Eric appointed Jack to be the new caretaker of the city. And now the most important task remained, to raid the homes of nobles and their staff.
Gold amassed by these bastards would be used for the welfare of the kingdom. They had extorted the citizens of the city and received gifts from foreigners, and now all of this would end up in the Kingdom's Treasury.
Like Campbell, families of the nobles were given same options. They too chosed to leave Alvaton. The city garrison was abolished and as promised no action was taken against the guards.
The amount of gold coins collected here were far less than the Campbell. Still, nobles here had about 14000 gold coins.
At last the rebellion was put to an end. Both cities were freed. Now it was time to return. Eric had many guests waiting for him in the capital.
…
June 12, Alvaton.
In the middle of the night, a carriage stopped at the city gates. The guards hurried to open the gates as if their life depended on it. The magnificent carriage entered the gates and headed straight to the Royal Palace.
Eric hadn't informed anyone of his arrival. Bruns was nearly twenty five kilometers from the capital city.
The three cities formed a triangle and each one had its own specialization. Campbell for trade, Bruns for ores and minerals, and Alvaton for military and administration.
Midnight patrol saw the passing carriage. When they saw the royal crest and gold-silver linings, they didn't block Its way.
Eric was back in his room after ten days.
However, before he could sleep a message came from system
[ Mission completed
You could check your point balance in the system interface.
System store is open for you
New mission would be updated soon …]
Eric was too tired to check his rewards, he simply closed his eyes.
…
System alarm rang, Eric had to get up even if he didn't want to. The alarm wouldn't die out until the person left the bed.
'System, don't you know that I came late last night. Aren't you super smart, then why didn't you postponed it by a hour or two.'
[ Alarm was set by the host. And host had completed the minimum sleep requirement. Have a nice day]
'What minimum sleep, I need to sleep again' Eric howled. System had disconnected him. However he yelled, system wasn't there they hear his complains.
He had woken early and had nothing to do.Eric thought of strolling in palace ground to improve his mood.
The palace ground was primarily used for military training and drills. Fruit trees were planted along the boundary of the circular ground.
While walking Eric saw Adney walking with long strides. Eric yelled "Chief, why are you in a hurry."
Adney came to a halt and looked back, the assistant behind him also stopped to see, who called the chief advisor.
He saw Eric, he was a little surprised, "Oh, prince, you are here. I thought you would be returning with Kipler. Anyway, now that you are here, come with me. A little problem had come up."
…
Eric and Adney reached the main gate of the Halls. This part of palace was for official purpose. Every Officer and minister had a office here. It also had three meeting halls , the reason this area was called Halls.
A few ministers were blocking the entrance. Their supporters were shouting and hooting.
When the protestors saw Eric, they quietened down. Eric asked "Why are you doing this? Does the kingdom pay you to do this."
"Your highness, We have been asked to leave the kingdom. We have been serving the kingdom for more than twenty years. We were born here and are not guilty of any crime. How could you ask us to leave." Said a obese minister in his fifties.
Eric wasn't aware of this. He frowned and shifted his gaze to Adney.
"Your highness, you have ordered everyone related to traitors to be given the two choices." Adney said.
"Yes, and I think I was too lenient in dealing with them." Eric simply said.
"Yes, you were lenient. Then, as per your order we served the notices to them. These people who are protesting are related to traitors. They don't want to accept your offer."
Eric turned back to the fat minister, "hmm, let me tell you clearly, if you are related to traitors, then you have to follow the orders. If you are not willing to choose from the two options I gave to others. Then, I have a third option for you. Your track record of the last ten years would be checked. If you are found to be corrupt, then, gallows would be waiting for you. And if not, you could continue your job."
As soon as Eric finished, another fat minister with crooked teeth spoke, "Your highness, what are you trying to do? You are still not crowned. We are in no way obliged to follow your orders. You are not even sixteen yet to rule the kingdom."
"Oh, You are doubting my authority. Chief please satisfy this man" Eric said.
"Minister Vicar, the prince is the only heir of the royal family and by rules you a minister can't question his authority. It can only be done only by other members of the royal family, if they are present. What you want to achieve by undermining the orders of sole heir of throne. You want to start another rebellion" Adney said.
Vicar was sweating profusely. He had said so just to please minister Chad, "No, your highness, I was not doubting your authority. I just wanted you to … " he couldn't think of what to say next.
Eric shook his head, "Who appointed him as a minister. He doesn't even know the laws of the kingdom. Can anyone with a bloated belly could be appointed as minister." He was seriously concerned about the obesity of these ministers. If it was Earth, he could understand it was effect of fast foods. But here, in medieval times, how much lazy and ravenous you need to be to gain such large amount of fat. This calculation was beyond him, maybe the system could do it.
"Your highness, most of the ministers protesting here were appointed on the recommendation of Dukes and other nobles." Adney answered.
"No wonder they are protesting." Eric said. These ministers were really reated to traitors somehow, Or why would a noble recommend them. The faces of protesting ministers controted.
"You can't accuse us because we were recommended by nobles. This procedure was set by the old king to maintain harmony in the kingdom." Minister Chad used the name of Eric's grandfather to justify his appointment.
"Minister Chad, you need not worry, if you are not guilty. I think you all have chosen the third option, or you would have left this place to pack your baggage . Chief, note their names and start the investigation. Um.. oh! Also ask the executioner to make high quality noose, which could sustain the weight of these fatties." Eric said.
Eric waved to the guards to take them away. If they chose to leave, it would be better for them. If they wanted to stay, he would make sure to investigate properly.
Eric before leaving asked Adney to arrange a meeting with Ministers tomorrow.
…