Chapter 408: Chapter 403: Soliciting Opinions

The commoners of Scorching Wind City discovered their new lord had no intention of enslaving them. In fact, while allowing them to keep their farmlands, he had reduced the tax burden to forty percent. So, after a few days of turmoil, the city began to show outward signs of stabilizing.

Some of the bolder inns and shops even reopened for business.

On this particular day, Kaelon booked an entire tavern, summoning Lune, Conrad, Simone, Ross, and the others stationed in Scorching Wind Territory.

"The only reason this war went so smoothly for us was because of the Lord’s power. Without his leadership, I fear many of us would have died on the battlefield, just like Barrett!"

Kaelon raised his cup, stood, and declared loudly, "The Lord may not be here with us, but our first drink should be a toast to him!"

"That’s right! It was the Lord’s strength that made this war go so smoothly!"

"A toast to the Lord!"

"To the Lord!"

Everyone rose to their feet, echoing the sentiment loudly.

After downing the first drink, everyone began to eat and drink freely. Without the Lord present, the atmosphere among them was much more casual.

Some began boasting about how many enemies they’d killed, while others discussed the spoils of war they’d recently collected, a bit of one-upmanship inevitable.

After a few rounds of drinks, Kaelon felt the time was right and revealed the purpose of the gathering.

"I called you all here for two reasons. First, for a small get-together. Second, to ask for your opinions on a certain matter."

Everyone put down their cups, looking at Kaelon in surprise.

Simone asked, "Commander Kaelon, what’s the occasion for such a serious tone?"

Kaelon said, a smug grin on his face, "Heh heh, the Lord spoke with me yesterday. He said that once this war is well and truly over, he will make me the first noble of Black Forest Island—and a Baron, no less!"

The men were stunned, their faces a mixture of shock, envy, and a hint of jealousy.

"Hahaha, so that’s it! This whole feast is an early celebration, isn’t it?"

Simone laughed. He was one of the men closer to Kaelon, and their relationship was good, so he couldn’t resist teasing him. "But a banquet like this is too simple. For such an occasion, you should have at least prepared some Intoxicating Honey Wine, shouldn’t you?"

Hearing this, the others began to join in the teasing.

"Get outta here! A single bottle of Intoxicating Honey Wine costs at least fifty Gold Coins! Even if I could afford it, do you think I’d waste it on you lot?"

With his annual salary, Kaelon could actually afford seven or eight bottles, but he barely had enough for himself. There was no way he’d bring it out for guests.

At this point, Lune spoke up. "Normally, the Lord should make you a Knight first. Why is he starting you off as a Baron?"

Simone replied, "Our Lord isn’t one to be tied down by rules like that. He does things his own way."

Kaelon chimed in, "Simone’s right. The Lord does have many novel ideas. It’s precisely because of them that Black Forest Island is what it is today."

The men nodded silently. Lune and Manny, who hailed from declined noble families, agreed wholeheartedly. In the eyes of their own families’ subjects, the commoners of Black Forest Island were practically nobles themselves.

"Actually, I’m not the only one being ennobled this time. I suspect some of you are on the list as well."

Kaelon’s words immediately captured everyone’s attention. "Really?" Simone asked.

"The Lord didn’t say it explicitly, but that was the impression I got."

A fire of ambition ignited in the hearts of Simone and the others.

Manny and Lune, however, merely exchanged an envious glance.

One was the heir to the Haydon Clan, and the other was a third-generation member of the Holmes Clan. It wouldn’t be appropriate for them to accept ennoblement from Duane.

Then, Kaelon added, "However, the nobles created by the Lord aren’t quite the same as traditional nobles."

He then proceeded to explain what Duane had told him about the Feudal Manor and special privileges.

"So, I specifically asked you here today to hear your opinions or suggestions about this reform."

Kaelon stated his position first. "I’m no good at governing a territory. I’d rather follow the Lord and enjoy the boons he provides than be given a plot of land to develop on my own."

Lune frowned slightly. "You have a point, but the Lord’s changes are so... unconventional. I worry they’ll be met with resistance from others, especially the Royal Family."

Since the ennoblement didn’t concern him, he spoke frankly. "I’m concerned that someone might use this as a pretext to accuse the Lord of challenging the authority of the Royal Family."

"Do you think the Lord is afraid of that?"

Simone said fearlessly, "I don’t have the ability to govern a territory better than the Lord, so I support his reforms. However, I hope there can be a little more leeway when it comes to a personal retinue."

He continued, "At least let me have a few more guards to ensure Vera’s safety."

Kaelon laughed. "It seems you still haven’t forgotten about Daniels taking Vera hostage. But Black Forest Island is perfectly safe now."

"But we’ll have to travel outside the island eventually."

Kaelon nodded. "I’ll relay your opinion to the Lord."

He then looked at Conrad. "What are your thoughts?"

Conrad had joined Black Forest Island just before the war. Though he hadn’t been with them long, his performance, like that of the late Barrett, had been commendable.

Hearing Kaelon’s question, he was still surprised he had been invited at all, but he was also filled with anticipation at the prospect of being made a Knight.

As long as he could become a Knight, he didn’t care about having a territory. Still, he had an idea of his own.

"Last time, I witnessed the Lord use his Blessing on Lune, helping him break through to become a Celestial Tier Knight. So I was thinking... could that be added to the privileges of the nobility? For example, the ability to grant a Blessing?"

Kaelon nodded. "I’ll make a note of your suggestion."

Ross felt much the same as Conrad. Just being made a Knight would be an incredible stroke of luck; how could he ask for more?

Finally, only Manny was left. He rubbed his nose and said, "To be honest, I’d much rather be here on Black Forest Island than inherit the Haydon Clan’s territory. It’s a shame my family won’t allow it."

He shrugged. "As for the Lord’s reform, I think it’s great. At least you don’t have to worry about going bankrupt."

The men couldn’t help but chuckle. The fact that the Haydon Clan had nearly gone bankrupt was common knowledge.

"Alright, I’ll relay all of your opinions to the Lord!"

Kaelon raised his cup again. "I believe that under the Lord’s leadership, our future will be even brighter!"

They weren’t fools. They could see the restrictions Duane’s reforms placed on his vassal lords.

At the very least, they wouldn’t be the absolute masters of their own land, unlike lords elsewhere.

But compared to being independent lords, what Duane offered was more, and better.

Of course, another point was also crucial.

This group of men had either followed Duane for a long time, owed him a great debt of gratitude, or came from humble origins.

For them, the opportunity to join the ranks of the Nobility was already an incredible blessing. They had neither the reason nor the leverage to demand more.

It was precisely this fact that Duane had counted on when he decided to formally implement his reform of the lord-vassal system.

If he were a noble like Count Kais, with numerous powerful, landed vassals under his command, the matter would be far more complicated. He would probably have to resort to a method of slowly weakening them by encouraging the division of their lands.

It was nothing like his current situation on Black Forest Island, which was a clean slate. As long as he didn’t have to worry about outside interference, he could arrange things however he pleased.

In the future, if a landed noble were to surrender to him, he could use Kaelon and the others as a precedent, demanding that the new vassal accept his reforms and surrender their territory.

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