Kratus screamed,
"I am feeling forgivable today.
I will give what you want; we are doing it here and right now.
Sword and shield combat—do you accept?"
The cousin who was the largest of all the people on podium around 185cm with a round face and with a muscular body fully dressed in white was shocked,
"Yes of course "
So shocked that it was turning into fear.
"Guard, bring us two shields and one sword."
Kismet approaches Kratosus. "Do you know what you are doing?"
"Shut up," said Kratosus to his grandpa with an angry look.
Kismet also made some gestures to show his disapproval for not being taken into account.
"When do you want to start?" said the king to the cousin.
"Why don't we allow the master of war to tell us?"
"Very well."
The master of war approached. "May the righteous win. Begin."
Kratosus threw his sword so hard that the cousin dodged. It hit him in the eyes. Then Kratus immediately slid toward him, cutting his ankles.
The cousin started screaming, "Aghhhhhhhh!"
Kratosus moved to finish him. He placed one foot on his back. The cousin started yelling, "I am sorry to defy God! I am very sorry!"
But Kratosus couldn't listen; his adrenaline made him lose all his senses.
Kratosus finished the job.
He was breathing hard but then saw his grandfather worried, so he decided to act.
"Let this be an act of God.
The God didn't want the good people of Ky to be ruled by evil.
Let this be a teaching from God
that the God cares about us and chose the best person.
Let this be loyalty from the house of Freeman,
that will always care about the people of this city."
The people started screaming, "My king!"
Kismet: "What did you do?"
Kratosus: "I took care of the problem."
*****
They returned to the castle where Kratosus would hold a meeting with his small council.
The small council is located on the second floor of the castle.
Kratosus entered the chamber. His masters were already there.
The chamber was grand, lit by the soft glow of candles and a roaring fire in the hearth. A long oak table dominated the center, around which sat the king's most trusted advisors. His advisors rose in unison as Kratosus took his seat at the head of the table.
The newly crowned monarch sat, his regal presence filling the room. He looked around at his council, meeting their eyes one by one before speaking.
"Thank you all for your service to the crown and the realm. Today, I stand before you not just as your king but as the steward of our kingdom's future. The coronation is but the beginning. Together, we must steer this land through troubled waters, protect our people, and restore our strength. I value your counsel, and in time, I will rely on your wisdom and loyalty as we forge a new path forward."
He looked at the council members, his tone resolute but calm.
"Now, let us begin. I must hear of the state of the realm. My rule begins with the truth, no matter how difficult."
*****
Hand of the King (Grandfather Kismet)
"Your Majesty, the realm is in a delicate state. While the crown is secure, we face multiple challenges.
The low number of male births is going to bring us problems soon for this state. Our economy is doing very well even though our only product is mercenaries, but there has been steady growth in prices from our trade partners."
Kismet:
"These are immediate concerns that demand your attention. We must either decide to grow the prices of our services or find new trade partners in the new world. The low birth rate will also require swift action, either to make pregnancies mandatory or to soften the emigration laws."
*****
Master of Law: Lady Yuliana Truth
Lady Yuliana, a sharp-minded woman known for her legal expertise and as a bookworm, spoke next. She folded her hands on the table before her, her expression pensive.
"Your Majesty, our legal system is in disarray. There has been a number of crimes involving children committing crimes against one another. If we do not address this soon, we may face a societal collapse."
Lady Yuliana:
"I suggest immediate reforms in the judicial system, focusing on harsher consequences for children who commit these crimes. We can also pass a law where every combat trainer has to teach children about social behavior."
*****
Master of War: Lord Ku Strong
Lord Ku, a battle-hungry man known for his achievements in battle, spoke next.
"My king, our armies are tired. These long expeditions have made our soldiers feel uneasy. We have been dominating every battlefield and gaining lots of riches, but we cannot spend them.
"I think we should bring our soldiers home."
*****
Master of Coin: Lady Yasmina Gold
Lady Yasmina, known for her intuition for economy and always having a glass of wine, seemed not to have her drink today.
"Your Highness, our trade partners have stopped buying our battle equipment. We access products in our magazines.
"I suggest that we destroy our competition and regain our monopoly in arm manufacture."
*****
Master of Ships: Lord Kieran Seahorse
Lord Kieran, a grizzled veteran of the navy, took his turn. He spoke with the confidence of one who had fought on the seas for decades.
"My king, our ships are being refused for maintenance from the Sunny Islands. They allow us to restock and do trade, but they do not allow us to repair our ships at their ports.
"I recommend sending an advisor and opening an embassy at the city of Ra, the biggest city of them all. If the city accepts us, the others will follow soon."
*****
Master of Whisperers: Lady Yohana Dream
Lady Yohana, the spymaster, was a woman of few words but great influence.
"Your Majesty, there are whispers in the streets. Your duel at the coronation won us great points in the opinion of the common folk. They are uneasy, but our neighbors have yet to congratulate you. I have spies in place, but we may need to act quickly to secure loyalty."
"Perhaps if your oppositions happened to die, that would be a great help for us."
*****
The King's Response:
King Kratus listened closely to each councilor's report, his eyes narrowing as he absorbed the gravity of their words. After a long pause, he spoke again, his voice steady but authoritative.
"Thank you, my councilors. You have given me much to consider. Lord Kismet, I will review the problem of the birth rate and also lack the emigration laws to make it easy to accept people who know how to write and read. As for the rising prices, we will also raise the payment of our mercenaries; it will be believable for our trade partners because winter is coming. Lady Yulina, with the coming of the new emigrants, put them to work at combat facilities, but don't tell them to teach combat; make them teach our children how to read and write. By this, raise the number of hours children spend at combat facilities. Lord Ku, do not accept any job for long expeditions; accept only jobs that require us to blow rebellions—this way, our soldiers can be entertained. Lady Yasmina, turn down the number of weapons we produce and make a plan to produce paper. I have some ideas about where we can sell them, and of course, we have a large number of trees. Lady Yohana, don't take action against my cousins, but I want you to keep me updated on their movements. As for our neighbors, I have thought of something. And lastly, Lord Kieran, no need to worry about your ships being refused by the Sunny Islands. I am going there myself."
Kismet:
"With every bone in my body, I shall not let you go there!"