Chapter 2861: The New Heir
Date: Unspecified
Time: Unspecified
Location: Myriad Realms, Card World, Southern Region, Blossom District, Sky Blossom City, Headquarters
"As you can all see, these citiesâalong with their surrounding towns and villagesâhave already shown interest in joining the Southern Hope over the Southern Royalty," the Field Marshal said, gesturing to the illusionary map of the Southern Region spread across the oval table.
Across its surface, red-shaded territories marked their choice, each red dot signaling a settlement that had already thrown its lot in with the Southern Hope. It was basically the entire southern stretch of the Southern Region.
There were two main reasons for this. First, proximityâit was simply easier for my people to spread my influence there. Second, those regions had received far less aid and development over the past few decades compared to the rest of the Southern Region, despite paying nearly eleven percent more in taxes than the rest of the Southern Region.
"Whatâs going on here? Why are these cities siding with the Southern Hope? No offense my lord but this doesnât make sense," Ned asked from behind Henricks, frowning. The Southern Region had always been knownâacross all five regionsâfor its near-fanatical trust in, and loyalty to, the Southern Royal family.
The Field Marshal didnât answer Ned right away. Instead, she turned to Aurelia. "Do you want to explain? After all, youâre the one who made this possibleâat the cost of becoming the Southern Regionâs most wanted, with the highest bounty the Southern Royal family has ever placed on a single head."
"You summoned the cavalry, the cavalry is here," Aurelia said, stepping forward. She looked around the oval table with a wide smile, lingering just a moment longer on the representatives from the Border City. "Thanks, Field Marshalâthough I still donât know why we keep calling you that. Itâs been a while since you left your post in the Southern Watch and joined us."
She tilted her head slightly, as if sorting through where to begin.
"But anyway... how many of you have heard the conspiracy theory that the Southern Royal family deliberately underinvested in the south, fearing a potential war with the Empire? And since the people there couldnât openly blame the royal family, their resentment shifted toward the Empire instead?
"The cities and settlements closest to the Border City believed it more than anyone. The idea stuck because the royal family never bothered to correct itâthey were afraid the truth would stir unrest across the Southern Region.
"I donât know how much of it is actually true," she admitted with a small shrug, "but my people and I used it as leverage. We stirred those sentiments, nudged the citizens toward rebellion, and made them favor Southern Hope over the Southern Royal family. And the rest is history.
"Of course, I didnât do it alone." She gestured lightly around the table. "Diana from Fine Gold, Fred from the TSR Guild, Old Ben of the Silver Tiger Mercenary Guild, along with Vivian and Cindy from the Card Crafter Association and the Array Master Association. This worked because of all of you. Soâthank you."
"Ahem. This isnât your reward acceptance speechâitâs a briefing. Step back. Thatâll be all from you for now."
The Field Marshal cut in as Aurelia started to drift off track again. With a slight gesture, she had her step aside, then took overâlaying out the truth whose absence had given rise to the conspiracy in the first place.
"In reality, compared to the south, other parts of the Southern region have higher dungeon-to-population ratioâmore dungeons per capitaâso while those regions require more aid, they also generate greater resources, which in turn fuel their own development.
"Meanwhile, the southern stretch has lagged behind. With fewer dungeons and a higher population density, its already limited resources have been stretched even thinner.
"As a result, the royal family had to cover the gap in the market with imports from other markets and sometimes even the foreign market, which have proved to be expensive. To make up for that deficit, they taxed the south about eleven percent more, while raising taxes in other parts by around five percent.
"Our Lord intended to fix that imbalance â and in doing so, prove to the citizens that they were right to place their faith in Southern Hope."
The representatives and members nodded in understanding eyeing the map, it made more sense now.
"Now such a large-scale rebellion across the south makes sense but what about the Southern Royal family? They know about this, right? A movement of this scale... thereâs no way itâs gone unnoticed. They must be doing somethingâeither to suppress it or to appease the people," Ned said, a frown settling on his face.
It felt too easy. If carving out a chunk of the Five Regions into its own territory were this simple, the Freedom Fighters would have already done it at the height of their power.
"Yes, they already know. In response, they withdrew all the civil servants still loyal to the royal family from these cities. The only reason these places are still functioning is because our people stepped in and filled those roles. In a way, thatâs also why weâre confident these cities will side with usâ"
"No way. Thatâs not her style." Tess cut in, her brows knitting together. "The Southern Princess I know wouldnât do something that sloppy. Sheâd scare the city lords and the major families, crush the rebellion before it even took root. Are you sure there isnât something else at play here?"
"Youâre rightâit wasnât the Southern Princess who orchestrated this, but the new Southern Heir... Seraphina Heatsend."
The moment the Field Marshal spoke her name, the room went still. Conversations died mid-breath. Even the air seemed to tighten, as if the name itself carried weight no one wanted to bear.
"That would mean that the Southern Royal Palace is already under her control," Hernicks said quietly, glancing at the Field Marshal. When she gave a slight nod, he turned to me. "My lord, this may be the point where bloodshed becomes unavoidable. If itâs truly Her Highness Seraphina... then sheâll use this to remind the Five Regions who she was and isâleave a scar deep enough in your citizens that no one ever dares think of rebellion again."
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