Volume 1 Chapter 23: Invitation

Aristocratic Council.
The kingdom is home to numerous nobles.

There are different types of nobles. There are the ordinary nobles like Balor and his peers, each holding their own territories. And then there are the court nobles who, in exchange for not having a territory, reside permanently in the capital and decide the nation’s future.

These two are the major categories of nobles.
Ordinary nobles may act like kings within their own domains.

Of course, in times of national crisis they are obligated to raise troops and pay taxes.
On the other hand, since court nobles are not granted territories, they are not allowed to behave like kings.

However, the court nobles receive privileges that more than make up for that loss.
Namely, the right to participate in the Aristocratic Council.

The Aristocratic Council is, as the name implies, a council in which only court nobles are allowed to participate.
There, they make major decisions about the nation’s future and formulate fundamental policies.

In other words, the Aristocratic Council has the power to move the nation itself.
As a feudal lord, one might wield absolute authority over a specific region—

Or, one might exercise the power to determine the nation’s fate.
Either way, nobles hold enormous power.

The Aristocratic Council is, in principle, decided by a majority vote.
When a policy is proposed, members declare their approval or disapproval, and if the majority agrees, it is implemented.

Of course, as is common in such majority-rule settings, there is always behind-the-scenes maneuvering.
Sometimes policies are tailored to fit certain factions, but generally there are several major factions. Members join a faction and follow the decisions of its leader.

And the heads of these factions are the four great nobles who rule this kingdom.

“Lord Resk, your young one still seems completely unaware of what the Aristocratic Council is all about. If he were truly shouted at, it would send chills down my spine.”

“My apologies, Lord Yoldak. I haven’t been part of the Aristocratic Council for very long yet. Let me assure you—once he gets used to it, he’ll come to understand what the council is all about.”

In a private meeting room, the four great nobles are deep in discussion.
Even though they lead rival factions, it’s imperative that they appear congenial on the surface so that those beneath them remain unaware.

Despite their differing ideologies, no one has the energy to engage in outright murderous conflict.
If you spend enough time in the Aristocratic Council, you begin to sense these undercurrents, but the young noble known as Resk has yet to realize that.

Resk accepts Yoldak’s sarcasm without changing his expression.

“Properly educating those beneath you is the duty of a faction leader. I expect you to do it properly.”
“I am utterly ashamed.”

They never engage in outright murderous conflict.
However, the fact that their positions differ is undeniable.

Because they are by no means allies, they exchange barbed remarks that could churn one’s stomach.

“Hey—how long are you going to keep up this silly exchange of jabs? I’m not interested!”

Only one among the four great nobles present can step between them—the lone woman in the group.

The young Silthia is resting her cheek on her hand, looking utterly bored.

“I didn’t say anything—I was just hit first, that’s all.”
“Well now, you could always counter, but you’re just too mean.”
“Ugh—I really can’t stand this sort of thing…”

Silthia sticks out her tongue in genuine disgust.
While some, like Yoldak, delight in these aristocratic barbs, others like Silthia prefer a more cheerful manner.

Even among the four great nobles, there are differences.

“Lady Silthia, you are one of the four great nobles. The opposing faction advised that you should get accustomed to this sort of thing.”
“I don’t need that sort of advice.”
“…………”

Kelphine listens to Yoldak and Silthia’s conversation without interjecting a single word.
Yoldak, Resk, Silthia, and Kelphine are the four great nobles who currently control the Aristocratic Council.

Their gathering for this meeting is an unspoken confirmation of, “Let’s get along and not betray one another.”
Since failing to attend might be interpreted as renouncing that intent, the attendance rate is an astonishing 100%.

“Anyway, let’s talk about something interesting! Regarding the Apophis territory, you all have such an extensive network that you must already know everything about it, right?”

Silthia cheerfully introduces the topic.
Of course, as she said, that information had already reached the ears of all four great nobles.

“Ah, yes. I heard there was an uprising…”
“Moreover, it was a conflict among kin. Apparently, the younger brother rose up in pursuit of feudal lordship.”
“A conflict of flesh and blood—nothing out of the ordinary.”
“In the end, the current feudal lord prevailed. Had he been defeated, the central authority would not have remained silent.”
“Of course. We cannot acknowledge any decision by a feudal lord that has not passed through our hands.”

Appointing a feudal lord and granting him feudal lordship is one of the major privileges of the court nobles.
Nobles without territories outrank those who hold lands.

It is precisely the power of appointment that allows us to assert this so strongly.
Although feudal lordship is typically inherited by the lord’s offspring, the appointment is always made by the central authority—thus, the position of the Aristocratic Council remains unchallenged.

“Honestly, you didn’t bring up this topic just to discuss such dull matters, did you?”
“Then, what is your intention?”

Silthia contorts her face in displeasure.
She did not raise the subject merely to talk about the rights of the court nobles.

The purpose, of course…

“Let’s summon Balor Apophis, the feudal lord, to the central authority!”
“…Are you suggesting that he be made a court noble?”

Yoldak shows his disapproval at Silthia’s beaming proposal.
There should be as few court nobles as possible.

Just one more means having to keep an eye on which faction he might join.
It’s one thing if he joins your own faction, but troublesome if he goes to another.

The Aristocratic Council operates on a majority rule.
The greater the numbers, the more likely they are to win.

“That’s not it. He’s only here to listen. After all, didn’t he kill his kin in a bitter family feud? I’m sure we’ll hear some fascinating stories!”

Silthia dismisses Yoldak’s concerns with a radiant smile.
The fact that she’s eager to hear impressions about killing a younger brother shows just how unhinged she is.

“Besides, if someone turns out to be interesting enough, I might let them join my faction.”

Even nobles who cannot participate in the Aristocratic Council can be admitted into a faction.
After all, it is none other than the four great nobles who control the Aristocratic Council that rule this kingdom.

“Oh my, I hear that any noble who falls under Lady Silthia’s spell meets a most dismal end.”
“Are you looking for a fight? They’ll just collapse on their own.”

Silthia pouts adorably.
Her sulking is cute, but as Yoldak said, a ruined noble’s end is anything but endearing.

“Hey, Kelphine. How about you?”

Silthia smiles at Kelphine, who refuses to speak at all, her smile laced with a hint of sadism.

“After all, your precious daughter is in the Apophis territory.”
“…………”

Kelphine offers no response.
Thus, without Balor’s any involvement, matters were already set in motion.