NOVEL NEXT Chapter 145.1
Chapter 145.1. The King
“…Laplace.”
That name—I heard it for the first time.
However, I knew the man.
He was, in a way, the mastermind behind the academy incident.
The one who manipulated Clyde and, in the end, faced Hermes, resulting in a draw—a key figure in the organization hostile to the kingdom.
And now, that very man was serving as the chief strategist of the First Prince.
The gravity of this fact was clear to anyone.
“So, what’s the matter, hero boy?”
Receiving Hermes’ gaze, the man—Laplace—smiled, amused, and spoke.
“We should be meeting for the first time, right? There’s no way we’ve crossed paths before.”
…So that’s how he’s playing it.
“Master… w-what does this mean?”
“Hermes, you can’t mean to say this man is—”
Sensing the unease, Liliana and Jurgen, who had heard a description of Laplace’s appearance from Hermes, began asking questions.
Hermes then explained the truth about the man before them.
“No… Brother!”
Hearing this, Liliana couldn’t hold back her voice.
“That man was behind the academy incident—!”
However, after listening calmly to Liliana’s claim, the First Prince, Herc, responded.
“…Is that so? Sir Laplace?”
“Haha. I see—how sloppy an attempt at sabotage, Your Highness.”
Laplace didn’t show the slightest disturbance and simply laughed it off.
“Indeed, my origins are suspicious—I hail from an obscure noble house. It makes sense to exploit such a gap with rumors. But still…”
With narrowed eyes, he shot a sharp look toward Liliana’s camp.
“If that’s the case, then the same could be said of Hermes.”
“!?”
“My investigation shows that although Hermes was once a member of the Frembreed family, he was exiled, and his whereabouts were unknown for a time. During that period—who knows? He could’ve been taken in by some shady group and trained as a spy to infiltrate the kingdom.”
Laplace retaliated as if turning the tables.
“Isn’t that right, Princess Liliana? I’ll tell you out of kindness—that man is the one deceiving you, gaining your trust, and plotting to ruin the kingdom.”
“Th-that’s not true! Master would never—!”
Liliana, on the verge of tears, tried to argue.
But Hermes took a step forward, raising a hand to stop her.
This is how it is.
Even if Hermes and the others knew who Laplace was, it wouldn’t matter here.
That’s because Liliana’s and Herc’s factions were already in conflict.
No matter what they said, it would only be seen as sabotage—just as Liliana denied Laplace’s words.
Thus, raising a fuss here would be pointless. It would only put them at a disadvantage.
“…Master.”
Sending Liliana a glance of gratitude, Hermes turned his gaze to Laplace.
“…Pleased to meet you, Sir Laplace. My apologies—you bear a striking resemblance to someone I know. It was my mistake to misjudge you. So—”
With a faint smile on his lips but a gaze sharp as a blade, Hermes now returned the favor.
“—I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t bully our princess too much.”
“…Oh?”
Laplace gave Hermes a look of admiration for grasping the situation so quickly.
His lips moved slightly, as if silently praising him.
Liliana still seemed like she wanted to say something, but that moment slipped away, because—
“—His Majesty, King Fried, has arrived.”
The main event of the day had begun.
After the voice, likely that of the chamberlain, echoed from the back of the audience hall, a figure slowly made their way to the throne.
Following everyone’s example, Hermes knelt and glanced at the person seated at the highest position.
This was the current king of this land: Fried Joseph von Eustia.
His appearance was closer to that of the First Prince—
Hair of a color between navy and black, with an average build.
Yet what stood out to Hermes the most was…
(This person… is the king?)
He had his reasons for thinking so.
The man sitting on the throne lacked any distinctive features.
All the royalty Hermes had encountered so far had striking, memorable appearances, regardless of their personality or disposition.
But this man—he was eerily ordinary.
It was unsettling, seeing someone so unremarkable sitting on such a grand throne.
As Hermes struggled to grasp this strange sight—
“…You there, silver-haired boy.”