The expedition to reclaim Eight Peaks Mountain resulted in massive spoils: 1 million Dwarven gold coins, 5,000 sets of finely crafted Dwarven Gromril rune armor (easily modified for human use), 20 chests of rare treasures, ancient tomes, and a vast collection of priceless relics—including human records from over 2,500 years ago—along with dozens of tons of Gromril, Mithril, and meteorite iron!
Everyone was eager to get their share, and Ryan didn't disappoint. After a brief celebration, he summoned all the dukes to the grand hall of Castle Bordeleaux to distribute the wealth.
The 1 million Dwarven gold coins converted to approximately 2.57 million Bretonnian gold crowns. Ryan divided the fortune as follows:
488,731.5 crowns were allocated to repay the Eight Peaks war bonds. These bonds had been issued in five phases. The first had already been repaid, but the remaining phases required substantial funds for repayment, as most of the war expenses had already been spent.
A small portion was also set aside for war rewards and compensation. The losses from the expedition were significant: of the 50,000 Bretonnian knights and mercenaries who joined the expedition (including François' reinforcements), only about 20,000 returned. Rewards for survivors and compensation for the 30,000 fallen had to be paid on time.
The dukes also received shares based on the size and quality of their contributions. Ryan allocated around 520,000 crowns in war profits, with François' Duchy of Winford receiving the largest share due to his personal involvement and the elite troops he provided. Next were the Duchies of Bastonne, which contributed a full company of Grail Knights, and Bordeleaux, which sent its heir to lead the army. The smallest share went to Duke Taubert of Le-Angoulan, who had sent fewer troops, as he had opposed the expedition.
Ryan announced that half of the gold would be distributed immediately, while the remainder would be deposited in the soon-to-be-established Bretonnian Royal Bank. Large deposits would accrue interest.
The remaining 1.15 million crowns remained under Ryan's direct control, technically the kingdom's treasury. Ryan planned to store the gold in the Royal Bank and consider how to allocate it later.
While compensation would be paid in full, Ryan suggested deferring some of the rewards, as the army had already seized considerable loot, including Skarsnik's treasure and Queek Headtaker's collections. The final reward, therefore, wasn't urgently needed. Everyone agreed. Injecting too much gold into the market too quickly could lead to hyperinflation. Moderate inflation might stimulate spending and improve living standards, but excessive inflation could cause social unrest.
Ryan also distributed a third of the 5,000 sets of Gromril rune armor to the dukes, promising to have them modified by the Dwarven runesmith, Thorgrimsson, to fit human knights.
The 20 chests of rare treasures, ancient tomes, and valuable relics were off-limits to the dukes. Ryan reserved those for personal research.
At the meeting, everyone smiled, content with their profits. The kingdom would bear the war expenses and compensation, leaving the nobles pleased with their wealth.
However, there was no free lunch. After distributing the expedition's wealth, Ryan announced his new reforms.
He ordered a reform of the judiciary. Local legal interpretation and judgment were now to fall under the King's authority. The Lady of the Lake's church would collaborate with the cult of the goddess Verena to send out circuit judges and establish new duchy courts. The dukes would now only serve as overseers or jury members, unable to rule directly on legal matters.
Additionally, Ryan called for a unified customs and tax system. Local dukes would have to standardize tariffs and abolish various private taxes, gradually establishing a new currency-based tax system.
He also demanded the abolition of noble privileges. Any knightly family that, for four generations, had failed to provide knights for the kingdom or send troops for its defense would have their lands and titles confiscated, unless they had a valid reason. These families would be reduced to free citizens and given one generation to regain their knightly title. If they failed, they would remain commoners forever.
"Useless nobles who do nothing but waste the kingdom's resources are unworthy of their titles," Ryan declared.
This shocked the Bretonnian nobility in attendance. It was clear that Ryan was consolidating power. However, the King's prestige was at an all-time high, and his word was absolute. The dukes didn't dare oppose him. Many realized that, should they resist, they would be quickly overthrown—not by Ryan, but by their own knights and peasants. The King's reforms had benefited all levels of society, from the nobility to the peasants, and many now saw Ryan as a divine leader. Any attempt to resist his decisions would likely result in rebellion within their own domains.
The first to support Ryan was François. "I think His Majesty's decision is excellent! We all know Bretonnia's laws are often twisted or deliberately altered to serve personal interests. That's wrong and not what the Lady intended. We've all faced frustrating rulings and time-wasting trials. Wouldn't it be better to leave these matters to the King, the Lady, and the cult of Verena?" François declared, making his stance clear.
"Agreed! Bastonne will support the King's decree!" Duke Berchmond of Bastonne added. Berchmond had long been tired of dealing with disputes and rulings and was glad to have someone else take over the burden.
"I agree," said Duke Boderic of Bordeleaux, though he added a suggestion: "Your Majesty, I believe that alongside the Lady's church and Verena's cult, it might also be beneficial to include local churches—such as the cult of Sigmar in Montfort, the cult of Myrmidia in Carcassonne, the cult of Mannann in Bordeleaux, and the cult of Taal in Gisoreux."
Ryan nodded. "That can be arranged."
The other dukes, including Regent Duke Lawn Leoncoeur, voiced their agreement. Even the remaining dukes who had reservations sought the guidance of Morgiana, the Fay Enchantress. But Morgiana, her mind elsewhere, gave her approval as well.
Besides, the profits from the expedition were simply too tempting. On the market, a single set of Gromril rune armor could fetch around 5,000 gold crowns. With 5,000 sets available, the potential earnings were enormous. Those nobles who received a share were effectively handed a fortune.
There was no room for dissent.
Thus, the King's decrees were passed.
Through these reforms, Ryan declared the dawn of his reign of absolute royal power. In Bretonnia, no one could challenge his authority any longer.
After the meeting, the King, though exhausted, still had much to do. Unlike his Chief Courtier Veronica, who promptly retired to her guest room for a nap, Ryan had more responsibilities to attend to.
After ensuring his son Devonshire was happy and leaving him in the care of his uncle, Angron, Ryan and Sulia were relieved to see Devonshire so eager to explore the world. Angron had promised to take him fishing, showing him how to spear tuna with a harpoon, and Devonshire had clapped his hands in delight, eager to watch his uncle in action.
With their son in safe hands, Ryan turned his attention to rewarding the nobility.
Devonshire Baron Hex received a promotion to the rank of earl and 15 new villages as his fief. Though his performance during the expedition had been steady rather than outstanding, his resilience at the Battle of Valaya's Gate and his defense of the Titan's Gate against the ogre army had earned him recognition.
Baron Lops, who had died in battle, was succeeded by his eldest son, Thierry. Ryan offered generous compensation and promised to erect a monument in Lops' honor.
Likewise, the title of Baron Richard, who had also fallen, passed to his eldest son, Paul, who received similar compensation.
Baron Juan-Carlos was granted more land, including what remained of Lone Hill.
Several other noblemen were rewarded with additional titles and lands, while Ryan created three new baronies, awarding key settlements on the edge of Mousillon to his most loyal followers, though keeping its core lands under his own control.
As for Baron Lucian's request to be granted the lands of the three frontier forts in the Badlands, Ryan hadn't decided yet and would consult the council once back in his domain.
After completing the first round of rewards, Ryan finally retired to the royal suite in Castle Bordeleaux for a short rest. Since docking, he had been in back-to-back meetings for over five hours.
"Ryan, you must be exhausted," Sulia said as she sat beside her husband, offering him her lap as a pillow. She smiled warmly as she gently massaged his head, hoping to ease his fatigue. Today, Sulia wore a resplendent Bretonnian court gown of pristine white adorned with delicate black lace, her long legs encased in black diamond-patterned silk stockings. Seeing her husband so worn out, Sulia's heart ached for him. "How about I postpone some of your meetings so you can rest?"
"No need, just a few minutes of rest and I'll be fine," Ryan replied, enjoying the soothing comfort of Sulia's lap pillow and massage. The Queen had already removed her crown, letting her golden hair fall freely, its floral scent enveloping him. Sulia's radiant blue eyes and flawless features gazed lovingly at her husband. "Are you sure you don't need more time?" she teased.
"Politics is the mother of war, and war is the continuation
of politics, my lady," Ryan smiled as he half-closed his eyes. "How have you been during the year I was gone? Did everything go well in the kingdom?"
"With Uncle Angron and Morgiana overseeing things, how could anything go wrong? The Lady herself also visits me regularly," Sulia blushed lightly, her voice softening. "Though… there were times when…"
"When you missed me?" Ryan chuckled.
"I'd be lying if I said I didn't," Sulia admitted, her face turning red as she gently adjusted her skirt so Ryan could rest his head more comfortably on her silk-clad legs. "In fact, after just three months, I started regretting not joining you on the expedition."
"No, it was a dangerous war, my dear. I couldn't let you come with me, and besides, someone needed to stay behind and manage the kingdom. Your support means everything to me," Ryan reassured her.
"But… sometimes I feel like you're leaving me behind," the knightly queen confessed, a hint of frustration in her voice. "Don't forget, Ryan, I'm not just your wife and queen—I'm a knight."
"Yes, yes. Don't worry, Sulia, now that I'm back, you'll have plenty of opportunities to 'be a knight' again," Ryan teased.
"You… you rascal!" Sulia blushed even deeper, knowing full well what Ryan was implying. Still, she didn't refuse his playful banter. Instead, she blurted out, "How can you say that, especially when you already have Veronica and Olica by your side?"
"Uh… we're not going down that road," Ryan chuckled awkwardly, sitting up and embracing Sulia. "How about we take a trip to the noble spa in Gien once we're back home?"
"Will it just be the two of us?" Sulia raised an eyebrow, teasing him with a sly smile. "When you say 'we,' it sounds like there'll be more than just you and me."
"Well…" Ryan could only offer an awkward laugh, knowing that while he may have soothed Sulia's concerns, Morgiana was still awaiting her turn.
Royal duties were indeed taxing.
After a brief rest, Ryan stood up, ready to continue the day's affairs. Sulia, too, straightened her gown and prepared to accompany him.
Next to enter the room were Regent Duke Lawn Leoncoeur, along with Aurora, the Kingdom's spymaster and Ice Witch of the Sanctum, and her apprentice, Teresa, a legendary ice sorceress. Teresa's eyes brightened when she saw Ryan again, though Ryan gestured for her to hold off on personal greetings until after official matters were discussed.
"Your Majesty, we've received a formal diplomatic request from the Imperial Duchess Emmanuelle to visit for an extended personal stay," Lawn presented a large stack of documents and handed one to Ryan. "Given our close cooperation with Nuln, we've already given a verbal agreement."
"No problem, Bordeleaux Castle is big enough. A few extra guests won't hurt," Ryan nodded, thinking it had been a long time since he last saw Emilia and their two children. It would be a nice family reunion.
"Ryan, the Empire has sent troubling news!" Aurora interrupted. Her tone was urgent, dropping all formalities as she addressed him by name, which earned a glance from Sulia. But sensing the gravity of the situation, the Queen said nothing.
"What happened?" Ryan asked, immediately sensing the importance. He gestured for Aurora and Teresa to take their seats.
"A civil conflict has erupted in the Empire! Grand Theogonist Vikmar and the White Wolf Church's Wismar Regional Bishop have clashed outside Altdorf, leaving nearly 2,000 dead!" Aurora explained quickly, her face filled with concern. "Now, Elector Count Boris of Middenland has led his army to Carroburg and is standing off against the Emperor's forces across the Reik!"
"If this continues, the Empire will be on the brink of full-scale civil war!" Aurora was clearly agitated by the developments. "Ryan, what are you going to do?"
"What exactly happened?!" Ryan asked, his voice heavy with concern.
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