Grand Council Meetin (Part 2)

That night before the grand meeting, Sister Stella briefed them in for their plan. Half of them would save the commander of the Spear Fall Brigade, Shira, Vahenna, and Celine while Rederick and Melvin would join the grand meeting.

"Your Commander would get trialed right?"

Sister Stella gave a nod. "This afternoon after the grand meeting."

There were three ordeals for this trial. The fire, beast, and pain ordeal.

Melvin thought about it, he just had an idea how to outsmart these ordeals. He just had Stella gave him the full description of how these ordeals will go.

Melvin had no hesitation in helping them since if he does, the Spear Fall Brigade faction might ally with Vesna. That would also make information gathering easier.

Melvin called for Rederick. "Red, hand Celine one of your UZI, I have a plan."

Rederick followed what he said.

Celine still looked doubtful at the nun. She frowned and pointed at her face. "I still can't forgive you for harassing me."

"Come on, don't act like you didn't enjoy it. I know you did. I saw your face going like this." Stella showed a seductive look which caused Celine to get enraged.

Melvin chuckled seeing them. "You two seemed to be pretty close."

"We are not!" They spoke in unison.

He cleared his throat. "Ahem anyway, that's enough, we need to get back to business."

From the sides, Vahenna then kneeled in front of Melvin. "My Lord, I appreciate you freeing me and thank you for everything. But this time I think I need to leave. I have information about my sister and I need to find her."

Melvin saw the determination in her eyes. There was no way he would stop her. "Alright then. But a goodbye kiss wouldn't hurt."

"If you insist." Vahenna then walked to him and was about to kiss him.

Celine went between them. "Alright sir, that's enough messing around."

Melvin chuckled. "Figures."

"Just in case, my sister's name is Teisha. She's a bit peculiar so if you saw her tell her I'm looking for her. Truly, I can't express how grateful I am to you." Vahenna kneeled once more and then left the room. She said goodbye to the team.

For some reason, Melvin didn't feel any loss since he had a feeling they would see each other again someday.

***

Inside the castle hall, the grand meeting has now taken place. Senator Hervil sat on his chair looking upset. He sat on the back seemingly invisible to the nobles around him.

Everyone here had the freedom to speak their minds. He was foolish enough to believe it.

***

Years ago

Back then, he was respected as the youngest son of the Vali family. His peers and family treated him well, along with his father. But he was young back then. It was during the grand meeting where he spoke to the King.

"Your highness, I think we should move the capital to the ring forest even if it's dangerous. We should prioritize on defenses more, that will save more people and we will have more agricultural yields."

Everyone in the room became silent. Their stares were like a piercing trident that struck him. The King was silent but he was like a volcano containing its rage.

After that, the Vali family incurred great shame from the other houses. They were looked down upon and it was all his fault. Thus, his name was taken from and he was never allowed to go back inside their house.

His family begged King Vullhelm for forgiveness. Not because for his sake but the sake of the family's name.

If not for his status nor it was the grand meeting, he would have been executed.

It was a nightmare that he truly regretted.

***

In the castle hall, just earlier, his brother, Duke Harges ignored him like he was a stranger. He was the one who banished him from the Vali family after all.

As things were now, Hervil had an idea how the grand meeting will go. The nobles would show off their possessions to the other nobles just so the King would compliment them. There were no negative criticisms only praises from both sides.

Seeing this was sad since there was no progress for this country. If only there was one person brave enough to stand up to the King.

But sadly, the King held everyone in his palm. If you speak something unpleasant to the King, you can say goodbye to your assets.

Just like in Hervil's case, he was supposed to hold a share of his family's possession but they were now far from his grasp.

The King was that powerful, no idiot would stand up against him.

"What grand meeting is this supposed to be? All you did was kiss each other's ass. I'll show you how a country is managed and how it can be improved." Melvin spoke.

Senator Hervil was confused. "Wasn't that my thoughts?"

Every noble inside the room gasped. They couldn't believe someone dared to speak like that to the King's face. They were speechless.

Melvin continued. "In the first place, what's with the taxing system? If they won't have enough money to feed themselves how would you develop your economy? Don't get me started about the monopoly of water and markets in this country. Having one industry to hold the goods of the capital will limit your growth as a society. Also, having the capital away from the fertile regions is inefficient in the long term. Attacks of suppliers and traders in the routes to the Kingdom are frequent aren't they?"

Marquess Millford yelled. "You cur! What did you say!"

Melvin harrumphed. "Why? Am I wrong? If I said something that you can refute, tell me."

A noble spoke. "I'm Lord Larco and I manage the transportation. You have no idea how dangerous the veil spiders are. This is why having the capital here is more beneficial. Besides we can't just move the entire capital close to the ring forest."

Melvin smiled. "Then I have a suggestion?" He showed a parchment with a drawing on it. It seemed to be a map but lines were connecting it. "Roads and railways to connect cities by cities. Transportation will be easier and you wouldn't have to worry about getting attacked by beasts."

The nobles were confused that they couldn't even get mad. "What? Railway?"

"What is this foolish person thinking?"

"He must be dreaming."

Melvin stroked his chin. "If you have a hard time imagining it, then imagine a vehicle transporting your people from one city to the other. The trip might even take for only hours instead of days."

"Huh? Stop this nonsense."

Melvin continued. "Of course transportation isn't the only thing that I want to develop. Technology, agriculture, health sector, engineering, values, education, entertainment, and many more. You're gonna regret not knowing these things called manga and eroge."

Rederick went around the crowd to show and handed out papers. What was written was a full description of the improvements that could be done for this country.

From the electricity that could light up the city during the night. Machines that could make life easier. A sewerage system that would replace the canal and not cause the people from the slums to get sick.

A hospital with medical knowledge to aid the ill and the injured. Modern knowledge about science and mathematics to improve their level of engineering and architecture.

Mining methods with modern equipments to facilitate mining and lessen the casualties. New fertilizers, better seeds, and modern machinery to increase agricultural yield.

Better judicial system to remain fair and truthful of the trial. The list went on and on...

Senator Hervil's eyes were fixated on the paper. His jaw fell as he read it. Every idea was astounding, it was too good to be true.

The nobles were impressed as well. The ideas were out of this world. But as things were, if these were just words then they were meaningless.

Another noble with a position of Viscount raised his arm. "If you intend to mess with us, you are free to leave the grand meeting."

Melvin smiled confidently. "It seems I have not told my intentions. But I have only three conditions for my Modernization plan. One, Vesna will get 10% of the agricultural and resources of this country. Two is the liberation of all slaves. If they have no place to stay, we will take them in and give them free citizenship. Three, allow me to use the tower and the beacon of the church. That is all."

Marquess Millford was mad. He was even more frustrated that he could do none in this meeting. "Who the hell do you think you are?!" As he spoke, the chair began rocking that he almost fell. "Woah, woah. Damn you, hold it well!" He yelled at the slaves carrying his chair.

"Oh yeah, pardon me for not introducing myself. My name is Melvin Clyde, the 27th president of the republic of Vesna."

There was a murmur afterward. "What country?"

"President? What the hell is that?"

"Heh, he must be bluffing. There's no way an idiot like him is a ruler." Said the Marquess.

Melvin thought he would have a hard time explaining his side. But he had to try. "In other words, I'm also a ruler of my country. But I do need the King's approval so I can use the beacon. That will be the only way for my countrymen to find me. Of course, I will ke--" He didn't finish speaking after seeing the King was silently upset on his throne.

Melvin had a bad feeling about this. "Umm, also, of course, your highness. We will aid you in the battle against the other threats."

"Silence!" King Vullhelm's voice echoed throughout the palace hall.

Melvin gulped.

"Let's just say you are indeed a ruler and not some bottom-tier aristocrat, you think you can just barge into the meeting and cause a scene?"

Melvin took a deep breath. "Your highness, I never intend to cause chaos here. As you see, I couldn't find my country and I want to return. All I want is negotiations for our countries. Your men will have a hard time against the beasts and other threats right? We will also help you."

One of the generals stepped forward. He bowed. "Forgive me for speaking your highness, but we need as much help as we can. There are rumors of the up surfacing of the goblins in the ring forest. The house of Vefdor which is a major help in our forces is no longer functioning due to internal strifes. I'd like you to reconsider it."

With the imbalance of their military force, Melvin hoped the King would agree. The last few days he spent investigating everything lacking about this country.

"Very well, I'll consider but... I won't agree with the removal of slavery. It has been an important part of our society, and I don't intend to take it."

"Well, we can negotiate later for that." Melvin was glad. He smiled and bowed. "But I appreciate it, your highness."

"One more thing, if your status as a ruler is a lie, everything will have consequences."

Out of nowhere, an older man with a white robe appeared. He was holding a staff with a crescent moon and sun at both ends. "We can't do that, your highness. As you see this person is a heretic."