Ashes and Kingdoms

White and black. The marble and obsidian that separates the floor of the capitol into squares are neatly beautiful and cold. The emperor told me in a position no more deserving of that stage.

"The tax on the delivery to the province of Vitia will then be increased for limited use only and will remain in force for the time being with regard to the increase in water charges to private dwellings… With the above decision, the meeting is adjourned today"

There is no emotion in the voice that tells you pale. Fercius applauded satisfactorily as he swept back to his seat, and more than half the senators followed suit. Some members of parliament applaud each other with bitter faces, and a very small number of members take their seats silently. It was a sight that had become perfectly normal in the past few years.

Varys also, naturally, follows the floor without being heard from anyone. As he went outside, he rubbed between the carved brows of a rugged wrinkle and exhaled.

(Win, lose... if it counts as win)

I rebel and self-assess this achievement as I walk, and then start thinking about hitters.

The truth is, I wanted to increase the delivery tax without limiting its use, but I had read from the beginning that this would not be possible. Though supposedly, it could be increased to the cost of ensuring that taxes are carried out, it could be counted as an achievement.

Fercius and the others think that the increment will be used to increase the number of tax collectors and their security to cover their activities in the north - and of course it is within them to be dispatched - but once they send the money to the north, they will be able to use it “for tax stability” for whatever reason.

However, tax review in the Imperial Capital and other countries was frustrated. Even though it is clear that the finances will collapse as they are now, a party of Fercius thinks all the time about squeezing them away from somewhere else… like the purity of the currency, already a few steps ahead of losing credibility.

(Additionally disturbing is the summons of Glaus)

For the sake of personal greed, or to make it convenient for the supporters around us - that's the only criterion for action, senators, not just Fercius. The senators have been around for a long time, and those who see such a purpose clear can do what they deserve.

But different movements are hard to control.

Though it has not yet been submitted as an agenda, it is imperative that the voice be raised from a disturbing whisper that hiccups, calling back generals from the east sooner or later. Even though the extended term of office has expired, how long are you willing to stay, are you wearing Eastern forces and adhesions, etc.

Varis thinly realizes who is pointing that way behind him.

(I didn't know Lord Nakhte would strangle me while I was in the Imperial Capital)

As long as the Imperial Metropolitan Guard is under Glaus and that Glaus is his one and only friend, no matter how much power he sharpens in Parliament, he will be pursued by the throne... or even worried about taking his life.

But if Glause loses his leg.

Apparently, frustration and vigilance appeared on his face. He bowed his head in a frightened manner when the decree greeted the Lord at the front door. Varis confines himself to returning a nod and goes back without saying a word.

Every now and then, Finn and the others pass through a private room and head to Varys' own room. One of the rooms on the way was the door open. Listening to Varys' footsteps, there is one boy from inside, and he shows his face.

"Your Majesty, the council is well done."

Stared at him with a split gray eye of gold, Varis loosened his expression. Boy - Senato is now perfectly familiar with the royal palace and soothes the air in the mansion on behalf of landlords who tend to be shady along with it.

The atmosphere of the mansion became brighter as soon as he began to live. So much so that Varys, realizing that the cause was in the mood of the servants, reflected that he had never been too insensitive to them. Apart from the family ordinance that I have served close to me for many years and about the cook that is essential to please my guests, I paid little attention to who else was there and what work I was doing.

It was natural from his status, but Senato did not, and the difference seemed to enliven the servants every day.

Senato himself has also changed dramatically in the last three years. Even if I only said the exterior things, I grew taller, changed my voice, and my face became just a little tougher.

Varys looked at the boy reluctantly and replied calmly, as usual.

"At least that's how all five of them stand here, and you can tell they're safe."

Senato also nodded silently and avoided beside the door, asking him if it was okay to go into the room just with the trick. From the looks of it, it also seems that the interaction between the two is like a brother who understands each other well.

On Senato's desk, the books he had been reading until now remained spread out. Varys is also a classic congressional political theory textbook, once told and read by a tutor.

"Aren't you bored?

Senato also smiled slightly bitterly at Varys, who asked in a slightly sarcastic tone.

"It would be better to visit the actual floor. It seems that we are far removed from our former philosophy and ideals, but that is why we are still here."

"Not at all. But we could at least increase the grant to the north. We can't raise tax revenues in the East, so it seems to have gotten to the head of liquor soaking that we have to invest in the North."

"The north seems to be doing relatively well, doesn't it? I heard Senator Islev will be back soon."

"Oh. If he returns, it will be a little easier to proceed with the proceedings. But if those who went to the north behaved foolishly instead, the buds that had just come out could finally be crushed. Of all the people approved by Congress, I was going to nominate the best."

"As soon as we arrive at the leisure, it comes as no surprise that there are many bureaucrats who turn from one public servant to the king. … right"

Varis nods with a harsh look to Senato, who quotes from a textbook on the theory of subordinate state rule. Senato regained his mind and gave a bright voice.

"But there is a dragon marquis in the north. That is also the person of the day who has actually fought the Dark Beast and led those who have lost their place of residence, so even auditors will not be able to do as they please. Of course, legally, Nanais is the only one whose authority extends, but I was wondering if I could say that he has influence over essentially the whole of the North."

So much so that Senato, aware of the contradictions contained in his theory, vaguely cut the words. If Tenryu Hou masters the North, that is, the Empire loses the North. But at the same time, otherwise, the Empire cannot keep the North connected soundly.

Senato had no choice but to flaunt his shoulders against the quiet obsession that was pouring on him.

"That's a tough situation."

"From the current state of the empire, there is no impossibility."

Varys responded pale and raised his face, eyeing a map of textiles hung on the wall.

"Even from the council, there have been few locally elected councillors. Now I wonder where to say it's an empire."

"Your Majesty..."

Senato drank his breath and was stunned. And bite your lips helplessly at yourself for not being able to say anything. All I could do was shut up and follow with my eyes the way Varys looked at each state of the Empire in turn.

The North has long been a land that will soon become less dominant and less dominant in the country. Once on the verge of devastation, only a small area at the southern tip of the north, between the mountains, can be said with certainty that the country is holding back. Even with connections to the auditors stationed in Winnea and the Dragon Marquis in Nanais, it has become too far away a world to say that it is that much imperial land.

Needless to say, the east has not yet stabilized since the rebellion in Elesia. Moreover, it is eroded by the beast of darkness, causing uninterrupted refugee outbreaks and flows west. Agricultural land was abandoned, distribution lagged behind, exactly the same situation as in the north three years ago.

- And the West.

On the face of it, there is no revolt, nor is the devastation caused by the erosion of darkness noticeable, and it is still the land of a healthy empire, but it reigns there......

"I don't know what my grandfather thinks."

Senato moaned as she squeezed it out. Looking back like Varys woke up from his thoughts. I couldn't take that gaze, and Senato got upset.

"In the last three years, I've had some eyes on things, too. To the extent that my grandfather could tell me to encourage me to become a great emperor was never due to the love of simple flesh parents. … these days, I think my grandfather is looking for victory"

"Against me,? He's trying to cage the council, kick the emperor down, and take power through that, huh? I feel sorry for your grandson, Senato Dragon Hou."

Varys grinned bitterly and shook his head small. Of course, Junior Senato's anxiety is something Varys himself feels. If Dragon Horse Senato's lust for power is so blatant that this boy can spot it, it may bode well for him to finally take bold action.

I know that at last.

Without having to be pointed out to anyone, Varys himself is well aware of it.

But Senato's words continued.

"Of course, I think those victories are one of the things my grandfather wants. But something more... I can't put it into words well, but I feel such a temper to beat and stomp on it for something abstract... I was wondering if that's why you're holding a magician or something."

To unexpected words, Varis looked at Senato as he raised his eyebrows and made it. I couldn't help but think of something like a toddler frightened by the shadow of Miyagi, but when I saw the boy's serious expression, I could easily draw attention to it.

"The sorcerer doesn't seem so frightening."

I say it in a serious tone so that you don't think you're being grumpy.

Senato glanced out the window in such an unaware manner of Varis' distress. Rumor has it that Orgin, the sorcerer, is given a room in the building across the small garden. He had followed Senato to and from Siros and the Imperial Capital. For once, you understand that you are in a position not to act on your own. Or simply because without Senato, I would not be free to enter the library.

"We may not be able to understand what we're doing or what we can do. The memory of the war had become of a distant past, but now the new Dragon Marquis appeared both of us to continue to stand. What wonder is there that the magic moves are back?"

"When we get to that point, it's out of my hands."

Varys dared to answer calmly, as if it were a daily conversation. Even though I can't overtake it as a dream story, because I had a feeling that if I seriously stuck it out and thought about it, I would have to despair.

"To the power and sorcery of the dragon, neither confrontation nor intervention is realized in the body of the only man. As I pray to the gods to protect us, I can only do what I can. In other words, the efforts of the blindfolded senators to keep the status quo intact and move it a little in the right direction."

"... right"

Senato smiled unreliably, nodding and diverting her gaze from the window.

- And then.

"Ugh!?

"Wah... ugh!

The flash ran, and the two moaned, sheltering their faces in agitation. Only for a moment, but the world was painted into white light and all sounds disappeared.

By the time I exhaled my stuffed breath, the world was back on track, as if nothing had happened anymore. The bird chirps, the garden fountain makes a little noise, and the wind gently flows through the window.

"What the hell?"

Varys glanced up and ran over to the window. Senato also lines up right next to him.

But no matter how I stared, there was nothing unusual. I thought even the thunder had fallen, but nowhere had collapsed, and it didn't smell burnt.

After looking around for a while, Senato stayed away from the window.

"I'm going to ask you what you did."

Don't come, Your Majesty, because it is dangerous, and I have no need to put it into words. I am in temper and restraint. Varys blinked his eyes, then looked out and told him, "That doesn't seem necessary". When Senato returned to the window suspiciously, Orgin appeared in the garden.

As usual, he puts together a jacket that completely hides his body and face, and walks in a leafy foothold that rises in the wind.

As Senato stood, Orgin stopped at a distance where his voice could reach but his face could not be seen, and slowly thanked him as if deliberately.

"Disturb me. No harm in trivial experiments"

"Even if that was just light, I wonder if there would be one or two family members with their eyes crushed"

When Varys responded sarcastically, Orgin replied with his head bowed.

"That's not true. Now the light belongs to a very weak Spirit... and it's gone."

Saying in a dry voice, he looks up softly. But in the shadow of the hood, I can't see the expression from the senators. Only a dark voice arrived.

"When we operate, people don't even do harm to grated birds. Rest assured."

He bows his head again and then returns to his place in an unnatural motion.

"Don't worry, some people won't feel so safe."

Next to Varis crushing spicy, Senato was holding the window frame so hard that the bones on the back of his hand were raised.

I was so vigilant and hoping to do something about it, but I didn't know I could do anything. The other guy is an old man, and the asylum of the Senato Marquis never seems thick, even though it seems like he can do whatever he wants with imprisonment or exile.

(I can't get a basis to just do something about it, I can't act without a basis. regret)

Unquestionably enough to do something about each human being. Is that your weakness? Or is it an instinctive warning to keep watching rather than getting your hands on it poorly?

Senato bit his back teeth and stared at the sorcerer's hindsight.