Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 442: Snake slithers (1)

The chamber room is filling with paper work. At the end of the table is a young man sipping some morning tea.

Then the door is open with a creak and a slightly older man enters the room and address to the young man with politeness.

'Lord Regent' a man said. 

'Lord Barden' the man reply politely. 

'What is the matter?'

'This is the charter from the region of Bourgnon and their economic development. You will find all you need to know about it.' 

'Leave it there' the young man said as he resumes his drink. He was stressed with the many works that is presented to him. 

The young man finally realized why the Emperor created the Halls to help him. If he did not create it he would surely be swamped by it.

'There are other matters to be discussed Lord Regent. The Lord is waiting on you to discuss the matter of our Emperor engagement, of Lord Robert reinstatement to his position, of the movement in Anvali. There is also report from Prince Articon Paul that the Church is moving. They are waiting for you outside.'

'Hmm' the young man ponders. 

Today is not any special day and not to mention it has only been few days since the Emperor has left in his journey.

Barden is here because of his position as the High Minister of the Hall of Gold. 

He has been helping the young man to see the Treasury of the Empire. 

The young man of course wanted to meet with the other minister appointed to the Chamber and just as he was about to send messenger they have come here. 

What a lucky happenstance.

The fact they came now must be because of something urgent the man thought to himself.

'Then let us not waste any time. Call them in.' the young man said and Barden retreated himself outside the Chamber of High Minister, a special office created in the absence of the Emperor.

Lord Regent is none other than Silas. He has been burdened by this duty by his old friend Arial. To Silas, Arial remains an unapproachable friend, his lord and liege.

They even have a slight disagreement a few years ago. 

Silas has always known that to unite the fragmented kingdoms would require bloodshed unprecedented in human history. 

But he did not imagine that Arial is capable of such atrocities. 

The Massacre of Zettel remains a tragic event in the human continent. Almost all of Zettelian were slaughtered in cold steel and furious anger of the dragon.

If there is one taint in the story of Arial Vermont, the Great Conqueror it will be this. The cruelty and cold heartedness he employs in his bid for vengeance.

But Silas has to admit, it is because of the brutality in which Arial exhibited, that all the other Kingdoms bow in fear and awe. 

Only Great Renasia possesses the power to rival that of the Empire. 

Ruled by an Empress of prodigious capability and wise councilors, it is truly a threat. 

If not for the marriage agreement, the colossal force in the human continent would clearly clash and brought about a torrent of blood, which will deprive the continent of peace and prosperity.

The door creaked and light enters the room. The lords entered and take their seat immediately.

They all addressed Silas and began their arguments. Lord Derwin is the first to speak up, as he rises from his seat and address one issue.

Lord Derwin relay to Silas of the opposition towards the marriage.

'Hmm.'Silas said.

'Opposition? By whom?' Silas asked

Derwin then reply

'The Church and many of the Caelum noble lords in Vangua.'

The Church. Of course, it will be them. Always a thorn in the Empire business. They have not learned from their previous mistake!

Of course Silas did not say this out loud. Many of the people in Arial employ is devoted Lucellian.

He will tackle the easiest first. Since the Church subject is a sensitive matter he will tackle it from the perspective of Caelum lords. 

'These lords did not have a complaint before, why now?' This made Silas puzzled. 

Of course Silas is aware of the dissatisfaction among the lords when the Empress Dowager announced the marriage arrangement. 

Lady Maria Aragorn and Lady Julia Vermont, two great women who is also great friends of course set the marriage for both different reason. 

Lady Julia for her grieving son. Lady Maria for the influence and power of Renasia. Not to mention the peace and prosperity that will come with it.

One is for love, another for ambition. But the matter of love and ambition is rarely as easy as it seems. 

Arial doesn't seem enthusiastic about the marriage, while Rhyssa does not care about her mother ambition. 

Complicated situations worsened by each other stubbornness. Then Silas ask Lord Derwin.

'The Caelum lords. On what grounds do they oppose the marriage?'

'On the ground, she is not Caelum. She is a Renasian, the Blood of Living Isle, the Thirteen Tribes. Not of the proud Sky people.' And at this Derwin puffed out his chest.

It is well known that many of Arial officers really pride themselves on being a Caelum. 

Of course during war, it made a great boost of morale to consider themselves a chosen race, but it is not really an ideal model in an Empire full with different races and ethnicity.

Arial did suppress the racist sentiment when he became Emperor and the lords follow out of reverence. 

Arial presence in the army was akin like having the God of War in their side. Arial has never lost a battle in his life. 

It was of course a glorious reputation to have.

From the War of Succession to the Massacre of Zettel, he never lost a battle. Such feats borne stories. And from stories is borne myth.

Myth which is associated with Arial. And the storytellers also exaggerate his triumph. People said as long as he enters battle, there is no possible way for the army to lose.

Silas look at Derwin boringly and ask.

'Why did they not say it when the court is in session? When the Emperor is there?'

'They are. afraid of the Emperor, Lord Regent' Derwin reply sheepishly. Silas snickered

'So, since the Emperor is not here, that fear has diminished? If not fear, then could it be their loyalty eroded?'

'No!.... No! Lord Regent. I didn't mean it like that!'

'Then how do you mean? What words that I could possibly misunderstand from your story?'

'The lordsthey are not satisf-' And Silas cut quick of his words.

'They are not satisfied before. But did they dare take it up with the Emperor? No! Tell the Lords, keep their mouth shut if they do not want their heads fly. Whoever the Emperor marries is his concerns. Not of his vassals. If the Emperor wanted to marry a Renasian Empress, so be it. If he wanted to marry some beggar women in the street, so be it. Would it lower the majesty of the Emperor? If you are not satisfied, then take it up with the Emperor. Do you see our Sovereign as someone who could be bullied? If they do not dare take it up with the Emperor, then they better stay silent.'

Derwin is red in the face being reprimanded by a man clearly younger than him. Derwin swallowed his anger and just nodded.