Chapter 101 : I Can’t Tolerate Anyone Touching My Family (3)
Chapter 101: I Can’t Tolerate Anyone Touching My Family (3)
Aron entered the Crown Prince’s Palace where Kyle was staying.
The moment he spotted Kyle sitting in the garden sipping tea, he headed straight toward him.
“Have you arrived?”
“Yes, my lord. I just arrived and met Commander Akun to obtain the list of nobles.”
“Then choose the nobles who will be made into examples. Bloodshed must be minimized as much as possible.”
“I will do my best.”
The cleanup had to be finished before the Coronation Ceremony.
If Pramo ascended the throne, it might become more difficult to put a leash on the nobles.
Since timing was so important, Kyle summoned Aron to the Capital City without hesitation.
“The Ragnar Knight Order will carry out the plan at your side. I will remain beside Pramo, so there is no need to assign separate guards.”
Until the Coronation Ceremony, Kyle had no intention of leaving the Royal Palace.
He could not leave his post when he had no idea when or where an assassination attempt against Pramo might occur.
Instead, he decided to assign the Ragnar Knight Order, which had been responsible for Pramo’s safety until now, to Aron.
“I will select only two families to serve as examples. However, the nobles who spoke about the Matriarch’s status in the Great Hall will be prevented from setting foot in politics.”
“Handle that as you see fit.”
“Thank you for trusting me.”
“No need for such gratitude. If I cannot trust you, my family’s Military Strategist, then who could I trust?”
While Kyle was meeting Aron, the new Head of the Terius Family, Ail Terrius, was walking into the garden.
“I greet the Great General of Ragnar.”
“You have arrived?”
“Yes, Great General.”
After raising his head, Ail also greeted Aron.
Aron then subtly stepped aside to give the two space.
“I will take my leave now.”
“Good work.”
Aron bowed to Kyle and left the garden.
Now only Kyle and Ail remained.
Having been suddenly summoned, Ail stood stiffly before him with a tense gaze.
“Head Ail.”
“Yes, Great General.”
“It seems you must return to the North.”
Originally, Kyle had planned to personally restrain the Northern Lords, but the matter involving the Lords had caused a change in plans.
Since then, Kyle had thought about it countless times.
Who could return to the North and pressure the Northern Lords?
The answer he eventually arrived at was Ail.
“I understand, Great General.”
“You saw it as well, didn’t you? What the Northern Lords are thinking.”
“I observed everything beside His Majesty the King.”
“If their spirit is crushed beforehand, problems will not arise. Seros is preparing now, so join him and pressure the lords.”
At Kyle’s order, Ail bowed once more.
If Pramo was to become a wise king, unpleasant tasks also had to be done.
“I will do my utmost to ensure no trouble arises in the North.”
“Good. Even after the Coronation Ceremony takes place, do not return to the Capital City. Only come up after the North has been settled.”
“I will do so.”
With that, Ail left the garden.
Not long after he departed, Marquis Shan came to greet Kyle.
“I am Marquis Shan, Great General.”
“I know. I am pleased we can greet each other while looking toward the same horizon.”
“I feel the same.”
“Would you like to sit? I will offer you a cup of tea.”
Marquis Shan had a high chance of becoming a very important partner for Pramo politically.
Even if Viscount Rak led the politics beside Pramo, Marquis Shan’s support would still be essential.
Kyle filled the empty kettle with water and raised it above his palm, gathering fire energy.
He then placed dried petals of Snowfield Flower into the teacup and slowly poured in the properly boiled water.
“This tea is brewed with petals called Snowfield Flower that grow only in Ragnar.”
“I will enjoy it.”
Marquis Shan carefully sat down and took a sip of the tea Kyle prepared.
Feeling the cool sensation spreading through his mouth, his eyes widened in surprise.
“Does it not taste good?”
“It is a unique tea. For tea to be this refreshing…”
“The Matriarch personally dried and processed the tea leaves. I often enjoyed this tea while I was in Ragnar.”
“It would be wonderful if such tea could also be enjoyed in the Capital City.”
“It will soon become a product from Ragnar.”
“Is that so?”
“I think it would be good if Marquis Shan handled the sales.”
At Kyle’s words, Marquis Shan set down his teacup and tilted his head.
“Doesn’t the Ragnar Family have the Rapid Merchant Guild?”
“The Rapid Merchant Guild is already busy selling iron and Monster Byproducts. And I intend to sell this tea to nobles.”
The limited quantity and difficult cultivation conditions were obstacles to commercialization.
Even though they received Snowfield Flower from the elves in exchange for delivering Eternal Flame fire energy, the amount was still extremely small for commercialization.
“This tea may become a symbol of wealth.”
“I know. But production is the problem. Even if I wanted to make it a tea that everyone in the kingdom could enjoy, the production could never keep up.”
Kyle also found that unfortunate, but no matter how he thought about it, distributing Snowfield Flower to the entire population was impossible.
“Then are you planning to make foreign countries the main market?”
“Shouldn’t the newly emerging nation also have its own specialty product?”
To become a distinctive nation rather than a bland one, specialty products were essential.
Of course, there were iron and Monster Byproducts from Ragnar, but that alone was not enough.
Marquis Shan closed his eyes as he considered Kyle’s intention.
“Is it because of diplomatic issues?”
“That is part of the reason. But the most important thing is money, isn’t it?”
“To properly establish a nation, money is certainly essential.”
“If Marquis Shan oversees the sales, I believe I can rest assured.”
He could not tell whether it was fortunate or unfortunate that he was drinking tea here with Kyle now.
Honestly, Kyle seemed more qualified to be king than Pramo.
But Kyle showed no greed for power.
His only goal seemed to be making Pramo into a good king.
‘Perhaps this structure is actually the best for the nation’s growth.’
If Kyle took responsibility for the North, the country’s development would likely accelerate rapidly.
Moreover, Kyle would handle the tasks Pramo could not do due to maintaining royal dignity, thereby strengthening royal authority.
But Kyle said something different from what Marquis Shan expected.
“I hope the Shan Family will grow into a force that keeps me in check.”
It was unexpected.
For Kyle—who would soon become the king’s elder brother and first in the royal succession—to say such a thing.
At the same time, it revealed Kyle’s heart.
“…Great General.”
“Please do as I ask.”
It had been the same when Kyle first returned to the Ragnar Family.
Although they obeyed his orders, the people of Ragnar prioritized Pramo’s commands.
However, ruling a nation was different from leading a family.
There also needed to be a force that could restrain Kyle so he would not become autocratic.
In the end, Marquis Shan could not refuse Kyle’s will and finally nodded.
Once it was decided that the Shan Family would take responsibility for selling the Snowfield Flower tea, Kyle stood up.
“Ah, there is one more thing I must say.”
“Yes, Great General.”
“Whatever happens to the nobles who find fault with Elise’s status, the Shan Family must not intervene.”
“…Understood.”
“I trust you will do your best beside the king for the nation’s development.”
---
In the garden after Marquis Shan left.
Kyle was alone, slowly sipping the Snowfield Flower tea.
Time passed peacefully.
At that moment, Deyra approached Kyle.
“Great General, the Zaira Family has finished preparing to relocate to the North.”
“Hmm.”
“Although we cannot take everyone from the family, we selected those who will relocate in the form of support.”
Tap— tap—
Kyle tapped the table with his fingers as he thought about something.
Deyra swallowed nervously as he watched him.
“Why are you so obsessed with the sword?”
“…Because the sword is what I have trained in my entire life.”
“That stubbornness is precisely why you are called a half-complete Exford Upper Level.”
A promise had to be kept.
Kyle had said he would tell Deyra why he could not grow beyond his current level if the Zaira Family followed Ragnar.
At those words, Deyra straightened his posture even more.
“Does that mean I must abandon the sword?”
“That is not what I mean. How about taking interest in another discipline besides the sword?”
“Another discipline…?”
“Magic.”
It was known to be impossible to master both swordsmanship and magic simultaneously.
Unless one possessed an extremely unusual body, it was difficult.
Those who trained in the sword used Aura, while mages controlled Magical Power.
Because their natures were different, Aura and Magical Power normally could not merge.
“Is it not impossible to operate Aura and Magical Power at the same time?”
“Then you must give up Aura.”
“…Great General.”
“What is it? Do you doubt my words?”
At Kyle’s question, Deyra could no longer continue speaking.
---
Imperial Palace of the Tylers Empire.
A knight commander visited Adrian Tylers, who was lounging lazily upon the throne.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“The Head of the Ragnar Family, Pramo Ragnar, will be holding a Coronation Ceremony.”
“Hmm, did an invitation arrive?”
“Not yet. But would the Ragnar Family even send an invitation to the Tylers Empire?”
At the knight commander’s words, Adrian grinned.
“I suppose I should take a stroll.”
“Your Majesty, but…”
“Prepare a delegation. My friend’s younger brother is becoming king—shouldn’t I at least offer congratulations?”
Life returned to Emperor Adrian’s eyes.
From the knight commander’s perspective, it was impossible not to worry.
Whenever those eyes came alive, the emperor always committed some outrageous act.
“It might be better to wait until the invitation arrives…”
“Kyle wouldn’t send me an invitation.”
“…That is true, but.”
“Would it really be a problem if I attend? Even if the Kingdom of Daon harbors resentment toward the Tylers Empire, things may change once Pramo ascends the throne. So improving relations now wouldn’t be a bad idea.”
At the emperor’s logical words, the knight commander let out a deep sigh internally.
The Brat of Tylers—that was Adrian’s nickname.
It was a title given because he never hesitated to commit bizarre acts.
‘If he’s Kyle’s younger brother, this Pramo fellow must be extraordinary as well. I look forward to seeing what kind of person he is.’
Adrian curled the corner of his mouth upward.
Delegations from other nations would surely attend as well.
‘I should go raise their spirits a little.’
The delegations from each country would obviously ignore and mock the Ragnar Family.
After all, the Kingdom of Daon ranked last among the Seven Kingdoms.
A nation with not a single Master.
Furthermore, it was widely seen as a country lacking talent and unable to escape the dangers of the Monster Mountain Range.
“We leave today, so make the preparations.”
“Understood.”
The Imperial Knight Commander who always stood beside Emperor Adrian—Marquis Kasin, one of the disciples of Ian Kailers.
It was not only Adrian who wanted to see how their master had changed.
Marquis Kasin felt both anticipation and concern as he left the Great Hall to prepare the delegation.
‘I cannot even imagine what Master will say.’
It seemed unlikely that Kyle would welcome them.
As Marquis Kasin walked out with mixed feelings of expectation and worry, he noticed Duke Luna approaching leisurely and bowed.
“What brings you to the Imperial Palace?”
“I received an invitation from the Ragnar Family, so I came to deliver it to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“…The Ragnar Family sent an invitation directly to the Imperial Family?”
“Do you want to see the name written on it?”
Duke Luna pouted with an annoyed expression.
At her reaction, Marquis Kasin checked the name written on the invitation.
‘Ma—Marquis Kasin?!’
His own name was clearly written on it.
“…Is this invitation really meant for me?”
“You can see your name right there. Since I didn’t receive one in my name, it looks like you’re the only person in the empire who was invited. Congratulations, Kasin.”
“You seem disappointed.”
“…Rather than disappointed, I feel like knocking you unconscious and taking that invitation to the Kingdom of Daon myself.”
Thinking that she was the type of person who would truly carry out such a statement, Marquis Kasin’s face turned pale.