CH 121

[Rebellion]

I run along the road from Lisburn village to the royal capital on Diedur with Noelia behind me.

Dimol and Cinzia are left behind to escort Suzana’s wagon, which couldn’t keep up with our speed, so I rush back first to the royal capital only with Noelia.

Actually, if I could fly with Dimol, I’d be able to get back faster, however.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get permission to bring a wyvern into the royal capital.

The people of the royal capital, who had been terrorized by the demonic dragon Gae Briggs for many years, are extremely afraid of the dragon species, that was why I had Dimol waiting at the outskirts the whole time when we were at the royal capital previously.

Therefore, I’m now relying only on Diedur’s legs and stamina.

“Frick-sama, that is…” (Noelia)

At the place where Noelia, who is clinging to my waist, points at, many wagons are stopped on the road, jamming it.

“A traffic jam? There is normally a lot of traffic here, but rarely there is a jam…” (Frick)

Since we are stuck in the traffic jam, we, who are on a rush, ask for the reason to a nearby man who seems to be a merchant.

“Why is a traffic jam happening in such a place?” (Frick)

The merchant sitting on the coachman’s seat sighs.

“According to what I heard, there seemed to be an uproar about a rebellion in the royal capital, so the commander of the Royal Guard Knight Order, Gile-sama, issued martial law, making the city gates remained closed even in the daytime. Due to that many people are stopped on the road.”

Martial law is issued and the gates of the royal capital is closed…

Even when we were subjugating the demonic dragon Gae Briggs, the gates were left open during the day, though…

Since Gile is the one who issued martial law, is this situation the work of Vigo?

Besides, rebellion? Just who is…

“Who is the one said to be the mastermind of the rebellion?” (Noelia)

Noelia, who is listening to the talk from behind, seems to be curious about the rebellion, as she asks the merchant who the mastermind is.

“Err, if I remember correctly. It’s Linus-shi. Yeah, Linus-shi. From the rumors floating around, it seems that Linus-shi of the Magic Research Institute had been planning a rebellion to overthrow the kingdom.”

I hear Noelia gasping, hearing the name coming out of the merchant’s mouth.

That Linus-shi is rebelling?

Something’s definitely up, right?

The fact that Gile, the commander of the Royal Guard Knight Order, moved, means that Vigo might be controlling things behind the scene.

I feel that Vigo, who attacked the village, is involved in the rebellion that is happening in the royal capital.

“So what’s the situation in the royal capital?” (Frick)

“It seems that the city gates are closed around the clock and the people inside are prohibited from going out, making the royal capital deserted. Words is Linus-shi has already been detained, and the Magic Research Institute falls under the control of the Royal Guard Knight Order. Well, I just heard that from rumor, so I don’t know whether or not they’re true. Though at this rate, we merchants would end up being doomed.”

The merchant drops his shoulders and sighs deeply again.

“Thank you for telling us. It’s not much, but please take this.” (Frick)

I put tens of thousands of oz worth of gold coins in the hand of the merchant who have told us the rumor.

“Nii-chan, isn’t this too much?”

“It’s a thanks for telling us about the rumor, so please accept it.” (Frick)

“Thank you, it’d be a great help.”

The merchant bows deeply and stows the gold coins in his hand inside a leather bag he took out from his breast pocket.

We veer away from the jammed road full of wagons, before having Diedur runs through the unpaved grasslands.

Noelia, clinging to my waist from behind, mutters,

“Linus-shishou would have never bear any thoughts such as rebelling against the kingdom…even if Gile were to falsely charge him, I don’t think King Frederick would believe him…” (Noelia)

“Even though the martial law was passed down under Gile’s name, I don’t think it’s something that can be issued without the approval of the King. Besides, the Magic Research Institute is a royals’ facility. I believe its leader can’t be arrested without solid evidence… That is so as long as the evidence isn’t forged, though.”

“Do you mean that Linus-shishou was framed and made a rebel?” (Noelia)

“Perhaps, it has something to do with the matter of Abyss Walkers. If that’s the case, then both Gile and Vigo should have plenty enough motive to aim Linus-shi.” (Frick)

“It’s because he reported the discovery of a new type of Abyss Walker to King Frederick!? I see, it seems that King Frederick was half-convinced of the report… Then, Gile and co got enough reason to remove him from King Frederick’s side. Because their position has been jeopardized, they move to eliminate Linus-shi with a suitable reason.” (Noelia)

“I think so. There’s a possibility that the Director and Sensei, who were Linus-shi’s disciples, were kidnapped because they got involved in that plot.” (Frick)

It’s more logical to think that they were targeted because of their status as the rebel Linus’s former disciples, rather as a director and a teacher of an orphanage of a village located in the sticks.

Following that line of thought, after detaining Linus-shi, the Director, and Sensei, they would likely use the pretext of them being rebels to execute them.

I thought we had a little more time, but it seems that things might turn out badly if we don’t hurry more.

“Noelia, looks like we don’t have time. We’ll go faster, so hold tight.” (Frick)

“Y-yes.” (Noelia)

“Diedur, please use your fastest speed to the royal capital.” (Frick)

After confirming that we have brace ourselves, Diedur neighs and starts running through the unpaved grasslands twice as fast as before.