-"Silence!"-Agravain called for order.-"Now we shall proceed to discuss the matters of the kingdom."
-"If I may?"-King Leodegrance rose from his seat.
Agravain looked at Artoria and Morgan, and both of them nodded, so he stepped back.
-"King, may we know the identity of the person by your side?"
-"You may."-Artoria nodded.-"He is my personal Knight and friend whom I trust with my life. You might have heard of him due to his actions in the north when he worked with my sister."
-"Your Majesty, as a simple knight, what right does he have to sit here?"-King Rience asked without standing up.
-"This is something I planned to address later, but as you brought it up, I'll do it now. Enoch shall be hereby appointed as Justiciar of the kingdom, with all the rights and duties of that position."
-"Your Majesty! Please reconsider. What right does this person of unknown origin possess?"-King Rience furrowed his brows.
-"His origins are not unknown, Sir Rience."-Artoria retorted.
-"Then please enlighten us."
-"Sigh."-Mostima, who stood slightly behind me, sighed loud enough for everyone to hear it.-"Son, may I declare your name?"
I nodded, not speaking.
Mostima stepped forward, suddenly appearing in the center of the stage. I could see that she used her Arts originating from Lock and Key, but to outsiders, she achieved it without the use of magical energy, something they couldn't comprehend. From where she stood, everyone could clearly see the halo and wings, but also the horns on her head.
-"Enoch is Holy Son of Laterano, the Holy State of Sankta. Law incarnate, Supreme God of Sanctae Lateranae Eccliesia, and only Sovereign of Sankta."-She used my full title.-"He came to these lands under the blessing of Gaia, to assist the King of Humanity of this era."
She spoke the version of the truth we decided to present. It was true that I was given Gaia's blessing, less so that I arrived here because of them, and it was also true that I'm here to help Artoria, not exactly because of my contract with Gaia, though. But putting this in such a way gave us leverage, not to mention that Mostima won't allow me to pretend to be some simple knight, as Holy Son, I had to act the part.
-"Heh, why should we believe words of some demon?"-King Rience sneered.
-"While I did indeed sin, causing me to Fall, Holy Son forgave my mistake, restoring my halo. As for proof of my words, there is no need for that."-She smiled, her eyes narrowed in a dangerous glint.-"Holy Son is proof enough of his status."
-"Hahaha, and here I thought you could say something, useful woman. Guards capture that liar."-King Rience shook his head.-"What did I expect, just some inhuman."
As his words echoed, the whole venue stopped moving, as if the air itself solidified. Soon, only the sound of my rhythmic finger tapping proved that the time still flowed. All the eyes were on me. Fear, dread, shock, anger... I could feel all that from people present, but my mind was calm, my own emotions numbed. My divinity pressured everyone, and it wasn't something some random person could easily shrug off. There were already people who fainted while standing because of it. But the person who was sweating the most was King Rience, as my aura was focused on him.
-"Sir Rience."-I spoke slowly, each word piercing through his very soul.-"I don't care if you have your doubts, nor do I mind your lack of courtesy. But I won't stand you insulting my people. I'll warn you, and everyone present, only once."
Then there was silence until a slight laugh defused the situation.
-"I suggest you listen."-Morgan spoke after laughing.-"There is no person in this hall that can defeat him, be it me or my 'brother', we are not his opponents. If we wish to oppose Vortigern, who consumed the blood of a white dragon, then his presence is a necessary assurance."
Her words caused everyone to look at me with different eyes, not like an outsider, but as a guarantor. I took back my aura, and the room soon returned to the previous state, but I could feel that King Rience won't let this slight go. But this could be used to our benefit.
-"Let us resume."-Agravain walked back to the center of the hall, Mostima already back behind me.
The subject swiftly shifted to the state of the kingdom, both economic and military. Britain's economy was predominantly agrarian, with only a little trade happening. Agriculture was necessary to provide food for the people, so profits from it were minimal; only some more luxurious products could be sold to nobles. But trade was a different matter.
Due to instability in the country, the trade was heavily restricted and much more dangerous, so only a bare minimum of it was conducted internally. The external trade was a little healthier, but the seas had their own danger. Most nobles lived on taxes from thier fiefdoms, a few coastal ones tried their hands in trade, almost all failing.
There was one trade guild that dominated over 60% of the internal market and about 15% of the external one: my merchant guild. During my absence, Morgan continued to expand it, firmly grasping the majority of internal trade, especially caravans. Merchants working with us would give up half of their profit in exchange for the protection, so our coffers were quite full.
As for external trade, Morgan invested in building a small merchant fleet, establishing trade with Greek city-states. We also had some dealings with Roman and Arab merchants due to our trade route passing near them, but it was much smaller due to political issues. This alone would be enough to guarantee me a spot in this meeting, but my ownership of the guild was kept secret for now.
Summing it up, the economy of Britain was in shambles. Rebuilding it would take years, but it was enough to sustain a war. Of course, such a war couldn't last too long, in my opinion, three years was the maximum that this kingdom could manage without causing famine. And that brought us to the second subject: military.
The military power was divided between four kings: Morgan with ~1,500 knights and ~8,000 common soldiers; King Urien with ~900 knights and ~6,500 soldiers; King Rience with ~600 knights and ~7,000 soldiers; King Leodegrance with ~1,100 knights and ~10,000 soldiers; totaling to a force of ~35,000 people.
Compared to the Anglo-Saxons' ~30,000, we were stronger in numbers, but not to the degree where the war was decided outright. In addition, we should also mention our allies, the Irish forces, with about ~5,000 people on our side of the isles. The gap of ~10,000 people will give us more leeway when planning our strategy and allocating resources.
I sat and listened to nobles argue about rising taxes and conscripting more commoners, but my mind was comparing the current Britain with Laterano. Population-wise, Laterano ~6MM Sankta trumped Britain <1MM, even though Laterano was only a city-state with much lesser territory; the urbanization made the numbers. As for the Lateran military, the Pontifica Cohors Lateran, it was never less than ~50,000 people, with at least ~10,000 Sankta with their Guardian Guns, and the ~5,000 elite Apostolic Knights, armed to the teeth.
Of course, every Sankta is armed with a Guardian Gun, making them an army on their own. Now that Liberi are slowly becoming Laterano citizens, Old Man predicts that in the next five years, the population will jump to around ~10MM. As for comparing economies... it was useless. The modern economy of Laterano was nothing like the current Britain.
-"Lord Enoch, do you have an opinion?"-King Rience asked me, noticing my lack of attention.
I quickly returned to the present, looking at the plans for the upcoming war that they presented.
-"Your arrangements are sound, but don't forget that our northern border is slowly approaching the more urbanized territories. The Angles built many fortifications there, so the fighting will be slow and costly. We can use magic to resolve some issues, but given that Norse Shamans were already found in their army back during the Northern Campaign, magic might be heavily restricted."
-"Yes, the northern front will be problematic, but it'll still be easier than the eastern one, where the main force of Anglo-Saxons is located."
-"Yes, but this idea is still too wasteful. The northern front is currently in a state where it'll be hard to break the impasse, even if the previously neutral Sir Urien joined with his forces, the losses would mount too steeply before we could achieve any victory."
-"What does Sir Enoch suggest we do then?"-Urien asked. He wasn't a fool, so he understood that my words were correct.
-"Divide and conquer. Sir Leodegrance's forces would push east, trying to engage with the Anglo-Saxons to establish the eastern front, but not to achieve some quick victory, only to have them focus their forces there. At the same time, an army of combined forces of Sir Urien and Sir Rience will gather in Manchester."
-"Manchester?"-Artoria looked at the city far from the eastern front.
-"Yes, Manchester. When the Anglo-Saxons are occupied, we will strike at York."-I pointed at the city some distance from Manchester.-"Split the occupied lands into two parts. With the north cut off from the main force of the Anglo-Saxons, we can slowly wear them out while moving some forces from the north to the main front."
Everyone present looked at the map, considering this strategy.
-"Will we be able to covertly gather our army there?"-Some noble asked.
-"I believe that Merlin should earn his bed and board."-I looked at the flowery Court Mage.
-"I can hide us from the eyes of others, but not ears."-He agreed, but gave a warning.
-"This plan is indeed feasible."-Urien spoke after thinking this over.-"I agree to implement it."
-"I also support this idea."-Leodegrance seconded.
Morgan and Artoria also agreed, so only King Rience was left.
-"Tsk. I agree."-He agreed, knowing that he had no other choice.
-"Then we need to appoint a commander for the new army."-Leodegrance started.
-"To make our ruse more believable, King Arthur needs to be present on the main front."-Morgan took over the subject.-"While I need to make arrangements in the north. So I suggest Enoch be the main commander, with both King Urien and King Rience as his deputies."
-"Shouldn't one of us be the commander?"-Rience objected.
-"Picking either of you would make the other one his subordinate. I doubt you'll agree to such a situation. Enoch, as Justiciar, possesses a rank that allows him to command you, while not creating issues I mentioned previously."
Both kings were silent; neither would agree to fight under the other, so this resolution was solid, but this doesn't mean they were happy about it. But Morgan took their silence as agreement, so she continued to another subject.
-"We'll need to arrange for food stockpiles and logistical network behind our lines..."
The rest of the discussion divided the responsibilities between nobles and finalized all other arrangements. I listened and nodded when I needed to, speaking a few words if I had something to say. The court finally ended when the sun started to set, Artoria leaving first with us following her.
Back in the castle, we sat together to talk about the meeting.
-"I knew that Rience was a piece of work, but..."-Morgan shook her head.-"He'll stab us in the back."
-"That's for sure."-I nodded.-"Morgan, can you send the Mageknights I trained to Manchester?"
-"Sure, they've grown into qualified Mageknights, capable of facing some weaker Shamans one on one."
-"That's good to hear, as I'll need them in the upcoming war."
-"What do you think of Urien?"-She asked me suddenly.
-"Typical fence sitter, but not a big danger. He'll follow whoever offers him the biggest profit."
-"I'll deal with him."-Morgan announced her decision.
-"Sister..."-Artoria looked at her with complicated feelings.
-"When and how?"
-"When Rience makes his move. One more sin so that he can't defend himself."
-"Be clean, I'll have to investigate that later as Justiciar."
-"You can believe in me."
-"What about Leodegrance?"
-"He's my father's retainer."-Artoria instantly spoke up.
-"I agree that we can't kill him, but we'll need to do something."-Morgan thought for a moment.-"If I remember it right, he has a daughter, right?"
-"Yes, she's quite a beauty."-Merlin nodded, earning eyerolls from the people present.
-"You aren't suggesting Artoria marry her, are you?"-I asked in doubt.
-"While this is an interesting idea, no, I have another target."-She smiled.-"You."
-"Before I reject you, may I know why?"
-"Title. Currently, you lack a noble title; this marriage could resolve this issue."
-"I'll not marry for political reasons. Not to mention, I don't care about the title, and my standing in Laterano is far beyond hers."
-"I'll still send her to your side. Whatever happens between you two, I don't care."-Morgan shrugged while ignoring stares from my Knights.
If not for Mostima being held back by Cellinia, she might have attacked her.
-"So we'll have to part again."-Artoria sighed.
-"We'll keep in touch through letters. Not to mention that winter is around the corner, fighting won't start before spring. On the subject, I plan to recruit a few hundred people."
-"In what role?"
-"Hundred cavalry, hundred healers, and some spies. Margaret will lead cavalry, Cellinia will take over my Mageknights, Shining healers will be in your care, and Mostima will deal with spies. Qingyan, you'll be responsible for logistics in my army. Viviana, your main role will be commanding common soldiers under me."
They nodded, agreeing to my arrangements.
-"I envy you two. Having loyal and capable people under you."-Artoria spoke up.-"I need to find people who can help me in my army, but everyone only approaches me for what I can offer."
-"Most relations start because of profit."-I told her.-"But we'll have at least two months before we need to move, try looking around for some capable knights."
-"I'll do that. Want to go tomorrow?"
-"Of course."-I nodded.
-"Then let me into your Azure Dream. Your research is quite interesting."-Morgan made her plans.
-"Sure, keep an eye out for Scáthach, don't let her pester Promulgator too much."
-"Are you sure it's pestering, to me they get along quite well."
-"Is that so?"-I was unconvinced.
We discussed a few more things before resting for the night. I returned to Azure Dream rather than staying in the castle, where Mostima was waiting for me. She pushed me into my room, closing the doors behind us. The next morning, I woke up with her in my arms. I watched her sleeping peacefully, not in a rush to stand up.
When she woke up, she also decided to stay in bed, making both of us miss breakfast. If not for Cellinia looking for us, we might be there even more, but seeing her gaze looking at me with a dangerous glint, I knew it was time to move. Grabbing something quick to bite, I left Azure Dream for my appointment with Artoria.