Chapter 215: Settled?
Soft sunlight streamed in, yet the atmosphere in the Baker family’s main hall remained heavy.
Simon felt deeply frustrated. With the reavers included, the empire now faced four major threats, and two were already at its doorstep.
"The third threat, apart from the reavers, is the non-imperial feudal lords." Hughes suddenly whispered after a long silence, as if afraid of being overheard.
Simon stiffened. This was an issue no court official dared mention openly, an unspoken truth everyone understood yet avoided.
Even the powerful Baker family couldn’t withstand the chaos these non-imperial lords might unleash.
"Grand Secretary Hughes’s insight is truly exceptional. This humble prince admires your foresight." Simon said sincerely.
Hughes’s analysis was razor-sharp, pinpointing the empire’s core crisis, internal strife compounded by external threats.
Hughes sighed again. "Your Highness flatters me. With your wisdom, you’d have realised it eventually. The external threats are beyond our reach for now, so let me instead explain the factions at court."
Simon nodded. These external problems were currently unsolvable. With his own domain still unstable, tackling them was impossible. Focused development remained his priority.
Hughes continued. "The court appears divided between war and peace factions, but the reality is far more complex. The princes each represent different feudal interests. The civil officials led by Darrel abet these schemes, seeking to control the court. Even the military faction under Lancet isn’t united. Meanwhile, Princess Lisa stirs unrest in Eldora."
"Currently, Your Highness can ally with the Imperial Guard commanders under Lancet. As for civil officials, your old friends need no introduction. Regarding Princess Lisa, be cautious. Cooperate when necessary, but never fully trust her."
Simon nodded. Baldwin and Aiden had predicted this accurately.
"However, above all others, Your Highness must win over His Majesty. The rest are merely temporary shelters from the storm; the Emperor alone is the towering tree that can truly protect you." Hughes concluded.
Simon clasped his hands. "My gratitude for the Grand Secretary’s guidance."
After a pause, Hughes added. "There are also several ministers I suggest Your Highness visit."
"Are these the ones?" Simon produced the list Aiden had prepared.
Hughes glanced at it and laughed. "With such advisors, my concerns were unnecessary. Yes, these are the officials."
He then detailed the three names, Samuel Castel, Vice Minister of War, Greg Parker, Minister of Ceremonies and Austin Mayer, Chancellor of the Imperial Academy.
After thorough explanations and further discussion, Simon noted the sun’s position. Seizing the opportunity, he said. "Grand Secretary, while it’s still a rest day, I’ll visit them now. I take my leave."
Hughes nodded approvingly. "In that case, I won’t detain you."
He escorted Simon to the gate, watching him depart with a sigh. "The Baker family has never taken such risks before. I pray this choice is correct."
Leaving the Baker residence, Simon had his servants deliver gifts to the three officials. Unlike most, these men owed their positions to merit rather than aristocratic connections.
Their surprise at Simon’s visits was palpable. Following Hughes’s advice, Simon discussed state affairs without overt recruitment, keeping conversations casual yet meaningful.
This was the art of subtlety. Even unspoken, the lavish gifts conveyed his intent clearly enough for these astute men to discern.
Whether they’d later align with Bramblerford depended on their choices.
After a busy day, Simon had accomplished nearly everything. Tomorrow’s court session will finalise his mission, delivering Emperor Alaric’s gifts before returning to Brambleford after a brief rest.
This wasn’t the modern era where a phone call could resolve matters. Each trip wasted precious time.
With this in mind, he prepared the gifts at dawn.
Unlike last time, neither Liam nor Lancelot accompanied him to court; this was a routine session beyond their rank.
At the Imperial Hall, after the ceremonial greetings, all eyes locked onto the large chest beside Simon.
"Prince Simon, are these the gifts you promised?" Emperor Alaric had waited eagerly, now barely containing his excitement.
"Indeed, Father. These are two gifts you’ll surely cherish." Simon radiated confidence.
The Emperor leaned forward. "Open them at once!"
No official dared protest gifts to the throne. Instead, they watched intently, curiosity mingled with envy; many had heard of Simon’s generosity to Hughes and others.
At Simon’s signal, guards unsealed the first chest, revealing a cloth-draped object about a meter tall. With a flourish, Simon pulled the covering away, exposing a breathtaking glass sculpture, a mountain landscape inscribed ’Unified Realm.’
Gasps filled the hall. Even the Emperor descended from his throne for a closer look. "This is entirely glass?"
"Every inch, Father."
Simon smiled as the Emperor circled the masterpiece, his delight unmistakable. The princes’ eyes gleamed with longing, especially Prince Gal, whose jealousy burned visibly.
Finally, the Emperor turned to the smaller box. "And this?"
"Father, this rivals the sculpture." Simon opened the case, withdrawing a tubular object. "This is called a telescope."
"A telescope?" The Emperor frowned. "What does it do? It’s just a rod."
Prince Gal nearly scoffed but bit his tongue, remembering his humiliation at the poetry contest.
Simon demonstrated. "Father, look through it toward the distance!"
The Imperial Hall faced south, towering over Eldora with an unobstructed view of the city below.
Following Simon’s instructions, Emperor Alaric raised the monocular telescope to his eye. Instantly, the distant castle gates appeared startlingly close.
The Emperor jerked back in alarm, lowering the device. "What sorcery is this?"
Simon wasn’t surprised; Benjamin and Lancelot had reacted similarly. Smiling, he explained. "Father need not fear. This is simply the telescope’s marvel, no dark arts involved. It works through two specially shaped glass lenses."
"Two pieces of glass?" The Emperor steadied himself. Even as ruler of the realm, such wonders still amazed him.
Prepared for this, Simon dismantled a second telescope, extracting the lenses. "Observe, Father."
As Simon aligned the lenses, the Emperor saw the same magnifying effect recreated.
His tension melted into fascination. Raising the telescope again, he scanned Eldora, the castle gates, ministerial offices, and even pedestrians on the streets appeared crisp and clear.
"Astounding! In warfare, this could provide critical foresight!
"Precisely, Father. At Dunmere, these allowed me to spot reaver movements long before they saw us."
Their exchange left the entire court straining for a glimpse. The military officials grew particularly restless upon hearing its tactical value.
Lancet, who’d learned of telescopes from his son, urgently requested. "Your Majesty, might this subject examine it?"
Flushed with pride over Simon’s gift, the Emperor readily shared. "Come! All witness Prince Simon’s ingenuity!"
Officials took turns gasping at the device. Even the princes swallowed their pride to look, emerging with conflicted expressions. Prince Gal’s envy burned hottest.
After the demonstration, the Emperor circled the glass sculpture once more before returning to his throne, thoroughly pleased.
"Prince Simon, these gifts delight me. You’ve matured remarkably, but where did you learn such wonders?"
Simon had prepared for this inevitable question. "Years ago, a shipwrecked missionary reached my territory. He provided books and taught me these arts."
"Indeed? Why did Baldwin never mention this?"
"With powerful clans dominating Brambleford, then, I kept his presence secret. His knowledge proved invaluable for eventually suppressing those families."
Prince Gal interjected sceptically. "Where is this missionary now?"
"His injuries were grave. He passed within a year."
"Conveniently dead with no witnesses." The Prince sneered.
The Emperor, initially intrigued, now glowered. "Prince Gal! Do you confess your crimes?"
The Prince stiffened. "What crimes, Father?"
Slam! The Emperor rose in fury. "My investigators confirm you blocked saltpetre mines! While Brambleford defended Dunmere, you jeopardised the empire for petty schemes! Shall I strip your feudal title?"
"Father!" The Prince dropped to his knees, shooting desperate glances at the Third Prince.
The Third Prince cursed his brother’s stupidity; opposing Simon during the crisis was madness. But blood compelled him to intervene.
"Father, while reckless, the Prince acted on reports of saltpetre smuggling to reavers. His intentions weren’t malicious."
"Yes! Exactly!" The Prince grasped this lifeline.
Unlike hereditary non-imperial domains, royal princes could have territories confiscated for misconduct. The threat was real; lesser princes held mere counties.
The Emperor’s anger chilled the hall. "Third Prince, more excuses?"
"Sire, the reports exist." The Third Prince’s back grew damp with sweat. Few warranted such risks.
After a tense pause, the Emperor decreed. "Regardless, the Prince forfeits saltpetre oversight. Minister Gareth!"
A red-robed official stepped forward. "Your servant attends."
"The Court of Imperial Treasury now controls all saltpetre mines. Monthly distribution requires my approval. With cannons crucial against reavers, this resource is paramount."
"Father is wise!" Simon rejoiced inwardly. Prince Gal’s self-destruction had solved his saltpetre crisis.
Yet he recognised the Emperor’s shrewdness; controlling gunpowder ingredients tightened his grip on regional powers.
With major affairs addressed, Dunmere’s victory dwarfing routine matters, Simon seized the moment.
"Father, I must return to Brambleford in two days, unable to attend the military tournament."
The tournament’s flashy drills would either expose Brambleford’s capabilities or invite sabotage. With the Sunderland Tribe now in West Ham, every day counted; he needed to oversee new defensive walls personally.