Chapter 127: The Price of A Title

The royal decree lay open upon Raymond’s desk, its crimson seal bearing the authority of the Crown of Solaria.

Only a few minutes had passed since Sir Aldren Valcrest announced his elevation to Count, yet Raymond was already beginning to suspect that the parchment contained considerably more trouble than congratulations.

Across the desk, Aldren waited patiently while Alaric examined the document with barely concealed excitement.

The Chief Administrator had read the declaration twice, apparently determined to confirm that the Crown had not made some extraordinary clerical mistake.

Raymond, meanwhile, was wondering whether accepting a promotion came with the possibility of refusing its accompanying responsibilities.

"Your Excellency," Aldren began, folding his hands behind his back, "before I depart, there are several matters concerning your new station that require clarification. His Majesty’s recognition grants House Althoff privileges appropriate to a Count, but those privileges are accompanied by obligations to the Crown."

Raymond leaned against his chair and offered the royal representative a polite smile. "I suspected there would be something attached to the title, Sir Aldren. Although I was rather hoping it might be an additional estate or perhaps a chest of gold."

Aldren’s expression remained composed, but the corners of his mouth shifted slightly. "I am afraid the Royal Treasury does not distribute gold to every newly elevated noble, Your Excellency."

"Unfortunate," Raymond replied with a sigh. "Please continue."

Alaric lowered the decree, looking thoroughly scandalized by his lord’s casual attitude. Nevertheless, he remained silent as Aldren withdrew several documents from a leather case carried by his attendant.

Each bore the insignia of the Royal Chancellery, along with columns of neatly written instructions.

"First, territorial administration," Aldren explained, placing the uppermost document on the desk. "As a Count, Your Excellency possesses greater authority in managing the lands legally entrusted to House Althoff. You may establish subordinate administrative offices, appoint local officials, authorize settlements, and regulate commerce within your recognized jurisdiction, provided your ordinances do not contradict royal law."

Raymond glanced toward Alaric. Most of those responsibilities were already being performed through Althoff’s Departments, although the Crown apparently preferred a different vocabulary. The distinction between possessing the ability to govern and possessing formal authority to do so was becoming increasingly obvious.

"Does that mean our existing administrative arrangements require royal approval?" Raymond asked, tapping the document thoughtfully.

"Not individually," Aldren answered. "The Crown does not concern itself with every clerk or warehouse supervisor. However, the County must maintain accurate records of its officials, population, taxable holdings, and major settlements. Those records must be available for inspection by authorized royal representatives."

Alaric immediately retrieved his notebook. "We maintain departmental records, population registers, commercial licenses, land assignments, and Treasury accounts, Sir Aldren. Preparing copies should present no difficulty, although compiling the required summaries will take some time."

"That is encouraging," Aldren replied, regarding the Chief Administrator with renewed interest. "Many newly elevated houses require months merely to establish records of that quality. I understand Althoff has undergone considerable administrative reform."

Raymond resisted the temptation to explain just how many arguments, sleepless nights, and mountains of paperwork those reforms had required. Instead, he gestured for Aldren to proceed, hoping the next responsibility would be less troublesome.

It was not.

"The second matter concerns royal taxation," Aldren continued. "Your elevation changes the assessment category under which House Althoff contributes to the Crown. The precise obligation will depend upon the County’s verified revenues, productive holdings, and applicable exemptions. The Royal Treasury will issue its assessment following registration."

Raymond’s smile gradually disappeared. "So the Crown congratulates me on becoming wealthier and then asks how much of that wealth belongs to it?"

Aldren maintained his diplomatic composure. "The Crown requires contributions from its noble territories to maintain roads, fortifications, royal institutions, and the kingdom’s defense. Your Excellency will also enjoy certain privileges regarding local revenue collection and commercial administration."

"Naturally," Raymond murmured. "There is always an explanation for why someone else needs my money."

Alaric cleared his throat before the conversation could become any more dangerous. "Your Excellency, our Treasury already maintains separate accounts for territorial revenue and expenditure. We can prepare an assessment without disrupting the existing budget."

Raymond nodded, although his thoughts had already moved toward the city’s unfinished construction projects. Every gold coin committed to royal obligations was a coin unavailable for roads, housing, workshops, or irrigation. The Treasury was healthier than it had ever been, but Althoff’s ambitions were growing even faster than its income.

Aldren selected another document. "Third, military responsibilities. A Count is expected to maintain sufficient forces to preserve order, defend his territory, and respond to lawful royal summons during emergencies or campaigns authorized by the Crown."

Raymond’s gaze sharpened. Unlike taxes and registration, military obligations carried consequences that could not be measured solely in gold.

"What constitutes sufficient forces?" he asked.

"That depends upon the territory’s population, strategic importance, resources, and defensive requirements," Aldren explained. "The Crown does not demand identical military establishments from every County. However, a formal account of your standing forces, command structure, and defensive capabilities must accompany your registration."

Alaric’s pen paused above the notebook. Raymond noticed the hesitation immediately. House Althoff’s military strength was one of its greatest advantages, but publicly documenting every detail would invite questions from people who had previously dismissed the territory as insignificant.

"We can provide the necessary account," Raymond answered carefully. "However, I assume the Crown recognizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality regarding sensitive military arrangements."

"Certainly, Your Excellency," Aldren replied. "Military reports submitted through the appropriate channels are not intended for public circulation. Nevertheless, the Crown expects truthful declarations."

Raymond inclined his head. "Then we understand one another."

He would discuss the matter with Boris, Jonathan, and Alaric before submitting anything.

The conventional army, Household Knights, and territorial defenses could be documented appropriately, but Raymond had no intention of explaining where his summoned Knights had originally come from.

Aldren continued explaining the circumstances under which royal military assistance might be requested. Raymond listened carefully, asking several questions about defensive emergencies, regional command, and the authority of royal officers operating within a County. By the time the discussion concluded, he understood that his promotion had placed Althoff within a network of obligations extending far beyond its borders.

Then came the matter of land.

"The fourth requirement concerns territorial registration," Aldren announced. "The Royal Chancellery possesses historical records of House Althoff’s holdings. However, recent reports indicate that settlements, cultivated lands, and administered districts have expanded beyond what our older documents describe."

Raymond exchanged a glance with Alaric. This particular complication had been inevitable. The System recognized a territory encompassing fifteen hundred square kilometers, but that did not mean every acre possessed an uncontested legal description in the Crown’s archives.

"Our surveyors have been documenting the territory," Raymond explained. "Some areas contain abandoned settlements, neglected roads, and agricultural lands that were not actively administered for years. We intend to reconcile those findings with the historical records."

"A sensible approach," Aldren replied. "You will need boundary descriptions, settlement registers, and any available evidence of historical ownership or jurisdiction. Where neighboring claims exist, the Crown may require further examination before confirming disputed lands."

Raymond rubbed his forehead. "I take it drawing a line on a map and declaring everything inside it mine would be insufficient?"

"Considerably insufficient, Your Excellency," Aldren answered, finally allowing himself a faint smile.

Alaric was already writing instructions. Kael would need to prepare survey maps, Oren and Edran could assist with settlement records, and the Registry would have to assemble whatever historical documents remained available. Raymond suspected the process would be tedious, but he also recognized its importance. Properly registered territory meant stronger legal protection against neighboring nobles seeking to challenge Althoff’s expansion.

The conversation continued for another hour. Aldren outlined reporting procedures, noble privileges, formal correspondence, and the expectation that Raymond would eventually appear before the appropriate royal authority. He emphasized that the promotion itself was already effective; the remaining procedures concerned registration, assessment, and the fulfillment of obligations rather than permission to use his new title.

By the time the final document had been explained, Alaric’s notebook contained several pages of assignments. Raymond stared at the growing stack of parchment and wondered whether the Crown had invented nobility primarily to ensure that administrators remained permanently employed.

"One final question, Sir Aldren," Raymond said as the royal representative gathered his papers. "Is there anything about becoming a Count that actually makes my life easier?"

Aldren considered the question with remarkable seriousness. "Your Excellency now possesses greater standing among the kingdom’s nobility, broader recognized administrative authority, and improved opportunities to negotiate with other noble houses."

Raymond nodded slowly. "So the answer is no."

Alaric coughed into his hand, disguising what sounded suspiciously like laughter.

Aldren rose and offered a respectful bow. "House Althoff has accomplished much, Your Excellency. The Crown’s recognition reflects those achievements. I trust you will find the responsibilities worthwhile."

After the royal representative departed, Alaric remained behind to organize the documents. Raymond instructed him to begin compiling the required records and arrange consultations with the relevant Departments. The Chief Administrator accepted the assignments with enthusiasm that Raymond found almost disturbing.

When Alaric finally left, Raymond settled into his chair and looked again at the royal decree. Count Raymond von Althoff. The title sounded impressive, but the responsibilities accompanying it were considerably heavier than he had anticipated.

Still, he had not come this far merely to remain comfortable. If House Althoff was to become truly powerful, recognition by the Crown was only another foundation upon which to build.

Just as Raymond reached for the next report, a familiar translucent window suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[DING!]

[The Infinite Clan Treasury System has detected a major change in the status of House Althoff.]

[ Conditions for a major famiky mission have been fulfilled.]

[New major family mission available !]