BBYW Vol. 4 Interlude 2 (WN)
The Empire’s Red Rose 2
“We shall now move to the next issue — the reconstruction of the regions most affected by the recent conflicts.”
The female functionary turned to the next page in her stack of documents and read aloud, in a stiff tone.
The newly presented topic was the restoration of the regions brought to their knees by the oppressive rule of the “False Emperor” Grett Baal.
“The region around the capital, as well as the western and southern provinces, have suffered relatively minor damage, and reconstruction is proceeding smoothly. However, in the northern and eastern provinces, poverty is still rampant, and the farmable lands are especially devastated. Regarding additional aids for the restoration of such areas…”
“I fail to see the need for any. What budget can even be spared for those people? If we had any such leeway, it should be directed to the royal palace, first and foremost.”
The young functionary’s words were interrupted by a pudgy middle-aged man.
Clad in an ostentatiously noble-like attire, the man was named Sargue Dagon. A former vassal of Grett Baal, he had the title of Marquis in the empire.
He had somehow been spared any punishment after Grett’s fall, and now served Empress Rossellia as one of the leading figures in the capital.
“The territories in need of reconstruction, for the most part, were ruled by Prince Cerros, the “Renegade” who invited foreign armies in the empire, and the “False Emperor” Grett, a cause of strife and turmoil in our motherland. It is hardly necessary to aid the reconstruction of such places.”
Following Dagon’s brazen words, the gazes of the conference room expressed two different views on the matter.
Some nodded sharply, in approval, while others were more critical: certainly Sargue was not in a position to say such things.
Not only was he once in the service of Grett Baal, but even continued kowtowing to the “False Emperor” after he usurped the throne with the power of the divine weapon.
Rossellia had pardoned him, declaring that all responsibility should be borne by her brother: he was thus allowed in such high spheres of government, but there were those who derided his turncoat behavior.
“That might be going too far, Sir Dagon.”
The first objection to the Marquis’ words came from Marshal Salazar. The former captain of the imperial knights now the supreme leader of both the knights and army.
“Those regions might have been supervised by individuals who turned against the empire, but they are still part of our proud motherland — with new functionaries in charge. The people of those regions have committed no sin, and thus should not be abandoned, as you suggest.”
The words spoken by Rossellia’s closest advisor hung heavily over the room: those who first agreed with Sargue now had pained expressions on their faces.
Sargue himself, however, snorted in derision and directed a mocking gaze to the Marshal.
“Oh dear, never would I have expected to hear such words from a loyal vassal such as you, Sir Salazar. Is your opinion of Her Majesty so poor?”
“…what are you trying to say?”
“I have not even implied that the people of those regions should be “abandoned”. I simply opinionated that there are certain priorities that should be taken…that is all.”
Sargue turned towards Rossellia, sitting in the back of the conference room, then stood up and bowed dramatically.
“Currently, our most pressing priority should be to stabilize the authority of our most magnificent Empress. In order to achieve that, restoring the imperial court, symbol of the Baal dynasty, is of fundamental importance. The recent tumults have sown dissatisfaction among the populace: we should show to them, and the rest of the world, that the imperial family is alive and strong, now more than ever, and reunite the country as one.”
“Enough hollow platitudes…did the construction companies pay you so well? You are pushing these unnecessary renovations just because you want to line your pockets with even more gold!”
“Hmph! I cannot believe a man of your caliber would lend his ear to such vile rumors, Marshal. To think that our army is in your hands! Alas, poor country!”
“You dare slander me, you snake!?”
Salazar’s expression did not hide his sheer indignation, while Sargue twisted his flaccid facial muscles in disgust.
The atmosphere in the room had become so tense that no one dared intervene.
The existence of bad blood between the two was not news: Salazar had been ordered by the former emperor to guard Rossellia, and they were on very close terms.
Sargue, on the other hand, was one of those who started currying favor with Rossellia after the war: he had been accepted as vassal simply out of necessity to regulate the power balance among the nobles.
As endless rumors said, his loyalty was nothing but an act: his true aim was to turn the empress into his puppet.
While serving the same master, their positions could not be more different: it was inevitable that they clashed every chance they had.
“Ehm…”
The functionary in charge of the program of the conference tried to resolve the situation, but she was just a low class noble, recently assigned to her post.
There was no way she could rebuke arm Marshal Salazar or a prominent noble like Marquis Dagon.
As tears started filling her eyes, she made a strenuous effort to say something.
“I believe that is enough.”
Before she could eke out any words, however, a calm and collected voice sliced through the air of the conference room. All eyes around the table focused on a single individual: flowing locks of golden hair, a beauty more akin to a goddess than a mere human being — the words indeed came from the empire’s current ruler, Rossellia Baal.