Chapter 123: Meeting with the Dukes [2]
The Supreme Assembly had been summoned.
The moment Duke Alisa’s message swept through the capital, the noble lords lost no time.
Across the palace grounds, carriages pulled up in haste, and heralds cleared the corridors as the Dukes rushed to the grand chamber.
Within minutes, every high lord, military commander, and faction leader sat in their assigned stone seats, perfectly calm, quiet, and rigid with anticipation, waiting for the arrival of the God’s Apostle.
CLANG!
The massive, reinforced metallic doors at the end of the hall swung wide, the heavy iron gears echoing throughout the silent hall.
Roy walked in.
He moved with an absolute, terrifying elegance, fully shifted into his powerful Crimson Wolf-man form.
Dark crimson fur coated his tall, broad frame, and his glowing, gold-flecked irises swept across the hall with the unquestioned majesty of an apex predator.
The subtle, heavy pressure of his divine presence rolled through the air like a localized storm.
The moment their eyes fell upon his imposing figure, every single Duke and council member stood up in unison, bowing their heads low in deep reverence.
"Hail the Apostle of the God of Beasts!" their voices echoed in a synchronized chant.
Roy walked to the head of the obsidian conference table and took his seat at the edge. He gestured casually with a clawed hand.
"Take your seats."
The nobles sat back down without a sound, their eyes glued to him.
To Roy’s right sat Grand Chancellor Manuses, representing the political strength of the civil Ducal faction.
To his left sat High Priest Croak, towering and serene, representing the religious and military wing. Side by side, the leaders of the two greatest power blocs in Varania waited for his command.
Roy folded his clawed hands over the table, his deep, resonant voice filling the chamber.
"Varania has achieved a historic victory over the dark forces that threatened our borders," Roy declared, his golden gaze lingering on every noble face. "The God of Beasts has watched your support, your courage, and your unwavering devotion during this war.
He is well pleased with the Kingdom of Varania, and his blessings shall fall upon you and your houses."
A quiet wave of immense pride and relief rippled through the assembled Dukes.
To hear that a True Deity was pleased with their efforts was the highest honor a mortal noble could attain.
"Now," Roy continued, leaning back slightly, "tell me what has transpired while I rested. What progress has been made?"
Grand Chancellor Manuses cleared his throat, adjusting his spectacles.
With crisp, practiced movements, he retrieved a sealed parchment from his leather binder and slid it smoothly across the polished stone table to Roy.
"A brief summary of our immediate administrative progress, Master Jarden," Manuses spoke respectfully.
Roy picked up the parchment, his sharp claws holding the fine paper as his gold-flecked eyes scanned the text.
The contents were staggering:
• Yeren City had officially completed its full political and administrative merger with the Kingdom of Varania, integrating its infrastructure seamlessly into the realm.
• Raksha City, seeing the complete annihilation of Norona and the rise of Varania, had officially opened surrender negotiations.
Their diplomatic delegation was scheduled to arrive in the capital within a few days to formalize their submission.
• Norona City was officially declared extinct, and its vast surrounding territory had been fully annexed into Varania’s administrative domain.
With these three pillars secured, the entirety of the Hudeii Desert was on the fast track to falling completely under the absolute authority of Varania.
A subtle, satisfied smile appeared on Roy’s crimson wolf-like visage as he finished reading.
He laid the paper down and looked directly at Manuses.
"Outstanding work, Grand Chancellor," Roy commended, his voice warm. "Your dedication to the kingdom’s stability in the aftermath of battle is commendable."
Manuses bowed his head deeply. "I merely serve the kingdom and the divine light, Lord Jarden."
"Now," Roy said, his tone turning sharp and authoritative as he addressed the entire chamber. "With vast new territories comes the responsibility of governance. We shall divide the administrative oversight of the new lands to ensure absolute stability."
The room grew deathly quiet. Every Duke leaned in, holding their breath.
"The lands of the former Yeren City shall fall under the jurisdiction and administrative oversight of Grand Chancellor Manuses and the civil Ducal faction," Roy decreed calmly.
"The vast territories of the former Norona City and the outer desert reaches shall be placed under the jurisdiction of High Priest Croak and the military-religious faction."
Roy raised a clawed finger, adding an unyielding condition: "Furthermore, the newly acquired lands within these sectors must be divided equally among all the Dukes within their respective factions.
No single house shall hoard land at the expense of another."
"I must remind every one of you that we will be creating new noble houses which will accommodate the Governors of Yeren City and Raksha City"
"For those who will always prove their worth to me. They will get the chance to become barons, viscounts and counts"
"So all lands must be divided accordingly and constructions of new estates must begin once again"
"Varania will become the most busiest kingdom for the meantime..." Roy’s lips curled faintly.
"And besides a new map of the Hudeii Desert will be created after we are done shaping everything to the will of the God of Beast"
"Even the name Hudeii will be changed"
The nobles shifted, taking mental notes, thoroughly impressed by the absolute fairness of the distribution.
"As for the economic trade," Roy continued,
"the current monopoly over raw materials, precious ores, and mines within Yeren City will remain exactly as it is for the time being. We will not disrupt the current supply chains."
Roy stood up from his chair, his tall crimson frame commanding the entire room instantly.
All the Dukes immediately straightened their postures.
"We will convene another Supreme Assembly once the delegation from Raksha City arrives and officially submits under Varania’s banner," Roy declared, his eyes flashing with golden light.
"Until then, carry out your duties with honor."
"Praise be to the God of Beast"
"Praise be to the God of Beast"
They all chanted in unison, with their right arms crossed to their chest.