Reincarnate as Prince: Change Magical World with Industry

20 Founding

"But I wish to live as--"

"As a scholar, yes I heard you the first time. But that would be too low for a member of the Blackfield line, especially for a prince such as yourself. There is great potential in our bloodline, it was our blood that helped liberate and establish Galedon in the first place. It is our duty to guide the lowly people and tame the ungodly races of this land. If not for us, where would they be?"

Janus did not agree with half of what the King said. Still, he had no choice but to nod.

"And look at what you've done. My dear wayward son. Straightening up such a wretched manner as Gracewood, uniting the overseers and workers to stop bickering and fighting, and outsmarting a band of goblins to follow the rule of law? That is the kind of thing that I expect from my sons, not some petty schemes and threats of suicide. You've done well to fulfill a destiny that's in line with the Galedon name. You are to see it through."

Janus had some objections with what the King said, but Yvaine looked at him with such intensity and warning that he kept quiet.

"I want to see how far you can take this newfound leadership of yours. I am giving you the opportunity to earn back Gracewood to regain full ownership of it. Once you have achieved that we'll find other avenues for you to prove yourself. Perhaps a whole township or you could be governor. Maybe you can take the throne after all."

Janus' eyes glowed.

"But Father, I have no interest in the throne. I've already relinquished my claim."

"None sense, Galedon was taken from the Dragon Queen by our line. Anyone can take the throne if they had the conviction and strength to pursue it. Add in a whole population willing to rally and serve under you -- which you and your brothers are already doing -- and you'll have a kingdom to rule as you wish. I myself have been fourth in line to the throne, with an uncle and an older brother before me. That didn't stop me at all. The way I see it, succession rights are meaningless. The greatest will win eventually."

Janus didn't agree about that at all, but buying out the manor was such a great opportunity. Everybody worked so hard to get where we are today, and it would be a shame to lose that.

Thankfully both of his elder brothers weren't here. Who knows what would happen if the king told them that Janus could still go after the throne. He had enough problems as it is without getting tagled up with a strong warrior and a high ranking mage.

"Thank you for your trust and appreciation for my efforts Father. I will take you up on your offer to buy out the manner."

"And after that, we will explore other bigger options, yes?"

Janus hesitated. The King's eyes were sharply glued to him.

"Yes."

"Very well then, let's continue with the dinner. This week, both of you will be accompanying me to the festival celebrations across town. After that, you are free to go back to your duties."

Although the meal was the best that he had had in the castle, Janus felt that he was back at treading uneven ground again. Just as Sir Arthan had said, the timing was off.

Before Janus had left, Yvaine approached him.

"I'm sorry about what I said to Father if it got in the way with your plans. But I knew he wouldn't have agreed with what you were planning. You should know him better than that. Janus, I have seen what you've done and I think this is the right direction for you. You can do it, I believe in you." Yvaine held his hands.

Janus sighed. He didn't deserve someone like her. How can you get angry with that?

"Well, I'm fine. I can get by, at least I could buy out the manor and keep working on what I'd started. You need to stop thinking too highly of me though." He chuckled.

She leaned in close and stabbed her finger straight into Janus' chest. Startling him for a moment.

"No, it is you who isn't seeing the great things you've accomplished. Between you and me, I'd like this new version of you better than Marcus and Anders. Those cold-blooded fools are growing into hideous tyrants, this Kingdom will burn under their hands."

She wasn't joking. But Janus laughed at this thought, he didn't think they were that bad.

"What's funny?"

"Nothing Yvaine, Thanks by the way. I'll think about what you said."

"Well, I still have to report with Father. See you later."

She kissed him on the cheek, ruffled his hair, and went back to the King.

#

Janus couldn't sleep that night. Thoughts of the last dinner went around him. He tossed and turned for a few hours until he finally gave up and looked for a book to read.

The thing that bothered him the most was his Father's words on being a ruler of the kingdom. His way of thinking about it just didn't seem right to him, no wonder they had problems with workers and such. They felt that helping other people was beyond them.

So he did what he always did when he was in a pinch, and searched for a book about the foundation of Galedon.

The Founding ruler Ardon Gale grew up as a farm boy under his masters, who also happened to be the ancestors of the Blackfield's from way back. He was a hardworking boy who was diligent with his studies, but he wasn't very keen on living on a farm, opting instead to go out on adventures. As a boy, he would lead the other boys in his town to fight various monsters that the village folk had trouble with.

They took on a few contracts, and slowly but surely they were starting to make a name for themselves among the neighboring towns. Ardon had a way with people, and would always get more recruits as they visited various places.

The area of Galedon was once a country of scattered human settlements and races, all fighting against each other. The dragon Darumendras was also ravaging the other races to the north. It wasn't a common thing for a dragon to go on a rampage, but this particular one was once a captive of an evil necromancer and had gone mad in the process.

By the time that the Dragon and his army had arrived in his town, Ardon Gale had united all of the humans under his own banner, along with a few tribes of orcs, elves, and dwarves. He slew the Dragon by his own hands with the help of a legendary weapon.

Galedon was established under Ardon Gale's country, and the kingdom had been flourishing ever since. Janus couldn't find accounts as to what happened to the other races, but he didn't think the humans were too kind to them over the last five hundred years.

That night he had trouble sleeping.

#

The Festivities surpassed Janus' expectations. Despite its bland architecture and overall lack of cultural depth, Galedon's citizens knew how to celebrate. The streets were loud and festive, everyone came out to celebrate.

The streets were lined up with various carts and shops selling an assortment of wares. There were a lot of local farmers, as well as traveling merchants from other regions selling exotic wares.

Several statues and images of holy figures were displayed across town and the cathedral. Most impressive were those Ardon Gale and his band of elite warriors, and a few Kings that came after him.

There were paintings of scenes from the battle with the four armies. Elves, Orcs, Dwarves, Goblins, with a mighty Dragon looming above. All against an army of knights in heavy armor and tightly formed spears.

There were tournaments between warriors and mages, and Janus was happy to have the best seat on these shows. Especially since he and her sister were part of the King's party.

Sir Arthan and Gisela weren't with them, as they were participating in the jousting and dueling tourneys. They ranked up highly until the semi-finals. Where a high-ranking knight named Syndon Verim dominated every opponent. He was clad in shiny black armor and carried a heavy lance and a pristine greatsword. He was said to be one of the finest knights in the Kingdom and working under sir Padron. Janus took a good look at him. He had long dark hair and sharp eyes. He could be in trouble in the future.

Janus found a way to collect contribution points for some of the things he had passed by during the festivities. He wasn't too successful at it, bumping and stepping on other people's feet along the way, but he made a lot of progress. On the first day, he obtained 1200 points.

The next day was spent purely for religious services. Everyone dressed in their best clothing and gathered around the Great Cathedral Square. It was a huge marble square that was adorned in pure white statues and floored with shiny tiles. It was his first time seeing the Holy See. His Holiness Caius Morellus was clearly an old man, but his thick white beard and radiant presence made him look as strong as a noble knight.

Janus drifted off for most of the sermons, It was basically just a retelling of the conquest that founded Galedon, most of which he had already read in his book.

The Church believed that the grace of the Herald Almighty granted Ardon Gale with the power to will every monster he encountered to submission. They also believed that the highest virtue of all was for the people to serve the royal line, along with those who were closely related or involved with Ardon Gale in his conquest. The Blackfield's, who once served as his masters were the first to kneel into his service. Janus was not at all surprised that his Holiness could trace his line back to Marcus Morellus, one of Ardon Gale's strongest generals.

The sermon went on for two hours. With everyone chanting and singing hymns in between. There were eyes on Janus the whole time, so he was only able to sneak in a few collections here and there. 

That night Janus couldn't sleep at all. There was something bothering him, perhaps it was the weird lighting in his room. Perhaps it was the smell of the castle that bothered his nose.

The next morning, Master Darius came to him with a letter.

The seal was familiar, he had seen it just the day before in Cathedral Square.

He was being summoned by the Holy See.