《Vienna's Game》Chapter 5
Advertisement
My throne was nothing special, it merely just a large room that could fit a hundred people, and was more a long corridor with an oversize ceiling and a glass backdrop behind the throne.
The glass backdrop was a mosaic of an angel falling out of the sky after being struck by lightning. Which was a bit melodramatic, if you asked me, but the artist insisted on it, so I went ahead and approved it.
I sat on my throne, Cardinal Redwood to my left, while my two most trusted guards went behind us, to the pillars that held up the glass mosaic. The nobles of my realm began to gather into the room.
They were a rowdy bunch, always looking for a fight, and we're always willing to backstab each other, for just a centimeter of gain. This realm that I have constructed depends on this delicate balance of the nobles being busy fighting each other, so they would not be able to challenge me.
Many observers outside, my kingdom, would be disgusted by the state of my realm, but they do not understand the genius of this system. I watched from my comfortable seat as the nobles’ squabble at each other, without a care in the world of in the audience of their High King.
This bunch was just disgusting low-lives who just accumulated wealth and power out of luck. I continue watching in disgust, not wanting to disturb the commotion that these idiots are causing by insulting each other constantly.
When the Kingdom divides when I die, what will happen to these nobles? Will they fight with each other? Will they divide themselves equally? Will they attempt to overthrow my sons in hopes of gaining more power?
These thoughts ran through my head, but I will always be reassured for one reason…
Advertisement
“No, you stupid idiot, what marks the end of your territory, and what starts mine is the river!”
“Calm down, you foolish fool, don’t you know you in the presence of our great High King. Surely you showing your idiocy in front of him shows that you are not deserving of a noble title, after all of that forestland is mine, you horse-sucker.”
“H-how disgusting, how dare you insult my noble family that had raised the greatest horses that our own Royal Calvary uses for generations!”
“Greatest horses? We haven’t fought a foreign war in centuries, and yet you claim such dastardly things, how prideful of you.”
“Why you… dumb shit come here!”
The man then pounced on the other man and began punching his face rapidly. The nobles formed a circle in my court, creating a makeshift arena in front of me.
I stare without surprise that this has happened.
“This happens every week, surely we must put an end to this, milord…”
“No, no, it's fine, let the nobles fight with each other, the further this escalates, the less pain I have to deal with.”
“I do not understand, milord.”
“You never understood me in the first place, Redwood.”
“That is true, milord, but from the decades that I have been your friend, is that this is part of some elaborate scheme of yours.”
“And that is what makes me a genius compare to the rest of these bumbling idiots.”
The man who is being punched is Earl Sycamore. He is a person whose intelligence outweighs his strength. This man is in trouble as he prefers to use other people to do his dirty work.
The man on top of him is Baron Greenfield, he is a brash fellow who prefers using force rather than thinking of a peaceful answer to a conflict. But that does not mean he is not intelligent; his mind is simply just built for battle more than petty politics of the court.
Advertisement
The two men held different philosophies and would often butt heads with each other. But when it comes down to matters, they see eye-to-eye, they were a terrifying duo. If I could eliminate one, then I can be assured they these two would never form an alliance in the future to take down my son.
Of course, I have no idea what they plot to do when I divide the kingdom since many who were close to me did not know of the plan of mine in the first place. But you can never be too careful around these nobles.
These nobles would probably lead to the downfall of my kingdom in the future, so I can only hope that future rulers will someday consolidate power and remove these nobles from positions that allowed them to be in power in the first place…
That’s it! I will have that girl try to resolve this conflict, surely it would be a great test to see what her otherworldly knowledge if she does have any, can do. But that will far into the future from now, since I cannot reveal her as a card in my hand, not right now.
One of those two will be part of my king’s gambit… they are simple pawns in this game of power, even if they think they have power.
I will allow them to have their fun for now, after all, it does buy her time to get situated with this world. I continued to watch those two fights and the nobles cheering them on. This world is destined for doom anyway, especially with the nobles not even caring for Great Beasts being rumored to not being just in stories.
They are not doing what many of the nobles in other kingdoms are doing. Pushing their rulers to build up a standing army, preparing troops in their lands, or merely just using this situation to their advantage to consolidate power.
These nobles were truly idiots that would never dare challenge me, and this delicate balance is what makes me glad that I am the ruler of this mighty kingdom. A kingdom, which is full of idiots who do not understand what it means to have power.
Advertisement
- In Serial51 Chapters
The Sorceress of San Antonio
Your world isn't supposed to go completely sideways on your seventeenth birthday. Most girls are hoping for a car, Victoria is hoping her dad comes home from the hospital and maybe a date for the spring formal. What she gets is an offer she can't refuse a beautiful blue box swimming in front of her eyes. Happy 17th birthday! You have 24 hours to complete set up and registration, or the system will initialize with default settings. Again Happy birthday! Somedays you change the world and others it changes you.
8 176 - In Serial28 Chapters
Versatile Mage Rewritten (((Discontinued)))
(((HAS SINCE BEEN DISCONTINUED))) Y'know how sometimes when you criticize a story someone asks you, "If you're so good at writing stories, make your own or rewrite it!"Well, I am. DISCLAIMER:Versatile Mage is a novel, anime, and manhua (comic) I do not own and am rewriting simply to practice writing. I have not read the novel, nor watched the anime. I am only rewriting the story of the manhua adaptation with as minimal changes as possible in an attempt to close the massive plot holes, inconsistencies, and unrealistic scenarios which bothered me. Please do not claim I am plagiarizing the original. Think of this as a fan fiction if you need to.Oh yeah, if you want to read the original novel or the manhua, they're both on Webnovel. Just search "Versatile Mage" over there.
8 141 - In Serial19 Chapters
Souls of Red
As the sun begins to fade from existence, five protectors are chosen. Their unique blood type is thought to help the Earth regain its strength. Aryn, a prominent surgeon, is unaware of the fateful gift that flows in her. She carries the same blood type as the chosen ones. Hidden truths start appearing, when a letter is sent from her parents, who abandoned her at a young age. Aryn becomes imprisoned by the black words in the letter, and falls into the memories of the past. While Aryn tries to gather the missing clues, more mysteries emerge. After treating an eccentric patient, he presents Aryn with more questions than answers. Aware of the doctor's hidden identity, Louis sends her upon a journey toward her darkest days and deepest truths. Aryn's journey begins with the gift of a strange and life-altering book. Aptly titled 'Rules of Death', it doesn't stop with the exposure of her own identity. The book holds knowledge and power Aryn can only begin to understand. She then realizes the importance of her task: guarding all the manuscript dares to tell. Envious eyes and inquisitive minds threaten everything she's determined to defend. In order to preserve the power of the protectors, Aryn must carry the secrets of the book to the grave. Will she keep the book's mysteries to herself, or will Aryn's secret become a world undoing ?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•Highest Ranks•#6 In Mystery, on 13/10/2020•Awards•- 1st place winner in the discovery awards - 2nd place winner in the pantheon awards- Honorable Mention- The Shimmer Awards (2020)
8 97 - In Serial20 Chapters
Mianite: Septic
Understandably given the title 'portal' the crew from the old world is sent to another. An even older and familiar world. They meet the other world's heroes, and our heroes are welcome back to Mianite learning that their home has grown as much as them. The Dianites have a new leader, to Tom's dismay. Mianite has given new light to new creatures - good or bad -, and Ianite has worked hard to restore peace, justice, and balance.Well there is mostly balance.Two kingdoms run head to head. One leaning more to the traditional side, and the other wanting a change.When the New Kingdom of Aura takes the heroes in, they have no choice but to ally themselves with the Kingdom's leaders, Faith and Liberty. They meet Oracles and Elves and learn that their own simplistic home isn't so simple. They also learn that the other Kingdom may have a more sinister plan, and that they may have an operative on the inside.
8 196 - In Serial44 Chapters
Topping the Alpha
Worlds collide when Elliot Lockwood, an omega werewolf, moves into a different pack at 17 years old. Born of warrior parents, he was raised to believe his breed should have no bearing in his life or future. Determined to offer their son a better condition, the Lockwoods decide to move to a much larger pack, one that offers more opportunities for an omega.Thrust into a new town, Elliot must navigate his senior year in high school facing all the challenges that come with it, including an unwanted attention from the future Beta.But he is decided to make his mark in the world, even if he has to face an obnoxious future Alpha who is determined to make his life hell. Little does he know Elliot is not like other omegas and he will stop at nothing to succeed in this pack, even if he has to trample the boy Alpha to achieve it.Buckle up people, this isn't like any omega story you've ever read!Warning: contain gay sexual activity.
8 155 - In Serial38 Chapters
Home Study - Rated R
Life is about to make a sudden turn for Cori. A twenty two year old woman with no experience is about to be claimed by not one but two very possessive men. Russell Brown and his stepson Jax run the local garage of a small sleepy town. Russ was widowed three years earlier while Jax liked to play the field. What happens when the new school teacher moves in next door and both of them are left panting to know her more?©2015 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.EXTREME ADULT CONTENT AND LANGUAGE.MATURE READERS ONLY
8 172

