"Marquis Eiger is rebelling... What?!"
In the wake of Celestine’s bombshell, Viola stood up in shock.
Her gaze darted around the room in confusion. The maid standing by the door hurriedly excused herself, likely realizing she shouldn't be privy to such sensitive information. Celestine, however, simply shook her head.
"Do not worry; there is no need to clear the room. The entire country will know soon enough."
"...Why would Marquis Eiger do such a thing?" Primula asked, her voice controlled as she tried to soothe her agitated sister.
While Primula often hid in the shadow of the assertive Viola, she was surprisingly composed during emergencies.
"As you may know, Marquis Eiger was the foremost figure among those who worshiped Her Majesty the Queen Dowager," Celestine explained clearly, though her shoulders slumped in weary exasperation. "He supports Prince Rodel, whom the 'Shadow Queen'—as she was once known—doted upon."
Celestine sighed.
"My own grandfather also worshiped the Queen Dowager, which is how I ended up engaged to Prince Rodel... though, in the end, that engagement proved useful for monitoring the hostile faction. Marquis Eiger insists that Prince Rodel, and not the First Prince who has already been named heir, should be the next King. To that end, he built the Reformist Faction and has been plotting in the shadows. We believe he was the mastermind pulling the strings during the disaster at the Monster Hunting Festival."
"So he was behind it all..." Rest’s expression twisted. "He went to truly unthinkable lengths."
During that incident, monsters had nearly swarmed the Royal Capital. Even without that total catastrophe, a significant number of students had lost their lives. It was not something that could ever be forgiven.
"Indeed. Marquis Eiger has already been designated a traitor, and it seems he is aware of it. He eluded his watchers, fled the Royal Capital, and has raised an army in his territory. The nobles of the Queen Dowager Faction are gathering in Marquis Eiger Territory one after another, and they are preparing to march on the capital."
"A civil war... things really have turned into a mess, haven't they?" Yuri gave a weary shrug and popped a pastry from the table into her mouth. "I wondered why my father hadn't sent any pursuers after me lately. Now it makes sense."
"What on earth have you been doing...?" Rest muttered.
It seemed she was still playing a game of tag with her father. Marquis Catleya certainly had his hands full with his runaway daughter.
"Of course, His Majesty the King has no intention of sitting idly by while the capital is attacked," Celestine continued. "Preparations are underway to strike down the traitor, Marquis Eiger. Currently, the army is waiting for the right moment to invade."
"The right moment? Shouldn't they just attack immediately?"
"No... apparently, His Majesty is intentionally waiting for the enemy's forces to gather. He likely intends to wipe out every rebellious element at once."
The faction that worshiped the Queen Dowager had supporters all over the country. It seemed the King was daring to wait for the hostile factions to assemble so he could eradicate them in a single sweep.
Waiting specifically for the enemy to prepare their forces might seem like a foolish move depending on one's perspective. However, if a quagmire of a civil war dragged on and the domestic chaos was prolonged, there was a risk of intervention from foreign powers. The King likely intended to finish everything with a single, decisive blow to bring the conflict to an end as quickly as possible.
"Earlier, I mentioned that there would be no problem with granting Rest a vast territory," Celestine said. "When Marquis Eiger and his subordinate nobles are destroyed, many vacancies will be created in their lands. Those lands will be distributed as rewards to the nobles and knights who distinguish themselves in battle, so there will likely be no objections to your reward."
"Ah... I see."
Though he said he understood, Rest worked to piece together the complex information in his head. Because he had slain Subnock, the plains could now be developed. That was why he was being granted a title and vast lands. Normally, a commoner-born rising to obtain such a large territory would be met with intense jealousy, but with Marquis Eiger’s rebellion, the nobility had no room to attack Rest. Since the territories of the rebels would be redistributed among the loyalist nobles, the envy directed at Rest would likely be mitigated.
"Soon, the announcement that Rest slew Subnock will be made, and an investiture ceremony will be held along with the other meritorious individuals. At that gathering, the rebellion of Marquis Eiger and the call for subjugation will be formally declared. Therefore... we would like Rest to join the subjugation army as well."
"Me... in the subjugation army?"
"Yes. Since the Marquis Rosemary House will also be deploying troops, we would like you to serve as one of the commanders in your capacity as a Viscount. Then, through your achievements in that battle, you will be promoted to 'Count.' We want you to hold a status that matches the scale of the territory you will be granted."
"............"
Though Celestine’s words took the form of a "proposal," the plan had already been approved by the King and Marquis Rosemary. In other words, it was effectively an order.
I don't really have the option to refuse, do I?
Once again, things had taken an extraordinary turn. Only a few years ago, he had been oppressed as the child of a commoner and a mistress... yet before he knew it, he was a candidate to be a matrilocal husband of the Marquis Rosemary House. Furthermore, he had been appointed as a Viscount, with a clear path to becoming a Count laid out before him.
My freedom has slipped further away than I realized... but I suppose being bound by these kinds of ties is what it means to become a noble.
Losing the opportunity to choose for oneself seemed like a misfortune, but he intended to take Viola and Primula as his wives. He felt he should gladly accept this level of restriction for their sakes.
Besides... if I obtain territory and status for myself, it will also open up a future for the children who will be born someday. If that's the case, I have to be grateful for being given the chance to rise in the world.
Reaching this conclusion to satisfy himself, Rest gave a firm nod.
"I understand. I will gladly join the subjugation of the traitors."