Sending Magnus Valorion to subdue Sinbad

As a minister of the Emperor, one must alleviate the Emperor's burdens? If Magnus Valorion were in this splendid palace at this moment, he would likely slap Daruq Arslan's large face with his size 40 shoe.

Magnus Valorion had been in Green River Town for more than half a year. Not only had he not received his monthly salary, but he hadn't even eaten a single grain of rice from the Great Latium Imperium. On the contrary, after Magnus Valorion arrived in Green River Town, he had used a lot of white rice and pickles distributed by the system.

If Magnus Valorion hadn't sent Galen Veritas to do business with the rice generated by the system, he wouldn't have seen a single coin.

At this moment, Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich spoke up. Edmund Aldrich had always opposed Alp Arslan and his clique; if the enemy disagreed, he would agree, and if the enemy agreed, he would disagree.

So Edmund Aldrich gave a subtle look to his trusted subordinate, Alaric Drystan, the official in charge of royal ceremonies. Alaric Drystan immediately understood and stood up to support Edmund Hale's request.

"Your Majesty, last year, Fierce Lion Province reported that Green River Town was invaded and breached by the Altai Tribe. The town mayor and secretary both died in the line of duty, their heads brutally cut off by the Altai Tribe and hung on spears atop the city walls. The town was ravaged, and its people were abducted and scattered."

"After Magnus Valorion took office as town mayor, he managed to reorganize Green River Town despite such hardships, truly a meritorious service! Therefore, I also support Royal Overseer Edmund Hale's proposal to promote Magnus Valorion by three ranks. This would also demonstrate your Majesty's wisdom in recognizing and employing talent."

Then, Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich also stepped in to help, saying, "Your Majesty, Magnus Valorion was originally the town mayor of Green River Town. It was only due to Victor Blackthorn's corruption in Fierce Lion Province that he was demoted to a clerical position."

"Your Majesty, promoting him by three ranks actually only means promoting him by one rank. This way, not only would the world see your Majesty's brilliance, but you would also gain Magnus Valorion's gratitude. Isn't this a win-win situation?"

"Good, good, good, that sounds excellent. Royal Preceptor, you shall personally draft the decree to appoint Magnus Valorion to a city-level official position!"

This rank of official was one level lower than the governor but one level higher than his previous position as town mayor.

"I obey!"

As Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich bowed in salute, he did not forget to smile at Alp Arslan, as if to show that he had the upper hand in this round.

It is said that old age affects one's mind, but the old fox Alp Arslan merely squinted his eyes and came up with a sinister plan.

If this plan succeeded, everything Edmund Aldrich and his party had done would be in vain.

Alp Arslan had read the memorial submitted to Emperor Adrian Montague by Edmund Hale, which mentioned a group of ferocious bandits in Willowbrook Town led by a man named Sinbad.

Alp Arslan also noted that while Sinbad's bandits did rob the villagers, they did not kill or harm them. Alp Arslan thought this might be because Sinbad himself was of common origin and killed Henry Vander out of disgust for government officials.

So he thought that perhaps he could send Magnus Valorion to subdue Sinbad. Maybe Sinbad, who despised government officials, would kill Magnus Valorion just like he did Henry Vander.

With this idea in mind, Alp Arslan stood up and suggested, "Your Majesty, the previous town mayor of Green River Town, Henry Vander, was killed by the bandit Sinbad."

"Royal Overseer Edmund Hale's memorial mentions that Sinbad leads over a thousand bandits. After promoting Magnus Valorion, we could send him to recruit and subdue Sinbad and his group. If he succeeds, it would quell the bandit menace, bringing peace to the border and strengthening our forces. Wouldn't this be perfect?"

The treacherous Alp Arslan made a deadly move. What kind of person was Sinbad? A ruthless mountain bandit. If Magnus Valorion mishandled the situation, he might lose his life.

Emperor Adrian Montague also found Alp Arslan's words reasonable. Just as Adrian Montague was about to speak, the upright Royal Overseer Edmund Hale hurriedly reported.

"Your Majesty, that bandit Sinbad is extremely vicious. He dared to kill Henry Vander, a government official. Most likely, they are desperados, possibly connected with the Altai or Sami Tribes."

"Even if Sinbad's bandits are not connected to the Altai or Sami Tribes, we should first suppress them with troops, so they fear the might of the imperial army. Only then, after being subdued, will they not harbor disloyalty!"

Alp Arslan immediately rebuked, "Edmund Hale, how dare you interrupt the Emperor! You truly have no respect for your sovereign!"

"Furthermore, why mobilize border troops to deal with mere mountain bandits? Isn't that overkill?"

Originally, Emperor Adrian Montague was not angry at Edmund Hale's interruption, but now, after Alp Arslan's instigation, he was indeed a bit displeased.

So Emperor Adrian Montague coldly said, "Do as the Chancellor says and send Magnus Valorion to recruit Sinbad."

"That's it for today, court dismissed!" With that, Adrian Montague stormed off.

At this moment, Alp Arslan also gave Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich a similar smile and then leisurely left the court.

Alaric Drystan approached Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich and asked, "Teacher, what position should we assign to Magnus Valorion?"

Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich angrily waved his sleeve and said, "He's a dead man, what's there to think about? We can discuss his position if he survives."

Alaric Drystan did not quite understand why Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich called Magnus Valorion a dead man. Even if he went to recruit Sinbad, it shouldn't result in his death.

Perhaps seeing Alaric Drystan's confusion, Edmund Hale explained, "In those barbaric borderlands, anyone who can gather thousands of bandits must be a ruthless, bloodthirsty maniac. If we don't first scare them, sending Magnus Valorion to recruit them is akin to sending him to his death!"

After this explanation, Alaric Drystan also doubted Magnus Valorion's future.

"Alp Arslan is truly Alp Arslan. When he makes a move, it's deadly. This tactic of borrowing a knife to kill someone really caught us off guard!"

"Sigh, such a pity, a young hero!" Royal Preceptor Edmund Aldrich also pretended to sigh.

The only person genuinely distressed was Royal Overseer Edmund Hale. In his view, Magnus Valorion was doomed.

Moreover, Magnus Valorion's death would be blamed on him.

If he hadn't reported Magnus Valorion's merits to the Emperor and asked for his promotion, Magnus Valorion wouldn't have faced this calamity!

Back home, Edmund Hale felt even more guilty towards Magnus Valorion and the people of Green River Town.

"Magnus Valorion, my old friend, it's my fault! I wanted you to be promoted and return to the capital, but instead, I brought this disaster upon you!"