Chapter 1738 - 487: There Are Still More Good People in the World_3

The burly man was flushed with excitement, his hand trembled slightly on the saber, as if he had just won an epic victory and was standing on stage awaiting his decoration.

The Prince was busy and did not linger here.

The gentleman nodded to the guard beside him, then turned and left with the dragon hatchling in his arms.

Watching the gentleman leave, Laman felt a surge of pride in his heart, pushing the lever to the point of smoking during the upcoming training.

Although he did not serve the Grand Duke on the battlefield, did not carve out a forest with the rifle in his hand, yet as a minor figure, he could stand here and show the Prince of Ryan Kingdom the courage of the Campbell people...

He thought, surely he had helped the Grand Duke somehow.

...

Ryan Kingdom's royal capital, Roland City.

A city without sea breezes nor harbor, only a wide Rushing River winding past its edge.

Unlike Thunder City, it isn't extravagantly wealthy, but large enough to gather the population and wealth of the entire Ryan Kingdom.

Well-dressed citizens walked over stone streets, horses' hooves clattered as traders from north and south brought the crates unloaded by the river to the bustling market, the riverfront tavern faintly echoes the minstrel's song.

Rows of houses crouched like vassals surrounding the castle nestled on the hill.

There stood the castle of the Devalu family, which was also the Royal Palace of King Theo.

Deep within the palace, Theoden Devalu reclined against the throne, raised a silver coin before his eyes, scrutinizing it carefully.

Afternoon light spilled over high windows, illuminating the lion emblem of the Devalu family, rendering the old king momentarily lost in thought.

This was the first time he touched the silver coin minted with his own hands, frankly speaking, the wear was indeed considerable.

But surely it won't be mocked as "Laine Iron Coins," right?

That was news he heard from spies, claiming strange occurrences were unfolding recently in his royal capital.

Firstly, there's an invisible hand in the market purchasing silver coins with copper coins, accepting all silver coins at a stupendous rate of 1:100.

Supposedly, the highest reached 1:120; even the king himself found it hard to fathom how foolish these individuals were.

Secondly, it wasn't an event in the royal capital but from the nearby duchy. Travelling merchants brought news from Thunder City.

It was said prices surged there, currency became chaotic.

Especially copper coins, aside from buying bread subsidized by Edward, it couldn't purchase much else unless paying higher prices.

"What on earth is that fellow up to?" Theoden muttered, gaunt fingers riffling the coin's edge, emitting a gentle rasp.

Truthfully, Chaos' threats were trivial for his concerns, like sinister dragons naturally met heroes to confront them. Even if heaven crashed down, the Empire wouldn't neglect it, at worst some rootless duckweed might perish.

Nonetheless, Campbell family was different.

Like the Devalu family, they were a sacred seed, and Edward's ambition now glaringly aimed at his crown overhead.

Others didn't see it, but he discerned it clearly.

Not all kings must declare themselves king; a Grand Duke could be addressed as Your Majesty too, as long as he swayed the pawns around, he would be trapped within this confining palace, not a sound might escape.

Yet this time, Theoden truly couldn't understand.

Ryan Kingdom's silver coin rose in value, can exchange for more copper coins. How beneficial it seemed from his perspective.

Spies conveyed even gold coins turned more expensive, but he held the most gold coins in his vault, isn't that advantageous too?

Silver coins were the king's tool to reap from the vassals, now what depreciated were the middle and smaller nobles' privately minted copper coins.

Of course, the nobles faced no losses.

Indeed, they wouldn't stockpile their forged coins, seeming like only those clamoring commoners outside the palace were harmed.

Theoden couldn't fathom it.

The move appeared a suicidal act on Campbell Duchy's part, citizens should be wealthier, knowing that was Edward's foundational ground.

He's already antagonized three dukes of the duchy, Northern Vassals allied with Trident Knights, forming an opposing faction against him.

At this moment, the study door was tapped gently.

His Minister of Economy, Baron Wickton Westley, entered.

"Your Majesty."

Theoden's brow eased somewhat, concealing the silver coin in his palm, instinctively unwilling for servants to witness the fool's errand.

"Dear minister, what matters?"

Baron Wickton bowed respectfully, the astute yet slender middle-aged man currently bore a deep worry on his face.

"Strange things abound recently in the royal capital, firewood and salt transported from downstream Rushing River were halved, while an inexplicable heap of copper coins emerged on our market. Citizens spend twice of last year's price to buy necessities, some have gathered outside the court hall to complain, claiming firewood and salt soared too fast, many families might not survive this winter."

Theoden listened impassively.

"I've heard Campbell Duchy's cotton clothes are cheap, they can use less fuel, wear more layers can't they."