Regressor of the Fallen Family - Chapter 236

Episode 236 After the first Great War meeting, the nobles who were busy raising the tax rate and collecting money for their fiefdoms could not help but frown when they saw the military recruitment notice posted by the royal decree.

“Raising an army by raising taxes is what stabilizes the kingdom?”

“Is the King sane?”

“No, rather, what are you going to do by raising an army that size? The existing strength of McLane and Esperanza is scary…”

And that anxiety made many of them gather in one place.

“Thank you for the invitation, Count.”

“Oh, Viscount Hamel. Welcome.”

Jacques Juan smiled softly at the nobleman who greeted him and immediately turned his head.

Although it was a meeting set up for a serious situation, he was willing enough.

Due to the king’s successive misfortunes, the nobles found a focal point and that became themselves.

‘The king is foolish. ‘It’s amazing how he came to be called a hero.’

If it had been her who had held the power of Esperanza and Macline in one hand, she would have coaxed and appeased the nobles around her and gradually made them her confidants. In that case, in just three or four years at most, the entire kingdom would have become the king’s henchmen.

‘To taxes and to the military. Tsk tsk, you keep doing stupid things. Well, it’s good for me.’

The new king’s power, which seemed absolute, gradually declines, and he becomes the center of the nobles who stand in opposition.

Something that made my heart tremble just by imagining it was coming true before my eyes.

The current kingdom where the Duke Marquis family, except for the two families that can be said to be the king’s arms, has disappeared.

The title of earl had more influence than just the title itself.

Of course, the biggest reason why that was possible was because of his own behavior.

“Oh! Count Ivan. Long time no see.”

“Haha. Didn’t you see it during the Daejeon meeting? I was very impressed by it.”

“Haha. What is it? It’s to protect the natural rights of our nobles.”

Even Ivan Claude, a count like himself, bowed like this before entering, so it seemed like the position of power he had imagined was already within sight.

“Now, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for accepting my invitation. As the situation is so dangerous, we, the blue-blooded nobles, must work together to overcome this crisis. Today’s meeting is the cornerstone of that long voyage. I hope this happens.”

As soon as Jacques Juan finished speaking, applause broke out everywhere.

However, as soon as the applause ended, a lively voice poured cold water into the cheerful atmosphere.

“The king is sharpening his sword targeting us, so let’s skip the formalities and talk about measures first. Do you have any measures? Count Jacques.”

Count Mike Teroda.

One of the few remaining counts in the kingdom expressed his discomfort without filtering.

He had ambitions similar to those of Jacques, and was not pleased with the fact that nobles gathered at Count Juan’s mansion instead of his own.

Jacques Juan smiled softly while guessing his feelings.

However, the words that came out of his mouth were enough to overshadow Mike Teroda’s remarks a moment ago.

“Haha. I don’t think you have much to worry about, Count Mike.”

“what?”

Mike’s face distorted, and the expressions of the other nobles also turned bewildered.

“The king, who already has a powerful military force, is raising an army of tens of thousands of people. Isn’t that something to worry about? There are knights who are leaving the territory right now to join the king’s army! It seems like we are gathered here to make a joke. “Did you?”

Many nobles responded to Mike Teroda’s words as if he had caught the pod.

Among the nobles gathered here, there were many who were not neutral but initially classified as pro-McRhein, and the king’s recent actions were so unconventional that even they were uneasy.

But there is nothing to worry about?

Despite the pouring gaze, Zach’s soft smile did not disappear.

“You have to see the other side.”

“What do you mean by this?”

“Where will all the money to raise such a huge army come from?”

“Isn’t that the tax money being taken from us now? Who doesn’t know that now…!”

“And that tax is temporary.”

“that is…?!”

At those words, the eyes of several nobles, including Mike, began to waver.

He understood the meaning contained in those words.

“According to my calculations, it would be difficult to maintain that number of troops for even half a year with the taxes collected this time. Even if McLane and Esperanza added funds, it would be just pouring water into the bottomless pit. The king’s army is the strongest in this country. “The two families will actually start to fall apart.”

With those words, Jacques Juan passed around a document containing the supporting data for his calculations.

The data, which included the kingdom’s total tax revenue and the expected financial support from McLane and Esperanza, was something nobles who knew anything about the flow of funds could not help but nod their heads.

Mike Teroda also had no choice but to acknowledge the logic after looking at the data with trembling eyes.

But that didn’t mean he backed down easily.

“So, does that mean the king did something recklessly and without thinking? Surely he doesn’t think of Logan McLane as a fool?”

Logan McLane.

The nobles’ complexions all hardened at the heaviness of that name.

Jacques Juan also flinched for a moment, but soon realized his mistake and opened his mouth with a stronger voice.

“He is a young and energetic king. He is a war hero and a superhuman who has proven his strength through war. But he is young.”

“Aren’t you looking down on the king too much? If you do that, you might get hit hard in the back.”

“Think about it, Count Mike. As soon as you came to the throne, you doubled taxes and created an army. Does this seem like something a wise man would do?”

“….”

“It is a foolish policy that is certain to have side effects in the future. No matter what achievements we have made in the past, the reality before our eyes is reality. A hero who becomes a king turning into a tyrant is also an unexpectedly common occurrence in history. no see.”

“It’s not that simple to think about.”

Mike Teroda still looked negative.

“In fact, the former king was also known as a king, knowingly or unknowingly. But didn’t we all see how he changed after becoming king? Our experience and history have already proven that the throne has such magical power.”

Most of the nobles were already shaken by Jacques Juan’s words.

Sensing the atmosphere of the crowd, Jacques Juan struck the final blow.

“And even if the king has other plans, the aftereffects of the reality that has already been revealed will last for a long time. And even if that doesn’t happen, we can just make it last longer.”

we.

The nobles flinched at those words.

“What do we have to fear if we unite? The rapid-fire crossbow that led to McLane’s rise has now spread throughout the kingdom. Superhuman power? The king has proven that the days when a few strong men controlled the battlefield are over.”

A murmur spread throughout the audience.

It was difficult for the nobles spread across the country to unite in perfect order, and no clear way to deal with superhuman power had been developed.

However, Jacques Juan intuitively sensed that the atmosphere had already been overcome even with somewhat forced words.

“The times are changing. And we are at the center of it. Now that the king is making repeated misfortunes, we must come together and lead a new era. So please believe in me. I will represent you and represent the status of our nobles, who are the center of the kingdom. “I will protect my authority!”

As Jacques’ voice rang with confidence, the gathered nobles began to applaud one by one.

Jacques Juan looked at them with a smile.

* * *

“I think we can meet the budget somehow. Even if an army of 50,000 is raised as planned, it is worth operating it tight with the support of McLane and Esperanza. Because we have ‘that’.”

Even though the shadows under his eyes had reached the corners of his mouth, Dwayne was smiling the whole time.

‘We have reached the lowest point of this hellish budget consumption. I did it somehow!’

A desire to praise oneself.

However, his master, who only knew how to spend money, once again turned his clothes upside down with a loud noise.

“I guess I’ll have to use that magic stone for something else for a few months.”

“…Ah. Hahaha, don’t be kidding. Hahaha. Haha…”

Dwayne tried to laugh it off somehow, but red eyes full of seriousness were staring at him.

“…Rotten.”

The anger in my heart that momentarily passed the critical point made my face turn red and immediately came out of my mouth.

“You said you were going to die from exhaustion, so do you really want to experiment and see if I would die?! Yes?! You would rather slit my stomach!! You can’t! No! Never!”

Even though I desperately cry out against death.

“And with a little more budget, there is a wasteland on the ridge west of the royal family. It is a wasteland that is blocked by that mountain range and does not allow the Tenon River to enter.”

“No way….”

“Let’s build one more dam. And I’m thinking of using the magic water farming method in the royal territory and Esperanza territory as well. Let’s tighten our belts for one more three months, Dwayne. Huh?”

“Again?! Why now? How many things are you doing while ignoring the limited budget?! Did you really become even more incompetent after ascending to the throne?!”

When his desperate cries had no effect, the enraged administrator ended up crossing the line.

However, the king, who was fully aware of how unreasonable his demands were, only smiled bitterly and did not blame the vassal.

just.

“Our territory proved this year. The magic water farming method lasts for 10 years, so if we work hard for a few more months along with the dam construction, we will have enough food to feed an army from the next harvest season.”

I just say what I think and calmly persuade the retainer.

“Ugh.”

However, Dwayne’s facial expression changed every moment and showed no signs of calming down.

Nevertheless, Logan calmly pushed his opinion forward.

“Only we and the dwarves still know about the existence of the magicite mine. This is the best way to take control of everything in the kingdom within a year. Three months will be enough. Let’s do it.”

“Our territory….”

“Huh?”

“Our territory, that is, McLane Estate, has no intention of collecting more taxes from the residents despite this tax increase. You know that, right?”

“Uh, I know.”

Just as he was about to say that it was all thanks to the magic essence farming method, Logan couldn’t help but harden his expression when Dwayne continued.

“If we are to do as you said, the McLane territory will have to raise taxes like other territories to harass the people of the territory. The fact that the production of the Magic Stone Mine is being used for other purposes for three months means that fact. Do you know what this means, Your Majesty?”

“….”

“Even in the current situation, even the people of your hometown and territory who worship you will swear at you and turn their backs on you. Do you really have to do that?”

Words that take my breath away.

Although he was prepared to oppose it, Logan was speechless for a moment when Dwayne appealed to him, who spoke of the feelings of the people of the territory rather than a report of figures.

but.

After a moment of hesitation, he spoke again with an expression filled with agony.

“…One year. Just one year. We’ll get everything back on track after the next harvest season and before winter comes.”

At those words, Dwayne had no choice but to force himself to nod with a clouded face.