Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

The glaring sunlight extended into the court, illuminating the fine dust particles floating in the air.

The heated arguments between civil and military officials, as well as the princes, filled Alaric’s heart with irritation.

Like everyone else, he knew that the Eldorian Empire was no match for the reavers. When Prince Ravencrest had visited the capital recently, his words had been filled with apprehension about the reavers.

Although Prince Ravencrest’s underlying message was a plea for more money and supplies from Alaric, it was clear that the once-mighty Ravencrest family, known as the ’Bull of the North,’ was showing signs of strain.

Meanwhile, Prince Dornhal and Prince Augustus were barely holding their own against the reavers’ constant raids. Over the years, the treasury’s funds and the equipment from the Artillery Bureau had been funnelled to these three northern princes.

Coupled with the annual tribute payments, the Eldorian Empire’s treasury was now empty, leaving no resources to support Simon. This was precisely why the imperial guards couldn’t be deployed lightly; they were the last line of defence for Eldora.

Thus, the Second Prince’s words resonated deeply with Alaric, while the Fourth Prince’s remarks displeased him. The Crown Prince’s retort to the Fourth Prince was exactly what Alaric himself wanted to say.

"Enough! Stop arguing. I have made my decision. We cannot increase the tribute this time. The treasury is already in deficit, and we have no money left to give to the reavers. Moreover, constant concessions will only make the reavers despise the Eldorian Empire even more. This time, we do not seek to defeat the reavers, but to make them understand that the Eldorian Empire cannot be pushed around."

"Your Majesty is wise!" Lancet and other military officials shouted in unison.

Meanwhile, many civil officials looked as if they were mourning a great loss, their faces pale with fear. They dreaded the possibility of the reavers reaching Eldora, where they would lose their wealth and the comforts of their luxurious lives.

"Your Majesty, we cannot fight!" Darrel suddenly knelt on the ground, kowtowing repeatedly.

Following him, half the civil officials knelt and shouted. "Your Majesty, we cannot fight! Once the conflict begins, the Eldorian Empire will never know peace again. The nation will be destroyed..."

"Your Majesty, we cannot fight." At this point, even some military officials knelt.

"You!"

A surge of anger rose in Alaric’s heart. In the past, only civil officials had been like this, but now even military officials were cowering in fear of the reavers.

He suddenly felt a deep sense of sorrow. When had the Eldorian Empire become filled with cowards and those who sought only to survive?

"Father, I have a plan that can both stop the reavers from advancing south and prevent them from blaming the court."

The Third Prince suddenly spoke up.

Alaric’s eyes lit up. "Speak quickly."

"Father, this plan is not suitable to discuss in open court." The Third Prince hesitated.

Alaric waved his hand and said to the ministers. "Court is dismissed. We will discuss this matter again tomorrow."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

The ministers rose and left the court in an orderly manner.

Once the ministers had left, only the Third Prince remained in the hall.

Alaric then asked. "What is your plan?"

"It’s quite simple. This time, the reavers are advancing south merely to demand more tribute, using the threat of attacking Dunmere and the heart of the Central Plains as leverage. Dunmere is Prince Simon’s domain, and further south is Prince Gerad’s territory. To protect their own lands, Prince Simon and Prince Gerad will naturally fight the reavers with all their might. If they can hold Dunmere, the reavers will retreat in disgrace."

"If Prince Simon and Prince Gerad cannot hold Dunmere, we can still negotiate peace with the reavers before the city falls. After all, if even Prince Simon and Prince Gerad combined cannot stop the reavers, the imperial guards and the armies of other princes, rushing from thousands of miles away, will be of little use. By then, the Eldorian Empire will be in grave danger. At that point, we can publicly declare that Prince Simon and Prince Gerad acted without imperial orders and punish them to appease the reavers, securing peace for the Eldorian Empire." The Third Prince explained slowly.

After presenting his plan, the Third Prince looked somewhat pleased with himself. In his view, this was the most sensible course of action.

"Scoundrel! How could I have such a venomous son?" Alaric suddenly erupted, grabbing a memorial and hurling it at the Third Prince. "You are asking me to betray my brothers, my son, and the entire empire! I may not be as wise as the founding emperor, but I would never stoop to such despicable acts."

The Third Prince remained calm, as if he had anticipated Alaric’s reaction.

He spoke. "Father, didn’t you see it clearly in court today? The peace faction is backed by Prince Ravencrest, Prince Dornhal, and Prince Augustus. They are the ones who fear the reavers. If you insist on going to war, the northern princes and the Eldorian Empire will become estranged."

Alaric’s expression changed. Over the years, the relationship between the imperial family and the various princes had grown increasingly distant, no longer as close as it had been during the founding emperor’s reign.

This was especially true for the non-imperial princes. After several generations, their ties to the imperial family had weakened, and they no longer fully obeyed the emperor’s commands.

This was why, since the founding emperor’s time, the emperors of the Eldorian Empire had maintained relationships with the princes through marriages.

The Third Prince’s words were not impossible.

Everyone in the Eldorian Empire knew that Alaric and Prince Ravencrest were as close as brothers, but in reality, the more they acted this way, the more their relationship was a facade.

Prince Ravencrest was the northern shield of the empire. If he secretly colluded with the reavers, the reaver army could march straight to Eldora. This was precisely why Alaric was so wary of Prince Ravencrest.

Making Empress Gretchen the empress and her nephew the Crown Prince were both attempts to placate Prince Ravencrest.

After all, among the various princes, Prince Ravencrest’s army was the most formidable. Used correctly, he was a valuable asset. Used incorrectly, he was a deadly weapon.

The same was true for Prince Dornhal and Prince Augustus. Over the years, the treasury had given these three princes a great deal of silver to defend against the reavers. If they were to turn against the empire now...

At this thought, Alaric couldn’t bear to imagine the consequences. His earlier determination began to cool.

Now in his fifties, he no longer had the fiery passion of his youth. As he calmed down, he suddenly felt a sense of dread. He didn’t want to lose the throne or the wealth and luxury before him.

The Third Prince observed Alaric’s expression and sneered inwardly. He knew his father too well.

Alaric loved the throne more than anything else.

"Father, the reavers have repeatedly harassed us. This time, we cannot let them go unpunished. But if we engage in a full-scale war with the reavers, the Eldorian Empire risks falling apart. After all, the princes each have their own agendas. That’s why I proposed this plan. It is all for the sake of the Eldorian Empire and for you, Father. Besides, at that time, it would only be a pretence of punishment to appease the reavers." The Third Prince said again.

Alaric felt a wave of exhaustion. He waved his hand. "Let me think about it carefully. You may leave now."

The Third Prince bowed and left.

Outside the imperial palace, Constantine was waiting for the Third Prince, Leonard. Seeing him emerge from the palace, Constantine stepped forward and asked, "Your Highness, how did it go?"