Chapter 62

POV third person view, a month later

The meeting was convened within the Valencia Palace of the Re-Estize Kingdom. Gazef Stronoff had been standing motionless beside King Ramposa III, who was seated on his throne. He surveyed the serried ranks of nobles before him, and his eyes widened slightly as he picked out the forms of the Six Great Nobles among them.

The six of them gathered together was a rare occurrence indeed, but the event in which the need was called dwarfed the fact that all 6 had gathered.

The heads of these six families controlled almost as much land as the King, and between them their military power surpassed that of the King himself. Because of this, they frequently found reasons to excuse themselves from the King’s summons. This was especially true for the leader of the anti-royalty faction ― the Noble faction ― Marquis Bowlorobe, who did not even bother to hide his disdain for the King. It was bad enough that for a while, people thought the Kingdom might fall apart from within. The core of the Kingdom’s corruption…and one of the nobles who had sent their troops to try and assassinate Gazef.

Next, Gazef’s eyes went to the King’s three children.

The most eye-catching of them all was the King’s third daughter, the “Golden Princess”, Renner Theiere Chardelon Ryle Vaiself. Her innocent demeanor and mind yet sharp intellect was a gift from above for the people of the Kingdom along with Gazef.

After that was his second son, the Second Prince, Zanack Valurean Igana Ryle Vaiself. During the rebellion, he had earned much praise when he had followed the King in deploying for the sake of the people. While he may not look the part, he was still superior in intellect to that of the King’s first son by a long shot.

Last was the eldest son, the First Prince Barbro Andrean Ield Ryle Vaiself. He had a strong body and a neatly trimmed haircut, and he was the man who Marquis Bowlorobe was trying to place on the throne. Presumably, Bowlorobe was in attendance for this court session at Barbro’s own request. This was due to the fact that Prince Barbro was like that of a puppet. Easy to manipulate and use, exactly how the noble faction wants their King.

Any meeting attended by Marquis Bowlorobe of the Noble Faction was sure to be an intense one. Gazef averted his eyes from the heavy atmosphere, which seemed to loom overhead like gathering stormclouds, and looked at the rest of the nobles. The fights between the Noble and Royal factions would surely echo beyond this hall and into the Kingdom outside.

Of the three men present, who belonged to the Royal faction, the first to catch Gazef’s eye was Marquis Brumerush, the most luxuriously dressed person in the court. This nobleman with handsome features was approaching his forties. His domain contained gold and mithril mines, whose bounty of precious metals made him the wealthiest man in the Kingdom. However, dark whispers circulated that he was extremely greedy, to the point where he would even betray his own family for a gold coin.

There were also rumors that he had betrayed the Kingdom and was selling information to the Empire. However, because of a lack of concrete evidence, nothing could be done about him. After all, beheading Marquis Brumerush ―a prominent supporter of the Royal faction― without any proof would cause all the nobles who followed him to switch to the anti-Royal faction. If he was aware of this fact and took advantage of it to keep selling off information, then he would truly be the most despicable person present. Despite this, he was still the one the King trusted, for he was easy. Greed for money was easily earned and used.

Next, Gazef’s eyes turned to the youngest and most handsome of the Great Nobles, Marquis Pespeya.

He was married to the King’s eldest daughter, and became the head of his household at the same time as his marriage. Although little was known about his abilities and personality, his father possessed an excellent personality and was a competent man, so Gazef felt that the young Pespeya might take after his sire.

In contrast, the eldest among the Six Nobles was Margrave Urovarna. His hair was white, and so little of it remained that there might as well have not been any at all. Though his body and limbs looked like gnarled wood, he still retained the gravitas expected of an elder. Urovarna was the most persuasive of the Great Nobles.

Arrayed against them were the three members of the Noble Faction.

First was the core of the Noble Faction, Marquis Bowlorobe, who controlled the most territory among the Great Nobles. His face was heavily scarred, a lord who looked like a warrior. As he was already in his fifties, his once-stout body which had been perfected through unrelenting training was little more than a memory of the past, but his voice and predator’s gaze made people think that there must have been more than a little bit of his warrior-self left in him.

Although he ―as a warrior― had lost much of his strength to age, as a commander, he was a better commander than even Gazef, which made him just as indispensable to the Kingdom as the Warrior-Captain.

Beside him was Count Ritton. He was a man whose appearance called to mind the image of a fox, and also one of the lower-ranked members of the Six. As such, he resorted t ways and means to raise his status. However, his personality of not caring about others’ suffering if it meant he could expand his power was not well received by other nobles. Allying himself to Marquis Bowlorobe must have been a strategic move to escape his enemies.

The final man of the Noble Faction had slicked-back blonde hair and narrow blue eyes. His face was pale and unhealthy-looking, with little sign that it had seen much sunlight. He was tall and skinny. Combined with his sallow complexion, he gave off the impression of a snake. He was not yet forty, but looked older because of his unhealthy pallor. With mixed emotions churning in his heart, Gazef looked away from him ― from Marquis Raeven.

The impending succession of the next monarch had only intensified the power struggles.

Marquis Bowlorobe and Count Ritton of the Noble Faction, as well as Margrave Urovarna of the Royal Faction, all backed First Prince Barbro, while most of the unaffiliated nobles supported Marquis Pespeya, who had married the First Princess. Raeven was on the side of Second Prince Zanack, while Marquis Brumerush did not seem to be concerned with matters of succession.

For all these reasons, the King sat on his throne without making a fuss, though it was not long since he sat on the throne himself. If he pointed a finger at anyone, there was a danger of civil war breaking out.

Until recently, Gazef had no opinion on who should become the next King. But now, his heart was leaning toward Zanac. Either that, or Princess Renner as a dark horse, but the Kingdom, in all its long history, had never been ruled by a queen, so that was probably out of the question. If only the Kingdom was ruled like that of the former Baharuth Empire where any ruler capable of leading was accepted.

Ramps III: Now then, let us begin.

The King’s tone seemed slightly different than usual. Those with sensitive ears might have guessed the reason for today’s gathering and showed it with curious suspicion.

Ramposa III: Read out the proclamation delivered by the Imperial emissary.

In accordance with the King’s orders, the vassals flanking him on both sides began reading the contents of the parchment.

The contents were as followed:

Dear King Ramposa III of the Re-Estize Kingdom

As the property of the father is passed onto the son, this world is the creation of our father. Your 600 year history will never record us as we were here before Dragons.

As the creators of this world, we demand that the Re-Estize surrender their power and land to the Arcanian Empire entirely and let the world return into the hands of its rightful owner.

Surrender will result in the protection of the Royal Family and all citizens will be granted citizenship and all the benefits shared by the Arcanian Empire.

Any answer other than acceptance or surrender will result in war.

One way or another, your Kingdom and land is as good as lost. After all, the world itself own to our will.

I leave the choice in your hands. I trust that you can weigh the lives of your people over that of your pride as King.

If words fail us, then this is a Just war, fought for our birthright and people who live in your corrupted domain.

-Black Monarch

After the contents were read out, the room exploded into a hubbub of discussion. These terms were insane, and so was anyone who agreed to them. Were they insane?! They were asking the King to essentially surrender his entire Kingdom!

Messenger: Just in case, I have also had the scholars examine the Kingdom’s history, and no mention of anything ruling regarding the creation of this world!

Bowlorobe: In other words, this isn’t even a proper demand, it’s the ravings of a person gone mad!!

The boisterous cry rang throughout the hall.

Marquis Bowlorobe’s formidable presence ― a testament to his former glory as a warrior ― seemed to give the other nobles courage, and they returned his shout with their own approval.

Raeven: Gentlemen…you are forgetting that she mentioned that they were here before the Dragon Lords. So of course there would be no history of more than 600 years ago.

Count Ritton: Enough of this nonsense! We must never surrender our Kingdom! What do they think our Kingdom is made out of? Butter?

A round of boisterous laughter filled the hall before Count Ritton spoke again.

Ritton: Besides, didn’t our Warrior Captain meet one of these Monarchs?

Gazef: Indeed. She had lent us a helping hand protecting the village of Carne from bandits…or rather she took them all single-handedly without us ever needing to fight.

Ritton: So you’re saying that she must have saved them since she thought they were her own peasants!!!

As another round of laughter filled the halls, Gazef grimaced as he realized that these nobles would never realize how much danger she represents.

The scornful laughter of the nobles could be heard all around, yet nobody stopped it, because Gazef, who was born a commoner, was hated by many members of the Noble faction.

If it had been a member of the Royal faction, the King would have intervened, but since Count Ritton belonged to the opposition, the King could only furrow his brow.

Ritton: Besides Warrior Captain, you let a Little Girl do all the work for you when we sent you out to take care of the bandits? Isn’t that a sign that you are quite…what’s the word…incompetent?

Gazef: Count Ritton…are you listening to what the people are saying as they are rioting outside?! Those bandits were not bandits! They were soldiers from a certain faction in the Kingdom sent to kill me!

Gazef growled as he looked directly at Ritton, fuming.

Ritton: Silence Commoner!!

Bowlorobe: Enough of this madness! We must think of how we can repel the Arcanian Empire!

Ritton: As much as I hate to admit, currently, the Arcanian Empire is the greatest fighting force in this World. If they truly mean to bring down the Kingdom, I wonder what chance we do face.

Marquis Pespeya: I beg your permission to speak your majesty.

The King nodded.

Pespeya: While we cannot check if the claims the rulers of the Arcanian Rulers are saying are true but their demands are ridiculous. Our only choice is war!

The mention of war sparked activity amongst the serried ranks of the nobility.

Noble 1: They were getting on my nerves after all! It’s time we beat them and let them know what the Kingdom’s power is!

Noble 2: You’re absolutely right. First it was the Baharuth Empire and now the Arcanian Empire?! I say we beat them back so they never come back again!

Noble 3: It’s time to let the fools in the Empire know how fearsome we can be!

Noble 1: Exactly, just as the Marquis says!

These words, sandwiched by scattered laughter and repeated throughout the throng of nobles, grated unbearably on Gazef’s ears.

The Kingdom was in the worst possible shape for another major war. Due to the past skirmishes with the former Baharuth Empire, the Kingdom did not have supplies stocked up. Due to this, the people had fallen even lower into poverty and were hungry. In addition to this, someone, or rather news from the Underworld spread news of the Kingdom’s bad doings against their own people.

Finally, the act of trying to kill Gazef, the people’s hero, was the last straw. Many people took to the streets and openly resisted the Kingdom’s forces. In contrast to the peaceful and prosperous Arcanian Empire in which life was getting better by the way, the Kingdom was not in shape for war.

Gazef: Don’t think that this battle will end in a small skirmish like it always has!

The nobles looked like they had been splashed with a basin of cold water, and turned reproachful looks on him.

Ritton: You dirty commoner…!