Chapter 132 : Chapter 132

Chapter 132. The Royal Council Meeting

One day had passed since the coronation ceremony.

Early in the morning, the air inside the Regent’s temporary office carried a trace of chill.

Federico was seated behind his desk, listening to an urgent report from Minister of Intelligence Bernard.

“Lord Regent, the most capable spy under my command has just risked his life to send back information.

“The remnant federal forces left behind in Storm City and the surrounding regions of the Western Frontier.

“Have recently shown some unusual troop movements and supply gatherings. It seems as though they are brewing some sort of conspiracy...

“As soon as I received this news, I came at once to report it to you, not daring to delay in the slightest.”

Federico frowned. “The federal remnants are making unusual moves? What is their scale?

“As for their main force, is there any major coordinated action from the Western Federation Alliance?”

This was the question he cared about most. The Western Frontier could no longer withstand another large-scale invasion.

Bernard hurriedly answered, “My lord’s judgment is clear. According to confirmation from our investigations through several channels.

“Serious internal strife seems to have broken out within the Western Federation Alliance. Several major city-states are currently caught in conflict and have no attention to spare for anything else.

“Therefore, you need not worry that they will launch a large-scale assault on the Western Frontier at this moment.

“As for those isolated remnants, they are nothing more than rootless duckweed, merely struggling before death.

“I believe that with Lord Lucius’s ability and the strength of the Western Frontier Army, he will surely handle everything properly and never allow them to stir up any real storm.”

Hearing the news of internal turmoil within the Alliance, Federico gently let out a breath.

“Good. This information is very important.

“I will immediately inform Lucius and have him heighten his vigilance and prepare defenses in advance.

“Bernard, you have done well in this matter.”

Receiving personal praise from the Regent, Bernard immediately revealed an expression of overwhelmed gratitude.

“Thank you for your praise, my lord! All of this is merely within this humble official’s duty. Everything is for the safety of the kingdom!”

When he heard Bernard blurt out “everything is for the kingdom,” Federico fell silent for a moment, his deep gaze landing on Bernard, who was kneeling on the floor.

The office was quiet for a while. Then Federico suddenly spoke.

“Bernard, I remember... you were born in the Eastern Frontier?”

Bernard lowered his head even farther. “Reporting to Lord Regent, your memory is flawless.

“This humble official... this humble official came from a barren little island on the eastern coast called Laya.

“My father was a lowly fisherman. Only because he was fortunate enough to gain the Russell Family’s appreciation was he able to leave the fishing nets behind and serve as a minor official.

“This humble official... is merely the son of a commoner. Only by receiving the grace of heaven was I able to serve the kingdom.”

Federico seemed not to have heard the cleverness hidden in his words.

“Laya? Mm... Bernard, you now occupy an important post.

“Then are you loyal to Duke Russell of the Eastern Frontier, or are you loyal to this kingdom?”

Bernard seemed so terrified by this blunt and sharp question that his soul nearly fled his body. His entire person almost prostrated flat against the floor.

“Lord Regent, please see clearly! Though Bernard was born in the Eastern Frontier.

“The fact that the son of a mere commoner continues to bear such an important post in this kingdom is entirely due to your trust and promotion, Lord Regent!

“The Russell Family merely gave this humble official a slight kindness by showing me the way.

“How could that possibly compare to the righteousness of the kingdom, or to the kindness of your recognition and favor, Lord Regent?

“In this life, Bernard is loyal only to the Kingdom of Orlando! I serve only you, Lord Regent!

“If even half a word of this is false, may I suffer divine punishment and may my soul fall forever into hell!”

His forehead pressed tightly against the cold floor, and his body trembled slightly from fear.

Federico silently looked at him for quite some time before he slowly changed the subject.

“The Southern Frontier and the Eastern Frontier seem to have had old grudges for a long time?”

Hearing the topic shift, Bernard raised his head slightly and answered carefully.

“Yes... yes, my lord. Because of enormous interests involving maritime trade routes, port ownership, and other matters, the Southern Frontier and Eastern Frontier have clashed constantly for hundreds of years.

“Conflicts large and small have never ceased. They are indeed hereditary enemies.”

“Mm...”

A moment later, he made his decision. “Bernard.”

“This humble official is here!”

“I know your connections are extensive, so I will entrust you with a secret mission.

“If this matter succeeds, you will be one of the kingdom’s greatest meritorious officials.”

“Please give your order, Lord Regent! Bernard will not refuse even ten thousand deaths!”

“I will appoint you as a special envoy of the kingdom. Together with Marquess Claude of the Western Frontier, you will secretly go on a diplomatic mission to the Southern Frontier.”

“Your task is to do everything in your power to persuade Duke Hackson of the Southern Frontier.

“Make him stand firmly on the side of the kingdom, and on my side, in certain actions that may occur in the future.”

“Tell him that perhaps in a few years, perhaps in a decade or more, when... the Russell Family falls, everything in the Eastern Frontier...

“Including all the sea routes and port interests they have dreamed of obtaining.

“Even part of the Eastern Frontier’s territory may be considered by the kingdom and allocated to the Southern Frontier as repayment for his support this time.”

Federico leaned forward slightly and gave the final promise.

“If this matter can be accomplished, Bernard, that little island of Laya... is too small to match your merit.

“A countship, a marquessate, even... the position of a duke, may not be impossible.

“The kingdom has never been stingy in rewarding truly loyal subjects.”

The enormous reward struck Bernard’s heart like a giant hammer.

He suddenly drew in a cold breath, and his entire body seemed stunned by this immense fortune that had dropped down upon him without warning.

Then, boundless ecstasy and ambition drowned him.

“Bernard... is willing to die in service to Lord Regent! I will certainly not fail the task entrusted to me!”

Federico nodded in satisfaction. “Rise.”

At this moment, a respectful announcement came from the guard outside the office door.

“Lord Duke, it is time for the Royal Council meeting. The ministers are already waiting in the council hall.”

Federico stood up and straightened his robe. Then he said to Bernard, who had just climbed up from the floor and still had a lingering flush on his face.

“Come with me to attend the Royal Council meeting.”

“Yes! Lord Regent!” Bernard hurriedly bowed and answered, then carefully followed behind Federico.

Inside the palace council hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.

Prime Minister Marquess Rhein, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Civil Affairs, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, the Captain of the Royal Capital Garrison, and other important ministers had already taken their seats.

Seeing Federico enter with Bernard, everyone rose one after another and bowed.

“Good day, Lord Regent.”

Federico walked to the main seat and nodded slightly. “Everyone, please sit. Let us begin the discussion.”

The meeting proceeded in an orderly fashion. Each minister raised the various issues within his jurisdiction in turn.

From taxes and finance to public welfare projects, from patrols in the sea regions to public order in the royal capital.

Federico listened attentively, occasionally raising key questions or giving clear instructions.

Bernard sat quietly at the last seat assigned to him, trying hard to play an inconspicuous role.

However, while the Minister of Civil Affairs was reporting on the latest progress regarding the resettlement of displaced people around the royal capital, an inharmonious disturbance came from outside the council hall door.

“Your Majesty, the lords inside are discussing important matters. You...”

“Impudent! I am the king! Where can I not go? Get out of my way!”

The guards outside seemed not to dare block him by force, and their voices came to an abrupt stop.

All the ministers inside the council hall heard the commotion outside, and the conversation instantly ceased.

Everyone’s gaze involuntarily turned toward Federico, who was seated at the head.

Then they wisely and quickly looked away, closing their mouths one after another, lowering their eyes and pretending to see nothing.

Federico’s brows furrowed, and his expression darkened.

With a bang, the council hall doors were pushed open from the outside.

The nine-year-old King Aiden I barged in, his small face carrying anger and agitation.

Behind him followed several palace attendants with terrified, helpless expressions.

As soon as Aiden entered, he met Federico’s calm gaze, and he instinctively felt a trace of fear.

But he was immediately spurred on again by his “royal authority.” He puffed out his thin chest and said loudly.

“Grandfather! I am the king! I must also participate in discussions of the kingdom’s major affairs!”

Federico’s gaze swept over the ministers and palace attendants below, whose expressions varied. After a moment of silence, he slowly stood up, his voice calm and without the slightest ripple.

“Of course. Please take a seat, Your Majesty.”

Aiden had not expected his grandfather to agree so easily this time.

His face immediately revealed an expression of delighted surprise, and he walked in with his chin raised high.

The quick-witted Bernard had already swiftly risen. He moved a heavy chair over from the side and placed it beside Federico’s main seat.

Federico did not look at that chair. Instead, he gestured to the main seat for Aiden.

“Your Majesty, please sit here.”

He himself walked to the new chair Bernard had brought over and sat down calmly.

Seeing his grandfather give up the main seat, the pride in Aiden’s heart swelled to its limit.

He trotted over, climbed onto the chair that was far too large for him, and tried hard to put on a dignified appearance like Federico’s.

“Everyone, please continue,” Aiden said.

The Minister of Civil Affairs, who had been interrupted, looked somewhat helplessly toward Federico.

Only after seeing Federico nod slightly did he force himself to continue his earlier report.

His voice, however, was far more restrained than before.

After the report was finished, Federico gave clear instructions as usual, as though the small interruption just now had never happened.

Afterward, Federico’s gaze slowly swept over all the ministers present, and he threw out a weighty topic.

“My lords, the next matter.

“The Western Frontier intends to gather its forces and recover Storm City and the other lost territories of the kingdom occupied by the Western Federation.”

As soon as these words were spoken, the council hall instantly fell into a strange silence.

War? And a war involving the Western Frontier, the Regent’s fundamental power base?

The ministers looked at one another. No one dared to express an opinion lightly.

But with the kingdom’s current finances and situation, it clearly could not support a major war.

Under Prime Minister Rhein’s gaze, the Minister of Civil Affairs, who came from the Royal Domain and was responsible for the kingdom’s livelihood, had no choice but to stand up again, trembling.

He chose his words carefully and said with extreme caution.

“Lord Regent... recovering lost territory and washing away national humiliation is naturally of utmost importance.

“But... forgive this old minister for speaking frankly. Given the kingdom’s current situation, the treasury is empty, and disasters continue throughout the land...

“If we raise troops on a large scale again, I fear...”

He did not dare continue, but his meaning was already very clear.

Federico’s expression was calm, as though he had long since expected this reaction.

He raised his hand, signaling for the Minister of Civil Affairs to sit, then slowly spoke and dispelled everyone’s worries.

“I understand your concerns. In this recovery operation, the main force will be borne by the Western Frontier Army.

“Most of the required military funds and supplies will also be raised by the Western Frontier itself.

“What the kingdom needs to do is provide the Western Frontier with a batch of stored weapons and armor, along with some grain and fodder, within its ability afterward.

“There is no need to mobilize the Royal Domain Army, nor will it place an excessive burden on the kingdom’s finances.”

Hearing these words, almost every minister present secretly let out a sigh of relief.

As long as they did not have to take too much from their own bowls, they were naturally happy to see it succeed, and were even willing to offer this favor that cost them little.

The Minister of Finance, Count Belin, immediately took the lead in expressing his stance.

“If that is the case, this subject believes it is feasible! The soldiers of the Western Frontier are fighting for the kingdom. The kingdom should naturally support them!”

“This subject agrees!”

“Lord Regent is farsighted and places the greater situation first. We are filled with admiration!”

For a time, voices of agreement rose from every direction, as though the silence and concern from just now had never existed.

Federico’s expression remained calm. He nodded. “Since that is the case, this matter is settled.

“As for the specific support arrangements, Prime Minister Rhein will take the lead and refine the details together with the Minister of Finance before reporting them to me.”

“Yes, Lord Regent.” Prime Minister Rhein rose and accepted the order.

The meeting continued, as though this had been nothing more than an insignificant episode.

Only the little king Aiden, seated in the main position, watched the ministers below echo his grandfather’s proposal one after another.

Yet they treated him, the “king,” as though he did not exist.

That small amount of pride from earlier had already vanished completely.

Only... bewilderment remained on his little face.