CHAPTER 11: CHAPTER11-THE PARLIAMENT

When William mentioned the Blackfish Gang, the expressions of the parliament members instantly turned grave. The name alone was enough to stir unease, for everyone present had already heard of the terrifying fate that befell those gang members.

It was said that they had not merely been executed but flayed alive, their skins peeled away and stuffed with straw, turned into grotesque effigies, and then hung on the city gates for all to see. The twisted, contorted expressions frozen upon those faces made even hardened soldiers shudder.

More disturbing still was the rumor whispered across taverns and markets alike—that the Blackfish Gang had not been crushed by imperial authorities or rival gangs. Rather, they had provoked a mysterious entity, a ghostly specter, and it was this phantom that condemned them to such an end. What this ghost truly was, or whether it even existed, no one knew for certain. But fear of it spread rapidly.

At this moment, one parliamentarian broke the silence. His voice rang with cold disdain.

"I, for one, believe those Blackfish scum received only what they deserved. All of you here know their crimes over the years. Surely none among us can deny it."

He turned his gaze toward William.

"William, I suggest that our Parliament issue a formal statement. We should thank those responsible for cleansing the empire of these vermin!"

After speaking, he smiled faintly and glanced toward another member seated not far away. That man, in turn, met the look with a smile of his own. He leaned forward and, eyes gleaming, said,

"My suspicion is that this may well be the work of the Red-Robed Archbishop. With His Eminence’s strength, disposing of such insignificant rabble would require no more than a flick of the wrist."

William did not smile. Neither did Heimerdinger. Instead, they exchanged a glance, each silently wondering who the true hand behind the bloody spectacle might be.

Just then, a sudden shift came over the hall.

Aurek appeared, holding the scepter of his station, and walked toward the imperial throne. The throne itself occupied the very center of the Parliament chamber, built atop a high platform so that the emperor might look down upon his ministers from above.

The appearance of Aurek startled everyone. A collective gasp spread through the chamber. For some time now, he had been absent from such gatherings, and his return alone was enough to provoke surprise. But it was not merely his presence. What left them all stunned was the aura he now carried.

Between his brows, in the set of his shoulders, in the very tone of his presence, there was a gravity, a regal strength that none had ever truly felt from him before. It was the unmistakable bearing of a king.

"Your Majesty!" voices rang out.

"Your Majesty, you have awakened at last!"

The parliamentarians, the ministers, even the most arrogant nobles—all of them rose at once, bowing deeply. Whether their gestures came from true loyalty or empty obligation hardly mattered. In that moment, none dared remain seated.

"Enough. Be seated."

Aurek’s voice carried the weight of command. He sat upon his throne, and only then did the others dare return to their seats.

His eyes swept over the chamber. For a fleeting moment, they lingered upon Nock, the Minister of War. Then he turned his gaze away.

"Proceed," Aurek said.

William inclined his head slightly. But before he could continue, another voice cut through the chamber.

The Grand Marshal, Jacoff, who had until now remained silent, suddenly spoke.

"Your Majesty, in these recent years, every province of the empire has seen the rise of countless gangs. Some of these gangs have grown so arrogant that they dare to murder their local lords. I believe it is imperative that we deploy the army at once and eradicate them completely."

"Only by destroying every gang can Your Majesty rule without fear of unrest."

His tone was steady, his argument seemingly flawless. Anyone unfamiliar with him might easily have mistaken him for a loyal minister concerned solely for the empire’s safety.

At the same time, Heimerdinger, representative of the Royalist Party, rose from his seat.

"Your Majesty, I must disagree with the Grand Marshal. Merely exterminating gang members would treat only the symptoms, not the disease. These gangs are born from administrative neglect. They thrive because people are left idle, with no means of survival. I believe the solution lies in governance. We should create more posts, more opportunities, so that the idle masses may find honest work."

He paused, then shifted the weight of his words.

"Of course, such reforms require the cooperation of the landed nobles. For if they claim lordship over their fiefs, then they bear responsibility for protecting the people within them."

Aurek understood at once what Heimerdinger was suggesting. The empire of Crossbridge was at this moment beset by dangers both internal and external. If the unrest of the gangs could be used as a pretext to keep the nobles occupied—forcing them to deal with it themselves—then time might be bought for the empire.

And there was more. Suppressing gangs required troops. If the empire deployed its central forces, its already strained treasury would collapse further. But if the fief-holding nobles were compelled to act, then the empire would conserve its strength and its coin.

Before Heimerdinger could elaborate further, Jacoff spoke again, his voice sharp.

"Heimerdinger, you have never commanded troops in war. You make the matter sound far simpler than it is. If the nobles commit their forces to suppressing gangs, then our neighbors—those ever-watchful enemies—will surely seize the chance to move. If we lose territory because of this distraction, Heimerdinger, will you bear the responsibility?"

Heimerdinger faltered. He had not expected Jacoff to counter him in this way. His lips parted, ready to argue, but before he could, Aurek’s voice cut in.

"In that case, we shall follow the Grand Marshal’s advice."

The words fell like a thunderclap.

William and Heimerdinger both stiffened, their faces paling. They opened their mouths, instinctively ready to plead their case. But Aurek raised his hand, silencing them at once.

"Enough. The matter is decided."

Across the hall, Jacoff blinked in surprise. He had not expected the emperor to agree so readily.

In the past, whenever William and Heimerdinger opposed a motion, Aurek would at least deliberate. Yet today, he had agreed without hesitation.

Even Gaia and the other members of the Royalist Party found themselves bewildered. This was not the Aurek they knew. His behavior was strange, his decisions uncharacteristically abrupt.

William and Heimerdinger, however, were not merely confused. They were angry.

All they had done was for the good of the empire. For the good of the emperor himself. And yet, how could Aurek not see it?

For the first time, doubt crept into William’s heart. Had their emperor already abandoned hope?

"Very well. Is there any other matter for discussion? If not, then today’s Parliament shall be adjourned."

Aurek’s tone was weary, almost disdainful of state affairs. Yet behind his mask of indifference, he was smiling coldly to himself.

If the Grand Marshal so desired this responsibility, then let him have it. Aurek would see what game he could play.

As for arguments and wasted words—why bother?

"Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider!" William cried.

"Yes, Your Majesty, these are matters of state. They must be weighed carefully!" Heimerdinger pleaded.

But Aurek ignored them both. Rising from his throne, he turned away and left the chamber.

He knew well enough they would follow him soon enough.

Across the room, Jacoff frowned unconsciously. Something about today’s session unsettled him. Though the emperor had supported his proposal, a strange sense of unease gnawed at him.

And more troubling still was this realization—once, he had been able to see through the emperor with ease. But now? Now Aurek felt like a man cloaked in shadows, unreadable and distant.