King and Monarch

The nobles looked at one another. From each other's faces, they could tell that Ryan had never spoken of this matter to anyone before.

"Ryan, nobles possess absolute authority over their own territories. No one can strip a noble lord of authority within his own lands—not even the Emperor can deprive us of our titles."

As an old count, Count Soron spoke to Ryan with grave sincerity.

If Ryan had said such things earlier, the only response waiting for him would have been the nobles' vigilance and opposition. But Ryan's ever-growing reputation and authority over the years meant that even Count Soron could only refuse him in this tone.

He truly found what Ryan was doing terrifying.

Not long ago, Ryan had told them he wanted to establish the Northwind Legion to defend Northwind Province. The nobles had not objected, since it did not seem much different on the surface.

But for Northwind Province and several kingdoms to form a military alliance was a very serious matter.

"Imperial nobles cannot sit at the same table as kingdom nobles to discuss war. Likewise, those kingdom nobles cannot simply gather together and discuss such matters."

"You wish to establish a Northern Military Council. His Majesty the Emperor will not agree to it either."

Count Soron shook his head. If the nobles of Northwind Province wanted to do something among themselves, there would be no problem. No one would even bother interfering.

But if other kingdoms were involved, it became a political problem.

The issue was simple. Without an imperial order, and without some form of coordination between the Empire and the kingdoms, the armies of nobles like them had no right to enter another kingdom's territory. That would be a provocation tantamount to declaring war.

How could Ryan not know what resistance