The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Chapter 116, First Dish

Cordick hasn't been having a good time lately; the new Queen doesn't seem to like him very much.

Even if you've been a veteran of three reigns—well, most people are already veterans of three reigns these days.

It's understandable that she's not well-liked, since the new queen had clashed with the demons when she was still a saintess in order to reclaim some of their assets.

Cordick was one of the main proponents of the demon race in the capital, and the demon race was Cordick's political capital.

Even so, Cordick still felt that the nobles and demons were acting too hastily. Although Crane seemed somewhat radical in pushing forward the reforms, he still acted with method. Everyone was very clear about what the king wanted to do next, and Crane did not intend to carry out sweeping reforms. He had already compromised where necessary.

At least they'll stand at the negotiating table and argue with you.

But some people are unwilling to suffer any loss, killing such a good king without hesitation.

It seems that his previous collaboration with outsiders to eliminate Augustine III gave some people confidence.

Of course, what worried Cordick the most was that the demons hadn't come to him to discuss the whole thing even once.

This shows that the demons no longer rely on Cordick as a channel; they have even formed their own small groups.

The end of winter was unusually long and cold, just like Cordick's current mood.

More and more imitators of Cordick have appeared in the capital, carrying megaphones passed down from the gray-collar workers and shouting loudly in the streets that they are determined to protect the freedom of the demon race.

These people were once loyal supporters of Cordick. In order to quickly consolidate his power, Cordick promoted a bunch of people who knew nothing but could only shout for freedom.

However, Cordick is now being criticized by these people for his policies not being extreme enough or not appeasing enough the so-called disadvantaged demon race, and is even being criticized for being "not free enough".

Amidst this criticism, the people of the capital gradually forgot about the "heroic prime minister" who had brought down the "evil Lars family."

"What do those guys know? Do they really want this country to die?"

Muttering to himself, Cordick strolled through the inner city of the capital, wrapped in his coat. Although he was used to being picked up by carriage, Cordick preferred to walk to the palace himself, as this not only demonstrated his integrity but also allowed him to enjoy the company of a group of nobles. But now, he could no longer see that scene.

Are your own policies not extreme enough? Look at the policies of those so-called "liberals"—completely opening up restrictions, attracting demons to the capital, forcing the people of the capital to "help" the demons, and even not allowing demons to commit murder, requiring them to first reflect on why the demons killed people. In the end, the people of the Cape Kingdom were the ones who were wrong.

The demons even lived better in prison than most of the people in the capital.

This is clearly heading towards the downfall of the country.

He only wanted money and power, not the death of the country!

However, the newly appointed queen hates the demons, so this situation will still be contained, right?

As Cordick pondered the current situation, he noticed that something was off about the atmosphere on the street.

It's too deserted. Even though the new queen has little authority and little support from the nobility, it's still too deserted.

Isn't winter the season for nobles to indulge in debauchery? Why is the inner city still so deserted?

Suddenly, Cordick saw squads of soldiers patrolling the streets.

That's not right. I should be the one to arrange the city's defenses. No matter how unpopular I am now, I am still the prime minister of the current dynasty.

Cordick slowed his pace and carefully observed the passing soldiers, discovering they were from the Scott family, the Dukes of the West.

Not only that, there are also people from the Southern Territory.

Aren't the Western and Southern borders preparing for war? And shouldn't the capital be under the command of the Augustinian royal soldiers?

Sensing something was amiss, Cordick quickly entered the palace.

"You're late, Cordick."

Queen Lilith, dressed in her formal crown attire, glanced sideways at Cordick, who had just entered the meeting room.

This ignited a nameless fire in Cordick's heart. It was one thing for others to look down on him, but how dare a queen who had come up to take the blame?

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but the capital city, adorned in silver, is too beautiful. I was too captivated by the scenery along the way."

Something was wrong; Cordick quickly realized the biggest problem at the meeting.

Why is Her Majesty the Queen, who usually cowers like a chick and has no intention of getting involved, only wanting to be a human figurehead, so majestic today?

"Without your presence, we can't even begin today's first topic."

There's nothing wrong with that statement; after all, Cordick was the Prime Minister, and without his presence, it would be impossible to begin the discussion.

However, Cordick heard a different meaning in those words.

"Your Majesty, what is the first topic of discussion today? Why wasn't it discussed with me?"

"Prime Minister Cordick has been accused of colluding with demons. Effective today, he is dismissed from all his posts and imprisoned pending trial. Nora Less will take over his position."

Nora Less and Cordick are very similar; both are typical old-fashioned nobles, both served as presidents of the Royal Capital Academy student council, and both come from very ordinary, even humble, families.

But Nora is younger, more handsome, and more outstanding than Cordick. In the game, Nora is also one of the romanceable male protagonists.

Lilith's tone was calm, her eyes lowered, as if she were truly a supreme queen.

But Cordick couldn't help but laugh.

"Your Majesty, are you joking? I, Cordick, am the late King's father, the prime minister appointed by your father-in-law. You want to replace me? Hahahaha. Lord Augustine went against all odds to make me prime minister. You don't think your authority can compare to your father-in-law's, do you?"

He originally thought that if he raised his voice, everyone present would immediately laugh at the queen's foolish decision. This queen seemed to have no concept of power at all. Did she really think that just because she put on the crown, she was really the queen? She actually wanted to let a pretty boy take over her position as prime minister.

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

The empty meeting room was filled with the awkward laughter of one man, Cordick.

“Cordic, I’m not discussing this with you, I’m informing you. Alright, hand over the Prime Minister’s seal.”

Lilith tapped the ground with her scepter, and two guards immediately grabbed Cordick and began groping him.

"Let go! Let go now! I am the Prime Minister! I am the Prime Minister appointed by His Excellency Augustine. You bunch of peasants have no right to lay a hand on me!"

Cordick then realized that the other party was serious and began to struggle desperately. However, the guards quickly found the seal representing the prime minister on Cordick's body and dragged him out.

"Lilith Dorian!"

Cordick glared angrily at Lilith, who was seated at the head of the table.

"Don't think you're so great just because you've hooked up with Crane. Back when Lord Augustine was still alive, you couldn't refuse me when I asked you to warm my bed, you know that? If it weren't for the fact that you're short and skinny, you'd be one of my collectibles by now. You..."

Before Cordick could finish speaking, Umpton Scott, the son of Duke Scott of the West, launched a flying kick at Cordick's face.

Nora Luce kicked Cordick, sending him sprawling to his knees.

It was only then that Cordick realized that most of the attendees at the meeting had been replaced by the capital's new elites, or rather, gigolos.

But that doesn't make sense. When did these pretty boys gain such influence?

The moment he looked up, Cordick saw the guards at the meeting and suddenly remembered the scene on the street when he arrived, and he broke out in a cold sweat.

Considering the recent public support for the new queen, including the two governors of the North who were ready to beat the dog brains out, especially Lind, who even said something like he would make anyone who asked the queen to abdicate abdicate.

Originally, Cordick just thought of these people as a joke.

But Lilith's petite figure suddenly appeared distorted, enormous, and suffocating in Cordick's eyes, and a sense of oppression instantly enveloped Cordick's entire body.

These people all have one very obvious thing in common—although they may seem inconspicuous in ordinary times, they actually have an army under their command.

The members of the roundtable were also replaced without anyone noticing, but Cordick was completely unaware, because these replacements were all normal successions, like sons passing on their fathers' jobs.

Generally speaking, the aristocratic position of someone who succeeds their father doesn't change much, but this time is different. Many of the new nobles were Her Majesty's suitors during her time at the academy, although Cordick doesn't understand why this poor woman has so many admirers.

Moreover, these people had previously had good relations with Ukraine, and most of their families had close ties to the country, making them potential reformers.

The late King Kran did not directly employ these people because he feared it would ignite a factional struggle in the capital—or rather, a storm of political strife. Once it started, it would be a matter of life or death, either losing everything or taking everything with you.

This newly appointed queen is probably going to play a big game.

Did the Augustins choose a monster instead?

Cordick glanced one last time at his accomplice, Claire Augustine, in the gallery, only to see her still smiling, seemingly very supportive of her best friend's decision.

How naive! Power is like an insatiable beast, and you are just its appetizer.

This hungry beast will eventually devour the person who released it from its cage.