novelraw Chapter 101
Chapter 101
Chapter 101
The meeting began.
The High Priest entered the conference hall, bringing with him three lords from the Levelium side.
Through the lords who had fled, we could grasp the situation there more accurately.
The three lords had joined forces to fight against the Empire bastards but were ultimately defeated.
However, since those bastards had also lost a significant number of troops, the lords insisted that now was the best opportunity to eliminate them.
‘So that’s why they collapsed so quickly—because they blew up during that “Battle of Souls.”’
I didn’t know why they had abandoned defense and insisted on an open-field battle, but if the enemy had suffered some losses, then perhaps this truly was the best time to strike.
“It does seem like they’re quite disoriented from taking over three territories at once. Their forces appear to have dwindled too.”
“Indeed.”
Moreover, the Empire bastards were just as busy reorganizing the three territories they had seized.
If we led a large army to launch a surprise attack, we might be able to drive them out more easily than expected.
However, the lords’ reactions weren’t favorable.
Especially the Lord of Vines, who responded rather lukewarmly.
“By the time we march from Vines to Levelium, they’ll have regrouped. That means we’d have to lay siege.”
“They’re invaders. If there are collaborators within, no proper defense can be expected.”
“Oh, so that’s why you abandoned your castle? I doubt those lords were beloved rulers by their people. The reason they gave up the advantage of a fortress to fight outside is fairly obvious.”
“That’s…”
“Sending my troops to rescue someone else’s territory isn’t exactly to my liking.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced about the idea that the residents would rise up from within either.
Would that even be possible?
It’s not like there’s any central leadership left. Those lords had fled here with their entire families.
Besides, from what I’d heard, the Levelium lords hadn’t exactly been benevolent rulers.
Some of the residents probably thought, ‘One’s as bad as the other.’
Sure, they must hate the Empire bastards, but would they risk their lives over it?
Maybe if the Empire’s tyranny had already reached its peak—but if they were still acting cautiously, the residents might just endure for now.
‘And honestly, siege warfare isn’t ideal either.’
If you’re defending a territory, that’s one thing, but retaking one that’s already fallen? That’s an entirely different ordeal.
I could understand why the Lord of Vines was being so contrary.
Being attacked by monsters is one thing—but losing your land to other humans is something else entirely.
Even if those humans were the Empire bastards we all despised.
As cruel as the Empire was, at least they didn’t eat people.
“So what then, we just sit and watch? You really think the Empire bastards will stop at Levelium?”
“If you’re that uneasy, why not have Haken take the lead? We’re far too distant for that. Still, if Haken decides to act, we can at least provide some supplies.”
“Ha, is that supposed to be helpful?”
The Lord of Haken clearly wanted to take action, but the Lord of Vines had no such intention.
The most he offered—almost mockingly—was food supply support.
As if to say, ‘If you insist on marching, I’ll at least feed your men.’
‘But Haken isn’t exactly overflowing with resources either.’
Haken had enough strength, but it wasn’t a place that could afford to send out large numbers of troops.
It might even be tighter than Johnson Territory.
In our case, most raids occurred during winter—but over there, they had no fixed seasons.
The Monster Mountains spewed out creatures once a year in a single season, while the Haken region released them sporadically all year round.
From the Lord of Haken’s perspective, he must have wanted the other great lords to join in—but judging by the atmosphere, that hope was dead on arrival.
‘Still… why is that side so quiet?’
While the Lord of Haken and the Lord of Vines bickered, the Lord of Level remained silent.
I kept my eyes on her for that reason—but she only observed the meeting quietly without reacting at all.
What was that expression about?
“What? Why do you keep looking over there?”
“Hm?”
“Hehh. Are you staring at that female? Don’t tell me that’s your type?”
“What nonsense are you spouting?”
“You’ve been sneaking glances at her this whole time.”
Since the argument wasn’t going anywhere, I had just been studying the Level Lord’s group when Yuria sidled up to me.
She, too, seemed bored by this endless debate.
But she had this annoying habit—whenever she muttered nonsense, she’d jab my side.
Not wanting her gossip to drag on, I decided to just tell her the truth.
Besides, she was somewhat involved too—and it was information she ought to know.
“That woman is my former wife.”
“…What? Seriously? Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Almost certain.”
“My god. Wait, isn’t she one of Deron Level’s close attendants?”
“You know her?”
“Roughly. Olivia—the fifth concubine of Deron Level.”
“Ah, really?”
Now that was surprising.
She was one of Deron Level’s concubines?
‘If that’s the case, then could the Hidden Mastermind really be Deron Level? Or… is there someone else behind him?’
—If he really sent his own female to weave such a scheme, that’s no ordinary man.
‘That’s true. But could it really be that?’
He dispatched her to another territory for a marriage scam, then took her back as his concubine?
Even with boundless ambition, that’s not an easy decision to make.
Still, if he believed it was worth the risk, it’s not impossible either.
“She became his concubine quite recently.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah, she’s been with Deron Level for less than a year.”
“Before that?”
“Not sure. I don’t know that far.”
About a year ago—that was around the time of my assassination attempt, wasn’t it?
And if she appeared suddenly, then I couldn’t say for certain that Deron Level was the mastermind.
He might have been another victim.
Nothing was clear.
“But wait, is that her real face? When she came to you, she was using my face, remember?”
“Oh, that. I think this is her real one.”
“You sure?”
“Not entirely. It’s just a feeling.”
Iron had been captivated by her simply because she was beautiful—but now that I recalled her face, there had always been something oddly off about it.
This one, though—this face looked completely natural.
I had been watching that woman all along precisely to confirm that.
So, it wouldn’t be wrong to assume that was her true face.
“Hehh.”
“What’s with that look?”
“If that’s her real face, then I understand why she disguised herself as me. She’s lacking—by a lot.”
“…You were thinking about that?”
She wasn’t wrong.
That face of hers looked fine enough, but she couldn’t hold a candle to Yuria.
Still, admitting that outright felt awkward, so I just gave a vague reply.
“Guess it’s just a matter of taste. She’s decent enough. The Lord of Level wouldn’t have taken her as a concubine for no reason.”
“So, that female’s more your type than me?”
“Well, not exactly.”
“Right. You were a male who completely fell for my face, after all. No need to ask.”
“Careful, or that nose of yours will pierce the sky.”
“Can’t help it. I am pretty.”
Whatever. There was no meaning in arguing over it now.
Watching her strut with her nose in the air was irritating, but I decided to let it go.
Just then, Deron Level finally took the floor.
“Even in such a crisis, our opinions fail to unite.”
“What are you implying?”
“The fact that everyone speaks differently means only one thing—we are not one.”
“…What?”
“We must first become one. A single kingdom. That is the path we must take.”
Deron Level suddenly dropped a bombshell.
The meeting, already chaotic, erupted into utter turmoil.
‘That bastard’s insane.’
It was enough to snap everyone fully awake.
The meeting ended in confusion.
All the lords had been swept away by the storm Deron Level had stirred.
From the moment he spoke of forming a single kingdom, the talk of supporting Levelium became a distant dream.
Could he have planned this all along?
Truly, not an ordinary man.
“It was brutal.”
Harsh words had flown back and forth throughout the meeting—between the Lords of Vines, Haken, and Level.
No one had given an inch.
“A kingdom? Don’t make me laugh. The kingdom ended the moment the Great Cataclysm struck.”
“The kingdom may have fallen, but the royal bloodline remains. I, Deron Royal Level, stand here.”
“Ha. So what then? You plan to restore the kingdom and crown yourself king?”
“If the kingdom is rebuilt, that would be only natural, wouldn’t it?”
Claiming royal lineage, Deron Level didn’t bother to hide his ambition to rebuild the kingdom and become its king.
“We survived the Great Cataclysm thanks to the efforts and sacrifices of the lords, not the kingdom.”
“But it was the royal family who appointed those lords. Lord Uldea, Lord Mishel—you two still hold your titles because the royal family delegated that power to you. Isn’t that the essence of a feudal contract?”
“So you’re saying you want us to return that authority now?”
“I’m saying that depending on circumstances, it might be time.”
To be fair, citing the foundation of feudal contracts had its logic.
Most of the lords here were descendants of those granted titles and territories before the Great Cataclysm.
There were a few who had risen from common origins after the collapse, but they were the minority.
“Feudal contract, huh. I suppose that’s one way to see it. But tell me, do you even hold that right?”
“My bloodline is that right.”
“Ha! Royal blood? If you were truly of the royal family, you’d have died when the capital was struck by that meteor.”
“So you’re saying I’m not royal?”
“A faint, diluted branch line of dubious blood, prattling on about the throne—don’t you think that’s pathetic?”
Well, none of the great lords had any reason to acknowledge him.
As soon as they pointed out that Deron Level’s very claim—his lineage—was questionable, the meeting descended into chaos again.
To begin with, it was almost laughable that the Lord of Level, who ruled only the New Level region, would declare himself fit to be king in this world.
“This is ridiculous.”
This was supposed to be a council of lords?
It was no different from a political brawl in parliament.
Especially since no one seemed interested in listening to anyone else’s words.
“At this rate, they’ll never reach a consensus.”
The Lords’ Council often continued for days depending on the agenda.
Though today ended without results, tomorrow’s meeting might take a new turn.
After all, secret meetings followed—where smaller groups adjusted their positions in private.
Even now, that was probably happening.
Somewhere, certain lords were gathering to coordinate their stance behind closed doors.
That was about the only thing we could rely on.
“But honestly, in this situation, even that doesn’t seem to matter much.”
“Probably not. Looks like this will all just fizzle out.”
“Right?”
“Yeah. The situations in Vines and Haken are far too different.”
“Vines, huh. Sure enough, that’s a blessed land.”
The Vines Territory, located in the southwest of the Ribella Peninsula, was the farthest region from Levelium.
To reach Levelium from Vines, one had to travel far north—and between them lay another forbidden zone: the Swamp of Death.
That place was an almost impassable barrier.
The only way to reach Levelium from Vines was through the Holy City Saint, and even that was a long detour.
“On top of that, Vines is a massive food storage zone.”
Within the Ribella Peninsula, the human domain had two main food centers—Levelium and the area around Vines.
If Levelium were to fall to the Empire, Vines would be the only one left.
All the nearby territories around it were part of Vines, making it the sole holder of vast food supplies.
“Neither Haken nor New Level can sustain themselves with food production alone. If food becomes a weapon, Vines will hold a strong position.”
Which meant Vines had absolutely no reason to rush.
In fact, with the Empire occupying only Levelium, the situation was advantageous for Vines.
“That’s what I don’t get. What nerve does Deron Level have to stir up this mess?”
Was he truly trying to become king?
He might have that ambition—but now was hardly the time.
“Maybe he’s got something to rely on.”
One thing was certain: we couldn’t depend solely on the Lords’ Council.
We had to find our own way to survive.