Lost Sword story · Event story
King's Qualification
3 scenes, 155 lines
1. King's Qualification Ep.1
58 linesThe Duchy of Aurelia is a territory located at the southern tip of Britannia, frequently caught in conflict with the Ygritte Empire.
The reason this small territory hadn't been absorbed by the empire was the Magitek weaponry left behind by a legendary hero,
and the Duchess' broad-mindedness and keen intellect.
Your Grace, are you heading out on another inspection?
You hardly sleep these days... perhaps it's time to ease up on these visits...
The world one hears about and the world one sees with their own eyes are two very different things, wouldn't you agree?
Your Grace...
It's not that I don't trust you.
Just as a gun's range isn't infinite, neither are human eyes and ears.
I simply want to check the spots that are easy to overlook myself.
This was the Duchess' way of assuring them that even if the reports didn't match what she observed in the field, she wouldn't hold them accountable.
Only after hearing that assurance did the elders of the senate finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Are there any further comments?
Isabel understood human nature all too well.
She knew that for the elders of the senate, the stability of the nation came second to their wealth and status.
Yet she never rebuked them.
She merely gave them what they wanted, and in return, took what she needed.
After all, negotiation was about fulfilling each other's desires.
Then, with that, let's conclude the meeting.
Leaving the chamber, Isabel set out on her inspection, surrounded by her guards.
The Duchy of Aurelia thrived in prosperity, thanks to its Magitek weaponry.
But that prosperity was limited to the major cities.
Towns under the rule of minor nobles or those with little influence were no different from ordinary rural villages.
Your Grace... it seems the number of deserters from the Ygritte Empire is rising.
Those brutes keep raiding our food supplies!
And with the reach of Magitek wisdom failing to extend to these regions, they had become frequent hotspots for conflict.
Thank you, Your Grace...
And though it's not much... I've brought some food. Please make sure the children and the sick receive it first.
It's alright, Your Grace... In times like these, we can't be the only ones receiving help.
It might be better to put the funds toward weapon research instead...
There's no one in the Duchy of Aurelia who isn't precious to us.
Research on magic weapons is important, but even more important are the lives of our people.
So there's no need to decline.
Your Grace...
Truly... thank you so much!
As soon as the town chief received the food, he began handing it out to the children.
Yay! Food!
The sacks, once packed to the brim with food, were quickly emptied after just a few trips by the children.
The chief himself didn't even eat a single piece of bread, yet his face was filled with joy.
...Maybe I should've brought more food.
Haha, it's alright. Just seeing the children's smiling faces is enough to fill my stomach.
Leaving behind the sight of the happy chief, Isabel set off from the town.
Are you heading back to the castle now, Your Grace?
Of course not. My work is only just beginning.
Isabel pulled out one of the Magitek weapons she'd brought and began walking toward the forest.
If there are citizens suffering because their food was stolen...
Isn't it a leader's duty to deliver justice to the thieves who did it?
Your Grace... the garrison troops should be arriving soon.
Why not leave the bandit hunt to them...?
Wouldn't I be much faster than waiting for their arrival?
And if something happens again in the meantime...
Someone would have to take responsibility, wouldn't they? For example... a lord who failed to manage his domain properly.
...! P-Please, have no worries, Your Grace!
My men and I will stake our lives to serve you!
2. King's Qualification Ep.5
42 linesJust as they were catching their breath, a soldier came running up, out of breath.
Urgent news!
A letter from the senate elders! You should read it right away!
...
After reading the letter, Isabel immediately summoned her soldiers.
The message in the letter was short and to the point:
"Our spies report that the Emperor of the Ygritte Empire has been assassinated."
"We urgently request Your Grace's swift return."
The Emperor of Ygritte had been assassinated.
The empire was already moving to cover up the incident by placing Prince Lucius on the throne.
But the real problem was the unknown assassin.
And just like the Kingdom of Benoic, the Duchy of Aurelia now faced the very real danger of being framed.
They would use the emperor's death as a pretext for war, a way to cement Lucius's legitimacy and demonstrate the empire's might to the world.
...
So, with great reluctance, we bring this to Your Grace's attention:
With the empire's sun now set, this may be the duchy's first and last opportunity.
...Are you suggesting that we start a war?
The conflict between the Ygritte Empire and the Duchy of Aurelia had dragged on for decades.
It was only a matter of time before it erupted into all-out war.
And in the current chaos, with imperial morale shaken, now is arguably the perfect moment.
If we wait until Prince Lucius secures the throne and restores the military, it'll already be too late.
You speak as if victory is assured.
But Lucius is no ordinary opponent.
Subduing the dragon he's bonded with would cost countless lives.
Are we not underestimating the true price of war?
We understand Your Grace's deep concern for the people.
But once events are set in motion, the devastation will be catastrophic.
We beg you to reconsider, to prevent even greater sacrifice down the road.
...
There's merit in what you say.
But once a war begins, there's no turning back.
As the leader of this duchy, I must choose carefully. I hope you understand.
As expected, the Duchess remains reluctant to go to war.
To let such a golden opportunity slip away... what a pity.
No need to worry. I have something in mind.
You mean... you have a way to sway the Duchess?
The Duchess fears the death of her citizens above all else...
So why not turn those very citizens into leverage?
3. King's Qualification Ep.10
55 linesAfter the Emperor's death, the conflict between the duchy and the empire escalated.
Calls for war grew louder,
and some even began pushing for an alliance with the Britannian Empire.
But Isabel knew all too well, if they allied with Britannia and brought down the Ygritte Empire,
Aurelia would be next on Vortigern's list.
Once Britannia absorbed the empire's lands, they wouldn't leave Aurelia's Magitek technology untouched.
Mercenaries were the last resort.
War is an irreversible choice.
That's why Isabel had no choice but to keep repeating the same words.
Your Grace,
protests are breaking out, especially in the outer cities.
Until the very citizens she had loved and cherished...
turned their backs to her.
Guarantee the safety of the citizens!
How long must we be the only ones to endure?!
Let us fight back!
...
As Isabel watched the enraged crowds, realization struck.
The hatred toward the empire had grown out of proportion.
And if she couldn't release that pressure...
She herself would become their enemy.
Once again, the elders gathered for council.
Until now, Isabel had repeated the same careful lines at these meetings.
But today was different. Today, she would show her resolve as a leader.
The provocations from the Ygritte Empire have been escalating by the day.
I believe our duchy has reached the point where we must respond.
Your Grace!
Thank you for understanding our wishes. Then, let us quickly rally the troops...
But I have no intention of going to war immediately.
We will declare war only after this weapon is complete.
Isabel stepped down from the throne, handing the elders a piece of paper.
The legendary hero's Magitek weapon...
If we can bring it to life, we can guarantee absolute victory.
B-But, Your Grace... this is research no one has ever succeeded in before...
Don't worry. I'll oversee the research myself.
The greatest Magitek weapon left by the legendary hero, the Iron Armor.
If they could complete this moving cannon, the war would be short, and the damage to the citizens minimal.
If we succeed in building it, all of our concerns will vanish.
The empire will think twice before waging a battle they know they can't win.
Your Grace!
If this research fails... I will step down as Duchess.
Surely that will satisfy both you elders... and the anxious citizens, won't it?
...!
The elders fell silent.
Their minds no doubt spun with the possibility that the Duke's seat might soon be within their grasp.
Isabel could feel it, the negotiation was over.
Don't worry, everyone. I will make sure this research succeeds.
Aurelia...
The duchy said to thrive thanks to the hero's Magitek weapon...
In the end, it was no different from the empire.
Why are they so obsessed with keeping watch over such an insignificant territory...
I wonder, have they grown attached to the Ygritte Empire? As always... I can never predict what that person's thinking.
I want a more entertaining opponent than these boring people.
The Swordbringer...
You'll entertain me, won't you? Hehe.