Chapter 33 Barlia's Envoy

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Come in" said Nicholas I.

"Pardon my intrusion, Your Majesty". Wendall entered the king's office. Here is the place where Nicholas I spend most of his day.

There is a mountain of paperwork stacks in the office. Surrounded by all the paperwork is the tired King Nicholas I.

"What is it Wendall?"

"There is a letter for you, Your Majesty"

"Is it from the merchant guild? If so, just throw it away. They have sent so many letters for the past week".

"Unfortunately not, Your Majesty"

"Hmm!!?" Nicholas I raised his eyebrows. He was confident the merchant guild would send him another letter.

Whenever money was involved, those merchants will become so restless.

The news about Cerdeauxia's blockade has reached the capital. To make the situation worse, Cerdeauxia even released the reason why they were doing so.

Many nobles and merchants implore the king to give in to Cerdeauxia's demand.

"Then, who is it?". Nicholas I asked.

"The letter doesn't mention the sender's name but the letter was sealed with Barlia's coat of arms". Wendall replied.

"What!! Why would Barlia suddenly enter the scene?". It makes no sense at all.

This is a dispute between Bagyarosia and Cerdeauxia alone.

They have no reason to interfere.

"Exactly". Wendall was equally as surprised as Nicholas I too. He then asked, "Would you like to meet Barlia's envoy, Your Majesty?"

"....", Nicholas I pondered for a while. "Alright, let's meet them. I want to know their purposes".

"I will arrange the meeting for you". Wendall bowed a little before leaving the king's office.

....

Two days later..

Nicholas I met the envoy from Barlia. Except for Wendall and several handfuls of guards, there was no one else.

"It's an honor to meet you, King Nicholas Napuna Bagyarosia. My name is Mark Donald", said the envoy.

"It's an honor to meet you too, Mr Mark. May I ask the purpose of Mr Mark requesting an audience with me?", Nicholas I asked.

"I want you to fulfill Cerdeauxia demand and hand Rizieri Ryntum to them", Mark responded to Nicholas's question. His words make those who hear it think he is ordering Nicholas I rather than requesting him.

"Why Barlia care so much about a fifteen year old boy?"

"He is not a mere boy, he is the last royal of Cerdeaux Dynasty. Ryntum conquers its neighbor, the Gyalcakes County which is two times larger than them in merely a week.

That achievement alone is a proof that shows their military capability. Last year, that boy defeated Count Tegrot's army which is two times bigger than him.

Care to tell me Your Majesty King of Bagyarosia, which one of your princes are able to achieve that feat?", ask Mark.

Nicholas I didn't say anything because he knows all the words Mark said are true. Mark's words let him see from a different perspective.

Mark continues, "I hope that Your Majesty will not be too optimistic. Such people will be the earliest to die."

"What is the benefit for Barlia for stopping this?"

Mark smiled. "We just don't want things to escalate between Bagyarosia and Cerdeauxia. We seek for peace".

"Barlia? Peace? Hahaha". It has been a while since Nicholas I heard a good joke.

Mark doesn't seem to be affected by Nicholas's mocking.

Nicholas stopped laughing. "Wouldn't it solve the problem if Barlia orders their navy to not attack our ships? The reason we used Cerdeauxia's port is because you guys blocked us, am I right?"

"I hope you don't make a random assumption, Your Majesty. It is not our navy who is responsible for the attack on your merchant ships. It is a pirate that ran rampantly all over the sea", Mark played dumb.

Nicholas's lips twitched but he tried to control it. He didn't want to curse this shameless envoy.

"Alright, I will consider your word. You can go now", said Nicholas I to Mark.

As soon Mark left the audience hall, a mysterious figure appeared on his back.

"So, how is the talk?"

"Whoa!! Don't scare me like that, Jack!!", Mark has always been displeased with Jack's sudden appearance.

It's bad for his heart.

"I'm sorry, so how's the talk?", he asked again while both of them were on their way out from the castle.

"I have planted the seed and stir up the doubt in his heart. All we have to do is wait"

"Are you sure that's enough? Why don't we do something else?", Jack asked.

"It's enough. I don't need to tell him everything. If that king investigates further, he will realize that he actually has been surrounded"

"Surrounded?"

"That boy is engaged with the daughter of Count Tetherswest, north of Royal Territory. His sister is going to marry heir of Count Caushilbo in the northeast of Royal Territory. On the west side is Ryntum March. Do you get it now?", Mark patiently explained to Jack.

Listening to Mark's explanation, Jack inwardly recalls the map of Bagyarosia. His eyes were wide open. "Damn it!! You're right, I never realized about it". Jack asked. "Do you think this is Richard's plan or just a coincidence?".

"I don't know but it's good for us to use it to pit the two of them. In addition, let me remind you that we don't have to go through all of this if you can just kill that boy properly", Mark sneered.

"I'm pretty sure I killed that boy", Jack tries to defend himself.

"Yeah, yeah. I have heard it so many times", Mark just ignores Jack's excuse.

"Can't you at least try to act like you believe it? You know much I held back from killing that spoiled and arrogant Robert?", Jack grumbled.

"Alright, alright. I know your pride as an assassin was hurt but you need to stop", Mark has long been annoyed by his complaint.

"Fine. Then, how about Cerdeauxia?"

"Cerdeauxia is much easier since they're republic. We can wait for the right time to install our puppet as their president".

....

Nicholas contemplated, Mark's words arose his suspicion toward Ryntum. The royal family always regarded the Ryntum as their loyal vassal.

He looked outside from the window in his office, staring at the garden that the queen carefully nurtured.

In his mind, many possibilities were thought but there is not much option he has.

He needs to choose between one nobleman or his country's economy.

The price of grains and foods have reached an all time low. All grains merchants are selling their goods to avoid a total loss.

The majority of the nobles have tacitly reached a consensus to sacrifice Riz for their own benefit.

Nicholas I decided to discuss with Prime Minister Wendall.

"What do you think, Wendall?"

"In my opinion, Barlia purpose is suspicious. There's no way they would prioritize something like peace.

However, there are truths in their words. Ryntum possesses too much danger to the royal family. I believe your majesty doesn't want the coup to happen just like during King Nolan's reign."

"So, you're saying that Ryntum family is planning to stab my back?", Nicholas's expression turned serious.

He recalled the attempt of a coup conducted by the Duke of Baroks during his grandfather's reign years ago.

At that time, the Duke of Baroks secretly raised an army which went unnoticed by the royal family in the capital.

The duke at that time was very good at hiding his emotions. He didn't give a single sign of disloyalty.

In a noble circle, he was known as a strong supporter of the king. With Duke Baroks's support, Nolan can govern the country peacefully.

He participated in every event the king invited him without a miss. Nobody would guess that he is gathering a lot of soldiers.

The news was exposed when he was marching toward the capital. Of course it is impossible to cover up the movement of an army as large as 20,000 men.

Young Renault is the want responsible for informing the king by immediately dispatching a messenger. Upon hearing the news, Nolan gathers his royal army to contain Duke Baroks

Fortunately, with the help of nobles from the surrounding region, the coup was unsuccessful. The duke can't move forward or retreat.

Nolan decides to have the main family of the Duke of Baroks executed. The king then assigned the current Duke of Baroks which is from the branch family to rule the fief.

Since then, the royal family has been very careful with all the noble families. They monitor all of their movements especially related to the military.

Nonetheless, his story gives an awe to everyone who hears it.

Nobles are generally very good at hiding something but to hide something to the point nobody is aware of its subtle movement requires a great skill.

"Your Majesty, I am saying that the possibility is there. King Nolan was caught offguard but still his army can still contend with the duke.

In all honesty, if Ryntum does the same then Napuna will be captured before your majesty can even give a single order", said Wendall.

Wendall couldn't understand why Nicholas I was so reluctant to go against Ryntum.

"Have Count Theodore Tetherswest sent us the blueprint of trebuchet?", ask Nicholas I.

"They haven't. I feel like they are deliberately delaying time", replied Wendall.

"Send them a letter again. Tell them to hand it over as quickly as possible. Don't forget to send a letter to Marquess Richard too."

"I will write it at once, your majesty".