Crashhhh!!!!!!
A massive clay ornament was thrown at the floor, nearly hitting 3 cowering men, who were kneeling silently. In their hearts, they felt the world around them grow dark when thinking of the cruel man standing before them.
"You damn Fools! Imbeciles! That is what you are, isn't it?"
No one answered, as they continuously looked to the ground nervously.
"You call yourselves Civil Servants of the Court, yet you can't even win a little imp in a battle of wits?... Well, answer me, goddamnit!!"
"Lord… Lord Trigun… We-we tried our best, but-but-but" one of the men finally spoke out.
"But-but-but-but what? Honestly, must I do all the work myself? What is the point of supporting and funding your measly families if you cannot be of any assistance to me?"
CRASHHH!!!
Another clay vase shattered on the ground, with several pieces flying so high they brushed against the cheeks and necks of some men, leaving thin lines of red on their faces. No one dared to contain or raise their heads, when feeling the ominous atmosphere around them.
"Listen well, and listen good…the former 6th Prince, the now commoner Julius Etratis, the bastard who has the guts to go against my Trigun Clan, is here on out, a Mortal Enemy!"
And what do they do with Mortal Enemies?—KILL
…..
They say the bizarre news is often bound to spread faster than a forest can burn from wildfires. On the streets, the Imperial procession was underway, with Steward Hayden protected heavily.
Reaching the now-well-known Estate, Steward Hayden stood outside the gates, accompanied by the guards.
"Master, master!!" one of the servants rushed into Julius's inner chambers. "The Imperial Steward is here!!"
"Oh?" Julius chuckled while slowly getting to his feet. "You guys can finish it, I'm no longer hungry."
"Master, you're so nice!!!"
The little girls who had been feeding him fruits all this time, chuckled playfully as they munched down the bowls of fruits with relish.
Woooo~
Their Master was the nicest and most caring in the entire world! Even when feeding him, he would urge them to also eat alongside him…. So nice.
Julius shook his head wryly following behind the servant who interrupted their little snack time.
"Sixth Prince, you're here!" Steward Hayden had a much better attitude towards Julius than before."
Julius smirked cupping his hands and bowing slightly but respectfully towards Hayden. "This lowly commoner greets the Imperial Messenger."
A crowd had already gathered—a crowd so jam packed they resembled tiny dots drawn closely together.
With no internet, access to books or literacy, and nothing really fascinating to do to pass the time, the people of this era relied on gossip and exciting feats like this to wind their boredom and bleak state of life.
"So that's the How come the Imperial Messenger?"
"Oh my Buddha! Why did the Imperial Messenger come all this way to visit the disposed sixth Prince? Can it be that the 6th Prince had inserted his Titanium spear between the thighs of another innocent girl again?"
"Damn, it can't be right?... Didn't I hear recently that the 6th Prince is not so bad? I heard the rumors before were all made up because of jealousy. But now… seeing the Imperial Messenger come all this way, it must be that it was all true!!!!"
"Tsk. The sixth Prince is really good at making trouble."
Many onlookers discussed with excessive narration, as they watched the scene unfold before their very eyes.
You can be sure that after today, whatever transpired just now, would spread so much it would take the Gods themselves to put out the flame. Some didn't think it was anything bad, but a majority felt it was bad news. Because even the 6th Prince's reputation has improved recently, his early bad reputation was still lingering in the atmosphere.
With glistening eyes, many watched Hayden and Julius converse.
Then—-
Plop!!!
Julius got on one-bended knee.
Hayden chuckled, unravelling the scroll to read out the Imperial Edict.
"Here is the Imperial Decree, written by the Holy Dragon himself!" Hayden exclaimed into the metallic megaphone held up by another Imperial Steward.
The Steward knew his role too well, acting as a backdrop for Steward Hayden while assisting in every way he could.
Do you need a megaphone for your mouth? —check!
What about some water to wet your patched throat? —say no more.
Hayden continued:
"By Imperial Decree—Heaven's Mandate is profound and the virtue of the throne must be manifested in both justice and benevolence."
"To help the Dynasty and grant relief to the affected, the Sixth Prince has offered to cloth, feed and take care of the unfortunate Displaced, for a full year!!"
Heat? A full year? The onlookers felt it was unbelievable.
Just stepping out of the city walls, one would be met with tens, hundreds… No—Hundreds of THOUSANDS of Displaced gathered there.
It was almost as if they were going to form a smaller city with their numbers, and they still kept coming in every day and week. And now you say the Sixth Prince has actually agreed to take care of them for a year without any external aid and you don't expect them to feel shocked?
Terrible!... Has the Sixth Prince always been stupidly wealthy?
Despite their shock and disbelief, Steward Hayden continued:
"The sixth Prince, though once disposed, has shown unwavering filial piety, humility, and steadfast loyalty to the Etratis Dynasty."
"In recognition of his sincerity, he shall this be granted temporal Ownership of the xxx Fief!"
"Let it be known that throughout the Dynasty: the Sixth Prince is to be made Temporal Master of the Ashgrove Fief."
"All Officials at all levels are commanded to respect this edict and render him the respect due to his temporal station."
"This is the Holy Dragon's Will."
Steward Hayden paused, sweeping his gaze across the masses with an intimidating light. Then, his eyes landed on Julius's figure kneeling before him.
"Sixth Prince Julius, Fief Master of Ashgrove… Please stretch forth your hands to receive the Imperial Edict!"