Human Kingdom.
Royal Capital City.
Royal Palace.
"You’re telling there’s no law to crush Garius? Did you check it again!?" Kimar roared from the throne, voice echoing through the hall as he glared at the new Keeper of Royal and Noble Law.
"P... pardon , Your... Majesty..." The keeper stamred, bowing low. " and the others... we checked it thoroughly. Since the land of Armand fully belongs to Garius, not granted by the Crown or our late King Edmund..."
"So you’re telling Armand is only a vessel of the Royal Nation because of what!?" Kimar slamd his fist on the armrest, eyes blazing as he swept his gaze over his royal advisor, the keeper of law, and all the gathered nobles at the long table.
The royal advisor bowed, voice low. "It’s written in the agreent, Your Majesty. Armand beca part of the Human Kingdom because of a pact between our late King Edmund and Lord Garius. The agreent states that as long as Edmund or his heir rules the Human Kingdom, Armand remains loyal and pays tribute to support the royal family’s rise."
"What!?" Kimar shot to his feet, eyes flashing.
The keeper of law trembled, voice even softer. "Pardon, Your Majesty, but it also states here that Armand retains its own laws and full authority over all land under its domain. Armand acts as the buffer and negotiator between the Demon Kingdom and the Human Nation, responsible for maintaining peace between both nations."
He bowed even deeper, now kneeling on the floor. "Your Majesty, the agreent also grants Armand the right to defend itself in tis of war, to maintain its military, and secure all borders and territories under its protection. Since the Human Kingdom has waged war against Armand twice and lost both tis, the Right of Arm gives Garius clear advantage over Arjam, now under Armand’s control. Our laws cannot override these terms... unless..."
"Unless what!?" Kimar snarled, glaring down at the keeper.
"Unless we invoke one possible law..."
"What is it!?"
"The Law of Re-Conquest, Your Majesty. Without it, there’s no way to reclaim Arjam except by force."
Kimar ground his teeth.
"Prepare the decree now! Ready the wyvern ssenger unit."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty... pardon my rudeness, but are we truly going to...?" one of the nobles hesitantly asked.
Kimar shot him a glare. "Do you think we’re capable of that? My late brother Edmund sent our best eight hundred thousand troops, plus the elite wyvern unit. All lost. No one knows what kind of magic or weapon shot those wyverns down. Five thousand of our finest riders, gone. And that was with Edmund fully fused with his Celestial power. He still lost!"
Kimar continued writing the decree, voice cold. "I’ll promote Garius to Duke, the highest title I can offer. Give him Arjam as granted land, so it’s not his by right, but by royal grace. That way, he has reason to stay with us and not split off."
"But why, Your Majesty!?" the nobles burst out, barely restraining their frustration.
"Because if we don’t, who knows how long he’ll keep his borders closed? Didn’t you complain that your region’s markets are suffering because no sugar, no grain, not even salt or spices are coming in since Garius shut everything down? One more thing, if he declares Armand independent, do you idiots understand what that ans!?"
Silence fell. The nobles finally realized what was at stake.
"If Armand becos a nation," Kimar growled, "they can set their own laws for outsiders. They can tax foreign rchants however they want. They control every trade route, every customs post, every port and gate. They decide what cos in and out, and at what price. They can even ban us outright if they want. And once that happens, the whole balance of power in this continent shifts."
He slamd his fist on the table. "Now you understand why we can’t let this happen?"
"And where the hell is Savran, the last Keeper of Law? He was the one sent with the decree about stripping Garius’s title and rank. Where is he now!?" Kimar demanded, voice rising with anger.
The new General of the Royal troops stepped forward and knelt. "Your Majesty, pardon , but Savran’s house is empty. He even withdrew all his money from the royal bank the sa day he arrived in Garka Region."
"Garka!?"
"Y...yes, Your Majesty." Garka stepped forward and dropped to one knee.
"You’re the noble of that region and you didn’t inform !?"
"I... I didn’t know, Your Majesty. Since old Savran was the Keeper of Law, my city overseers probably still treated him as such, believing he outranked . That might be why he was able to withdraw everything without anyone stopping him..."
"Shit, shit, shit! If Savran doesn’t co back... That ans Garius took him, maybe hired him to work under him!" Kimar exploded, slamming his fist down.
"Your Majesty, please calm down." The royal advisors hurried to soothe Kimar’s anger.
Kimar sat back, grinding his teeth, and continued writing the decree.
"Call the royal ssenger! Make sure he uses a wyvern carrier, fast! Who knows what will happen if we delay."
"But Your Majesty!" The nobles all stood, alard. "If Your Majesty grants him a duke’s title, he’ll outrank all of us!"
Kimar glared at them, voice like thunder. "Silence!"
The nobles quickly sat back down.
"It’s better to grant him the duke’s title and privileges than risk him rising as a Sovereign! At least he’ll remain under the royal banner, not above it. Do any of you understand what it would an if he becos a king? You’ll all be trash in his eyes, treated like commoners in Armand or Arjam!"
The hall fell silent.
"And arrest Marquis Reynard! He’s the one who suggested stripping Garius of his rank and title, and now we’re paying the price for it! He’ll answer for this loss!"
"Y... Your Majesty!" Reynard trembled, still kneeling. "Please, forgive ! I..I.."
"Silence! You suggested it without even checking the laws or the facts!"
( End Of Chapter )
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