Chapter 286 Chapter286-The New Mayor
In this situation, Wyatt displayed the typical characteristics of a regular noble: he vehemently denied any involvement in the affair and worked hard to convince Hof of his stance.
Hof was now puzzled.
He had initially thought Wyatt was the one causing trouble, but it appeared not to be the case. So, who could the real perpetrator be?
Mambaton suggested to Hof, "My lord, could it be the work of that old fox Mibo? He may not excel in many things, but when it comes to scheming, he certainly knows his craft."
Wyatt thought to himself: Indeed, just like our lord 'Viper' Hof, they're both cunning old devils, engaging in a shadowy battle of wits.
However, he kept these thoughts to himself, striving to maintain the expression befitting a vassal in the presence of his lord.
After some thought, Hof declared, "I see now. Let's not discuss who's behind this for the moment; I believe I know when the crime was committed."
Wyatt, uninterested in getting involved, pretended not to hear.
Mambaton inquired, "When was that?"
Hof answered, "This morning."
Hof, accompanied by Wyatt and Mambaton, went to the prison and brought out the suspects.
He began questioning them about their whereabouts that morning.
As expected, their stories started to fall apart.
However, Portia, a capable individual even in his absence, had already made preparations.
He had bribed the entire group in advance.
Faced with the situation where everyone seemed to be complicit, Hof's questioning proved fruitless.
The rehearsed alibis now gave way to improvised fabrications.
Witnesses' statements overlapped and intertwined, creating a complex web that left Hof no choice but to give up.
Sighing, Hof addressed the ringleader, "Fine, I'll overlook this incident. But you must continue to produce what I need. Once you're done, hand it over to me directly for safekeeping. Understand?"
The group unanimously affirmed their understanding.
Thus, Howard's dispatch of Portia to thwart Hof's conspiracy had been a resounding success.
By buying time for Mibo, once reconciled with his relatives and returning to power, Mibo would be ready to declare war and counterstrike.
The next day, as Howard sat in the garden admiring the ginkgo trees, Portia arrived to report his success.
He bowed to Howard and said, "My lord, as per your instructions, I have successfully delayed Hof's conspiratorial plans. By the time Hof completes the forged evidence again, Mibo will have already finished meeting with his relatives."
Howard nodded, directing Vettel to reward Portia with fifty silver coins.
He then said, "Portia, let me be frank with you. Now that I too hold the title of an earl, I've stepped onto the political stage from being a warrior noble. I've been thinking about appointing a Chief of Spies, but some disagree."
Portia responded confidently, "My lord, my capabilities are beyond doubt. When you sent your Seal Minister to create declarations, I discovered it and outmaneuvered him completely. I certainly possess the ability to hold the position of Chief of Spies."
Howard granted Portia the title of Chief of Spies, but with some reservations, he added 'temporarily' to the appointment, indicating that the position could be changed or revoked at any time.
Portia raised no objections.
Howard then ordered Portia, "Keep a close watch on Hof for me. Lay a web of plots throughout Gokasu. The moment there's any hint of movement from Hof, inform me immediately."
With the order acknowledged, Portia departed.
After Portia left, Vettel nervously said to Howard, "My lord, are you sure this is wise?"
Howard remained silent. The business of conspiracy always carried a taint of dishonor, and he had no intention of defending such actions.
Following a brief report on the financial situation, Vettel set off for Wislot. Portwan, in a state of urgency, had met with Howard several times, and Vettel, unable to delay any longer, hastened to resolve his current affairs before heading to Wislot.
Upon his arrival in Wislot, Vettel had discussions with Karlondo and Madam Agate to understand the root of the issue.
Mayor Portwan once held significant influence over the Merchant Guild, whether in financial contributions or manpower.
However, his recent absurd decision to engage in a battle — opting to meet the enemy outside the city walls instead of waiting for Mibo's forces within — led to a disastrous defeat and heavy casualties.
Consequently, both the citizens and merchants of Wislot had lost faith in Portwan.
Vettel inquired of Karlondo, the head of the city's Merchant Guild, "What do you think should be done?"
Karlondo replied, "Portwan has lost our trust. We need a new mayor, someone who truly has Wislot's interests at heart."
Vettel hesitated, realizing the gravity of the situation and needing time to contemplate.
Madam Agate interjected, somewhat boldly, "My lord, although I may seem presumptuous in saying this, hasn't our city contributed by opening up trade with Fernsouth since the war?"
Karlondo cut her off, saying, "What are you implying? Now that Lord Howard controls all of Nok, do you think we, a mere city, can afford to oppose him? Establishing trade with Fernsouth was always our intention. We, as merchants, didn't conduct business with Fernsouth earlier solely due to Mibo's covert instructions. Why else would we willingly forsake such profit?"
Karlondo's words won Vettel's favor, and he promised to convey the message to the earl.
After returning to Fernsouth, Vettel relayed Karlondo's sentiments to Howard.
That day, Howard was leading a group of light cavalry and foot soldiers in a hunt. Hearing Vettel's report, he agreed to the proposal.
Consequently, Wislot held a new election, and Portwan was stripped of his mayoral position, becoming an ordinary citizen.
Vettel sent one of his subordinates to observe the citizens' voting process.
Afterwards, the emissary conveyed congratulations to the newly elected mayor, Karlondo.
When news of the election reached Fernsouth, Vettel chuckled and remarked, "Well, that makes sense. After all, Karlondo wouldn't have suggested reopening the election if he wasn't confident about the outcome."
Boshni, who happened to be eating nearby, asked Vettel, "Was this all Karlondo's scheme?"
Vettel, looking at the innocently curious Boshni, reflected, "It's not exactly a scheme. In this world of deception and duplicity, it's just a reasonable course of action."
Boshni then asked Vettel, "Why hasn't Brother Howard come to visit my library yet? I clean it every day, but he never visits."
Vettel thought about how nobles in this world rarely read; they were more focused on valor and honor, leaving reading to the clergy.
However, looking at the brown-haired, ponytailed girl, his gaze softened.
He couldn't bring himself to disillusion her with the truth and gently reassured, "I'll speak to the earl in a few days. I'm sure he'll visit then."
Boshni cheered, raising her hands in excitement, "Oh! That's great!"
A few days later, Portia informed Howard that Hof's forged documents had been prepared once again, and it was likely that a proclamation against Mibo would be issued soon.
Upon hearing this, Howard instructed Bosiden to quickly check if Mibo had returned to Seasalt Village.
During this time, Vettel mentioned the library matter to Howard.
Remembering Boshni, Howard turned and said, "Alright, I'll go see her now."
In the library, Boshni was delighted to see Howard.
She eagerly picked out a few books from the shelves that she thought Howard might find interesting and placed them on the table in front of him.
Inviting Howard to read, he didn't refuse and began with the top book.
It was an adventure story about a hero who defeats an evil king.
After finishing the book, Howard asked Boshni, "Did the hero become the king afterward?"
Boshni, her right index finger resting on her cheek, replied, "I don't know. The story ends with the overthrow of the evil king."
Howard invited Boshni to sit next to him and pointed to a passage in the book, "See, this part says that the people of the capital really liked the hero and many hoped he would become the new king so they could have better lives. What do you think? Would the hero become the new king under the people's expectations?"
Boshni giggled mischievously and ran off without answering the question.
Howard slowly shook his head, finding Boshni's naivety endearing.
She followed her whims like an elusive breeze, unpredictable and free.
However, in Howard's view, the hero of the story, initially just a villager, couldn't possibly become a king overnight, even with the people's support.
He would need to climb the ranks step by step.
Soon, Boshni returned, and Howard shared his thoughts with her.
After listening, Boshni expressed her confusion, "Why can't he become a king all of a sudden? Didn't Brother Howard also rise from a knight to an earl, as swiftly as the wind?"
Howard explained, "My rise was different. I already had the status of a knight, which allowed me to be recognized by others. At least I climbed the ladder through legitimate means."
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