Conflict Between Father and Daughter

Earl Merlin banished the absurd thought that had flashed through his mind. Magic? How could that be?

The Church's clerics were always scaring ordinary people with legends of evil wizards and witches, and they even established the Tribunal specifically for this purpose. Some clerics would even pretend to investigate with a broken stone, claiming to be detecting traces of magic and witchcraft.

Because of their influence, the public deeply believed these claims, especially the common people.

However, in the eyes of a few well-educated people, the claims of wizards and witches were nothing more than fabrications by the Church to expand its influence.

With the development of the times, a large number of mysterious phenomena have been reasonably explained. For example, the "ghost fire" phenomenon in tombs, which was previously said by the Church to be caused by evil spirits, was later found by alchemists to be spontaneous combustion of a substance called "phosphorus."

Because their lies were exposed, the Church was very unfriendly to these scholars who dared to explore the unknown, and many were persecuted with the label of wizard.

However, this could not stop people's curiosity. Even within the Church, some factions emerged, advocating approaching and understanding God through exploring the unknown and studying nature, such as the famous "Enlightenment Society".

The Church forcibly associated some people or things that they could not explain with witchcraft or demonic possession, using people's fear to strengthen their dependence on the Church. This argument has been circulating in a small circle of high-level nobles, who believe that wizards and magic are used to deceive those fools and women.

Earl Merlin himself thought so, but most nobles still held the attitude of 'better to believe it than not'.

"Please continue to investigate this matter, Lord Merlin. But no matter what the truth is, the reality of food shortage cannot be changed."

The King broke the silence in the study and spoke of the most pressing issue.

Catherine said with a frown, "Father, I have ordered the collection of food in the royal territory, but it will take a considerable amount of time."

"Even if some food can be collected, it will not be enough to support the army in a long expedition deep into the south."

Rodney XVI fell into silence, and after a long time, he said, "We can only buy from the lords who support the royal family."

"The King should be self-sufficient" is an unwritten rule in this world.

Since the collapse of the ancient Bella Empire, large and small new regimes have been established on its territory.

The newly born countries were frequently at war, and the monarchs of these countries did not have as vast a territory to rule as the Bella Empire. With their wealth, they could not afford to support a large standing army.

In order to meet military needs, countries generally adopted two methods to maintain their military strength.

The first is to retain only a small number of elite troops, such as knight orders of various names, and then conscript a large number of civilians to form an army during wartime.

The second is to adopt a system of enfeoffment, where the King grants land to meritorious nobles, making them lords of the land. The great lords can then divide the land within their territory to their vassals, who can then enfeoff their own vassals, and so on down to the knight class.

The lords rely on the income from their territory to build military forces, and during wartime, they have the obligation to respond to the call of their lord and provide their military forces to their lord.

Correspondingly, the lords have no obligation to pay taxes to their lord, or only pay a symbolic amount. The royal families of various countries basically rely on the income from their directly controlled territories to meet their expenses.

Therefore, as King, Rodney XVI can summon lords from all over to bring troops to defend the King, but he does not have the power to order the transfer of food stored on the lords' land. Of course, legally he can forcibly issue this order, but the result will definitely be to force more lords to Giles' side.

Catherine suggested, "Let the royal commissioners we sent before be responsible for communicating with the lords in their respective residences, and try to lower the price as much as possible."

The King agreed, and Earl Merlin accepted the order, as his intelligence system was responsible for the royal commissioners.

He took out the second scroll and handed it to the King and the Princess, reporting, "There is also an important piece of information. After our investigation, Giles does have someone supporting him behind the scenes."

The King unfolded the scroll and read the information with the Princess. Catherine said in a daze, "No wonder, he didn't have enough strength a year ago, and a year later he raised the banner of rebellion with such confidence."

The Earl looked at the Princess and said, "We analyzed that the force supporting him may be from 'that side'." As he spoke, he pointed to the east.

The Princess glared at the Earl, "Don't talk nonsense without conclusive evidence!"

The Earl lowered his head and replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

The King suddenly said, "Don't say that, Lord Merlin. The relationship between countries is very complicated, and there are too many things that are done differently in person and behind the scenes."

The Princess wanted to say something, "But, Father..." but stopped talking.

Rodney XVI looked at his eldest daughter with love. This daughter was his greatest pride in his life. She was so outstanding at a young age, but she still needed more training in politics.

He turned to Earl Merlin and said, "Alright, Lord Merlin, you can go back and rest today. You've worked hard during this time."

"This is my duty, I dare not say it's hard work." Earl Merlin saluted and left the study.

Only the father and daughter were left in the study. Rodney XVI stood up and slowly walked to the window.

The King said to the Princess with his back to her, "Catherine, there is something I want to tell you."

The Princess quietly waited for her father's next words, but heard news that shocked her.

"I plan to marry your sister to Veblen."

The study suddenly fell into silence, and only the pendulum of the grandfather clock could be heard. Catherine couldn't say anything for a while.

Finally, she asked, "This... why?"

In truth, the princess knew perfectly well: Duke Veblen was the strongest of the lords in the kingdom's eastern territories, and also the strongest of the lords who were currently watching from the sidelines, not yet declaring their support for either side.

The King did not answer, knowing that his daughter surely understood his intentions.

"Irene is only 15 years old, did she even agree to this herself?" the princess's tone suddenly sharpened.

The King remained with his back to her, saying softly, "15 is not too young..." but he did not say whether Catherine's sister had agreed or not.

"But that Veblen is almost 50 years old! And has such a bad reputation! You actually want to marry your own daughter to such a person!"

The princess raised her voice, almost shouting.

"Enough! My mind is made up! Step down."

The King suddenly turned around, glaring at his eldest daughter and sternly shouting, his eyes no longer showing the previous loving kindness, but instead revealing a resolute meaning.

Catherine understood the meaning in her father's eyes, and she looked at her father coldly, saying, "As you command! Your Majesty."

She turned and walked outside, the study door slamming shut with a "bang."

Rodney XVI stood blankly by the window, and after a long while, he sighed, walked to the desk, and slumped weakly into the chair.

This daughter was still too naive in politics.