The Emperor's will ultimately prevailed, and the proposal to establish the Purge Committee in Marienburg was passed. It seemed that the Emperor would soon implement this plan, leaving Marienburg's Upper and Lower Houses powerless to resist. As Ryan had previously analyzed, they had to choose between admitting to a security issue or an assassination attempt on the Emperor. Faced with that choice, the security issue was the safer option.
Ryan stood up, took his wife Surya by the hand, and, under the protection of his Old Guard, made his way out of the city council, after briefly bidding farewell to Fugen.
As they walked along Amber Avenue, Ryan sighed, "No doubt, Karl Franz is a remarkable emperor. It seems that Marienburg is unable to resist his will. After all, the Jutone Guard's attack on the emperor is an undeniable fact. But as Bretonnians, we cannot allow the Emperor to extend his reach into Marienburg."
"What should we do then?" Surya asked thoughtfully. "Should we turn to the High Elves?"
"Yes," Ryan nodded, though his mind was already turning to other matters.
No matter how reluctant he was, Ryan had to admit that the honeymoon period between Bretonnia and the Empire, especially with Reikland, was coming to an end. After several years of peace, contradictions and conflicting interests were emerging between him and Karl Franz. Without external pressure, humanity had once again returned to internal strife—a long-standing tradition. When facing external enemies, humans united, but once those enemies were gone, they inevitably turned on each other. It was a cycle thousands of years old, and Ryan couldn't help but feel a bit helpless.
The key issue was that Ryan's greatest need from the Empire was its assistance with industrialization, particularly from Nuln, where his wife Emilia had already established deep connections. Reikland, and Karl Franz himself, were becoming increasingly irrelevant.
According to Ryan's knowledge, just from Bretonnia's orders alone, and those from the Ashen Legion, Nuln had produced thousands of new millionaires (defined as those with an annual income of over 150 gold marks).
But as the King of Bretonnia, Ryan had to prioritize the interests of his kingdom, no matter his personal feelings. His role, like those of rulers before him, such as the Duke of Normandy who became the King of England or the German-descended Windsor family ruling Britain, required him to put national interests first.
On the morning following these events, news came from Ryan's residence.
King Ryan Macador expressed "deep concern" over the Emperor's decision to establish a Purge Committee in Marienburg. The King warned that if Marienburg lost its status as a free port, it would deal a devastating blow to the city's commerce, economy, shipping, and diplomacy.
Karl Franz immediately understood Ryan's message and publicly responded, assuring that such a scenario would never occur. He stated that Marienburg's autonomy, granted by Emperor Ludwig the Savior, would remain intact. The Purge Committee was merely a measure to assist Marienburg in identifying and removing disruptive elements, and it would not affect Marienburg's status as a free port.
The Emperor also stated that if Ryan was dissatisfied with how he handled the matter, he could submit an official written request, and the Empire would issue a formal reply. However, until then, Ryan should respect the decisions made by the Empire.
The tone was clear.
But the matter didn't end there.
Later that day, Ryan met with the High Elf ambassador, Telemar de Carben.
The meeting took place in Marienburg's most luxurious hotel, the Seagull and Trident.
The hotel was located in the heart of the palace district and was a tall, elegant building. With comfortable rooms, exquisite cuisine, and stunning views from the terrace, it was a favorite among noble couples. Many Imperial families, especially newlyweds, liked to spend their honeymoons here, typically booking three to five months in advance.
Behind the scenes, the hotel was actually controlled by the Sea God Church, with various merchant guilds holding shares. It was also one of the few places where the underground leader of Marienburg, "The Rogue" Adabe, could be reached. Guests who asked the attractive landlady for "a seagull sausage" would be asked whether they wanted "goods" or "a meeting." If they wanted goods, they could buy stolen items at prices 30% to 75% below market value (though the hotel took no responsibility for the consequences). If they wanted a meeting, their request would be evaluated to see if they were worthy of seeing "The Rogue."
When Ryan and Surya arrived, their presence startled quite a few people, but the King quickly explained that he was there for a meeting with the High Elf ambassador, easing everyone's fears.
Ambassador Telemar's background has already been mentioned earlier. The key point was that his term of service had about 20 years remaining. While that might seem like a lifetime to humans, for a High Elf, it was only another year or two of duty before he could retire honorably.
With his retirement so close, Telemar had become increasingly cautious, not wanting to tarnish his record. Thus, his first reaction when Ryan requested a meeting was to decline.
However, Ryan was no ordinary "monkey" from the Old World. For one, he was particularly skilled in battle (from the perspective of the High Elves), and for another, he had a deep friendship with Teclis.
Teclis's status in Ulthuan was unshakable, and Telemar had no choice but to agree to the meeting. "King Ryan, it is... um, an honor to meet you. I think I can guess why you wish to speak with me, but I must warn you that you may be disappointed. The Asur have always adhered to a policy of 'glorious isolation' in the Old World. We will not interfere with the Empire's decisions."
"The Emperor promised to guarantee your autonomy, especially for your enclave of Ithiloren, right?" Ryan spoke fluent Eltharin, the High Elves' language, with a Lothern accent. Telemar's opinion of Ryan rose instantly—this "monkey" had at least made an effort to learn how to speak properly. "Yes, that's correct, so we have no reason to intervene."
"No, Ambassador Telemar, I think you misunderstand," Ryan said softly. "Precisely because of that promise, you must intervene."
"King Ryan, are you suggesting that the Emperor..." Telemar suddenly caught on. "You're right. His promise to Marienburg and his promise to us are not the same."
"Exactly. If you allow the situation to fall under the Emperor's control, it will be very different from what Marienburg has been—a free city and a merchant-governed port. Once the Emperor gains control, his Reiksguard and Witch Hunters will follow, and that's not in the interests of the High Elves or ours," Ryan said, closing his eyes. "And you know as well as I do that Altdorf's environment is nothing like Marienburg's. Something as simple as a curfew could cost you, and us, dearly."
"You may have a point." Telemar thought it over, finding Ryan's argument convincing. Moreover, Ryan's fluent Eltharin and his relationship with Teclis played a decisive role. "King Ryan, what do you propose the Asur do?"
"It's too late to oppose the Purge Committee," Ryan said, shaking his head. "But you can demand that your people be part of the committee. Insist on at least a third of the seats. How does that sound?"
"An excellent idea. Yes, we can't let these monkeys... I mean, the Empire, take control." The High Elf ambassador nodded. "Ithiloren is the last of our holdings in the Old World. We cannot allow anyone to infringe upon our sovereignty! Very well, King Ryan, you've convinced me. I'll immediately send letters to the Marienburg council and the Empire, demanding that the Asur have representation on the Purge Committee!"
The brief meeting ended quickly. Telemar, as a skilled diplomat and politician, lost no time in drafting his letters. With Teclis's impending arrival, Telemar saw this as an opportunity to showcase his abilities. Accompanied by two Lothern Sea Guard, the ambassador hurried off, leaving Ryan and Surya alone.
As the summer sun shone brightly over Marienburg, Ryan and Surya sat under a shaded pavilion, looking out over the city's bustling port. Ships came and went, and the sound of waves crashing against the docks filled the air. Ryan called for two cold drinks, savoring the salty sea breeze. He suddenly turned to his wife and asked, "Take a guess, Surya. Why do you think the Emperor came to Marienburg?"
Surya, dressed simply in a light blue sheer dress, her nails painted with glittering polish gifted by the Lady of the Lake, smiled softly. "I'd say it has to do with money, right?"
"Exactly." Ryan took her hand and gestured for her to lean on him. The knightly queen, comfortable in her husband's embrace, intertwined her fingers with his. "The most likely reason for the Emperor's visit is money."
"Is he here for you or for Marienburg?" Surya asked, feeling the cool sea breeze on her legs. Though she was a mother, her noble upbringing left her feeling shy without her usual stockings.
"Both," Ryan answered, gazing into the distance. "The Emperor's treasury has been struggling for some time. That's no secret."
"What will you do? Lend him some money?" Surya
teased with a playful smile. "As long as he pays interest, of course."
"A little loan is no problem. But I worry that the Emperor is using this situation as a pretext to take control of Marienburg." Ryan drank from his cold glass and gave a wry smile. "Just when I was preparing to set sail, this situation dropped on us. It caught me off guard."
"Didn't you say that comedy needs logic, but tragedy doesn't?" Surya laughed. "Now you're telling me you weren't prepared?"
"Haha, plans never keep up with change," Ryan admitted, his tone becoming serious again. "Teclis is about to arrive. We need to settle everything here in the Old World before we can safely head to Ulthuan."
"Understood." Surya leaned into Ryan's shoulder, feeling like she had the whole world at her side. "What's next? You've set the High Elves against the Emperor, but we can't just sit back, can we? It doesn't seem like we have an excuse to get involved in the Purge Committee."
"We don't. This is Imperial internal affairs. What does it have to do with Bretonnia?" Ryan nodded. "If we interfere in their internal politics, the Empire will have grounds to declare war on us. And Schultz's position must remain secret. He's spent decades fulfilling his father's wish for him to control Marienburg, and no matter what tasks his father has given him, he cannot lose his position as Grand Duke. That means he can't openly oppose the Emperor."
"This is tricky," Surya mused, her elegant golden eyebrows furrowing. "I think even with the High Elves helping, it's going to be tough to deal with this. We need to take action ourselves, and we need the Dwarves to step up, too."
"I'll teach Sorgrim what to do," Ryan said. "As for us..."
"Your Majesty!" Before Ryan could finish, General Belia appeared, dressed in full military uniform, accompanied by two attendants. He began to kneel, but Ryan waved him off. "Sit down, Belia. I have a task for you... But first, what's wrong? You don't look well."
"It's about my mentor," Belia said, laughing awkwardly. "You know, my mentor is General Felix of the Ashen Legion's Winged Hussars, the founder of the Cheka Secret Police. Today, he had a heated argument with Commissar Lev Tosen about the future direction of the Ashen Legion."
"What was the disagreement?" Ryan asked, intrigued.
"Tosen believes that all human nations should follow Lord Fugen's model, abolishing nobility and bureaucracy, and embracing continual self-reform. Ultimately, he wants every human kingdom to adopt the efficient military administration of the Ashen Legion," Belia explained. "But my mentor believes we should first consolidate the new system in one nation, perfecting it under Lord Fugen's leadership before considering expansion. It's a pointless argument."
"And what do you think?" Surya asked casually.
"My views align with my mentor. I believe King Ryan has already proven his wisdom in both war and governance," Belia said humbly. "Your Majesty's will should not be questioned, and Tosen's arguments fall apart on their own."
"Haha." Ryan smiled, shaking his head. "Alright, Belia. I have an assignment for you."
"Your orders, sire?" The general leaned forward.
"For the time being, you will be hired as the Grand Duke of Marienburg's personal security advisor," Ryan said quietly. "During our absence in Ulthuan, you and your men will act as Schultz's security advisors. First, help him deal with the Emperor's Purge Committee. Second, keep an eye on Marienburg's major merchant houses. I'll provide whatever you need. Can you handle it?"
"Of course!" Belia agreed enthusiastically, realizing that Ryan was entrusting him with a significant responsibility. The Ughur general's face lit up with confidence. "Leave it to me, Your Majesty!"
"In all of Marienburg, no one understands purges better than I do!"
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