How to Live as a Tyrant’s Spoiled Brat Chapter 26

How to live as a tyrant’s spoiled brat Episode 26

(26)

In the cruel silence of the reception room, Valencian chose his words carefully.

Boom, boom, his heart was pounding like crazy.

The opponent was the tyrant Jaylilith.

An overwhelming gaze like a dragon mercilessly pressed down on his shoulders, face, and back.

“Let me start by talking about the work of the advisor and his authority.”

But he said it without batting an eyelid.

“I won’t allow it. I’m more curious as to what kind of talent you used to bring the magician Muyeongchang.”

Even at the word ‘not allowed’, he didn’t even frown or let out a single sigh.

“Then let me tell you first. The reason I was able to bring the magician Celeraji, the Unsung Ward, was because she wanted it.”

Even though he was saying something like “A is B, so B is A” in front of the emperor, Valencian was confident.

I was curious to know what the heck Jayrelease was all about.

“Go on.”

“Then, if you will excuse me, I would like to ask you something. If Your Majesty had lived as an ivory tower genius since a young age, if you had made friends there, met teachers, and spent your youth burning with passion, what would you most like to do?”

“It must be magic.”

“However, in the current empire, it is forbidden for the royal family to practice swordsmanship and magic without permission.”

The person who issued the ban is right in front of you.

It’s such an embarrassing topic to talk about.

But the former scoundrel, despite saying those embarrassing words, was as dignified as a triumphant general.

He straightened his shoulders, opened his chest, pulled in his chin, and spoke as if declaring the eternal truth.

“If you hear that there is a chance for an exception to that ban, you have to believe it.”

“It’s hard to understand. It could be a lie, right? And your reputation isn’t all that good, so wouldn’t it be natural to be suspicious?”

Valencian chuckled.

The smile that mimicked bitterness actually looked cheerful, and that made him look even more badass.

“Even though my reputation was not so good, Your Majesty spared my life, gave me a reward, and allowed me to learn the sword. A member of the royal family who could commit atrocities while relying on Your Majesty’s trust has appeared in just one year. It is only natural to expect that he might change Your Majesty’s mind.”

Jaylilith chuckled as if it was a good explanation.

“It’s so cool to say that you took advantage of someone’s desperation.”

“My power, unlike Your Majesty, comes from Your Majesty’s mouth. Your Majesty is merely the one who rules, but I, Your Majesty’s advisor, must do politics.”

Valencianus saw that Jaryllis was convinced by his past life experiences.

By changing the subject slightly, we also finished the first question, which was about the work and authority of advisors.

But he didn’t let his guard down until the end and kept his words in order.

“Sereiraji must have thought of me as a link to Her Majesty. She attacked me without any murderous intent. Your Majesty knows better than I do how much murderous intent plays a role in battle. That’s why I survived. If you still have questions, please ask more.”

Free speech, sharp eyes, and an attitude that is confident to the point of frivolity.

“You know how to make people believe.”

Jaylilith’s cool voice echoed throughout the room.

Valencian lowered his head again, his eyes slightly downcast.

“I don’t know what to do with myself because you have given me such high praise despite my shortcomings.”

“There is nothing to be thankful for. This is not a compliment.”

Valencian suddenly thought he heard a faint laugh.

“Results don’t tell the whole story. But you… … definitely showed results. I wonder how long you can show results.”

He interpreted the emperor’s words according to his long experience.

He meant that he would let it slide this time, but if the results came out strangely, he would cut off his head.

That was enough praise.

“The Marquis of Planitis is scheduled to visit with his Marchioness in four days.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“He told me that he wanted to take one of your half-siblings with him.”

For a moment, Valencian’s face hardened.

‘Is it that time already?’

Wanting to take the royal family out of the capital naturally implied giving up the right of succession.

But the value of the imperial family in the empire was not limited to the right of succession.

The blood of the imperial family, the pinnacle of the bloodline, must not be allowed to leak out carelessly.

“How… … do you plan on answering that?”

Jaylilith muttered in boredom.

“The Marquis cherishes his wife, and the Marchioness cherishes her sister and her children who died in childbirth. The Planities family, as well as the Marchioness’s parents, are among the most noble families in the Empire.”

I was beating around the bush because of my pride, knowing that it would be hard to refuse.

Valencian noticed it, but of course he didn’t reveal it.

Instead, he thought of several situations in which Jaylilith might be in trouble.

‘Yes, it’s just beginning. The world really goes by fast.’

The empire’s turmoil began early.

In my previous life… … At this time, the Marquis’ family was attacked by assassins.

The royal family member, the Marchioness’ niece, died at the scene.

The Marchioness returned to her family home, but died from the wounds she received from the assassin and the shock of losing her sister’s blood relative.

The Marquis, whose eyes had turned red, pointed to the royal family as the mastermind behind it, and the Marchioness’s family agreed with him.

It was the beginning of the empire’s first civil war.

At that time, Valencianus of his previous life was living a life of pleasure, wandering around red-light districts and casinos.

Naturally, he had no intention of repeating all that history.

“I will make sure that cousin returns home safely and quietly.”

Jaylilith smiled contentedly.

“Yes. That was the answer Jim wanted. After taking a deep breath, go to the palace minister and discuss practical matters. Then, on your way out, grab anyone and tell them to call for Lord Tentia.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

As Valencianus left the room, Jaerilis rapped her fingers on the fine wood reception desk.

“I will protect you, La. You seem to be quite confident in your abilities, my blood relative. But I really wonder where you acquired those abilities. If you reached that level before I ascended to the throne, there is no way that rumors would not have spread.”

* * *

I went into an empty room in the palace and fell asleep like a corpse.

When I opened my eyes, a knight with a wolf-like appearance was looking down at me.

“Your Highness, have you woken up?”

“Ah. Kyung-in? It’s been a while.”

Tentia, with her red hair cut into a neat short bob, was dressed in a knightly suit with a uniform over her breastplate and a sword.

“Have you seen His Majesty? Did the troublesome ‘active search mission’ from last time go well?”

“Yes, that’s right. The mission was completed, and I even received a generous bonus.”

“But why did you come to me?”

“Actually, I received an exclusive order starting today.”

“Exclusive? Where are you talking about?”

“I am the knight of the guard of His Highness the Grand Duke of Valencianus Soletaraon Soletaras.”

When I heard that, I took a deep breath.

Platinum, black iron, silver, brass.

The missions of your knights overlap greatly, and there is intense conflict between the knights.

However, there is one area that has been tacitly entrusted: the protection of members of the Imperial Family has traditionally been the job of the Platinum Knights.

Of course, in a time when royalty were treated as potential traitors, having a knight escort meant…

“It seems like I’ve become the number one target for surveillance. If you do anything strange, you’ll get your head cut off by the police.”

Tentia will become a sword master in the future, and he is so strong that it’s embarrassing to compare him to me now.

To be honest, I can’t guarantee that if I, before my regression, were to fight the current Tentia, I would win without getting hurt.

“But I can cut off the heads of all those who try to talk nonsense to Your Majesty.”

I smiled with satisfaction as I looked at his manly smile.

It’s so great to have such a great article by my side.

That’s too much.

My plan is not to escape the palace and hide in the mountains to avoid destruction.

The more capable people you can have by your side, the better.

“You’re so reassuring. Have you heard what mission I’ve been given?”

“yes.”

“Okay. Then I’ll just have a cup of coffee and then go see the Prime Minister.”

“… … Do I have to drink coffee?”

“It’s better than dozing off in front of the palace magistrate or taking another nap. Would you like a sip of tea?”

“A knight does not drink such soft drinks. I will gladly accept beer, wine, or whiskey, but I will refuse coffee.”

In the empire, coffee was perceived as a drink enjoyed by the bourgeoisie while gathering and enjoying themselves.

The relationship between the bourgeoisie who risked their lives for money and the knights who risked their lives for loyalty was naturally the worst, and each other’s culture was considered sinful.

“I understand.”

“Thank you. How about Your Majesty taking this opportunity to give up that corrupting drink that makes your clear mind dependent on black water?”

“So, please understand me.”

But I, a tired royal who works like an administrator, trains like a knight, and has secrets like a wizard, had no choice but to drink three cups of coffee today.

* * *

“You’re just in time. I was just thinking of having a cup of coffee. Would you like to join us, Your Highness the Grand Duke?”

The old courtier offered me some coffee.

I accepted this time too, and Lord Tentia refused.

“Thank you for the offer, but… … the knight does not drink coffee.”

It made me laugh to see him trying not to frown.

The Empire is a world of knights, a world of nobility, a world of bloodlines, and a world of power.

Even if you are a high-ranking administrative official, it is common sense to be respectful to reporters.

Although the administrators are also given titles of nobility, they are nominal nobles, having neither lands nor people.

However, it is not easy to refuse the offer of a loyal subject who has served the royal family for a long time by becoming a knight.

“I would like to take out a new teacup, but since the work of the palace has become like that of a slave hunter, I have not been able to have a cup of coffee with the royal family. Today, I would like to offer a cup of coffee to Your Majesty and the knight who have visited here for the first time in a long while… … Sigh.”

I think you just shed tears.

Sir Tentia’s face turned red and blue.

“I appreciate your sincerity… I will gratefully accept it.”

“Then I will give it to you neatly!”

The old nobleman smiled and poured the soybeans into a paper filter.

It was amazing how easily a person’s facial expression could change.

No, come to think of it, I’m doing that under Jaylilis too.

“Here it is. Please savor it.”

I lifted the fragrant, clean, and richly steaming cup of coffee with both hands.

I took a deep breath and a subtle scent filled my nostrils.

“Hmm.”

The coffee I took a sip of like that… … .

“Ugh!”

It was written dirty and tasteless!

I have no idea what kind of beans they used.

When I looked at Lady Tentia with anxiety, she had a surprisingly calm expression.

“Sir, are you okay?”

“I think I’ve been making a big mistake so far.”

“What does that mean?”

“Drinking something like this to clear your mind is an asceticism that rivals the asceticism of the clergy. It seems the bourgeoisie aren’t as weak as I thought.”

oh my god.

I felt the back of my neck tingle and pushed the coffee cup aside.

“Let’s talk about work.”

“Is it okay if I don’t drink any more?”

“Let’s talk about work.”

“Then let me briefly explain about the Marquis of Planitis who will be visiting in four days.”

While listening to the old nobleman’s explanation, I was lost in thought for a moment.

I probably know more about the Marquis of Planitis than she does.

He is a man who is no different from the king of a kingdom.

This is not a metaphor for saying that anything can happen in the provinces because the central government’s eyes do not reach them.

The only obligations that a vassal with a fief had to fulfill to his monarch were 40 days of unpaid service per year and a 10% tax per year.

If it maintains its gold and silver content, it can mint currency, and since it has judicial power, it cannot be judged by secular law or customary law.

Moreover, the Marquis of Planitis was a royal family until 150 years ago.

When they formally declared that they would offer all their land to the imperial family, the emperor would grant them back the land as fiefdoms, making them subject to the empire. Naturally, they had a strong sense of local color and independence.

Commoners who do not learn the noble language cannot communicate with each other.

So that must have been the first time he had rebelled against Jaylilith.

“… … In any case, he wanted things to proceed quietly.”

It was like that before the regression too.

“I understand. Let’s skip the fancy ceremony, the welcoming ceremony, and the displays of friendship. It would be a burden to both of us.”

Now that a new emperor has ascended the throne, all vassals must come to the capital and renew their oath of loyalty.

However, Jaylilith has not yet taken or made any oath of allegiance to the High Lords.

For the great lords, it is a political burden to first acknowledge the unfilial emperor who ascended the throne after killing all of the previous heirs.

This is the same for Jaylilith.

I know that the oath will be rejected, or at least not readily accepted.

However, if the oath request is rejected, force must be used to maintain authority.

It has barely been a year since he ascended the throne, and with the capital still in chaos, it is madness to raise an army to attack the great lords far away.

And a wise ruler does not make the offer itself in such cases, so as not to be rejected.

“Since you have allowed me to go to the capital, I assume that Your Majesty means to permit it?”

“Yes, that’s right. That’s why the Marquis decided to bring only the bare minimum number of people. I’m telling you this just in case, Lord Tentia, but it wouldn’t be good if this was known.”

“What are you talking about?”

“That’s great.”

I smiled contentedly and confirmed my mission.

“Then I will guard the royal family well for four days. Make sure they don’t do anything unexpected.”

“If he has any illegitimate children, just contact me and I’ll take care of it.”

As I was about to get up from my seat, I realized I had one last thing to ask and turned around.

“If it’s a minimum number of people… … is it Wyvernfit?”

“Yes, it is a beautiful place.”

beautiful?

It seems like all the beautiful places in the world have burned to the ground.

* * *

The next day.

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

How did Jaylilith deal with her illegitimate children before her regression?

Looking at the little child in front of me, I let out a deep sigh.