Children of the Rune – Winterer - Chapter 341

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Episode 111.
Ninety-Eight Souls (24)
“That is precisely why, when the Young Duke disappears, my son and I must establish an independent position beyond mere title heir and guardian. To achieve this, the aid of the Friends of the People is absolutely indispensable. I understand they have several hidden supporters within the royal power structure. Securing the King’s trust through their assistance is my immediate priority. Only then can I play a decisive role when I move to topple the Royal House using the power of House of Arnim, and I am certain the symbolic meaning—that Duke Arnim, who once raised the New Monarchy, has returned to the Republic—will be greatly amplified.”
Yien frowned imperceptibly. Her background had given her keen insight into those driven by ambition. Yet setting aside personal distaste and examining the proposal on its merits alone, it was sound strategy. Of course, assuming one trusted a man like Moro.
After a brief pause, Langie finally spoke.
“I have heard your proposal well. Now it is time to present the Exile Council’s counter-proposal.”
Langie leaned forward slightly.
“There is no doubt that the removal of Duke Arnim will be a crucial turning point for the Republic. However, Moro, even if all proceeds smoothly and your son inherits the family title without incident, an investigation into Duke Arnim’s cause of death remains an essential procedure. You would naturally be the one to conduct it. Since the Young Duke will also be dead by then, suspicion that both father and son were entangled in conspiracy is inevitable. Other nobles will watch with keen interest, fearing the same fate might befall them. And ultimately, someone must be named responsible.”
Theo suddenly raised an objection.
“It could be ruled an accident.”
“No. If such a conclusion is reached, the situation may appear resolved on the surface, but people will privately suspect you as the architect. When something remains unexplained, suspicion naturally falls upon whoever gains the greatest benefit. After that, your position will be blocked by an invisible wall.”
Langie’s response came immediately. As Kanka listened to the seamless explanation, he began to doubt whether this ‘D’ was truly a low-ranking member.
“Then what must be done?”
Theo seemed to have decided he should at least hear what the other side wanted. Langie spoke.
“You must create someone who appears to gain even greater benefit.”
“And who would that be?”
“The leadership has proposed Duke Fontina as the most suitable candidate.”
Of course, it was not the leadership’s decision but Langie’s own judgment. Yet for both Theo and Kanka, this was utterly unexpected. Theo, unable to hide his shock, spoke.
“Eliminating both Dukes who support the New Monarchy would certainly be desirable, but isn’t that recklessly ambitious? I know the House of Arnim well enough, but Duke Fontina is another matter entirely. He is no ordinary schemer, and I’ve heard he commands a formidable intelligence network. Is it even possible to manipulate such a man’s actions? Did the leadership issue orders with a concrete plan?”
Langie smiled faintly.
“It is not yet at the stage of orders. But we believed that without a hypothetical adversary, it would be difficult to protect you. You seem opposed—do you have an alternative in mind?”
“Before that, I wish to ask: why would Duke Fontina wish to kill Duke Arnim?”
Langie turned to Hailjer and asked.
“May I explain?”
Hailjer nodded lightly as if it posed no problem.
“Go ahead.”
Langie continued, thinking that if Hailjer possessed even slightly better eloquence, such delegation would not be necessary.
“The two Dukes appear to cooperate and divide the New Monarchy faction between them, but if they could, each would wish to monopolize it alone. No one desires to share power. We need only remind them of this fact. In truth, the leadership has discussed schemes to set the two Dukes against each other multiple times. However, without a decisive collaborator like Moro, the plan remained suspended—like trying to tie a bell around a cat’s neck without the means to do so. Thus, if an opportunity arises to eliminate Duke Arnim, there could be no better catalyst for turning them against each other. One disappears, one bears the blame, and both have their wings broken.”
The utterly dispassionate tone of voice had a way of draining the listener’s spirit. Theo spoke with slight irritation.
“But how in the world is such a thing even possible?”
“As you say, manipulating Duke Fontina’s actions is difficult. Moreover, whether the scheme succeeds or fails, we cannot imprison Duke Fontina. Therefore, the true heart of this scheme is not to move Duke Fontina at all. What is necessary is public opinion. We need only make people believe there is a conspiracy—that they cannot speak openly because of Duke Fontina’s power, but that they know the truth. With that, suspicion directed at you will naturally be buried.”
Theo regarded his counterpart anew. He had already abandoned the notion that this man was a low-ranking member. By his manner of speech, he understood this scheme far better than whoever had given him his orders.
“I understand what you are saying. The Exile Council’s opinion is certainly worth hearing. But that is a distant future matter. Before then, I must deal with the Young Duke, and before that, I must strengthen my position. I have drawn several of the Duke’s close associates to my side, but they believe I merely wish to secure the title that will pass to my son. It is more convenient for me if they continue to believe that. However, I will keep this plan in mind.”
Langie lowered his eyes slightly and spoke.
“It is not a distant future matter.”
“Not a distant matter?”
“The higher-ups’ opinion differs. It is better to move against the Duke before the Young Duke. Thus the Young Duke inherits the title, and subsequently he passes away naturally—a smoother course.”
Kanka shook his head.
“My thinking differs. Two changes of Duke in a short span would only bring unnecessary chaos and waste.”
“No. Look carefully at the focus of the plan.”
Langie glanced back at Hailjer once more, exchanging a look as if seeking permission. Kanka pressed further.
“The focal point?”
“The center of gravity, if you will. Eliminating the Young Duke is simple enough, and we even have the convenient excuse of the Demonic. Therefore, that is not the focal point. The problem lies with the Duke himself. He is difficult to remove, and even after removal, we must navigate the suspicion that follows. Thus, eliminating the Duke is the center of gravity of this plan. People’s attention will undoubtedly concentrate primarily on the Duke’s death. The moment he dies, countless minds will turn to unraveling this mystery. When that happens, they will likely reach their own conclusions before we even hint at Duke Fontina’s involvement. It would be unwise to have the Young Duke’s death precede this, making the matter feel predetermined, or worse, suggesting it might all be the work of the same hand.”
Kanka’s brow furrowed.
“And the reverse scenario…?”
“Consider the opposite. Even if the Duke dies, the Young Duke will inherit the title, so your existence will not be the focus of attention. When suspicion about the Duke’s death reaches its peak, we plant hints suggesting Duke Fontina’s involvement. Once theories of Duke Fontina’s machinations spread widely, the newly elevated Duke—the former Young Duke—gradually weakens and dies of natural causes. Whether people believe the Young Duke fell to the Demonic’s curse matters little, but those who prefer conspiracy theories will see it as confirmation of Duke Fontina’s earlier suspected actions. People who love puzzles tend to force wrong pieces to fit once they’ve begun believing a narrative—driven by the desire to complete the picture. In this way, suspicion transforms into certainty, and insufficient evidence becomes merely proof of Fontina’s cunning. Since he cannot even be punished, hatred and rumor only amplify. By then, there is no room for Lord Moro to intervene. Rather, Lord Moro will be regarded as the guardian of a family beset by successive tragedies, receiving all the hope and expectation that entails.”
The logic was so airtight that refutation seemed impossible. What struck me most was the penetrating insight into human nature. Theo suspected this was instruction from the Exile Council, yet harbored a sliver of doubt. Had D not been a youth barely past twenty, he would have accepted it as the man’s own scheme without question. The explanation flowed with such fluency.
“I understand your meaning, D. I concur with the validity of that strategy. However, to proceed as you suggest, the timeline must accelerate. My position must be sufficiently established before we move against the Duke.”
Hailjer spoke.
“That need not concern you. Support has been thoroughly discussed. The moment you decide to undertake this task, you will meet with three high-ranking nobles within ten days.”
Langie noticed that Theo listened to Hailjer’s words while simultaneously studying his own expression, yet he said nothing, maintaining only a faint smile like one awaiting orders.
Kanka, who had been silently organizing his thoughts all this while, finally spoke.
“Very well. I see no point in asking whom we shall meet, knowing you won’t reveal it beforehand. Still, I must say the information network and strategic acumen of the Friends of the People are indeed exceptional—far from ordinary. However, if we are to move immediately against the Duke, our own schedule will suffer disruption. Therefore, we must also secure certain promises regarding support. And above all, there is something I wish to propose.”
“Speak.”
Hailjer replied. A smile appeared on Kanka’s face for the first time.
“We will proceed with the Duke assassination plan as you have proposed, and after success, we will assume responsibility for orchestrating rumors about Duke Fontina within the family. During this time, we request that you arrange connections with influential figures in the kingdom’s inner circles to solidify our position, and secondly, that you place the Friends of the People’s information network—which spans the entire Continent—at our disposal. And to execute our objective effectively, we wish to establish the date of the Duke’s assassination here and now.”
Children of Rune – Winterer
Author: Jeon Min-hee
Publisher: 14 Months Publishing
The copyright to this book belongs to the author and 14 Months Publishing.
To reuse all or part of this book’s contents, written consent from both parties is required.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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