Villainous Husband, the One You’re Obsessed With Is Over There - Chapter 223

Chapter 112.1

The capital of Actilus and the distant border region.

It was a place where small rebellions broke out all the time.

The reactionary forces seem to continue to proliferate persistently like children despite repeated efforts to suppress them. Even the local security forces and the knights dispatched from the capital thought something was a little strange.

But uprisings have always been sporadic.

As Raniero ascended to the throne and Actilus expanded its influence with great vigor, it was natural for the border region to be in turmoil. However, by continuing to suppress, the embers of rebellion would die down.

Yet, the heat didn’t subside as if someone was using bellows.

No matter how much the people of Actilus loved to fight, they were bound to get tired of the endless mole-hunting.

Someone started to have doubts.

Why weren’t they getting tired?

Perhaps there was someone behind them, constantly empowering them? The existence of such a mastermind had only been mentioned as a possibility, but the allied officers who had been skillfully leading the waves of rebellion in the region were visibly nervous.

It was still a highly classified secret that the neighboring countries of Actilus cooperated with each other to form an anti-Actilian coalition. It was obvious what would happen if news of the existence of the anti-Actilus alliance reached the ears of Raniero Actilus.

The minds of the local executive were in turmoil.

‘This is why I suggested that the delay in the operation should not be prolonged!’

If they were going to strike Actilus, it would be best to launch a quick attack with minimal troops, with the aim of swiftly occupying key strongholds.

After all, facing Actilus in an all-out war seemed impossible.

However, as the size of the coalition forces grew, numerous interests became entangled, and the main force, Sombinia, suffered from an infectious disease last summer, causing the operation to be postponed indefinitely. In fact, the local officers were discontented by the lack of a concrete plan.

At this rate, the coalition forces would surely grow weary… 

But at that time, an astounding order came down from the center. If summarized in one sentence, the order was as follows…

Spread black propaganda!

In truth, since the coalition forces were professing resistance, they were always engaging in black propaganda.

Still, the effect wasn’t particularly remarkable.

The people of Actilus, who enjoyed the thrill of victory, had never been deterred by schemes. Even now, while they might find it a bit tiresome, there was no indication that they wanted to stop fighting. Yet, the slogan of the black propaganda ordered from the central command was astounding.

The Empress from the small kingdom is actually alive.

The successor of Actilla is madly in love with a woman and fails to fulfill his role as the successor.

So, Actilla will soon abandon Actilus.

Already, the local security forces were getting frustrated that Raniero wasn’t showing up to handle the situation himself. Even if it wasn’t this region, they hoped he would appear in similar circumstances in hopes of creating heroic tales and boosting the morale of the troops.

Thus far, Raniero had indeed boosted the morale of the troops through such means. However, coincidentally, his support for the frontier disappeared after his marriage, so it seemed like propaganda targeting that area would be powerful.

The anti-Actilus coalition quickly spread that cursed word far and wide.

And it worked.

People began to waver.

̊  · : * ✧* : ·  ̊  

“How can such nonsensical rumors be going around like sewer rats that Actilla would abandon Actilus?!”

The nobles of the capital gathered amongst themselves in outrage and were indignant. Yet, their pupils were wavering.

It was because the fact that the Empress was alive and the Emperor was infatuated with her was indeed true. The notion that the Empress’s presence would be detrimental to Actilus in the long run was something that all nobles, to some extent, acknowledged. They secretly feared that Actilus might fall out of the eyes of the God of War.

In truth, the only thing that the people of Actilus truly feared was that. Without Actilla’s protection, the only future for Actilus was downfall.

If it were just baseless claims, they would’ve brushed it off with a laugh, but with eyes and ears, they couldn’t deny the rumors, leaving them naturally anxious. Wasn’t that why the Duke of Nerma and the Count of Fallon tried to get rid of her at the risk of their own death?

Not wanting to be punished as cruelly as they were, they had no choice but to be careful about everything they said and did, so they couldn’t take any action anymore.

It was truly frustrating.

The rumor of Actilla abandoning Actilus must’ve reached Raniero’s ears, yet he remained unresponsive.

Of course, behind the scenes, they were responding by dispatching manpower to find the source of the black propaganda, but in truth, that wasn’t what people expected from Raniero. What they wanted was a picture of him appearing splendidly with his golden hair and sweeping away all the reactionaries with a single blow.

Nonetheless, Raniero didn’t leave the imperial palace in the capital.

The reason was obvious.

He didn’t want to leave his seat.

Because of the Empress, who was disguised as dead, hidden in the Emperor’s bedroom.

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