if it doesn't benefit you much means you think it's right.'

When I thought about it that way, only one name came to mind as the object of that 'rightness'.

'Your Majesty Jaylilith.'

“Lord Tentia. Please come this way.”

“Oh, yes.”

Tentia's thoughts were broken by the call of a priest.

The cathedral was always bustling with people offering donations and seeking healing.

The priest led Tentia past them all.

“I, priest. I too have come to receive healing. I am but a servant before the Lord, and yet you are acting so openly-.”

Tentia blushed slightly in shame, and the priest shook his head.

“Ah. It’s not a scam. It’s a legitimate right.”

Contrary to her expectations, the priest did not take her to the front of the line.

Tentia followed the priest up to the third floor, and was guided to a splendid reception room that ordinary people would not even know existed.

“… … .”

Looking at the ceiling chandelier and golden candelabras, it seemed more splendid than the reception room of the imperial palace.

“Please wait a moment.”

The priest left, and after a while the door opened.

“Archduke Valen. Why again… … Ah.”

“Saint?”

Tentia stood up in a dazed mood.

'It is true that he is a high priest.'

The one who entered the reception room was Saint Matthew.