Truth Part 1
1992 Words
The negotiation will take place at the assembly hall where high-ranking nobles are gathered. Thomas and James plan to boost their revitalization plan by investing their wealth in the project. The treasury of the kingdom is not infinite. Most of their assets were acquired through the liquidation of Royal treasures and the assets of the seized properties of the corrupt nobles. However, revitalization needs an astronomical amount of Cronus. In short, they need money.
The nobles that gathered in the assembly hall were young men and women who inherited their wealth due to the unprecedented tragedy that happened three months ago.
“Thank you, everyone, for coming here despite your busy schedules” George initiated, “Hence, I will be brief about today’s discussion whereas the goal of this meeting is to achieve mutual agreement between parties. I know that you’re in the stage of grief and so do I. But, we cannot let that emotion hinder our development. I gathered you here for only one goal. To put it bluntly, the royal family needs money. A lot of it.”
George ended and the nobles who heard his last words began to exclaim in surprise.
“That’s impossible,” A young man said. “The citizens can only give money to the government through taxation. If the government began to plunder the wealth then that would be an act of tyranny.”
James skimmed through the files, finding his name, “Your Majesty, that’s Hendrix from the Gloax family. Their company is known throughout the country as the leading fishing industry.”
“I see,” He said, “Then Hendrix, I’m not literally saying that I will take all of your money. We just want you to know that the government is hoping to sponsor some of our plans. As you can see from the outside, those big scary metals are paving the road. Those are one of our inventions and yet their number is low due to low numbers of manufacturing companies…”
“So, you want us to establish a manufacturing company that focuses on producing those technologies?”
“Exactly” He assured,
“Before we get to that, can you tell us how you chose those you invited today?” Hendrix said with a serious tone.
“Okay,”
James handed him a file that contains the names of the nobles who gathered here today. Their family names, business, and assets were all listed in the file.
“First, Gloax, Juna, Kaoli, Liax, and Yuumi, were chosen as the largest or most notable fishing companies in the kingdom. Webford, Bardall, Howsmith, Sweemon, and Steel mo, were chosen as the largest or most notable companies for the metal industries. Goldster, Freemon, Estoumb, Fordham, and Drawbeard were chosen for Transportation companies. Holford, Summerguard, Canwood, Stannor, and Farncox, were chosen for agricultural companies. And lastly, Stoneton, Davenrice, Sansmith, Cooppun, and Bruldwa were chosen as the most notable alchemist companies in the kingdom. As for the rest. Their companies varied from retail and cosmetics…”
George read all the contents of the file about the names and their specialties that almost took fifteen minutes to finish. After that, the nobles are now in a calm state.
“I’m offering all of you a deal that is mutually beneficial to our steadfast relationship. And that is technologies, concepts, ideas, knowledge, and new techniques. As of now. There are a plethora of companies that focus on shipbuilding and are creating the very first ship made out of steel. What do you think would happen if those ships turned out to be successful?”
George said and the nobles immediately exchanged ideas between themselves.
“Speaking of new technologies. What kind of technology can you offer us?”
As of now, Hendrix is the only person who is talking to the King. The rest was just watching and listening.
“Hmm, what about processing machines?”
“Processing?” Hendrix turned his head to the side quizzically.
“Think of it as a machine that processes foods at a rapid rate that no human can do like preparation machinery, cleaning machinery, peeling, and so on.”
“And are you certain that those technologies will work?”
“You can see for yourself, you can go to the port where ships are being made out of metal with the help of huge metal arms that are controlled by humans. Those monster looking metals that are occupying our roads and laying out asphalt? They are called pavers. They are made by us with the help of science that you still call alchemy.”
“Then how can you have that knowledge which is not taught in the academy? And most importantly, sorry for being blunt, how is the prince whose academic grades are below average can build things beyond our understanding? Are you really the prince George Ametus?” Hendrix said sternly, the other nobility who gathered were curious as well.
“Let me rephrase the question. Who are you and who are your ministers? Their knowledge is also unimaginable to us which I admit. The minister of energy? What is the purpose of that ministry? It’s unheard of. Most of the technologies created are mostly made by Jay, who is your minister of commerce. John also introduces a lot of new concepts about new medicines and diagnostic procedures, Adams created a thing that you call a tractor, Benjamin is creating alien things. In short, all of you have weird and unfathomable knowledge that this world does not yet know. It looks to me that you came from the world where those technologies existed. Because there is no logical explanation about your extraordinary knowledge that helped us in many ways. Your new political reforms, agricultural reforms, health reforms, new ministries, budget overhaul, and new laws that you present to the congress. They are all new promising concepts that our genius royal courts teachers and researchers didn’t come up with. So, who the hell are you?”
“We agree with Hendrix, your Majesty, that the Webford family is not satisfied. May I remind you that the new king just instantly came up with new technologies magically? We deserve to know if you’re really the infamous prince George Ametus or another person.”
“I’m afraid that we agree, Your Majesty. We cannot discuss further your revitalization plan without knowing the truth.”
The nobles began to keenly look towards George and James dubiously. As if they were in the court proving innocence. But, George suddenly clapped and laughed happily. James clapped as well that made the nobles dumbfounded.
“What’s so funny, your Majesty...no, I don't think you’re the prince after all.”
“Ha ha ha...I truly admired your insights and hypothesis, especially you Hendrix. Come on we know that this prince who doesn’t know a single thing about arithmetics can come up with that technology right?” George continued, “It's obvious guys, just look at our new reforms, our way we publish the new laws et cetera. Designs and blueprints. Just as you said Hendrix, we are not the real owner of this body, we are just residing it.”
“Stopped playing!” Hendrix slammed the table and the atmosphere became tense, “You are truly admitting easily like that? Then, we can just kick you out of your throne…”
“Then if you do that, the prince’s sister will become the new leader, right? She is healthy now as her incurable disease was cured by John.”
“We don’t know what’s real anymore. We will just then get rid of all the royal family!”
Hearing that George clenched his fist and began summoning swords out of thin air and pointed it to all the nobles present in the assembly.
The metal swords were floating in the air as it pointed their sharp point to their breast.
“Don’t even think about laying your hands to Felicia” He said menacingly, “Do you even have the power to depose us? I’m the king of this kingdom and me and my colleagues were doing everything we can to save your failing country who is suffering from a simple crisis. You f*****g nobles who just eat joyfully as if nothing is happening. Tell me, when you are eating your lavish food? Did you think about how that food got onto your table? We saved your country from a possible revolution that might behead all of you. In fact, why are we doing this in the first place? We died in our world and in an instant we woke up in this world.”
George vented out his frustrations towards them. James on the other hand placed his hands to his shoulder to calm him down.
“What the king had said is right. We’re not really the person you know off. If you want us to depose in our position then do so. Submit an impeachment form or whatnot to the congress of the people. We promised you that we will leave promptly…”
“But, if you do so then please hear my last heed.” George interrupted James, “Don’t hurt Felicia, she doesn’t know anything about our situation. I will make her succeed to the throne. Don’t worry you can trust her as I found her capable of leading this country.” George ended and the metal swords began to drop in the ground.
And the tense atmosphere began to recede as the solemn atmosphere took over. They were right about most things. The impostor is doing their jobs to maintain the kingdom, fix the food crisis, introduce new concepts and technologies that benefit the welfare of the people. During his regency, he is doing a splendid job. They were really serious about saving this country that even implemented a new project called revitalization. His ministers and the regent are doing their jobs 24/7. The nobles, especially Hendrix began to feel conscious or guilty about what he said about him.
“Your Majesty!”
A girl entered the assembly hall abruptly. It was Lumi Neileigh. When she entered the hall she felt a gloomy sensation permeating the hall. It feels like something happened earlier and she can’t tell what it is.
Still, she approached in a respective manner as to not interfere with their discussion. When she is one pace away from him. George suddenly speaks.
“It’s over Lumi, they found out about us. I’m truly impressed by their insights even though it took them three months to realize that this inept prince can really create something unfathomable in this world.”
Hearing his words, Lumi's eyes began to tremble, her legs began to weaken. Her postures told the nobles that she knew all along and she didn’t tell them about it.
“What’s going to happen your Majesty?”
Even though he told about his true identity, Lumi still called him majesty. Maybe out of respect or something deep. She turned towards the nobles who were still shocked at the news and began to lower her head to the point that it was touching the ground.
“Please! I’m begging you all to reconsider all he has done to our country!”
“Enough of that Lumi, it’s already over. My colleagues unilaterally decided that we should tell them the truth.”
“Huh?”
“They are smart Lumi, they even figured out that we are not the real person that they knew. Being deposed or overthrown is on the table. We’d expected this to happen after all. We were too hasty on revitalization plans knowing the risk of being found out.”
“But still! I consider you my King. If they want to depose you then I will fight for your right to the throne. You’d made something of a miracle in our country. You can’t just leave us here. I need you! I don’t want the person that I love to leave. I don’t want to lose you here.”
Lumi drew her sharp rapier and brandished it to the nobles.
“You’re making an embarrassing act. It’s up to them to decide on what will happen. And please I already told you I’m not the prince you loved.”
“Tsk…”
He doesn’t notice her feelings.
“Then maybe we can reconsider this” Hendrix said enough to be heard by everyone.
“Huh?”
The nobles looked at him surprisingly.
- Writer
