Re:START/If {Book 1.0}
Chapter 71: Regalia III (Part 03)
Odo lowered his head as a sign of respect. Standing up again, he answered, “If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I won't refuse.”
“This is about the area that will be given to you. Actually I wanted to talk to you about this with Mr. Thomas and you last night. But since you left immediately after the event, we've narrowed the options down to two options.”
Odo just put on a relaxed smile as if he had known the topic would be raised by the King. Feeling that the atmofer was starting to change and the topic of the conversation was turning serious, Princess Arteria immediately understood and stepped aside next to the Prince to make room for the King and Odo to talk.
“What are those two options, Your Majesty?” ask Odo.
King Gaiel raised his right hand forward, then with a tone and stern gaze conveyed, “As I have said during the awarding of titles, you are a Viscount whose direction of authority is sourced from Mr. Thomas Rein. Not from Luke's Territory …. In other words, of course the area you will be leading comes from the Rein Region. This does not mean that you will become Mayor or Demang there, but only as a high official who has some authority according to the title you have now.”
“Hmm ...” Odo nodded, then turned his gaze slightly lethargic. At first glance King Gaiel saw the young man's eyes turn green, but he did not know that the Only Begotten Son of the Luke Family was using one of his magic to discuss now. Looking back at the King, the young man said, “I understand and catch his point a little. Then, the option Your Majesty is talking about is more specific what?” is like
King Gaiel pointed his two fingers forward, then without hesitation directly mentioned it, “You want to be the Deputy Mayor of Pien’ta at the border or become the Landlord of the five Territorial villages of Localias Tiber City in the center of the Rein” Region?
Odo momentarily felt both options were troublesome. Odo vaguely understood the reason the two cities were an option, he also understood the condition of the two cities now. For a moment of silence and thought about it, the young man wanted to appreciate the King and Thomas Rein.
He understood that the two people had also considered many things before narrowing down the options to two options.
The city of Pien’ta is essentially the only military city in the Rein Region, directly adjacent to the Ungea Kingdom and geographically having a sea as well as a plateau. But like port cities and fared almost the same as Mylta, Pien’ta City also suffered a setback after the sea lane in the Mediterranean opened after the Great War ended.
Indeed, for some reason the condition of Pien’ta City is better than Mylta, it is because it has a form of military-focused government and the central tax is not too high. Not only that, the system of inter-territorial connections built by Thomas Rein also made the City not collapse economically for almost two decades.
But still, Pien’ta City has its own problems about investors and nobles there. The level of noble families who want to move to other Cities is increasing, the militants are decreasing and the military city is slowly regressive in the last few years.
For the second choice offered by the King, Odo momentarily felt that the five villages in the center of the Rein County were not a bad choice. The Localias Tiber City Territory is the most stable and developed economy in the Kingdom of Felixia. But considering the King's nature and thought, Odo felt that there were other problems that were not publicly published.
Considering the two important options before him, Odo momentarily opened his own right palm and pensively pensively. He carefully considers the burden of responsibility and the advantages of both options. Not only that, Odo also thought about the plan that had been there and must be completed before the end of the year.
Lowering his hands and raising his face, Odo looked at King Gaiel with dark eyes. Feeling that the two options are very burdensome. He wanted to reject that, but at the same time he understood that a noble has an obligation.
A moment of light sigh, The Only-Boy of the Luke Family confirmed, “Before I choose, roughly when should I do my duties and obligations as a Viscount?”
“As soon as possible. If expected, all preparations should be completed in the fall or winter. After returning to his Territory, Count Rein will immediately take care of all your needs to occupy the position you choose.”
“Just about a few more months, yes ...”
Odo understood that he did not have much time, before the change of years he must also have been able to go to the Royal Capital of Moloia in order to prevent war or reduce its impact on Felixia. Considering the time, the burden of the obligation and the ability he had now, in the mind of the young man decided.
“I choose Vice Mayor ...”
The answer made King Gaiel a little surprised. Considering Odo's impressed personality avoided trouble, he thought the young man would choose to become a Landlord rather than deal with the troubled City at the border.
“Why did you take the option? Isn't it easier for you to become a Landlord from a prosperous place than a Deputy Mayor from a troubled City?”
Odo momentarily fell silent, he had his own reasons but was a little hesitant to explain everything. The first reason Odo took such an option was because the City of Pien’ta was close to the sea. It could make it easier for him to make contact with the Moloia Kingdom side that supported him. The second reason is the military-focused form of government of Pien’ta and the Mayor there is now a Viscount, just like him.
But when he thought about it, Odo realized that Fiola was standing behind the Elite Soldiers. The eyeballs slowly turned to the side, feeling it had to devise a plan carefully so as not to be understood by the Huli Jing.
Looking back at the King, Odo clearly replied, “That's because Pien’ta is somewhat similar to Mylta's condition. In addition to this, His Majesty intends to push me to the dispute of the nobles who are in Localias Tiber City, ‘kan? If I choose to be a Landlord …. Honestly I don't like cold conflicts.”
“Hmm, good speculation.” King Gaiel gave a small smile, then with a provoking face, saying, “Why can you think so?”
“Arca ..” Odo sighed, turned his gaze away from the King and again said, “One of my acquaintances who used to be a subordinate of Arca once talked about this kind of thing …. The conditions behind the curtains of the Localias Tiber are not as beautiful as people think. There are only two choices between fused or melted. Every year the number of conglomerates goes up and down. Although the economic conditions thanks to it continue to rise, but still the people who are there are difficult to survive.”
“Hmm ...” The king smiled lightly, feeling happy that the relationship between the Sword and Scales of the next generation was going well. With the intention of insinuating King Pun said, “It seems that you are indeed very close to the son of Mr. Thomas. I did not think that the child who always made a riot among the nobles could be close to you.”
Hearing that, at a glance Odo turned his gaze to the right and murmured, “He was until called riotous by his own King.” Looking back at his interlocutor, Odo understood what it meant to make a riot by King Gaiel.
Corruption, collusion, and nepotism in the system of government are things that cannot be lost. Although there is a leader who speaks wisely and coarser that the system of government he leads is free from such things, but it is only for the campaign. To hook the hearts of the people and to the good front face.
In fact, such dirty practices have existed for a long time and cannot be separated because they have become the foundation. Whether it is a form of government Monarchy, Republic, Union or other forms of government, something related to politics must be dirty because the will of society can be handled by one's personal will. Odo understands that as well.
“Are you the same as Mr Arca? Assuming such practices need to be cleared in full from this Kingdom?” ask the king with serious intentions.
Odo was a little surprised. Not because of the King's question, but because the figure of the Leader asked that in front of the Elite Soldier and his two children. Understanding that King Gaiel also had no power that could arbitrarily inflict on nobles and conglomerates, Odo again sighed.
“My thoughts are the same as Arca ..” The Single Son of the Luke Family stared intently, then while putting on a slightly sad face added, “But I understand it is very difficult to do. Your Majesty knows, we live in society …. If the community still hopes for it, change will not happen.”
“From the words that you say, it means that it can change if people want it? Do you want to say that people today still want to be treated unfairly?”
“Hmm, it is. Society is the entirety of people living in this country, be it those in the upper or lower strata.” Odo opened his palm straight ahead. While putting on an annoyed expression, he tightly closed his palm as if squeezing something and said, “In the future, the Monarchy system will disappear. Replaced by a more ideal form of government, in accordance with the times and the development of the will of society!”
“For me that sounds impossible. As you know, Monarchy has existed for more than 26 centuries. Throughout history no one has been able to replace that⸻”
“Why can Your Majesty be so sure?” cut Odo. A wide grin was clearly visible on his face, sharing a revolutionary who had known and seen the changes in question.
For a moment the King was shocked, it was the first time Odo showed a face full of confidence and ambition before him. Want to make sure something, he asked again, “What change do you mean? What is like the Regional Autonomy system that you created and implemented during last winter?”
Odo did not expect the King to discuss the internal matters of Luke's territory. The policy applied last winter did seem different from the Monarchy because it is decentralized, even tends to be similar to the Kingdom of Moloia.
For a glimpse of the Only Begotten Son of the Luke Family felt King Gaiel was aware that the policy was indeed adapted from the form of Moloia rule. The possibility of Odo gaining influence from neighboring countries can also not be eliminated because some time ago there was a case in the port area of Mylta. It all made the King stare suspiciously, worried that Odo had been influenced by outsiders.
\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=\=
Keep supporting this story with your votes, comments, and shares.
But!