Chapter 216: The New Senator

Piero called out to the three one by one, “Do you think these matters are something the Church can permit?”

Bevan said, “That manor isn’t just where I live, it’s also the future residence of the governor. And besides giving them food, I also gave them York copper coins. This already exceeds what they could earn locally. They even shouted that I am merciful Lord Bevan. And a ten-for-eight draw still leaves plenty of profit for those merchants.”

Puniel said, “This is only to make those werewolves create value. York Territory is already lacking resources, and the north is even more devastated. So if waste can be avoided, then naturally, it must not be wasted. And I am not raising them. I gave them the cruelest punishment.”

Jeffrey said, “Without some slight manipulation of the exchange rates, so that those gentry and merchants think they are making a profit or see an advantage, they would never so easily accept York gold coins.”

The three each had their arguments, and all of them made sense.

Piero sneered, “Yes, if you hadn’t actually managed to handle things properly, do you think you would still be sitting in this room right now?”

“And moreover, do you dare to repeat these things in York Territory? Or do you think that once Wolf leaves, power in York Territory will truly fall into the hands of the Senate? That the Church’s influence will vanish?”

The three stared silently at Piero. Finally, Puniel asked, “So then, after Wolf leaves, who will manage the warriors of the territory?”

All stable order was built upon absolute violence. Even if York Territory was prosperous, civilized, and orderly now, once the violence sustaining all of this disappeared—or wasn’t strong enough—this entire order would quickly collapse.

Piero did not answer, and the three did not press him. They simply waited, until a knocking came at the door.

Then a knight entered, saying, “It seems I have come at the wrong time.”

Piero let out a slight sigh of relief, saying, “No, you’ve come at exactly the right time, Knight Julian.”

It was none other than Knight Julian, sweat still glistening on his brow.

Piero rose, glanced at the three, and said, “Allow me to introduce to the three senators: Knight Julian will from now on also serve as a new senator. He will be in charge of the territory’s warriors. Of course, this includes not only those warriors, but also the guards of the villages and towns.”

The three still gazed silently at Julian.

Julian looked around and more or less understood what had just been under discussion.

After a brief silence, he smiled and said, “Since Baron Belair has already voluntarily renounced his title, I am but a hedge knight now. I had already left the army, not knowing what to do. But I thank the Administrator for his trust, letting me come here and do what I can.”

“York Territory drove away the werewolves, a debt of immense gratitude. So I cannot refuse. And of course, I will not refuse an opportunity to repay York Territory’s help.”

Only then did Piero truly breathe a sigh of relief.

It had been just before Wolf’s departure that he had received the notice.

‘The Bishop has decided that in the northern campaign against the werewolves, the most valiant fighter, Knight Julian, shall enter the Senate, becoming a senator to oversee the warriors of the territory.’

Wolf was leaving and didn’t even bother to veil his words, telling Piero directly this was the Bishop’s command.

Over the past two days, Piero had been investigating Julian’s background.

Indeed, because of his valor during the war against the werewolves, second only to Puniel in merit, Knight Julian had already been made into a knightly exemplar by those eager to diminish Puniel’s influence.

So Piero was soon able to form a general understanding of Knight Julian’s character and ability.

Truth be told, Piero did find Knight Julian very suitable to succeed Knight Wolf’s position.

Whether it was Julian’s willingness to use political methods, or his personal bravery and military skill—

And now, with Julian’s reputation spreading in the north, it made it easier to incorporate the north into York Territory.

Only, Julian was, after all, just a knight. Piero worried he might fear Puniel and the others’ noble status.

But seeing Julian’s current demeanor, Piero felt reassured.

He sighed inwardly—no wonder he had been chosen by the Bishop.

Piero extended his hand and said, “Please, sit, Knight Julian. There is a seat here for you.”

Knight Julian gave a slight smile and nod to Piero, gestured politely to the other three, and then sat down.

Only then did he relax inwardly.

After Belair had offered his lands to Lord Pegira, he had naturally become a hedge knight with no lord. But he hadn’t minded, and had instead been considering moving to York Territory to live a peaceful life and rebuild a family.

Yet before he had prepared himself, he found a white dove at his window, carrying a message co-signed by the Bishop and Knight Wolf, appointing him as senator.

He had not been ready to suddenly become a senator.

Because, from what he knew, apart from Administrator Piero, representative of the lord, all the other senators were nobles. He thought that surely even the new senator would be a noble.

For instance, he had heard of Baron Morn, who had established York Territory’s port.

But in the end, he had hurried from his temporary residence.

And then he had found the Senate in a tense atmosphere.

When he heard the news that Knight Wolf had gone south to follow the lord, he quickly understood why.

Nothing more than a struggle to divide up control of the warriors.

Understanding this, after only a moment’s hesitation, Julian decisively chose to respond head-on.

Not only because he was satisfied with this stable order, but more importantly, because he had the Bishop’s support behind him.

And having seen Puniel’s treatment of Priest Marl, he knew full well that behind him was a power that could easily kill these nobles.

Seeing Julian sitting with dignity, Piero also sat back down.

At this time, Bevan suddenly said, “At Light Port, because of Knight Wolf’s departure, Viscount Youn may make some moves. After all, back then, Knight Wolf stormed into his town and took his Holy Relic.”

“He dared not provoke Knight Wolf, but now that Wolf has gone, he has begun to make small moves. Before I returned, I had already caught several of his spies sent to gather information.”

“And Earl Raul, as our neighbor, also sent men. But that earl, harassed to exhaustion by the fishmen, did not act further. He is watching. Of course, I believe if we can hold firm against Viscount Youn’s probing, some of our weapons could be traded with the earl, opening a trade route on his side.”

“The earl’s enmity with the lord is one matter. But when faced with the fishmen’s invasion, such hatred can be set aside for now. His men have already hinted to me that cooperation is possible.”

“Knight Julian, although normally a banquet should be held to welcome you into the Senate, we have no time now to revel in celebration.”

Julian’s expression did not change, but inwardly he felt uneasy.

He had just arrived, with no spies or contacts beforehand. The situation to the south was completely unknown to him. Hearing Bevan’s words, he truly did not know how to respond.

The Senate, which had just relaxed, once again grew tense.

“Hahaha.” Puniel suddenly laughed, breaking the heavy air.

He turned to Julian and said, “Viscount Youn has merely annexed one viscounty and a few baronies. To his west, there are still several barons forming a coalition resisting him. Even if he digests these lands quickly, at most he could muster a thousand warriors against us.”

His sudden remark made Bevan snap his head around, glaring at Puniel.

But Puniel ignored Bevan’s look, continuing, “And York Territory, even while leaving warriors behind for defense, can still dispatch five hundred elite warriors to Light Port. These are true elites, all rated as Upper Warriors.”

“Besides, my Mercenary Tavern can at any time rally three hundred lightly-armed warriors. They crave war, and hiring them only costs a few gold coins.”

“And then there are the monastery’s creations—the stone-throwing platforms. They can smash fortresses, but they can also smash men. And the wheeled crossbows, too.”

“In numbers, only knights would be lacking compared to Viscount Youn. But now that Knight Julian is a senator, and those knights still in the north—though loyal to me—will also follow Knight Julian’s commands.”

Those knights who had followed Puniel north were knighted by Puniel and Bevan, but in truth they had pledged loyalty to Puniel at the time.

Of course, this was partly because they saw the three barons as a united front.

But Puniel could swear that if Bevan were given the chance, even he would not dare say aloud that certain knights were loyal to him now.

“So I think Knight Julian need not worry too much about Viscount Youn. In fact, shall we hold a banquet tonight to celebrate Knight Julian?” Puniel said with a broad smile.

Piero laughed, picking up the words, “Yes, Knight Julian has only just arrived today. He hasn’t had a chance to feel the atmosphere of York Territory. Let us hold a banquet tonight for him. Of course, the Senate shall pay for it.”

“And I think the officials and gentry also need to meet our new senator.”

Jeffrey coughed lightly, saying, “But isn’t tonight a bit too rushed? Some of the gentry living farther away might not make it in time.”

Piero replied, “Though Viscount Youn may not be too great a concern, matters at Light Port still need someone to oversee. So finishing early lets Lord Bevan arrange his return sooner. Don’t you agree, Lord Bevan?”

Piero’s gaze fell on Bevan, whose face had already calmed.

Puniel, Jeffrey, and Julian all looked at him.

Silent for a moment, Bevan suddenly smiled. “Light Port’s order is already stable. I’m not in a rush to return. Why not arrange it for tomorrow? Tonight, Knight Julian can rest and try some of York Territory’s new dishes. If there’s anything he doesn’t like, we can avoid serving it tomorrow at the banquet.”

Piero nodded with satisfaction, looked to Julian, and asked, “What do you think, Knight Julian?”

Julian nodded, smiling, “I will follow Administrator Piero’s arrangements.”

Piero was even more satisfied.

The Senate returned to laughter. Piero recounted amusing stories of the fledgling apprentices during the city’s construction. Bevan spoke of the cunning merchants at Light Port. Puniel shared some strange things mercenaries had brought back from the northern mountains. Jeffrey spoke of which gentry had hoarded too much gold yet couldn’t spend it. Julian joined in, telling jokes about werewolves in the northern lands.

The five chatted warmly, like old friends long reunited, with endless stories to tell.

That evening, after dining with the other senators, Julian returned to his inn. The smile on his face disappeared.

Letting out a deep sigh, he felt that talking for an afternoon in the Senate with those men was more exhausting than fighting a battle.

Thinking of tomorrow’s banquet, where he would have to continue such conversations with the gathered gentry, he felt a headache coming on.

He thought of Belair, living now in York Territory, and recalled the baron’s demeanor hosting banquets with the gentry in his fortress.

Julian felt that when he had time, he should pay a visit to his former lord.

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