I Became the Narrow-Eyed Villain in a Dropped Novel

Chapter 131:

"Rebellion?"

"You can call it a revolution if you don't like the word."

"That's too much of a pipe dream. Me, with no connection to the Grand Duchy, starting a revolution."

Noah shook his head.

It must sound like an absurd story.

Until just a little while ago, I would have dismissed it as nonsensical too.

"Do you know anything about the situation in the Grand Duchy of Leitche?"

"About as much as I heard from Avantnik's men? That it's teetering but still rolling along."

"That's a decent summary. Didn't you hear anything more detailed."

"I heard that when they see a demon, they scream, chop them to pieces, and then eat them."

"Well, that's not entirely wrong."

Though the Grand Duchy of Leitche was feared and respected at the eastern end of the White Continent, it had two geographical problems.

To the west, where the Black Continent was, the Vestol Assembly completely controlled the sea, making expansion impossible.

To the east, across a wide sea, there was a huge island... but not a single person who went there ever returned.

For hundreds of years, the Grand Duchy tried to seize the land where Vestol now stands but failed, leaving them no choice but to give up the sea and expand to the north and south of the continent.

The problem was that this land was not empty, ownerless land.

"In the process of pioneering the demon lands, the Grand Duchy inevitably created numerous refugees. The majority of them are demons."

"And you want me to rally those demons? They're only called demons, but every tribe has different schemes, how could I possibly...."

"Aha, so you're not confident. I understand."

As I shook my head and scoffed, Noah furrowed his brow and glared at me.

It meant he'd half-taken the bait.

"Did you think I'd get ticked off and agree to do it just like that?"

"What a disappointing thing to say. Being fearful is not a bad thing. I'm also very fearful, so don't I always move with caution."

"You...."

"Now, let's look at the situation."

I put an arm around the scowling Noah's shoulder and dragged him to the map in the corner.

"On this map, about a handspan up and a handspan down is the land Leitche gained through pioneering. How many demons do you think were driven from their lands."

"At least tens of thousands...."

"Considering the history of pioneering, it's well over millions. Well, most of them probably died of old age or got themselves killed by defying the Duke, but there are still millions of them left."

That was just the number the Ravens had identified, so the actual number was likely higher.

In a way, the Grand Duchy was living on a bomb that could go off at any moment.

"Of course, as our brilliant Diaboli pointed out, they are fragmented by race and by tribe."

"That's why I'm saying it can't be done."

"Do you know what the driving force is that can unite these grains of sand?"

I pointed my finger at Leitche's capital.

A common enemy, an enemy that everyone loathed, was needed.

I turned my finger to point at Noah.

A focal point to gather that hatred was also needed.

"They all hate Leitche, so you want me to try and gather them...?"

"You're a quick learner."

"What about Avantnik?"

"He's a native, isn't he? A notorious one at that. We need a new face, one that isn't entangled in the conflicts between tribes and races. Something like the horned demon who went around burning down the Empire and the Northern Federation."

Noah, who had been contemplating the meaning of my words for a moment, glared daggers and stared intently at my face.

"Don't tell me...."

"Rumors travel fast, you know. Word of your exploits on the Black Continent has already spread to the opposite continent."

Of course, I did give it a little push to help it spread well.

Noah let out a sigh and fell into thought.

A few minutes passed as I let him ponder to his heart's content.

With a more serious face than ever before, Noah spoke.

"If this succeeds, what do we get."

"Well, there are various things. Money that's more than enough for all of you to share, land to stretch your legs and live on, profitable jobs...."

"No."

Noah shook his head.

I smiled faintly.

If he stopped at this, he couldn't be called a protagonist.

"For demons, this seems like a big enough reward. What is it that you want."

"A position within the Eight Council."

"Hmm... what position are you thinking of."

"Up to a place equal to Til or you. They say to dream big."

To become one of the 8 members of the Eight Council.

It was a bolder proposal than I had expected.

"You're planning to oust the Duke. Doesn't that mean one seat will be empty."

"That is true, but."

"If you don't want to become the Seven Council, won't you have to find one more person?"

"Just succeeding won't be enough."

Even if we were to fill a vacancy, no one would like a guy of unknown origin joining.

In this situation, the ways for Noah to enter the Eight Council were limited.

Either he pleases the Commander, or he creates an achievement that no one can ignore.

Or both.

"Then to what extent do I have to succeed?"

"Wouldn't you have to unite the demons under the Grand Duchy and create a nation?"

"...Alright. Let's do it."

He wasn't overflowing with confidence, but at least he wasn't backing down.

For now, this should be enough.

Since he's the protagonist, he won't fail without even serving as kindling, right?

"You can receive the necessary items and support through the Strategy Division. If you need the help of that man named Falsh, you can receive that as well. However."

"However?"

"Never trust him. He's a snake-like man."

"Like you?"

"Yes, exactly like me."

When I held out my hand, Noah hesitated for a moment.

He looked back and forth between my face and my hand with a look that said he didn't know what it meant, but eventually shook it.

"It will be difficult to provide direct support for a while, so you'll have to manage on your own. Please consider it an opportunity to prove your abilities."

"Because of what?"

My gaze turned to the letter sitting on the corner of the desk.

Come to think of it, it was about time I sent a reply.

"Because the Emperor and the Dukes are noisily looking for me."

"You have it rough."

It might have been a conventionally offered word of consolation, but it was actually rough.

Because Johann Geller had started to move faster than I thought.

***

Victor clutched his temples and tilted his head back.

He had a strong feeling that if he kept at it like this for a few more days, he would kick the bucket.

"Oh, my head...."

"There is still much work to be done, Victor."

"Who's saying this because they don't know."

"Once this is handled, Bisu should be able to rest a bit. Let's hang in there."

"Yeah, yeah."

Victor grumbled at the black-haired woman's remark.

Usually, he avoided her because he hated hearing her nagging, but today there was no way around it.

"Did anything come up from the information we handed over last time, Semia?"

"I'm investigating with all the silver dagger unit under my command."

"So, nothing in particular."

"Count Valheit is not a person who would be so easily caught by the tail."

The black-haired woman said, shaking her head.

The fact that even the most meticulous and tenacious silver dagger unit in the Three Blades couldn't find a clue meant that Valheit's dealings were perfectly legal.

"On paper, the place called Borgia Liquor Guild was flawless."

"For a Federation criminal, he's just too clever...."

"Outside of the paperwork is Bisu's responsibility, isn't it? Have you found anything."

"If I had, I wouldn't be like this."

It couldn't be a coincidence that after Johann Geller announced he would push for the restoration of the Dukes' rights, flies like smugglers and pirates were flocking to the territory.

But there was also no proof that it wasn't a coincidence.

Despite Victor's background checks and Semia's foreground checks, they still hadn't grasped even a part of the picture Valheit was painting.

It was as if numerous organizations were cooperating.

No matter how great Count Valheit was, he couldn't possibly have that much influence outside the Empire.

"What's happening in the Imperial Capital."

"The Dukes are gathering, and His Majesty and the old man are desperately trying to win over their own sides."

"Didn't His Grace say he would see it to the end at the Council of Dukes meeting."

"That's the best-case scenario. He's not a fool like the former Emperor, so you have to assume it won't end easily."

As the foremost politician in the Empire, it was true that the First Duke had the upper hand, but the Emperor was also defending himself quite well.

If it goes on like this, we might have to get help from those annoying Leitche bastards....

Victor's thoughts were cut short as the door burst open and a burly man entered.

"Knock before you come in, Lagion."

"They were small fry."

"He really only says what he wants to say."

Why are my so-called comrades so lacking in social skills?

While Victor lamented inwardly, Semia asked in his stead.

"No significant results from Taito's side either?"

"Right."

"By small fry, are you talking about the smugglers."

"Right."

A brief exchange of questions and answers took place.

He may be a warrior, but couldn't he speak with a bit more tact?

The leaders of the Three Blades had gathered for the first time in a while, but Victor's worries only deepened.

"Hand over the captured smugglers to Bisu, and tell silver dagger unit to keep looking for faults. Taito will maintain a state of high alert and deal with the pirate bastards when they come ashore."

"It's not a fundamental solution."

"You think I don't know that? Until the meeting in the Imperial Capital is over, this is all we can do...."

Clang!

An irritating noise made Victor turn his head.

Beyond the cracked window, a raven was shaking its head frantically.

"Is it alright to leave that be."

"...It's not yet at the point where we need to borrow the hands of the ravens."

"I was talking about the window."

"If it shatters, at least it won't be able to peck with its beak anymore."

Victor answered indifferently, but inwardly, he worried that a situation where he would have to borrow their help might soon come. Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn Nov3lFɪre.ɴet

He could only hope that the old man would handle things well so that wouldn't happen.

***

"...Considering the recent increase in pirate activity, the Dukes' right to self-defense must be further guaranteed."

After the boring speech ended, a sound of perfunctory applause echoed through the conference hall, attended only by the Emperor and the Dukes.

"We have heard the Second Duke's esteemed opinion well. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak."

Joseph Chartra raised his hand, but Johann deliberately ignored him.

The person sitting in the Duke's seat had changed, but Chartra still pledged allegiance to the Emperor.

If he were to give him a chance to speak, he wanted to give it as late as possible.

In the end, he had no choice but to speak himself.

"Before I give the floor to the Fourth Duke, I would like to say a word first. Is that alright."

Joseph nodded with a blank expression.

If it had been Werner, his face would have flushed red and he would have stood up from his seat.

Perhaps that would have been easier to deal with.

"The history of the Empire was built on the cooperation between His Majesty the Emperor and the Dukes. When His Majesty needed it, there were times when the Dukes stepped forward, and times when they took a step back."

"......"

Blaiher looked at Johann with a puzzled expression.

Guessing the intentions of the Emperor, who had not said a word today other than a greeting, was not an easy task even for the seasoned Johann.

"Dark clouds are gathering over the Empire once again. Vestol, Leitche, the Federation, and even small kingdoms and demons are eating away at the Empire. The Dukes must once again take up that role...."

"What role do you speak of? Are you still greedy after receiving so much land?"

A voice mixed with accusation and ridicule circled the conference hall.

The Emperor and all the Dukes turned their heads to where the voice came from.

No one could suddenly enter the Council of Dukes meeting, which was being held in private.

Except for one person.

The sound of cheerful shoe-steps echoed as a man with a smile covering his face approached the round table.

"...Count Valheit. I thought you were not attending as there was no reply."

"I have been a bit busy. I forgot to reply. Well, I'm here now, isn't that what matters."

The Count, who shrugged his shoulders, struck the floor with his staff.

With a heavy thud, everyone's attention was focused on Johann Geller and Count Valheit.

"Thank you for your attendance, Count."

"Thank you for summoning a busy person, First Duke."

While everyone held their breath to see what the two would say, only Blaiher wore a faint smile.