Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 76: Overconfidence and Pride

Chapter 76: Overconfidence and Pride

Arabella and her companions also learned one of the reasons why pieces of information about what was happening in Prudencia did not go out.

At the start of his guidance, Gulliver acted all nice and responsible. He directed the oldest heir of Prudencia to hire capable young men and women in the palace.

Thus, the sons and daughters of a lot of the nobles in Prudencia were all gathered to work for the palace.

The nobles have doubts about Gulliver since he was also a knight who participated in the war. However, everything worked smoothly at first so the nobles trusted Gulliver.

But then, one day, taxes were raised. Soon "tribute" began to be collected as well. The nobles complained but Gulliver threatened them.

One of the most powerful nobles in Prudencia continued to raise concerns, and one day, his oldest son was found dead.

It was a warning from Gulliver.

The nobles quickly asked their children to resign from their posts in the palace but it was too late.

Their children were forbidden to go home to their families nor go out of the palace which was heavily guarded by Gulliver’s men.

Gulliver had them work in the palace to hold them as captives so whatever he does, the nobles would do as he says, or else, their heirs would be killed. They were hostages.

Even Count Rowell’s two sons were working in the palace. Two of his younger sons who were supposed to be staying in his county were re-assigned to the northern borders where it was most dangerous.

And after the time he tried to write a letter outside, Count Rowell realized that all his children were in danger of getting killed if he doesn’t do as the Marquess wished.

If something happened to him and his children, there would be no heir for the county left. And fiefs that had no heir would be managed by the palace until a new heir was born among his closest relatives.

But if Count Rowell and his children were convicted of crimes, all their properties would be taken and redistributed.

Which meant, it would fall to Gulliver’s hands. These were also among the worries of other nobles.

They cannot give up on their households and just let Gulliver get Prudencia in one fell swoop.

Moreover, the war with Valeria three years ago led to huge losses for Prudencia. They lost a great number of their most capable knights. Which meant their military has greatly weakened.

Thus, they feared Gulliver since he was an honored knight in Valeria. The Empire would side with him compared to Prudencia which was just a conquered territory that had provoked the ire of the Emperor.

Arabella learned through Count Rowell’s recollections and confirmations from Alwin and Raymond’s thoughts that Ferdinand conquered Prudencia because of repeated provocations from Odette’s father.

The Former King of Prudencia got overconfident due to the continuous progress in his reign.

Odette’s father thought the strength and wealth of Prudencia were more than enough to be able to provoke Valeria and live scot-free.

They encroached on the borders repeatedly and caused skirmishes.

Prudencia prepared for a full-scale war thinking they could fight against the Empire.

But when Ferdinand declared war and arrived with a portion of his army, only then did they realize they were wrong. Ferdinand and his army were too strong for them to defeat.

Yet, instead of surrendering, they had their pride to keep and continued with the battle instead of waving the white flag early on when they realized they could not beat the Empire.

It resulted in the death of so many warriors and household leaders and their first and second sons. Some even lost all their children in the war.

Due to this, Prudencia wasn’t in a state where it can be in a war again. The loss due to their overconfidence was too great.

Thus, they were mummed when Gulliver warned them off of once again invoking Valeria’s wrath.

They cannot afford to anger Valeria again.

They thought the tribute and the hefty taxes were a form of punishment and mockery given by Valeria. They didn’t know it was just Gulliver’s plot.

But when slavery got involved, the nobles tried to act behind the scenes. Still, they were too powerless to oppose Gulliver directly because their heirs were in the palace.

Only those who had nothing more to lose were bold enough to still try to act against Gulliver.

But of course, they were suppressed by other nobles for fear that they might endanger the lives of their children as well.

They had to preserve the next generation.

Having children again might help but it would still take years for the children to grow up.

Moreover, they were facing a financial crisis due to the circumstances. It wasn’t a solution that suited their situation.

Prudencia’s situation got worse day by day but they were not able to go against Gulliver until the situation came to this.

"Do you know who among the nobles tried to act against Marquess Gulliver?" Raymond asked.

"I know only a few, Your Excellency."

"Please make a list."

And so they procured a list of people they could try to approach as witnesses against Gulliver.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Count Rowell. Speaking with you was a great help."

"It’s my honor, Your Majesty. My apologies for not being able to help much more than this."

Before they leave, Alwin made the Count and his butler swear an oath to not reveal what they talked about here to anyone nor mention their visit.

"I or His Majesty’s mage or one of our subordinates will come and contact you again. But the next time we come, we will have His Majesty’s edict with us. Know that I or my companions will once again directly teleport in your study and they will have these portraits you have given us," Raymond explained so no one else would fool them.

With all the information they gathered, Arabella and her companions finally returned to the palace.