บท 23: Chapter 23: One Good Deed
"My Lords and Ladies, long have I convened with my advisors and trusted allies regarding the matter of the Redgrave Dukedom's invasion of a fellow sworn liegeman's domain. The evidence they have presented beforehand, as well as a testimony from a captured conspirator, gives good credence to their intent and action– the immediate cessation of the Olfrey Household's treasonous plan to build a pirate force through which they would raid and plunder the territories of their neighbors as well as innocents simply trying to make a living. And so it is that the evidence presented, as well as counsel from my advisors and allies, have brought me to a decision."
King Roland Rafa Holfort holds his sword before him, commissioned for events and circumstances such as this. He revels in the attention levied to him by all in attendance, nobles from all over the Kingdom. All present watch him with bated breath, and he lets the silence hang, building suspense until just the right moment…
Now.
"For the unjustly assaulting fellow countryman of Holfort, colluding with criminal elements of known repute, the breaking of oaths sworn to the crown, and treason," the crowd gasps, and Roland savors the shock and drama. "I hereby strip Earl Nicholas Fou Olfrey of his lands and titles. Fines will be levied against his household for various other secondary offenses, but as they have proven themselves unfit of any trust, I shall sentence his family to exile and the Earl himself… to death."
He plants the tip of his sword into the floor for finality. Shocked whispers and wide-eyed looks spread through the onlookers, reminded once more that their King had the authority to do this. The nobles in attendance watch on with grim countenances, recognizing the severity of this sanction. Roland soaks it all up, relishing his spot in the center of all the attention.
It is rare that he gets to do this, to grandstand and taste the thrill of an awe-struck crowd with no effort at all. It is truly unfortunate that his dear wife will have her hands full managing the fallout from this event, but everyone has their place in life. Where Mylene's was behind a desk running a Kingdom, Roland's was before a crowd and soaking up their adulation. It is only right, after all; he is a king and kings are meant to be celebrated.
Oh, but the show is not yet over.
"But this day shall not only be one of dreary dread and bitter failure." Roland continues. "Duke Vincent Rafa Redgrave, and Captain Lana Nielsen; I would ask that both of you step forward."
Both comply, walking before Roland and dropping to one knee. He inspects both– the Duke wearing his regalia and the captain in some kind of red uniform, possibly from her homeland. It is an odd make, and baggy enough to hide the curves he's only heard rumors of; a shame really.
Regardless, the show must go on.
"Duke Redgrave, your show of initiative and the forethought you put in dispatching Captain Nielsen to deliver proof further lends credence to the worthiness of your rank. And through your own efforts, you have eliminated a threat to the Kingdom before it could fester into something worse." Roland pauses. "Yet it distresses me that your actions, however justified, were nonetheless done without prior approval from the crown."
"It was a necessary risk, Your Majesty. The Olfreys are well-connected to the court, and allowing them even a moment to prepare would have lengthened the battle and resulted in unacceptable casualties." the Duke explains. "Who knows what strings they could have pulled to delay and impede a royal call to muster?"
"You speak truly. Yet the excessive initiative shown cannot be rewarded. Instead, I shall task you with the redistribution of the now lordless territory among those whom you deem fit to rule and command– with your own house excluded." Roland commands.
"I accede to your judgement, Your Majesty." the Duke inclines his head.
"I am pleased to hear that." he turns to red-clad woman beside the Duke. "As for you, Captain Nielsen."
"Your Majesty." the woman nods her head.
"You are credited for the defeat of a large pirate fleet, the capture of the survivors, and the rapid delivery of the evidence that exposes the Olfreys' treachery to the crown." Roland starts. "Though you were aided through the use of a Lost Item, such a feat speaks volumes of your capacity as the captain of your vessel."
"You honor me with your praise, Your Majesty." the woman inclines her head.
"As such, your deeds are deserving of rewards," he declares. "First, a Royal Warrant– so that all who do business with you understands that the Holfort Royal Family find your services are worthy of use. Second, a monetary reward for the destruction of the Sky Shark sky pirates; who have long terrorized the borders of the kingdom only to find new employment under the Olfreys. And lastly," the sword spins in his grasp so the point aims upwards. "For valor earned against dread odds and assistance rendered to a land not your own– I would award you with knighthood."
Whispers erupt among the onlookers and wide-eyed looks shot at Roland. The familiar thrill goes down his spine, and he strangles the familiar urge to cackle. It would do him no good here to have his image tarnished by a burst of excitement.
"...I-I beg your pardon, Your Majesty, but…" the woman pauses. "K-Knighthood?"
"You eliminated a threat to the Kingdom for seemingly no additional personal gain. You put your life and those of your crew at risk for strangers in a land not your own. You pushed your vessel hard to assist in a matter that did not concern you." Roland lists. "Justice. Courage. Honor– all knightly values. Does that not make you worthy?"
"It… It does, Your Majesty." the woman stammers. "But I-I am not even of Holfortan stock. Is this– w-won't the nobles contest this?"
"A valid concern." Roland allows. "Then allow me to ask my people–" he turns to the crowd and spreads his arms wide. "Is Lady Nielsen worthy of knighthood?"
The hall erupts into cheers and applause, even Duke Redgrave himself voicing his approval. The blonde woman blinks at the sudden surge of sound and turns to Roland with wide eyes, awe and respect glimmering in those blue irises. Clear as the sky, sharper than any blade.
Goodness, what he would do to her if he were a lesser man.
"You have your answer." Roland nods. "So I ask, Lana Nielsen; will you accept this title?"
"...I-I do, Your Majesty." the woman says, inclining her head low.
Roland brings his sword around and taps her shoulders.
"Then rise, Dame Nielsen– Knight of Holfort." Roland proclaims, and the crowd roars.
Saint above, he loves being King.
=X=X=X=X=X=
"...I'm not calling you 'Dame."
//"Come on, I earned that title! The least you could do is acknowledge it!"//
"You 'earned' that title by blowing up a score of flying wooden ships with plate armor using missiles and turret fire rated to pierce through starship hulls. You didn't earn shit."
//"Bah, spoilsport."//
Leon snorts as he looks back to the column of surrendering Carkussan soldiers, who march with hands held up behind their heads. Behind them, the rebel fortress smolders in the aftermath of defeat– overcome by the final assault that he'd led the 422nd on with support from the 1036th and 681st regiments. Needless to say, it was an astounding success with minimal casualties. He even got some fun out of it too, dueling the Carkussan commander head on as he did.
This is the third fortress this month. He'll be sure to give the men some downtime after this; Saint knows he needs some too.
"You've had over a month to rub it into everybody's faces– get over it." Leon snorts. "Besides, it's just a knighthood. Now, earning a Viscountcy from that– then I'll be impressed."
//"Hmph. And here I thought you would be more supportive of your ally's success. I see you're just as callous now as you were before."//
"Big talk coming from the A.I that wants to turn into a shadow dictator."
//"Like you are any different!"//
"Lieutenant," a voice reaches Leon and he turns to the speaker– one of the 422nd Armor pilots he's trained. "Recovery crew have arrived. We can begin searching through the ruins for anything salvageable, as well as any actionable intelligence. The prisoner transports are being loaded as we speak."
"Good work." Leon nods. "Anything from the scouts?"
"Nothing sir– looks like the rumor of a massing rebel army was just a rumor." the pilot shakes their mech's head.
"Pity. I could use a workout." Leon grunts. "Anything else?"
"No sir. That concludes my report." the mech salutes. "Glory to Holfort."
"Victory ever onwards." is the automatic response. "Carry on, sargeant."
//"You've trained them well, Leon. I'm impressed."// Hustler One comments. //"And to think– 5 months ago, they were rookies."//
"Amazing what proper training and good encouragement can do, huh?" Leon responds, sarcastic. "Have you finished the paperwork for your Knighthood?"
//"Just did. I am now an officially acknowledged knight of Holfort."// the A.I announces, voice positively bubbly. //"You know, I received an invitation by Duke Redgrave– he's likely offering me a place in his personal forces."//
"Did you turn him down?"
//"I told him that I'd like to see more of Holfort before making a decision. He agreed easily enough."//
"You've got the fastest ship in the Kingdom– I doubt he's gonna be the only one to make you that offer."
//"True. But having the patronage of a proper noble would go a long way towards getting the factories set up…"// the A.I muses. //"You still have a few more months to spend in Carkus, right?"//
"3– maybe 4 more months at least." Leon affirms. "Why?"
//"Well, I heard there's a war hero coming back soon and he may be in need of a good knight…"//
"Do remember that I still have that walrus holding my metaphorical leash." Leon reminds the A.I. "If you pledge yourself to House Marshwell, she'll take 80 to 90% of your monthly earnings to send as she likes at the capital. You're better off joining the Redgraves for patronage."
//"Ah, right, I forgot about your 'arranged marriage'."// the A.I muses. //"How is Gilbert's investigation coming along?"//
"He hasn't told me anything yet, but he's on the hunt. My guess is the Forest of Ladies decided to halt current operations to let the heat die down before going at it again." Leon hums, watching a captured Carkussan mock the infantry and daring them to do something about it. One of them does, and a brawl breaks out. "It does put us in a position to help Gilbert out."
//"Let me guess, the spy bugs you left in Lady Marshwell's manor?"// Hustler One chuckles. //"Way ahead of you Leon– I have the info compiled and ready to be delivered. But I need a good cover for how I came across it in the first place. Just handing it over to him would prompt questions neither of us can answer."//
Leon's mech shifts and shoots at the sky. The sudden noise stops the brawl as everyone stares at him.
"I didn't remember giving anyone permission to start anything." he says archly. "Everybody that joined the brawl, stand to one side. Now. Officers, discipline your troops. Prisoners, drop and give me 100." he hears groaning and shouting. "It's either that, or I make you literally kiss and make up. Your choice."
"Hah. Not in a talking mood, sir?" one of the other pilots asks.
"Not when it comes to idiots like that." Leon sighs, not bothering to hide his frustration. He turns back to the prisoners and troops. "Move it, maggots! Don't make me get out of my Armor!"
The soldiers and prisoners are quick to comply, though they do grumble the whole way. It's nothing to get mad over, but Leon does shift his AC a little bit and that has everyone scrambling– much to the amusement of the other pilots.
"Maybe you can't hand it over directly." Leon says to the A.I. "But you're in contact with him and the Redgraves, yes? You can leave it on his desk when he's out with a hint about it being related to the Forest of Ladies, and let him figure out the rest."
//"I will need to distract him so a drone or gynoid can deliver it."// Hustler One muses. //"But it should be doable. I'll keep you updated."//
"You do that. Meanwhile, I've got an entire region to pacify." Leon grunts. Then pauses. "...when's the next time you're coming here?"
//"Why? Miss me already?"// the A.I teases. //"It's only been a month, Leon~"//
"If I wanted a bed warmer, I'd go to a brothel." Leon rolls his eyes. "I meant when you'll be here to oversee updates to my AC."
//"Ah, right. Well, give it another month or two and we'll see. It's not like you will be going anywhere anyway."//
"I doubt I'll be moved elsewhere for nothing short of another war." Leon grunts.
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