Chapter 684 683. Peace & Crime
"Do you understand what you must do?"
"I understand, Father."
In the hall so tall that even the mightiest empires and churches would feel ashamed. In a kingdom locked away from the eyes of those unknown and even famed. The King of Giants sat on his majestic Throne of Eternal Tree. Before him knelt his son, his cherished blood.
"You are the Prince of Gantis. The blood of Fortius Gralith runs through your veins. Do not fear any; bow to none. Your fist is firm, your body unyielding, and your mind nourished. Go, and fulfill the destiny of this Kingdom—Guide the one named ten thousand years ago. To his destiny that he may not know," King Fortius Gralith concluded his royal decree. "Rise, Castell Gralith of Gantis—May you write your legend with your might."
And so the gates that had remained shut for eons opened. Humongous, full of dust. The rumble they caused shook the lands. It was the start of a new era. A tall, young giant ventured into the lands of the myth he only knew stories of. With his trusted sword, the golden armor, his long amber hair, and a playful giant eagle.
Excitement, fear, and a sense of duty hid behind the smile on his lightly-tanned face.
"What do you think, Bajj? How long will it take us to reach the Destined One?"
"A month, Cas."
The eagle spoke.
…
The research and development department of the Holy Land was in chaos for the past two days. A new member had joined their ranks, and it was someone they couldn't provoke, scold, or punish. Not that they could find anything wrong with the person, since their wits were at an end in dealing with her.
Merely ten years old. Ella Maximilian had made almost all the old foggies of the department realize they were dumber than a rock. A lot of self-esteem was hurt, confidence was broken, and minds were left in confusion. The productivity only went higher as a consequence.
"What do we do?" The former Prince, now Cardinal Jinn, looked at his usual competition, his comrade at work, Cardinal Robert. "It's been two days, and she's solved the communication device's rune problem."
"Jinn, I think we're just dense," Robert sternly replied, sitting cross-armed. "Let's just accept it and continue working."
"But… I feel a strange weight in my chest. She's ten years old, Robert. I was still figuring out the best way to wipe myself at that age."
"...Really?"
"Don't focus on that part," Jinn changed the subject. "Could she be someone sent by His Holiness to test us? He must have taught her everything and sent her to humble us."
Jinn, in fact, couldn't be more wrong. Sylvester simply didn't want to be in the same state that they were in now.
"Hmm… It's possible. His Holiness is the greatest mind to ever live. Solis is the one who's behind his marvelous ideas and knowledge, so a mere child can never be so knowledgeable without His Holiness' teachings,'' Robert ate the same misunderstanding and doubled down. "If this is a test, we can't be brooding here. Let's impress Lady Ella and show her our worth. I'll work on a fully automated printing press, much bigger and faster, and you'll work on the Solarium-Combustion-Engine for the carriages that His Holiness hypothesized."
"Let's do it," Jinn agreed and clasped his friend's hand. "Let's make Lady Ella and His Holiness proud."
"Aye, we shall!"
…
Highland Kingdom, Sand City
"Your Majesty, a letter has come from Prince Rex," the King's Prima, Gladius, handed over the sealed package.
King Highland eagerly took the letter and opened it since he was alone in his study. In no time, a proud laugh echoed in the chamber. "Bwahaha… He's asking me how I impressed his mother. Could it be that my son is showing interest in women? Perhaps he has his eyes on some fine young lady."
"But," Gladius, also being the King's younger brother, spoke candidly. "Your Majesty, it's the Holy Land. Statistically speaking, there are no women that he could meet there. So if this letter is a hint, then I'm afraid…"
King Highland's face fell. "You're to depart to the Holy Land right away and find out who the young Prince is interested in. Report to me immediately."
"But what of the trade coalition meeting today? I must attend it, Brother. You're a warrior, not a negotiator. They will take advantage of you," Gladius warned as he knew his brother the best. Atrox Highland was a simple man who knew how to swing his sword the most, a man with a kind heart.
King Highland scoffed and relaxed. "Did you forget who my wife is? I'll let Trinity sit beside me and spearhead the meeting. Those money hungry bastards won't even know how they lose their precious gold."
"In that case, I understand, Your Majesty. I will depart for the Holy Land." Gladius bowed his head and left the room.
Just as he left an hour later, a meeting took place in the King's minor courtroom. Ten representatives of a trade coalition had arrived, representing the interests of various unions and groups across the Highland Kingdom. Each man in that room was the wealthiest in the kingdom after him and a few nobles, and their wealth was all thanks to Sylvester and King Highland. So, respect was not lost towards the crown.
But not the King. It was the Queen who sat on the throne-like chair. Queen Trinity was an enigma to most. With her striking ash-blonde hair, sharp blue eyes, fair skin, and a six-foot stature; she seemed like a Goddess of War to most as her standing as a Grand Wizard was renowned.
"What is this nonsense?" Queen Trinity boomed once she read the trade policy that was to be enforced for the next five years. "According to this, you want to pay only five percent tax for the next five years, while allowing the crown to buy discounted goods from you at a thirty percent discount? Do you think we're fools? Has greed blinded your eyes? Have you forgotten who secures your trade routes?! I don't even see a mention of a pledge to the Holy Land in this draft."
The ten men silently lowered their heads. She was a beauty, but also an old woman, after all, old enough to be their mother. So, her sharp tongue did feel like a scolding.
"Your Majesty, this is just a draft. You can make sugge—"
"Silence!" Queen Trinity boomed. "We allowed the Trade Coalition to write the draft in hopes of seeing if you will act sincerely. But with this, you've proven your greed overcomes everything. The Royal Administration will have to keep a keen eye on you now. As for this draft? A flat fifteen percent tax will be imposed on all of you, along with a five percent tax as a pledge to the Holy Land. Furthermore, a fifty-percent discount on purchases made for the infrastructural development across the Kingdom—roads, bridges, structures, and the newly proposed concept of rail-line by His Holiness, which will require great quantities of high-grade steel."
"B-But, Your Majesty. The local Lords also take a ten percent tax."
"What local lords? My husband, your King, abolished most of the nobility and put in place the administrative services. The nobles of the old days are now mere businessmen with vast lands—a new era has dawned, and you all must learn to live in it. Law, honesty, and equality. Obey, or perish, that's it!" Queen Trinity didn't listen to them and stood up to leave. "Any attempts to steal tax will be reported to His Holiness. He hates corruption more than anything."
"But…"
"Please, Your Majesty."
"We accept."
"Not His Holiness…"
"We will obey!"
The ten men stood up in fright as soon as Sylvester's name was mentioned.
Queen Trinity simply smiled and chose to leave, "You are dismissed. I must go and care for my daughter now."
With her gone, the ten men looked at the King.
"Bwahaha—Who'd have thought I'd see a day when this castle would hold such meetings? I remember when most gatherings were about fear of Riveria attacking us. Now, it's just prosperity," King Atrox Highland loudly chortled and took his throne. "This peace is brought upon us by the blessings of the Pope. If anyone here has a problem with it, I can help you greet the blade of my sword. I swear its caressing touch will take your breath away."
Quite literally; they all knew it.
And just like that, without Sylvester even being there, his mere name got the job done. He was the de-facto, but unofficial ruler of the world. Be it a king, a merchant, or a commoner, everyone knew that simple fact.
Even in Beastaria.
…
Holy Land,
Sylvester held the Holy Court as usual and listened to the worries of the people. With the new system in place, only the most troublesome and serious cases reached him personally. And most of the time, they turn out to be truly alarming.
"Your Holiness, I'm Winston, a mere commoner. I work in the Pentapeak Mountain Range. I am the manager of a minor silver mine near the base of Quaris." A tall man in rough robes made of wool stood before Sylvester. He looked smart and clean, with fire in his eyes to convey his message.
"Speak your mind, Winston." Sylvester gestured from his throne.
The man bowed his head in respect and firmly spoke, each word sharp and loud. "Your Holiness, the mining company I work for has committed atrocities against the followers of Solis. As the blessed court may know, a group of ex-barbarians who accepted Solis returned to the mountains to maintain their way of life, unable to adjust to life in the south."
"We are aware," Gabriel affirmed.
So Winston continued, reaching the gruesome part. "Their largest camp was recently attacked by the Pentapeak Mining Company for no reason. With weapons, the hired soldiers ransacked, burned, pillaged the village, raped the women, killed the children, and forced the men to work in the mines as forced labor—I only found out as they sent the first batch of forced labor to work at my mine. As a faithful servant of the Lord, I can't accept it."
Silence fell in the Holy Court. Everyone's face looked towards Sylvester to see his reaction. There was going to be a bloodbath, and they knew it. But who'd deliver it? Lord Inquisitor? Saint Viceman? Or perhaps someone else?
But no one expected the Pope to stand up and lift his Spear of Infinity.
Sylvester's eyes burned crimson, and his anger was clear despite the plain expression. "That village… I had promised them personally that their way of life would be respected. From this moment, I forbid all mining activities in the North and revoke all mining permits."
Gabriel agreed and wrote it down on his to-do list. "Who should I send to deal with the criminals?"
He shook his head and walked down the stairs with the spear in hand.
"Sylvester Maximilian."
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