Ancient Imperial Calendar Year 1803
After his victory in Kerbel Forest, he was meeting with his commanders, advisors, and vassals in the Orsman Council. The subjects of the meeting were war spoils, domestic and foreign policy, and the status of the succession.
The meeting began with the speech of the council member, Commander Arrogan Kislavein.
"My Lord, the Tyrant's body parts are more than double all the spoils we acquired during the campaign. These spoils have greatly increased the number of spells, curses, and poisons we will use in the wars. The Tyrant's body fluids and blood have increased the quality of equipment needed for alchemy and potion-making and more than met the demand."
When Arrogan finished speaking, the floor passed to the advisor Barthow.
"My Lord, the recent expenses of your wives and concubines have caused gaps in the treasury, even if they are not serious..."
Before Barthow could finish his sentence, his breath began to shorten and his neck began to tighten.
Orsman had considered Barthow's words an insult to his family and began to strangle Barthow with his magic power.
"Dog, who dares to speak ill of my wives and concubines?"
Without giving Barthow a chance to defend himself, Orsman squeezed Barthow's neck with his magic power until it broke, shattering all the bones in his neck. After Barthow vomited blood and died in agony, Orsman gave orders to his men.
"Soldiers, throw this garbage out. Servants, clean up the blood."
The soldiers waiting outside the door and a few servants entered. While the soldiers removed the lifeless body, the servants cleaned up the blood that had spread around.
After the soldiers and servants left the room, the meeting continued where it left off. No one acted as if anything had happened, because such situations were common in meetings.
The Kislaveins would never forgive any words spoken against them. This would not change no matter who it was. Rodwel Karluk, one of the vassals, stood up and spoke. He was the head of intelligence inside and outside the palace.
He was about to talk about an event that had been drawing his attention lately. Orsman conveyed his words to Rodwel's mind with his magic power.
"If this is about my youngest son Ricardo, keep your mouth shut. Let's talk about this after the meeting is over."
After the lord's words, Rodwel decided to change the subject and recounted a different incident.
"Last night, Young Lord Ricardo was attacked by about 30 assassins. Although this is considered normal and legal in our Dynasty, no wife or concubine in the harem would go to such lengths to kill a potential heir. This made me suspicious. My research shows that this incident bears similarities to the assassination of the young lady a few years ago. It seems that some of the Trade Barons of the Kislavein lineage wanted to avenge the murderer Eduard, who was caught by Lady Seliarnevre."
Orsman looked at his commanders angrily. The aura he emitted was taking everyone's breath away; no one dared to look at Orsman.
"These barons are starting to overstep their limits. Commanders, I order you to capture them all and execute them all in a manner that will not be reminiscent of the death of the bastard Eduard."
If this assassination had been carried out by Wives or Concubines, they would have been ignored due to the laws, but it was imperative that the Trade Barons who had rebelled against the authority of the Dynasty be punished.
Commander Arrogan, along with the other commanders, took action to punish the barons. They set out with a battalion of mid-tier warriors. Orsman moved on to other topics. One of the vassals, Verolyk Herlveyn, began to speak.
"My Lord, recently your distant relatives, the Ashbrum Dynasty, have been trying to increase their influence over the Great Dynasties in the east, openly challenging our Dynasty's authority."
Orsman frowned; his facial features began to wrinkle. The questioning of his Dynasty was the word he hated the most.
"The Ashbrums... 300 years ago, when we could have destroyed them, we not only showed mercy to their wretched state, we gave them back the lands we had conquered with blood. Instead of showing gratitude, they dare to show us their teeth."
The vassal Geovric Kislaveyn took the floor.
"My Lord, the Ashbrums have not dared to speak to us for 300 years. The reason they dare is because the current Dynasty Lord of the 121st House, XXI Carl, wants to return the family to its former glory."
Orsman became even more enraged. He made no secret of his desire to start a war to slaughter everyone there and destroy the Ashbrums, but he calmed himself down. The Kislaveyn Dynasty had not gained its dominance over the Western Lands just by fighting.
"I don't care what the brat wants, but I will show that no one, not even the 1800-year-old Ashbrum Dynasty, can stand up to the Kislaveins."
Geovric, although afraid, showed courage and asked for a word.
"My Lord, with your forgiveness, let us first send an embassy. If you allow, I would like to head the delegation myself."
The veins in Orsman's head were starting to swell with anger. If this conversation went on a little longer, a few more people could lose their heads. He decided not to prolong the conversation.
"Alright, but if you fail, you will be our blood sacrifice before the war, Geovric."
Geovric regretted what he had said a thousand times, but what good would last-minute regret be?
"Yes, my Lord. You can be sure that I will not disappoint you."
Orsman signaled everyone to leave; the meeting was over. Only one person remained: Rodwel Karluk, the head of intelligence inside and outside the palace.
After everyone had left, Orsman began to speak.
"Tell me, Rodwel. I can more or less guess, but you were still planning to talk about Ricardo's potential at the meeting, knowing the consequences."
Rodwel knew that it was pointless to hesitate. Knowing that Orsman had no respect for cowards, Rodwel straightened his back and began to speak confidently.
"My Lord, Ricardo's potential is great and unimaginable. There is no guarantee that he will not overthrow you when he reaches his full potential in the future."
Orsman grinned slightly and frowned. Rodwel's words reminded him of his own past.
"So you are saying that Ricardo will kill me and take the throne, just like I killed my father, the former Dynasty Lord V Ryas?"
Rodwel could no longer suppress the fear of death inside him; he swallowed. He was slowly losing his courage; he could lose his head at the end of this. He bowed his head and answered Orsman's question.
"Yes, my Lord. Not only you, but also in our history, when heirs surpass their fathers, it is common for them to come to power by coup, and it is possible that Ricardo will surpass you."
Orsman stood up, touched Rodwel's shoulder, and said the final words to end their conversation in a calm tone.
"In our house, the strong eliminate the weak, Rodwel. We have been doing this for a thousand years and we will continue to do so. Each new generation surpasses the previous one. This is proof that the quality of the Dynasty continues to develop without deterioration. If Ricardo surpasses me and decides to take the throne, I will accept my place on the pages of history as a shadow of the past."
Rodwel remained silent. He did not speak, did not raise his head, and accepted his fate. In the time that had passed since Orsman's coup, he realized once again that this house swallowed the weak and glorified the one who held the power. This situation had been like this from the past to the present, and it would continue like this until the distant future.