'No matter how much compassion a ruler unveils themselves to be. A wolf cannot pretend to be a sheep. A Monarch isn't weak.' Mercedes gazed upon the cold Monarch of Monstra, noting her authority over the kingdom of Monstra. 'Power isn't the same as influence. A powerful tyrant is much stronger than an influential tyrant.'
'For not even a rebellion can destroy them.'
She finally understood why Abraham was intrigued by Echidna. A friendly, compassionate, and fair ruler. It sounded too good to be true. While the loyalty of the daemon generals was understandable, the loyalty of those within her kingdom remained in question. Especially those who consider themselves as landlords.
They were akin to nobles, believing themselves to have the authority that resembles the crown or the government. There was no doubt that they would use all the opportunities to undermine the one they pledged their allegiance to.
"Silence..." Echidna opened her supple lips, uttering a chilling word that brought everything to its knees. The lords and the daemon generals turned their attention towards their Monarch. Gazing upon the gathered lords, her eyes narrowed as she questioned them. "What are your worries?"
Although somewhat hesitating, some of the lords made their worries heard. They were worried about the Monarch undermining their authority and reminded her of their importance as lords of various territories within the kingdom. The more they spoke of their titles and influences, the narrower her gaze became.
"I see... To those who are in agreement with them, raise your hands." The moment the lords heard her. Their eyebrows rose and realized that it might be a chance for them to further their influence within the kingdom. If they could even undermine the Monarch, their power would soar.
As a quarter of the lords within the council room raised their hands, Echidna shook her head in disappointment and announced their expulsion of the kingdom. "I hereby declare those who raise their hands to be expelled from the kingdom. Drag them out."
The daemon generals nodded and ordered the warriors to force the lords out of the room. The entirety of the council was frozen in silence as they didn't think that their compassionate Monarch would be so fiery. Turning her attention back to what remained of the lords, she remarked about her disappointment.
The air rumbled as the ground slightly shook.
"I understand worries, especially in a volatile landscape of the court. However, I dislike self-imposed importance within by council. I do not forced you to follow my commands, as such you can leave my kingdom if you do not agree with the way it is heading."
"All of you have given your allegiance to me for the sake of protection. I do not imposed taxes upon your communities and restrained myself from involving too much in your politics. Monstra has protected you from the monsters of Typhon, and that is without a price for we seek to create a land of peace."
"So, your opinions and words have no validity to Monstra. It is for this reason you cannot control my armies and my government. I built the council for all of you to discuss your problems whether it be monstrous incursions or trade. I hope all of you understand of your status."
"Am I understood?" Echidna's words was thunderous as it echoed throughout the council room, reminding them of where they stand in her kingdom. She had been compassionate for them and gave them peace for their prosperity. But she can also be detached of their circumstance and leave them be.
She wasn't a benevolent god, make no mistake. The Kingdom of Monstra was but a place for her to be at peace. The moment it didn't stand for peace and was instead a melting pot of disgusting desire for influence and power. She would begin another purge once more.
It wouldn't be the first time she had done so.
The lords lowered their heads unable to meet her gaze. They feel too pressured to even meet her gaze. They had underestimated her, thinking as though her softheartedness was a sign of weakness. Foolish ones who does not even know a tinge about the one that stood above them.
Mercedes observed the situation and nodded in satisfaction as it seemed that the Monarch was capable of handling her own weight. Though from Monarch's speech alone, some words made her furrow her eyebrows. No taxes? No influence? No wonder the capital city of Monstra was barely average in terms of architecture and appearance.
'How did she even run an entire kingdom without taxing the vassals?' The silver wolf couldn't help but internally questioned about the possibility of a kingdom that had no tax. Who would even support the finance of the government? What about the budget of the armies?
She couldn't help but hoped that the kingdom didn't run in hopes and dreams.
As the lords leave the council room after being reprimanded by their Monarch, Echidna turned and looked at Mercedes with a smile before apologizing. "I'm sorry for making you see or hear such a humiliating scene."
"The lords wished to have more power and authority over Monstra. They want to have control over my government and army. I tend to ignore them, but it made it difficult to do so when their spouting nonsense in front of my face." She lightly chuckled while scratching her head.
Mercedes raised her eyebrows and responded. "No need for the apologies, Miss Echidna. A ruler wields authority and must utilize what was given to them. Otherwise, what is even the need for a ruler? Though, I do question the inner workings of your kingdom."
"I heard a glaring remark about not taxing your vassals. A kingdom without tax is akin to a gun without bullets. As useless as a piece of stone sitting in the middle of nowhere. How do you even finance your government, military, and city?" She didn't hesitate to asked the Monarch.
Though, there was an answer to her question. It was none other than slavery, but she decided to give them some chance. After all, there was no way Abraham would ally himself to enslavers.
Hearing the doubts of Mercedes, Echidna wryly smiled as she understood how confusing her way of ruling was. In simpler terms, the kingdom of Monstra was no less than a guardian of the territory. Landlords could simply ally themselves to her, which brought about the massive expanse of the kingdom.
And the reason why she could finance everything was fairly simple.
With a flick of her fingers, Mercedes and Echidna teleported away. The daemon generals glanced at one another and instead dedicate their focus to somewhere else. They had their duties as the generals, beside the council must have been deeply affected by the remarks of the Monarch. The aftermath needed to be taken care of.
On the other hand, within the expansive farms of Monstra, two individuals found themselves standing upon an array of enchanted golems performing their farming duties. The reason Echidna could finance the kingdom was through automaton production created by her special abilities.
"These are my enchanted golems, and they are found throughout the production sites of my kingdom. There should be thousands of them, mining, farming, and producing for the kingdom. They merely require my management, making them the best for the economy."
She explained while observing her handywork. The thousands of enchanted golems along constantly seeped 10% of her capacity. But it was worth it as the kingdom of Monstra remained self-sufficient from anything and anyone.
Mercedes watched and commented upon the scenery. "Impressive, but you must understand that the kingdom is too reliant on your abilities. And since you are a distant relative of Abraham, I'm sure you understand the risks of an automaton. Who knows what could happen in the future."
Echidna smiled at the silver wolf's words and responded. "I understand your worries, however, I do not intend to die. Besides, my enchanted golems are mere machines that do the same thing over and over again. They do not have a tinge of intelligence, making them akin to tools."
"Understood, apologies for my assumptions." Mercedes lightly bowed at the Monarch, realizing her false assumptions. Under the logic of the Monarch, the decisions made sense. She then change the subject with remarkable ease.
"Your technology is interesting, especially regarding the enchanted golems. Any chance for the United World Government to purchase its blueprint?"
...
Meanwhile, combined-offensive fleet, Spear of Longinus, found themselves anchored into a vast port to be resupplied with ammunition for future confrontations with the Fleets of the Colonial Dominions. However, as they restocked themselves of much needed supplies, a figure hovered above them.
It was a human, an Apostle of the Heavenly Sovereign.
The situation within the Ferus Sea has worsened as the domination of the United World Government continued to destabilized the region. Europa opted to ignore the conflict of the colonies, however, the rising growth of the UWG remained in scrutiny.
The apostles of the Sovereign Terra Firma have met their ends from the so-called Dragon of Liberation. This signified that the strength of the United World Government wasn't something that they could underestimate. Alongside the insistence of the Magus Tower, the Sovereigns had to make a move.
For this reason, the Heavenly Sovereign have sent his Apostle to aid the Fleets of the Colonial Dominions.
"How troublesome..." The Apostle muttered to himself, pointing his fingers upward as a dark storm brew in mere moments. The Spear of Longinus quickly discovered the Apostle as they noticed a disturbance in their sophisticated instruments. Unfortunately, it was already too late.
"Let this be a punishment to those who oppose the masters of this world." The Apostle yawned as he pointed his finger to the stormy skies. An orb of crackling lightning emanated from the tiny spell above his finger as it quickly pierced through the blackened heavens. There was silence at first, then...
"Feel the wrath of the skies, Storm Surge..."
A pillar of thunder fell from the heavens, pummeling downwards with unrivalled intensity. Runic shields cracked in seconds, unable to hold against the pillar of deafening thunder. What followed was untold destruction.
Devastation that would shake the United World Government.