Ch 25: The Kingdom of Vincol

“Slaughter of the Lambs”

“Princess Kalo, there is no need for you to take the throne.”

“Princess this is unorthodox!”

A crowd of nobles stood between Princess Kalo and the seat of the throne. Her uncle, General Selis stood beside her.

Selis (whisper): This is your own path, where you could’ve done nothing and let this pass gently. However, since you decided to take up your father and mother’s position, to stand in the limelight. I will protect you, however… you must have the resolve to stand on this kingdom.)

Kalo (whisper): “I know… uncle.”

Princess Kalo simply continued to walk towards the throne as if she was having a small peaceful walk in the countryside with her beloved uncle.

Kalo: (The nobles speak as if the tradition is to be accepted… my brothers are too young to take the throne. The prime minister is already removed for this conspiracy… cursing my mother and father. They fell ill the very day the merchants from the other side came. I would have them hanged if it weren’t for the fact that there was no hard evidence. The only lead that was given was that the prime minister accepted foreign assistance to take over this kingdom.)

Princess Kalo took to the throne, her uncle General Selis assisted her as she sat upon it. A tremendous aura sets in as the noble begins to realize what her silence’s meant. Their attempts to block her path was futile, as she sat upon the throne without hesitation, without the tell-tale signs of a new feeble ruler, but a powerful ruler.

Princess Kalo has taken the throne, there was no opposition as her uncle supported her. She was of royal blood, the prime minister was missing and the two highest prestige duke nobles out of the three had already expressed their allegiance before this trifle had begun. However, the silence was unbearable as a lower-class noble took to the stand to denounce her ambition.

“Princess Kalo! This is unacceptable! How could you take the throne without consulting us! The loyal subjects of the kingdom, the hands, and feet that operate this very system!”

The princess gave a moment of silence before she opened her eyes and glared directly at the noble. There were no tears in her eyes, there was no fear as well. Only the profound wisdom that comes when determination rises from the fall of your family.

Kalo: “Does the mind need to take orders from the hands and feet of the kingdom? I’m only temporarily taking over as of now, you all have already heard the news. My brothers are too young and fragile, my parents are ill and the prime minister is missing. I have my duties as royalty to keep this kingdom firm and strong. I do not wish for power, however, I wish for peace and prosperity. In order to attain that… I will be holding the throne until my parents or my brothers can take the throne and lead this kingdom. Without a proper stand-in, I fear conspiracies may arise. Therefore, it is my job as royalty to hold the kingdom in place. To preserve this set of peace and to improve the commoner’s view of the representatives of this kingdom.”

(I have seen the future of this kingdom where it can be obtained by the nobles. the right to succession, the right to become crowned. This kingdom would’ve turned into several city-states. My royal family would have perished in the background silently. Many nobles seek to do that as well.)

A noble with silver, straight hair tied in a ponytail reveals a stern yet warm face. His eyes were sharp as his experience with the commoners was shared, misery, happiness, and hope. Stepping out from the corners of the room, he slowly walked past the crowd, as he walked the crowd parted ways. Allowing him easy passage towards the princess. As he slowly walked forward the people would mutter his name.

“Duke Godfrey”

“One of the three dukes”

“The house of Godfrey.”

Duke Godfrey stood before the princess, a moment of silence has passed as the nobles from behind slowly quiet down.

Godfrey: “Princess Kalo, are you set on this path?”

Kalo: “I believe this to be the path for me.”

The duke looked at Princess Kalo’s eyes, as she stared back. After a few seconds, the duke closed his eyes and gave a deep breath, letting his shoulders relax.

Godfrey: “As long as your highness has the kingdom in mind first. The House of Godfrey will assist you in your path.”

Duke Godfrey slowly knelt down and placed a hand on his heart. It was the symbol of loyalty and respect, in the kingdom of Vincol. Several other nobles who followed Godfrey also followed suit, leaving the ones who disagreed to stand behind them, a notable man named Duke Thim stood out from amongst them. His hair was sleek black, his eyes had a fiery taste of ambition. Several medals of honors are listed upon his family history, he proudly spoke of them during the parties, conversations, and even as his identity.

Princess Kalo silently looked at Duke Thim as she noticed that he was the standard flag-bearer for the nobles who disagreed with her. Her eyes eventually leave Duke Thim and gently lands on another individual, Duke Marmaduke. A gentleman, a noble who holds the kingdom borders with a strong hand, his family held the long line of loyal protectors to the kingdom. However, their land is far from the kingdom and they have little chance to meet the royalty, creating a rather apathetic relationship between the two classes. This gentleman’s frosty demeanor, his silver hair, and his calm eyes slowly looked back at Princess Kalo’s eyes. After a moment, he decided to close his eyes and say his piece.

“The House of Marmaduke agrees with this temporary enthronement and we shall whole heartily support the king and queen if the time arises.”

Marmaduke also knelt down and placed a hand on his heart. Following him were the nobles who often stood in the middle, for Marmaduke represented the neutrals in this political debate.

Seeing the two great dukes accept the princess’s rule. Duke Thim also stood forth and knelt down and said his piece. His demeanor unchanged, and unfazed by this event.

“Long live the kingdom, the House of Thim shall support your endeavor.”

Following his stance, the remaining nobles also follow through. Princess Kalo could see all of the nobles kneeling to her, and her uncle smiled slightly at this smooth transition.

General Selis began to kneel as well as he announced the greetings of royalty.

Selis: “May her highness guide this kingdom to prosperity and peace.”

Nobles: “““May her highness guide this kingdom to prosperity and peace.”””

After a brief silence.

Kalo: “You may rise.”

All of the nobles slowly rose to their feet. Their hands still on their hearts as they contemplated this decision. However, Kalo continued forward without caring about their lingering thoughts. She had a greater purpose now that this was done.

Kalo: “I request the first meeting of nobles to assist me in managing this land.”

A couple of lower nobles were caught off guard by this quick transition. A ruler who had just taken the throne, is already issuing orders?

Duke Thim: “What do you request of us?”

Kalo: “I request each noble who is in charge of territory to check up on their agriculture, if there is an issue report to the kingdom and receive assistance or submit a report of your land by the end of the month. If you can solve the issues of the farmlands around your territories we will give a monetary bonus to the concerned nobles. Next is the establishment of dungeon diving, I would like the populace to be allowed access to the dungeons that have been arising from the shadows… of course, send a report of any discovered dungeons on your territories. Any misleading information will lead to punishment.”

Seeing a pause in Kalo’s orders. Duke Thim politely entered, with a question.

Thim: “Your highness, for what reasons does the Adventurer Guild have to do with dungeons? Should we not explore these mysterious dungeons without involving the public, we do not know of the dangers that the dungeons hold.”

Princess Kalo looked at Thim and nodded to her uncle Selis.

Selis: “As you may have learned from your troops who have been using the dungeons. Reports have been stating that the dungeons have offered a vast number of materials for trading, equipment for the troops as well as the ability to improve the auras of the individuals. The adventurer guild is an organization that has been recognized by all kingdoms throughout the lands, tasked with the ability to deal with monsters, assist in trading, general protection of the commoners as well as accomplishing tasks that are beyond what an individual can do… the sudden appearance of talented people from the masses. Allowing the adventurer guild to the use of dungeons will promote their power, increase our economy, as well as improve the commoners.”

Thim: “Although the benefits are numerous, however, these adventurer guilds are littered with the bottom rungs of society, where crime and betrayal run amuck. Adventurers can be said to be akin to mercenaries, fed on by their innate greed for fame and gold. If we were to release such a facility to the public masses… an unknown entity that for some reason could empower the individuals. The gap between our troops, the public order of the town, and the adventurers will reduce. What will happen if the adventurers oppose us… what would happen if the adventurers were to covet an unforeseeable unholy power, and what if they are not simply tasked to kill monsters? The very idea of an adventurer guild could potentially become a public display of individual talents, be it for good or evil.”

Kalo: “I understand your concerns. However, if the people are uneducated, poor, and are forced to choose an adventurer’s profession. It goes without saying the quality of the people who come from these backgrounds is… reduced. Therefore, I propose that we conduct public schooling for the commoners, regarding the funds for the establishment and maintenance of the schools for the public the adventurer guild master has agreed to assist with the cost.”

A noble came out from behind Duke Thim’s side, quickly kneeling down.

Noble: “Marquess Pleiades here, has the guild master truly agreed? The agreement of assisting with the cost of public schoolings is not small.”

Kalo: “Marquess Pleiades, your concern is justified. However, you forget that the guild master already has a preceding reputation and assets behind his back.”

Pleiades: “May we know what the guildmaster’s name is? There are many guild masters within each branch. However, there is no information regarding who leads the adventurer guild, there is no rank and file, and there is no communication with the one who is the true master amongst them all. Yet, we as the nobles who are supporting you were not consulted with this ruling, with the thoughts that this meeting was before you came to the throne.”

Duke Thim sneakily smiled.

Duke Thim: (Proposing such terms so easily, each term requires the assistance of the nobles who have their own territories to manage, their own issues, and their services to the kingdom. Each problem and services require money, a limited asset in the names of the nobles regardless of how well off they are. Yet, she dares use the adventurer guild of unknown origins as a backer for these plans without the noble’s advice? The ones who are in service to their king, yet the king does not ask of us? An inept ruler… a crucial mistake to an unstable position… especially of a female, the audacity she has to take the position of a king, the audacity for her to plan everything out without announcing it to the general court. She was too young, too inept, and now we simply wait for the slaughter in the court.)

Thim slowly glanced back at Princess Kalo’s face, expecting anxiety, hopelessness, or even dependency with her uncle Selis. Yet, the moment his eyes dawn upon Princess Kalo’s eyes. He knew she had not fallen.

Princess Kalo: “Likewise, the meeting with the guild master was not verified and a contract was not signed without witnesses. It was simply an empty agreement between the two sides. This meeting was in acknowledgment with Duke Godfrey and General Selis in agreement. They can both attest to the promise, of course, the final signatures have yet to be done. Therefore, may the guild master of the adventurer guilds across the kingdom come forth.”

The grand doors opened from behind the nobles. A man in a thick cloak stood there, his suave hat was black with a poker card attached to the base of the hat. As he took off his cloak and gave it to the nearby guard, a sleek collared shirt appeared. The outfit was different from what the nobles wear yet it was a sleek tuxedo design. He took off his hat and gave it to the guard as well, revealing a black shorthair. Styled with a normal haircut and some glistening properties.

The man walked forward slowly past the nobles. As he reached the base of the stairs he knelt down.

Onseer: “My name is Onseer Rancliff, the Grand Guildmaster of the adventurer guild. Although many guild masters have not seen me, I can guarantee that my reputation precedes me.”

After announcing his name and title, the nobles surrounding him immediately became flabbergasted, shocked, and awed by this man.

Nobles: “Onseer Rancliff! The hero’s attendant in the demon war!”

Nobles: “The man who fought a battle of attrition against the accursed Demons!”

Nobles: “The gambling god…”

Nobles: “Onseer Rancliff… if it’s him then.”

Thim cuts off the rambling with his loud voice, indicating for everyone to quiet down.

Thim: “Onseer Rancliff, the attendant of the past hero… with a suspicious past.”

Onseer: “All I can tell you, is that the hero is still repenting.”

Onseer gave a quick glance at Kalo and immediately retracted without anyone noticing.

Kalo: (The hero wanted to repent… for the mistakes that he didn’t do. All I could do was to obligate his wish.)

Kalo closed her eyes as the image of the hero’s back left her. His red cape fluttered within the air, as his smiles radiated towards the surrounding populace. (I will defeat the demons! I will lead humanity towards the Demon lord’s steps!) (Cheer!!*). As the images slowly faded away to black, she once more opened her eyes. The power of the prophetic mage is strong, and unforgiving, as with the power of the future comes the punishment of the past.

Kalo: “As you all may understand, Onseer’s reputation and fame precede him as well of his known fortune… I find no issues trusting the previous hero’s attendant.”

Thim simply gathered his thoughts, regarding this development. Yet, Kalo waved in two servants holding two contracts. The two servants placed a table in front of Kalo and Onseer and gently placed the contract and pen. Seeing this Thim simply smiled at her intentions to seal the deal.

Kalo: “The contract is stated as such, each side will do their best to support the public schools, financially, human resources, and spiritually. The public schools will not be used as a source of fundings, however, they will be used as a source for new manpower. Both sides will strive their best to guide each student to a proper position, it’s also the student’s free will to choose where they would want to go. Each side will be responsible for isolating any potential influences that will affect the student’s upbringing. Other small details will be handled with discretion and with transparency to the logistics records, while any large decisions will come to the surface to both sides. Fundings and spendings will be transparent to both sides as well. That is all.”

Onseer: “I accept these terms and conditions.”

Kalo: “I accept as well… is there any objection to this contract?”

The nobles were silent, there wasn’t much of an issue with the phrasing and the promises that the contract predicts. However, the amount of freedom given to these students of the common classes leads to a strange, new ideal form of freedom. The knowledge presented to the people is akin to a weapon being forged within the weaponsmith, the nobles felt complicated at this fast-paced discussion.

No one said anything, as their refutes would mostly be geared towards self-interest, greed, and potentially their own destruction of their reputation.

Seeing that there were no words of objections, the new King of Vincol and the leader of the Adventurer Guilds signed contracts. The establishment of public schoolings was built within each town, the manpower from the guild provided jobs for the adventurers to either teach or guard their place. The kingdom provided paperwork jobs, to a position in the army. While the populace itself grew more knowledgeable regarding potential deals or contracts that they may face one day, hidden talents were found from the slums, relationships grew between people regardless of status.

Kalo: (With this the education of the populace will be fixed, reduction of slavery and crime will be apparent. However, the kingdom treasury will be affected heavily due to the decrease of slavery tax, and free laborers from petty crimes. How to earn more money… safe money to be precise. In the past father would often be stuck with the noble’s selfish whims and would have to concede several points, leading to a twisted road and ultimately having nothing done. However, I managed to get the neutral nobles on my side regarding the new representative for the kingdom while the king and queen are ill due to the Prime Minister’s betrayal… of course, the prime minister’s betrayal couldn’t be said and the pretense of illness simply came as a cover-up. The neutral nobles simply don’t want to fight within the politics of the kingdom, however, they are willing to do anything to protect the kingdom’s reputation and its state. Once this settlement is done, I will lose the power of the neutral nobles and everything will return to when the king is checkmated by the nobles. As a princess and as a woman, I can get away with certain contracts with little harm to my representation. I do not mind taking the ire of the nobility, for this is all for the Kingdom of Vincol, for its future is bleak.