Sorry for the wait 😀 Christmas is nearing, which means life is busier.
Here is Chapter 4, Enjoy~
Ch 4 : Izolte Kingdom's Dissolution and the Baron's Last Moments
The dissolution of the Izolte kingdom was sooner than expected.
Recently, Braja di Izolte had acted tyrannically and has lost support from not only the citizens but the nobles as well. Hence, Fioria who brought down King Braja with her overwhelming power was a salvation to them.
Further, the nobles of Izolte kingdom only received light punishments and are allowed to return back to the Tristan kingdom.
"The one who sparked the rebellion was the head of the house from 20 years ago right? Then there is no point for the current head of houses to take the responsibility."
Is what was contained in the letter sent towards the King of Tristan.
In reality, most of the nobles had passed down their position to the next heir and for those who did not, retirement is the condition for them to be accepted back to the Kingdom of Tristan.
Other than that, Fioria acted on another matter as well.
"Zack di Coracan, I had what happened in your fief investigated."
"R-right …"
That day, the young Baron who was called by Fioria had sweat flowing like a waterfall through his body.
What do she have to say to me. My family did not engage in anything illegal. Even though innocent, when he is in front of Fioria, he seems to be in delusion that he did something wrong.
"Looks like you were able to hold off through the heavy tax that the Izolte Baron imposed on and the lives of the citizens were not in turmoil. Your actions were reported through the letter to the royalty and should leave an impression. That should lighten your punishment."
"Eh? EHHH?"
The Coracan Baron was bewildered, thinking that he would be blamed. Perhaps, am I valued? Me whose existence in the noble society is nothing more than a pebble in the street and me whose marriage proposals refused due to being from a poor baron family?
"The decision to rebel the Tristan Kingdom was purely by the previous head right? Then you have not sinned. If you reinstate back to the Tristan Kingdom then not would the tax be lighter but living would be more comfortable. You have done well to hold on until now."
Tears flowed down the Coracan Baron's face.
How long had it been since someone praised him as so. All the citizens did was complaining about the harsh conditions, had his finances ripped off by the Izolte king and receive threats of getting his sisters taken away if he did not comply.
No matter how much effort he puts in to managing the fief, all of it were taken away by the king. How hopeless had he felt all this time, and now, finally someone who appreciates his efforts has appeared.
With disregard of shame and appearance, all he did was cry out of happiness.
Not only the Coracan Baron, but most of the other nobles in the Izolte Kingdom had strenuously managed their fiefs. As Fioria interviewed each one of them, she reports what they have done to the royalties.
(If everyone of their family is crushed, who is going to take care of the fiefs..)
It is not possible for the Florences to take over each one of them, and having the other Tristan nobles have a share is not feasible as well. In the end, it will turn into an internal conflict concerning the struggle for power.
To counter that, it is most effective to assimilate them back to the Tristan kingdom.
Or so it looks superficially, in honesty she felt that "it's too pitiable to strip them off after their hard work for the fiefs.", Fioria is ultimately just a goody-two shoes.
Though there are exceptions, which includes the Baron of Izolte, Braja.
"Well then, let's hear your plead. Try your best to howl."
The location is in the underground prison of the Izolte's castle where Fioria is fiddling with a fan on one hand while glaring on the Izolte Baron who is behind bars.
"W-what wrong have I done! I'm a king! What's wrong with me doing what I like with my own country!"
"Are you not misunderstanding something?"
Fioria had a table and chair brought into the underground prison's corridor. She then indulged in the tea previously brewed by Lex.
… It really is bitter, but no worries, he will get better someday.
"The matter does not relate to your tyrannical acts, it's because you picked a fight with the Florence dukedom. It's hard to expect that you picked a fight thinking you won't get hit back?"
"Urghh."
"It looks like your trump card of 'The secret Annerose provided' is of no use. Too bad, in this world there are people where words don't work, I am one of them."
"Is that something you would say about yourself…"
"Oh my, this is an advice though? You better think of a better way to negotiate with me. Starting with your reason of picking a fight with the Florences."
"Looks like silence is not golden here."
"I'm delighted you understood quickly."
"Then my life ends here, since Annerose had carved a curse upon me. I was to rebel towards the Tristan kingdom and keep on the attack towards the Florence for all my life. If I try to go against it, then I will die, thus is the curs- urghh"
The Izolte Baron's expression suddenly turned painful.
He grasps his throat, as if suffocating. Looking closer, a black mist seems to wrap around his neck.
That mist is a high-tiered black magic. A curse of death.
To purify it requires the strength of the pope or a priestess, saving him now seemed hopeless.
"Glorious"
But right here and now, there is a priestess-like priestess. Fioria's light magic is mostly offensive, but after recalling her previous life, she is able to apply it in various ways.
As she imagines the purification magic like in anime and games, she manipulates her magical powers. As she tried, it worked. A light of purification embraced the Izolte Baron and the black mist vanishes.
"W-hat..?"
"Aren't you glad to escape death?"
"I-I'm saved.."
As he sighed of relief. His expression turned somewhat more loose.
"I got it! I see, so that's it."
"About what?"
"Fioria! You, you came here to scout me right? Since I had unified the new nobles and created a country, and was able to maintain independency for 20 whole years. Yep, you value my abilities no? I have charisma and political power, so if I die here you will be troubled right?"
"… Ha?"
Even Fioria was taken aback. What on earth is this man talking about. Did his head turned strange due to insufficient oxygen after being strangled by the black mist.
"Well well, I shall oblige. I will even provide my information network and connections in exchange for my safety.", the Izolte Baron laughing his heart out.
Fioria sighed deeply. She then clasps her fan and approaches the prison bars.
"… Can you be quiet, fool."
As she spoke coldly, she thrusts her fan towards the Baron's throat.
"I purified the curse because I want you to be judged fair and square according to the Tristan kingdom's laws. Good luck on getting publicly executed."
"I am not saved?! After bringing up my expectations… Don't think you are forgiven, lass!"
"Shut up."
From the tip of her fan, a beam of light was released. It was a smaller and weaker version of Divine which barely targeted the Izolte Baron.
Looks like the intimidation was enough.
"E—eeeeekk!"
The Izolte Baron felt his knees weak and dropped down on the ground.
"If you hope for your last days to be peaceful, then you'd better not howl unpleasantly. And lastly a question for you, your answer will provide you with more comfort in this prison. Who exactly is Annerose, where is she now? I have a debt that has not been repaid yet."
__
I am somewhat interested in opening up commisions, if I do, are you guys interested?
Regards,
shirori :3