Chapter 107 : Stabilization Comes First (2)
Chapter 107: Stabilization Comes First (2)
“Now our choices are two. One is to accept the actions of the Executive Department as they are.”
“And the other?”
“Exile.”
The nobles who had participated in the Great Hall Council gathered immediately afterward and let out low groans at the words of the one sitting in the seat of honor.
“You should all know that we cannot counterattack against Duke Ragnar. If we were to even raise an army, the Death God in the North would come running.”
The nobles had seen Kyle turn Marquis Sakarin into a bloody mess during the Coronation Ceremony.
Kyle’s martial power, with which he toyed with a Master of a kingdom as if handling a child, was truly shocking.
On top of that, the relationship between Emperor Adrian and Kyle had become known.
The moment they raised a rebellion in the Ragnar Kingdom, they might become enemies of the Tylers Empire.
“The Tylers Empire is also a problem. Above all, even if we start a civil war, we have no justification.”
The reason Ragnar had been able to seize the throne from the Daon Family was precisely because there had been justification.
But the nobles gathered here had none.
The late King Clover had no children, and there was no new successor to present for the throne.
In the end, the only choice left to the nobles was to accept Kyle’s judgment as it was.
“Even if we go to another kingdom, we can’t maintain our noble positions, can we?”
“That may be true, but…….”
“Moreover, Count Jamie, who was called a genius of the Tylers Empire, has been revealed to be the military strategist Aron. There’s no way he wouldn’t have anticipated that we would move.”
Before they realized it, they were completely surrounded with no escape.
The nobles who had committed corruption or who had thoroughly oppressed the citizens and exploited their labor under the previous dynasty had to find a way to survive somehow.
But there was no method.
Their opponent was Kyle Ragnar.
And the strategist Aron, who led all the plans from behind the scenes, was not someone they could defeat no matter how much they racked their brains.
“As long as there is no breakthrough, if we want to survive, we can only run away or submit. Even if we seek exile, Duke Ragnar will never spare us traitors.”
Since there was no clear solution, there was no reason to maintain this gathering.
One noble rose from his seat.
“If even putting our heads together yields no answer, then there is no reason to maintain this meeting. So it would be better for each of us to find our own way to survive.”
As the nobles began rising from their seats one by one to follow him, the one leading the gathering slammed the table.
Bang!
“Calm yourselves and sit down. The Kingdom of Seil will accept us as we are.”
“…How can we believe that?”
“Look at this. It’s a secret letter sent to me by the King of the Kingdom of Seil.”
The noble placed a letter made of luxurious silk on the table.
A few days earlier, someone had suddenly come to him in secret.
A man who said he came from the Kingdom of Seil delivered the letter and disappeared.
After reading the letter brought by the visitor who had come from afar, the noble could not help but be shocked.
“If we leave the Ragnar Kingdom and settle in the Kingdom of Seil, the letter promises not only the preservation of our ranks but also full support.”
One noble standing respectfully with both hands clasped before Kyle swallowed nervously.
“The Kingdom of Seil is trying to recruit nobles? They even sent a letter promising full support?”
“That is correct, Duke Ragnar.”
“That’s ridiculous. So, have the nobles who will exile themselves to the Kingdom of Seil been decided?”
“N-No, not yet. But they all seemed to be thinking about it positively.”
The one who had come to Kyle immediately after the secret meeting between nobles tried to hide his trembling hands.
“You brought this information because you want to find a way to survive, correct?”
“I merely wished for this country, which is my homeland, to stand upright again, so I brought this information to you, Duke. I hope you can understand my intentions at least a little.”
Tap— Tap—
Kyle tapped the table with his fingers and looked at the noble with calm eyes.
The young noble looked to be about the same age as Pramo.
“What is your title?”
“…Baron Ashil, Your Grace.”
“Ashil… If I recall correctly, you belong to the Noble Faction led by Marquis Shan.”
Kyle had memorized most of the list of those who had once been nobles of the Daon Kingdom.
He had already finished categorizing those who needed to be eliminated through the Executive Department and those whom the Ragnar Kingdom should embrace.
“That is correct.”
“Why did you buy your title with money?”
“…Marquis Shan felt sorry that someone like me, who had ability but could not become a noble due to differences in status, was unable to rise.”
“So Marquis Shan knew that you bought your title with money.”
“…I hope that my words will not cause harm to Marquis Shan. He always felt regret that young and talented individuals could not properly display their abilities because of status differences.”
Young people could not possibly possess enough money to buy noble titles on their own.
Thus they bought titles using Marquis Shan’s money and had lived as quietly as possible afterward.
If they stood out in the Daon Kingdom, it would only increase the vigilance of the other nobles.
“I value Marquis Shan’s abilities. Therefore, I will hide anything that could cause him harm as much as possible.”
“……”
“Do all the Noble Faction nobles who participated in that meeting think the same way as you?”
“Even if the name of the nation has changed, this is still the homeland where we have lived since childhood. If we abandon our homeland just to protect ourselves, would that not be betraying Marquis Shan, who trusts us?”
Kyle let out a faint chuckle at Baron Ashil’s words.
Still, it was fortunate that there were nobles with their heads on straight.
“The titles bought with money will be abolished. However, nobles should be given a chance.”
“A chance… you say?”
“We will select nobles through a proper examination, and even those whose titles are abolished will be given the opportunity to participate in that examination.”
Simply put, if they had the ability, they could become nobles again.
The nobles were the foundation of the country and the greatest element in running the state.
Buying such a title with money was a tremendous crime, but Kyle intended to take into account the fact that the Daon Kingdom had been a complete mess.
Thus, if someone was truly talented, he wanted to give them another chance.
“Thank you, Duke!”
“However, to become a noble again, you will have to pass a harsh examination. It will never be easy.”
“As long as we are given a chance, even if we fail the examination, it is fine.”
He would not mind returning to being a commoner.
He had no desire to maintain prosperity by betraying Marquis Shan, who had trusted and promoted him.
Kyle nodded at Baron Ashil’s calm words.
“The Executive Department will begin its activities today. I hope you will actively cooperate with its actions as well.”
“Of course.”
The organization of the Executive Department had been completed far faster than expected.
That was because the individuals who would belong to the Executive Department had already been decided beforehand.
All plans had been prepared so they could act immediately as soon as Pramo gave his permission.
“Do not worry about the rats. I will not stand by and watch them try to smuggle the people out to another country.”
“Yes, Duke. Then I will take my leave.”
As Baron Ashil left, Kyle also rose from his seat.
Grabbing the sword hanging on the wall, he strode forward and flung the door open.
Standing in front of Kyle’s chamber door, Deni and Taro bowed their heads sharply.
“Salute!”
“We will summon the Executive Department. Taro, arrest the nobles written here first, and make sure they absolutely cannot leave the kingdom.”
Taro received the list of nobles who had participated in the meeting with both hands.
“Three thousand Northern Army soldiers will be enough.”
“That will be sufficient, Your Grace.”
“Deni, lead five thousand Northern Army soldiers and block every road connected to the Capital City.”
At Kyle’s command, Deni also bowed and left the Royal Palace fully armed.
There were three key figures who would operate within the Executive Department.
Even Akun, the Commander of the Ragnar Knight Order, was unnecessary.
Only Deni, Taro, and Zero had been placed in the Executive Department, and approval had already been received from Pramo.
Since Kyle had even received an order from Pramo granting permission for anything the Executive Department did, there was no reason to hesitate.
The last one remaining, Zero, looked at Kyle with a face full of anticipation.
“Zero.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“You move with me. Command three thousand Northern Army soldiers and wait at the entrance of the Royal Palace. I will meet His Majesty the King and receive final approval.”
As Zero departed to carry out the command, Kyle walked toward Pramo’s office.
The maids and attendants bowed their heads when they noticed Kyle.
As he walked toward the King’s office, Kyle received countless greetings and returned them with polite bows.
Soon he arrived before the office.
Aron, standing there fully armed, greeted him before speaking toward the door.
“Your Majesty, Duke Kyle Ragnar has arrived.”
“Please come in, Brother.”
With Pramo’s permission granted, Kyle opened the door and stepped inside the office.
Pramo, who was approving a mountain of documents, looked visibly exhausted yet did not put down his work.
“You have arrived.”
“I came to report the activities of the Executive Department, Your Majesty.”
“Brother, however, the number of people in the Executive Department is too small. Can it really work with only Deni, Taro, and Sir Zero?”
“It will be fine. After all, the ones responsible for the execution will be the Northern Army.”
It was a decision made to complete the organization of the Executive Department as concisely and quickly as possible.
At Kyle’s words, Pramo smiled faintly while holding his pen.
“Then I will entrust it to you.”
“I will do my best. And there is one more matter I must report.”
“Please speak.”
“It seems the Kingdom of Seil has sent secret letters to the nobles. The letters promise that if they defect to the Kingdom of Seil, their ranks will be preserved and that full support will be provided for their settlement.”
Pramo’s hand, which had been moving busily, suddenly stopped.
“Is that so?”
Despite his calm tone, Pramo’s eyes burned fiercely.
Since becoming king, Pramo had been sleeping less and making countless plans to rebuild the ruined nation.
If the nobles were to defect en masse to another country in the middle of that, the kingdom itself would be shaken.
“Therefore, I intend to quickly arrest the nobles who are leading the exile movement. Please grant me the authority to decide their punishment immediately.”
At Kyle’s bold request, Pramo set down his pen and rose from his seat.
“All authority has already been handed to Duke Ragnar. You may even execute them on the spot.”
“Thank you for your trust.”
“If I cannot trust you in this country, Duke, then whom could I trust?”
Pramo forced a calm smile as he placed his hand on Kyle’s shoulder.
Kyle had always borne all the responsibility and burden in front of him.
But now the situation had changed.
The seat where Pramo sat required him to bear responsibility completely. He could no longer remain hidden behind Kyle forever.
“From now on, I will take responsibility for what stands behind you, Duke.”
Seeing the deeper gaze and determined expression, Kyle let out a small laugh.