Dungeon Defense (WN)

The New Year of 1513 dawned.

It has been eight years since I fell into this world. It felt like an incredibly long time, but it also felt surprisingly short. Was it because of how busy my days have been……?

“Godfather, here’s your black tea.”

“Ah, thank you, Luke.”

Luke placed the black tea on the table. He was a bit awkward compared to Daisy, but he was still rather composed.

Luke resigned from his position as vice-captain of the civil militia. With Jeremi at the helm of the civil militia, it was only natural for Luke to step down. Luke was instead given the new role of steward.

“Have you become somewhat accustomed to the duties of a steward?”

“I’m still inexperienced, but I’m somehow managing thanks to the head maid.”

Luke grinned confidently.

Dressed in a black steward uniform, Luke gave off an entirely different vibe now. Once a lively and innocent youth, now his eyes harbored deep sorrow and regret. His body language exuded a perpetual sense of gloom.

The maidens in my territory cheered for the transformed Luke. They appreciated the lively Luke, but like aged wine exuding a rich aroma, they also admired the matured Luke. Despite the enthusiastic response from those around him, Luke abruptly ended his chaotic and tumultuous love life.

I nodded.

“Typically, the head steward holds a higher position than the head maid. However, since Daisy has been acting as both steward and maid for a while now, she is your senior and superior in many respects. Do your best to learn from her. I have high expectations for both of you.”

“……Yes, Godfather.”

Luke replied with a somewhat melancholic smile.

Ahh, what a great feeling. I purposely talked a lot about Daisy in front of Luke. Luke appeared sad every time I did, but he was doing his utmost to not wear his emotions on his sleeve. This made him seem even more pathetic, entertaining me greatly.

I guess speak of the devil and he shall appear.

“Father.”

Daisy entered my office and bowed courteously. She gave Luke a sidelong glance before smoothly shifting her gaze as if she hadn’t seen anything. Luke flinched at her indifferent gaze.

Ah, what a splendid sight.

Recently, my will to carry on has been bolstered by these siblings. Daisy, exhibiting a chilliness towards Luke that bordered on excess, and Luke, visibly tormented by his sibling yet unable to voice his anguish. Indeed, what a compelling sight to witness. If only they harbored a forbidden love between them. Such a forbidden union would render this spectacle even more captivating.

“What is the matter, my dear daughter?”

I flashed a genuinely refreshing smile at Daisy. Her expression soured momentarily, but she quickly composed herself and handed me a letter with an indifferent face.

“……A missive from the southern regions of Frank.”

“Hmm. From Duke Marseille, perhaps.”

I broke the seal and read the letter.

The missive was written in neat handwriting and conveyed with a highly courteous tone. It began with the phrase, “The illustrious pillar of the great Empire, the most powerful count palatine of the Empire, the singular and steadfast bridge between humankind and demonkind, Marquis Custos, I hope that you are well”. It was so excessively flattering that it felt like my rectum would fall out if they overdid it any further.

“It seems they are having trouble suppressing the rebellion.”

I smiled.

Frankia was plunging into chaos as planned.

Earl Bercy, the Attorney General, demanded ‘voluntary state formation’ from all the cities in the country. It was a policy based on a kind of social contract, allowing cities to decide for themselves whether they wanted to belong to the nation of Frankia.

The underlying meaning behind this was quite significant.

“Hmm.”

I folded the letter and looked at the siblings.

Shall I test the skills of these two?

Of course, Daisy would likely be overwhelmingly superior, but it was just a bit of entertainment for me.

“Luke, are you aware that Bercy, the Attorney General in Frankia, has demanded voluntary allegiance from the cities?”

“Yes, Godfather.”

Luke was evidently tense.

“Why do you think Attorney General Bercy suddenly demanded allegiance now?”

“Well……in Frankia, there are currently many cities that aren’t paying taxes. I think this demand is a formal way to rebuke those cities…….”

Luke answered cautiously as he chose his words carefully.

I smiled gently. Luke’s response was almost at the level of a child. While it might be forgivable for the vice-captain of the civil militia, my steward needs to have political insight. If they can’t pass this level of test, they’re unfit for the role of steward.

“Daisy. What are your thoughts?”

“It is a procedure to implicitly acknowledge the birth of a republic.”

Daisy replied promptly.

Did he not even consider this answer? Luke widened his eyes as he stared at Daisy. He then quickly turned away, clearly flustered.

“Interesting. Can you elaborate on why?”

“First, the nobles or cities did not swear allegiance to the Frankish government. They swore allegiance to the Emperor. Therefore, when they provided taxes or military support, it was not to the ‘government’ but to the ‘Emperor’ of Frankia.”

Daisy continued fluently without hesitation.

“Now, by swearing allegiance to the government in the Emperor’s absence……it is tacitly acknowledging that ‘Frankia no longer needs an Emperor’. In other words, it is the birth of a republic.”

I nodded.

“Well pointed out, Daisy. As you said, this is the formation of a new type of government.”

Luke lowered his head when I praised Daisy.

Ever since assuming the role of steward, Luke had come to recognize the extraordinary capabilities of his younger sister. Daisy not only managed the myriad responsibilities within the Demon Lord Castle, but also occasionally engaged in the governance of the territory. Luke couldn’t shake the feeling of inadequacy in comparison, given that his past endeavors had been confined to honing his swordsmanship during his time with the civil militia.

“Most cities gladly welcomed Earl Bercy’s policies. Frankia had already undergone three consecutive incompetent emperors. They are sick of emperors.”

It was also a problem that there were no nobles capable of realistically performing the duties of the emperor.

Queen Henrietta had exterminated the imperial family so thoroughly that there wasn’t even a single legitimate heir left. Not even from a collateral line. Even the noble families with blood ties to the imperial family were completely wiped out. This ultimately led to there being no remaining families to claim the throne.

Of course, if you traced the lineage far enough, you could find several families, but they have far too little power…….

It was obvious. The reason they survived was because Henrietta ignored them, thinking, “There is no need to trample on even these people”. For example, the great-granddaughter of the fourth son of a concubine of an emperor seven generations ago……. No one would count the legitimacy of someone like that.

“In such circumstances, the most influential figure is the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager was the sole surviving member of the imperial family and maintained her dignity and pride throughout the civil war. When the emperor ordered the massacre, she rushed to the palace in her nightclothes, crying and pleading to spare the people. Such actions endeared her to the commoners.

“And the Empress Dowager fervently supports the policies of Earl Bercy. The Attorney General has taken a gamble that he is highly likely to win. Well, in the end, the southern cities did not participate…….”

Now, onto the second test.

Hopefully, they won’t disappoint me. Especially you, Daisy. You declared so confidently that you would kill me, but it will be impossible to do so if you fail a simple test like this.

You’ll have to display political insight far superior to at least Elizabeth. If someone like you is even capable of that, that is.

“As you are both aware, the nobles residing in the southern regions of Frankia have risen in rebellion against Earl Bercy, staunchly refusing allegiance to the new government. This defiance has granted them a degree of autonomy tantamount to independence.”

The problem is that, in return for their autonomy, they forfeit the opportunity to witness the liberation of their enslaved populace.

The Habsburg Empire and the demon world saw a mass emancipation of their captives, who were repatriated to their homelands unconditionally. However, the southern regions of Frankia were denied this privilege as they were not formally under the jurisdiction of the Frankian government.

As a result, unrest erupted in the region within Sardinia that was occupied by the southern Frankian nobles during the previous war.

The Sardinians had seen their families and neighbors taken away as slaves during the war. Naturally, they rejoiced at the prospect of their loved ones and neighbors returning. It was in this atmosphere that the southern nobles threw a spanner in the works.

“Return our families and friends,” the Sardinians shouted as they protested against the nobles, calling for the return of their loved ones.

However, during the protests, three representatives of the Sardinians were assassinated.

Although the culprits were not identified, the Sardinians were enraged, believing without a doubt that it was the deeds of the Frankian nobles. Since they were already discontent with the foreign rule, the Sardinians were quick to rise up in rebellion…….

It’s quite coincidental, isn’t it? Why were three representatives of Sardinia assassinated at such a time?

The fact that Jeremi and the assassins under my command just happened to be missing at the same time—was something that will never be revealed.

“And this missive.”

I held the letter up.

“The southern nobles are feeling the limits of their ability to suppress the rebellion on their own. They rebelled against the Frank government not too long ago, so it would be shameless to request assistance from them. In the end, they came to me, the de facto ruler of the Duchy of Farnese, and asked for military aid.”

I turned to look at Luke first.

“Luke, what do you think would be the best course of action for us? Should we accept their request and suppress the rebellion? Or should we sit back and watch?”

“We should naturally take the side of Sardinia.”

Luke gave an immediate response this time.

“The Sardinians are currently being unreasonably ruled by a foreign power. I believe this rebellion is just. It would only be right to provide them with all the support we can give to help them achieve independence.”

“Mm.”

I nodded my head.

As I thought, Luke is an idiot.

“Daisy, what about you?”

“We should stand by and watch the rebellion.”

“Daisy……!”

Luke turned to look at Daisy in surprise. However, Daisy did not meet Luke’s gaze.

“If Father moves his army now, that would put people excessively on alert. Father has already earned an overwhelming amount of military merits during the last war. A year has not even passed since the war ended. Therefore, if you were to rally your troops once more, the other high nobles would start to question your motives.”

“So it would be better to sit by and watch?”

“The fates of the Sardinians do not matter to us anyway.”

Luke’s reaction to Daisy’s composed response was one of evident shock. He muttered, “There’s no way.”

I smiled and ordered Luke to leave the room.

“I wish to speak alone with Daisy for a moment. Luke, could you take a step outside?”

“……Yes, Godfather.”

Luke bowed his head and left the office.

As soon as I confirmed the door was closed, I wiped the smile off my face. I spoke coldly.

“Take off your top and turn around.”

“…….”

Daisy silently undressed and presented her back to me.

I retrieved a leather whip that was in a drawer. Without hesitation, I lashed Daisy’s back.

“Ugh……!”

Daisy stifled a groan and arched her torso in pain.

“You fool. What will you do if the Sardinians actually succeed in their rebellion while we are standing idly by? That would make all the bloodshed we caused during the war go to waste. Is that the best solution your feeble mind can conjure?”

With a harsh crack, the whip reddened Daisy’s skin.

“If we cannot mobilize our troops, then we can mobilize Brittany’s army! They no longer have any reputation left to lose. Were you unable to think of something as simple as this?”

“But……if their national enemies, the Brittany army, cause chaos, the people of southern Frankia would become discontent…….”

“Which is why we should utilize the Brittany army even more!”

Without mercy, I struck her for the third time. Daisy couldn’t suppress her groans this time.

“The Sardinians will have their grievances, and the Franks will have theirs! In the end, the southern nobles will lose their authority. Meanwhile, the authority of Attorney General Bercy will only strengthen.”

After delivering the final strike, I tossed the whip to the floor. Daisy’s body was trembling from the sudden shock.

“You may speak with grandiose words, but your practical judgment falls short. How am I supposed to expect anything from you? Pathetic. Now, begone.”

“……Yes, Father.”

Daisy put on her clothes with shaking hands, bowed to me, and then left the office.

“Phew…….”

I took out my pipe, lit the end, and took a deep puff.

How does she expect to kill anyone when she’s like this? Daisy still has a long way to go.

***

TL Note: Thanks for reading the chapter. I’m still in a bit of a slump because of that whole ordeal, and I ended up getting a fever today, so that’s cool. I wanted to at least get this chapter out before the gap between chapters gets too big. I hope you guys don’t mind this little down period I’m in right now. It’s Parent’s Day next Wednesday and I’ll be visiting my dad. I can only pray his condition doesn’t worsen… Ugh, I get depressed just thinking about it, so I’ll end this TL note here.

I’ll see you guys in the next chapter when I’m hopefully feeling better.

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