I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree-Chapter 13 - Aftermath and Reckoning (3/3)

“But...” At this moment, a border count stood up and argued, “We also didn’t expect that when the beastmen attacked us this time, they would send out all their elites.”

“All their elites? Then what did my troops face on the front line? A beastman detachment? Are beastman detachments harder to fight than the elites you speak of?” Orson said this, pointing at that count’s nose, and began to attack.

“Do you know why I told you to raise a glass to Count Carls? Because your actions are all acts of treason! You should go to hell and meet Count Carls!”

“Young Master Orson, aren’t you taking this too far?!” At this moment, another count also stood up, and he began to use his age to pressure Orson.

“Many problems are not as simple as you think. There are many problems within our count territories too. In short... you are still too young. Some things, you will understand when you truly become someone with real authority.”

“Heh,” Orson smiled upon hearing this.

“In that case, why don’t you tell me your difficulties?”

“I found an account book in Count Carls’ house. The money allocated annually for him to maintain the border defense force, he spent it all on himself. Your so-called difficulties, could it be that your own mansions are not luxurious enough?”

“Do you need to build your homes like the Imperial Palace to be satisfied?”

“You can’t just say things like that!” Another count slammed the table and stood up. “Young Master Orson! We praise you because you helped us resolve the crisis, but some things are not your business, so don’t interfere!”

“Exactly, exactly! Our willingness to come here is giving you face. Who do you think you are? Are you the Duke himself? Let me tell you, even if Lucius himself came, we would still say the same thing.”

“Let alone you aren’t the Duke now, even if you eventually become the Duke, won’t you still have to depend on our goodwill?!”

“Oh? I heard you were calling me?” At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door. The counts present were all stunned upon hearing this voice.

“Duke... Your Grace, didn’t Young Master Orson just say you were ill in bed? How is it that...”

“Your Grace, are you alright?”

The nobles who had just been acting superior to Orson based on their age instantly became servile before Lucius.

Orson had no authority to punish them, but Lucius had that authority.

The reason they dared to speak like this in front of Orson was that they were threatening Orson.

After all, Orson wasn’t the only Duke’s heir now. If they pushed them too hard, they might turn around and support Litte. When Litte became the Duke, what would Orson be worth then?

But now that the Duke himself was here, they couldn’t speak like that anymore.

“Heh, do you all want this old man to die so badly?” Lucius said this, walked past everyone, and came to Orson’s side.

“Orson has already told me about your matters. Not one of you will leave today.”

He extended his hand, pointing at the nobles below, revealing a stern expression.

“What you are responsible for is not just the defense of your count territories, nor the defense of the duchy, but the defense of the entire Empire. If there are lapses in defense, do you think that even if I overlook it for the sake of past relations, His Majesty the Emperor will forgive you?!”

It must be said, Lucius had, after all, been in the position of Duke for over a decade. Coupled with his military background, his presence was quite formidable. Even though he was currently ill, he still managed to completely subdue all the nobles present, not allowing them to even dare to take a breath.

“I... Your Grace, I am very sorry. I have failed to live up to Your Grace’s trust, but this was all because others forced me...” At this moment, seeing Lucius invoke His Majesty the Emperor, a count finally couldn’t withstand the pressure and began to beg for mercy.

With one person leading the way, the others also knelt down and begged for mercy.

Lucius saw this and merely snorted coldly.

“Your crimes will be judged by a special person.”

At this moment, Elsa walked in from outside the room.

“Your Highness the Princess! Your Highness the Princess, we beg for your mercy!”

“Your Highness the Princess, do you remember me? I was your guard when you were young. Please, grant us clemency!”

Elsa stood at the entrance and exchanged a glance with Orson.

The latter smiled and nodded.

Then, Elsa closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and waved her hand.

“Take them away.”

Subsequently, a group of soldiers walked out from outside the door and took all these counts, every single one of them, into custody.

The subsequent process would be interrogation, investigation, verification, and sentencing.

The lightest penalty for this crime would be the temporary confiscation of their territories for ten years.

The heaviest, possibly being directly convicted of treason, with their heads falling.

This time, the Antica Duchy was truly going to undergo a major reshuffle.

Only after this group of counts was taken away did Orson and Lucius sit down.

“Alright everyone, the troublesome people are gone. Now is the real victory celebration.”

Clear rewards and punishments, with a sense of appropriateness both within and without. Orson’s actions showed the officers his abilities, and their evaluation of him became even higher.

...

On the other side, Litte returned to Antica City earlier.

In a private room at a tavern, she sat opposite Celineina.

“Sister Celineina, this time, thanks to your financial support, you helped us get through the most difficult time,” Litte said this, bowing her head to thank Celineina.

For this war, the Lison Trading Company had almost completely depleted its liquid capital. In addition, it even sold off assets in the Napoli region.

However, it was also fortunate that Celineina promptly sold off her assets in the Napoli region, which prevented Giovanni’s subsequent attack on the Lison Trading Company.

“It’s nothing,” Celineina smiled and shook her head. “Your brother helped me. It’s only right that I help in return.” free𝑤ebnovel.com

“By the way, Sister Celineina,” Litte suddenly remembered something upon hearing Celineina mention Orson. She asked, “How do you view Orson?”

“Eh?” Celineina was startled upon hearing this. “Litte, what do you mean by that question?”