Tales of the Reincarnated Lord Chapter 533

"It goes without saying that I don't want to be at his reception! The king is a murderer!" Even though the haughty Sylvia was past her thirtieth birthday, her clear-cut personality didn't change one bit. She was still bearing the grudge over Cacanne's sudden death.

"Alright, then you don't have to go. Fennazali has been suffering a bit lately from the symptoms of her pregnancy, so it's better if you accompany her," said Lorist as he stroked Sylvia's hair lovingly.

During the past three months, Lorist didn't slack off at all. He managed to knock Fennazali up and fulfilled her wish to become a mother. As for Sylvia, who wanted another child, and Daisy, who also wanted to become a mother, Lorist had to try much harder.

"Where's His Majesty currently?" asked Lorist.

"I don't know," Jinolio replied, "His Majesty had come to Morante under the guise of a messenger, so he has only passed through the six citadels on Falik Plains without entering them to report his presence. Had it not been for Senior Reidy who happened to bump into him when he was out hunting stray dogs, we wouldn't have known about His Majesty's approach. I think Senior Reidy is coming over with His Majesty."

The three years of bloody war have reduced Falik Plains into rubble. Corpse-eating stray dogs gathered in packs and started to pose a threat to the citizens of Mass and Gypsy. Reidy had been ordered to sweep the area of those red-eyed stray dogs in recent days.

"Alright. I'll ride down the hill to the road. I'll have received him if I manage to bump into him," said Lorist before he brought his horse and guards down Brinn Hill.

When Lorist saw Auguslo, the latter was inspecting the busy market of Morante. Reidy was beside him with around 20 royal guards walking their horses from behind.

Lorist dismounted and went forward for a greeting. He made a knight's salute. "Your Majesty, why have you come?"

Auguslo turned around and said, "Oh, Locke, my brother, you're here! I really didn't think that you would be able to get Morante back into such good shape within half a year. It's completely different from the last time I was here. It's no wonder you're so often called the kingdom's Minister of the Interior. What do you think about becoming the empire's first chancellor? I'll hand all internal affairs of the empire to you. I trust that you won't disappoint men."

Lorist laughed bitterly and said, "Your Majesty, stop joking around with me. Do you know how much money House Norton had to invest in Morante to bring about all this? 14 Million gold Fordes! My treasury has almost been emptied by me and my financial adviser glares at me all the time."

Auguslo almost slipped and fell. "How much?! 14 million?! House Norton is really rich! Why don't you lend me ten or twenty million to use?"

Lorist changed his tone immediately. 'Rich my ass. I was forced to do that. This excursion has been a huge loss for House Norton. Not only was our household fleet ravaged, we didn't manage to make much from Morante either. Instead, we had to ship over all sorts of daily necessities and food from The Northlands to fill the abyss that is Morante. As you know, four of that 14 million gold Fordes come from our spoils here at Morante. The other ten million came from the Union's ransom and the sale of the things we got from here. All we got has been reinvested into Morante and Falik Plains."

"I don't understand..." Auguslo said after some contemplation, "Brother Locke, in our original plan, you said that you only conquered Morante to force the Union to negotiate with us for peace and sign a ceasefire. But why is House Norton investing such a huge sum into Morante? Are you going to keep the city and Falik Plains occupied for the long term?"

Auguslo had no choice but to ask for a clear explanation. House Norton's dominance in The Northlands and the surrounding provinces was still something he could tolerate. After all, House Norton was still a noble of Andinaq no matter their might. Even a swordsaint like Lorist was his subordinate, his vassal. But if House Norton occupied Falik Plains and Morante and took it as their household dominion, that meant that there was a risk for Lorist and House Norton to secede from Andinaq and become their own kingdom.

"Your Majesty, you're overthinking it," Lorist said with a wave of his hand, sensibly picking up on Auguslo's unspoken words, "I wonder how Your Majesty got the impression that the citizens of Morante were the type to become the subjects of some king or noble? House Norton wouldn't do something that inconvenient. Only through killing the million plus citizens here will we be able to hold onto this land for long. House Norton would definitely not do something so bloody."

After a pause, Lorist continued, "As for the 14 million gold Fordes we invested into the city's development, we didn't have much of a choice regarding it. However, I think it's better if we go back to talk about this. I will explain it to Your Majesty then. This isn't the best place to talk."

Within Lorist's study on Brinn Manor, Auguslo cried out, "What?! You're going to support the formation of a new trade union?!" Auguslo finally knew why Lorist invested that huge a sum into Morante. That plan was too far out from what he had imagined.

"More specifically, we're trying to help the founding of a Free Union. Unlike the Trade Union, the Free Union isn't controlled by any huge merchant guild. Instead, it is governed by a government democratically selected by the Morantians themselves. Even though they will also prioritize developing trade, they would definitely not allow a single merchant guild to monopolize a huge part of the industry or market. They would encourage competition in all sectors between at least three guilds to ensure continued innovation and good market prices," explained Lorist.

"Then what good would this be for House Norton?" asked Auguslo.

Lorist shook his head with a smile. "Your Majesty, don't forget that the Trade Union is still watching from the sidelines. They aren't willing to compromise with our kingdom and sign a peace agreement and have chosen to fight us till the bitter end. Our kind intention to stop the war have become a tool they're using for their greed when they brought up conditions for a ceasefire we weren't able to accept. They even proclaimed that they would fight our kingdom to the last moment.

"Under such circumstances, I have lost my confidence in being able to achieve peace with the Union. So, I used the million citizens of Morante to form a new Free Union that will become the Trade Union's new target and enemy. Investing 14 million gold Fordes here will allow the Free Union to form a force strong enough to resist the Trade Union and that will allow the Norton forces to leave the battlefield. We only have to send a legion or two over to help the Free Union deal a painful strike to the Trade Union.

"The free Falik Plains and free city of Morante will be the sacred bastion of freedom for the free people. House Norton are only outsiders, so we can't ask them to go fight the Union, right?

"Protecting their sacred bastion is the duty of the Morantians and the people of Falik Plains. The most we will do is to help these brave warriors as allies against the Trade Union's invasion.

"Why would the Trade Union refuse our call for peace and ignore our sincere request? It's simple. They have money and monopoly over most of the market in the midsouthern nations. So, they believe they can continue to hold out in the war until we collapse. By then, they will be able to stretch their dirty claws into the kingdom and take away our trade, control and monopolize our industries and markets and become a leech on our kingdom and make our wealth the food of their merchant guilds.

"That's why this war isn't just a simple one of kill or be killed. Similarly, it's also a death battle in trade. Fortunately, even though our forces are just as heavily damaged as the Union's, we managed to cut off the quickest maritime trade route they have towards the south of the continent. Even though the Union can still transport their products there on land, they would lose efficiency and time. Their transport costs will also increase.

"House Norton also invested that money to kickstart the economy again. We want to spur them into direct competition with the Trade Union in the midsouthern and southern markets. As long as they are able to resist the invasion attempts of the Trade Union forces and take away their market share at the same time, I believe that the Trade Union will become powerless in some two or three years and no longer pose any threat to our kingdom."

After hearing what Lorist ahd to say, Auguslo considered it for a good moment before nodding. "Brother Locke, I'm really thankful that you're being so thorough for the sake of the kingdom. The Trade Union has indeed become our kingdom's biggest threat. If we can eliminate this enemy through your plan, your achievement will be one that's eternally recorded in the history books. Your name and your house's will bask in glory. But as to the implementation, is there anything I can help you out with as king?"

Auguslo wanted to claim part of the credit so that he wouldn't be relegated to a bystander role in this huge feat. Should that really happen, it would be rather awkward for someone who wanted to be the emperor who reunited the empire and restored it to its former glory.

"Naturally. We are all hoping that Your Majesty can offer us a helping hand." Lorist already had a thought in mind before he went on his long explanation to Auguslo. Now that he had offered help himself, Lorist wouldn't hold back. "I know that the kingdom has become rather troubled after years of war. So, I'm not expecting any financial or resource assistance. I only want Your Majesty to promise me two things. First, please station a mobile legion at Malivia. That province is the closest one to Falik Plains' first citadel, Bluwek. It can provide reinforcements during the first instance of a Trade Union attack on Falik Plains."

"Alright, I agree to that request," said Auguslo with satisfaction. That way, he would have an active role to play in the plan. Additionally, he would be commanding a legion in battle. He could even say that he had obtained victory through his leadership during the war. "What is the second condition?"

"I want Jillin Harbor," said Lorist.

"Jillin Harbor..." Auguslo seemed a little taken aback. He brought up his guard and asked, "Why do you want it?"

It was normal for him to get anxious over it. Jillin Harbor was not that far from the imperial capital. One could reach its walls after three days of riding. House Norton already had Silowas as its hereditary dominion, so if they also got Jillin Harbor, all the maritime trade routes from Silowas to the harbor would be controlled by the Norton forces. They could deploy their troops at the imperial capital at any moment."

"Your Majesty, you're overthinking this again," Lorist said when he saw how alert Auguslo seemed, "I'm not going to make Jillin Harbor part of my household dominion. I only want its management rights."

"What management rights do you speak of?"

"It's simple. Jillin Harbor remains in Your Majesty's ownership, but I get a say in what happens there. It's like I'm renting a shop belonging to Your Majesty to do business. Whether my business venture profits or not, Your Majesty will always be getting a fixed income."

Auguslo walked to the map hanging on the wall and stared at the location for a good while. "Jillin Harbor doesn't seem like a shop no matter how I look at it. Tell me, Brother Locke, what are you planning to do with Jillin Harbor?"

"I plan to make Jillin Harbor the largest stop to gather goods from all over to be distributed to other markets. It really is located quite strategically near the central province where the capital is, the northeastern area as well as the two southwestern provinces. If we develop it, its influence can span the ten plus southwestern provinces of the kingdom. I will also plan to establish a new trade route to the Free Union. The kingdom can also trade with the Free Union using that trade route. That will be a win-win solution for both sides."

Auguslo contemplated for quite a while before finally turning to Lorist and said, "I also have two conditions. First, House Norton cannot deploy its forces on Jillin Harbor. I will assign a division of troops to guard it instead and cooperate with you for the development and maintain order. My second condition is that I don't want a fixed pay, but instead half of the profits you earn after developing Jillin Harbor. Brother Locke, if you can agree to these conditions, I'll let your house manage Jillin Harbor."

Lorist smiled bitterly but he nodded nevertheless. "Deal, Your Majesty."

After they finished the discussion, they quieted down. Lorist got some fruit wine and poured Auguslo a cup. "Oh, Your Majesty, I heard that you were going to survey every province in the empire two months ago. Why have you suddenly come here instead?"

Auguslo finished the wine in his golden cup and gestured for Lorist to pour him another. "Actually, I'm here to explain the scandal that occurred in the imperial empire. I'm sure you've heard about it already."

Lorist gave the rest of the bottle to Auguslo. "As your vassal, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to comment on Your Majesty's affairs. Your Majesty has been out for war and neglected Her Majesty. But even with the scandal, aren't you and Fisablen acting a little too rushed about the matter? I believe that the queen's paramour, Knight Wecksas, is your son, right? The queen's child is still of your bloodline. Why couldn't you wait for the child to be birthed before punishing the queen for her indiscretion?"

Lorist had asked that for Sylvia's sake. Even though the queen was at fault, the child was innocent. Eight months had already passed and that kill took two lives with it.

Auguslo gulped down the wine in the bottle. After he finished about half of it, he smiled exasperatedly. "Brother Locke, we couldn't allow that child to be born! Because apart from that child Wecksas, she had two other lovers! Nobody knows who the child really belongs to! For the sake of the royal bloodline's purity, we couldn't help but send her and the child to the wargod's kingdom together! Perhaps only the gods will know who the child's father was."

The revelation completely blew Lorist's mind. This... Queen Cacanne totally deserved it. After keeping silent for a good while, Lorist carefully said, "Then, what kind of agreement did you come to with Duke Fisablen?"

"The duke apologized to me and personally sent Cacanne on her way. I will be surveying the kingdom later this year and paying a visit to House Fisablen's dominion during the latter half of next year. Duke Fisablen will pick another suitable woman from his family to take as his adoptive daughter and marry her to me as the new queen," said Auguslo.

Chapter end