Mongrels often have a poor instinct for preserving life, but their instinct for preserving power is developed beyond all praise. The amazing thirst to rule clearly did not pass by any of those present. As soon as the princess played the role of a person on whom a magical lie detector was used perfectly, all charges against her were dropped. The ideal monarch with a pure heart and good intentions appeared before all the nobles present. More precisely, the ideal target for receiving the title of regent. For the opportunity to "instruct" the princess on her path to rule, many aristocrats are ready to tear their veins and walk over heads. Ready, but they have all already fallen into a bear trap from which they cannot get out on their own.
- I must be regent, my father...
- Shut up, pathetic traitor, my family has ruled since ancient times!
- Your devotion to the crown is nothing! Only I am devoted!
In general, anyone who wanted to actively put forward their candidacy. But I had several powerful aces up my sleeve, and so strong that any cheater would be envious.
The first is related to my pure and righteous reputation. Lakyus already told me at the beginning of the discussions that I saved the kingdom from an unkillable chimera. This greatly increased my importance, and even several mongrels openly offered me the title of captain of the guard, now vacant. But I do not play so small as to take the places of my prisoners. Therefore, I do not intend to exchange my reputation as the defender of the kingdom so cheaply.
The second trump card is connected with the princess who is in love with me. She can pretend very well, but as the Lord of Chimeras, I am very familiar with the peculiarities of facial expressions. By straining my eyes, I can calmly walk over each muscle on her cute face, determining the truth or falsehood of this or that expression. Renner has definitely filled the emptiness in her heart with a new love, which means she is on my side. After all, the princess and the now dead council of high nobles have the final say. In general, everything is on the golden princess, for dead men tell no tales, but the girl is waiting for the best moment, just like me.
The third trump card is also connected with my reputation, but with a sinister one. And now I intend to play it. It was possible to do without the marquis; a common snob is neither here nor there for me. However, the last of the high nobles instilled in the little one an obsessive fear that I can perfectly reveal all their dirty secrets. Sort out all the dirty laundry and show it to the public. And this in a matter of seconds.
- I have a suggestion, - he politely put in his word, which immediately attracted everyone's attention. - Each of you has already been deceived by someone else's intrigues - pointing out the mistakes of others, one can't help but cause general irritation. - But I am sure that each of you is a worthy son of his father - the apple tree doesn't fall far from the tree. - Therefore, - I again took out the crystal spheres from the inventory, without even understanding the spell in them. - I suggest that everyone demonstrate their sincerity before putting forward their candidacy.
Silence.
Actually, as I expected. The desire to become a regent disappeared faster than it appeared, and this is not surprising. It is not necessary to be an ardent traitor and a participant in a conspiracy, although most of those gathered are probably guilty of this. It is much more dangerous to admit that one of them sent peasants to rob the villages of neighboring feudal lords, someone plotted against a best friend, and someone simply slept with someone's daughter. He who is sinless - throw a stone. But there are no stones in sight here, but there are plenty of sinners.
- Lord of Dawn, - the princess addressed me with slightly trembling lips. She even licked them imperceptibly, which spoke of... Are you kidding me, is there love in this world without the desire to sleep with someone? Oh, such is romance, not at all like in romantic movies. - I'm afraid that among all those present here, only the defender of the crown can act as my advisor. The one who is capable of ruling in my name until I gain the necessary experience, - she is modest, considering all the intricate and innovative reforms she had put forward earlier.
- This is absurd, he is not an aristocrat of this country!
- He is a lord, but...
- We can't trust him!
Surprisingly, except for a couple of aristocrats, the rest preferred to remain silent. Everyone already understood where the river was heading, and that they could be taken out on later. Cruelly and mercilessly, if they only spoke out against it at the turning point. So, to convince just three? Easier than a crowd. Easier than pie in the sky.
— You are mistaken here, I am not under anyone's command, and my title is a symbol of the Ascension era and world progress, — the first two enemy arguments are discarded, although they may lead to doubts about my belonging to the common people, but not with my manners. — Apart from the survival of living beings, I am mostly not interested in politics, unless it is aimed at the mass extermination of all living things. Here I am forced to intervene, — to help. — As now, when three countries are planning to tear apart another, like a pack of wild dogs. A country where there are brothers and sisters of their inhabitants by blood, — it is always convenient to dump the negativity on someone else. — And you can not worry. I have the appropriate education, — knowledge from both worlds is well valued in the world of the Middle Ages, albeit magical. — And trust is built on past actions, — gesturing during my explanations, I went straight to the mini-company of the dissatisfied. — What actions of yours indicate trust in you specifically? "I asked, overly politely, without a drop of aggression or accusation.
"We… we…" the fair-haired boy began to exchange glances between his comrades, but he was too young to even win a third-rate knight's tournament.
"Unfortunately," the princess suddenly spoke up. "In the current situation, I can't trust anyone except my savior," the golden princess honestly reminded, blushing a traitorous blush.
"During our acquaintance," Lakyus took a step forward. "The Lord of Dawn has proven himself to be an extremely powerful magic caster, the strongest the history of this world has ever seen. Also, his knowledge is practically limitless, so he is competent in the title of regent," in fact, we have to aim much higher, but this is possible after the completion of the first phase, and during the transition to the second. True, its success depends entirely on the Demiurge, since we will have to act almost in parallel at that stage of the plan.
- No... I can't sim...
The aristocrat was prevented from objecting by the knights who ran in, who were unknown to me.
— The palace is under attack!
During the new wave of panic, I had to retreat into my inner world. Had I really delayed in obtaining the title of regent on my own, so Demiurge decided to help put an end to this issue? It was quite possible that, if he had been in the rear, he would have probably done the same. It was definitely getting dark and the red light of sunset fell on the capital. Ha… it would hide the blood well until the cleaners solved the delicate problem.
— May I know the details?
None of the knights heard me, which caused a slight sigh of disappointment. The loud-mouthed aristocrats were loudly discussing something, and it was dangerous to scare them a second time. It was not far from a stroke followed by a rebellion of their families' personal troops. If they were simple landowners without protection, they would already be lying around like chopped up pieces of meat. But now it was necessary to adjust in order to preserve as much of the country's strength as possible to exert pressure during the negotiations after the first phase.
"What happened there?" I approached the confused guard and pulled him away, asking the question almost to his face.
— Hundreds of thugs have gathered near the palace and demand its surrender, otherwise everything will be covered in blood by morning!
It's clear.
Leaving the knight alone, I sent a message to Kurumi asking her to keep my new investment intact. However, it wasn't just me who left the negotiation room, but also a group of adamantite-ranked adventurers.
- What impudence! To attack the palace during the turmoil!
- It could have been Eight Fingers. Only they would have had the guts.
"Try to stay out of sight of the protesters, so as not to attract their attention," I asked in a friendly tone not to interfere. I need merit points on this mission, otherwise it will be difficult to make a proper impression on the mongrels. The first mission as a regent begins with blood.
After some time, we all approached a group of protesting criminals. The group of adventurers accompanying me stayed to prepare an ambush or simply stayed aside, hiding from the sight of the bloodthirsty crowd of thugs, and I appeared before the enemies honestly and without concealment.
Enemies… There's even a lesser lich among them. They also say that humans and the undead are unable to coexist in peace and harmony. Blatant misinformation. That's how well the leaders of the coup d'etat cooperated. Leaders, and they can rival Blue Rose in strength. A huge man who looks like a barbarian, and given the lack of a weapon, he's a melee fighter or a disguised magic caster. A red-haired guy with a sword, an armored knight, a girl with small blades, and, again, a lich… Only five, and there should be eight fingers. Three remained in the rear, but I won't look for them. They might still be useful, since Demiurge didn't send them to me.
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