Reborn, Its Time To Save My Family And.. My Enemy!
Chapter 196: Victory At Every End

Chapter 196: Victory At Every End

Turning to Sir Balen of Stonefield, Damon continued, "Sir Balen, you sought assistance in training your militia to defend against bandit raids."

Balen straightened. "Yes, Your Grace. Our forces are inexperienced."

"I’ve assigned seasoned knights to conduct training exercises in your region," Damon informed him.

Balen’s jaw clenched, but he managed a stiff bow. "Understood, Your Grace."

Finally, Damon faced Lord Varric of Greenhollow. "Lord Varric, your plea for medical supplies during the recent outbreak was urgent."

Varric’s eyes narrowed. "Yes, the illness spread rapidly."

"I’ve sent healers and the requested supplies," Damon said.

Varric’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Very well."

Damon leaned back, his gaze piercing. "It seems I’ve fulfilled each of your requests promptly and without delay."

The vassals exchanged uneasy glances, their discomfort palpable.

"Yet, I sense discontent," Damon observed. "Is there something amiss?"

Lord Harren cleared his throat. "Your Grace, while we appreciate your swift actions, some among us feel... sidelined."

"Indeed," Lady Elira added. "Decisions are made without our counsel."

Damon’s eyes narrowed. "Are you suggesting that my fulfilling your requests is insufficient?"

Sir Balen shifted in his seat. "Not insufficient, Your Grace. But unexpected. We are accustomed to negotiations, discussions."

Damon’s voice hardened. "I am not here to coddle egos or indulge in endless debates. My duty is to serve the realm efficiently."

Lord Varric’s tone turned icy. "Efficiency without inclusion breeds resentment."

Damon stood, the room falling silent. "Resentment is a luxury you cannot afford. I suggest you remember that." His words were a needle piercing on their throats, leaving the vassals in stunned silence.

"You all have indulged yourself too much. You have made mistakes that I have overlooked so far. But that does not mean I do not have proof or I could not use it against you. But I will never do that... after all you all support me unconditionally. righT?" they all flinched at the depth of his voice.

But they did not dare to refuse him.

"Good, since I have completed the tasks you should have done as their ruler, I hope you would not mind that I will charge ten percent of this year’s tax. After all, I have to pay for everything I am providing you." their faces looked ashen.

They all opened their mouths with horror but they did not even dare to gasp. It was extortion, it was a trap and Damon wanted to rob them of their wealth.

They would not accept it.

"Of course, I will make sure that it will not put pressure on their income. So my men would check the whole process of tax collection too and will only take ten percent of the whole tax collected."

Lord Harren’s face flushed, his earlier bravado replaced by a sullen glare. Lady Elira’s hands trembled slightly as she clutched the edge of the table, her knuckles white. Sir Balen stared at Damon, a mix of resentment and grudging respect in his eyes. Lord Varric, ever the pragmatist, remained expressionless, but the tightness in his jaw betrayed his inner turmoil.​

Damon’s gaze swept over them, his eyes cold and unyielding. "​You have all benefited from my actions, yet you bristle at the cost. Remember, the ten percent levy is not a punishment but a necessary measure to ensure the realm’s stability. Your people will not suffer; my men will oversee the collection to prevent any undue burden."​

He paused, letting his words sink in. "​Consider this a lesson in responsibility. Fulfill your duties, and you shall find me a fair and just lord. Fail, and you will learn the true cost of negligence."​

"Yes.. we apologize for our short sightedness, your grace." one of them bowed and all followed.

They did not dare to linger anymore and left with hasty steps. But their faces were full of resentment and anger.

They took a step away from the manor and stood at the entrance.

Lord Harren broke the silence, his voice tinged with disbelief. "He dares to levy a ten percent tax on our collections, under the guise of fulfilling our duties? This is nothing short of extortion."​

Lady Elira nodded, her expression stern. "Indeed. By deploying his own men to oversee our tax collection, he undermines our sovereignty. It’s a blatant assertion of dominance."

Sir Balen, ever the pragmatist, interjected. "While his methods are aggressive, we must acknowledge that he addressed our petitions with unprecedented efficiency. Our people have benefited."​

Lord Varric scoffed. "At what cost? Our influence wanes as he expands. Today it’s tax oversight; tomorrow, it could be direct control over our lands."

"And we all have a corrupted taxation system. I am sure no one of us had used all the collected money for the benefit of our people." their eyes shifted but they did not deny it.

"Since that is the case, our only choice is to bring the duchess back. Her child Leonardo is too young and could not control the duchy. I am sure she would give us enough power in exchange for our offered help." announced the baron. He would not accept being played in the hands of a young man who knew nothing.

They all looked shocked by his suggestion but he only shrugged.

"Everyone know that duchess would do anything to win. All we need to do is support her under the guise of pity for the young lord.

If things went south, we can always abandon her like before and blame that we have only offered support but we have never planned to rebel against the current duke." They all exchanged glances. Baron Moore knew he was close to convincing them. So he continued.

"Think about it, if we won, the benefit would be ours to reap. But if we failed, she would take the blame and we can use this chance to help the duke in getting rid of obstacles in his path. I am sure he would not hold us responsible if he would get rid of his stepmother."

"I.. think it can work. But who will go to meet lady Oriana?"

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