0.0000001% Demon King - 0DK Chapter 53: The Prince's Invitation (1) (Part 1)

Irina Astrea is the winner of the territory war. Despite the incident in the middle, that fact remained unchanged.

She took possession of Stukov’s territory. There was no opposition. Since Stukov wasn’t a particularly good lord, his removal was actually welcomed.

“Is there an heir?”

“No.”

Irina answered as she organized the documents.

“Though he was a pig indulged in lust, he seemed unable to perform at night, as he didn’t have a single bloodline even at his age.”

“What about his wife?”

“A wife in name only. She was practically treated as a slave. She was rather pleased with the news of his death.”

“……And those who tried to run away?”

“We caught them all. They had been embezzling quite a bit. The ledgers were empty here and there.”

The evidence of the vassals’ corruption was evident. They were captured while trying to escape at night and thrown into prison.

“If we recover what was stolen, we should have just enough to manage.”

“Surprisingly, there’s not much to worry about?”

Karos remarked in amazement as he flipped through the letters. A territorial war was ultimately a battle. It wasn’t something one could view favorably.

But now, there was almost no resistance against Irina.

“Both sides knew they were in the same situation anyway.”

Irina responded as if it were obvious. Neither Stukov nor her brother were good lords, and both territories’ residents knew this.

In such a situation, the residents of the neighboring territory welcomed a new lord who managed the land well. Knowing this, thoughts of resistance naturally faded.

“So, this side is fine, but the problem comes next…….”

Karos looked at the pile of letters with a conflicted expression.

“What should we do?”

Hundreds of letters were piled up. There was no need to read them. Irina gave a bitter smile.

“Those damned bastards.”

Karos read the content of one letter.

“To Irina Astrea, who shamelessly took the place of a legitimate noble bloodline, I warn you. Bow your head and apologize immediately, or I will not stand still.”

Karos snorted and tore up the letter.

“They’re playing games.”

They had killed the lord. However, a territorial war was a fight where both sides risked everything.

“They wanted to use us as they pleased in the first place, but now they’re making a fuss because he was killed. There’s a limit to their shamelessness.”

“The problem is that’s not how the nobles think.”

Nobles believed that the precious bloodline should not be cut off. Since the Empire’s birth, there had been few cases where a lord was killed in a territorial war.

And those few territories that did so were devastated by other territories.

“A letter has also arrived from Count Hareida. He said you must pay for the crime of taking the lord’s position by illegitimate means and harming a noble.”

“They’ll be coming soon?”

“They have enough justification.”

The reason the Hareida family hadn’t acted directly was that they feared interference from other territories.

But Irina had given them a justification. There was no reason for the count to remain silent.

“We should hold on a bit longer.”

Irina sighed with a frustrated look.

“If we find another way in the meantime, maybe there’ll be a solution.”

“Will there be?”

Karos said with a doubtful expression.

*

Letters continued to arrive from various places. From the forces of Count Hareida to those opposed to him, it seemed like letters were coming from every territory in the Empire.

The atmosphere in the territory started to darken. Although Irina hadn’t informed them, the constant arrival of letters couldn’t go unnoticed. Some began to prepare for another fight.

And finally, the ultimatum arrived.

“If you do not come to your territory within a week, I will bring soldiers.”

Irina tossed the letter aside.

“It’s over.”

They wouldn’t just end it with an apology. They would detain her and ruin the territory in some way.

“One problem after another. It’s driving me crazy.”

Karos clicked his tongue and cracked his fingers.

“Do I have to make a decision too?”

He had no intention of abandoning the precious horse he had barely obtained.

‘I will use Bathesia.’

With the necklace that conceals demonic energy, Bathesia could reach the count’s territory.

Bathesia would obliterate the count’s family, and all the blame would be placed on the demons. The count’s family wouldn’t stand a chance against Bathesia’s power. The plan was to gradually let it be forgotten amid the chaos.

Of course, it was risky. If discovered, they would be completely uprooted, but Karos decided it was worth it.

‘It’s better than losing the foundation.’

As Karos organized his thoughts and was about to speak to Irina, the door burst open.

Bang!

“L-l-l-lady I-I-Ir-Irina!”

Vivaldi entered, panting with a pale face. Irina frowned.

“What is it? If you’re here to ask for less work, go back. There’s no time for that.”

Vivaldi was handling the lower affairs of Stukov’s territory. At first, he was happy about his promotion, but eventually, he started whining about wanting to quit. Naturally, Irina ignored him.

She thought it was the same this time, but Vivaldi, seemingly flustered, continued his fuss.

“A-a-a-a letter has arrived!”

“There are plenty of letters here.”

Irina gestured to the pile of letters filling part of the room. But Vivaldi shook his head.

“It’s not that! It’s different!”

“Then speak, you idiot.”

Karos urged.

“A-a-a prince!”

“……What?”

Vivaldi shouted with a dazed expression.

“The prince has sent an invitation! The prince has invited Lady Irina!”

***

Hyung_Otaku

I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!

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