Volume 1 Chapter 27 [King SIDE] The Downfall of the Arrogant Nobles
Astral Dragon Gai Gigant damaged some buildings in the royal capital, but no one got hurt, and Horace took it down.
News like this reached the main body of the world conference from the royal capital, so Valzeil started to relax a little.
"No way! That's the dragon said to have wiped out several big countries before even being defeated by the strongest dwarf swordsman!"
"There's even records showing one of those was enough to crush a few SS-ranked Adventurers' bases!"
"Exactly. I won't accept it! That thing was the top fighting force held by the Duke Lecoitenides family! There's no way it was defeated so easily!"
The location was the throne room of the world conference.
It used to be where Rangella announced her victory over the Demon Lord, but now, a line of well-dressed men with their hands cuffed behind their backs was lined up.
Valzeil looked down at those men and said.
"Well then, criminals. No casualties or injuries from this incident. So, the 'worst' dungeon is off the list, but punishing you all by letting monsters attack and seize the royal city is a heavy penalty. That's why, you're definitely headed to the 'Prison Dungeon.'"
Monsters drop coins and loot when they're defeated.
Monsters in nature exist as part of the ecosystem, and inside dungeons, monsters appear as part of the territory's rules.
In this world, monsters are like that, but some dungeons have 'special rules.'
That's the 'Prison Dungeon,' and its rule is:
'Coins, loot, and items from chests disappear on the spot when you defeat monsters, and come out from a [hole] near the dungeon entrance.'
When prisoners are taken into a dungeon, sometimes they use coins, loot, or items from chests to set up a counterattack──that kind of thing isn't rare.
In this world, magic items often need coins that can be used as energy to activate, so leaving them in a dungeon is like giving the enemy a chance to strike back.
But if the items can 'pop out at the dungeon's entrance,' then there's nothing to worry about.
That's why they're called 'Prison Dungeons,' and many countries make sure to have one.
"Wait, please! Your Majesty! Our actions are for the greater good!"
"Hmm? Are you sure about that?"
"Yes! Everything we do is to guide Your Majesty back to the path of a wise ruler! Showing Your Majesty the right path is justice!"
Believing he's right──or rather, 'unconsciously' feeling he's right──the man shouts.
Valzeil watches him with very cold eyes.
"So a wise ruler is someone who gives eternal luxury to the chosen noble class?"
"Exactly! Since ancient times, we are the legitimate rulers, chosen by the divine, bearing the blood of the chosen humans! Work requires reward. The special work of ruling people requires special rewards. Therefore, enjoying 'eternal luxury' is our justice, and it is the mark of a wise ruler for Your Majesty to grant us this privilege!"
Watching the man talk as if he's drunk on himself, Valzeil couldn't help but feel 'ashamed' of his 20 years on the throne.
The top members of the Seven Permanent Council Members are seated around me, but their eyes seem to stab Valzeil with 'Is this guy really fit to hold power?'
"...Why did you release monsters into the capital to guide me to be a wise ruler?"
"Those who inherit the chosen blood possess great power. Your Majesty has forgotten this. It's unacceptable for us to be looked down upon by the world. To prove our worth, we unleashed monsters upon the capital!"
"You call it suppression, yet many buildings in the capital are in ruins. There could have been casualties!"
"What are you saying, Your Majesty?"
Valzeil felt a chill at the words the man spoke next.
"The strength of power is shown by the number of dead. If we kill a lot of commoners, Your Majesty will surely understand our greatness!"
....
"Hah, you rejected the hero who was originally a commoner and made a fuss about it. You spat vile words. It was predictable that my actions to punish you would be seen as demeaning nobles. But to think you were this foolish..."
"Are you saying we are foolish in any way!"
"Oh no, most of what you've said is fine."
Valzeil stifled a sigh, raised a finger, and continued.
"If I were a wise king, the nation would prosper, and wealth would gather under me. It's only natural to pay high rewards to those entrusted with governance."
He raised a second finger.
"To rate nobles with 'power' poorly, it can only mean the king's vision is flawed. Power is better if it never has to be shown, but it's necessary in a world overrun by monsters."
He raised a third finger.
"Throughout history, humans have repeated wars, slaughtered the people of other nations, and it is true that the ones who killed many were called heroes."
He closed all the fingers he raised.
"To show no understanding of what you have said is proof of being a foolish king."
"Oh, then, Your Majesty..."
"And you are fools."
"What!?"
Understanding was shown.
But he declared the noble men fools.
They seemed astonished, but it was to be expected.
"You lot are ignoring the '2 great ideals' of the world conference, even before you claim to be nobles."
"Wha──what kind of thing?"
"As I thought, you don't know."
Valzeil didn't even try to hide his sigh.
"One of the two great ideals is, 'We protect the people, even without praying to the gods.' Protecting isn't just about defending from monster attacks. It's about protecting from hunger, illness, and even war between humans. We guard against anything that threatens a person's life until their time is up."
He pounded his palm on the desk and continued.
"You must protect the people! How dare you say it's fine to kill your own, so casually!"
"Wha, bu, but that..."
"And the other one!"
"!"
"The other great ideal is, 'For a humanity that can't create words beyond [the gods], the gods are the limit. Do not call yourself a god. Grow as much as you can as a human'... You just said a king is 'equal to a god'!"
"I, I didn't mean it like that..."
"Your excuses are getting sloppier. And seeing you so casually spout that line earlier, it seems all the other nobles agreed with you in that audience chamber!"
Valzeil's face twisted with anger as he spoke.
"You have insulted the founder of the world conference! You have no right to call yourselves nobles, you should be ashamed!"
A red aura of intimidation burst out, and the nobles, who thought they could get away with anything, all bowed their heads deeply.
Forced to bow.
"...It's already decided. All of you are sentenced to life in the 'Infinite Demon Night Parade' dungeon."
"Plea, please wait! Your Majesty!"
"Guards! Throw these guys in the dungeon! The sentence is final! There will be no appeal!"
""""Hah!""""
Soldiers came in from the side, forcing the nobles to their feet and marching them away.
Of course, they were screaming, groaning, and cursing... but Valzeil didn't move a muscle as he watched the nobles being taken away.
(...If only something had been different, I might have... but now, all I can do is carve it into my heart.)
The court of judgment was adjourned.
Just... everyone see here Valzeil's regal majesty, a sight they'll never forget.
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