Chapter 341 341-Dispose
Resarite's wife attempted to interject on her husband's behalf, but Howard interrupted her, "Please, be still. I want to hear what Resarite himself has to say."
The fire in the hearth blazed more fiercely, the crackling and popping of the burning wood filling the room, punctuated by the snapping of twigs.
The atmosphere in the hall mirrored the intensity of Howard's interrogation of Resarite, growing increasingly heated and impassioned.
Seeking to change the subject, Resarite showed Howard the cover of the book he had been reading and said, "Before you arrived, I was engrossed in '300 Warriors of Onsen Pass.' Do you know how the ancient Bada City-State withstood the massive imperial army? The situation is quite akin to the current crisis facing our Oungria Kingdom, a topic worthy of exploration."
"Forgive my impudence, Howard, but remember, you and I rose from Yami Village together," Resarite began.
"I could have waged a personal war against Duke Vancouver long ago, seeking revenge for past wrongs. Yet, I refrained. I realized that we are at a critical juncture for the survival of Oungria Kingdom, and I suppressed my vengeful urges."
"So, Howard, I urge you to stay calm. You wouldn't want Osland Kingdom's iron hoof trampling over Oungria Kindom's soil, would you?"
Howard offered a resigned smile, void of any humor, and responded, "Resarite, you have always been eloquent. I sometimes wonder if you'd have made significant contributions as a foreign minister. But, my friend, since you mention our bond that started in Yami Village, let me ask you: didn't your friendship with Margaret also begin there?"
Howard's words thundered just as a clap of thunder shook the sky, startling Resarite's wife and causing her fork to clatter to the ground.
Cotler bent down to retrieve it for his mother, but in returning, he bumped his head against the table with a loud thud.
Unfazed, Resarite retorted, "I did not send anyone to kill her."
Howard, locking eyes with Resarite, stated deliberately, "But you did kill her father."
Cotler, feeling unwell, excused himself from the hall.
Resarite's wife remained silent, her gaze fixed on the table laden with unfinished meals.
Resarite rose steadily, his silhouette against the flickering flames of the hearth casting a giant-like shadow that made Howard, seated across from him, unconsciously grip the royal ring-sword at his left side.
Resarite walked over to a cupboard, took out a pipe, and began to light tobacco.
"Howard, this is something called tobacco," he said.
"Let's not stray from the topic," Howard replied firmly.
Resarite sat back down, crossing his legs and puffing on his pipe.
This was a side of Resarite that Howard had never seen before.
The Resarite he knew was always upright, his every move and posture reminiscent of a disciplined officer.
Resarite drew a puff from the pipe, his face expressing a moment of indulgence, clearly enjoying the smoke.
Howard relaxed his grip on the sword.
Resarite spoke, "Howard, I know that by doing this, I can never face Margaret again. But I don't regret my actions. To consolidate the nation's unity, it was necessary to eliminate the parasites who care only for their personal gains, disregarding the well-being of the country. If you wish to pass judgment on me, do so."
"But remember, even your sovereign, the Emperor of the Empire, and Empress Nora have pardoned both Anna and me. I don't believe you need to make any further judgment."
Howard faced a difficult decision.
He looked at Resarite and said, "Since you admit that you cannot face Margaret after what you've done, I feel the same. I don't wish to see you again. I want you to relinquish your lands and noble title, either surrendering them all to your son Cotler. He is an upright man. If he replaces you, I will consider the matter closed and pursue it no further."
Resarite's body shook violently, swaying comically, a display that was both ludicrous and pitiful.
He had never anticipated such a verdict.
Conventionally, a lord does not meddle in the personal affairs of his vassals.
Even if two vassals harbor deep-seated hatred towards each other, culminating in a duel of honor, the lord typically remains silent.
Suddenly, Resarite's wife fell to her knees beside Howard, weeping and pleading for mercy for her husband.
Howard, however, was unmoved, perceiving her cries as nothing more than a wolf in sheep's clothing feigning sorrow.
Descending the stairs, Howard encountered Cotler, who was trembling in a corner, eavesdropping.
Howard patted Cotler's shoulder, advising him, "You should learn to be more mature. Never let evil tempt you. Be just and kind. I hope you take pride not in your title of nobility, but rather, let your title take pride in you."
Leaving the duke's castle, Howard stepped out into the rain, which had intensified.
He then made his way to Anna's domain and confronted her.
The process was much the same, with similar evidence and counter-questions.
Anna, too, was bewildered and found Howard's severe punishment method absurd.
Only when Howard made it clear he was not joking did Anna accept the reality.
Dressed in red, Anna's attire starkly contrasted with the red robes of the teachers who had visited Howard earlier.
Her dress seemed forged from blood, an unsettling sight for Howard.
He did not hesitate to express his discomfort with her choice of apparel.
Anna challenged, "We are warrior nobles, isn't our rule established on the bloodshed of our enemies?"
Howard chuckled softly, sipping the fragrant pan-fried milk tea served by Anna's knight squire.
"Anna, Resarite has a son. He can pass on his authority to his son even if he avoids me. But what about you? You're not even married; to whom will you entrust your lands?"
"If you understand my predicament, then why punish me at all?" Anna retorted.
Howard laughed lightly, a peculiar emotion in his voice, "The study group might have come for money, the Emperor's edict might have been for worldly benefits. But I, I am here for myself. What did I say the last time I met Margaret's father? I said the most important thing for each of us is our own conscience."
"Even if the study group doesn't care, even if the Emperor doesn't care, I do. I don't want to see you again. Anna, think quickly about your successor, about who will inherit your title and lands. Margaret left because she didn't think things through, just uttered a few light words without establishing legal provisions. That's what ultimately led to this turmoil."
Unable to hold back, Anna burst into tears.
Her knight squire, a woman of haughty demeanor, addressed Howard, "Your Majesty, may I speak?"
Howard gestured for her to continue.
"My lady, the Duchess, merely made an inadvertent mistake, leading to this disaster. Other nations turn a blind eye to such assassinations. Why must Your Majesty concern yourself with it? I've been reading a book these past few days."
Howard gave a wry smile, "You've read a book too? What book is that?"
Anna's knight squire spoke, "It's a book by Sharas from Ing Empire, titled 'Mike.' Mike was a king who killed his friend out of jealousy and fear. Unbeknownst to him, his friend wasn't dead and eventually returned. Despite his efforts, Mike ended up dying, abandoned by everyone."
Howard tapped the arm of the sofa and retorted, "Do you think I haven't read that book? Mike wasn't born a king; he usurped the throne by assassinating the old king. Mike's downfall was his own doing, so was it not just that he lost his kingship in the end?"
The knight squire replied, "The reason I bring up this book is to illustrate to Your Majesty that the departure of a loyal friend can weaken a king's power. Even if the land remains the same, if the successor noble lacks loyalty, the troops they can muster will be fewer. Consequently, the number of soldiers at the king's call will diminish. Your Majesty, please consider not taking actions that might harm your own interests."
Howard remained unswayed.
"Enough, no matter what you say, how can I overlook the sins committed right under my nose? The decay of a dynasty begins with its royal family. The corruption of a nation starts with its nobility. If I don't punish such clear evidence of wrongdoing today, how am I to govern this country in the future? How can I expect the people to respect my rule?"
Howard spoke to Anna in a steady tone, "Think about it, to whom do you plan to pass your title and lands?"
Internally, Howard pondered: Anna, unmarried and childless, with the Valuva family now separate from the Katerina family, would likely bequeath her title and lands to her siblings, following the line of succession.
Suddenly, Anna embraced Howard, her head turned to the left, her right cheek pressed against his chest.
"What if we marry?" she whispered. "Then our children could inherit my title and lands, wouldn't that be good?"
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