Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 919: Support to the Lady

CH0919 Support to the Lady

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Udara and Alpha were stunned by Alex’s action. On his part, Haggleworth took the action more in stride than the two of them.

Alex’s action removed any ambiguity about Udara’s authority over Dark Water.

Essentially, his action showed Alpha clearly where Udara stood. Although Dark Water belonged to him, it was under Udara’s command as a Lady of his House.

In Alpha’s eyes, it was a silent admonishment and gesture from Alex. It was as if he was telling her to stop looking to him every time before answering Udara’s questions. Udara had his full trust and support to command his Intelligence Wing.

On the other hand, Haggleworth overlooked the gesture. Not because he couldn’t see its meaning, but because Alex had already stated previously that Dark Water would eventually answer to Udara directly for general matters, while it would only answer to him in the most important cases that required his presence.

Far from the administrative, and perhaps political, implications of his action, Haggleworth was more interested in something else.

‘As expected of the Chairman—a masterclass in delegation. He handed over more duties to her, yet she looks so grateful for it,’ the gnome thought to himself.

While many gnomes and similar races were good at their jobs, they were very reluctant to assume more responsibility or take on additional duties. They had to be convinced with more benefits before they would agree to do the job.

However, here, at least in Haggleworth’s eyes, Alex had casually shoved Udara into a seat, handing over a burdensome responsibility, and the lady actually looked as though she might shed tears of gratitude.

He couldn’t help but look at Alex with admiration for his skills.

Udara looked back at Alex in surprise.

“Master… are you sure about this?” she asked.

“What is there to be surprised about now?” Alex replied with a smile. “You are a lady of my House. This is the responsibility I have given you and the duty you have accepted, is it not?

“I am only making official the responsibility and duty you already bear for my House.”

“I am worried this position is too great for me,” Udara said.

“Nonsense. You are one of the people who know me best. I trust that you will make decisions as I would… or even better.”

Alex kissed her forehead, then stepped back, making a subtle gesture for Alpha to face her leader.

Unseen by the others, a smile tugged at Alpha’s lips, but she quickly hid it away.

She bowed to Udara.

“Mistress, how do you want Dark Water to approach the matter of the three Ducal scions’ alliance and this unknown organisation?” she asked.

Udara looked at the profiles of the three scions silently for a good moment. Then, she shook her head.

“I do not have enough information on them and this unknown organisation to come to a concrete decision,” she eventually said. “Run me through what we have on them. In particular, why did they join hands? And why attack Alex specifically?”

‘Declining to make a decision with incomplete information? Good,’ Alpha thought to herself.

Alex, who was now leaning against the frame of the window behind the master seat, smiled to himself.

“Very well, Mistress.” Alpha bowed.

Tapping on the magic table, she brought up a map of the Virellian Empire, then pointed to the Reichart lands in the northeast.

“First, Otto Reichart. His motivation is the easiest to grasp. The Reicharts have secretly been looking towards the North—northeast, to be precise—at its fertile lands.

“The Reichart Duchy is very rich in mineral resources, but poor in agricultural ones. The former is finite, while the latter is replenishable. As a result, to secure their food supply and security, House Reichart has been looking to directly or indirectly take over the fertile lands of the northeast, which cover, among others, the Fury Lands, Dankrot, the former Schaumer Lands, and the Kellerman Fiefdom.”

Alpha brought up what looked like trade documents and other secret dealings.

“From what we’ve gathered, for almost a century now, the Reicharts have been slowly spreading their influence into the area, almost becoming patrons of House Schaumer before Earl Drake Fury defeated the House.

“In the most recent territorial war against the Earl Drake line of House Fury, we found documents which suggest the Reicharts fronted the Kellermans a bulk of the funds they used for the war… and for the post-war recovery.

“So, we can safely conclude that Otto Reichart’s involvement in the alliance is motivated by a desire to usurp the Fury Lands. The removal of the heir to the Mad Earl, thereby stopping the potential growth of House Fury and its alliance with powerful forces, is indirectly in the best interest of the Reicharts’ long-term goals.”

Alpha swiped away the window and pointed at two locations: the Machholt Grand Duchy and the Holt Marquisate.

“House Machholt is known for controlling forces belonging to powerful bloodlines from up-and-coming Houses. As you already know, the Furor Bloodline has gained their attention, and they seek to gain command of a force under their banner with said Bloodline.

“However, House Fury—or rather, Earl Drake Fury—has turned down offers to bring House Fury under the Machholts, choosing instead to become a Guardian House that answers to the Imperial Sun.”

“Due to House Fury’s identity as a Guardian House, the Machholts can do very little overtly against House Fury without potentially drawing the ire of the Imperial Sun. Their only option is for members of House Fury to willingly swear loyalty to them.

“However, everyone knows that, due to the Furor Bloodline—the very same bloodline that the Machholts covet for their collection—the members of House Fury are unlikely to swear loyalty to a faraway noble. Even the fealty sworn to the Clan Head and the Imperial Sun is shaky and maintained mostly through force and power. The Furys willingly coming to the Machholts would not happen—at least, not without some… push.”

Alpha directed Udara’s attention to the second highlighted location on the map.

“For this reason, the Machholts used their implanted pawn in the region to set the board for them to take in House Fury without drawing the Imperial Sun’s ire. However, young master Alex went ahead and married Imperial Princess Eleanore, further strengthening House Fury’s ties to House Ludevicus and making it more difficult for House Machholt to take in Fury members,” Alpha explained.

“The stronger the ties House Fury has to House Ludevicus, the more difficult it would be for House Machholt to accept Fury members as their vassals. House Ludevicus would have the right of first pick even if something happens to House Fury—and it is difficult to expect Fury members who respect power above all else to choose a Grand Duchy over an Imperial House,” Udara commented.

***