Arestia Empire'S World Domination
Chapter 49: Beginning, Part 2
...—Capital of Excelia, Arestia— Empire...
...—16 January 1239—...
"The church's authority."
The air blew, the timeline of events had been very much different to what was supposed to happen. Hearing something Claire revealed, Ares momentarily fell silent, his forehead frowning slightly, one side once again interrupting what was now his top priority, the southern archipelago.
"I'll take it." Ares gave a straightforward reply, "And throw away the letter that Finance Minister Holenstadt sent."
"Eh? Me—why, Your Majesty?" Claire stammered a little for getting an answer she had never expected before.
Receiving four letters from Claire, Ares made an indifferent expression, "Just open."
"Ta—tapi—" timpal Claire nervous.
"I gave you permission" Ares replied.
With a little fear, Claire tore the seal that tied the parchment sheet, her two pupils slowly moving, until it opened wide upon reaching the end of the letter.
"What did he say?" Receiving a difficult reaction from Claire, Ares firmly gave the order, "Answer."
"Ma—Marquis Honzermus.. feel very sorry for the passing of your concubine and two mistresses.." - timpal Claire was nervous.
"Then? There's no way it's just like that" Ares replied, slashing his eyes to intimidate Claire.
"And he offered his daughter as a surrogate concubine and the mother of your children." Claire replied.
Ares smiled broadly, "So, isn't that enough to give you a reason why I told you to throw out the letter?"
"But.. is..." Claire tried to express her doubts.
"Currently trouble? No way, just throw it away, you don't have to care" Ares replied.
Claire momentarily fell silent, having trouble answering, "Good..."
Knowing that there was a blackish complexion around the two eyes of the woman in front of him, Ares let out a light sigh, "And also, take two days to rest after the meeting ends."
"B—bo—can you, Your Majesty?!" Strong shock, Claire subconsciously pushed her body closer to Ares.
"Yes.." timpal Ares hard.
"Asi—uhm!" Wanting to jump, expressing her joy, Claire realized that the man in front of her was a head of state, making her chuckle while covering her mouth with her clenched left hand, "Thank you, I'll guide you, I'll guide you, Your Majesty."
Claire bowed deeply, going ahead of Ares with happy steps. Looking at him, Ares was once again only able to sigh due to the attitude he showed.
Now it's...
Followed by several knights, Ares's steps were directed to a magnificent building that stood in the corner of the imperial palace complex, where a military and strategic council was held that would determine the direction and future of the country.
However, Claire immediately halted her steps, Ares too so when she saw the commotion had occurred right in front of the building's magnificent white-tinted twin doors.
The stocky figures with thick beards, the leather clothes with thick fur wrapped around each of their bodies, Ares understood, he really wished not to be surprised, even though it was impossible.
Why are there so many barbarians here?!
Who invited them?!
What the hell is Astrid doing here?!
Seeing a white-haired woman as well as dozens of burly men forcing their way in, Ares gets a bad feeling if he keeps forcing his way through the main door.
"Claire, let's go in through the other door." Ares gave a low-pitched order.
"Okay, Your Majesty." Immediately giving her consent, Claire quickly stepped aside, followed by Ares and the other guard knights.
"She, why don't you report to me?" ask Ares, while still walking to follow Claire.
"My deepest apology, Your Honor. However, every report that was submitted to me was only up to the time of sunrise. I guess, upon arriving at the capital, those people from the northern tribe immediately broke through the palace gates and headed here, until the reports of the guards had not reached me." As the head of his nephew's bodyguard, he felt regretful not knowing the things that were happening around the palace.
Did he not want to lose his nephew?
No, I'm too confident to think it's true. As the head of my guard, he will always be with me.
Actually, Ares' assumption is something that is true. She and her husband, Albert—paman Ares who was born from his grandfather's concubine— very much did not want if the pure blood of the Rueter Family disappeared, especially with Ares who is also their daughter-in-law.
Through the small door that pierced through the hallways of the servants, Ares and the knights moved with reasonable strides, intending not to intimidate the servants who came from among the commoners, although there are still many of them who cross paths will act scared to bow deeply.
Ares' efforts must end in futility. The door that became the conference room where the big meeting was to be held had been wide open, the guard knights also seemed to have difficulty holding back the barbarian higher-ups who had barged in.
The difference in their extraordinary posture and their rough movements became the cause of the knights being unable to banish entry.
Let's face it.
Ares sighed, indifferently approaching the door. However, the provoking shouts accompanied by heated debates were increasingly heard loudly.
"What are you afraid of little flies like Renacles?!"
"This is why the nobles are just a small fish!"
"Hold there, you idiot! Preparing to fight them took a very long time! Are you a fool who attacked blindly while going up against the strongest country in the world?!"
"Strongest you say?! It's bullshit!"
Peering over with most of the body hidden, Ares finds Warren with a black eye that looks very tired arguing hotly with Astrid, Thorgils, and other northern tribal representatives.
Despite that, Ares found a strange. Alfr, who was supposed to be the head of state overseeing the barbarians and Astrid's husband, sided with Warren's arguments and even occasionally condemned his own wife's remarks.
Slowly but surely, Ares pulled himself back, leaning lightly against the wall right next to the door. He felt that he would only end up in vain if he decided to enter the room.
Taking a letter from his pocket, Ares reads the reply he received from Sieg regarding the progress of the mine and the expulsion of the corruptors, as well as the Merchant Guild containing the decision at Ares' request.
If this is their answer...
"He, where are Elsa and Loic?" Ares asked tiredly.
"Right now, both of them have been in the capital and are resting in their mansion, Your Majesty," He replied straightforwardly.
"Duke Alein and Former Queen Nevia?" ask Ares back.
"I have received reports that they are eager to enjoy the festival in the morning. However, I guess the two of them did not mind to be present after the sun rose, Your Majesty," He replied.
I see, I'll apologize to them later.
"Bring them to my private room in the inner palace after the sun is at the top. Bring also the Minister of Finance who fell asleep inside," Ares ordered.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Although He gave a straightforward answer, his face frowned, like he was worrying about something.
"What's wrong?" ask Ares.
"I'm sorry, Your Honor. What will you do with the letter from the Arafant Church Authority?" he asked back, sounding a little hesitant because he should not have the right to know.
However, He understands Ares' character well. Ares was not too concerned when Dia—who acted as the head of the guard and his own aunt—knows little strategic action to be taken in the future.
Of course, this is because Ares has not raised the Vienna— Family, the Albert family, He, and Milly— became nobles. Only because of their high position resulted in Albert and He being treated as nobles equal to the rank of Viscount.
"I have to decide the political move of this country first." Ares signals if he is currently unable to answer, waiting for his meeting with Loic, Duke Alein and the former queen as former state top brass, as well as Finance Minister Victor to be resolved.
"So, my deepest apology, Your Majesty." He regretted, bowing deeply in honor of Ares before stepping away, "Please excuse me."
"Thank you for worrying about me, Auntie." Shortly before He turned, he heard a soft voice from his nephew, which he could only hear himself.
Appreciation and gratitude, instant gratification appeared in His mind. In hope, He has a great desire, that his nephew may release the chains that bind his heart, the burden of a mother who has lost her only child.
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