The King of Vorbei (Part 3)

As Ethan saw the now former Minister of the Treasury, Otto Von Geld, leave the room, he saw the man giving an angry look at Mia. Ethan found this strange for a moment because, to the best of Ethan's knowledge, Mia had nothing to do with his getting removed from office. The next moment Ethan looked over at Mia and saw a look of triumph on her face.

[She must have had something to do with that person getting removed from office. I guess that this is just the inter-noble politics of this kingdom. I wonder if he maybe wronged in the past her somehow? I should remember to not get on her bad side.] Thought Ethan.

The meeting continued with the remaining twelve ministers giving reports on what was happening to their ministries. The meeting was adjourned on time an hour and a half later. As soon as the meeting adjourned, the national ministers and most of the observers, with the exceptions of Ethan and the Sun Knights, left the room.

"Mia, how did your mission to subjugate goblins go?" Asked the King.

"Yes your majesty, I can give you a full report, but would it be possible for me to speak to you privately?" Said Mia.

"Of course" said the King, and Ethan and the others left the throne room.

"Does Mia usually talk to the King privately after a mission?" Ethan asked Hans and Friedrich after they left the room.

"It's not unheard of, but it doesn't usually happen." Said Hans.

"If I were to guess, I'd say that she came across some very sensitive information on the mission that she wants as few people to know as possible." Said Friedrich.

[She's probably telling him about the other use for the 'delayed spark' spell that I found and the fact that the Western Empire is planning on invading. That would certainly classify as 'very sensitive information that she wants as few people to know as possible.] Thought Ethan.

Just then, a couple of city guards approached with Johan Alchemis in chains. A couple of the Sun Knights took custody of Johan, and the city guards left.

About an hour passed, and Mia finally opened the door to the throne room.

"Come on in guys." Mia said, and the group entered.

They all knelt before the king.

"Mia has told me everything that happened in the Ancient Forest. First, I must congratulate all of you brave knights for not fleeing even from a Calamity Dragon. You have done the realm proud by your vallor, and especially in your strength in actually driving the beast away. That is a beast that even the legendary heroes of ancient times could not defeat. I award all of the sun knights the Medal of the Silver Sun, and I award those who perished fighting the dragon the posthumous Medal of the Golden Sun, as well as a pension from the nation for all of their surviving family members." Said the King.

"Thank you your majesty." All of the knights said in unison.

"Second, there is reason to believe that the Western Empire will attack in the near future. I am ordering the Sun Knights to prepare for war as if there is only a two month time period before the Kingdom is invaded, and I am further ordering you to work with the Ministry of War to form a comprehensive defensive strategy, even if it means equipping the regular army with this untested 'gunpowder' substance." Said the King.

"I will do as you command, your Majesty." Said Mia.

"Third, I wish to reward the Baron Ethan Von Kastell for providing significant assistance to the Sun Knights at Verafgelegen, as well as congratulate him on his new title of nobility." Said Karl, while looking at Ethan slightly suspiciously.

"Thank you, your majesty." Said Ethan.

"I acknowledge you as a noble. In addition, your reward will be sixteen Vorbei Pferds, eight stallions and eight mares. Although you are receiving these as a reward, the same restrictions apply to these as to any other Vorbei Pferds. You may not transport these out of the country, nor may you sell them to or give them to those whom you have reason to believe will do so." Said the King.

"Thank you, your majesty." Said Ethan

[I'm a little bit glad to receive these horses, as horses were actually one of the things that I was planning to buy today, but this prompts a few questions: Why is he giving me these horses? Aren't Vorbei Pferds like the backbone of this kingdom's defense? He doesn't really know any of my background, and yet he's trusting me with sixteen of these? If he were just some naive kid, I could understand it, but by his face he's clearly looking at me suspiciously. It's obvious that he doesn't trust me, but then why give me the horses?] thought Ethan.

"And finally, I have to deal with you, Mr. Alchemis. You betrayed your village to monsters. Why? Just so that you could look like a hero? Let me give you some advice: real heroes don't create the catastrophes that they aim to solve to begin with. I understand that you had some unrequited love for the daughter of Lord Verafgelegen? Well, let me tell you that betraying your fellow man is not the proper way to deal with unrequited love. Deal with it in a healthy way: make yourself a better person. Get stronger; get smarter; grow in virtue. That is what real men do. You have no one but yourself to blame for this current situation that you're in. Why are you looking at Ethan and Mia as if they have wronged you even right now in front of me? You should be eternally grateful to both of them, for it is because of them that no human died as a result of your idiocy. If any innocent person died as a result of your betrayal, I would have you executed without another thought. Even as it is, execution was not off the table. As it happens, your father, who is a dear friend of mine, happened to have heard this morning that you betrayed your fellow man at Verafgelegen, and as soon as he heard, he rushed over here and begged me to spare your life. He said that you've always been an idiot, and that this incident was likely more the result of stupidity than of a genuine treasonous mental state. Frankly, if there's anything I hate in this world, it's a traitor, no matter whether the treason was the result of meticulous planning or just being easily manipulated, I don't really care, so I was still almost inclined to have you executed, but out of respect for your father, who has always shown loyalty to this country, and given that we may soon have a shortage in alchemists in this country, I will reluctantly go with a slightly lighter sentence. Don't look so happy, it's only slightly lighter. You can spend the rest of your life atoning for your betrayal by giving aid to your fellow man as an indentured servant. You don't need to make that face. Would you rather that I have you killed? I didn't think so. Just be happy that the stars are aligning to keep you alive for now. I will have the court mage cast the obedience spell on you shortly." Said the King.

After that, the Sun Knights and Ethan left the Royal Palace, while Johan stayed behind.