The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 25

“The lord is Lyle August, huh…”

Si-on tapped the report he had just read, ignoring Lyle’s numerous middle names, including “Molber Cassion” and several others.

“So this guy’s allied with Gede… I met him briefly a long time ago, and he seemed completely spineless. I never thought he’d become a lord—it’s strange.”

When his grown grandchildren got married, Si-on naturally didn’t attend the ceremonies.

By that time, he was officially considered dead, and the only wedding he ever attended was that of his first grandson, Byron, the third Duke of Si-on, who passed away two years ago.

Still, Si-on had secretly attended some of his grandchildren’s weddings in various disguises, and one of them was Lyle August’s.

“Was it Roana…? Yeah, Roana.”

With five children and over twenty grandchildren, Si-on couldn’t immediately recall the name of the granddaughter who had married Lyle August.

“Yes, it was Lady Roana Si-on Urvain August. According to our investigation, Lady Roana played a significant role in her husband becoming the lord.”

Jenna, who had been investigating the August family at Si-on’s initial request, added this information.

“I remember hearing rumors that Lyle lived under Roana’s thumb. Roana passed away some time ago, and this guy must be pretty old now, but he’s still alive.”

Because Maria, his youngest daughter, was born much later than her siblings, her son was only in his fifties, while most of the other descendants had already passed away.

“He’s 66 years old this year. His health has been declining since last year, so he’s expected to soon pass his title and estate to his eldest son, Anserman August.”

“So, Anserman might be heavily involved in the current situation in August Estate. Maybe even my great-grandson is entangled in this.”

“We haven’t investigated that far yet. I apologize. We’ll complete the investigation as quickly as possible.”

“It’s a recent development, so it can’t be helped. Anyway, from what I can tell, the current state of August Estate is likely due to this Anserman guy. Check with the prisoners to confirm.”

“Yes.”

Jenna bowed her head and went to where the prisoners were being held.

“Sir Salen! The cleanup is complete!”

“Good. Let’s get moving.”

“Yes! Move out!”

At Stelman’s booming command, the mercenaries resumed their march.

Si-on watched Jenna drag a prisoner onto the wagon and muttered softly.

“With my granddaughter gone for so long, there’s no reason to show any leniency to you. I pray you’re not involved.”

However, if, by any chance, you are even slightly connected to the deaths of my first grandson and great-grandson, you will pay the price.

***

Baron August’s estate was one of the most common medium-sized estates in this world.

Its size was roughly equivalent to a county in Korea, with a population of around 20,000. It was the poorest and least notable estate bordering the Si-on Duchy.

However, after Si-on’s grandchildren married into the August family, the estate managed to get by.

In essence, it was one of the vassals under the Si-on Duchy.

“But that was back when Theo was alive.”

Things seemed to have changed significantly after his eldest son Theo died, followed by his grandson Byron and great-grandson Brian.

“I should have paid more attention.”

Blaming his own negligence once more, Si-on clicked his tongue inwardly.

“The castle is in sight, Master.”

Stelman’s report snapped Si-on out of his thoughts.

Beyond the gentle hills scattered with hundreds of olive trees, grayish-white castle walls and tall spires came into view.

It was the home of his in-laws, whom he hadn’t seen in ages, but Si-on gazed at Baron August’s castle with cold eyes.

“From here on, I’ll handle this myself. Do not act recklessly until I give the command. Maintain discipline.”

“Understood.”

Stelman responded crisply and turned around, signaling to the mounted Janstrick mercenaries, who quickly and accurately formed ranks.

“Piotr, ride next to me.”

“Yes, sir.”

Piotr, slightly tense, rode up to Si-on’s side.

“Remember this: from this moment on, you are not just the son of Baron Kilburn…”

“But the grandson of Maria Si-on. I will act honorably, true to the Si-on name.”

“Well said.”

Si-on smiled and patted his great-grandson’s back, gripping the reins with one hand and reaching behind the saddle with the other.

“Here it is.”

Miska swiftly handed him a long object. It was a spear shaft about two meters long.

At that moment, a gust of wind blew over the olive grove, as if greeting Si-on.

Whoosh!

The flag of the Si-on Ducal Family, attached to the end of the spear, unfurled boldly in the wind.

***

Anserman August lay sprawled halfway on his side, his mouth open as maids fed him.

As the only son of Baron Lyle August, Anserman had faced little adversity growing up.

He had three older sisters, but they were already married by the time he could walk and had no right to inherit the title.

Being a much-anticipated late-born son, his father, Baron Lyle August, spoiled him, and none of the retainers wanted to cross the lord’s only son.

Naturally, the boy, who had been designated as the future lord while still a snot-nosed child, grew up arrogant and self-centered.

Now, nearly forty, Anserman August was a lazy, incompetent adult-child who knew nothing but himself—and he had power.

“Lord Representative! Lord Representative!”

“What is it? Didn’t I say not to bother me when I’m resting? I already worked three hours this morning, and I have a splitting headache.”

Three hours isn’t a long time, and even those sessions, held once every five days, were mostly spent half-asleep—an open secret.

“There’s trouble. An armed group has arrived at the east gate.”

“Arrived at the east gate?”

Despite the news that heavily armed troops had brazenly crossed the estate and approached the castle, Anserman responded casually, prompting his retainer to suppress a sigh.

“They’re carrying the banner of the Si-on Ducal Family.”

“…What?”

Anserman squinted one eye, as if he had misheard.

“It’s the Si-on Ducal Family’s banner.”

“No, wait. So you’re saying a group with the Si-on Ducal Family’s banner is at the east gate, not the south gate?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Punish all the east gate guards and arrest those men immediately.”

“Pardon?”

Anserman’s orders were so unexpected that the retainer found himself dumbfounded.

“Are you an idiot? Why would people from the Si-on Ducal Family, which is south of our estate, show up at the east gate? They’re fakes, impostors! Arrest those frauds pretending to be nobles! And it’s only right to punish those lazy guards standing there without knowing this simple logic.”

“B-But Lord Representative. The troops at the east gate are…”

“Arrest them immediately! How dare they impersonate the Ducal Family? I’ll interrogate them personally. Prepare the torture tools in the central chamber. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten my hands dirty.”

Anserman wobbled to his feet, his massive body struggling as the maids rushed to support him.

“Arrest all of them. If they resist, kill them all, except a few.”

“…Understood, Lord Representative.”

***

“…For those reasons, we demand that you disarm immediately and comply with our orders.”

An official from the August Estate, accompanied by the estate’s knights and troops, delivered his statement to Si-on and Piotr.

“……”

The absurdity of the demand left Piotr, as well as the mercenaries lined up behind them, momentarily stunned.

They had encountered various strange requests from nobles and lords along the way.

However, those had been when their group’s identity (especially Si-on’s) was unknown, and once their status and destination were clarified, things had usually ended on good terms.

Of course, some lords, who had lived their entire lives confined to their estates, had a delusional mindset like, “Royalty? Aren’t they basically half-nobles without titles?”

There were quite a few of them, in fact.

The royal family’s law (i.e., force) was far removed, and there were plenty of southern lords who had never experienced that force firsthand.

Still, even those lords, after experiencing the force—specifically, Si-on and the Janstrick mercenaries—would repent of their foolishness and grovel.

They would even offer “reflective fees” under the guise of travel expenses.

At least those lords had not known who the group was upon first meeting, which led to their regret, but that was not the case here.

For the first time since starting this journey, Si-on had displayed the emblem of his family, the one he had personally created.

Though Piotr was the main representative, the weight of the Si-on Ducal Family’s triple-headed eagle emblem didn’t diminish.

At least in this region, the emblem of the Si-on Ducal Family wielded more power than even the royal family’s law.

But apparently, that didn’t apply in front of Baron August’s castle today.

“……”

Piotr swallowed dryly as he discreetly gauged Si-on’s reaction.

He hadn’t expected such a situation in August Estate, which served as a gate to the Si-on Duchy before even entering the territory.

‘But their argument makes sense. I would’ve been suspicious, too, if a group suddenly showed up with the Ducal Family’s banner without prior notice.’

Moreover, similar things had happened before, but Si-on had always tried to resolve them amicably by explaining the circumstances.

The Salen d’Oblas Piotr had come to know was rational…

“What are you waiting for? Get off your horses and drop your weapons! You should be boiled in shit water for impersonating a noble family!”

One of the knights accompanying the official shouted threateningly.

“Ah…”

He’ll still hold back.

The August Estate is connected to the Si-on Ducal Family by marriage, after all.

This is a critical moment where the first impression of a descendant visiting his father’s maternal family after decades might be made. Sir Salen, being rational, will surely handle this calmly.

Look at that, Sir Salen is smiling, isn’t he?

Just like that time when an earl’s son demanded 10,000 Dien as a toll, saying “Royal family, whatever,” Sir Salen gave that same benevolent smile…

“Ah!”

“Ah…? You wretched impostor pretending to be a noble—how dare you…!”

“Attack.”

“Huh?”

“What?”

For a brief moment, everything seemed to freeze, and in that gap, Si-on turned to Stelman and spoke.

“What are you waiting for? Attack. Subdue them if possible; kill them if necessary.”

This is for real? Really?

That’s what everyone thought.

“…Yes, sir! Attack! We’ve been ordered to attack!”

Stelman, whose trust in Si-on had peaked over the past month, shouted reflexively.

Having had their financial needs thoroughly met thanks to Si-on’s fair distribution of all captured spoils, the mercenaries collectively experienced the illusion that the August Estate’s troops were piggy banks and charged forward.