139: Undercurrents

The Olei Kingdom, the royal capital, Holy Radiance City.

The morning light pierced through the arched windows inlaid with stained glass, casting dappled shadows within the magnificent "Hall of Radiance."

This hall, capable of accommodating thousands, was the venue for the kingdom's highest-level royal audiences, celebrations, and adjudications.

The twenty-meter-high dome was painted with murals depicting the achievements of past kings, while twelve white marble pillars carved with lion and scepter patterns stood on either side.

The air was filled with the scent of incense, old parchment, and the distinct aroma of power.

King Alaric Olei sat upright on the crystal throne at the end of the hall.

Although this monarch, who had ruled the kingdom for nearly three hundred years, had white hair and a white beard, his posture in his gold-embroidered purple robes remained upright. Even though he deliberately restrained the aura of a Legendary Expert, it still caused the officials in the hall to feel an invisible pressure.

Sitting at slightly lower positions on both sides of the throne were two old men! The Legendary Archmage "The Silent One" Gordon and the Marshal "iron wall" Raymond, who stood like two pillars of royal power.

Within the hall, over a hundred royal nobles, cabinet ministers, and provincial governors were lined up on both sides.

The left side was led by two dukes, while the right side was headed by five marquises.

Today was not a grand royal audience, but the attendees were unusually complete, because everyone knew that a long-brewing conferment, and the ensuing political maneuvering, was about to unfold here.

"Your Majesty." A middle-aged noble located in the middle-front section of the right side stepped out and bowed.

He was wearing a deep purple count's ceremonial robe, with the golden thorn emblem of the Iris Family embroidered on his chest. His face was resolute, and his eyes were as sharp as an eagle's; he was none other than Hilton Ailisi.

What was striking was the aura faintly fluctuating around him! Intermediate Sky! This was considered top-tier among nobles below the rank of marquis.

"Your subject, Hilton Ailisi, today humbly requests Your Majesty's holy judgment." His voice was loud and clear, echoing in the hall. "The Iris Family has been passed down for three hundred and seventy-one years, with ancestors guarding the Western Frontier for the kingdom, their blood staining the battlefield. By my generation, the subjects under my governance have exceeded eight hundred thousand, with a standing army of fifty thousand, and annual income meeting the standards for a marquis as stipulated in Article 7 of the 'Kingdom Noble Promotion Code.' Today, I formally submit the request for promotion to the rank of marquis to the kingdom, hoping for Your Majesty's approval!"

After speaking, he knelt on one knee and presented a roll of parchment tied with gold thread. An attendant had already stepped forward to take it and respectfully presented it before the throne.

A slight murmur arose in the hall, but most of it was just perfunctory whispering. The matter of the Iris Family being promoted to marquis had already been circulating in the royal capital for months; today was merely completing the final ceremony. Given the strength and merits of the Iris Family, there was nothing inappropriate about the promotion to marquis, and some even felt it was a bit late.

On the throne, King Alaric took the document, did not look at it in detail, just scanned it symbolically, and then handed it to the administrator Aivik beside him.

His aged yet still sharp gaze looked at the kneeling Ailisi, and he said slowly: "Count Ailisi, no, Lord Hilton. The Iris Family has been loyal and brave for generations, guarding the Western Frontier with merit, and governing the territory well. Today's request complies with the code. Granted."

The attendant immediately brought over the marquis's seal, scepter, and coat of arms album that had been prepared.

"From this day on, Hilton Ailisi is promoted to marquis, with the title 'Guardian of the Western Frontier,' enjoying the full authority of a marquis. I hope you will not fail the royal grace and continue to defend the land and bring peace to the people for the kingdom."

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your great grace! Your subject will surely give his all to repay the royal grace!" Hilton Ailisi, now to be called Marquis Ailisi! He kowtowed deeply again, stood up, and took the seal.

When he turned to face everyone in the hall, there was not much joy on his face; instead, his eyes were even deeper and sharper, as if this marquis position was just a stepping stone to achieving a greater goal.

The conferment ceremony was short and solemn. Marquis Ailisi retreated to the queue on the right, his position quietly moving forward a few steps, standing at the end of the five marquises, but shoulder to shoulder with Marquis Golden Peacock. Their eyes met briefly, and a trace of imperceptible tacit understanding flashed by.

The royal audience continued, discussing several routine issues regarding the development of the new province of Brussels and the adjustment of taxes on northern trade routes. The atmosphere seemed peaceful, but the keen could all feel an undercurrent surging beneath the calm water.

Sure enough, when the administrator was about to announce the end of the audience, the newly appointed Marquis Ailisi stepped out again.

"Your Majesty, your subject has a matter that concerns the safety of the kingdom and must be reported."

King Alaric seemed to have expected this, raising his hand slightly: "Speak."

"Your subject wishes to impeach someone: the Lord of Shattered Star Island in the Storm Sea Region, Guardian of East Sea Prefecture, and Count of the Kingdom, Lynn Star Sea!" Marquis Ailisi's voice suddenly raised, every word resonant.

The hall instantly fell silent; one could hear a pin drop. All eyes focused on Marquis Ailisi and then glanced secretly at the throne. Some veteran nobles who knew the inside story kept their eyes on their noses and hearts, while some officials who were unaware of the situation showed surprise.

King Alaric's expression remained unchanged: "Impeach for what?"

"Count Linn, since receiving the fief of East Sea Prefecture, has not thought of defending the border for the King, but instead has wantonly expanded his private army!" Marquis Ailisi said loudly, "According to my investigation, his standing army has exceeded one hundred thousand! This is not counting the tens of thousands of alien armed forces he has raised under the names of 'Vassal Army' and 'Reserve Force'! His military strength has far exceeded that of an ordinary duke, completely exceeding the regulations that a count should have!"

He paused, letting this staggering number ferment in the hall, and continued: "Not only that, Count Linn also uses the Star Sea Merchant Guild he controls to wantonly purchase Slaves in the northern border of the kingdom and even the borders of the Fama Kingdom, using free land and tax reductions as bait to coerce civilians from various regions to move to his territory. Such behavior is not only competing with the kingdom for population, but also raising 'private subjects' within his territory who only know Linn and do not know the royal family!"

"His wolfish ambition is clearly revealed!" Marquis Ailisi concluded, his voice deafening, "Your Majesty, Count Linn possesses the might of a Dragon, holds heavy troops, and widely gathers the hearts of the people; his ambition is likely not for the mere position of a count! If left to develop, he will surely become a major threat to the kingdom!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Marquis Golden Peacock immediately stepped out to support: "Your Majesty, every word Marquis Ailisi said is true! Your subject has also heard of it. In recent years, Count Linn has secretly built large workshops on the Northern Highland Plateau, mobilizing a huge amount of resources, far beyond what is needed for conventional territory construction. His merchant fleet runs rampant in the Storm Sea Region and even has close dealings with the Elf Race, completely disregarding the kingdom's maritime trade laws. Such behavior is no longer the expansion of an ordinary noble, but a plot of treason!"

The two marquises sang in harmony, painting Linn as a potentially rebellious subject who relied on his troops and was filled with ambition.

Murmurs arose in the hall. Some nobles who were on good terms with the Iris Family or Marquis Golden Peacock chimed in, their words filled with exaggeration and speculation. Some nobles remained silent, especially those coastal lords who knew the true strength of the Star Sea Territory or had trade dealings with the Star Sea Merchant Guild; their expressions were complex, and they were hesitant to speak.