Translator: Cinder Translations
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Earl Merlin banished the fleeting absurd thoughts from his mind. Magic? How could that be possible?
The clergy of the Church always used legends of evil wizards and witches to frighten common folk, even establishing tribunals that occasionally feigned investigations with some old stones, claiming to detect traces of magical sorcery.
Due to their influence, the public unquestionably believed these claims, especially the lower classes.
However, to the educated minority, such tales of wizards and witches were merely fabrications concocted by the Church to expand its influence.
With the passage of time, many mysterious phenomena received rational explanations, such as the "will-o'-the-wisps" seen in graves, once attributed to malevolent spirits by the Church but later explained by alchemists as spontaneous combustion of a substance called "phosphorus."
As these lies were exposed, scholars who dared to explore the unknown were frowned upon by the Church, with some even persecuted and branded as wizards.
Yet, this did not quell people's curiosity. Even within the Church, factions arose advocating for approaching and understanding the divine through exploration of the unknown and study of nature, such as the renowned "Clear Reason Society."
The Church often arbitrarily associated unexplained persons or events with witchcraft or devilry to exploit people's fears and strengthen their dependency on the Church. Such ideas had started circulating within the circles of the aristocracy, dismissing wizards and magic as mere tricks to deceive the ignorant.
Earl Merlin himself held this view, though most nobles maintained a skeptical stance—believing it better to err on the side of caution.
"Lord Merlin, please continue your investigation into this matter. But regardless of the truth, the harsh reality of food shortage remains unchanged."
The King broke the silence in the study, addressing the most pressing issue at hand.
Princess Catherine frowned deeply. "Father, I have already ordered the gathering of provisions within royal territories, but it will take considerable time."
"Even if we manage to gather some provisions, it won't be enough to sustain a prolonged military campaign deep into the south."
King Rodney XVI fell silent, pondering for a while before saying, "We'll have to purchase from the lords who support the crown."
"It is an unwritten rule in this world that kings should be self-sufficient."
Since the collapse of the ancient Belar Empire, numerous new regimes had risen within its territories.
Newly formed nations frequently waged wars, yet their monarchs lacked the vast territories of the Belar Empire to sustain large standing armies with their wealth alone.
To meet military needs, nations commonly adopted two approaches:
Firstly, maintaining a small elite force during peace, such as various orders of knights, and mobilizing a larger force of commoners during wartime.
Secondly, employing a feudal system where the king granted land to deserving nobles, making them lords who in turn could grant land to their vassals, and so on down to knights.
Lords relied on the income from their estates to build military strength, and during wartime, they were obligated to answer their liege lord's call and provide their military forces for use by the liege lord.
Conversely, lords had no obligation to pay taxes to their liege lord, or if they did, it was merely symbolic. Most royal households relied on income from their direct estates to meet their expenses.
Therefore, King Rodney XVI, as a monarch, could summon lords from all over to lead their troops to defend the crown, but he lacked the authority to order them to mobilize their food stocks. Of course, legally, he could issue such an order forcibly, but the result would only drive more lords into the arms of Giles.
Catherine suggested, "Let's have the royal commissioners previously stationed responsible for negotiating with their respective local lords, trying to keep prices down as much as possible."
The king agreed. Earl Merlin took his orders, as the royal commissioners were under his intelligence system's responsibility.
He pulled out a second scroll and handed it to the king and princess, reporting, "There is another crucial piece of intelligence. According to our investigation, Giles does indeed has supporters behind him."
The king and princess unfolded the scroll and read it together. Catherine muttered, "No wonder. A year ago, he didn't have enough strength, but now, a year later, he confidently raises the banner of rebellion."
The count looked at the princess and said, "From our analysis, the forces supporting him might be 'over there.'" As he spoke, he gestured toward the east.
The princess glared at the Earl. "Don't speculate without concrete evidence!"
The Earl bowed his head. "Yes, Your Highness."
Suddenly, the king spoke up. "Don't say that, Lord Merlin. Relations between nations are highly complex. There are too many instances of saying one thing and doing another."
The princess wanted to say something. "But, Father..." She hesitated.
King Rodney XVI glanced lovingly at his eldest daughter, his greatest pride in life. Despite her exceptional qualities at a young age, she still needed more experience in politics.
He turned to Earl Merlin and said, "Very well, Lord Merlin. You may rest for today. You've worked hard during this time."
"It's my duty, Your Majesty. I do not consider it hard work." Earl Merlin bowed and exited the study.
Now, only the king and his daughter remained in the study. King Rodney XVI stood up and walked slowly to the window.
With his back turned to the princess, he said, "Catherine, there is something I must tell you."
The princess waited quietly for her father's next words, but what she heard next shocked her deeply.
"I intend to marry your sister to Duke Vibern."
Silence filled the study. Only the rhythmic ticking of a nearby grandfather clock could be heard. Catherine was momentarily speechless.
Finally, she managed to ask, "Why...?"
In truth, the princess understood very well in her heart: Duke Vibern was the most powerful among the lords of the eastern territories, and among those who remained neutral without openly supporting either side, he was the strongest.
The king did not answer immediately. He knew his daughter surely understood his intentions.
"Erin is only fifteen. Has she agreed to this herself?" The princess's tone sharpened suddenly.
Still facing away, the king murmured softly, "Fifteen is not too young..." but he did not confirm whether Catherine's sister had agreed.
"But Vibern is nearly fifty years old! And with such a bad reputation! How could you consider marrying your own daughter to such a man!"
The princess raised her voice almost to a shout.
"Enough! My decision is made! Leave me."
The king suddenly turned around, sternly addressing his eldest daughter. His eyes, once filled with love, now conveyed determination.
Catherine understood her father's meaning from his eyes. She looked at him coldly and said, "As you command, Your Majesty."
She turned and walked out; the door of the study slamming shut with a loud "thud."
King Rodney XVI stood by the window, staring blankly. After a long sigh, he walked over to the desk and slumped weakly into his chair.
His daughter was still too naive in political matters.
(End of the Chapter)