Do Your Own Revolution-Chapter 181

< Emperor-005. >

“Though I said I’d follow him…”

Around the time Karl’s figure completely disappeared from the hideout.

Kalkas, who flopped down on the reception room sofa, spoke while munching on a snack from the desk.

“Honestly, I don’t like cooperating with that dark bastard.”

“If I may be so bold, I share the same thoughts as Sir Kalkas.”

Andrei also nodded his head carefully as he expressed his opinion.

Revealing the coup plans to Margaret’s closest aide and sharing internal information.

For someone plotting rebellion, it was an unimaginably dangerous decision that defied comprehension.

“I cannot stop Margaret with my power alone.”

Margaret, who had coiled herself in the imperial capital, possessed the most powerful Knight Order in the empire.

To make matters worse, her technique was mind control.

While knights above three strokes could resist the technique by deploying magical power fields, regular troops would be brainwashed the moment they entered the palace.

Without a Knight Order, it meant defeating the Dvorak Knight Order was impossible.

“So bringing in magic nobles to the operation was inevitable, even if it wasn’t him specifically.”

“Among them, I needed someone capable and with the insight to follow my plans.”

“You’re saying there was no alternative.”

After hearing Friedrich’s explanation, Kalkas spoke while popping the half-eaten cookie into his mouth.

“For magic nobles who maintain their own power balance, Margaret and Dvorak who’ve seized the imperial family are like thorns in their eyes.”

“……”

“And you’ve given those magic nobles justification to eliminate Margaret.”

The justification that she brainwashed the emperor and manipulated state affairs.

And completing that justification was Karl Buckenheim, who had been her closest aide.

“However, there are still elements of concern.”

Andrei, who had been listening to their conversation, stepped forward.

“No matter how many we gather, the Knight Order will be few in number. Considering the private soldiers Dvorak commands, the war situation is still……”

“There’s also the imperial guards she’s brainwashed. Machine gunners, supreme leaders, snipers, artillery… No matter how skilled the knights are, they can’t handle that volume.”

It was problematic even in normal situations, but especially inside the imperial castle.

To resist Margaret’s mind control technique, they would need to deploy dense magical power fields.

Unlike Dvorak who could fight at full strength, the knights charging into the castle would constantly have their magical power depleted.

“Even if we bring in Knight Orders, stopping the regular troops and orchestra is…”

“Impossible. I know that well.”

The Knight Order that Karl would prepare was the minimum force needed to counter Dvorak.

Friedrich, who emptied the remaining tea in his cup, opened his mouth with a subtle smile.

“That’s why we need to prepare a dagger to strike at her heart.”

“A dagger?”

“First, you, another seven stroke mage.”

When Friedrich’s finger pointed at himself, Kalkas’s expression turned strange.

His tone suggested this coincidence of Kalkas joining was expected.

“…you crazy bastard.”

Before long, Kalkas could recall Friedrich’s abilities.

“Don’t tell me you knew beforehand that I would come looking for you…!”

“And there’s one more variable I have in mind.”

Friedrich, who smoothly brushed past the agitated Kalkas, slowly rose from his seat.

“Let’s go. The carriage should be ready by now.”

“Go where?”

“The North.”

The North, that place covered in perpetual snow?

When Kalkas asked with a deeply furrowed face, Friedrich slowly nodded.

“Korhonen, the lord of the northern region. We need their power to strike at Margaret’s weak point.”

“Ha…!”

Hearing Friedrich’s words, Kalkas let out a hollow laugh as if dumbfounded.

Just when he thought they were breaking through knights to reach the capital, suddenly they’re heading north.

‘When he said we’d go all the way, he wasn’t kidding about making this complicated.’

When Kalkas rose from his seat while grumbling internally.

“Still, I’m worried.”

Andrei, who was gathering Friedrich’s outer clothes, spoke while gazing at the distant capital.

“Sir Karl built his power by cooperating with Margaret. Whether such a person can persuade Count Buckenheim……”

“Ah, you don’t need to worry about that.”

The one who answered was Kalkas, not Friedrich.

When they looked at him with surprise, he shrugged and opened his mouth.

“The Buckenheims have been a martial family centered on the Knight Order since their founding. In such families… there’s one absolute law.”

“Law?”

“The law that the most powerful knight decides everything in the family.”

Having said that, Kalkas turned to Andrei and asked.

“Do you remember when he drew his sword against us?”

“Of course.”

“Did you feel any magical power then?”

“No, not at all……”

“I felt it.”

At those brief words, Andrei’s expression froze.

“Karl Buckenheim.”

The seven stroke imprint glowing on Kalkas’s arm.

Looking at that imprint with complicated eyes, Kalkas spoke in a low voice.

“That guy is no ordinary mage.”

***

“W-what? It’s Young Master Karl!”

“Why are you at the mansion when you should be at the palace…!”

The peaceful Buckenheim mansion was thrown into commotion.

The reason was simple. A man who had suddenly visited the mansion.

Thud- Thud-

Karl Buckenheim, walking down the corridor with mechanically precise steps.

Though it was the count family’s son visiting his home, the servants’ gazes upon him were far from friendly.

Well, that was natural.

A base-born man who sold himself to Margaret for power.

To the people of Count Buckenheim’s household, that’s who he was.

‘Insects who can’t see beyond their noses.’

A corridor full of those who despised him.

As he walked forward stepping on the red carpet.

“Karl.”

A man wearing luxurious clothes blocked his path.

Red hair and sharp eyes.

It was Bendik Buckenheim, heir to Count Buckenheim. (+)[1]TLN: The author wrote Duke Buckenheim here, and I think it’s a mistake, so I changed it to Count Buckenheim.

“I’ve come to see the head of the family, Brother. I sent word to the study…”

Slap-!

Before his words could finish, Bendik’s hand struck Karl’s face.

A slap filled with magical power.

Cold anger filled Bendik’s face.

“Denied.”

“……”

“Meeting Father, calling me brother, sullying our family with your dirty feet – I won’t allow any of it.”

“I am a member of the count’s family, and only Father, the head of the family, can give me orders.”

“I am the heir to Buckenheim. I can handle vermin tangling up the household on behalf of my busy father.”

Blatant disregard and contempt.

Karl turned his gaze toward the study where the family head resided.

‘With this much noise, he must already know I’m here.’

Yet his not coming out meant he had no intention of meeting.

After letting out a quiet sigh, he looked at Bendik who was hurling abuse at him.

If he won’t come out.

There’s no choice but to force him out.

“Have you gone deaf now too?! If you don’t leave right now, I’ll…!”

“Brother.”

In a low voice, Karl cut off Bendik’s words, and.

“You started this first.”

With those words, Karl raised his fist and struck Bendik’s face.

Crash—!

“Kyaaak?!”

“What’s going on?!”

“Y-Young Master Karl just… to Lord Bendik…!”

Knights rushed in while servants fled the scene.

This should be enough of an audience.

While thinking that, Bendik, who had been sent flying, drew up his magical power.

Whoosh-!

Bendik’s face was terrible as he walked out with a shockwave.

A dark bruise on one side of his face and broken teeth.

Thick killing intent streamed from him as his face contorted.

“You’ve truly gone mad.”

Whir-!

With those words, magical power crystals floated in the air.

In the instant the five stroke imprint on his right arm glowed, dozens of magical power crystals surged toward Karl.

Boom—!

When the explosion shook the entire mansion, a cruel smile appeared on Bendik’s face.

An omnidirectional attack that eliminated all blind spots.

No matter what barrier he puts up, he couldn’t block all of this…!

“How pathetic.”

“?!”

At the voice from behind him, Bendik hurriedly turned around.

Karl, completely unharmed without a scratch.

Seeing the magical power crystals surrounding his body, the watching knights couldn’t help but be shocked.

“Impossible. That’s…!”

“To utilize magical power crystals like that?!”

Magical power crystals precisely transformed into armor form, wrapping around his body.

The crystal sword in his hand also radiated brilliant light like a masterwork weapon.

Buckenheim’s crystal magic was a technique that created the essence of high-purity magical power.

While Bendik hurriedly tried to deploy a barrier after sensing danger.

“With such worthless power, you dared call yourself heir to Buckenheim.”

With those words, Karl’s sword shattered Bendik’s barrier to pieces.

Karl’s crystal sword, breaking through the barrier and slashing across his chest.

Fatally wounded, Bendik could only collapse on the spot.

Thud-

“Lord Bendik?!”

“Damn it, what is this…!”

Karl’s crystal sword was pointed at the gritting teeth of Bendik’s throat.

As the cold sensation dug into his skin, just as Bendik’s face was turning pale, a thick voice came from the direction of the study.

“How noisy.”

At the familiar voice, everyone present knelt down.

An old man looking down at them from in front of the study door.

It was Damon Buckenheim, head of the Count Buckenheim family.

“So. You came looking for me?”

“Yes, Father.”

“Let me hear your reason.”

The shoulders of the kneeling knights trembled.

Karl called him father, and Damon didn’t deny it.

Right now, Damon had accepted Karl.

“Margaret Dvorak has brainwashed the emperor.”

“What did you say?”

She’s turning the palace into her fortress, and ultimately plans to take the throne herself.

Having said that, Karl looked at Damon and spoke.

“So before that happens, we Buckenheims must kill her.”

“…Oh?”

Displeasure crossed the count’s previously expressionless face.

The breaking of the power balance maintained by magic nobles was not a welcome development for him either.

If she intended to take the throne directly, the situation was even more serious than expected.

“Bringing such information means you have a plan?”

“Yes.”

“What can the family gain if this plan succeeds?”

“The title of meritorious retainer who saved the nation, a duke’s position. After Margaret’s death, we can reorganize the magic nobles under our control.”

Brief.

But at the same time, it was a dialogue with many implications.

Damon was silent for a moment, as if mulling over Karl’s words.

“To catch the enemy, one must put their neck in the enemy’s jaws.”

“……”

“You threw yourself into the fire pit to find the spark that would make the family prosper.”

Having finished speaking, he nodded and extended his hand to Karl.

“Very well. I accept your plan.”

“Father…!”

You’ll believe the words of that base thing? Impossible!

Just as Bendik’s face turned pale and he tried to speak.

“No, it’s the opposite.”

Karl, wearing a subtle smile, spoke first.

“The opposite?”

“It’s not me requesting from Father, but Father who should be requesting from me.”

Words overflowing with arrogance.

But seemingly intrigued by such boldness, the count silently gestured with his chin.

A sign to continue talking.

“Buckenheim is just one of many knight families with a long history. Drexler, Sutherland, Elcryer… There are many families who would accept my proposal besides Buckenheim.”

“Yet you chose to seek out Count Buckenheim over them? The family that despised you, a base-born, and persecuted your mother?”

“Yes.”

“Then, what do you want from me?”

Snake-like old man.

Muttering that, Karl spoke in an unwavering voice.

“The position of family heir. And the chance to inherit your imprint.”

“What…!”

Bendik’s face, who had been listening to their conversation from the side, turned ashen.

“I see. That’s why you reduced Bendik to that state.”

Looking at Bendik who stared at him with a pale face.

The count clicked his tongue softly and turned his gaze away from him.

“I accept your proposal. Come into the reception room, Karl.”

“F-Father…!”

“Silence.”

A cold single word.

Without even looking back at his bleeding son, Damon spoke indifferently.

“While that base-born created such an opportunity, what have you, the legitimate heir, accomplished?”

“…!”

“An incompetent leader is nothing but a parasite eating away at the family. You no longer have any value.”

Having said that, the count entered the study without another word.

In just one moment.

In this instant, the family heir had changed.

“K-Karl…! You, you…!”

“My apologies, Brother.”

Bendik stumbled over his words, seemingly unable to accept the sudden situation.

Looking at such a Bendik, Karl opened his mouth with a satisfied smile.

“Unfortunately, Father didn’t say not to kill you.”

“W-what?”

Slash-!

With a sharp metallic sound, Bendik’s body crumbled.

“Clean this up.”

Karl ordered the knights prostrated before him.

Until he disappeared into the study, none of the knights dared raise their heads.

Author's Thoughts

Hi everyone, I've completely translated this novel! For those who love this novel and wanted to binge read until the last chapter, you can go to my Patreon "Shop" page. There, I have a product in which you can read them with discounted price!