"What…?!"
The nobles' eyes widened in disbelief. Return his fief to Sylas, only to regain it later? What could he possibly an?
Halken, calm as ever, continued his explanation.
"Have you all heard the recent news? His Majesty the Emperor has granted Drakenfels a 30 year tax exemption."
"I heard about it a while back," one noble muttered.
"What? This is the first I'm hearing of it," said another.
"Tsk. If you're a lord, you should at least keep yourself inford. Or hire a competent official to do so," Halken said, shaking his head.
Most of the nobles had already heard about it, though a few were caught off guard. Halken waited patiently for the chatter to subside before resuming.
"After hearing that, I ca to a conclusion: rather than breaking my back paying taxes to the Emperor, I'd rather serve under Count Sylas as a loyal official."
"What kind of nonsense is that?!"
"It's not nonsense at all. With Count Sylas exempt from taxes, he'll have an abundance of resources. If I secure a good position under him, I might earn a salary higher than what I make as a lord!"
His argunt was preposterous. No official, no matter how high ranking, could hope to out earn a lord ruling their own land. But Halken wasn't finished.
"So, I plan to hand over Kalsaham to Count Sylas and request that he appoint as the administrator of this territory," Halken declared.
"...!"
"After all, I've gained valuable experience as a lord here, making the ideal candidate for the role. Surely, he'd agree. Hahaha!"
A stunned silence fell over the room. On the surface, it seed Halken was simply trading his fief for a high ranking administrative position.
But no one present failed to grasp the deeper implications. The nobles stared at Halken with wide, uneasy eyes.
"This man intends to follow Count Sylas to the very end!"
Halken's roundabout explanation boiled down to one straightforward plan:
Transfer ownership of Kalsaham to Count Sylas and remain as its lord under Sylas's authority.
It was a brilliant strategy. With the 30 year tax exemption, Sylas was free from any financial obligations to the Empire. By transferring ownership to Sylas, the taxes demanded by the Emperor would no longer apply. Halken, in turn, could serve as a lord under Sylas, paying far more reasonable taxes—or none at all.
"Count Sylas would undoubtedly be pleased to accept. It's essentially like reclaiming lost land."
Moreover, Halken's proposal aligned perfectly with Sylas's original vision. Far from a re suggestion, it was practically a pledge of unwavering loyalty.
Sylas would likely appoint Halken as an administrator, allowing him to retain his position while reaping significant benefits.
"The tax obligations would shift from the Emperor to Count Sylas, who would never impose such outrageous demands. This is essentially a massive tax reduction."
On top of that, Halken's bold decision would surely earn him Sylas's favor, further securing his standing. The offer was almost too good to refuse.
However, it wasn't without its risks.
Although there were no imdiate downsides, the potential dangers in the long term were considerable.
"The Imperial family would see us as traitors imdiately. It wouldn't take much thought to figure out why we're transferring our lands."
"And if the rebellion fails, my head will almost certainly roll, even if my family survives."
While large scale purges were rare, even in the event of rebellion, a failed uprising involving most southern lords could not avoid severe consequences.
The main reason so many nobles had joined Sylas's cause relatively easily was the assumption that they wouldn't face complete annihilation.
But under Sylas's direct rule, they would no longer be lords in the Emperor's eyes—rely Sylas's vassals. The Emperor would have no reason to spare them.
Worse still, transferring the land to Sylas ant putting their fates directly in his hands. Unlike the distant Emperor, Sylas was close enough to impose his will at any ti.
"Damn it. What are we supposed to do?"
"If Halken goes through with this, Count Sylas might expect us to follow suit…"
"Do I really have to gamble my life and family on this?"
The nobles' anxiety deepened, and their backs grew damp with sweat. No clear answer erged.
Suddenly, one noble seed to recall sothing and turned to Halken.
"Wait, Baron Halken. Didn't you say earlier that even if you give up your fief, you'll still be able to regain it?"
"That's correct. You rember well," Halken replied, nodding.
"What did you an by that? If you hand over your land, the ownership changes. Are you saying Count Sylas would just give it back to you?"
At this, Halken smirked.
"If Count Sylas stays in the south indefinitely, then perhaps not. But don't you think he might eventually leave? When that ti cos, who do you think will take over the remaining lands?"
"...!"
Is he insane?
The nobles collectively opened their eyes wide in realization. Success in rebellion would an Sylas ascending to the throne. Once he beca Emperor, he would move to the capital, leaving the southern territories empty.
The directly administered territories might remain under imperial control, but lands willingly offered to Sylas would likely be returned. And by the ti these lands were returned, those who had given them would have beco trusted allies, entitled to nurous rewards.
Realizing this, the nobles ended their deliberations and exclaid enthusiastically:
"A truly wise decision! Impressive!"
"We should also offer our lands to His Lordship!"
"Indeed! These lands were his to begin with—this is simply restoring the natural order!"
As the nobles expressed their fervent agreent, Halken smirked, satisfied. His plan was progressing perfectly. All that remained was to inform Sylas of his role as the instigator.
"Your Lordship, I, along with the southern nobles, have resolved to return your rightful lands to you. Please accept them."
"...?"
Sylas stared at Halken, baffled. He couldn't make sense of what he was hearing. Hesitantly, he accepted the docunt Halken handed him and began reading.
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