Chapter 399: Solomons Excalibur (2/2)
”Shut up, old hag. That boy has the approval of our King,” the Duke of Battle bared his teeth. ”Go back to your mountains and keep mining!”
”I'll whip your ass if you raise your voice again,” the old woman almost stood up, and the Duke of Shades hurried to pacify.
”Duchess of Ores, please calm down. We are here to...”
”Sit down, or I'll whip your ass too!” the Duchess of Ores shouted, and the pacifist sat down instantly. ”Tell me why you called for me, pretty doll,” she turned toward the Knight of Nobility.
”Ah, yes, as you wish, madam,” The Knight stood up and cleared his throat. ”I believe you are all aware that more people are leaving your cities to live in the new city, Hidden City.”
Nobility's words earned a few approving nods from the crowd as an increasing number of people moved away from all of Freda's cities. It was a problematic event, but their numbers were relatively negligible.
”It might not be anything threatening, but you all forget that Hidden City is nothing more than a camp with a few walls.”
”And a Divine Tree,” the Duke of Shades added angrily. His sentiment was understandable, as his only business was agriculture.
”There's Mother Rega too, so why haven't there been any immigrants to your city, Duke of Shades?” the Duke of Contracts glanced his way. ”Hidden City is becoming a destination because of their artifacts.”
'Is that even the point here?' the Knight of Nobility looked down on these simple-minded and proud men. However, he didn't dare interrupt. Despite being a Titled Knight, he knew that these people were ancient.
”People can't eat artifacts,” the Duke of Shades raised a brow. ”Many farmers moved to Hidden City because of the appearance of the Divine Tree.”
”Are you two fighting over the spot for the loser of the year?” The Duchess of Ores slapped the table. ”Shut up, and let me hear what this fly has to say.”
”Ah, thank you, madam,” despite being called a fly, the Knight of Nobility didn't dare show his displeasure. ”What everyone said is correct, but I think that people are going there for a single reason: the promise of a better future. They believe that Hidden City will grow to be better than the others.”
The Knight allowed a pause in his speech, waiting for these morons to digest his words. This matter was far more dangerous than a few artifacts and crops.
”You are saying that we'll lose our people?” one of the marchionesses furrowed her brows.
”Those that have anything to offer, at least,” the Knight nodded. ”Temporary greed is fine, but the people are looking at Hidden City like a utopia of unfulfilled dreams. When the time comes for Hidden City to open its doors for trade, the whole kingdom will turn their attention to it.”
”That boy aims for financial power,” the Duke of Battle leaned back with a grin as he tapped on the table. Each tap left a dent in the wound, but there was no shaking. ”He is trying to rule not through strength, but money.”
”Foolish,” the Duke of Contracts spat. ”If he thinks that his runemaster could outperform my city, then he is in for a big loss.”
”Says the man who lost his daughter,” the Duchess of Ores shook her head. ”I liked that girl, her only flaw being your daughter.”
”Insolent!” the Duke of Contracts banged the table, but a simple glare from the old woman made him stiffen. He retracted his hand despite the woman's words stabbing into his heart like a knife.
”We need to cut his growth short,” the Knight of Honesty suggested, trying to change the subject for his older brother. ”If we allow him to gather more money, more power, and more talent... then we will all be left to eat his dust.”
”You are all cowardly, ganging up on a single boy. Furthermore, our King approved of him and allowed him to build a city on our land. Do you think that our King is a fool?” the Duke of Battle glared at them.
Politics was a delicate game, played against all and alongside all. Everyone was your ally, but they were also your enemy. If these houses lost power against the kingdom, then the King would rule unhindered, and he would make sure to crush any opposition.
”This boy might be Solomon's Excalibur, a blade that allows him to conquer the whole world,” the old woman cupped her hands in front of her. ”If we allow it to sharpen and grow out of its sheath, it will behead us all in the end.”