Merchant Noble is out (2/3 chapters for today)

 

 

Cleanup Order

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It had been one month since Casablanca demanded the return of titles from all the nobles. Finally, the deadline for the order arrived. Arc came in response to this recall order. However, the total number of nobles who had answered her call and arrived at the royal capital could be counted on one hand.

“This means that by today, the deadline, only six nobles have come to the royal capital. Almost all the nobles have become our enemies.” (Casablanca)

“That’s roughly as expected.” (Fran)

“Indeed. It’s easier to deal with everything at once anyway.” (Casablanca)

In the end, only six households, including Arc’s Warden Household, obeyed her command and came to the royal capital to return their titles. However, Casablanca discussed the matter with Fran without much despair. For Casablanca, it was anticipated that the majority of nobles would ignore the order. Rather, that was her aim from the beginning. She was aware that the recall of titles was an unreasonable demand.

In fact, by making the nobles ignore the royal command, she created a justification for subjugating them. If they relinquished their titles in compliance, that would be fortunate. If they disobeyed, she would defeat the nobles with force. To Casablanca, it didn’t matter whether they obeyed or disobeyed. Either way, the noble class would vanish from the kingdom, making it the perfect decree. For the nobles, it was the worst command regardless of their choice.

 

—

 

A title return ceremony was held, gathering the nobles who obeyed the order.

“Far fewer nobles than expected have come. It’s an overwhelming minority.” (Arc)

Arc felt uneasy as he looked at the other nobles in attendance. They were all weak and minor nobles who had lost the will to resist due to the confusion. Although a baron himself, Arc saw only small-ranking nobles like barons and viscounts present.

“Her Majesty the Queen is entering.” (Fran)

Fran’s voice echoed in the venue, and the nobles, including Arc, bowed their heads to welcome Casablanca. Casablanca wore her usual luxurious ceremonial attire. Given the audacious nature of this decree toward the nobles, there was concern she might appear in casual wear, but she was properly dressed in formal attire. Thus, began the exceedingly lonely title return ceremony with only six participants.

“On behalf of all the nobles, we return our titles to the kingdom.” (Arc)

Arc spoke on behalf of the six attendees. After all, in the long history of the kingdom, a title return ceremony was unprecedented. Everything, from the format to the script, had to be newly devised.

As the first to arrive at the capital among the six, Arc worked with Fran to plan the ceremony’s structure and lines. Arc gave a speech praising Casablanca and offered his medal symbolizing noble status. The other nobles followed Arc’s lead, glancing at him for cues as it was their first such ceremony.

Fran, who stood by the throne, collected the medals and handed them to Casablanca. After receiving the titles of all six nobles, Casablanca called each of them forward and appointed them as regional governors.

“Arc Warden, I appoint you as governor of Mikanda. You are entrusted with ruling on my behalf.” (Casablanca)

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will dedicate myself to meeting your expectations.” (Arc)

Thus, Arc was appointed as governor of Mikanda and lost his noble title. The Warden Household, which had purchased a title only two generations ago, saw its brief history as a noble family that spanning merely 15 years, came to an end. Known as the ‘merchant noble’, the Warden Household’s story as nobles concluded unceremoniously.

 

—

 

The ceremony ended swiftly. There was no celebratory party, and the former nobles, now governors, returned to their respective regions. No longer a baron, Arc also wanted to hurry back to Mikanda. However, he didn’t think he could leave just yet.

90% of the nobles ignored Casablanca’s command to return their titles and refused to come to the royal capital. Arc anticipated being asked to assist in dealing with them. As expected, he was summoned to Casablanca’s private chamber. Led into the room by Fran, Arc found Casablanca had changed out of her stifling formal attire into casual loungewear.

“Arc, thank you for coming. Look at this.” (Casablanca)

Without much formality, Casablanca handed Arc a map of the Laplace Kingdom. A portion of the map, including Mikanda, was marked in black.

“I don’t need to explain, but this is the kingdom’s map. Do you see the areas shaded black? These black regions are the lands belonging to you and the other five nobles who obeyed me, as well as my direct territories. On the other hand, the unshaded areas represent the lands of those who disobeyed.” (Casablanca)

“In other words, the black areas are for Casablanca’s faction, while the white areas are for the anti-Casablanca faction.” (Fran)

Fran added an explanation from the side. To be honest, it was surprising how much of the map was shaded black. The lands of the former nobles who followed Casablanca, except for Mikanda, were quite small. Most of the black areas likely represented the royal family’s direct holdings. However, Casablanca didn’t seem pleased with Fran’s phrasing and corrected her.

“No, let’s rephrase it. Louis is gone, Marie is married off, and I’m the only one left in the royal palace. ‘The royalist faction is black, and the noble faction is white’.” (Casablanca)

Indeed, Casablanca’s expression carried more weight and accuracy than Fran’s. The terms ‘royalist faction’ and ‘noble faction’ sounded far more vivid. It felt like a revolution. If the noble faction were to win, the structure of the country itself would be overturned.

Even during Louis’ mismanagement or Leo’s reckless rule, the kingdom retained its name as the ‘Laplace Kingdom’. Nobles and religious groups alike considered how to use the royal family but still acknowledged its existence as a given.

This time, however, the royal family and the nobles were headed for an all-out confrontation. Either the royal lineage or the noble class would be erased from the kingdom.

“This is a battle we absolutely cannot lose.” (Arc)

Arc, who had previously advocated caution about full-scale war with the nobles, now displayed resolve. Seeing this, Casablanca nodded with satisfaction.

“Exactly. We cannot afford to lose. You understand what we need to do now, don’t you? We must turn this map entirely black. Arc, I will need to rely on your military strength as well.” (Casablanca)

The Warden Household had already decided to stand with Casablanca. With her determination clear, Arc knew he must also prepare himself.

“Understood. I will serve to the best of my ability. However, the maximum mobilizable force of our army is only 20,000, and for expeditions, no more than 10,000.” (Arc)

“Of course, I’m not asking you to conquer all the nobles. Your task will be focused on the western region of the kingdom.” (Casablanca)

As she spoke, Casablanca drew a line on the map, marking Arc’s assigned territory. The west, compared to the south with its many former Louis-aligned nobles, and the east with its former Leo-aligned nobles, seemed less burdensome. However, the scarcity of direct royal lands in the west indicated a high concentration of nobles. From marquises to barons, it was a mix of various ranks.

“I understand. I will fight with all my strength.” (Arc)

“Arc, take this.” (Casablanca)

Casablanca handed Arc a sword that had been displayed in the corner of the room. The moment he noticed the royal family’s crest engraved on the hilt, Arc’s hands began trembling under the weight of responsibility and tension.

“This campaign is a battle to punish the nobles who betrayed the crown. In other words, it is a fight to destroy the enemies of the throne. I grant you permission to bear the royal crest. You’ll also receive the kingdom’s flag from Fran later.” (Casablanca)

This would be Arc’s first battle, not as a noble but as a kingdom-appointed governor. Though he hadn’t thought of himself as particularly loyal to the royal family, the heavy burden of the task exceeded his expectations. Thus, overwhelmed by the pressure of carrying the royal crest, Arc withdrew from the chamber.

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