Chapter 68
Chapter 68
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 68
Chapter Title: Lordship Appointment Decree
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The atmosphere among the ministers heading into the Grand Council was far from ordinary. It was because they had heard that both imperial princes, who had been sharpening their blades at the hunting grounds the day before, would be attending.
“What in the world is going on all of a sudden? Prince Marib and 2nd Prince Gail attending together?”
“Normally, they only join the afternoon sessions…”
“I hear the two are at odds over the lordship appointment rights for Bratz Territory.”
“What on earth? Did they plate that useless land with gold or something? I can’t understand why they’ve been so obsessed with it lately.”
“Have you heard anything?”
“Well, a recommendation letter came up for the lordship, and it’s for Dergha’s bastard son. Since he’s a Mana User, maybe that’s why 2nd Prince Gail wants him.”
“A Mana User?”
“That’s just what I overheard. Let’s head in. We’ll be late.”
The ministers dragged their heavy footsteps into the council chamber. It was usually lively and relaxed, but today was definitely different.
Creak.
“2nd Prince Gail has arrived.”
“Your Highness, welcome.”
Gail ran a hand through his tousled black hair, pushing it back as he smiled.
“You’re all quite diligent this early in the morning.”
“You flatter us, Your Highness.”
His active participation in politics, despite being lower in the line of succession, was a silent threat to Marib. Moreover, the Grand Council was entirely under the ministers’ purview, so there was no particular reason for him to attend. Not until just a few days ago, at least.
“Prince Marib has arrived.”
“Your Highness. Good morning.”
“…Take your seats.”
Marib arrived at the chamber, glanced briefly at Gail, then took his seat at the head. Soon, the Grand Council began amid a heavy silence. Throughout the various agenda items, the two princes listened without a word.
“Now. Next is, then…”
Everyone sensed it from the chairman’s hesitation.
Here it comes.
“This concerns Bratz Territory. Romandro, who went down as advisor, has sent a recommendation for the lordship. The candidate is Ian, the bastard son of the executed Dergha.”
“A criminal’s bastard son… Wouldn’t appointing him as lord undermine the meaning of the extermination of his house?”
“But Ian was the one who reported Dergha to the Imperial Palace. It means the Bratz bloodline was severed first. And above all, since he wasn’t officially registered, he has no legal claim to the Bratz name.”
The ministers, having reviewed the relevant reports, voiced their varied opinions. Gail was the first to speak.
“By principle, he should become a slave. Appointing him lord is utterly absurd.”
“He’s the only Bratz capable of allying with the Great Desert across the border. Reducing the garrison size would cut costs accordingly, and taxes would increase.”
“Didn’t he bring in foreign forces? That could be seen as treason.”
“But it seems he has substantial support from the local territory folk. He meets all the conditions we considered when we first postponed the lordship appointment. Plus, he’s a Mana User.”
“Ah, yes. That’s right.”
The ministers buzzed with chatter again. As if he had anticipated this, Marib handed a sheet of paper to an attendant, who bowed and passed it to the chairman.
“For these reasons, here is my recommendation letter supporting him as well. While border territories typically warrant a count, given the circumstances, viscount seems appropriate.”
Following Romandro, even Marib submitted a recommendation. At this point, there was hardly any reason to oppose. The ministers exchanged silent glances while stealing looks at Gail.
He clearly came to oppose it, yet there’s no reaction.
“Once appointed lord, what of his status? A Mana User rightfully belongs in the Imperial Palace. Can the family head be away from the territory for long? He’ll be busy rebuilding the house.”
“That’s for the family head to decide. Once the territory is granted, the center has no say in the matter.”
“Exactly. The issue at hand is whether Ian is qualified as family head. As long as taxes come in properly, we shouldn’t meddle.”
Border territories especially required strict recognition of their autonomy. There were cultural differences due to the distance, and above all, it was what kept the borders secure.
Crack!
“Taxes, well said.”
“…What do you mean?”
Gail snapped his fingers and seized on the words, causing Marib to frown. It was a signal to behave properly in this official setting.
“Originally, he should be a slave as the bastard son. Since he’s a Mana User, keeping him as a slave in the Imperial Palace would benefit us in many ways. Don’t you agree, Minister Wesley?”
“That could be seen that way. Mid-level mages in the Magic Department earn 200 gold coins annually. Even those with little seniority get at least 100.”
“Elevating Ian to mage would require paying that much, but demoting him to slave would actually profit us.”
“There’s no precedent for keeping a mage as a slave!”
“How could the Magic Department Minister, who knows this better than anyone, say such a thing?”
The ministers gasped and raised their voices. Mages were seen as the closest to divine power, treated as sacred.
That’s why they had the fewest members, yet received one of the largest budgets from the Imperial Palace.
Wesley gave a light smile, as if to calm them.
“I merely mentioned the economic cost Ian would bring. I never suggested demoting him to slave.”
“2nd Prince Gail, what exactly are you trying to say?”
The Prime Minister intervened, raising his seal. Gail turned to Marib and spoke.
“I hear the taxes Dergha embezzled amount to a tremendous sum. Rather than that, the center even provided subsidies to the border.”
“It was a humanitarian necessity.”
“If he repays a certain amount to the Imperial Palace—covering the economic opportunity cost he brings and the missing taxes—everyone could accept it.”
Marib nearly let out a scoff. With the lordship appointment not going his way—from Molin to the investigation leader—they planned to push through with money.
If a lord failed to repay public debts like taxes within a set period, it was customary for the Imperial Palace to confiscate the territory to cover the losses. It was an opportunity upstarts eyed for social climbing. If an auction were held, Wesley would likely be the highest bidder.
‘Anyway, that’s why the Magic Department…’
It devoured the largest budget from the palace, so no one could guess how much wealth its head, Wesley, amassed. Someone had even joked that she’d mastered alchemy, piling gold like sand, after seeing the gold leaf everywhere in her mansion.
“Honestly, isn’t this conditional offer natural for a criminal’s bloodline? Appoint him lord, then one year. If he can’t repay by then, demote him to slave.”
“How much would the cost be…”
“Ten thousand gold coins.”
“Well now.”
“I believe that’s appropriate.”
Seeing him demand it so boldly, it was clearly a meticulously calculated amount. One with basis.
But ten thousand gold coins.
It was the sum that could barely be covered by sending every last coin of taxes from Bratz Territory without spending a penny. To maintain the lordship, he’d likely have to sell the mines or part of the land.
That would gradually weaken the house, stripping its independent power. It was obvious he was creating an opening for himself later.
“What do you all think?”
“I, I don’t think it’s so bad. He’d need to pay that much to gain legitimacy externally and quell the nobles’ backlash.”
“I agree. Even as a Mana User, he’s the previous head’s bloodline, so it feels off.”
“But one year seems too short, doesn’t it? As a new lord, there’ll be trial and error; we should give three years…”
“Isn’t he already acting as family head in Bratz? From this winter past the next would be two years. It’s sufficient.”
The ministers found common ground and glanced at Marib as if seeking his approval. He tilted his head, seemingly deep in thought, but Gail’s proposal didn’t seem so bad.
“Very well. Then appointing Ian as lord takes procedural priority.”
“That way he can generate revenue through management…”
“Fine. I have no objections.”
As Marib nodded readily, the ministers inwardly sighed in relief, thinking they could still have afternoon tea time, thankfully.
In contrast, Gail and Wesley exchanged surprised glances.
‘I thought he’d protect him more aggressively.’
At least extend the period or lower the amount.
Or outright oppose Gail’s absurd claim.
Whether Marib knew their thoughts or not, he urged the Prime Minister on.
“We seem to have reached consensus. Move to the next item.”
“Ah, yes. So be it. Then we’ll submit the proposal to the Emperor to conditionally appoint Ian as head of Bratz Territory.”
“Fine.”
“No objections.”
Thud thud thud!
The chairman struck the seal, closing the item. Marib smiled and moved to the next report. Truth be told, whether Ian incurred debt or not was irrelevant to him.
His first goal was preventing Gail’s man from taking the lordship. Moreover…
‘Somehow, I think he’ll pull it off.’
He’d never even seen his face, but Ian seemed capable. Groundless and unrealistic, yet that’s how it felt. Perhaps as a third party, it was just intriguing enough to seem trivial.
But if he really gathered ten thousand gold coins…
‘Now that’s exciting.’
“Then we’ll proceed to the next item.”
A small peace settled over the Grand Council, which had seemed poised for a storm.
Wesley tilted her head and whispered to Gail, who nodded in acknowledgment. Marib merely watched impassively.
* * *
Two weeks later.
Romandro had developed a habit of checking the window first thing upon waking. For some reason, the messenger bird he’d sent to the Imperial Palace showed no sign of returning.
If the recommendation had arrived safely, a reply confirming receipt should have come…
“Hm?”
It was then. In the distance, an unfamiliar carriage climbed the hill. A golden carriage gleaming like it held the sunlight itself, adorned with ornate flagpoles. Romandro rubbed his eyes, then bolted outside in shock.
“Kyaa! Ro, Romandro-nim?”
“What’s wrong?”
“Ian, get Ian!”
“Yes? Lord Ian is in the garden right now…”
Romandro, who had rushed out in his pajamas, shouted with a flushed face.
“A carriage from the Imperial Palace is coming down!”
“Yes?”
The servants paled, fearing it might be a reprimand regarding Molin’s group confined underground, recalling the investigation leader’s nightmare. But Romandro’s expression was the opposite.
“It’s a golden carriage! One carrying the Emperor’s decree!”
What else could the Emperor’s decree be after sending the lord recommendation? Romandro dashed to the garden in a frenzy and found Ian crouched, covering soil.
“Ian!”
“Romandro-nim?”
Ian, puzzled, dusted his hands and slowly stood. Hidden by the estate wall, he couldn’t see the approaching carriage, but he could fully sense Romandro’s emotions.
“The lordship appointment decree is coming!”