Overwhelming Firepower

In the throne room of Norvaegard, King Ragnor sat on his throne, sitting right beside him were his queen and their children.

Standing at the side of the King was the Captain of the Royal Guard, a man at the peak of the fifth aura mantle, the one nicknamed the unwavering knight, Baldemar Gudric.

There were also the Tower Masters near the king, and the strongest mage of Norvaegard.

Standing in front of the King’s view were the nobles of Norvaegard. At the head were the four Dukes, followed by the Marquises, the Counts, the Viscounts, and finally the Barons.

Those looking at the nobles could pretty much understand their temperament based on the way they dressed.

A few were wearing armor, others were wearing formal dress, and some had casual clothes on.

The room was silent, and the nobles below the rank of Count felt incredible pressure at the moment, as if the very air pressed down upon their chests.

Before them were the very pillars of Norvaegard, and despite being nobles themselves were weak-willed compared to them.

Many of them did not know why such a meeting was called. Only a few of them from the older generation had experienced being called in such a manner, and that was when war was imminent, which was why they were wearing armor.

Of course, there were a few who already had a few guesses in mind as to what the King was going to say at this point.

Years had passed since the last time the crown had summoned everyone like this. Back then, it had been monsters at the borders and foreign threats beyond them. This time it was something different from before.

”I’m glad to see that there is no one missing. I thought we would have to change a few noble families with new blood.”

Those words he said were spoken in a light tone, but those who had the thought of not attending this meeting were already sweating.

”Well, I know many of you are quite busy, so I’ll get straight to the point.”

A few people tensed up and gulped. They waited for the King to say the next words. Seeing their reactions amused the king.

Based on those reactions, he could already see who among the nobles remained warriors, and those who had indulged themselves in their own power.

Of course, the four dukes remained upright, and it was obvious they were true warriors, lions of Norvaegard. There were also the older nobles who continued to uphold Norvaegard’s traditions and honor; they were like wolves.

There were those who were proud of their stations, and at least they were snakes that could bite at any time and would surely kill you if they had a chance. Though fewer, they too were warriors.

The ones the King did not like were those who seemed to tremble at his gaze. They were neither a ferocious lion, loyal and wise wolves, nor a cunning snake. They were cowards who did not even have the basic pride of a warrior.

The king’s gaze lingered longest on those trembling figures. They avoided his eyes, shoulders slightly hunched, hands clenched behind their backs as if titles alone could shield them.

To Ragnor, they looked like livestock pretending to be predators, soft creatures hiding behind titles forged by their honorable ancestors.

If their ancestors saw the current state of Norvaegard, would they be disappointed that many have lost the essence of a warrior?

’I guess the coming chaos will help Norvaegard once again remember its identity as warriors kingdom.’ With that thought in his mind, the king continued speaking.

”I command you all to allow Lucen Thornehart to build the so-called rail tracks in your lands, and I want you to assist him in this project in any way possible.”

The second the king gave the command, not only the nobles, but even the first prince reacted greatly.

The throne room stirred. Not loudly, no one was foolish enough for that. Subtle movements rippled through the ranks.

Whispers died before they were fully formed. Eyes widened, then narrowed, then darted sideways toward allies and rivals alike.

The command the king gave was basically allowing Lucen Thornehart, the heir of a Duke to do whatever he wanted in their lands.

The first prince took an involuntary stood up from his chair and took a step forward before catching himself. His brows knit together, eyes fixed on his father.

He wanted to say something, but looking at the face of his father, he understood that this decision was not something he could dissuade his father from.

If he spoke now, it would only lower his current position and expose his inability to influence his father’s will. He would also be made a fool in front of his siblings.

The first prince gnashed his teeth and reluctantly sat back down in his chair. He then looked at his siblings, especially at the second prince, to see his reaction. Yet as usual, there was no emotion to be found in that face of his.

”With Your Majesty’s leave, I will speak.” Marquis Nathan Valeire suddenly spoke. He then glanced at the king, who smiled and nodded his head giving him permission to speak.

”Your Majesty, I may not know what these so-called rail tracks are and what they are used for, but I’m sure you have your reasons to wish to build them all over Norvaegard. Still, your Majesty, is it truly wise to give so much power and responsibility to the young Thornehart?”

The nobles who were allied with the Marquis nodded their heads in agreement, and even a few neutral nobles agreed as well.

”The ducal households, especially the Thorneharts, have already amassed a lot of military power. If we allow them to place these so-called rail tracks in our land, it also gives them an opportunity to do whatever they wish within our lands. This is giving them even more power than they have now. Some unfortunate things might happen if they have too much power in their hands.”

Nathan kept on emphasizing the power the Thorneharts hold. He was also implying something at the end of his sentence.

He then glanced at Vardon Thornehart and saw that the other party had no reaction to his statement.

This just made Nathan feel a little irritated, seeing the Duke act as if whatever he was saying was of little concern. It was like Vardon was looking down on him. Still, on the outside, his expression remained neutral.

King Ragnor did not respond immediately. Instead, he leaned back slightly on his throne, one finger tapping slowly against the armrest.

The sound echoed far louder in the nobles’ minds than it should have. His gaze moved from Marquis Nathan Valeire, and he smiled.

”I understand your concerns, Marquis Valeire. But you seem to misunderstand something.”

The second, the King said Nathan was misunderstanding something, the other party almost frowned, but kept his neutral look.

”May I know what I misunderstood, your Majesty?”

”I’m not giving the Thorneharts more power. I’m giving my people a better future.” The King glanced at the other nobles, then once again focused on Nathan before continuing.

”I guess, just giving you such a command was too much, even though I am your king and the land you own is basically given by me. I guess I do need to explain myself.”

By the King’s tone, it was obvious to everyone that he was being sarcastic. ”I apologize your Majesty.” Nathan bowed his head ever so slightly.

”No need to apologize, Marquis Valeire. I guess I need to explain a little what the rail tracks are for.”

The King then told everyone about the train, which was like a horseless carriage that was faster and could carry a lot more people by the hundreds. The rail tracks were the path through which the train could pass.

Knowing what the rail tracks were for, as well as hearing about the train, started to change a few nobles’ minds.

They understood that this invention of Lucen’s was something truly incredible. Of course, there were also some who did not care what advantages the train brought, since it would also give more advantages to the Thorneharts.

’That young Thornehart truly is a threat to my future plans. There’s no more time to waste.’ Nathan gathered his resolve and no longer hesitated as he spoke again.

”I now understand Your Majesty’s compassionate heart. But I still believe that this train would give the Thorneharts too much power. Still, I understand no words will be able to dissuade Your Majesty, which is why I, Marquis Nathan Valeire, declare Styrhord against Duke Vardon Thornehart.”

The entire hall began to stir wildly at the declaration Marquis Nathan Valeire made. Styrhord was a form of territorial war, but it was a bigger deal.

It was one where a household not only bet their territory, but their honor, their legacy, and the survival of their bloodline.

The ones who win in the Styrhord take everything the other has, and those who lose truly lose everything.

This can only be declared by a noble of a lower standing against one with a higher rank.

When this is declared, it cannot be denied, even the King had no authority to change it unless the kingdom was in peril, which at the moment it was not.

”I will only ask this once, Marquis Valeire. Are you sure you want to declare Styrhord against Duke Vardon Thornehart?”

Nathan nodded his head resolutely. ”I do.”

”Very well,” the king replied. ”Then I will honor our laws.”

King Ragnor turned his gaze to Vardon Thornehart for the first time since the declaration.

”Duke Vardon Thornehart,” he said, his voice firm, unyielding. ”You have heard the challenge. By our traditions and our law, you cannot deny the challenge. But you are given the chance to pick the time for the war.”

The Iron Duke, despite the situation, remained ever stoic. He looked at King Ranor and bowed his head before answering.

”Your Majesty, I shall forfeit that right and allow the challenger to pick the time for the start of the war.”

Hearing Vardon’s declaration shocked a few. It showed how much confidence Vardon had in winning this thing.

”Heh, as expected of my best friend and rival,” Kaelvar spoke with vicious looking grin on his face.

On the other hand, Nathan felt greatly insulted. He truly did not like Vardon looking down on him like this.

’Hmph, I will make sure you’ll regret this decision.’

”Then the time shall be in three months. At that time, either the Thornehart name disappears, or the Valeire name disappears. I hope we both face this challenge with honor and dignity as befits our bloodline.”