Chapter 467: Chapter 463: Retreat? Slaughter! Chapter 467: Chapter 463: Retreat? Slaughter! “What do you all hope to gain from me?” Looking down upon the bustling nobles from the highest seat, Queen Remilia’s face was devoid of any expression, “What will make you stop those meaningless attempts?”

This was the Parliament of Nobles, a significant building in the Lockman Kingdom where the king and the nobles who supported the country discussed various state affairs. At least, that was the official perspective.

In reality, it was a place for negotiations and exchanges of interests. When the king appeared in this building, it indicated that he intended to make a concession or compromise to the nobles, which was a symbol of the decline of the monarch’s authority.

In the early reign of Duke Mureya, some nobles tried to draw him into it. But it never went any further. When one held absolute military power, all plots and schemes seemed laughable.

Now, under the trance of the relentless and inextinguishable nobility rebellion in the kingdom, Queen Remilia, who does not hold absolute control, seemed to have decided to compromise.

No longer as firm as before, she summoned all the nobles with ranks above an earl and opened the long-dormant Parliament of Nobles.

The previous king, Belradin, also refused to enter this humiliating establishment.

“Your Majesty, many nobles believe that the new tax law does not suit our Lockman Kingdom. We should return to the previous tax system. Also, the nobles have legislative rights within their own territories…” As the queen spoke her mind, indicating a willingness to compromise, the greedy nobles grew bold, forthrightly asking for various conditions.

“Impossible, I will not repeal any of the decrees issued by the Duke.” Remilia, who seemed to be willing to back down, was incredibly firm on this matter.

Such resolute words had the nobles seated in the amphitheater seats looking at each other before they started to laugh, wearing triumphant smiles.

The message implicit in Queen Remilia’s words was clear to these people – the laws enacted by Mureya would not change, there would definitely be no repeal, but they could make suitable concessions in other areas.

That was enough to get them excited. The Duke Mureya had not been in power for very long, and he had not issued many orders. His impact on the nobility’s interests was not severe.

Legislative rights and such, the nominal meaning was far greater than the practical one. And only nobles who weren’t adept at running their territory would want to abolish the new tax law. Noblemen who excel in managing their territories fully supported this policy. Unfortunately, these types of nobles were in the minority. Most were simply living off their family’s wealth, hunting and scheming.

“Then, we ask you, Queen, to revoke the Grace Edict!” Seeing Remilia’s firm stance, a noble finally proposed the decree they genuinely wanted her to repeal.

“Is this law not favorable?” Queen Remilia asked, feigning confusion, “Doesn’t it present an opportunity for your progeny to be granted territory and become true nobles?”

“But according to this kind of distribution, even a duke would degrade into a lower noble after three generations.” A noble stated in a sinister tone.

“That’s the outcome for those who refuse to progress and instead only rely on their ancestors’ remnants. If they had even a shred of ambition, how could they degenerate into lower nobility?” Remilia replied without any expression, “As long as you keep earning military achievements to maintain your fathers’ ranks, it’s really easy.”

“Why should we struggle to secure our inherited titles and territories? Doesn’t this defeat the purpose of our ancestors shedding their blood to fight for their status?”

“I agree, why should we suffer and sacrifice to maintain the land and titles that our ancestors fought so hard to win?”

“Moreover, the Zor Elf Kingdom adjacent to our kingdom has already been destroyed. There is no reason for us to wage war against the Dwarf Kingdom of Sherman and the Red Wings Kingdom, whom we have allied with. Without war, how can we earn military accolades and ascend to higher nobility?”

“There are plenty of opportunities to earn military merits!” Queen Remilia’s face showed disappointment, “In the Dark Region, the remnants of the Medis Kingdom after its destruction, the monsters in the wilderness, the dark creatures hiding among humans, and the followers of the Evil God…”

“These are not enough, and they’re also hard to find…” The noise of tedious debates and arguments resounded once again, with most calling for Remilia to retract the Grace Edict. No one wanted their family’s inheritance to crumble after a few generations, and no one could assure that every generation of their descendants would produce an elite.

“Well, apart from the Grace Edict, do you have anything else you want?” Remilia was looking down at the nobles below with an indifferent expression on her face. The corners of her mouth lifted slightly to reveal a trace of mockery.

“…” A moment of silence. The nobles glanced at each other, apparently caught off guard by Remilia’s cooperation after her compromise.

“Your Majesty, we’ve heard that a part of the Dark Region connected to the Kingdom has been left desolate and unoccupied since Duke Mureya and the ancient dragon cleared it of evil. Almost nobody has exploited the resources in that area.”

“Indeed, we’ve heard the same. Technically speaking, the fallen Medis Kingdom, conquered by Duke Mureya on behalf of the Lockman Kingdom, should belong to everyone, not solely to you.”

“Heh, you all even dare to covet the Dark Region that my brother Mureya seized for me. What does all this have to do with you? The whole Dark Region is mine.”

“Of course, it all belongs to you. However, Your Majesty, you seem not particularly keen on developing the Dark Region. Many resource mines are left abandoned without exploitation. If you lack manpower, would you consider having us help?”

At these words, a chorus of agreement echoed throughout the Parliament of Nobles. Many of them had their eyes on the resources in the Dark Region.

“Your greedy faces truly make me sick.” Looking down, Remilia openly sneered at the nobles below.

“Your Majesty, are you insulting us?” Hearing the Queen’s words, the nobles all expressed their dissatisfaction.

“Even if I’m humiliating you, what’s the use? What’s the point for a person who is nearly dead to care about this?”

“Tyrant! Are you plotting to slaughter us?”

“Who are you calling a tyrant?” A red-armored palm fiercely slapped the noble who made the remark. His bloodied teeth flew out along with the bits of broken armor. The same hand then grabbed the noble by his hair and mercilessly slammed his face into the table in front of him.

“You are…” His face half-embedded in the table, the noble, with only one eye visible, saw the sudden appearance of the red-armored youth and couldn’t help but look terrified. “Red Dragon Auston, weren’t you supposed to leave with Duke Mureya? Why are you here?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read