Chapter 664: “-why not truly unify Hidros.”

"Calm it," interjected the grandmother, "-what is done is done, be grateful you were employed."

"You're right mother." In a way, the rather loud use of words was indicative of how much the lady cared about the queen. Her eyes reflected the guilt, as did the atmosphere. Time passed, the carriage crossed, and off they were to Glenda. The trip lasted quite a while; Vanesa grew impatient. She began a mini-war of games against the grandson. The latter lost at everything; in conclusion, the younger-looking child stood confidently with a victorious look. 

Shuffles of the carriage past Glenda's manor a few minutes ago, after a gentle slope, came to the peak, a view onto the bustling town. Left and right, right and left, many went to and fro. Never mind the scarier forest to the north, part of the lands was trimmed and treated for farming. Cattle grazed pastures; the villagers hailed the visitors. 

"Here we are at Glenda," said the raider, "-that will be 350 Exa."

Money in a pouch flung onto the man's lap, '-Glenda,' thought Igna in the company of Vanesa, '-the town is alive.' Furthermore, the southern gate, a place of entrance for many, was crowded. Amidst the refugees were traders, the portions separated for ease of transport. It seemed the former were sent along the left side while the latter had direct access. 

"We ought to separate here," said the mother, "-it was good meeting you, Viscount of Glenda."

"The pleasure was mine," he bowed respectfully, "-I very much appreciate the tales of the past." 

"Don't mention it," snickered the grandmother, "-go on, boy, the town waits." 

Wings sprouted; a brief flap spawned a dust-filled gust. "Ma, you think I can become strong like him someday?"

"If you train hard enough, then maybe," added the granny.

"Worry about getting a good education first," returned she sternly, "-the viscount isn't only strong, but very smart too. You need to use the brains more," she playfully leaned and tapped his head. All and all, they were a happy family despite the circumstances. The above gave a better view of the happenings. The newest addition to Glenda thrived businesswise. A new marketplace settled onto a large area surrounded by guild-houses and shops. Textile, blacksmith, potion, weaponsmith, no matter the realm, a shop bore supplies. Refugees were taken to the old town, more specifically, open space at the edge of the town wall. Rations and makeshift settlements helped the sick and feeble. Guard numbers increased tremendously, more and more safety officers wandered the streets. '-looks to be thriving,' he landed atop a watchtower. 

"Excuse me," he leaned over the edge and stared at a dazed guard, "-where might I find the stewardess?"

"Who stands there?" a few blinks and he shrieked, "-what!" the face paled, "-Viscount Igna, is that you?"

"The one and only," the figure acrobatically hopped inside, "-where's she at?"

"The lady is inside the castle, do check the throne room or perhaps the study?"

"Alright," he shrugged and slid down the hatch. A short ladder gave onto spiraling stairs, beams of light glared inside, the focus was on the dusty interior. 

"Pops, I want food next."

"Can you wait a moment?" the voices echoed.

"Sure," she pouted, "-I hate when pops has to work."

"Don't look distraught," he kindly tapped her cheeks, "-we'll have a sumptuous meal later, sound good?" 

"Deal." Two doors allow entry into the castle walls and one into the castle yard. He continued inside the echoey hallway. No matter the sound, any little scratch or otherwise tap, carried across the vicinity, in a way, the solitude and cold air were terrifying. Soon, multiple large strides later came the main part of the castle, the corridors largened to a big open space. Here was the gateway to the castle's most important features, the paths diverted on where one wanted to arrive. In the same area, a massive table of fruit-filled pots held cutlery – the dining hall. The kitchen stood not far from said table. Guards and other attendants would take turns eating, shifts promoted efficiency and gave a sense of relief. 

The clops of the leathered shoes sufficed to draw attention. Guards of angered demeanor bowed in respect to their lord. He rose a hand in sign to be at ease. "-Pops, they respect you," whispered Vanesa.

"Privileges given to a noble," they made for the inner-chambers. Faded remnants of a heated debate fell at his feet, a glance forward showed the direction to the throne room. Closer they walked, the harsher grew the voices, "-we can't sit by and allow death to nonchalantly kill our people."

"There's no argument in the matter, guild leader. If adventurers aren't ready to risk their lives for the sake of this town, then thee may see fit to take a trip to the capital. We're on verge of starvation, tax isn't sufficient for the influx of people." 

"Stewardess," said a more docile voice, "-guild leader, arguments won't fix our immediate trouble."

"Fair enough," clicked the first.

"Whatever," sighed the second.

*Creek,* "-pardon the intrusion."

"Who-" her gaze befell Igna, "-MY LORD!" 

"Alta," he smiled, "-long time no see," the lord glossed past the guild leader, a singular up and down set the tone. 

"What is all this?" he wondered.

"A throne room, my lord," said she, "-we needed a place to discuss the future of the town."

"Fair enough," he turned, "-guild leader, is the discussion over?"

"My lord," dropped onto the knees, "-I plea, help me rescue those in my party. I implore the goodness of the viscount's heart."

'Alta doesn't seem impressed by his request.'

"What happened is terrible, you have my deepest sympathies. I'm not so rude as to disregard the one whom I bestowed the responsibility of growing Glenda. If her decision says no, then we'll do so. Address thy plea to her." 

'The instant the lord entered; the argument shifted into a battle of attrition. I never expected the viscount to be frightening,' thought a novice attendant. Igna sternly gave a once over. '-Scary,' he choked and stood straight.

"Stewardess Alta, please, help us."

"Guild Leader Enshoud, didn't the guild master say the party is weak to adventure past level 3. I'm sure the guild assistants must have been very adamant. Needless to say, the daft mule can never see the greater picture. Most of me wish for thy party's earnest defeat. The only way to teach a stubborn man is pain; bear the responsibility."

"Guild Leader," voiced Igna, "-state thy rank and reason."

"Tier-4 Bronze. Money, we need money, else, the fiends of the bank shall claw at our heart."

'Bank?' a suspicious frown landed on Alta, who, in turn, reaffirmed by a nod, '-I'll explain later,' said her expression.

"-My lord, please, I'll do anything, rescue my party members," *smack,* a loud headbutt against the stone floor firmed the resolve, "-please," he stared forth bloodied by the loud cut.

*Vengeance,* a hand forward, "-go rescue this poor men's party," a shot of impending doom escaped the room. 

'I'm scared,' froze the attendant, '-an evil presence, who was it…' 

*Woosh,* a circle of burr showed the petrified adventurers, the impending sense of death lingered. 

"I've done so, master," the heavy aura vanished. 'A fight, I got to fight strong monsters, too bad I only killed the weaker ones. Rescuing weaklings… hehe, no worries, I'll kill them all later.' 

"Guild leader?"

"YOU'RE BACK!" 

"I THOUGHT WE WERE DEAD." 

*Snap,* the emotional reunion continued into the middle of the crowded street. "-Alta, what's the status on the town?"

"My lord, you should be careful in giving favors. Said show of niceness will beget the lecherous attention of the greed-"

"No need to worry. Have the guests arrived?"

"The prince and princess are at the orphanage." 

'Understandable, Julius did start the organization for children.' 

"Glenda's doing fine on the surface," said she. "-Our coffers increase steadily, the business of monster hunting has sky-rocketed the local economy. Pressure from the other lords has hampered growth. The propaganda of Arda being starved for business has repulsed any incoming proposition from the other provinces. Food is an issue at the moment, the farmland of Apid can't sustain us let alone them."

"Any ideas to remedy the situation?"

"Fertile soils are rare. Farmers have tried to cultivate plenty of land to no avail. Seems like the forest around Noctis's Hallow has an adverse reaction on fauna and flora. I've sent for us to grow potatoes – no idea if it'll work."

"The other villages?"

"The nobles despise us, they won't sell. Instead, the supplies are sent to Ritenoot. Our villages can only do so much."

"The estate between us and them, surely we own the land to cultivate crops?"

"Sadly not," she sighed, "-we own very little in the greater scheme. The defected nobles of the Empire have sworn friendliness on the condition land is granted. They're farming – the produce is sold at an exorbitant price." 

"Can they be any more blatant? In other news, the church has been vanquished from Ardanian soil."

"Amazing," her face lightened, "-the news will lower the refugees." 

"-About that…" he sensed it before, the clan leaders were present. The throne room opened loudly; the blood-king's faction stood sternly. Julius and Eira were also present.

"Lord of Glenda," said Alaric, "-tis our second time meeting."

"Lord Alaric," he stood, "-the pleasure is mine. Do be careful about the demeanor."

"Astute," he scowled, "-being in presence of lady Eira repulses me very much." 

Council took to another part of the castle, a warmer environment, and a round table. 'Lord Alaric's against Eira's arrival. Aunt seems relaxed since that exchange' 

"As overseer, I, Elvira, shall stand as a mediator for the council. Please, lord and ladies, keep the discussion civil and dignified. Nothing hurts more than nobles intertwined in petty arguments." 

"I'll take it from here," said Eira, "-I'll spare the details, my current interest is a stable future for Arda. I wish to close the curtains on said chapter. Igna and I are honored to relate the church's vanquishment. We raided the outpost and destroyed the access to Arda. The camp itself can be refurbished into a port."

"Before we continue, could the princess repeat what was proposed?"

"The Blood-King's faction march into the capital and takes the throne. We've exterminated any remaining threats, therefore, it should be a simple job. Secondly, the capital is to be moved to Glenda, my reason is simple," to which, Igna slid the record across the table, "-read and thou shalt have an idea on the capital's status. Thirdly, a new rule is to be established, the Blood-King's faction will not claim the throne. The reasoning is rather simple, the faction needs to remain independent. If there is ever a repeat of the invasion, we'll be safe knowing the nightwalkers have our backs. Fourth and final, after I'm crowned empress of Arda, I will do what is needed to remedy the relations between Arda and Alphia." 

"The princess is to become empress to a powerhouse," paused Alaric, "-I must say, I'm still not entertained by the return. The justifications of the whys have somewhat calmed the worries."

"I strongly recommend reading the manuscript." Page after page, the more they read, the more disgusted grew the expression. Alaric seemed more agitated by the findings until it ended.

"Immoral," glowered Gabrielle, "-the council of races allowed…"

"Don't point fingers yet," interjected Elvira, "-we must look to the future, not the past."

"The first two points are self-explanatory and will be accomplished regardless. We ought to discuss the third, a new rule. It will be hard to establish a kingdom without a king, an heir, or a purpose." 

"Julius would befit the title of king nicely," proposed Julia.

"I dutifully refuse, Lizzie and I have abdicated claims to the throne, we have no rights."

'Right, it's true. He doesn't want to be a ruler of a nation. Cousin isn't in a position, he has responsibilities with Phantom and Apexi, not to mention his lover. What is the best solution, if the Haggards can't rule, who can?' then and there, it dawned, "-why not truly unify Hidros." Heads were turned by the statement, 

"-care to explain?"