Throne of the North.

Chapter 588 The Grand Duke's Fall (Part 1)

"Your Excellency the Grand Duke."

Ryan's aristocratic etiquette was fairly standard, and the Grand Duke's entourage was not small either. The two nobles left the southern battlefield relatively amicably.

"It seems that the Baron is not optimistic about the war in the South."

Grand Duke Meyers invited Ryan to ride in his carriage. The Grand Duke's magical carriage was very spacious, like a small house.

Ryan said he would leave if the war was going badly for him, but now that he's with the Grand Duke, his stance is clear.

"The Empire is not afraid of the usual wars with the Dawn Church."

Ryan said this, and then continued.

"But the divine power that aids the Papacy will dissipate the Empire's courage."

If the Papacy were just the Papacy, the Empire wouldn't have much to fear. But just as nobles fear divine punishment, even legends must revere the power of the gods.

Grand Duke Meyers agreed with Ryan's words and nodded in response:
“I wholeheartedly agree with the Baron’s proposal. If we can kill all the clergy on the Holy Mountain, then the Empire can fulfill its ultimate dream and become the true emperor of Norris.”

"However, the nobles are not entirely like that. Take Brutus, for example, the son of the Rodrigo family. I know him quite well. He and his father both possess imaginative and whimsical souls, which has allowed them to go very far on the path of magic."

"But they are exceptionally ancient when it comes to things outside of magic."

"I heard that you made Gerald's bloodline an ally of the Empire in the North. This is a great name. Human civilization will not forget Gerald's countless honors and glories in the past."

"They are indeed very romantic."

Ryan responded as well.

"Rodriguez and Gerald are very similar. Apart from magic, Rodriguez's knights and kings completely copied the traditions of Gerald's royal family."

"Rodriguez's knights always follow the code of chivalry. If you ever have the chance to see them, you will be amazed. They are far more powerful than Gerald is today."

"As for the Russell family, they are quite extreme. Every generation of Grand Duke Russell has a very loyal brother. The Grand Duke holds the power, and the brother is the soul of the Grand Duke. You may find it hard to understand, but the smartest and most decisive person in the Russell family is not the Grand Duke."

Grand Duke Meyers said with a smile, his pale hair revealing a hint of nostalgia for the past.

"However, it is precisely because of this 'tradition' that Russell is always slow to make decisions."

"Look, he was a step too slow again this time."

Ryan had just been wondering what the Grand Duke was trying to achieve by talking to him about the succession of other Grand Dukes, but now it suddenly dawned on him, and he said in surprise:

"Does the Grand Duke mean that His Excellency Brutus, the successor to Grand Duke Rodrigo, will represent Rodrigo in supporting His Highness Freud?"

"Can't you tell? The Baron doesn't seem as intelligent as I thought."

The Grand Duke smiled and gave Ryan a positive answer.

"Rodriguez's men haven't left the Southern War yet, which already speaks volumes about his choice, and... he only has one choice left."

According to imperial tradition, one of the four Grand Dukes, having supported the Emperor before his coronation, remains close to him, such as the current Grand Duke family of Freming. The remaining three Grand Dukes correspond to the three electors, each choosing one to support in pursuit of the interests of the next era.

Archduke Meyers has chosen to support Elector Volvo, leaving the other two, Archdukes Rodrigo and Russell, with only other options.

For Archduke Meyers, it seems there is only one other option: Freud.

Moreover, due to their different internal circumstances, Grand Duke Russell was always a step behind, which allowed Rodrigo to take the lead in supporting Floyd.

Ryan was somewhat curious; it seemed that the nobles of the empire were subconsciously ignoring the last elector named Viking Columbus.

What makes him different?

Ryan didn't ask, and Grand Duke Meyers didn't want to say either; he was referring to Grand Duke Freming.

"Freming wasn't very old, but he didn't have any powerful supernatural abilities, which led to his death before us."

"Freming always followed in the footsteps of his ancient ancestors, who always longed to be the first nobles, brave and fearless, cutting through thorns and leading mankind toward the light of peace. All the fine virtues of the first nobles were what Fleming pursued."

"Therefore, it is reasonable for him to recently begin to oppose His Majesty's orders. His Majesty's obsession with swift victory has placed a heavy burden on the empire."

Grand Duke Meyers looked at Ryan and asked:
"Baron, you probably can't tell what kind of pressure the Empire is facing, can you?"

Ryan nodded. Indeed, even after several years of attrition, the empire still appeared to be in a state of relative chaos.

He was still a little puzzled. Could it be that the empire's century-old foundation was too deep and unfathomable?
"That's because all the pressure is concentrated on those other world dimensions."

"The royal family, the great nobles, and even some minor nobles all have trump cards from the other world. You should be familiar with the wealth that the other world can bring."

So that's how it is... Ryan realized that he had the otherworldly dimension as a powerful tool, but this was not his exclusive right.

The legacy left after the end of the interdimensional war of the gods was left to countless people.

The nobles of the empire always reserved the relatively better aspects for their own land, but they were full of cruelty towards other people's land, or places that the nobles did not acknowledge as their own.

The empire had a thriving slave market every year, and there was always a large supply of slaves.

The nobles did not have a people-oriented mindset, but they did know that their territory needed labor to prosper.

The three grand dukes are all different, so what about Meyers?
Ryan looked at the Grand Duke who was standing close by. This Grand Duke was said to be the most powerful of the four Grand Dukes.

However, it's hard to say, as Grand Duke Rodrigo was also a legendary magician.

The value of the mage profession remains strong after countless years of testing by the Dawn Church.

Grand Duke Meyers seemed to sense Ryan's probing gaze. To be honest, Grand Duke Meyers was also curious about this Baron of the North. Even as a Baron who was now no less than a great nobleman, he shouldn't have no sense of difference in rank in his eyes.

“Meyers is loyal to power, whether in another era a hundred years ago or in the present empire, Meyers has always pursued the extraordinary.”

"Meyers firmly believes that only extraordinary power can ensure the continuation of the Meyers bloodline."

The Grand Duke was quite generous and stated it directly; all four Grand Dukes had their own principles.

Ryan thought for a moment and asked:

"In that case, Your Excellency, do you think His Highness Volvo is the most powerful of the three electors?"

Grand Duke Meyers shook his head and said:

“I think it’s Freud.” “Oh?”

Ryan didn't quite understand what the reasoning was, and why Meyers chose Volvo given that.

"The Empire is under pressure from the Dawn Church, and such pressure will inevitably lead to a long war. Freud will be able to gain massive honors and more and more noble support in such a war. So although he is often reckless, he will be the most powerful."

Reckless? Ryan was puzzled. He didn't see it that way. On the contrary, this elector seemed quite approachable.

"That's because he's still learning, Mr. Baron. You have an undefeated record, so Freud is eager to learn from you. But once he finishes his studies, even his teacher cannot change his decision."

"He knows nothing about commanding war, but he is maturing. The Empire's tests for electors will gradually make the naive electors more dignified."

"You'll see the real Freud then, but you're smart; you left with me."

Archduke Meyers' decision to leave at this time may also be due to Freud's gradual takeover of command of the Southern war.

Previously, when Knight Klar of Rock was the commander-in-chief, the nobles were very free, but as the elector, they may face many troubles.

On the surface, Grand Duke Meyers was also a follower of the monarch, and Freud was also the Grand Duke's prince.

After saying all that, Grand Duke Meyers suddenly turned to Ryan and asked:

"How did the Earl of Clayton make his choice?"

Ryan looked up, his eyes filled with confusion.

"What does Your Excellency mean?"

"Your father, Earl Clayton, has been thinking about leading Clayton to become the fifth Grand Duke for many years. Even Fleming has become an enemy in his path. Does your father still not have a clear idea?"

Grand Duke Meyers chuckled coldly. If the imperial nobles always had their own political factions and groups forming alliances for their own interests, then few nobles were on Clayton's side when it came to Earl Clayton, who wanted to become the fifth Grand Duke.

If a fifth Grand Duke were to appear, it would oppress the interests of most nobles, with the royal family and the four Grand Dukes bearing the brunt.

Well, even the Emperor was one of those who tried to stop Lord Clayton, which shows how difficult it was.

The only chance here is that the power relationship between the emperor and the nobles gives the Earl of Clayton a tiny opportunity.

Ryan thought about it and realized that the trouble was indeed terrible, so serious that Earl Clayton wouldn't reveal a single word to him.

"Even the elector of the throne wouldn't make a promise just for the sake of competition, would he?"

Ryan considered the various traditions of the Empire: each of the three electors would choose one to support, but this would not lead to fierce fighting. The relationship between the nobles remained relatively peaceful. Apart from the two losing electors becoming marquis candidates, the nobles only benefited and did not lose.

“Of course. If His Highness Volvo makes a promise to Earl Clayton, I will be the first nobleman to give him up, and Volvo will therefore be the first loser.”

Grand Duke Meyers stated matter-of-factly that all the nobles were on the same side in stopping Earl Clayton.

Grand Duke Meyers talks more in this carriage than on the battlefield. It seems that among the four grand dukes, only Grand Duke Russell and Grand Duke Fleming are more skilled in warfare.

Ryan had a vague idea of ​​what the Grand Duke was about to say.

Sure enough, after a brief silence, Grand Duke Meyers began his invitation.

“Mr. Ryan, you and His Highness Volvo have a very good relationship. Perhaps we shouldn’t become enemies.”

“Freming is dying. On the day he dies, the political nobles headed by Grand Duke Freming will fall apart. Even your father will no longer fully follow Freming’s choices. The new Grand Duke Freming will have a new political nobles headed by him.”

If Earl Clayton wants to become the fifth Grand Duke, the first thing he needs to do is, of course, break away from his original status as a 'Grand Duke'.

“But you just said that Freud will be the most powerful elector.”

“Being powerful does not guarantee ultimate victory; the nobles would much rather have a monarch like His Highness Volvo.”

"Moreover, there are always many nobles who support His Highness Volvo, and the competition in this era is more intense than in the last."

Ryan was still curious and said:
"Is it because the other Viking prince simply doesn't have any noble followers?"

Grand Duke Meyers remained silent for a moment.

“Yes, even Russell, who had no other choice, would not choose His Highness Viking.”

"why?"

Meyers didn't give Ryan a decisive answer for a long time before finally saying:

"Because he is not suitable for any noble family, much less for the Flor Empire."

"He is a perfect...perfect human being."

"Shortly after the empire rose to power, we jokingly discussed that if His Highness the Viking had been born on the Holy Mountain, the Dawn Church would have had a unique candidate for the papacy."

"I'm not talking about the Pope on the Holy Mountain who's becoming more and more like an emperor, but the original Pope who led humanity towards civilization under the divine oracle."

No one disrespects the first pope; it can be said that he brought everything humanity has today.

The nobles never doubted that he was the incarnation of the Lord of Dawn.

The Viking, the elector of emperors, has received such high praise?
"Wouldn't he be the most suitable candidate to oppose the Dawn Church? He might not become the Pope of the Dawn, but the existence of the Grand Pope of Light would inspire the believers of the Holy Mountain to want to follow him, right?"

Ryan's words surprised Grand Duke Meyers, who thought, "It seems... to make a lot of sense."

But the Grand Duke came to his senses and shook his head.

"Impossible. He is the most suitable candidate for Pope, but at the same time, he is the least likely to become Pope."

"Even a beggar on the street could become a pope, but a Viking could not."

"Because he was once kissed by the Moon Lady."

The sun and the moon—in the end, the elector who most resembled the pope was chosen by the moon lady. What a life of avoiding detours!

The relationship between the Lord of Dawn and the Lady of the Moon wasn't bad; at most, they were the kind of people who would never speak to each other again.

Ryan remained silent for a long time, then looked into the Grand Duke's eyes and asked:
"I was assassinated in the Kingdom of Andara. Was it the Grand Duke who did it?"

(End of this chapter)