Caudic hasn’t been having a good time lately; it seems that the current queen doesn’t favor him much.
Even though he has been a part of the court for three reigns, well, most people have been around for three reigns by now.
It’s understandable that he is not well-received, after all, when the current queen was still the saintess, she had conflicts with the Demon Clan over reclaiming some properties.
Caudic is one of the main advocates for the Demon Clan in the royal capital; the Demon Clan is Caudic’s political resource.
But even so, Caudic feels that those nobles and the Demons are acting too hastily. While Klan seems a bit radical in pushing for reforms, his methods are still organized. Everyone is very clear about what the king wants to do next, and Klan doesn’t intend to implement sweeping reforms; he has made necessary compromises.
At least he is willing to sit at the negotiation table and argue.
But some people are unwilling to lose at all; this tyrannical king can kill at will.
It seems that his previous alliance with outsiders to oust Augustus III has given some people confidence.
What worries Caudic the most is that throughout this entire incident, the Demons haven’t come to consult him even once.
This indicates that the Demons have completely stopped relying on Caudic as a channel; they have even formed their own small groups.
The end of winter is unusually long and cold, mirroring Caudic’s current mood.
The royal capital has seen more and more imitators of Caudic, who shout loudly in the streets with loudspeakers sent by Graywhite Territory, vowing to defend the freedom of the Demons at all costs.
These people were once Caudic’s loyal supporters. To quickly consolidate his power, Caudic promoted a bunch of people who know nothing but yell about freedom.
Yet now, Caudic is deemed insufficiently extreme in his policies, not adequately appealing to the so-called marginalized group of Demons, and he is even criticized as being “not free enough.”
Amidst this criticism, the people of the royal capital gradually forget about the “heroic chancellor” who toppled the “evil Lars family.”
“What do those guys know? Do they really want this country to perish?”
Caudic muttered to himself as he strolled through the Inner City wrapped in his coat. Although he has a horse-drawn carriage to take him, Caudic enjoys walking to the royal palace, as it not only demonstrates his integrity but also allows him to enjoy the flattery of a crowd of nobles. But now, that sight is no longer visible.
Not extreme enough in his policies? Look at those so-called “liberal” policies that fully open restrictions, attract Demons to the royal capital, and forcibly demand the people of the royal capital to “aid” the Demons. Even acts of killing committed by Demons cannot be counted as crimes; one must first reflect on why the Demons killed, ultimately blaming the common people of Cape Kingdom for their wrongs.
The Demons actually live better in prison than most citizens of the royal capital.
This is completely heading toward national destruction.
He just wants money and power, not the demise of this country!
But the previous queen detested the Demons, so this situation should be curtailed, right?
Just as Caudic pondered the current situation, he noticed something was off in the atmosphere on the streets.
It was too deserted; even if the current queen has little authority and no noble support, it is still too deserted.
Isn’t winter precisely the season for the nobles to indulge in revelry? Why is the Inner City still so desolate?
In a daze, Caudic saw soldiers patrolling the streets.
Wait, the city defense should have been arranged by him; no matter how unfavorable he is now, he is still the chancellor!
Caudic slowed his pace and carefully observed the passing soldiers, realizing they were people from the Duke of Western Border, Scott’s household.
Not only that, but there were also people from the Southern Border.
Isn’t the Western Border and Southern Border preparing for war? And shouldn’t the royal capital be under the protection of soldiers from the Augustus family?
Realizing something, Caudic quickly entered the royal palace.
“You’re late, Caudic.”
Queen Lilith was dressed formally in her royal robe, casting a sidelong glance at Caudic, who had just entered the meeting room.
This ignited an unnamed anger within Caudic; it’s one thing for others to look down upon him, but how dare a queen who just took office blame him?
“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. The royal capital dressed in silver is too beautiful; I was too captivated by the scenery on the way.”
But something was wrong; Caudic quickly realized the most significant oddity at the meeting.
The queen, who usually shrinks like a frightened chick and has no intention to manage affairs, just wants to be a human stamp, how come she seems so stern today?
“If you don’t come, we won’t be able to start the first topic today.”
This statement doesn’t raise any objections; after all, Caudic is indeed the chancellor, and without him, the topic can’t be initiated.
However, Caudic detected a different meaning from this statement.
“Your Majesty, then, what is today’s first topic? Why didn’t you discuss it with me?”
“Chancellor Caudic colludes with the Demon Clan. Effective immediately, all positions are revoked, and you will be detained for investigation. Nora Les will take over your position.”
Nora Les and Caudic are similar; they are both standard old-school nobles, having both served as the chairperson of the Royal Academy Student Council, and their family backgrounds are quite ordinary, even considered a humble origin.
Nora is younger than Caudic, more handsome, and more capable; in the game, Nora is even a romantic lead that can be pursued.
Lilith’s tone is calm, her eyes downcast, as if she is truly a supreme queen.
Caudic couldn’t help but laugh out loud.
“Your Majesty, you must be joking. I, Caudic, am the father of the former king and the chancellor appointed by your father-in-law. You want to replace me? Hahaha. Back when Lord Augustus disregarded everyone’s objections to appoint me chancellor, you don’t think your authority can compare with your father-in-law’s, right?”
Caudic thought that with his call, the others in the hall would immediately mock this queen’s foolish decision; it seems she has zero understanding of power. Does she really think that just because she wears a crown, she is truly the queen? All she wants is to let a pretty boy replace him as chancellor.
“Hahaha, hahahaha!”
The empty meeting room echoed with Caudic’s uncomfortable laughter.
“Caudic, I’m not here to discuss with you; I’m here to notify you. Now, hand over the chancellor’s seal.”
Lilith struck the ground with her scepter, and two guards immediately restrained Caudic and began searching him.
“Let go! Let go! I am the current chancellor! I am Augustus’ appointed chancellor! You worthless clods have no right to lay hands on me!”
Only then did Caudic realize that they were serious and began to struggle desperately, but the guards quickly found the chancellor’s seal on him and dragged Caudic out.
“Lilith Dorrin!”
Caudic glared furiously at Lilith in the main seat.
“Don’t think that just because you’re close to Klan, you’re impressive. Back when Lord Augustus was still alive, I had you in my bed to keep warm, and you couldn’t refuse, you know? If it weren’t for the fact that you’re short and skinny, you should be a collection item of this chancellor now, you…”
Before Caudic could finish, Ampden Scott, the son of the Duke of Western Border, kicked him squarely in the face.
Nora Les kicked Caudic over, making him fall to his knees.
Only then did Caudic react; most of the meeting attendees had been replaced with young nobles from the royal capital, or rather, pretty boys.
But wait, when did these pretty boys gain such influence?
As he raised his head, Caudic saw the soldiers in the meeting room and suddenly remembered what he had seen on the streets. Cold sweat began to pour down.
Then he recalled the recent pattern where more and more people openly supported the current queen, including those two governors from the Northern Border, who were preparing to fight tooth and nail, especially that Lind, who even spoke about dethroning her if she deposed the queen.
Caudic had initially treated these people as jokes.
But Lilith’s petite figure suddenly twisted in Caudic’s eyes, becoming gigantic, suffocating, and an overwhelming sense of pressure enveloped him entirely.
These people all have a conspicuous point—while they may seem unremarkable, they really have armies in their hands.
The members of the roundtable meeting had also been replaced without Caudic noticing, as these substitutions were all like generational successors.
Generally speaking, nobles replacing their fathers’ positions result in no significant changes in stance, but this time is different. Many of these nobles were past suitors of Her Majesty during her academy days, and although Caudic didn’t understand why so many people liked this impoverished woman.
Moreover, these people had previously had good relationships with Klan, and most families were closely tied to the country, belonging to the potential reform faction.
The former king Klan did not directly appoint these people, fearing it would spark factional struggles in the royal capital—or rather, a storm of party struggles. Once it started, it would be either you die or I perish, either you lose everything or take everything away.
This new queen seems poised to attempt something big.
The Augustuses, didn’t they just select a monster to come to power?
As Caudic cast one last glance at his conspirator in the audience—Claire Augustine—he saw her smiling as if she fully supported her friend’s decision.
Naive, too naive; power is like a beast that can never be satiated, and he is merely an appetizer for this beast.
This hungry beast will eventually devour the person who released it from its cage.
