Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

Eldora City, Cobblestone.

This was a well-known commoner district in Eldora, for it was home to the illustrious Baker family, renowned for producing ’three dukes in four generations,’ with disciples and former subordinates spread across the empire.

On any given day, the Baker residence bustled with visitors, high-ranking officials, scholars, and even military generals.

The reason was simple: the Baker family’s prestige was unparalleled. Unlike other powerful clans that dominated regions, the Baker family had maintained an unbroken presence in the imperial court through multiple dynasties, their cultural heritage far surpassing ordinary noble houses.

As a result, the noble families of the Eldorian Empire considered it an honour to marry a Baker daughter. Such a union elevated their status, allowing their descendants to hold their heads higher in official circles.

In a realm where aristocratic influence ran deep, bloodlines mattered immensely. Those from humble backgrounds who rose to become officials or generals often harboured deep insecurities among the nobility. But a marriage alliance with the Baker family could transform a ’country bumpkin’ into a ’phoenix.’

Today was a rare day of rest for Hughes, the current head of the Baker family.

The Eldorian Empire mandated that officials could take one day off per month, known as leave of absence. On such days, officials could travel, visit friends, or simply relax.

But for Hughes, these ’rest days’ were busier than court sessions. By mid-morning, a steady stream of officials arrived with gifts, eager to chat about the latest happenings in the capital.

”Chief Secretary Hughes, have you heard of the newspaper causing a stir in Eldora these past two days?” The visitor was none other than General Lancet.

Hughes feigned surprise. ”Newspaper? What is that? I haven’t heard of it.”

Unlike others, Lancet and Hughes shared a genuine friendship. Their conversations revolved around court affairs, free from ulterior motives.

Thus, whenever Hughes wished to avoid other guests, he would simply say. ”General Lancet is here.”

Lancet’s fiery temper was legendary in Eldora. Officials who learned of his presence would tactfully withdraw.

”This newspaper was created by the Prince of Brambleford. Initially, it circulated only in Brambleford, but now it’s reached Eldora. Do you know why?”

”The Prince of Brambleford?”

Hughes’s expression shifted subtly. Some days ago, Emperor Alaric had summoned him privately. Instead of discussing state affairs, the emperor inquired about his youngest daughter, Elin.

A veteran of decades in politics, Hughes immediately grasped the emperor’s intent, a marriage proposal for one of his sons.

Among the princes, the crown prince had already married Hughes’s eldest daughter, while the others had taken consorts. The emperor would never allow a Baker daughter to become a concubine.

That left only the Prince of Brambleford, who remained unmarried.

At the time, Hughes had sidestepped the issue, and the emperor hadn’t pressed further.

But now, mention of the Prince of Brambleford put him on guard.

Elin was his youngest and most beloved child. Frail since childhood yet extraordinarily gifted, she excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting and had inherited her mother’s peerless beauty.

Every time he saw her, Hughes was reminded of his late wife, deepening his affection for the girl.

Naturally, he had never considered sending her far away to marry.

Unaware of Hughes’s thoughts, Lancet continued. ”Indeed. Some days ago, I sent my son Liam to Brambleford to assist Prince Simon. Who’d have thought the brat would cause trouble the moment he arrived?”

He produced a newspaper from his sleeve, grumbling. ”These profiteering merchants deserve death, charging ten caps of silver for a single copy!”

Hughes’s eyes lit up as he took the paper, immediately engrossed.

”I’d heard the Prince of Brambleford was unconventional, and this newspaper proves it. These policies are anything but ordinary.”

Lancet said. ”Perhaps it’s Baldwin’s doing. The man was stifled in Eldora but had some talent.”

”I know Baldwin. He’s knowledgeable but rigid. He’d never propose such unorthodox policies to the prince.”

Reading further, Hughes chuckled at an anecdote about Liam and the local garrison commander, Lancelot.

”General Lancet, as I predicted, Liam might not last in Brambleford. With most noble families gone, the prince relies on men of humble origins. They won’t tolerate Liam’s flaws.”

Lancet scowled. ”That wretched boy! I explicitly told him to be patient. This was for the greater good! Now the Prince will laugh at our family!”

He pointed at the paper. ”But keep reading. The Prince of Brambleford is impressive; a single poem changed my fool son’s mind.”

Hughes’s smile faded as he read:

”A thousand-mile march, none return again.

If only the general were still here,

No reaver horse would cross the Mountains.”

”Magnificent!”

Hughes clapped in admiration, visibly moved.

Lancet grinned. ”When I read this, my blood boiled. I longed to charge into battle and slaughter those reavers! For years, our people have suffered under foreign oppression. When will we regain the might of the empire, driving the reavers beyond the frontier?”

During the court debate, Hughes had neither supported nor opposed the decision.

The Baker family’s longevity stemmed from their ability to navigate court intrigues and their strict avoidance of factionalism.

This was why successive emperors had trusted them implicitly.

From the start, Hughes knew further arguments were futile. The imperial clan was weakening, relying on vassal kings to guard the northern borders. The reavers’ threat loomed large, and fear was pervasive.

Like Lancet, he wished the Eldorian Empire could unite against the reavers. But he understood the grim reality: it was no longer possible.

”Who’d have thought the once-notorious Prince Simon possessed such literary talent? Remarkable. Let’s hope he can halt the reavers’ advance. Otherwise, the Eldorian Empire’s decline is inevitable.”

Lancet frowned. ”Why such pessimism? Even if the Prince fails, there’s still the imperial guard and me!” All he had said was just speculations that held little or no water.

Hughes shook his head. ”You oversimplify matters. If the reavers break through, the imperial clan will be left with only Prince Augustus. The balance between the imperial and vassal kings will shatter, and that will herald the empire’s turmoil.”