Chương 160: Chapter 159: Council Meeting

The sun had completely gone down when I stepped out of the carriage and walked toward the mansion of Count Darrow. It is really frustrating for a lot of people that he works from his mansion. He barely visits the city hall once a week, and in some weeks, he didn't even do that. People joke that he should transfer the staff into his mansion as well and rent out the city hall. I have no personal problem with it, but I find it inefficient.

So much time could be saved and some resources, but Count Darrow didn't care about that. All he cares about is his comfort and his idiot son is learning from these flaws. I entered the mansion and walked toward the Count's office with Rapid Legs. With training, I have become quite good at it. It took me barely a minute to reach Count Darrow's office. The secretory simply nodded at me. It is her saying; I should go inside. So, I pushed the door and went inside.

"My lords," I greeted and bowed to Count Darrow and Lancel. Aside from them, there are three advisers and Mage York.

'Somebody isn't in a good mood,' I thought, feeling Lancel's eyes on me. He might have a light smile on his face, but I could feel the dislike and anger, with a heavier-than-normal dose of jealousy. This bastard is jealous of me, when I sensed it the first time. I couldn't believe it. He has everything. He didn't need to feel jealous, but he was, and it was not hard for me to guess the reason. Today he is more jealous than normal, which means something good is coming for me.

I had noticed that whenever he was jealous; good things happen to me.

"Remus, how are the preparations?" he asked.

"Everything is great, my lord. All the goods have been checked and safely stored."

"Tomorrow morning, they will leave for the city and arrive by night, about the same time as last time," I informed. I have been taking updates throughout the day. It is my responsibility, and I couldn't let any mistake occur. Thankfully, everything had been great; there were some tiny problems, but Ina dealt with them. Only once time, I needed to personally intervene.

"You shouldn't take such risks, Remus. One day, people might have enough, and their temper would explode," he said with a hint of warning.

"It is why we are letting them get used to it. Till they begin to think, it is normal," I replied. I thought he would shoot another warning, but he just laughed.

"Let's go; it is time for the meeting," he said and got up. Hun! When he reached me, he clapped on my shoulder before walking ahead. The gesture had surprised me; it is the first time he had done something like that. It seemed to take others by surprise too, especially Lancel. The jealousy he was feeling just spiked. I didn't let it distract me and followed after him.

"Any fresh developments?" I asked Robin, to which he shook his head. I felt relieved. The council meeting is important, but they are mostly bland. We just stand behind and talk only when asked. I already know what kind of topics that will be discussed and am fully prepared to answer any query about them, if anyone asked. Soon, we reached the meeting hall, and I immediately felt the eyes of Damon Hardt, who didn't look to be in a good mood.

Though he controlled his expression a moment later, and he got up with the rest.

"My lord," The council members greeted.

"Sit down all of them," said the Count said as he took the head chair, while Lancel sat down on the opposite end, with me behind him.

"Let's start the meeting," said the Count.

"My lord, I will first start with my objection. I heard the goods from Navr coming at prime hour tomorrow."

"The people are worried. It should be postponed," said Priest Harold. This news hasn't been made public yet, but I am not surprised by the priest knowing about it. These bastards love to interfere where they shouldn't and have rats everywhere.

"Priest Harold. Everything is being taken care of, you shouldn't be worried," he said, not so subtly.

"My apologies, my lord, but the dark hand of the kingdom of death, affecting the people, I cannot bear to see it," said the priest, not backing down. The priest is having a lot more courage than normal. It seemed like the rumor must be true. The pope of the god of war is on a tour of the empire. This month, he is said to be bestowing the honor of divine war on the first prince. It is going to be in the presence of an emperor in a big ceremony.

It is not a small honor, and if the rumor is true, then it had become clear the church was throwing its weight behind the first prince and it is likely something the emperor had a hand in it. For more than a year, the emperor had made moves to consolidate the authority of the crown prince. This is another effort on his part and quite a big one. I am sure the church must have gotten significant benefits in this exchange.

Still brazen as they are; the church of god of war usually tries to stay neutral in succession wars, especially in a place like an empire where stakes are high and their position as first religion is already secure. There must be some damn good reason for them to think of taking such steps. There is no change in Count Darrow's expression, but I could tell he is angry. Harold is merely a priest, not Bishop or Archbishop. He spoke to Count in a disrespectful way; it is obvious, he would be angry.

It is quite a surprise, that he didn't throw the priest out of the hall yet. Lancel was also angry as his father, and he was about to burst, which would be bad. So, I gently place my hand on Lancel's shoulder; it surprised him, but also brought him back to reality. The bubbling anger in his heart had calmed down. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"It is your view, Priest Harold. I am seeing the people are happy with the trade,""The rates of grains and other essential things have come down. It is putting more food on people's plates and fewer people are sleeping hungry," he said with a smile and the priest opened his mouth but closed it a moment later. He seemed to understand; he had already crossed a limit and while Count Darrow was mindful of church power, he wouldn't let a puny priest trample on his honor.

"I will be performing the cleansing ritual after the goods have arrived," he said finally, after seconds of silence.

"I will post extra guards for your security," he said with a smile, but one could feel a veiled threat in his voice. The priest only nodded. For a couple of seconds, nobody spoke before they started, and they are being very careful in their words. Not daring to say something that will make the Count angry at them. At record half an hour, every one of them finished speaking. Even Tilak, who usually speaks lengthily, had finished quickly.

"Now that we concluded the business, I have an announcement to make," said Count Darrow, looking at every council member. I saw Damon Hardt's expressions turning worst and a slight chance occurring in Lancel's emotions as well.

"I am appointing Remus Silver as Assistant Director of Trade," He announced, and relief flooded into my heart. I knew the promotion was not going anywhere, and it came earlier than I had expected. I thought it would take him till the end of the month, but he announced it within a week.

"He will be responsible for eastern division; Navr and merchant state Oksall," The shock rang through my heart; I was fine till Navr, but Oksall had totally shocked me. As it comes under the jurisdiction of Damon Hardt. No wonder he was in a spoiled mood and staring daggers at me.

"Thank you for your trust, my lord. I will not disappoint you." I said quickly, collecting my thoughts.

"I know you will not, Remus," he said while glancing at Damon Hardt from the corner of my eyes.

"Congratulations Adviser Silver," said Vice Guild-master Soren and Damon Hardt, who immediately glared at him, but the old man smiled back, with a smirk on his face. The others also begin to congratulate one by one.

"Congratulation, Adviser Silver," said Damon Hardt at last.

"Thank you, Guildmaster," I said. The only one who didn't congratulate me is the priest; he remained quiet, watching. A few seconds later, the Count got up and walked out of the meeting room. I and others followed behind him. Bang! Soon we returned to the office, and he sat down. Lancel had opened his mouth to say something when Count Darrow hit the table hard with the fist.

"Fucking bastard!" he cursed; nobody needs to guess, to whom it is cursing.

"I had talked to brother, and he said, these priests begin to cross the limits everywhere. Especially in our territories," said Lancel angrily. The Count remained quiet before a smile appeared on his face, but his eyes were filled with anger.

"The power of these bastards is growing, that they are forgetting their place."

"Let these bastards enjoy the power; it won't be long before we will show them ours," said Count Darrow, and for the first time, I had sensed the emotions of Count. It was faint, and it is only for a moment, but what I had sensed had surprised me. The man is not only feeling anger but also powerlessness. It is not an emotion one should expect from a man like him. He is a Count and not a normal Count either, but a Count from one of the most powerful houses in the empire. He has power, but couldn't use it.

Nobody said anything, even Lancel. Everyone is acutely aware of the consequences of speaking the wrong word. For more than a minute, the office was silent, before Count Darrow looked up and turned to me.

"Remus, I have given you the responsibility of Oksall. I hope you will take it seriously," he said.

"I will not disappoint you," I said and thought of my plan for Oksall. One I had told him about it and gave an idea to Baron Harrods when he asked about my help. I had made quite a progress in it.

"You already have something. Are you thinking about the trade with orc tribes that you mentioned to me last time?" asked Count Darrow. I had told him about it weeks ago before I went to Navr, at that time he didn't take it seriously, but now he seemed to consider it.

"Something related to it," I answered, to which he arched his brow.

"I am not finished with the plan yet. I will show it to you, the moment, I am finished with it, my lord," I said. It is not complete. Many things have remained to be done before I could present it to him. I have found some important information, which made me take the plan, in a different direction. This direction offers bigger opportunities and more trade. Oksall, which had been so hesitant to trade with us, might agree.

"How long will it you to finish your plan?" he asked.

"Ten to twenty days, my lord," I replied.

"Fine, I will give you the time, but I hope it will be something good," he said, looking intently.

"You will not be disappointed, my lord," I replied. I didn't stay in the office for long. A few minutes later, I was in the carriage, directing Zela to send the messages to get the information. This time, I didn't hold back, as the city will be paying for it. Though most of the information is present in the public domain and wouldn't cost much to get it. Agent of Experience Lv. 16 Adviser Lv. 11 Class Gained- Trainer Skill Gained- Command Projection