Buriek Royal Hall

08:20, 22 October 2025

A day after Commoner Festival, King Buriek XII cheerfully led a meeting in Buriek Royal Hall. He was hardly able to hide his smile every time he recalled the happiness reflected on Buriek people’s eyes. The dishes specifically prepared by Amethyst Merchant for the festival were truly magnificent. Not to mention everyone could eat as much as they wanted.

As his heart was filled with an overflowing gratitude, King Buriek XII turned his gaze towards Julia Mallister, the second highest position holder on Amethyst Merchant. “Ms. Mallister, please accept my deepest gratitude. Thanks to Amethyst Merchant’s kindness, Buriek’s people can celebrate the best Commoner Festival since the founding of this kingdom.”

“Your Majesty, Amethyst Merchant help you win Buriek people’s heart and mind, is to make sure our cooperation runs smoothly. Nothing more, nothing less." Still in her flat tone Julia continued, “So please don’t be too courteous.”

After forcing a smile to bloom in his lips, King Buriek XII replied, “I see.”

To this day, King Buriek XII was still not able to get used to Julia's emotionless tone. He did ask Lt. Colonel Slane to send a representative who would not mask his or her opinion in sweet but empty words. However, King Buriek XII never expected that Lt. Colonel Slane would send a representative who had a way of talking unbelievably cold, no matter who she was talking to.

Deep down in his heart, King Buriek XII actually did not have a problem with Julia's way of talking. Moreover, Lt. Colonel Slane had guaranteed that Julia was the most suitable person to bring economic renewal for Kingdom of Buriek. After his first meeting with Julia, Duke Phelite also agreed with Lt. Colonel Slane's view. Even so, King Buriek XII couldn't help but feel a deep pain every time he saw a young woman with remarkable beauty like Julia had an emotionless way of talking.

'If only Ms. Mallisters have a slightly more cheerful and warm personality, the meeting with her will become a great source of happiness for me,' muttered King Buriek XII as she looked at Julia with regretful eyes. ‘Well, she is not a consort lady. So I should not expecting her to behave like one of them.’

At the same time, as she saw King Buriek XII looking at her with a weird gaze, Julia immediately asked, “Your Majesty, is there something wrong with my face?”

“No, your face is perfectly fine, Ms. Mallister. It’s too perfect, actually.” After smiling slightly to hide his inner thought, King Buriek XII then changed the direction of the conversation, "Ms. Mallister, I heard Amethyst Merchant did not take the gold offered by Viscount Issel. Can I know the reason? "

Wasting no time, Julia drew a picture of a single brick and a house, then showed it to King Buriek XII. "This brick is all the wealth currently owned by Sandhur Region, while this house is the economic power that must be achieved by Sandhur Region so that they can be useful for TF Amethyst economically, militarily, and politically.

And so, instead of taking a piece of brick they already have, TF Amethyst actually should send additional bricks and other material to help Sandhur Region build the needed house."

“I see.” After slightly nodding three times, King Buriek XII then asked, “Does TF Amethyst plan to apply this principle to anyone who wants to be its allies?"

“Of course not, it’s an idiot action to treat anyone who wants to be our allies equally. We don't have unlimited resources. Besides, TF Amethyst only needs ten or so trusted allies, and currently we already have three."

Without delay, Duke Phelite enthusiastically added, “Your Majesty, these three are Tuscan Region, Sandhur Region, and Kingdom of Buriek.”

A question mark immediately appeared on King Buriek XII’s forehead, “I thought TF Amethyst will invite Kandez Region and Merry Gold Union to become its primary allies.”

Julia calmly explained, “Your Majesty, Amethyst Merchant does have common interest with Merry Gold Union, Kandez Region, and Northern Coalition in making money. However, to become TF Amethyst’s ally they lack a few fundamental things that will make sure they are good friends in all weather.

Therefore, TF Amethyst will not carelessly share their technology or fundamental knowledge to them.”

As he deeply looked at Julia, King Buriek XII asked, “In short, TF Amethyst has some doubts about their loyalty."

“Yes, something like that.”

After a smile, King Buriek XII then asked in a mischievous tone, “Ms. Mallister, what if someday, hypothecaly saying, Kingdom of Buriek betray TF Amethyst’s trust.”

As a cold gleam reflected on her eyes, Julia said, “In that case, Kingdom of Buriek will become history. Then, TF Amethyst will establish its replacement, under the leadership of a wiser King.”

“Ugh…” In an instant, King Buriek XII's face turned sour, like someone who had been forced to swallow a glass of vinegar. “Ms. Mallister, you are way too blunt with your words.”

For the first time since the meeting began, finally Julia showed King Buriek XII her charming smile, and then she said, “Your Majesty, when we met for the first time, you personally asked me to answer all your question in pure truth, without empty ornament or grandiose bullshit.

I hope Your Majesty still remembers it, because honestly, it was the sole reason why this humble servant admired your leadership and dedicated herself to bring prosperity into Kingdom of Buriek.

Or, Your Majesty has a change of heart and wants me to feed you sweet and nice lies.”

King Makai XII's expression instantly turned dead serious. “Ms. Mallister, please continue to accommodate my request in the best way you can think of, and rest assured you have my gratitude and full support.”

Without delay, Julia slightly bowed her head. “As you wish, Your Majesty.”

A moment later, the meeting began. King Buriek XII, Duke Phelite, Grand Commander Keraz, and the rest of Kingdom of Buriek's high-ranking officials fell into contemplation, as Julia explained to them the grand design for the development of Kingdom of Buriek in food production, education system, economic capacity, basic industry, and military capability.

---

Buriek Guard Training and Development Center

07:30, 27 October 2025

One of the reforms brought by Julia for Kingdom of Buriek was the adoption of a simple but efficient administrative and bureaucratic system. In this new system, King Buriek XII did not need to attend daily audiences. He only had to set the goal, delegated some of his authority, and attend the most important meeting to give his evaluation personally.

As a result, King Buriek XII had a lot of free time. Fortunately, there were many new and interesting activities to entertain his mind. During the last two days, King Buriek XII stayed in the Buriek Guard Training and Development Center, a facility established with assistance from TF Amethyst. After finishing his breakfast, he then went to the Weapon Testing Quarter.

As he walked side by side with Colonel Harper, King Buriek XII opened a conversation, “Colonel, Buriek's noble families, with open arms accepted all the reformation suggested by Ms. Mallister and Amethyst Merchant.

However, some noble families have some concerns about TF Amethyst's request for the reformation in the Buriek Guard."

“Your Majesty, may I know what kind of concern that came into these noble families' attention?"

“Permit for low-born officer to attend military academy, and the development of non-commissioned officer corps.”

After a light smile, Colonel Harper replied, “In that case, TF Amethyst will open an officer course and training program for Buriek's low-born officers that will attract our attention.

We will also use NCO system only on Buriek Guard’s unit that deployed under our command, such as Buriek Guards' element at Sandhur Region.'

Hearing that Colonel Harper could immediately offer a solution to the objection submitted by noble families, King Buriek XII instantly realized that TF Amethyst had predicted it and they were truly serious in their intention to re-shape Buriek Guard's low-born officers and the establishment of NCO Corps.

“Colonel, why did TF Amethyst not directly choose Buriek Guard's high-born officer?

Buriek Guard has many high-born officers who have completed their training at the military academy at the age of 18 years. Those young officers are ready to be shaped according to TF Amethyst's doctrine and support from their family will give TF Amethyst a lot of benefits."

Colonel Harper casually replied, “Your Majesty, TF Amethyst will be able to give the low-born officers the necessary knowledge and skill easily.

On the other hand, giving the young high-born officers some life and death combat experiences, which we used as a standard qualification for every officer in a combat unit under TF Amethyst's command, is almost impossible.

“I see.” After silence for a moment, King Buriek XII asked another question, “As for NCO Corps, does this element have a vital role in TF Amethyst?”

“Absolutely,” replied Colonel Harper, “In TF Amethyst’s doctrine, we have high regards for initiatives in the field, and apply it to the level of a squad leader. Therefore, we develop and nurture our non-commissioned officers to become a proper leader as best as we can.”

Dark question mark immediately appeared on King Buriek XII's forehead, "Colonel, that's a dangerous thing to adopt. I mean, when a revolution breaks out, former low-born officers and squad leaders usually will become the main drivers for the movement.

This is also the main reason why noble families forbid low-born officers to enter military academies. They can't let low-born officers obtain the ability to lead a big unit.

However, TF Amethyst not only wants to give low-born officers an access to a program at the level of a military academy, but also develop squad leaders who are capable of taking initiatives and think independently."

“Your Majesty, it’s true that when a revolution breaks out, usually former junior officers and NCOs will become the main driver for it. However, this scenario only happened in an authoritarian country. In a good country under a wise leadership, these former junior officers and NCOs will become good pillars to its society."

"Colonel, is in your country this concept working out as expected?" King Buriek XII asked curiously.

“It’s still not as good as we hoped for. Some of them did become criminals, mercenaries, or good-for-nothing bunch. But fortunately, most of the former non-commissioned officers in my country managed to reintegrate themselves into civilian life and give our society a great contribution.

A small number of them also managed to climb into high places, for example Executive Officer Vex.”

‘Impossible!’ After being astonished for a while, King Buriek XII immediately asked, "Is it true that Ser Vex was a former non-commissioned officer?"

Colonel Harper firmly replied, “Yes, he is.”

“I see,” King Buriek XII calmly replied, but inwardly his heart experienced a great shock.

King Buriek XII had several times met and talked with Vex. From these meetings, he easily concluded that one of the reasons why TF Amethyst was a remarkably dangerous opponent was because of Vex. Therefore, it was too hard for him to accept the fact that the person he deeply admired had a background as a low-ranking soldier.

At the same time, King Buriek XII also realized the fundamental differences in the way of thinking, between TF Amethyst's leaders and Kingdom of Buriek's high-ranking officials.

‘It seems that compared to them, our way of thinking is too narrow,' muttered King Buriek XII as he decided that he would secretly support TF Amethyst’s intention in re-shape Buriek Guard’s low-born officers and the establishment of NCO Corps.

*****