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 onlye to the afternoon meetings


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


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


    Have you heard anything?


    Well, I heard a rmendation 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 bete.


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


    <i>Creak.</i>


    His Highness Gale has arrived.


    Your Highness, wee.


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


    Youre all quite diligent this morning.


    You tter us, Your Highness.


    For Gale, lower in the session 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 nced 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.


    <i>Here ites.</i>


    The issue of the Bratz territory. Romandro, our advisor there, has sent a rmendation 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 pce. 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 ve. 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 rmend him. Normally, hed be a count, but given the circumstances, a baron would be more appropriate.


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


    <i>It seems he came to oppose, but why is he silent?</i>


    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 ce 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.


    Especially in border regions, autonomy must be respected. The cultural differences due to distance and, most importantly, the strength it provides to maintain the nations borders were crucial.


    <i>Bang!</i>


    Taxation, well said.


    What do you mean?


    Gale, snapping his fingers, caught onto something, causing Mariv to frown. It was a signal to maintain decorum in a public setting.


    Originally, a bastard should be a ve. Since he is a mana user, enving him and keeping him at the pce would be beneficial in many ways. Right, Minister Wesleigh?


    That could be seen that way. The average ie for the Magic Department is 200 gold coins annually. Even those not long in service earn at least 100.


    If Ian were to be appointed as a mage, he would cost that much. But as a ve, it would be a gain.


    Theres never been a case of a mage being enved!


    How can you say that, being the Magic Department Minister?


    The ministers raised their voices in shock. Mages, considered close to divine power, were held in high reverence.


    The Magic Department had the smallest staff but received one of thergest budgets from the pce.


    Wesleigh smiled lightly, signaling for calm.


    I was merely mentioning the economic cost Ian would bring. I never suggested demoting him to a ve.


    Your Highness Gale, what do you want to say?


    The Prime Minister intervened, lifting his gavel. Gale looked towards Mariv and began,


    I hear the taxes evaded by Dergha are substantial. And the central government even provided subsidies to the bordends, right?


    Thats a matter of humanitarian concern.


    If Ian repays the economic opportunity cost and the missing taxes,bining to a certain amount, it would be eptable to everyone.


    Mariv almost burst intoughter. Surrounded and with the appointment not going as nned, they were now trying to push through with money.


    If a lord cannot pay public debts, including taxes, within a certain period, its customary for the pce to confiscate thend to recover losses. Wealthy individuals often eagerly await such opportunities. Likely, Wesleigh would be the high bidder.


    The Magic Department always


    Being thergest recipient of the pce budget, Wesleighs wealth was immeasurable. Someone even joked she had mastered alchemy, hoarding gold like sand.


    Honestly, its only fair for a criminals descendant to face such conditions. If he fails to pay within a year of his appointment, it would be right to demote him to a ve.


    How much would the cost be?


    10,000 gold coins.


    Good heavens.


    I think thats a fair amount.


    The confidence in his request suggested a thoroughly calcted figure.


    But 10,000 gold coins.


    It was an amount the Bratz territory could barely cover without spending any collected taxes. The lordship would likely require selling mines ornd.


    This would weaken the familys position, creating an opportunity for Gale to interver.


    What do you all think?


    I dont think its a bad idea. Such a cost would justify the decision externally and calm the nobles opposition.


    I agree. Despite being a magic user, his lineage is questionable.


    Isnt one year too short? A lord faces many initial challenges. Three years seems more appropriate.


    Hes already acting as lord in Bratz. After this winter, and then next, its two years. Thats sufficient.


    The ministers sought consensus, looking to Mariv for agreement. He seemed thoughtful, tilting his head, but Gales proposal didnt seem too bad.


    Fine. Lets first proceed with appointing Ian as lord.


    That way, he can generate revenue through management.


    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 nces.


    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.


    <i>Bang, bang, bang!</i>


    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 bing 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 usible 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.


    * * *


    <i>Two weekster.</i>


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


    If the rmendation 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 gpole 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 pce is descending here!


    Huh?


    Worried it might be punishment rted 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 rmendation? 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!