Surviving As An Obsessive Servant Chapter 123

The group of nobles inside the hall was desperate to tarnish Denkart’s prestige, each raising their voice in turn.

“How could this be so insulting!”

“Denkart, who should set an example for others, has dragged noble dignity to the ground right in the heart of the sacred imperial city.”

“There has never been such a disrespectful person in the history of Terua.”

“Moreover, the duke has been absent from every official imperial gathering. Isn’t this an act that raises doubts about his loyalty to the imperial family, Your Highness?”

“Summon him at once! Rebuke his insolence for challenging the dignity and authority of Terua…”

‘Ah… These people are no better than a pack of hyenas.’

Catching the absurdity of their arguments, Crown Prince Louis let out a sigh inwardly.

Many had begun nitpicking the Duke of Denkart’s recent refusal to answer the emperor’s summons.

With the imperial marriage alliance with Denkart now dissolved, they sought to use this opportunity to suppress the long-standing thorn in their side—Denkart’s power.

‘They’re engaging in a pointless power struggle.’

The head of the house, said to wield power strong enough to threaten the imperial family, had always personally led the knights onto the battlefield.

Even amidst the dangers, the nobility in his bearing was more pronounced than any other noble.

If even the crown prince saw it that way, the people of the empire were no different.

Though they could not openly express it due to fear, most secretly respected the duke more than the emperor and other nobles.

Because of this, many members of the imperial family and nobility harbored deep-seated jealousy toward Denkart.

‘If they were like Denkart and stepped up themselves, I might at least understand, but they lack even that courage.’

The emperor and nobles, long accustomed to basking in comfort and sweet praise, all hesitated to step outside the capital.

‘Yet they still wish to be respected as much as Denkart…’

It was an unpleasant sight to witness any longer.

‘Still, rather than silencing them immediately, I should let them speak enough before concluding.’

The crown prince knew his role well.

Only then could he effectively manage even the factions hostile to Denkart.

However, a faint, chain-like black mark inside his arm had been tingling for a while now, like a fine crack spreading.

The sensation grew stronger, as if reading Crown Prince Louis’s thoughts.

‘…It’s urging me.’

The more it did, the more cracks seemed to appear on his otherwise flawless forehead.

Eventually, Crown Prince Louis spoke faster than usual.

“Denkart has demonstrated exemplary service and made countless contributions across Terua for hundreds of years.”

As he spoke, the pain gradually subsided, as if granting him reprieve.

“Furthermore, you all are well aware of the immense achievements of the current heir.”

Though he found the Denkart heir unpredictable and irritating, he maintained a pleasant smile.

“First, the voluntary expedition and capture of the three northern strongholds that everyone else shunned. Second, opening a trade route while imposing no toll fees. Third, resolving the barbarian issue, preventing further imperial blood from staining the land—these are deeds we do not forget.”

“But, Your Highness…”

“There is no noble more loyal to the imperial family or who has elevated noble honor as much as Denkart.”

Yet, some nobles still tried to protest.

An elderly man with silver-white hair and a stubborn demeanor was among the great nobles who had long been loyal to the imperial family.

He was also one of those who had pushed for the marriage alliance between the Denkart heir and the pro-imperial faction.

His sincerity in securing imperial authority and stabilizing the empire had never been in question.

But no one was without fault.

Even he had hidden tax irregularities in his territory—an issue the imperial family had turned a blind eye to for years.

Crown Prince Louis, who had investigated noble corruption since childhood, knew this well.

And, somehow, another person had also discovered this secret. That person was Edric Denkart.

As if anticipating this moment, Edric had handed over the evidence to him on the night of Delilah’s banquet.

“Very well. I agree with your intentions.”

The nobles’ faces brightened.

Until Crown Prince Louis spoke again.

“I hear that the Denkart heir has uncovered cases of tax evasion among the nobles. If we summon him, he will be of great assistance.”

In an instant, the nobles’ expressions changed.

Louis stroked his smooth jawline and continued.

“Oh, and while investigating, he also discovered irregularities in poll tax collection. It seems some have been extracting far more than the reported amount, and he has requested severe punishment.”

For the record, Denkart had no such issues when it came to taxes.

They were the only ones who were completely transparent.

That was why Crown Prince Louis valued Denkart highly, though his father, the emperor, did not.

Instead, the emperor would often sneer, saying it was only natural for them to be clean.

He had always treated Denkart as hunting dogs, readily claiming the merits they achieved as his own.

At times, he would smirk and say he held Denkart’s weaknesses and would reveal them once Louis ascended the throne, laughing loudly as he did.

Seeing his beloved father’s face resemble that of the pack of hyenas before him left a bitter taste in Louis’s mouth.

“I believe I mentioned that false reports would not be tolerated. The heir was even prepared to wage a territorial war over this, and I had a hard time calming him down.”

“…”

“That, truly, would be an act of defiance against the imperial family. Wouldn’t you agree, my lords?”

The nobles glanced at each other nervously.

After that, none of them spoke up boldly again.

As Louis achieved his aim and exited the hall, sunlight fell upon his face.

But his expression was far from bright.

‘…It’s rotted through from being stagnant for too long.’

Still, he had long resolved to change things—at least in his generation.

Defying his father for the first time to personally embark on an imperial tour had been part of that resolve.

As was disregarding his father’s order to keep his distance and secretly responding to the Denkart heir’s letter.

‘I never expected that first letter to lead to such cooperation with the Denkart heir…’

When the unexpected letter had arrived, Louis had been intrigued.

Rumors about him were so widespread that it was impossible not to know.

‘He resembles the duke in appearance but has a vicious temperament. Just what kind of brat is he?’

Louis clearly remembered the excited tone of his fiancée, Uriel.

[ Your Highness, the young lord, who is younger than me, overcame a rare disease and miraculously stood up. Even the royal physicians gave up, saying it was impossible, but then… cough, cough ]

Uriel, who had always been weak and lying in bed, sat up, tears welling in her eyes.

[ You can get better too, Uriel, just like him. ]

There was a time when he comforted his childhood friend and young fiancée like that.

That’s why Louis couldn’t help but feel grateful to the Denkart heir, even though they had never met.

He had wanted to meet him in person, not just exchange letters.

If possible, without his father and his subordinates noticing.

‘We’re not too far apart in age, and neither of us enjoys luxury or entertainment. We might get along well…’

But unfortunately, there was never a good opportunity.

The Duke of Denkart rarely left his estate, and Louis was busy traveling to other countries.

Then, just as he was starting to forget about it, he finally had a chance to meet him at a royal hunting festival.

But the young lord was different from what he had imagined.

His appearance was delicate, but his gaze and actions were calm and strong.

It was hard to believe he had suffered from a serious illness like Uriel since childhood.

That day, Louis started wondering why the Denkart heir, who had everything and showed no interest in noble socializing, had reached out to him first.

He didn’t flatter him like other nobles, only briefly mentioning law reforms before going silent again.

So, the answer wasn’t obvious, and from time to time, he thought about him.

Louis had never encountered a problem he couldn’t solve before, which made it even more intriguing.

Then, one day, the young lord made a shocking decision—to head to the northern strongholds—and requested a meeting with Louis.

It happened while Louis was attempting to make contact with Elkatan.

Facing him in person, Louis had a strange feeling.

‘…Hmm.’

Up close, he really did resemble Uriel.

‘Especially those green eyes…’

But before he could dwell on it, the young lord’s next words snapped him back to reality.

[ I remember that Your Highness’s long-standing wish is the absolute safety of the people. ]

Louis was surprised that the young lord repeated something he had once casually written in a letter.

‘…I thought he would just skim over that part. Guess not?’

As he looked at him with curiosity, he noticed something dark in his expression.

He clearly didn’t want to go but was forcing himself.

Denkart had always been overly obedient to the imperial family’s orders, so this wasn’t unexpected.

If that was the case, Louis decided he would try persuading his father one last time.

But before he could say anything, the young lord spoke again, his face now calm.

[ I will not only secure the resources of the northern strongholds but also eliminate the barbarian tribes that have long troubled the empire. ]

Louis was someone who respected effort and didn’t judge others unfairly.

But this time, he couldn’t give a positive response.

The young lord was taller than others his age, taking after his father, but he was still just a boy—not even an adult yet.

‘…It’s impossible, but I should encourage him anyway.’

He was about to say something supportive when the young lord said something unexpected.

[ As proof, I will make the Denkart Blood Oath. ]

The Denkart Blood Oath was an absolute contract that each member of their bloodline could make only once in their lifetime.

It involved swearing on their own blood, and breaking it meant risking their life.

‘…But he shouldn’t be able to use the Blood Oath yet.’

The current Duke of Denkart had only awakened his ability after becoming an adult.

At that moment, Louis felt a bit sorry for him.

He must have been desperate to come to him and say something this reckless…

More than anything, as a loyal descendant of Denkart, he deserved some leniency.

Even though he knew it was impossible, Louis nodded.

[ Fine. ]

If he failed to convince his father, the young lord’s survival would be uncertain.

That was the unfortunate reality.

[ If you succeed, I will grant whatever you ask for—including the laws you mentioned in your letters… ]

[ No. I only need one more thing. ]

…Was it because he was the Duke’s son?

Something about his quiet yet firm attitude made Louis set aside some of his worries and focus on the conversation.

But before he could even respond, drops of red blood dripped onto a black parchment.

[ I swear on my life—the Blood Oath begins now. ]

The white letters on the black parchment suddenly glowed red.

‘No way… Has he already awakened Denkart’s ability?’

Stunned and confused, Louis watched as the young lord declared his oath to annihilate the barbarians.

His voice was steady, as if he had carried this resolve for a long time.

[ From the day I fulfill my promise, until the day Your Highness takes your last breath… there will be someone you must protect with your life, against all power. ]

Edric Denkart’s green eyes gleamed darkly as he spoke.

[ That includes protection from His Majesty and even from yourself. Keep that in mind, Your Highness. ]