Regressor of the Fallen Family novel Chapter 241

Chapter 241.

Step by step.

Walking down the corridor of the palace, lined with magnificent works of art, was a young man. He was a handsome young man, suited perfectly to the court attire decorated with golden dragons embroidered with shiny gold threads, but those who encountered him were horrified and hastily bowed their heads.

Black hair, black eyes, and yellow skin were the symbols of the imperial family’s direct lineage, and the golden dragon emblem was something only those belonging to the imperial family could use.

Therefore, it was only natural for people to bow their heads at a 90-degree angle whenever they crossed paths with the young man, even if they did not recognize his face.

“Ah! I beg your pardon.”

“Greetings to the esteemed one!”

“Oh, it’s alright. Go about your business.”

Despite the stiff reactions of the people, the young man accepted their greetings with a smile, and after he had left, the remaining servants and nobles nodded to each other in approval at his confident and relaxed departure.

“Is that the Second Prince?”

“Yes. They say he’s a strong contender for the succession…”

“He truly stands out.”

While to themselves it sounded like a whisper, the discreet magic constantly deployed by the Second Prince transmitted their words directly to him.

With a small smile.

A magic that had become a habit of seeking out targets for purges or rewards, today brought him a light-hearted smile.

However, both his self-assured face and his unhesitant stride began to change slightly as he reached a certain place.

A slightly tense face.

And more cautious steps.

The Second Prince, standing before the door marked with the golden dragon, nodded silently to the knight guarding it, and the knight announced his visit.

“His Highness Baros Van Ares requests an audience.”

– Let him in.

With that deep voice, the door opened, and Second Prince Baros Van Ares took a deep breath and cautiously stepped into the room.

And he laid eyes on someone.

The massive frame that filled the throne and the angular face with strangely shimmering black eyes.

The moment his eyes met the Emperor’s gaze, the Second Prince immediately prostrated himself.

“I am in the presence of His Imperial Majesty.”

“Raise your head, Baros.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Do you have something to say?”

“It’s about the eastern border nation that has changed its name from Grandia to the Kingdom of McLean.”

“Ah, the country of that boy Logan, is that it? The Kingdom of McLean?”

“They’ve had a change of dynasty due to Logan McLean’s coup.”

“Ha…”

A chuckle.

“Is that right. A king, eh? Recruiting him seems out of the question now.”

Was he lamenting this turn of events despite how it unfolded?

The Second Prince internally scoffed at the Emperor’s unending greed for talent.

Of course, outwardly he dared not express this, speaking calmly only of other facts he knew.

“As soon as he ascended to the throne, he significantly raised taxes and is using the money to build up a royal army.”

“Ho?”

“Considering his prompt actions, he appears to be an ambitious young king. If left to his own devices, he might become quite an obstacle in ‘that plan.’”

He deliberately left out the report that the harsh policies might lead to self-destruction.

Contingency plans should always anticipate the worst.

Now that it was clear this was not a talent the Emperor could harness, the latter’s concern was solely ‘that plan,’ possibly years in the future.

Fortunately, the moment he mentioned it, a glint of interest flashed in the lackadaisical eyes of the Emperor.

“Hmm. What about it?”

“I would like to initiate the plan I mentioned before. Please give your consent.”

Eyes alike in black met for a moment.

And then the Emperor nodded indifferently.

“Well, it might be worth a try.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Once again bowing deeply, the Second Prince left the Emperor’s office with a stride that seemed a little lighter than when he entered.

* * *

“Things have been quite ominous lately.”

“I hear the lowborn are cursing the king, saying it’s difficult to survive.”

“People are quick to anger these days, fights breaking out over trifles…”

The discussions continued, not a single word of them good.

Yet as they caught each other’s eyes, the speakers’ faces were brimming with smiles.

“Hahaha, indeed, those simple-minded below us are easier to handle. We collect the taxes, and the king suffers the blame.”

“As if only they would do such a thing. The king himself is no different. Tax increases, raising armies, major winter constructions. There is a limit to misgovernment.”

“Well, it works out in ‘our’ favor, does it not?”

“Indeed it does.”

The convivial voices filled the drawing room once more.

‘That’s right. It would benefit us most of all, especially me.’

Jacques Juan masked his true feelings and responded with a smooth smile to the two people grinning before him.

His conspiring comrade Ivan Claude and the contentious Mike Teroda.

Their attitudes were different, but Jacques, who was also an earl from a nearby estate, had chosen to join hands with them to rally more noble voices.

Of course, since he had led the whole affair, the other lower nobles regarded him as their chief—a status that the two men now laughing and thinking him their equal would also eventually acknowledge with their heads bowed.

“There is, however, something of slight concern.”

“Oh? Do share, Earl Mike.”

“That dam construction. I’ve heard they’ve benefited from it several times in the McLean region, but if it were to be successfully completed, it would surely increase the royal dominion’s revenue, would it not? Then that army might be able to be maintained, which concerns me.”