Chapter 338: Unexpected Gift
Chapter 338
An unexpected gift
A grand festival was held to commemorate the birth of the new king. As advertised since before the coronation, everyone with an interest had gathered. The capital, now called “Royal Haven,” was packed with people.
Shops and stalls continued doing business late into the night. The royal household had placed bonfires at regular intervals along the main road, solving both warmth and lighting issues for free.
“Pour! Pour until it overflows!”
The air was filled with toasts and boisterous conversation from all directions.
“For the king’s glory!”
“Long live the Queen!”
Most were commoners or below, so the forms of address were haphazard, but the sincerity within was genuine.
Nationalism was undeveloped in this era, yet the response was enthusiastic for a simple reason: the royal household was providing designated food and alcohol for free.
Cheap liquor of passable quality, just enough to get pleasantly tipsy.
Soup made with dried grain and frozen Moving Castle meat.
Simple fare, but distributing it without limit to all subjects was highly unusual.
“Eat up! His Majesty paid for it – if any goes to waste, that’s disloyalty!”
Shopkeepers who had received advance payment for ingredients and cooking costs from the royal household also wore broad smiles. Those who found only alcohol and soup insufficient bought skewers or pies, making the free offerings excellent bait.
Since an incalculable number of people had to be fed, ingredients and recipes varied slightly from shop to shop.
“Come try some! Made from ingredients we looted from the Viking granaries!”
“!!!”
“!!!”
Passersby surged toward a shopkeeper’s call.
“Ah, so this is the taste of plunder!”
It was childish, but unavoidable. For a people who had long lived being beaten and robbed, there was no greater tonic.
“Glory to the unconquered conqueror!”
Apart from the free food, many truly rejoiced at the birth of the royal house.
“Is it really over now? We don’t have to worry about Vikings?”
“The war priests all say their kings and lords were beheaded and the big villages burned to the ground.”
“Go to the frontier settlements. That’s where the captured Midgard people are being sent.”
They had been liberated from raiders more terrifying than any natural disaster. Before that, Eugene had also swiftly ended the civil war sweeping Britannia.
The sense of protection from a powerful monarch. That was the primal desire of the people in this age. News that a king faithful to that duty had been born was an unparalleled blessing for the masses.
Moreover, it wasn’t just any royal house – the revival of the First Era elf dynasty was equally important.
“Now the princess protects our land, right?”
“Not the princess – the Queen.”
“The Queen cast her spell and summoned giant bean trees that trapped and crushed the Vikings.”
The reality was merely cutting off retreat, but rumors were adding flesh and blood willy-nilly.
-They say carnivorous flowers blooming from the bean trees devoured the enemies.
-That’s nothing. There are even rumors that roots erupted from the ground and buried thousands alive.
-Everyone has such rich imaginations. Britannia’s future is bright.
-…
Unlike Eugene, who enjoyed it, Valda looked uncomfortable. The reason excessive rumors attached themselves was largely because Valda was royalty.
“I hope your next tour passes through our village.”
The commoners held distorted beliefs about the nobility.
-‘Noble blood is special and wards off evil spirits.’
-‘God personally guides chosen souls into a noblewoman’s womb – that is how nobles are born.’
-‘Those who harm a noble fall into eternal hell and suffer.’
Every kind of superstition abounded, and the nobles welcomed it. It made governance that much easier.
There were even cases where a hundred peasants who had risen up with farming tools cowered and prostrated before a noble accompanied by just two soldiers. Obedience and awe rooted at the very foundation of thought were deeper than imagination.
“They say where the elf royal family’s feet have touched, even blight doesn’t strike.”
“I heard the weeds are too intimidated to grow.”
The elf royal house was the ultimate authority in this field. Especially in Britannia.
And this wasn’t merely a misunderstanding. Valda was truly a lineage blessed by nature spirits, with innate talent for forest magic.
She had revived the Shade Garden of legend, distributed miracle crops like corn to the masses, and even summoned the legendary bean tree.
“With both the king and queen here, we just need to work hard at farming, right?”
The subjects had never felt so safe in their lives – neither in security nor in livelihood.
*
Banquets continued day after day at the lord’s manor that had become the royal palace. Eugene used the opportunity to discuss agenda items with the gathered major lords.
“We will establish disaster observation stations linked to monasteries throughout Britannia.”
This was the king’s first royal decree. Though the Vikings were gone, traditional threats – famine, floods, plagues, monster outbreaks – remained.
“As you lords know, as an island nation, we face difficulties responding when disasters strike.”
“Your Majesty speaks truly. When we urgently needed specific goods, the lords were all operating independently, so everything had to be shipped by sea.”
“In the meantime, the people die in droves.”
The pro-royalist southern lords and the geographically constrained western lords voiced their agreement.
“To respond efficiently, we need to quickly and accurately identify what crisis is approaching.”
“Is this for monitoring disasters only?”
Those belonging to the noble faction asked cautiously. They couldn’t help but suspect an intention to extend royal influence into their territories.
“It also includes those who cause trouble when disasters strike.”
When any region fell into crisis, groups emerged that exploited the situation for profit.
“Suppose a famine hits your territory and you go to a neighboring region to procure grain. When you arrive, some trading company has swept up all the wheat and barley. Then they offer it at prices above market value. Is that not a plausible scenario?”
“Extremely, truly, absolutely plausible.”
Several lords answered. The grinding of teeth and clenching of fists suggested they had experienced this firsthand.
“When such cases arise, the disaster observation stations will issue warnings. If they don’t listen when told politely, anyone who persists will see the king’s wrath.”
It was a simple and rational measure, but one that had been impossible until now because no power encompassed all of Britannia.
Even in other kingdoms with kings, no such system existed. If there had been so many diligent rulers, the world would be a far more pleasant place.
“The operating costs of the disaster observation stations will be borne by the lords of the respective regions.”
“Us, you mean us, Your Majesty?”
The lords’ faces stiffened instantly. Even a small organization meant money flowing out regularly, and no one liked that.
“This isn’t mandatory. If you don’t want one, you’re free to decline. I intend to operate them only in territories that desire them.”
The royal household absorbing the cost of establishing disaster observation stations in every territory was out of the question. Eugene was neither a philanthropist nor an idealist.
“Take your time to think it over.”
Eugene rose and adjourned the meeting. The nobles stood in unison, bowing their heads to see the king out.
“If it’s linked to monasteries, the costs shouldn’t be that high. There are one or two priests who would be enthusiastic about it, aren’t there?”
“The Edward family has already started construction, I hear.”
“You should have seen him wagging his tail before His Majesty. Yes! Yes! to everything.”
The nobles gathered in small clusters, murmuring. Considering the insurance value during crises, the idea was tempting.
The question was whether their ambitious king had proposed it with pure intentions. Not just monitoring disasters, but potentially using it to extend royal influence into territories.
Naturally, Eugene had no intention of using such tricks to spread royal authority.
-‘I will definitely introduce a punitive fine system.’
The purpose was to lay the groundwork for this unfamiliar system.
An era teeming with enterprises that grew fat on the tears and blood of the innocent. Eugene alone couldn’t stop it all, but creating a minimum filter was possible.
To do that, he had to move diligently from now on to lay the foundation.
*
As the continuous banquets drew to a close, one of the main events arrived: the opening of gifts. Starting from Eugene on the dais, the seated nobles wore expressions of curiosity.
Over half were from Britannia’s noble families and religious orders, but many gifts had come from abroad as well.
“Count Marcus Pierce of Varcia sends congratulations on Your Majesty’s coronation with a gift! A full-length mirror!”
The royal bard announced in a resonant voice. As a chanter, he could imbue his voice with mystery. His clear words reached every ear in the banquet hall.
“I’ve never seen such a large mirror.”
“It could reflect three people easily.”
The nobles gathered here were all people of standing, but Marcus’s gift was special. It wasn’t a mirror of polished bronze, silver, or tin plates, but of glass.
“Was it made with magic?”
Eugene caught the magical aftertaste emanating from the mirror. With current technology, processing glass to this degree was impossible.
“Even I only have hand mirrors of glass. This isn’t metal, so it won’t need regular polishing. Princess Maria, I express my gratitude.”
“I’m honored that Your Majesty is pleased.”
Eugene rose and stood before the full-length mirror.
“Incredible!”
“It’s exactly the same!”
The nobles marveled at the perfect reflection they saw for the first time in their lives. Eugene smiled and gestured to Valda.
“I gift this to you. The queen’s beauty is Britannia’s pride.”
“Thank you, my king.”
Valda was genuinely delighted. Before being royalty or a mage, she was also a woman. A full-length mirror unlike any other in the world could only excite her.
The gifts produced at such occasions generally pleased those in power. Treasure swords, full plate armor, grimoires, gold-plated scriptures, Eastern porcelain and so on.
“How envy-inducing.”
“If I could just get a mirror like that, I could die without regrets.”
The unexpected blow seemed to hit everyone hard. Noble ladies gazed at the beautiful queen with eyes full of jealousy and longing.
“A gift sent by Count Andar of the Kingdom of Gord.”
The royal bard introduced the next gift.
“From Gord?”
“The king formed a bond with him during his days as a free knight.”
“A free knight…”
The whispering nobles realized just how remarkable their king’s background was.
“A chess set of gemstones titled ‘The King’s Battlefield.'”
This gift also drew gasps from all sides. Pawn shaped as soldiers, bishop as a bishop, knight as a mounted knight, rook as a tower, and finally king and queen.
Each was exquisitely crafted in human form, with the retainers made of silver and the king and queen of gold.
“Only the queen has elongated ears? Count Andar paid attention to the details.”
When Eugene held up the queen, laughter spread.
Eugene placed the pieces one by one on an ivory chessboard. It was so magnificent that it was a supreme luxury item and fine artwork in its own right.
“How much money went into making this?”
“I’d love to play a match with that in my lifetime.”
“My ivory chess pieces suddenly feel shabby.”
Those who loved chess spoke with longing.
“Two queens?”
“Why only queens?”
Unlike the other pieces, there was an extra queen included with each set.
“Is this a hint at a marriage alliance?”
Given the occasion, the nobles buzzed. Eugene waved his hand as if to dismiss unnecessary interpretations.
“When you promote a pawn, do you exchange it for anything other than the queen?”
“Of course the queen, Your Majesty!”
In most kingdoms, the queen was a weak piece. It could only move one or two squares diagonally. This reflected the queen’s role as consort serving the king.
However, Britannia was the land of the half-elf household that had taken in a matrilocal husband, so the queen’s performance was powerful. It reigned as the strongest piece, capable of unlimited horizontal and vertical movement.
“But does the situation ever arise to promote?”
“Try playing chess with my queen.”
“With such a treasure, and against the queen herself, who would refuse?”
Amid the jovial atmosphere, Eugene held the extra queen.
‘This Andar fellow, really.’
The extra queen wasn’t carved as an elf. It was a beastkin girl with fluffy ears and a magnificent tail. Perhaps out of respect for the primary wife, it was made of silver rather than gold.
“Heh.”
“???”
Valda noticed it too and smiled softly, reaching back to take Homi’s hand. Homi, standing behind them, wore a confused expression, perhaps not catching the queen’s details.
“A gift from Duke Edward, steward of the west. A crystal wine decanter.”
A glass bottle large enough to hold at least three liters, decorated with various gemstones.
“The bottle is enchanted to maintain conditions suitable for preserving wine. It is said to be an heirloom of the Edward family.”
When Eugene accepted the bottle and looked at Duke Edward, he rose from his chair and bowed.
He was the one who had pledged loyalty first and promised annual tribute deliveries. In terms of power alone, a marquisate would have been appropriate, but Eugene had granted him a duchy in recognition of his loyalty – or perhaps his political acumen.
“Can I accept such a precious treasure?”
“Of course. Our ancestors made wine from grapes harvested in Kingsfield and offered it to the half-elf household. I’m delighted to continue a tradition that had been severed. Please fill that bottle with our tribute goods.”
Noble families in attendance looked at Duke Edward with expressions that said, “Well, well, look at this fellow.” His intentions were transparent.
It was essentially a warning to other lords: ‘Touch our breadbasket and you’re finished.’
“Traditions are a good thing. I’ll accept your gesture with gratitude.”
Eugene nodded. Under-the-table dealings on this matter had already been concluded.
As they opened boxes one by one, a gift arrived from an unexpected source.
“A gift from the elf kingdom of the Great Forest.”
“…Why would they send one?”
From the opened box, Eugene lifted out a cradle.
“Could that be?”
“Hush. It might be pure encouragement.”
Silence fell over the banquet hall. Everyone knew that Eugene and Valda had yet to produce an heir. Whether it was mockery or support, interpretations varied and murmurs arose.
Eugene discovered a small piece of parchment placed in the center of the cradle. As he read it, his eyes widened.
“This is a recipe.”
“A recipe?”
At Valda’s question, Eugene handed her the parchment.
“A portion of the recipe for the Fairy Crown potion. Not the complete one, but a part of it.”
“What?!”
Valda lost her composure. The Fairy Crown was the key ingredient in potions that aided interspecies pregnancy.
Valda’s golden eyes scanned the parchment rapidly. Written there was a portion of a potion formula more advanced and complex than anything she knew.
“Were there no other letters with this parchment? A greeting or invitation?”
“That was all, Your Majesty.”
“Is that so.”
Eugene stroked the lovingly crafted cradle, lost in thought.
After Valda’s marriage and the revival of the Shade Garden, the elf royal family’s continued vitality had become known to all. Historians had been eager to see how the Great Forest elves would react, but only silence had followed.
‘They betrayed the royal family at the decisive moment and fled. I understand they’d be too ashamed to face us.’
But what was the intention behind sending this now? And why only a partial recipe rather than the complete one?
Unable to judge hastily, Eugene’s questions only multiplied. It felt almost as if they were saying, “If you’re curious, come see for yourself.”