The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 748: Volume 22: Revival and Rise - 8: Inside Support

Chapter 748: Volume 22: Revival and Rise Chapter 8: Inside Support

"Mr. Muktse, what are you worried about? Are you worried that the nobles will forcefully support Hoffman’s ascent to the throne? Are you worried that, with the support of the Great Lord, Hoffman will act without any scruples? Without the backing of the three great legions, do they have the courage to do so?" Komer retorted. His questions were skillful. The Norinwa family’s level of intelligence within the kingdom was in some aspects no less than his own spy network. Komer hoped to understand some situations that he hadn’t fully grasped from the other party’s words.

"Oh, Mr. Komer, how can you entertain such absurd thoughts? Regardless of whom Mathew and Tez personally favor, they would never allow the three great legions to be drawn into the internal strife of the Royal Family, make no mistake about that! The three great legions are the kingdom’s army, only to be dispatched by His Majesty the King. Until a king is made, no one can mobilize them for anything other than foreign warfare. No commander wishes to be labeled an ambitious schemer and pushed onto the gallows of the Star Chamber Court, nor will they involve themselves in these matters. Moreover, I understand the true state of the three great legions far better than you do. Setting everything else aside, even if they desired to take action, it would be difficult to achieve much with their current situation."

Muktse shook his head vehemently, clearly finding Komer’s ignorance hard to comprehend. The Central Kingdom’s mechanisms of power were indeed complex, but as a noble, even a low-level one, and a lord besides, he should not be so blind to these rules.

"Mr. Muktse, I am of course aware of these rules, but since Hoffman cannot ascend to power in this manner, can he simply rely on the nobles’ power to take the throne? Are you confident that General Mathew and Lord Tez would not intervene in this succession struggle, even if it means letting the kingdom go bankrupt and the army mutiny? Even if they do not interfere on the surface, wouldn’t they reveal some inclination in their attitudes?" Komer nodded, his flurry of rhetorical questions seemingly overwhelming Muktse, who didn’t quite grasp what Komer was trying to convey.

After some contemplation, Muktse’s complexion changed, "Do you mean we could influence the attitudes of General Mathew and Lord Tez, thereby dividing the nobles’ camp? That’s impossible; General Mathew and Lord Tez will not capitulate to such threats!"

"Oh, Mr. Muktse, you are too sensitive. We are not threatening anyone, but we can express our opinions or concerns. If Hoffman relies on the nobles, he will inevitably sacrifice the merchants’ interests. To maintain the kingdom’s operations and fend off the Beastmen invasion, an increase in taxes is inevitable. With the nobles owning vast amounts of land and forests, controlling toll waterways and mines, Hoffman will have to raise commercial taxes to secure their interests. Who would be at a loss?" Komer said with a sinister smile, "If he suddenly labels the Norinwa family as rebellious or colluding with enemies, not only could he successfully annul all debts lent to the kingdom by the family, but also seize all the Norinwa family’s assets. Isn’t that a win-win situation? Who could say such a thing wouldn’t happen?"

Muktse was stunned by Komer’s words. Such a prospect was utterly terrifying, a naked act of murder and robbery, almost unbelievable. Yet, upon reflection during these tumultuous times, with the kingdom’s finance in crisis and people’s hearts unpredictable, it was hard to say if someone might resort to such malevolent tactics.

Taking a deep breath, Muktse tried to calm himself, suspecting that this might be a deliberate alarmism to coerce him into changing his stance. However, he also had to admit that if Hoffman ascended to power with the nobles’ support, he could not dismiss the possibility of such unprecedented events befalling his own family, especially since his image in the nobles’ eyes was extremely poor, and all those noblemen were old hands at deceit and manipulation.

"Mr. Komer, your words are shocking. Although the possibility is slim, since you’ve thought of it, I must acknowledge that those scoundrels might entertain the same idea. They’re not willing to achieve wealth through their efforts and legitimate means, but always seek to plot for others’ rightful fortune with their nefarious schemes. And yet, these people grandly occupy their temples. Perhaps you’re right, we cannot let these individuals succeed." Suppressing his emotions and steadying his spirit, Muktse spoke gravely, "But I would like to hear your plan, how we might prevent such events."

"It’s simple. Right now, the middle and small aristocrats in the western regions of the Empire tend to support Katya, while traders and financiers are still observing. Maybe this is why Mathew and Lord Tez are silent. If you could make contact with the traders and financiers, while I rally the middle and small aristocrats, I believe neither Mathew nor Lord Tez should ignore the interests involved. I can also find one or two suitable Great Aristocrats to act as our representatives and stir from within the Great Aristocrats’ camp. What do you think of this plan, Mr. Muktse?" Komer did not beat around the bush and spoke bluntly.

"Oh? Mr. Komer, you can find allies among those Great Aristocrats?" A spirited Muktse, his eyes flashing with surprise, quickly inquired, "May I know who it is?"

"Oh, I’m sorry, Mr. Muktse. It’s not that I don’t trust you, but this matter is of great importance. Until I have absolute certainty, it would be better to keep this matter confidential for now. However, I can assure you, Mr. Muktse, not all in the Great Aristocracy are of one mind; there will be those who support us. Perhaps Mr. Muktse will find this hard to comprehend, but that’s just the unpredictable nature of worldly affairs. No occurrence is worth such astonishment." Komer slightly shook his head and explained, "What we need now is a unified goal and immediate action. Time waits for no one, and His Majesty the King’s health is too precarious to say how long he can last. We don’t have much time left."

Muktse hung his head in pain, faced with such a choice that was truly difficult to make. It was clearly not possible to remain uninvolved, as the eventual victor wouldn’t treat him well, regardless of which side it was. Perhaps the only solution was to do as the other party suggested and to follow his gut for a definitive decision.

"Mr. Komer, please understand my dilemma. If you can provide sufficient proof that Katya still has a certain influence among the Great Aristocracy, I am willing to accept your suggestion." After a long period of consideration, Muktse finally bit the bullet and made his decision.

"Fine, let’s agree on this, Mr. Muktse. I can provide proof, but before that, I hope Mr. Muktse can make some preparations, such as financially. Katya will definitely be at a disadvantage in the competition with Hoffman, and to compensate for this disadvantage, we’ll need to adopt other measures to turn things around, which will require financial support." Komer was now speaking unabashedly.

"No problem, money is a minor issue; I can meet the needs at any time without deliberate preparation." When it came to money, Muktse seemed very casual and relaxed.

"Then good, please wait for my follow-up, Mr. Muktse. I will soon arrange our second meeting, by which time you should believe that what I’ve said is no mere false talk," Komer promised readily.

The second meeting between Komer and Muktse took place in less than three days. When Komer appeared before Muktse and two other traders with two additional individuals, Muktse could hardly believe his eyes.

That Marquis Melkin, with his extremely high prestige among the Great Aristocracy, and Count Badi, who was always known for his quiet life away from external affairs, appeared together with Komer, left Muktse with no choice but to admire Komer’s extensive connections. As far as he knew, both Marquis Melkin and Count Badi had barely any interaction with Katya. Not only were they distant in relations, but both were also known for their lofty pride and wouldn’t normally take much notice of a successor of inferior heritage like Katya.

Even in the Great Aristocracy of Jazair, although not considered heavyweight figures, both men could be named as distinguished celebrities. Their appearance immediately dispelled Muktse’s concerns, and the other two traders closely associated with him were equally shocked by Komer’s move. It was known that even for the nobles, it was not easy to invite these two men to be guests, and now they had appeared together. What could this imply?

Before Komer proved his point to Muktse, he had followed the arrangements of the Salvation Society and met with several of its devout believers in Jazair. Even Komer could hardly believe that nobles as revered and reputable in both Jazair and the kingdom as Marquis Melkin and Count Badi would be devout reformists of the Church of Light. Had it not been for Carreila, who had arrived early in Jazair, personally introducing them, Komer would have remained skeptical.

However, a conversation with Melkin and Badi dispelled Komer’s doubts, and he openly shared his thoughts with the two. Though the pair were devout supporters of the Salvation Society, they were not rigid in their thinking. They understood Komer’s current predicament, and to them, allying with Katya seemed no different than aligning with Hoffman’s side. They merely hoped that Komer would ensure a fair and just environment for the propagation of the Salvation Society’s doctrines and principles throughout the entire Greater Caucasus, including Leon and Flanders. As for other regions in the kingdom, they held no such expectations, fully aware that in the current climate of the kingdom, such ideas could not be tolerated. The Religious Court would spare no effort to crush everything in the bud.

(To be continued. For the continuation of this story, please visit WWW.CMFU.COM. There you’ll find more Chapters, support the author, and support authorized reading!)