"The Champion has arrived." The guard at the gate announced
"Let him in," King Gorges ordered
The doors to the throne room then opened, and Kojo walked in towards the King.
He ignored the displeased and angered looks on the Nobles.
The kingdom though divided among the direct offspring of the formal king was still too broad to be governed by such a small group of people. So their territories were further subdivided into smaller territories that were overseen by nobles that were related to the Listowell family.
They answered to the dukes who ruled over the various provinces and they in turn answers to the king. It was only the province of Opal that wasn't sub divided as none of the nobles wanted to go there due to the false impression they had of Philip and the number of beasts that inhabited the land. Then there's the war with the goblin nation of Gwaltch to the north. It was a whole lot.
On this occasion, majority of the nobles under the dukes had decided to go to the Capitol to protest.
The dukes themselves had seen Kojo in action and knew his personality. They knew that it was pointless to go against someone who could be likened to a loose canon but the nobles wouldn't listen so they allowed them to do as they pleased opting to stay and govern their lands.
"Your Majesty," Kojo bowed.
"I welcome you on your return ,Kojo," the King said. "Though it seems some misfits took chance of your absence to cause trouble."
"I apologise for that. Got held up - "
"You have the gall to say all this when you were nowhere to be seen during the incident!" One Nobles interrupted
"And you call yourself our kingdom's Champion!?" Another added
"What do you expect from a mongrel?!"
"Such impudence!!"
"He should be dismissed and punished for his transgressions!!"
Other noblemen began voicing complaints, and for a few seconds , the throne room was in an uproar King Gorges opened his mouth to silence them, but then the room became quiet.
Fear.
By using that skill as well as releasing a subtle amount of his aura,he could broadcast the feeling of fear and terror to a person or group of people. He'd yet to test the full potential of the ability. He directed it at the nobles though the king , queen,Prince and princess still felt a bit uncomfortable due to the change in atmosphere. He noticed that some of the nobles appeared unaffected. He glanced at Cabolt.
"You guys are overreacting. It's not like there weren't people present to protect the city." He said.
" But that just further proves your incompetence. You should have been there yourself " one noble said.
" We made you the champion,not them." Another added." If we wanted we'd recruit champions the same way we do with soldiers. You need to take responsibility for your absence."
" I'm beginning to doubt the merits of having you here. This is why I proposed an investigation into the outcome of the tournament. It's possible that's those women had a hand in your victory " the noble said.
" Surely you jest. Though I wasn't present I'm sure that Kojo has proven himself worthy of the title has he not?" Klara questioned.
" We're not doubting his capabilities as a fighter. The thing is we're doubting how a coward like him could defeat Lady Sasha."
" You're one to talk. After you holed yourselves up in your various estates and had the soldiers to protect you while the people remained helpless." Kojo responded.
" Oh please,do not lecture us"
" You're right,it's pointless to correct the foolish" Kojo retorted.
" What did you say to me?"
" Oh? Are you deaf too?"
" You little-" the noble said getting up.
" Both of you calm yourselves. We are in the presence of the king" Cabolt said.
Kojo apologized to the king.
"I admit , my absence was unwarranted, but could you set aside your stupid noble pride and shut your damn trap for one moment and listen. the kingdom has Nobles like you , it's no wonder Archadia's been stagnant for almost two centuries."
The hall was silent.
" Now I apologize that I wasn't present to help the attack but it's been dealt with with minimal casualties to life and property so there's no point yapping about it. Now I don't need to tell where I was because you all heard the bells that signalled the clearing of the tower."
" And how is that relevant in this conversation?" A noble asked.
" Efficiency."
" Huh?"
" My conquest of the tower is mir efficient and beneficial to the Kingdom." Kojo said as two portal opened on either side of him and gold articles poured out ,forming two mounds of gold with him in between. The nobles were instantly captivated and even Billiam who was dozing off, indifferent to the conversation became alert.
" Now even if I was present, there's still the possibility that the city would suffer some damage. We still haven't recovered from theost previous dragon attack
The Academy where your children school has been damaged. The most recent Goblin raid has also affected the city's infrastructure not to mention the cost of treatment of the guards and people who were wounded in both incidents. Now the question is where are we going to get funding to deal with all these. Remember that the treasury has been used due to the rising cases of Maajin attacks. Then theres the need to get food or grains for the people,cost associated with trade, soldiers and other workers need to be paid even the various perks that the nobles here enjoy among other outstanding debts.
" We all know the state of the economy just get to the point."
" And you also know that the 100th floor of the tower has treasures that date back to who knows when."
That noble wanted to talk but then realized what Kojo was trying to say and his eyes widend imwith the realization.
" So what you're saying is you went to conquer the tower in order to find the revenue required to solve these problems?" Queen Morgaine question.
" Yes your highness."
"I see. But I hear that gold and silver aren't the only things that are on the top floor."the queen asked.
" Yes,aside treasures there are treasures that date back to the dark ages. I will not hand those over to the Kingdom however as I have inherited the will of the first hero" Kojo added the last part sensing the evil intentions the nobles had.
" What right do you have to say that. " One noble said.
" That the same as treason." Another said.
Kojo raised his left hand. The runes around his wrist glowed before dimming.
" I am the current administrator of the tower. I have other plans but seeing the opposition is like to have a private audience with the king.
"YOU-"
Kojo gave a sharp look to the noble who was about to speak and he fell silent.
"Your Majesty,"Kojo greeted
"Sure, we'll talk later," the King said with a sigh
The moment the doors closed the nobles felt a strong sense of relief.