Wizard: I crush legends with martial arts.

Chapter 132 The Queen

"I sensed astonishing battle aura fluctuations emanating from you. For someone your age to reach this level is truly remarkable," Queen Junon smiled. "In a few more years, you should be qualified to test your swordsmanship against me."

"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty, but I am merely an unknown knight and dare not challenge Your Majesty," Mia replied neither arrogantly nor humbly.

Queen Junon didn't seem to care and turned to Alphonse, "On the contrary, you are much weaker than Rivera's report said. It is said that you cannot learn martial arts or magic, but you received a magical inheritance from a bard?"

What weakness! It's because I've broken through the Ren and Du meridians, and my divine light is now contained within!

Alphonse muttered to himself, "Yes, that's true."

Rivera's cheap uncle investigated very thoroughly, and reported back so quickly.

Queen Junoan nodded slowly. "Rivera has already told me about your deeds. I commend you for the courage and boldness you have shown. Alphonse, you don't need to be too nervous. I have suppressed the Senate's questioning of you, but you still need to defend yourself in the court."

However, there won't be any problems. Count Mujik is dead, and this matter will simply fade away. As for Baron Aldrich's accusations against you, they are not without merit. You are speaking out for the common people, which is commendable, but your demand for sewage fees is a bit excessive.

"Yes." Alphonse bowed his head, waiting for what was to come.

When admitting a mistake, one should be sincere; at worst, one should just spit out some of it.

The Council of Nobles has existed in this country for a long time, but it is not very efficient, and its power is controlled by the Senate. The way trials are conducted is entirely up to the nobles in the Senate.

The fact that Lan Yuling was framed with a fake IOU is a case in point.

With the Queen involved, there's unlikely to be any surprises.

Queen Junon didn't bring up the question again, but instead asked, "Did your father tell you why I sent him to the northern frontier to be a lord?"

"No." Alphonse shook his head.

"Now I'll tell you, every officer who was granted a title for military merit only received barren territories, scattered in various corners. Although there are elders who might try to obstruct things, I want to see my officers bring change to the poor people. Also, there's another reason: everyone is a spy I've planted. Any unusual situation must be reported to me immediately."

As she spoke, Queen Junorne smiled and said, "The statement 'My vassal's vassal is no longer my vassal' is ridiculous, isn't it?"

Alphonse did not speak.

I really don't know how to answer this.

The system of the Kingdom of Bastien is indeed somewhat strange, completely different from the centralized monarchical system in the Central Plains. The emperor of the Chinese nation believed that "all land under heaven belongs to the king, and all people within the borders are his subjects."

Unlike the lords here, who even collect taxes themselves and don't need to pay tribute to the royal family.

Well, in general, feudalism is backward.

The Queen continued, "Unfortunately, that is the truth, and I believe it is incorrect! Every inch of the kingdom's land is my territory, and every lord should swear allegiance to me!"

Having heard what was said earlier, Alphonse already guessed that the Queen wanted to establish a centralized government.

According to Rivera, the Queen is generous and upright, listens to advice regardless of social status, and possesses formidable military strength. Having already reached the pinnacle of the Kingdom of Bastien, it is only natural that she would pursue the unification of the royal power.

You can't just expand your territory and then divide it up among various lords.

However, Alphonse really didn't want to get involved in the reform. In the current situation, it was unrealistic to expect all the lords to willingly relinquish their power unless Queen Junon could eliminate them one by one.

He could only reply, "I am absolutely loyal to Your Majesty!"

Queen Junon smiled. "The lords who were dispersed, namely the Coldwind Territory, have developed the best. I can see your contribution. I originally thought that after your father's death, you would be isolated and helpless, but you gave me a pleasant surprise. You should be rewarded properly."

Before Queen Junon could explain what the reward would be, Alphonse interrupted, "No need for a reward. I've brought Your Majesty a gift, a specialty from our Coldwind Territory."

What reward do you want? Just don't use me as a scapegoat.

Alphonse was too lazy to engage in any power struggles. With his strength, getting whatever he wanted was easy, and Coldwind Territory was no longer short of money.

He gestured to Mia, "Present the gift to His Majesty."

Mia immediately stepped forward with the gift box in her hand.

It was clear that the Queen was slightly displeased, her brows furrowing slightly.

But as a descendant of the Confederate Army, he shouldn't be reprimanded.

A servant took the gift box and presented it to Queen Junorne.

This other world is not so bad. I can pay homage to the Queen in this magnificent palace, and there are only a few guards protecting the entire hall.

Unlike the Central Plains.

When holding a court assembly, civil and military officials must stand on both sides.

"What is this? Crystal sand?" Queen Junon asked, opening the box.

"No, this is snow sugar refined using a special process in our Cold Wind Territory," Alphonse replied.

"Is this candy?" The Queen raised an eyebrow, but didn't say whether she liked it or not. She closed the lid and handed it to the servant, "I'll accept this gift."

"I hope His Majesty will like it," Alphonse said with a smile.

"Later, the attendants will arrange rooms for you at the inn. Once you're settled, go to the council chamber to report. There probably won't be time for the court session today. Since you've come all this way to the capital, have a good time in San Centano for a couple of days."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. May we take our leave now?" Alphonse asked.

"Go," Queen Junon said with a wave of her hand.

As soon as Alphonse and Mia stepped out of the hall, the nobleman beside the throne immediately said to the Queen, "Your Majesty, this boy is quite clever and cunning. He has already figured out what you want him to do."

Queen Junon laughed. "Risk, do you think so too? He's even more cunning than I imagined, unlike his father."

"Don't you feel a little unhappy?"

"Of course I'm unhappy, but since he's unwilling, there's no need to make things difficult for him." Queen Junon originally wanted to promote Alphonse as a role model and praise his achievements, but she was stopped before she could finish speaking.

But it's not enough to punish him for such a small matter.

After Alphonse left the palace, his entourage followed his attendants to the inn and settled in. He then immediately gave the order for them to move around freely.

Anyway, I'm the only one going to the council chamber.

Midio had been wanting to go out and have fun for a while, and Tessi also needed to find a place to repair his armor and weapons, so Mia could keep an eye on them.

(End of this chapter)