Chapter 376 376-Quelling the Rebellion
Vettel responded to Bosidn, "Ever since Master Resarite ruled our village, we have been good friends."
Bosiden added, "What, has it been ten years now?" Vettel took a sip of his malt beer and nodded in agreement.
Bosiden bit into a pudding.
"Given that, I'll treat you as someone I can trust. I'll speak frankly— you are a duke of the kingdom, and so am I. Let's join forces and overthrow Howard."
"After that, we can make Neplon the king." The beer mug was placed heavily on the table.
Vettel's eyes widened, and he said to Bosiden, "How much have you had to drink? You're this drunk to jest so recklessly—I'll pretend I never heard that."
Bosiden sighed, then waved his right hand through the air between them, as if to dispel any ill-spoken words.
"I'm serious, no joke," Bosiden asserted.
Vettel, with a swift motion, stood up to check the surrounding security measures.
He then ordered his confidant, "Impose martial law here today. No one is allowed in."
After issuing these commands, Vettel sat down across from Bosiden again, his face etched with worry.
"What's the rush? We are living the life of dukes, clothed in silk and feasting on delicacies. Why bother with anything else?"
"Isn't Howard managing everything well? The kingdom grows stronger by the day, and the new continent is nearly under our control. What could possibly dissatisfy you?"
Bosiden, with a troubled expression, crushed a peanut between his fingers before speaking.
"I don't really want to move against Howard, but have you seen what he's been up to lately?"
"Howard was quite commendable, benevolent to all on his way up. Even when Resarite Master rebelled once, he was shown leniency with no punishment. But ever since Resarite Master conspired with Anna and killed Margaret's father, losing his title, everything has fallen into chaos."
Vettel took a sip of his drink, finding Bosiden's words to carry a semblance of truth.
Yet, he felt that living a peaceful life was preferable, seeing no need for risk.
"Indeed," Vettel remarked, "since Master Resarite and Anna left, our entire nation's system has undergone too many changes."
"Whether it's the rising tide of new nobility or the original nobles from the Oungria region and those newly ennobled in the Balgen Peninsula, the people we know are becoming fewer, and those we don't, ever more numerous."
Bosiden grasped Vettel's hand, pleading, "Given this, you should help me. Howard lacks ambition; after seizing the Constantinople Castle, he indulged in pleasures, neglecting state affairs. We should support Neplon's ascension." Vettel's face showed his dilemma.
"Look for someone else. I'm content as the kingdom's Finance Minister. Even princes from the Fran Kingdom or the Ing Empire must show me some courtesy. Life is comfortable; I don't want to risk it."
Bosiden held onto Vettel's hand tightly, refusing to let go, and now, even more forcefully gripped Vettel's hand.
Bosiden fiercely told Vettel, "Don't be foolish. If you don't act first, you'll be the next one in line."
"Look at Nora, her status has always been unstable, fluctuating up and down, and today, she has finally lost her noble title, stripping her of all capital to navigate the aristocratic world."
"And then look at Boshni, a mere village girl from Yami Village, yet favored by Howard and granted nobility. But what of Boshni now?"
"Dead!"
"How did she die? Murdered by Howard!"
At that moment, the old village chief of Yami Village walked in, clearly prepared by Bosiden.
As soon as the village chief entered, he broke down in tears, lamenting how tragically his daughter died.
If he hadn't misjudged Howard's character that day, he would have never allowed his daughter to be taken to the palace for training.
Wiping away his tears, the village chief cried, "I initially wanted Howard to take my daughter to the palace because I valued his character, believing he was an amiable man with whom anything could be negotiated, not as fearsome as other nobles. As I watched Howard grow stronger and his titles higher, I tentatively suggested that my daughter become a noble, and Howard agreed. "
"The day my daughter became a knight of our Yami Village, I was so elated. I felt that, despite serving many years as the village chief of Yami Village, it was my first time being the father of a lord of Yami Village. I was very happy that day and proud of my daughter Boshni.
"Seeing my daughter, due to the lack of family education, unfamiliar with noble etiquette and practicing alone in the dead of night, I felt sorry for her but never expressed it."
"Eventually, my daughter adapted to the noble lifestyle. Although still looked down upon by many other nobles, as I walked through the surrounding villages, people respected me greatly, giving me much face and making me very happy."
Bosiden took up the narrative, looking at Vettel with an affected earnestness, "See? That's exactly what Boshni's father feels in his heart."
Vettel remained silent.
The village chief of Yami continued, "When I heard my daughter was to marry a true noble, my heart was filled with cheers and leaps of joy. It signified our family's complete acceptance and recognition by the aristocracy."
"The son-in-law was a decent man, too, always visiting us old folks with gifts during the holidays. We were both very comforted. But who could have imagined, just because my daughter made some mistakes, she had to be killed?"
"I rushed to the royal city, but it was too late. I heard that my daughter had been killed that very afternoon."
Vettel curled his lip, murmuring softly, "Old man, your daughter did more than just make mistakes; she was plotting serious crimes."
The old village chief suddenly became incensed, losing his temper and shouting, "I don't care what mistake she made! She's my daughter, and no one has the right to kill her!"
Vettel realized communication with the old village chief of Yami was futile, so he chose to stay silent.
At that moment, Neplon entered, his ambition evident as he declared, "What do you say, gentlemen, to joining my cause? I am confident in forging an alliance with the Fran Kingdom to establish a mighty empire that spans from the Oli region, through Oungria, across Balgen Peninsula, all the way to Constantinople Castle, stretching across the entire continent."
...
Within a week, Howard had temporarily appointed some individuals and replaced military commanders, removing Neplon from his position and appointing Arthur in his stead.
Arthur hailed from the Ing Empire, a man lent to Howard by Elizabeth.
Upon hearing of Howard's troubles, Queen Elizabeth immediately allowed Duke Wellington of the Ing Empire to temporarily fall under Howard's command to assist in managing the army.
Howard made it clear to Duke Wellington that he had no intentions of declaring war on the Ing Empire, urging the Duke to focus solely on training his troops without harboring any conflicting sentiments.
...
Neplon, Bosiden, and Vettel rebelled, plunging a significant portion of the kingdom into the hands of the insurgents.
Howard placed his trust in Arthur and personally led the troops into battle, advancing eastward with fifty thousand men, while commanding Ness to lead thirty thousand troops from the east to the west.
Neplon, as the rebel leader with Bosiden and Vettel lacking military expertise, assumed command.
General Desai was appointed as the commander of the left flank, while a person named Pierce led the right flank.
Pierce, a typical mercenary leader without notable military achievements, was chosen by Neplon for his compatibility with Neplon's preferences.
Howard received support from the Duchy of Savoy and the Lombardy Kingdom for his campaign, while Neplon's rebellion garnered no external assistance.
Arthur's tactical prowess effectively countered Neplon's strategies, leading to Howard's ultimate victory in the war.
Following their victory, Howard forgave Bosiden and Vettel, acknowledging their significant contributions to his rise and sparing them without penalty, releasing them immediately.
This act of clemency made both men realize their actions were unnecessary, increasing their loyalty towards Howard and vowing to serve him with greater fidelity.
Howard also released Neplon, who proved more difficult to reconcile with, declaring, "Howard, a battle between us is inevitable."
Howard thought to himself the futility of such words, given Neplon's previous defeat but responded diplomatically, "I hope you will manage your people well and seek their welfare in the future."
Neplon left without a word and, according to Portia, headed to the Fran Kingdom.
Soon after, a significant rebellion erupted in the Fran Kingdom.
Somehow, Neplon secured a military position within the Fran Kingdom, leading General Desai and their forces all the way to the capital, eventually becoming the king of the Fran Kingdom.
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