The New Policy of Eaton
Translator: Cinder Translations
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When the envoy from the Duchy of Eaton announced that their country recognized the legal status of wizards, the golden hall fell into a deep silence.
This was in stark contrast to the heated discussions that erupted when King Rodney XVIII announced the engagement earlier.
It seemed as if everyone was frozen in place.
In this silence, Paul quietly turned to look at the area where the lord of Northwest Bay was seated, and he saw Lady Ladia Setia and Victor standing there as attendants.
He noticed that Ladia was staring in a daze at the envoy from the Duchy of Eaton.
What was she thinking? Paul felt a twinge of anxiety.
"That must be Miss Setia, right?"
Catherine's voice came from beside him; she had noticed Paul quietly turning his head.
Following her fiancé's gaze, she saw a beautiful woman with long, smooth green hair and a serene, lovely face.
In particular, the woman exuded an indescribable aura that made her appear mysterious and profound.
Catherine recalled that this was the woman who had been beside Paul when she first met him.
"Yes, that's right."
"Who is she...?"
"Ah, she is my... advisor. Additionally, she also oversees education in my territory, haha. She took over the role from Eileen."
Paul replied to his fiancée.
Hmph! There's definitely something going on!
A woman's intuition told Catherine.
In truth, no intuition was necessary.
A young man just turned eighteen, a time when he is filled with dreams about the opposite sex; he is also a lord, above all else in his territory.
It wouldn't be normal if such a person, constantly accompanied by such a beautiful woman, didn't have something happening!
From what Catherine knew, most young nobles in Crystal Glare had already encountered women before reaching adulthood, either with courtesans from the streets or maids from their homes.
However, Catherine only felt a slight annoyance, not too stirred up.
After all, in this era, such things were commonplace, especially among the nobility.
"What a beautiful lady, Earl Grayman!"
"Uh... cough cough, she's alright, haha!"
It seemed inappropriate to stare at another beauty in front of his fiancée, so Paul shifted his gaze back.
At that moment, the silence in the hall was broken by King Rodney XVIII.
"Honorable guests!"
He looked at the Eaton envoy, who had become the focus of attention.
"Are you sure you are not joking?"
The envoy from the Duchy of Eaton shook his head firmly.
"Your Majesty, I am not joking. I am here to convey the will of my lord, Duke Cabre."
The envoy spoke in a clear voice:
"The evil Church of the Bay has launched an unjustified invasion against our beautiful country, burning our homes and pillaging and slaughtering our people."
"And at this time, the wizards... perhaps they should be called spellcasters, have bravely stepped forward, setting aside the previous prejudices from the secular world, standing with the righteous people of Eaton to jointly crush the attacks from the Church's lackeys."
"Everyone in the Duchy of Eaton, from nobles to commoners, is grateful for the contributions of the spellcasters. Therefore, Duke Cabre has issued a decree."
"On the territory of Eaton, spellcasters will enjoy the same rights as ordinary people and will be under his protection. Spellcasters will be able to walk safely under the sun."
"This is both a reward for them and a token of our gratitude!"
The envoy's generous words clarified the situation for everyone in the hall.
In reality, due to the intense witch-hunting campaign in the Bay, wizards had transformed from a legendary existence into a reality.
Those who had firmly believed that wizards and magic were mere fabrications were now forced to revise their understanding.
However, the stereotype that wizards and magic were evil persisted in the minds of most, both in legend and in reality.
It had been some time since the Duchy of Eaton recognized the legal status of wizards, but in an era where long-distance communication relied solely on letters, Eaton's new policy had only circulated within the countries of the Bay.
When merchants carried the news elsewhere, it was often dismissed as questionable foreign gossip.
Now that the envoy from the Duchy of Eaton had officially confirmed this matter in such a solemn and serious occasion, it was simply shocking!
"Blasphemy! This is an affront to the divine!"
Before King Rodney XVIII could respond, an envoy from the Church leapt forward, berating the envoy from the Duchy of Eaton.
"You will all go to hell! Your duke, your duchess, your filthy commoners, and your wizards will all go to hell!"
He was agitated and reckless, shouting at the Eaton envoy.
The envoy from Eaton merely glared at him in anger.
King Rodney XVIII frowned. This was an important occasion for him to meet his vassals; how could the Church's envoy act like this?
The ceremonial officer standing nearby noticed the king's expression and heavily tapped his staff on the ground, producing a dull but clear sound.
"Envoy!"
King Rodney XVIII said, "Perhaps you should pay attention to your words."
The Archbishop of the Aldor, Diocese hurriedly ran out of the crowd, giving the king an apologetic glance while pulling back the Church's envoy.
Thus, in a peculiar atmosphere, the envoys from various countries continued to extend their blessings to the new king.
Until the last envoy finished their blessings, King Rodney XVIII ordered a banquet to be prepared to entertain his vassals and the envoys from other countries.
The banquet resembled a buffet, with various dishes laid out for guests to freely roam and choose their preferred food.
Court servants moved among them, serving wine to those in need.
People gathered in small groups, eating and drinking while discussing various matters, most of which revolved around the Duchy of Eaton, while some were discussing the royal marriage alliance.
At first, Paul stayed with Catherine, but they both remained silent, which made him feel somewhat awkward and bored, so he excused himself to leave and sought to connect with a few local lords who had business dealings with Alda.
However, halfway through, a thin-faced man with two prominent mustaches intercepted Paul.
"Earl Grayman, congratulations!"
This man then stopped a passing servant and requested two cups of wine, handing one to Paul.
"Thank you, Sir Wendell."
If Paul remembered correctly, this Sir Wendell was the envoy sent by the Greedy Wolf, Duke Giles.
(End of the Chapter)
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