Chapter 92: Heir Meeting Ceremony (2)

Tax Reform.

Kyle assessed that Riberton’s current economic structure was extremely backward for its scale. The fundamental cause lay in the distorted system where the Marquisate monopolized the majority of the domain’s income.

Meanwhile, the lives of the domain’s residents were abjectly impoverished. Consequently, the loyalty of the people toward Riberton was almost nonexistent, which directly impacted conscription rates and tax collection.

“From what I’ve witnessed, during the periods of conscription and tax collection, the peasants take turns migrating outside the domain. They do this to evade taxes and conscription,” one noble shouted in anger at Kyle’s words.

“That is rebellion against the domain! Those scoundrels must be severely dealt with!”

Though this sudden outburst was unexpected, Kyle remained calm and composed.

“No, that would only worsen the situation. The root cause is the lack of loyalty to the domain. If we raise their sense of loyalty—if they honorably fulfill the duty to protect their own land and family—how many would dare abandon that? Therefore, tax reform is not a choice, but a necessity.”

His argument continued.

First, the biannual tax collection should be changed to once a year. The overall tax burden must also be drastically reduced.

“The current tax rates are absurd to begin with. The domain residents who labor for an entire year can’t even properly pay six months’ worth of taxes. This is wrong!”

Kyle’s throat tightened, veins bulging vividly as numbers climbed in his mind. His eyes burned with passionate fire, and his voice was unwavering.

“Moreover, this year is especially harsh for the domain residents. The robbing Knight Order and the famine are the cause. They lack even enough food to survive from day to day. To force them to pay taxes now? That’s basically a death sentence!”

As his words ended, the entire crowd fell into a hush.

Yet, perhaps because his sincerity resonated, the residents began to cheer one by one.

“That’s right! Long live Lord Kyle!”

“Sniff… That’s the truth!”

“Therefore, the domain must support its residents immediately. Only then will those who survive farm and pay taxes next year, and the year after that. I understand that what I propose is difficult and painful. However—this is absolutely necessary!”

“… Impressive.”

A noble listening to Kyle’s speech unconsciously bit down hard on his pipe. This was a man who had long been at odds with the Marquisate of Riberton. Now, he was drawn in by the words pouring out of a seemingly insignificant third son.

The same was true for the domain residents.

“Waaah!”

“Long live Lord Kyle!”

The cheers grew louder. One by one, cries burst forth and soon filled the entire square.

But Kyle was not finished. He raised his hand to temporarily quiet the crowd, then continued.

“Finally, we must accurately identify the threat that plagues our domain. That threat is the ‘robber Knight Order.’ These scoundrels are the parasites and scourge of this land!”

At the mention of the robber Knight Order, the refugees who had been watching in hiding began to wail. They were victims who had personally endured their cruelty.

“These villains do not merely commit robbery! They seize villages and massacre innocent residents as if it were a game. They even show no mercy toward children.”

“That’s right. They have become more than mere robbers. These insolent scoundrels even collect taxes from the residents themselves, spreading a nightmare of lawlessness! This is absolutely intolerable!”

“What?”

“Is that true?”

Nobles who had maintained a neutral stance were shocked by the revelation. They had heard of the robber Knight Order but never imagined their lawless behavior extended to this degree.

“I have received permission from Prince Glenn Lepent of Lepent to cooperate with the Lion Knight Order. Therefore, I, Kyle de Riberton, swear here before you all: I will join Prince Glenn in rooting out the robber Knight Order. We will smash the robber Knight Order and rescue the suffering residents!”

Clenching his pipe tightly, Kyle’s voice resonated through the air.

The already heated crowd erupted into ecstatic cheers.

“Waaah!”

“Long live Lord Kyle! Long live the Lion Knight Order!”

The square blazed with fervor.

Though Murca’s stormy warnings could be heard, the citizens’ spontaneous cheers were far more numerous.

***

“Lord Kyle is quite something.”

A man who had never respected the third son before was now forced to acknowledge him. Even some nobles loyal to the Marquisate were beginning to see Kyle in a new light.

“Please support me! So that I may help you all!”

There was strength in his voice.

A power that drew people in.

***

“The man’s a rebel. Did he have such talent all along?”

After the meeting ended, Kyle blushed at Glenn’s words.

The crowd’s reaction to his outburst had only reached him later. Though he tried to restrain himself, he had lost control of his rising emotions.

“… Ahem, I didn’t mean to get carried away like that…”

“Thanks to you, it was much better. After all, emotional moments are what really matter in these gatherings.”

“Is that so?”

At Tessa’s praise, he brightened quickly.

… Perhaps he was a rather straightforward man.

Glenn smiled softly and summarized the situation.

“Overall, the response wasn’t bad. Those who supported Godric won’t change their minds, but those who were undecided will surely remember you.”

“Just as planned.”

“Yes. Lady Murca has already moved on to the next task.”

This was the purpose of the meeting.

To attract the attention of those undecided between Godric and Kyle, or those half-heartedly loyal to the Marquis—meaning those not in Godric’s camp.

The succession was still unsettled. The conservative forces backing Godric would not easily shift to Kyle’s side. If anything, they would rebel more vehemently.

“To them, the Marquis’s power is their own profit or loss. They won’t accept Kyle’s proposed reforms.”

“They’re like crocodile birds clinging to a crocodile’s belly. Chase them off.”

Tessa smiled at her words, and Kyle replied cynically.

Then Glenn made a slightly bewildered expression.

“… Come to think of it, aren’t you their cousin?”

Of course, many who supported the Marquisate of Riberton were connected by blood. It was rare to have someone entirely unrelated like Kyle.

Of course, Kyle did not consider them family.

“Ha, if you knew how many murder threats I get from those cousins, you’d be surprised.”

“Seems you’ve been popular for a while.”

“It’s a curse, really… By the way, how did you come up with this idea? I never expected a meeting like this.”

The idea for the meeting had been entirely Glenn’s. And it was Glenn who had successfully negotiated it with Elrian.

Kyle, wearing a newly surprised expression, shrugged his shoulders.

“Well… it just came to me somehow. Enough about that. Now Godric will keep a closer eye on you. Be cautious of any sudden moves.”

“Of course. I don’t want to be caught off guard by that fool again.”

Godric had clearly intended to kill Kyle if given the chance. Their recent scuffle in the square proved it.

“Ah, what you asked about last time went well. The steward was surprisingly cooperative, so everything went smoothly.”

“… Thanks.”

“Do you have some connection with that steward named Diana? You seem to take good care of her.”

At first, Kyle had thought she simply liked him. Though a little thin, her face was quite pretty.

But judging from Glenn’s behavior, it didn’t seem to be sexual desire. It was more like looking at something cherished and longed for.

“… She reminds me of someone I once knew.”

He didn’t want to elaborate.

Kyle nodded knowingly.

***

News of the meeting naturally reached the Marquis’s ears.

“… Lord Kyle’s speech covered three main points.”

Even while looking at the blueprint for his golden statue, the Marquis frowned upon hearing the report from his Bojwagan.

“Kyle has completely lost it. How was the reaction?”

“There won’t be any major incidents. Some have started seeing Lord Kyle differently, but many still resist.”

Saying there would be no upheaval was foolish.

The Marquis cast a cold glance at his Bojwagan.

“Those who resist are mostly families loyal to Godric, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. None among them will ever defect to Lord Kyle’s side…”

“Fools. That was Kyle’s plan from the start.”

“Yes, sir.”

The Bojwagan looked baffled.

… Damn, young people sure get stubborn.

“Think about what he said. He openly declared war on the existing conservative forces. But on the other hand, his words are sweet solace to those who dislike me. Do you understand?”

“… Ah, so that’s their target from the start?”

“Exactly. He knows his place and plays his best hand. He’s a clever one.”

“…?”

As the Marquis calmly explained, the Bojwagan inwardly felt troubled.

Perhaps the Marquis was calmer than usual.

Normally, he would have thrown something and yelled by now.

“Why are you just watching? Do I have to teach you how to be a Bojwagan?”

“Y-yes! I’m sorry!”

“… Quite the character.”

The succession struggle would not be shaken.

The support Kyle had built was inseparable from the Marquisate of Riberton. Whether they liked it or not, they would have to support Godric.

Still, unease remained.

“Murca’s probably with Kyle too.”

Kyle wouldn’t be making such a detailed plan alone. Competent strategists must be helping him.

“Shareholder reform, tax reform…”

All of Kyle’s proposed reforms threatened the Marquisate’s support base.

The Rems River shareholder structure, the tax collection system.

The Marquis knew full well these systems were problematic. He couldn’t deny it—after all, he was partly responsible for creating them.

Why? Because these gave the greatest benefit to the Riberton family and himself. Suffering peasants? Refugees? That was none of his concern.

Would a king like himself waste time worrying about ants crushed under a carriage wheel?

“This is too dangerous.”

An unpleasant feeling began to spread.

Should he just stand by and watch?

“… No, I’ll cut it off cleanly.”

“What?”

“Send someone to Lord Elrian. I have urgent matters to discuss.”

“Yes, y-yes. Understood.”

The Bojwagan hurriedly left the office under the Marquis’s sharp gaze.

“… Fools.”

Both the Bojwagan and Godric, the domain was filled with fools.

Riberton was no territory to be easily subdued.

Could these people really handle it well?

“Hmph, that’s none of my concern.”

Only after falling once could he properly see the truth. His era was passing. Yes, he was already dying.

Yet his mind was clearer than ever.

Is it true that the last blaze always burns the fiercest? Or is this the goddess’s prophecy to end things decisively?

… No, ridiculous.

“Who do you think you are?”

As long as he still lived and breathed, he was the king of this domain. Every blade of grass on this land belonged to him. No one could oppose that.

The Marquis’s gaze returned to the blueprint for his golden statue. A satisfied smile crossed his lips.

“Yes, this much I must achieve.”

He would leave his achievements and legacy in form. Those who see this statue would remember the true king of Riberton.

The great man known as Wilfred de Riberton.

“I shall be Riberton’s eternal king. Hahaha.”

Greed flickered in the Marquis’s eyes, reaching beyond life itself.

***

The next day, the Marquis made a sudden declaration.

“I will accept the proposal of Lord Elrian of the Empire. The embassies of Lepent and Ariane shall withdraw from that location immediately.”

The situation shifted once again.