Breaking Off the Engagement with the Demon King - Chapter 13
“Haa… Fine, I get it. Either way, things have come this far—there’s no way we can keep this marriage going now.”
Shou let out a sigh and spoke in a tone filled with exasperation.
At his words, Kiara’s eyes widened in realization.
Yes—talk of breaking off the engagement had already begun.
Even if she now began to feel anxious about her future with Strey, there was no turning back.
Resolving herself to believe in Strey once more, Kiara gently took hold of his arm.
“…So? After mocking my house this much, you’re prepared to face the consequences, aren’t you?”
Shou shot Kiara a sharp glare.
A chill ran through her body, so intense it made her want to shudder.
No, it wasn’t just Kiara—everyone present felt a bone-deep chill at the sheer bloodlust laced in Shou’s words. A cold dread gripped the room.
The Rudel Marquessate of the Borderlands bore the responsibility of defending the Kingdom of Randall. For the royal family to make a mockery of Rudel was tantamount to inviting civil war.
The gallery fell silent, the implication heavy in the air. A few gulped nervously as the realization sank in.
“Our family motto is: ‘Crush those who look down on us.’ You know that, don’t you, Kiara?”
…No, this wasn’t just a possibility anymore. With that one line, Shou had made it clear—civil war was almost certain.
The Rudel family had no exceptions to their creed. Be it a great power, an army of demons, or even their own kingdom’s royalty—if someone disrespected them, they would respond with overwhelming force.
And now, having said those words to both Lars and Kiara—members of the royal family—Shou was no longer making a threat. He was stating that retribution would come for this farcical engagement annulment.
Shou glared at Kiara. Then at Lars.
Lars faltered for a brief moment under Shou’s piercing gaze, but quickly recovered, a defiant smirk forming on his lips.
“Shou Rudel. It’s true—your family, the Marquessate of Rudel, possesses formidable military might. But if you think the royal family will forever live in fear of that power, you are gravely mistaken.”
A murmur spread through the hall.
It was common knowledge that the Rudel house held the greatest military force within the kingdom.
Even if the royal family were to mobilize the full strength of the central nobility, they would only barely match Rudel in power.
And yet, Lars had just claimed that Rudel was no longer a threat.
He had chosen to stand against Shou’s intimidation directly and openly.
“Everyone, rest assured. I hereby declare that from this day forward, there shall be no place in our kingdom for brutes like the Marquess of Rudel to run rampant on sheer force alone!”
“…Hah?”
Uncertain of Lars’s true intent, Shou furrowed his brow in suspicion.
Seeing that reaction, Lars nodded in satisfaction and then raised his voice to announce proudly:
“The royal family has decided to bestow noble status upon the Hero Alls, who recently defeated the Demon King. From now on, there is no need for a mere border marquess to throw his weight around!”
Power must be met with power.
Lars’s secret weapon was clear: by bringing the mighty Hero to their side, the royal family would neutralize the Rudel Marquessate’s military leverage once and for all.