NOVEL NEXT Chapter 87
Episode 87: Before the Gravestone (Part 3)
“Lord Giorg Zafing, you are the only man who has ever made me taste dirt.”
At King Jilvol’s words, Giorg narrowed his eyes. Jilvol chuckled softly at his reaction.
“You seem surprised.”
“Yes, because from my perspective, it felt quite the opposite.”
Giorg’s words weren’t humble. They came from the heart. In truth, by placing Sosua on the throne, Giorg had accelerated the Flastarl Empire’s invasion. He had intended to use the timing of the invasion to deliver a message during the diplomatic talks: “Don’t underestimate Galvate.”
But in reality, Jilvol had crushed Flastarl in a short time. Flastarl’s swift defeat was akin to Giorg’s carefully laid plans being shattered just before completion.
“In my original plan, Sosua and Lukult were supposed to clash, engaging in a bitter struggle for power. The goal was to make the people of Gildoruk lose faith in their former rulers by showing them the ugly side of power struggles.”
Giorg remained silent at Jilvol’s words, a silence meant to prompt him to continue. Jilvol, of course, understood this.
“Lukult’s role was to be despised by both Zabeiru and the people of Gildoruk as a traitor who invited the powerful Flastarl Empire out of his own lust for power.”
“I see Lukult’s role. But was Sosua originally meant to be killed?”
Jilvol explained his ruthless plan as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Even Giorg couldn’t help but shudder at how calmly Jilvol spoke of a plan that seemed to utterly deny Lukult’s humanity.
But considering that Giorg himself showed no sign of sympathy, to outsiders, these two would undoubtedly be seen as monsters.
“No, I never intended to kill Sosua.”
“Then were you planning to have her marry the Royal Younger Brother?”
“No, in the end, I intended for Sosua to marry Yuan.”
“…?”
Giorg narrowed his eyes again at Jilvol’s words. If Jilvol was to be believed, the outcome had ultimately aligned with his plan.
Lukult’s reputation was now at rock bottom, and Sosua had married Yuan as originally planned, securing the legitimacy of Gildoruk’s rule. Yes, nothing had gone off track.
“That look on your face says you think everything went according to my plan.”
“Yes, isn’t that the case?”
“Only on the surface.”
“What do you mean?”
“As I said earlier, Sosua was supposed to clash with Lukult over power, making the people of Gildoruk lose faith in their royal family, and then marry Yuan. That would have demonstrated the magnanimity of the Zabeiru royal family.”
“But… did Lady Sosua exceed your expectations?”
“Yes, thanks to your scheme.”
Jilvol showed no sign of displeasure.
“By having Sosua ascend to the throne, you made Lukult and the Flastarl Empire act rashly. They invaded Zabeiru without even having time to fight each other. Lukult disappeared, and Sosua, with her dignified demeanor, didn’t disappoint the people of Gildoruk.”
“But the ones who benefited the most from this were Zabeiru, weren’t they?”
“I said ‘on the surface,’ didn’t I?”
“Yes.”
“On the surface, it went according to my plan. But there are those who know it wasn’t really the case, aren’t there?”
“…You’re one of them.”
At Giorg’s response, Jilvol’s lips curled slightly.
“Yes, the biggest issue is that I realized my plan had been distorted… no, not distorted… hijacked.”
“…”
“Your scheme ultimately benefited Zabeiru. That’s a fact. But it was only because Zabeiru and Galvate’s interests didn’t happen to conflict this time.”
Giorg couldn’t help but nod at Jilvol’s words. If Giorg had prioritized Galvate’s interests, he would have taken Sosua to Galvate, established a government in exile, supported it, reclaimed Gildoruk, and used Sosua as a puppet to gain benefits.
It wouldn’t have been any different from the Flastarl Empire’s strategy, but it had a higher chance of success because Jilvol recognized the danger. The only reason Giorg didn’t do it was that he judged it more beneficial for Galvate to build friendly relations with Zabeiru.
“You can understand why I claim you made me taste dirt, can’t you?”
“Yes, but you didn’t bring me here just to admit defeat, did you?”
“Ah, I’ve been rambling too long. I brought you here to make a vow.”
“A vow?”
“Yes, this battle was my loss. But I won’t fall behind twice.”
With that, Jilvol turned his gaze to the gravestone.
(So he’s making a vow before Lady Feria’s grave… This must be the most sacred ritual for Jilvol Zabeiru… And he wanted to show me to Lady Feria, didn’t he?)
At that moment, Giorg felt a fire ignite in his heart. He realized that just as Jilvol had deemed him a worthy rival, he too had already seen Jilvol as one.
“Oh… It seems you’re fired up too.”
Jilvol’s voice was lively, a fierce, beast-like grin spreading across his face.
“Yes, I don’t intend to lose to you twice either.”
At Giorg’s response, Jilvol’s grin remained, confirming that Giorg had also acknowledged him as a rival.
“Because of you, my true nature has been exposed. This is a far greater flaw for me than you might think.”
Giorg also grinned fiercely at Jilvol as he spoke.
“Giorg Zafing… My reign will last ten years. I trust you understand the meaning behind those words?”
“Yes, of course. But are you sure? I won’t hold back.”
“Neither will I.”
The two laughed together.
Only the gravestone bore witness as the battle between Giorg Zafing and Jilvol Zabeiru began.
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