The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 61

It was a scene that could be seen as quite unpleasant.

A few days ago, the lord’s castle had fallen without any battle, and the rear guard of the occupying forces (?) passed through the castle gates and crossed the city.

From a general perspective, the city’s residents should be angry or at least wary of the occupying forces.

However, the people of Sionia merely glanced indifferently at the group crossing the main street.

There was no cheering, but there was no hatred either.

‘I wouldn’t have understood this if I hadn’t been in this world for long.’

Walking through the city he had built with his own hands, Si-on smiled bitterly to himself.

The reason Sionia did not resent or shun Si-on and his group was because, to the residents, the occupying forces were also “Si-on.”

In the first place, not just Sionia, but even the residents of nearby villages and Paloma didn’t care much about who would become the duke.

What mattered was that someone, anyone, quickly became Duke Si-on.

Those who had first cultivated the land with Si-on were now almost gone.

The current residents of Sionia were all people born here.

So they knew.

It wasn’t the duke who was extraordinary, but the “Si-on Duchy” itself that was remarkable.

To the duchy’s residents, the only truly great duke was the first Duke Si-on.

Well, his eldest son Theo was considered admirable enough.

But his successors were ordinary.

Even so, the Si-on Duchy hadn’t changed.

From the time of the third duke, Byron Si-on, until now, they had lived well enough without any major issues.

The administrative system that began under Duke Jang Si-on and was perfected during Duke Theo Si-on’s time kept the duchy running smoothly.

Moreover, those currently vying for the dukedom, Gede and Blint, were both “Si-on.”

Everyone knew that whoever became the duke would do their best for Sionia and, at the very least, would not ruin it.

That’s why they didn’t mind when Si-on’s group walked quietly down the main street, escorted by guards.

In fact, some people seemed quietly pleased, as if they were anticipating the appointment of a new duke, though they did not show it openly.

‘They see us as Gede’s forces.’

Ridiculously, the residents of Sionia preferred Gede, the governor of Paloma and a brother of the previous duke, over Blint, who was born in the Twin-headed Eagle Castle as the son of the previous duke.

Blint had more legitimacy than Gede, but when it came to ability, Gede was so superior that it was almost embarrassing to compare them.

According to Jenna’s detailed report, which Si-on had received from Cheolsan:

– It is widely rumored that Blint Si-on is extremely incompetent.

The fact that such rumors were widespread meant that the residents of Sionia knew as well.

Thus, many residents didn’t particularly care who became the duke, but they thought it would be better if a competent Si-on took the position.

‘Incompetent? But that doesn’t matter.’

Jenna’s report on Blint contained even more severe information.

– There are rumors that Blint Si-on is involved in the deaths of Setios Si-on, the legitimate eldest son of the previous duke, and Katien Si-on, the second son.

Blint might have committed an even greater sin than Gede, who had involved external forces due to his ambition for the dukedom.

* * *

Blint Si-on was an ordinary-looking young man.

Like other young noblemen of his age, he sported a short mustache and slicked his hair back, exposing his clean forehead.

He wore a silver headband adorned with jewels and a short tunic with elaborate embroidered sleeves.

He looked like a typical young noble who was neat and stylish.

If he were to walk down the main street or market of Sionia, people would glance at him at least once.

However, the attention he garnered would scatter in a second.

Because Blint Si-on was truly unremarkable, with no distinctive features.

If you asked anyone who saw Blint walking down the main street what the young man looked like, nine out of ten—or rather, all of them—would probably answer, “Uh… just an average face?”

And that was the same impression Si-on had when he first saw his great-grandson.

“Ah, Sir Yonas, it’s been a while.”

The sun was moderate, and his light tunic shouldn’t have made him hot, but Blint’s healthy, tanned forehead glistened with sweat.

Si-on thought he could wager his entire fortune (he wasn’t sure how much that was) that Blint’s skin wasn’t tanned from training or outdoor activities like hunting, as he watched Blint confront Yonas.

“It’s been a while, Viscount Bennet.”

Yonas addressed Blint by his official title.

At the moment, Yonas was leading the group.

Those from the Twin-headed Eagle Castle, including Blint, believed the group had been sent by Gede Si-on.

“I-I heard from Master Blaho. Please, come inside.”

“Yes, let’s.”

Unlike the nervous Blint, Yonas remained calm and dependable.

Si-on suppressed a sigh.

They were descendants of the same lineage, yet they were so different.

Blint was truly disappointing.

It wasn’t simply because of his youth; Si-on had seen many of his peers, including Sirvan, who were much better. No, Sirvan was actually superior.

Though he often displayed recklessness and arrogance, Sirvan at least knew how to conduct himself.

Even now, he was over there, standing with Piotr, confident but not standing out.

In contrast, Blint wore a forced smile and kept glancing at Si-on and the rest of the group.

‘He’s like a frightened herbivore.’

Both the occupying forces (?) and those who surrendered were his descendants, but Si-on felt a surge of anger.

However, without revealing his emotions, he quietly observed those who had come to meet them with Blint.

Two men and three women.

The men appeared to be nobles from within the castle, and the women seemed to be Blint’s mother, sister, and younger sister.

The men reacted similarly to Blint, so they were dismissed.

Blint’s female relatives also showed obvious fear, so they were ignored.

‘Katrina Bello.’

Si-on’s eyes fixed on the lady who was undoubtedly Blint’s mother.

The previous duke’s second wife.

She was known to be in her mid-thirties, but her skin was taut like that of someone in their twenties.

Her forehead, much like Blint’s, was openly displayed, with her hair held back by a tiara and hairpins.

She wore six rings on her neatly clasped hands.

As the duke’s consort, it was natural for her to indulge in jewelry.

But there was a time and place for everything.

Si-on had taught this to all the noble families, and even daughters-in-law from other families were not exempt.

Yet now, Katrina was dressed as if she were attending a ball, adorned in finery.

And her expression and gaze.

‘Similar.’

Si-on was reminded of Anserman’s mother, whom he had confined in the former August Estate.

Unlike her, Katrina did not radiate eyes filled with venom or openly display a thirst for revenge.

But having lived over a hundred years, including his original life, Si-on, an immortal sage who had seen it all, could detect the cold flames hidden within Katrina’s calm gaze.

Whenever she looked at Yonas, Sirvan, and Piotr, a chilling glare flickered now and then.

‘It’s a murderous intent that goes beyond hostility…’

Si-on instinctively, no, certainly knew.

If Blint had indeed committed the crime of killing his own kin for the successor’s position, as Olrot’s report indicated, it was not Blint, his timid descendant, but Katrina.

‘So, what should I do? She doesn’t seem like an easy woman to handle.’

Si-on briefly contemplated as he followed behind Yonas.

Oddly enough, some faces suddenly popped into his mind.

They were Billy and his younger siblings, who had greeted him with deep bows a few days ago.

Si-on’s hesitation ended immediately.

There was no need to worry in the first place.

‘I’ll go straight ahead. Whatever comes after… well, I’ll think about it then.’

Having made up his mind, Si-on had just crossed the drawbridge and stepped inside the wide-open gates of the Twin-headed Eagle Castle when—

[Error]

[Erreur]

[Fehler]

[錯誤]

[エラー]

“……!!!”

As messages appeared repeatedly at the top of his vision, Si-on widened his eyes and had to stop walking.

[Error detected]

[Correcting error]

[Error correction completed]

[Verifying user information]

[User 01, Jang Si-on, has conquered the first stronghold.]

[User 01, Jang Si-on, has established the first territory.]

[User 01, Jang Si-on, has founded the first nation.]

[User 01, Jang Si-on…]

A stream of messages quickly pushed aside the previous text in less than ten seconds.

Si-on, trying not to arouse suspicion from others, resumed his steps naturally.

Finally, the last message appeared.

[User 01, Jang Si-on, has returned to his owned stronghold.]

[Information messages can be reviewed again.]

* * *

Brief greetings were exchanged in the main hall of the castle.

Blint and the nobles within the castle seemed eager to continue the conversation in the main hall, but Yonas, following Si-on’s instructions before entering the castle, suggested moving to the main conference room.

Though it was presented as a suggestion, no

one was naive enough to take it as such. Soon, around a dozen high-ranking officials, selected according to Yonas’s (Si-on’s directive) criteria, moved to the main conference room.

The conference room, with its arched ceiling and a long stone table about ten meters in length, had portraits of previous dukes (heavily idealized) hanging on one wall.

At one end of the elongated stone table, a high seat, raised about the height of a single step, was set. Ridiculously, the moment they entered the conference room, Blint naturally headed for the high seat.

However, his foolish attempt was stopped by Katrina, who had followed him, and Blint, startled, began glancing at Yonas nervously.

Not just Blint, but everyone of high rank from the Twin-headed Eagle Castle was watching Yonas.

Given the situation, it was obvious that Yonas, who had come as Gede’s representative, deserved the high seat.

Receiving everyone’s gaze, Yonas confidently walked toward the high seat.

And, as if it were the most natural thing, Yonas pulled out the plush chair padded with down and covered in luxurious purple velvet.

“……!?”

But instead of sitting, he stepped aside slightly.

And through the astonished gazes of the nobles, one person walked up to the high seat, placed a hand on the back of the chair, and said:

“Lock the conference room doors.”

“What…?”

“What, what’s going on?”

At Si-on’s low command, the faces of the high-ranking officials turned stupidly blank as if by prearranged agreement.

Only one person, Blaho, looked at Si-on with slight surprise but also with an expression of intrigue.

Stelman quickly locked the conference room doors.

“Who is that person?”

“Well, I’m not sure? Perhaps from the royal family…?”

The high-ranking officials murmured quietly.

Si-on looked around at them and met eyes with Katrina.

She seemed quite surprised, her red lips slightly parted, and Si-on twisted his lips as he spoke to her.

“As the owner of this place, I command: shut your mouths.”

At that moment, a message reappeared in Si-on’s vision.

[Would you like to re-register the stronghold?]