Free Web NovelChapter 14: Duke’s Decision³
Meanwhile, in the heart of the imperial capital, at the Palace of the Emperor,
In the Emperor’s office, the Crown Prince stood before the desk, holding numerous files and papers. He began to explain everything.
’’Regarding the twenty-seventh and final item on today’s report, by Your Majesty’s command, the Fourth Prince was ordered to take control of the Burnt Wood bandits in the southern part of the capital.’ According to his latest report, he reached their base of operations and discovered that Count Pryor was behind it.
He is primarily using these bandits to besiege Baron Corvina, as the two have been feuding since five years ago, when Pryor’s only daughter eloped with Corvina’s son.
However, the daughter died and her body was returned to the Count. He had previously brought his case before the Supreme Court, but it was dismissed because the investigations revealed that the Count’s daughter had run away of her own free will, and that her death was the result of misfortune rather than premeditated murder.
It appears that he decided to avenge her death by forming this gang of bandits. They succeeded in their goal some seven months ago, Your Majesty. They kidnapped the Baron’s daughter, assaulted her, and then killed her and her brother. His body has not yet been found. The reason for this brutality is that the man leading the gang from the shadows is the son of Count Ondine, who was engaged to Count Pryor’s daughter." freewёbnoνel.com
The Emperor took the file and began to read it. He rarely intervened in trivial matters concerning the youth and their recklessness; he would leave the resolution of such matters to his fourth son. All that was required of him now was to appoint someone to lead the investigation and, once it was concluded, to affix his seal to approve or reject the ruling.
After skimming through the file, he asked about details that were not written in the official report, as this matter pertained to his own orders.
’’Can he control them?’’ fгeewebnovёl.com
’’According to the Fourth Prince, it is possible, Your Majesty, —but their reputation is extremely poor. Therefore, he suggested getting rid of them completely. They are a group of rapists and murderers who live by no rules or laws. In Baron Flavia’s fiefdom, instead of the Bandits of the Burning Wood, there is a gang that calls itself the Rubbish Dump Children. Apparently, one of the illegitimate children started this organisation by gathering together the illegitimate children of the nobility. ... Leaving them to their own devices is dangerous as they could become an opposition force to the Empire if action is not taken against them soon. Although they are not entirely innocent, they have a sense of principle and a hidden pride in their noble lineage, even though they are illegitimate. ... The Fourth Prince therefore proposed using them in the south rather than the Burnt Wood bandit whilst they are contained and managed by the Imperial Palace. There, they can also be used to provoke and annoy certain nobles.’’
’’Hmm, they seem like a useful group to mess with some of the nobles, but they’re too dangerous. They’re an organised group with their own ideology, and they have some self-respect and self-awareness, so it’ll be difficult to manipulate them. The Imperial Punishment Unit already has orders to exterminate them, so warn him to steer clear of them. As for the Burning Wood bandits, we’re just using them for extermination; it’s not as if I’m raising them. As for the reckless criminals, just give them some narcotics and they’ll become obedient dogs. Tell him to swallow his pride and carry on with his work without distraction.’’
’’Yes, Your Majesty.’’
Since this was the last file he was due to report on that morning, he’s out of work, but... he remained standing. After hesitating for a moment, he asked uncertainly, his eyes fixed on the latest Supreme Court file concerning Count Verena on the Emperor’s desk.
’’If I may ask, Your Majesty...’’
"Speak."
’’Your Majesty, why are you going to such lengths to bring down the Askelund Duchy?’’
’’What? Does it really bother you that your ally has been harmed, for fear that your position might be affected?’’
’’I didn’t mean that, Your Majesty...’’
’’No, you did, and that is precisely why I am doing this, son, because they have become far too powerful. Do you know which prince Askelund supported during the previous emperor’s reign?"
’’They declared neutrality...’’
’’Exactly. I was supported by Duke Estella and became Emperor. After I ascended the throne, I was forced to reward them because that’s what was required if I wanted to keep my crown. Don’t you see the pattern? Askelund supported you this time, which is why you became Crown Prince immediately, while Estella withdrew and declared neutrality. Do you know why?’’
’’Please enlighten me, Your Majesty.’’
’’Because if they hadn’t, the Empire would have fallen into civil war. Askelund didn’t withdraw from the previous generation because they were busy. On the contrary, they could have supported whichever prince they wished, securing the backing of the Imperial Family’s army and that prince’s full support. But they withdrew because their intervention would have dragged the Empire into a civil war. They used their misfortune as a pretext to declare neutrality, but of course they did not forget to plant a seed for the future: you and your mother’s siblings. This would ensure that matters would not slip from their control upon their return.’’
’’..."
’’Look at you, Crown Prince. You’re afraid they might come to harm because you know that if they become displeased with you or are harmed, your base of support will crumble. If they withdraw their support, you will lose your position immediately. That is why you are forced to flatter them and bow to their will at all times. They are the reason you are in power. Now tell me, who is serving whom at this stage?’’
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(A/N):
In this Chapter, I used a grammar checker. let me know if this Chapter is better than the previous ones or not.
And which would you prefer?
