[This is the Acting King of Elfrieden Soma Kazuya speaking. Castor Vargas has, in spite of repeated Counsels, refused to show willingness to fealty to Us. Consequently, We are therefore branding Castor Vargas a rebel, and an assault on his abode, the Crimson Dragon Castle is in order. We will delay it for one hour from now on account of the common citizens, so during that time, please evacuate the Crimson Dragon Castle Village]
Soma’s speech, delivered through the Royal Broadcast in a loud volume, threw the citizens into an uproar. Even the citizens raising voices protesting this verdict scattered like ants. Surely that was due to the confusion coming from the citizens trying to escape the Crimson Dragon Castle Village. Castor looked at the situation bitterly through his window.
“Damnations! What the hell is he thinking, rousing the citizens to escape!”
“I guess he’s saying he doesn’t need the people to hold us back anymore”
Castor frowned at Tolman’s analysis.
“Are they going to start something?”
“Probably. But I can’t say what that may be …”
“But I have not heard reports of any military forces heading this way”
“… that is indeed the problem”
Of course, even Tolman couldn’t tell what Soma was thinking. They had sent out wyvern scouts earlier but they didn’t see any signs of an army coming. Yet Soma declared that he would assault the [Crimson Dragon Castle] in one hour. It might have been a bluff, but in that case, he couldn’t understand the reason why he would send the citizens to escape. If he only wanted to buy time then letting the citizens surround the castle would be more effective.
(Wait … Soma did say he wanted to attack the [Crimson Dragon Castle])
Tolman felt a slight discomfort at those words. That’s right … If he wanted to attack this place then he would’ve said to attack the [Crimson Dragon Castle Village]. The towns of this country were walled and unified with the castles after all. Yet Soma said he would attack the [Crimson Dragon Castle]. Which means he’s saying he wouldn’t attack the town but precisely assaulting this castle. If it wasn’t just a mistake in wording, then the action he would take would be ….
Having gone that far, Tolman’s train of thought was interrupted again by Soma’s voice.
[Can you hear me, Castor Vargas?]
It was an unassuming voice, unlike before. The voice came from a receiver placed in one corner of the room. Soma’s face was displayed there. Soma would usually pay no mind as to what he was wearing but now he was clad in the uniform for Kings going to war. It was dim and indiscernible, but he seems to be inside a small room. Castor prepared his orb and stood in front of it.
“… I can hear you, false king Soma”
[Right]
Though being called a false king, Soma’s expression didn’t change. Rather, he seemed as if he was looking at something insignificant, with cold eyes. Those eyes sent slight chills down Castor’s spine.
[This broadcast is sent to your place only. I’m not broadcasting it everywhere like I did yesterday]
“Tch …”
Castor clicked his tongue. He had gone through lots of trouble because the Counsel was made public.