The Runaway Maid is Loved by the Archmage - Chapter 43
“How are the Kastrelonians faring as a defeated nation?”
“Y-Yes! Your Highness, the Kastrelonians… only their royal family members were executed, while the people have been governed under a policy of peaceful reformation. Since it has been nearly ten years, there have been no major issues to speak of…”
“Send them all to the Al Ruhata labor camps.”
“…What?!”
“Turn them all into slaves. Did I not make myself clear?”
The Crown Prince shot a chilling glare at the young adjutant who had dared to question him. The adjutant, trembling under that murderous gaze, still managed to stammer out another protest.
“B-But, Your Highness… It was you yourself who abolished slavery—”
“That defeated nation’s people barely amount to a million. They’re nothing more than second-class citizens, aren’t they? Just make it look as though they willingly pledged their devotion to the Kailum Empire.”
“But…”
Slash!
It happened in an instant.
Roberto drew a decorative sword from the wall and struck down the adjutant who had dared to argue.
The young man, despite his humble origins as a commoner, had been competent enough to serve as the Crown Prince’s aide. Roberto had intentionally kept him close, feigning an image of a wise and fair ruler who valued talent regardless of birth.
The adjutant let out a strangled, gurgling sound as he convulsed on the floor. His head had not been completely severed, and blood bubbled from his mouth.
The knights who had been standing by watched in silence. The Crown Prince, whose swordsmanship had been honed through rigorous training, was not the type to make mistakes. He had deliberately chosen not to kill in a single strike.
“Dispose of him.”
At his command, the waiting servants stepped forward, wordlessly removing the dying adjutant. The head steward approached and respectfully handed Roberto a towel to wipe his hands.
Casually handing over the bloodied sword, Roberto accepted the towel and wiped his hands clean.
“What an unfortunate accident. Losing such a promising young man like this… truly a shame. He was quite good at his work.”
“Yes. Your Highness did everything in your power to prevent it.”
Only after taking a life did Roberto seem fully at ease, his lips curling into a languid, satisfied smile.
The Crown Prince’s office fell into an oppressive silence.
The scribe who had been standing next to the slain adjutant looked on the verge of collapse.
“Tell Marcus that he has been promoted to First Adjutant as of today. He should already be aware of how we’ll handle the Kastrelonians.”
“Y-Yes, Your Highness! I will make sure he is informed.”
Adjusting his glasses with shaking hands, the scribe gave a stiff bow in accordance with palace etiquette before fleeing the room as fast as he could.
“There are far too many people who tire me.”
Roberto shook his head in exasperation. With a mere glance, he signaled one of the knights on guard. Silently, the knight slipped away, following after the scribe.
“You must be weary, Your Highness. I shall order the bathwater to be prepared.”
“Hah… Alright.”
Roberto let out a sigh before stepping out of his office. No one dared to stand in his way.
As he walked, he spoke quietly to the head steward.
“I wonder how my father is doing.”
“His Majesty is still faring well. He has recently found a new source of entertainment.”
“I see. And that mutt?”
“He is well restrained. Thanks to Your Highness’s wise command, he will soon be reunited with his family.”
“He’s a cherished mutt, so see to it that his family is treated well.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The head steward, who had been responding in his usual succinct manner, fell silent for a moment before delivering a new report.
“The Lady Veronica Eckhardt has requested an audience. How shall I respond?”
At that, Roberto nodded as if just recalling something he had forgotten.
“Summon her for lunch three days from now. Since she has decided to retire from her position as a lady-in-waiting, I suppose I should offer her my condolences.”
The Crown Prince smiled in satisfaction. Everything was proceeding smoothly.
The Emperor was lost in a haze of drugs and debauchery, and the affairs of the nation had fallen entirely into his hands. No longer did he need to tolerate the insolence of lowly commoners daring to climb above him.
The new pawn had willingly placed its neck at his feet, just as he had expected. And the mutt that had once dared to rise against him would soon be thoroughly broken.
Now, he had only one thing left to reclaim.
Grit.
The filthy commoner who dared to claim the title of Archmage after stealing what was his—he would never be forgiven.
With eyes ablaze, the Crown Prince glared at the distant tower of the Archmage beyond the window.
