The Dungeon Monsters Keep Offering Sacrifices

Chapter 109: The Demon Descended Upon the Kingdom (1)

The dungeon monsters keep offering sacrifices – 109

EP.109 The Demon Descended Upon the Kingdom (1)

“The Count Bearton and the envoy of White Order clashed.”

Alongside Princess Elena’s statement, the knights guarding the royal palace took their positions.

A silence fell over the council chamber at their appearance.

“……”

A clash between the Count and the White Order.

The news delivered by the princess left the king visibly flustered.

The nobles, too, looked shocked, their mouths agape as they stared at the princess.

Understandably so.

The nobles present here were not of the noble faction but of the royalist faction supporting the King.

And Count Bearton, who clashed with the White Order’s envoy, was the leader of the noble faction.

Even among nobles, their claims differed.

Though the reasons behind Count Bearton’s clash with the White Order were unknown, it was as certain as anything that it was not a favorable situation for the noble faction.

Given the growing power of the noble faction, they were already anxious, so any tidings that could momentarily relieve their worries were welcome.

Of course, whether it was truly factual was also crucial.

King Karendia promptly dispatched someone.

Considering the statement came from the princess, the likelihood of it being false was slim, but verifying it firsthand was necessary.

Amidst everyone’s rapidly changing expressions, someone directed a question towards Princess Elena.

“But how did you come by this information, Your Highness?”

It was Marquis Robert, a noble of the royalist faction.

“And what about the knights behind you? Your Highness, you should provide an explanation for these matters.”

At Marquis Robert’s words, all eyes once again turned to Princess Elena.

The knights behind the princess had momentarily been forgotten due to the shock of her earlier statement.

“Yes, Your Highness. This is where His Majesty the King resides. But suddenly mobilizing knights! This is disrespectful!”

Another noble agreed with Marquis Robert’s statement.

Given the circumstances, the princess’s actions could potentially be considered treasonous, so it was not a trivial matter.

Marquis Robert quietly awaited the princess’s response.

If indeed there had been a clash between the Count and the White Order, there was no way he, as Marquis Robert, wouldn’t have known.

Let’s say he overlooked it a hundred times.

But how could the princess bring news all the way to His Majesty the King without him knowing?

As Marquis Robert saw it, something was amiss.

How on earth did she come to know of the clash between the Count and the White Order?

And why did the knights follow behind the princess?

A negative thought crossed Marquis Robert’s mind.

Surely she’s not truly plotting treason?

‘No, that couldn’t be.’

Dismissing the thought that had forcibly surfaced, he demanded an explanation from the princess.

“Marquis Robert, is that truly important at this moment?”

However, Princess Elena did not readily respond to Marquis Robert’s inquiry.

Instead, she slowly looked around before continuing her speech.

“After all, it’s an incident where the nobility of the kingdom clashed with the White Order. Is there anything more critical than the safety of His Majesty the King in the current situation? If it makes you uncomfortable, I will have the knights leave immediately.”

It’s an incident that could potentially harm the entire kingdom if not handled carefully.

That’s why the Royal Knights were summoned.

The knights behind were merely meant to reassure that they were there solely to protect His Majesty the King, without any ulterior motives.

As the princess spoke, the Knight Commander leading the Royal Knights seemed confused.

Certainly, the command of the knights lay with the commander.

That right was bestowed upon him by His Majesty the King. So how could the knights heed the princess’s words?

However, the Knight Commander remained silent.

“No, it’s fine.”

Since His Majesty the King had given his permission first, there was no room for the Knight Commander to intervene.

Of course, Marquis Robert felt the same way about this.

“Hmm…”

Marquis Robert, who had initially questioned the princess, slowly nodded his head and lowered his body.

Upon reflection, they were all correct.

This clash incident was detrimental from the standpoint of the royal family.

Whether Count Bearton emerged victorious or the White Order’s envoy, it would pose a problem.

Regardless of who emerged triumphant, the aftermath would soon come crashing down.

And the first to be swept up in the aftermath would undoubtedly be the royal family.

‘How long did we think of her as a child…?’

Marquis Robert marveled at Princess Elena’s quick judgment and actions.

Above all, the princess used the title ‘His Majesty the King’ instead of ‘Father’ this time.

‘Perhaps it was a slip of the tongue earlier due to the tense situation.’

Marquis Robert’s expression, which had been guarded against negative possibilities, softened slightly. He even thought Princess Elena was admirable.

‘So, there’s royal blood running through her veins after all.’

The nobles were arguing over the identity of the king, causing conflict.

They simply wanted to use the king as a puppet while they seized control of the kingdom’s privileges. Some even demanded the king’s abdication, but Marquis Robert’s thoughts differed from theirs.

‘No matter how weakened, he’s still of royal blood.’

Marquis Robert remained loyal to the royal family. And today, he witnessed a new aspect of Princess Elena.

“I, too, believe that Princess’s words are correct, Your Highness.”

The difference was that Marquis Robert’s address to the princess was elevated to “Your Highness.”

It meant that he held Princess Elena in high regard. Indeed, Marquis Robert wore a warm grandfatherly smile, as if looking at his own granddaughter.

But now there was a separate issue that needed to be addressed, so he quickly adjusted his expression.

“Princess, explain in detail about this incident.”

The king, who had been observing the situation thus far, spoke up. He demanded an answer from Princess Elena in a solemn tone.

Though someone had been dispatched, it would take time for confirmation and reports to come back.

Every moment was precious in the current situation.

Princess Elena proceeded to explain further at King Karendia’s inquiry.

“Before the clash, the White Order designated Count Bearton as a heretic.”

“What! Is that true?”

Marquis Robert rose from his seat at Princess Elena’s words.

The White Order designating a noble of the kingdom as a heretic was not a simple matter.

It was a serious story that could potentially turn the White Order into enemies of the entire kingdom.

“Why only now reveal such important information….”

If the White Order designated the entire kingdom as a heretic nation, it would be truly grave.

At that moment, the kingdom might have to wage war against all the countries on the continent.

Marquis Robert muttered with a disappointed expression.

Now was not the time to idly pass the hours like this.

The nobles were in the same boat, feeling the heat under their feet.

However, no one dared to confront the princess.

After all, wasn’t the news known because Princess Elena had disclosed it in the first place?

Amidst the bewildered atmosphere of the nobles, Elena smiled faintly.

The situation she desired had come to fruition.

Count Bearton designated as a heretic?

No, it was merely the discovery of skeleton knights in the Count’s mansion, not an official designation as heretics.

‘But by now, they must be suspecting each other.’

The White Order’s envoy and Count Bearton were likely wielding swords against each other in suspicion.

The White Order sought to eliminate the heretics.

The Count believed he had fallen into a trap.

It was all part of Celia and Elena’s plan.

Elena was satisfied.

The royal family had been powerless until now. Consequently, the king was led without being in control.

The same went for Princess Elena.

Both nobles and servants alike used to ignore her.

But what about now?

‘If Lady Celia were here, anything would be possible!’

The kingdom was moving according to her thoughts.

Having contracted with Celia and made many preparations, one of which was secretly stealing the equipment of the Royal Knights with Celia’s help. And then using them to infiltrate the skeleton knights.

Initially, they infiltrated the kingdom, and then gradually infiltrated some nobles belonging to the noble faction.

‘They must be moving by now.’

Unlike the White Order’s envoy who received an invitation from Count Bearton, there was another group.

The holy knights of the White Order who had infiltrated the kingdom before the official arrival of the envoy.

They might be called rat, but they were not enemies now.

‘How did Lady Celia manage to recruit even the White Order’s holy knights?’

I heard she recruited the vice-commander of the holy knights.

Of course, Vice-Commander Riana followed the skeleton holy knight ‘Maru’ rather than Celia, mistaking him as a saint. But Elena was unaware of that fact.

One thing was certain, Vice-Commander Riana would soon attack the nobles.

It was a plan prepared for quite some time that was finally coming to light.

The preparations were unfolding one by one onto the stage.

And now it was time for Princess Elena herself to step onto the stage.

“So, what would you suggest, Princess?”

The king’s voice lacked authority.

The sudden escalation of events had given him a headache. And time was running short.

Thus, it was the king who sought the opinion of Princess Elena, who had first informed them of this fact.

As Princess Elena, she deliberately staggered the information.

The tighter the time, the lower the likelihood of making a sound judgment.

“I will personally handle it.”

Amidst everyone’s confusion, Princess Elena didn’t miss the opportunity.

“Instead, please grant me the authority to command the Royal Knights of the royal family.”

The knights following her now were all armed skeleton knights, not the real Royal Knights.

Here, since there are no White Order priests, it was something that could be done.

But if one were to step outside, inevitably, they would clash with the White Order.

The princess needed skeleton knights only up to this point. They were merely a tool to obtain command over the Royal Knights of the royal family.

“For the safety of the kingdom, I will take responsibility for everything.”

Finally, she declared that she would take responsibility for all these matters.

Now, only the king’s decision remained.

Princess Elena looked at her father, King Karendia.

‘Father.’

Certainly, there was an opportunity.

In fact, even now, she could incite rebellion using skeleton knights disguised as knights.

It was the easiest way to succeed to the throne.

But she must not think only of the kingdom’s future.

‘Father, there are still things you need to do.’

Once these events were concluded, the White Order would demand accountability from the kingdom on a grand scale. The things to come would not be small.

And when that time came, someone needed to take responsibility.

‘You must sacrifice yourself for the future of the kingdom.’

The first person to bear that responsibility would be the king of the Sael Kingdom.

Unaware of Princess Elena’s true feelings, the king made his decision from his seat.

“I understand the princess’s decision. It was probably not an easy choice, but as a member of the royal family, the princess must fulfill her duty.”

It was one thing if it was just a conflict, but the kingdom’s nobles had been designated as heretics.

From now on, the royal family had to take an active role.

Anyway, this was not a battlefield or a dangerous battle. It was merely a political issue.

Now, it was appropriate for the princess, who was a member of the royal family, to step forward.

Even if a battle were to occur, the princess would not lead from the front, so the king did not hesitate.

“I entrust Princess Elena with all authority over the Royal Knights of the royal family! Prepare immediately, Princess.”

With the king’s command, Elena smiled and bowed her head.

She took the first step.

Under the guise of preparation, the princess left her seat immediately and headed to her room.

As she headed to her room, she instructed her escort knight, Lenon.

“Lenon, I appoint you as the interim commander for this matter. Please prepare the knights immediately.”

Lenon was the princess’s escort knight, but he was of common birth.

If Lenon, born a commoner, were to command the royal knights, there might be rumors.

However, since the princess had obtained command over the knights, it didn’t matter.

‘Once this matter is over, everyone will be preoccupied with it.’

In fact, she wasn’t even worried about rumors arising due to the events to come.

Lenon obediently complied with the orders of his lord.

“I will uphold the princess’s command!”

Lenon kneeled, assuming a knight’s posture.

Only after confirming that his lord had entered the room did he move.

“……. ”

Princess Elena, who entered the room, also began to prepare.

However, she did something else.

She retrieved the parchment hidden deep under the bed. The parchment was filled with unknown characters.

Next to the parchment, she took out the corpse of a mouse, along with a small amount of jewels and gold.

It was exactly the same as the ritual she had performed when she first summoned Celia.

But Elena continued to prepare. Celia had requested another ritual to use additional power.

“To the Great One, who is merciful.”

She said this ritual was not for Celia but for the Great One. And it was thanks to the Great One that she could meet Celia.

Elena had never seen the Great One before. But she didn’t doubt its existence.

‘All of this is for the kingdom.’

‘And for the Great One!’

When all the preparations for the ritual were made, she lit the candles as before.

And just as she was about to bite her finger to drop blood, she hesitated.

Elena’s actions stopped, and another thought occurred to her.

Elena didn’t just want to be an ordinary king. She needed more power.

“Stronger power….”

Last time, she was able to contract with Celia using the blood that came from biting her finger.

With just a few drops of blood, she had come this far.

Then what would happen if she offered more than that?

Elena’s eyes gradually filled with madness.

“….We need an appropriate sacrifice.”

Having made up her mind, Elena took out a small sacrificial knife from the drawer.

And she placed her left hand on the parchment.

Her right hand holding the knife trembled. But there was no time to hesitate.

Elena aimed the tip of the knife at her pinky finger.

====

***

====

– Special Mission Alert! –

– -The Princess Who Aspires to Become Queen. –

– Help Princess Elena ascend to the throne as queen. –

– Please select monsters to dispatch to the Sael Kingdom. Princess Elena has offered her ‘pinkie finger’ as a sacrifice. –

– The number of monsters that can be dispatched to the Sael Kingdom has increased! –

– 5★ or higher monsters (0/5) –

– Less than 5★ monsters (0/100) –

– Reward: Princess Elena swears absolute loyalty. Additionally, the range of action for dungeon monsters will be expanded to the Sael Kingdom. –