District 42-Chapter 355: Before the masks part 1

"So... I made this attempt to meet you all because I wanted to talk about something serious, naturally. As per usual, all the most important Jarls of the kingdom are here today, also as the Royal Family, which makes me incredibly glad. I am flattered for the presence of you all, particularly Your Highness, King Baldur."

Baldur was combing slightly his long red hair while hearing that introduction made by one of the Jarls. That man in specific was the most important Jarl, the ancient of the Council. He was a good servant, but Baldur didn’t like him for some reason.

Maybe it was the atmosphere around that guy. He was way too polite and serious. Also, his eyes gave the feeling that he was smarter than you.

For a proud king, that wasn’t the best combination. However, he needed to get along with that guy in order to keep the Council of Jarls at ease. He struggled so much to unite the General Court, the Council, and the Royal Family, that now he couldn’t mess everything because of trivial reasons.

"I am also glad to be taking part in this reunion, Sir Sten. Your constant effort and initiative to maintain the kingdom going to the right path is something really admirable."

Baldur nearly rolled his eyes when affirming it. He didn’t like to praise others just because. The man really deserved some appreciation for his job, but the king knew that all those meetings were made just because of his selfish purposes. He wasn’t exactly looking for the well-being of the folk.

’Well, all men are like this. I am as well. I can’t blame him. But those eyes...’

Sten cleaned his throat before starting to say something else, finally ending that blabbering and talking about what really mattered.

"I am here today to talk about a decision that our folk should have had taken a long time ago, which is regarding our participation in this great war that is occurring right now. As you all may know, I am in favor of our kingdom joining this war and starting to strengthen its bonds with other people. I know that it is dangerous, but if we choose the winner side, we can have numerous benefits at the end of this war.

"I always say the same thing every time, and I would like to say it again: A great kingdom is made out of wars. There were many battles that the other Kings of the past needed to go through in order to conquer these fertile lands and raise this kingdom. Other confronts happened after this, which increased our respect among the other strong rulers in this continent, leaving our folk free from any invasions."

Sten was getting spirited and wanted to get the other Jarls in the same mood. He raised from his chair, clenching his fists and gesturing with his eyes shining.

"Our Era is different from those times. We no longer need to fight for territory by necessity. We don’t have to protect ourselves from any barbarians trying to invade our kingdom. We don’t need to, forcefully, resort to violence anymore. However, although we are in the golden era of our folk, we must keep struggling to get stronger. And the only way to do it is through battles! We need to fight for what we want to have and for what we deserve! This great war is a big opportunity."

After his speech, Sten sat down again, taking a deep breath.

The other several Jarls sitting on that marble table of the Council hall talked between them, trying to analyze the pros and cons of that war.

Some of them got excited upon hearing Sten’s speech. Mostly the ones that converged with his ideals and wanted a future even brighter for that kingdom.

Others were more cautious. They weren’t exactly against the idea, but the sight of going against the Royal Family’s will or deciding to do something that could kill their folk and end the kingdom made them back away.

However, the table fell in silence and they faltered when the imponent voice of Baldur echoed on the hall.

"Utterly denied, Sir Sten. As always." He crossed his arms.

The Jarls who were willing to proceed with that idea turned to the king with exasperated expressions and were going to say something. Nevertheless, they needed to stop when seeing his serious face. 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Baldur was clearly angered now.

"Sten, what did I say to you the last time when you proposed the very same thing about this war?" He wasn’t doing any effort to talk, but his voice came out as loud as someone who was shouting.

"Y-you said to trust in you, Milord."

The man nodded. His serious face turned into a frown. Baldur was doing a scary expression now.

He wasn’t a specially strong king. His body constitution wasn’t that of a warrior at all. He was more slim than muscular. However, the aura that he exhaled was that of a liege.

"By saying all these things, are you implying that I am not trustworthy? My Word isn’t valuable enough for you? Doesn’t my voice have enough sovereignty?"

Sten hurriedly stood up from his chair again, nearly making it fall to the floor.

He went to the side of the big marble table, showing his entire body to the king and bowing as much as his old body allowed him to do.

"I am so sorry, Your Majesty! I wasn’t intending to express these thoughts to you. In truth, I pulled this subject again in our reunion because I do think that--"

"Enough of your excuses. I don’t want to hear any word coming from you anymore." The King spoke, leaving his seat. The other Jarls followed him since it was etiquette to stand up when the king did so.

"I will say it to you just one more time, Sten, so hear me well and believe in my words: Our kingdom will be the one winning this war, but we won’t raise one finger for it to happen. If my plan goes well, that will be the first time in history when Kingdom Indigo will see victory without swords or arrows."

After saying this, the King left the hall with large steps, disappearing from the view of everyone.