Chapter 68

Chapter 68

The atmosphere among the ministers heading to the assembly was unusually tense. The reason was the expected attendance of both princes, who had sharpened their rivalry at the hunting ground the day before.

Suddenly, both His Highness Mariv and His Highness Gale are attending together.

They usually only come to the afternoon meetings

I heard they are at odds over the lordship rights of the Bratz territory.

Whats so special about that worthless land? I dont understand their obsession with it.

Have you heard anything?

Well, I heard a recommendation for the lordship came in, and its a bastard son of Dergha. Perhaps His Highness Gale is interested because hes a mana user.

A magic user, you say?

Just something I overheard. Lets head in; were going to be late.

With heavy steps, the ministers entered the conference room. Usually lively and relaxed, today the atmosphere was distinctly different.

Creak.

His Highness Gale has arrived.

Your Highness, welcome.

Gale entered, casually brushing back his disheveled black hair, and smiled.

Youre all quite diligent this morning.

You flatter us, Your Highness.

For Gale, lower in the succession order, his active involvement in politics was an unspoken threat to Mariv. Moreover, the assembly was usually managed by the ministers, so there was no special reason for their participation. That was, until a few days ago.

His Highness Mariv has arrived.

Your Highness. Good morning.

Please take a seat.

Mariv glanced at Gale before sitting at the head of the table. The assembly began in heavy silence. As various issues were discussed, the two princes remained silent.

Now, the next item is

Everyone sensed the hesitation of the speaker.

Here it comes.

The issue of the Bratz territory. Romandro, our advisor there, has sent a recommendation for Ian, the bastard son of the executed Dergha.

A criminals son as a lord? Wouldnt that negate the meaning of their familys disgrace?

Yet, it was Ian who reported Dergha to the palace. Hes already severed ties with Bratz. Moreover, hes never officially been a Bratz by registry.

The ministers, after reviewing the reports, offered their varied opinions. Gale started,

By principle, he should be a slave. A lord is out of the question.

Hes the only Bratz capable of forming an alliance with the neighboring Great Desert. Reducing military size will cut costs, and taxes will increase.

Isnt he inviting foreign forces? That could be seen as treason.

But the local people seem to support him greatly. He fulfills all the conditions we considered when we first postponed the lordship. Besides, he is a mana user.

Ah, right. I heard about that.

The ministers buzzed with discussion. Mariv, anticipating this, handed a paper to a servant. The paper was passed to the speaker.

For these reasons, I also recommend him. Normally, hed be a count, but given the circumstances, a baron would be more appropriate.

With Romandro and now Marivs recommendation, there seemed no reason to object. The ministers shared unspoken looks, keeping an eye on Gale.

It seems he came to oppose, but why is he silent?

Once appointed as lord, what about his duties as a magic user? If he is to be busy rebuilding his family, can a lord afford to be away from his territory?

Thats for the lord to decide. Once we grant the territory, its not our place to interfere.

Right. The issue here is whether Ian is qualified to be a lord. As long as he pays his taxes, we shouldnt worry.

Agreed. I have no objections.

Mariv nodded in agreement, and the ministers internally sighed in relief, grateful that the afternoon tea time would proceed without further disturbance.

Meanwhile, Gale and Wesleigh exchanged surprised glances.

I thought he would protect [Ian] more aggressively.

At least by extending the period or reducing the amount.

Or even outright opposing Gales suggestion as absurd. Mariv, seemingly unaware or indifferent to their thoughts, urged the Prime Minister to proceed.

It seems weve reached a consensus. Lets move on to the next item.

Ah, yes. We will present a proposal to the Emperor to conditionally appoint Ian as the lord of the Bratz territory.

Agreed.

No objections.

Bang, bang, bang!

With the gavels final strike, the matter was settled. Mariv flipped through the reports with a smile. Whether Ian incurred debt was irrelevant to him.

His primary goal was to prevent a supporter of Gale from becoming the lord. And moreover

Somehow, I think hell manage.

Though he had never met Ian, Mariv had a strange confidence in him. It was a baseless and unrealistic feeling, but it seemed plausible from a third-party perspective.

But if Ian really managed to raise 10,000 gold coins

That would be interesting.

Lets move on to the next item.

What seemed like a stormy assembly had found a small peace.

Wesleigh whispered something to Gale, who nodded in understanding. Mariv simply watched them, unfazed.

* * *

Two weeks later.

Romandro developed a habit of checking the window first thing in the morning. For some reason, the courier bird he sent to the palace had not returned.

If the recommendation letter had safely arrived, a response should have been received by now

Hm?

Thats when he saw it. Far off in the distance, a strange carriage ascended the hill. A dazzling golden carriage, its flagpole gleaming in the sunlight. Romandro rubbed his eyes in disbelief and then, realizing what it meant, dashed outside in panic.

Ah! S-sir Romandro!

Whats happening?

Ian, quickly get Ian!

Huh? Sir Ian is in the garden

In his pajamas, Romandro shouted excitedly.

A carriage from the palace is descending here!

Huh?

Worried it might be punishment related to the imprisoned Morlin and his group, or recalling the nightmare of the previous investigation team, the servants turned pale. But Romandros expression was the exact opposite.

Its a golden carriage! A carriage bearing the Emperors decree!

What could the Emperors decree be, following the lordship recommendation? Romandro ran to the garden and found Ian crouching, covering something with soil.

Ian!

Sir Romandro?

Ian, looking puzzled, dusted off his hands and slowly stood up. He couldnt see the approaching carriage due to the mansions walls, but he could fully sense Romandros excitement.

The lordship appointment letter is on its way!