Bryan was sitting on his throne, shuffling through various books in his hands.
I will need Fredrich to see about opening public access to all these books.
“Erm… girl, do you know where Fredrich is?” Bryan asked the girl who stood next to him.
“Sire, he is collecting documents on the palace staff for you.” She responded cheerfully.
Bryan sighed and then spoke, “Fair enough. What is your name? May be easier as you’re always around”
She smiled while offering him a drink, “It’s Clara, Sire”
Bryan took the ale and nodded at her.
Being in this palace so often is such an inefficient use of time, but it is needed.
The door creaked open, and Fredrich came stumbling in carrying a large stack of documents.
Fredrich panted as he approached Bryan and spoke after catching his breath.
“Sire, I compiled the information on the staff.” He took another deep breath.
His clothes are scruffier than typical, as is his hair… odd.
“If we still want to host events and maintain the palace, we could only let ten percent of the staff go.
Bryan rubbed his head and thought for a moment, then replied, “Any more, and I imagine those that remained would be overworked?”
Looking up from the documents, Fredrich nods while speaking, “Yes, Sire. That is what the numbers say”
That would be sub-optimal…
“Ok, fine, we keep them all. But we should establish proper shifts for them,” Bryan said, fidgeting with the books in his hands.
Fredrich tilted his head with his eye squinting.
“Shifts? What is that?”
“Set hours a day, rather than them working all day, like guards switch posts. We have all staff take over for another every eight hours,” Bryan stated.
Fredrich contemplated for a moment, then replied, “Yes, Sire. I will draft one for the palace staff”
It is not guaranteed to work, but if it does, then people will work more efficiently.
“A church representative requests a meeting again, Sire,” Fredrich said, shifting a bit awkwardly.
Bryan shrugged and then said, “Nope, no time for that.”
Fredrich sighed and replied, “I thought you might say that, Sire. You will need to deal with them eventually, though, before they take more drastic action”
They are not the most pressing issue currently.
“Next, I found many magic books. We should distribute the magic knowledge from the library to the general population.” Bryan said bluntly.
“Sire, Magical understanding and literacy are quite lacking. This could be a problem,” Fredrich said with furrowed brows.
Bryan squinted at him and spoke, “Maybe, but access to knowledge will improve the kingdom in time”
Some short-term inefficiency is acceptable if the long-term outcome improves.
Bryan stretched and sipped his ale before speaking, “Ok, final thing. Can you arrange that minor noble you mentioned who may fill the finance job? Next week would be good”
With that, Bryan stood up, and Fredrich bowed towards him as he walked.
“Clara, a bath would be great, thanks”
She ran off ahead of him.
***
Well, best to check with Fredrich. Not seen him in a few days and that noble should be here later… if no one needs me, I will go hunting.
Fredrich rushed into the throne room carrying a stack of papers and rushed to Bryan’s side.
He looks worse, big bags under his eyes, hair totally unkempt, buttons undone on jacket… may need to inquire.
“Sire,” Fredrich panted, catching his breath before he spoke again.
“We allowed the adventurers into the library, and the craftsmen near the port have begun making copies of the books,” Fredrich said, leaning over and spilling some papers on the floor.
Good, that is progress at least.
“That is good. Why are you such a mess?” Bryan asked him while tilting his head.
Standing back upright, Fredrich replied, “I’m sorry, Sire, I’ve had a court magician use a spell to keep me alert and working”
Bryan squinted at him and said, “Why?”
Long term, that makes no sense.
“The reforms, Sire, I have had so much work to do. I had to take measures to get it done quickly; I know you appreciate efficiency,” Fredrich said with a faint smile.
Bryan stared at him blankly before rubbing his face; then he spoke.
“I told you to introduce shift work because rested people are more efficient; this choice was highly illogical”
These reports are so tedious… I hope something comes up that I can address.
Fredrich’s eyes widened; he raised a hand and went to speak but stopped himself a few times.
With an exasperated exhale, Fredrich spoke, “You are right, Sire. I am sorry”
Bryan shrugged before replying, “You should rest after this; anyway, anything else important?”
Fredrich’s eyes went wide again as he frantically searched through the pile of documents before speaking.
“Oh gods, reports have arrived about the magic books being released.”
Fredrich found one and read it quickly before speaking.
“Many refuse to look at them, but some are studying them, and we have had two reports of explosions in the market district”
That was clearly the most important part…He is really dropping the ball today.
“Is that not the most important part?” Bryan said, eyebrows raised, before he stood up.
Fredrich bowed and spoke, “I’m sorry, Sire. I failed you, should I find a replacement for myself?”
Bryan tilted his head and replied, “No, just go rest; I will look into these reports personally”
As soon as he said this, Bryan began walking to leave the room.
Weakly, Fredrich tried to protest, but Bryan opened the door and could no longer hear him.
He walked through the corridor with two guards following him.
At least it’s only two that follow now, but they still won’t stop entirely.
Bryan made his way out of the palace, through the courtyard and into the noble district.
Passing the nobles, who stepped back, clearing his path as he walked.
Fredrich was right, there are fewer nobles now, but these ones are less likely to cause issues.
Continuing into the market district, he walked until he saw a building smouldering with a small crowd around it, guards still throwing pails of water onto it.
Pretty sure we shouldn’t have a report on this already…
Approaching them, Bryan spoke, “Is this one of the accident sites we got a report about?”
One of the guards stopped and turned after bowing; he spoke.
“No, Sire, this happened a short while ago. The mage over there was experimenting with new spells”
Walking over to the mage, Bryan said, “Why did you blow the building up exactly?”
The man, a bit shaken, spoke, “I am sorry, my king. I didn’t mean to; I was sure that item box spell would work…I nearly died” The man then continues staring blankly.
He does not understand the basic principles… they only go this wrong with extreme misunderstanding.
Bryan sighed and rubbed his head while walking back to the guard.
“How many incidents like this have happened so far?” Bryan asked.
The guard thought for a moment, then replied,
“Erm… two people blew themselves up, one discovered a new way to create flowers, one turned herself into a statue, and another floated away for some reason. Those are what I have heard.”
This is disappointing…immediate action will be needed once Fredrich has rested.
Bryan sighed before turning around and making his way back to the palace.
After getting back to the throne room, Bryan sat down and leaned back.
“Clara, ale please,” He said.
She walked over with a tray and handed him a cup before walking back to the side.
He sat sipping his drink until a knock on the throne room disturbed him.
The minor noble, I assume… should be an easy enough meeting.
A man pushed the door open and entered, well dressed in a jacket but wearing minimal jewellery.
He walked to the stairs below the throne and bowed before speaking.
“I am Alric Debeers, my King.” He said, standing straight, one hand behind his back.
Bryan sipped his drink and then sat forward.
“Straight to the point, I need a noble to take over running the finances for the port since it is expanding and the previous one fled the city… You will accept the job, yes? Fredrich told me you are good with numbers.”
Alric calmly waited until Bryan finished, bowed again, then spoke.
“I am sorry, my king. I have to decline this role.”
Bryan tilted his head and squinted his eyes.
What…. Why…
“You do realise it would give you and your family a lot more money and other perks?” Bryan said.
Nodding, Alric responded, “Yes, I understand that, my King. With the recent reforms, I can’t accept it as family could be ostracised by the other nobles.”
This is very illogical…
Alric spoke again, “If that is all, my King. May I leave?”
Bryan sighed, then replied, “Yes, you can, obviously.”
Alric bowed and quickly left the throne room.
Bryan sat rubbing his head for a while before speaking.
“Clara, did you understand why he turned down a job that would benefit his family long term?”
Clara walked closer and stood beside the throne before replying, “Sire, I think he is concerned about his reputation with other nobles. He may fear his family being ostracised… or perhaps he is simply afraid of you.”
That makes no sense, very short-term thinking.
“Why does he fear me? I didn’t intimidate him,” Bryan said looking at her curiously.
Clara fidgets awkwardly. “May I speak plainly, Sire?”
Why do people keep asking this…
Sighing, Bryan replied, “Yes, I’d prefer everyone always did”
Clara smiled and spoke, “Well, you removed the last king, got rid of corruption, freed the slaves and released knowledge to everyone”
She looked down towards her feet before continuing.
“Some think you are unpredictable and dangerous. They call you the Demon Lord Slayer or the King who sees all.”
Bryan squinted at her before sipping his drink.
Dumb names…
She looked back up at him, speaking again, “I think that is why he is scared, though you have done so much good. I’m sure you care for this kingdom greatly” After saying this, she smiled and bowed.
I still don’t get it…The kingdom is getting less inefficient, still has issues though.
“Can you draw me a bath before I go to bed?” he said.
She nodded and ran off to do it.
***
Bryan sat in his throne room, bouncing his foot up and down.
Fredrich walked into the room holding a stack of papers, looking well dressed and with his hair tidy.
He looks more normal… good.
Fredrich walked up to the throne and spoke, “Sire, we have a few issues to address today.”
Bryan nodded and interrupted him, “I looked into the magic accidents; you were right: education is an issue”
Shifting forward to the edge of his seat, Bryan continued.
“We should retrofit a safe place for people to practise and get some nobles familiar with them to aid in teaching the spells”
Fredrich considers for a moment, “Yes, it may be hard to convince them, but I will see to it, Sire.”
They likely want an incentive.
“We could offer those who aid our new policies a reduction in tax; also, we will institute a tax of twenty percent on nobles who try to leave on short notice,” Bryan stated before he leaned back again.
Fredrich wrote on a paper he was holding, “Ok, Sire, we have had reports of increasing criminality in the ports and market district. Also…”
Before Fredrich could finish speaking, Bryan stood up and interrupted.
“Great, I will go investigate what is causing it”
Bryan began walking towards the door.
Fredrich tried to speak but meekly, “Please, Sire, Don’t. Just use the guards?”
Bryan opened the door and walked down the corridor.
I will leave a smarter way this time.
He walked into a closet, briefly leaving the door open, on either side of which the guards waited.
Concealment
Bryan snuck by them and made his way out of the palace into an alley in the noble district.
After dispelling his concealment, a cloaked man stepped out of a doorway.
“Lord, here for a report?”
Bryan shook his head, then replied, “Not quite. What do you know about the increased crime?”
In the distance, the bells of the palace can be heard ringing.
The man nodded, then spoke, “They don’t seem to be from here; as far as we can tell they entered the city and immediately began stealing and fighting people”
Hmm… They are here to cause instability I’d imagine.
He took a moment then said, “The fact they are doing it so openly is odd; if you check the port, I’m sure you will see.”
Bryan thanked him, used Concealment again, and made his way toward the port.
Arriving in the large port, Bryan can see the many ships docked.
More people are here than at the market, but they look rougher…
Walking down the street, Bryan watched the various people lugging large crates until he noticed a large topless man with four others barge through the crowd.
Walking up to a smaller man, he punched him, dropping him straight to the ground. Another man tried to intervene, but was grabbed by two of the thugs.
Intimidation and numbers… I should frighten them if I intend to stop it.
Bryan dispelled Concealment and calmly walked up to the large man who was about half a foot taller than him.
“Oh, this guy has some fancy armour… haha, watch him go down too,” The large man said, looking at Bryan.
Shield bubble.
The large man pulled his massive arm back while Bryan watched with his head tilted.
Putting in all his force, he struck at Bryan, slamming into an invisible barrier, the impact causing it to shimmer.
“Fuck!” the large man shouted, holding his hand with the other.
“Gods, that was like punching a mountain…Is he mage?” He said, stomping in anger, before waving at the others.
Let them hit the shield a few times, then prove the point.
Then all four men stopped what they were doing, drew their swords and began swinging at Bryan.
Each slash hitting the barrier, causing it to shimmer, while Bryan stood still, not reacting.
This drains mana fast, more so when being hit… but needed to make the point.
One of the men stopped swinging and turned to the large man who had drunk a potion.
“Boss, I don’t think this will work?”
The large man replied, “Keep going; no magic man can do that forever”
They continued swinging over and over.
Hmm, the slow man is correct, Physical enhancement.
Within a moment, Bryan was beside one of the men. With a carefully placed punch to the kidney, the man fell to the ground, clutching his side.
In quick succession, Bryan hit one in the throat, one in the solar plexus and the last he leg swept and slammed into the ground.
Now the big one…
Slowing himself down, Bryan slowly walked up to the large man whose face was red with anger.
“Tiny man, I will crush you!” He shouted as he began pummelling Bryan.
Each swing bouncing off the shield only seemed to make him angrier.
Tiny? Illogical, he isn’t that much bigger…
Bryan ducked and punched the man’s knee to the side, forcing him onto his knees. Using the confusion, He grabbed the man by the side of his head and held him still.
“Why, can’t I move?” He shouted as Bryan drew back his own head slowly.
With significant force, he head-butted the man, who went limp in his arms.
Warn them, then back to the palace, I guess.
Turning around to one of the men, Bryan stood over one of them with his dagger out.
Staring at him, Bryan spoke, “Wherever you lot came from… go back. This city’s new policy for criminals like you is this” He slowly drove his dagger into the neck of an unconscious man.
Some onlookers clapped other looked on with eyes wide.
“Wait… was that the king”
“Surely not”
Bryan turned back and walked to the palace.
That was overly theatrical, but it should make them tell any others and should scare them.
Bryan approached the palace, the guards ran over, looked him over, and escorted him back to the throne room.
Fredrich awaited him; Bryan walked in and sat on the throne again.
“The crime problem should be solved for now,” Bryan stated bluntly.
Fredrich rubbed his head while sighing quietly.
“Ok, the other business was that the church is sending one of its leaders here because you ignored their requests,” Fredrich said before pausing.
“Would it be too much for you to let the guards or adventurers handle some of these issues, Sire?”
Bryan nodded at him and replied, “Yes, I am quicker. Thus, the right choice”
So the church has finally become important enough to investigate.