Chapter 382: Pursuing Fame and Fortune
Fifteen days ago, the sergeant had already seen this style of armor, but at that time, there were hundreds of cloud giants wearing this armor. They were merely part of the backdrop for Duke Muria's governance, and in terms of majesty, they couldn't compare to the storm giants riding great rocs.
However, when the sergeant saw this unremarkable cloud giant in a magical image broadcast from the capital, and then faced him in person, he felt his legs trembling, barely able to stand.
By then, it was too late for words. He could only watch as the cloud giant breached the castle of the lord he served and plucked the noble lord he revered, like picking up a bug.
Throughout this, the sergeant didn't move at all; he didn't dare. Just standing there, the giant, towering fifteen meters tall, exuded a force that could rob anyone of their courage, not to mention his grotesquely twisted greatsword lying nearby, a reminder of the giant's terrifying strength.
"What are you trying to do? I am a noble of the Lockman Kingdom, how dare you treat me like this?"
At that moment, the cloud giant had broken through the small, crude castle, pulling out and holding the panicking noble in his hand. The noble was truly frightened; anyone would be if plucked from their home and held in the hand of a giant.
"You still recognize yourself as a noble of the Lockman Kingdom? Why didn't you obey Duke Muria's orders?"
The cloud giant questioned him. He had been assigned to the city to apprehend the noble, alone, as the man was merely a human viscount. Even if the viscount summoned all his forces, he stood no chance against the giant.
Before making the arrest, however, the giant needed to confirm the identity and validate that this was indeed a noble who defied the duke's orders. Only after confirmation could he proceed.
"I…" The noble began to regretfully try to explain, but the giant gave him no chance to speak, nor would it have mattered; he was only there to make the arrest.
"Enough, save your words for the executioner back in the capital."
Similar scenes unfolded across the Lockman Kingdom. Upon receiving their orders, the twelve leading giants immediately started assigning tasks, and all the giants dispatched. Upon confirming their targets truly defied the king's commands, they promptly captured them.
These were only a minor part of the Lockman Kingdom's nobility, mainly the lowest ranks like barons and viscounts, with earls being the highest rank, easily dealt with.
Frankly, that barons and viscounts disobeyed was one thing, but Duke Muria couldn't fathom why even earls who had attended his governing ceremony and witnessed his majesty would rebel. Didn't they know he could obliterate their lineage with a single cloud giant? Even if they were naive, couldn't they follow the example of the legendary dukes and marquises who all complied obediently?
Following the list, after all rebellious nobles were captured and brought to the capital, Muria had his officials interrogate them, questioning why they dared defy and contradict his orders.
Some thought Duke Muria's governance was temporary, that Princess Remilia would take over soon, so they disregarded him.
Others believed that since Muria was a golden dragon, even if they angered him, they wouldn't face a severe fate and could plead for mercy to receive lighter punishment.
The last group thought that given the distance from the central authority, as minor lords, ignoring decrees and not implementing new taxes wouldn't be a big deal, assuming the high duke wouldn't notice them.
After understanding their reasons, Muria somewhat "helplessly" ordered these nobles to be handed over to the draconic maid Mia for her to deal with as she saw fit. What use was there in keeping nobles who defied the king's commands?
Then, three days after the great duke brought back over a hundred cloud islands, the civilians living in the capital noticed hundreds of gruesomely displayed corpses hanging from trees outside the city, dressed in silks and satins, attire only the wealthy nobility could afford.
Initially, passing caravans and adventurers were curious about the identities of these nobles. Once word spread, city residents flocked to view the spectacle.
Each corpse had a wooden plaque nearby listing their identities and crimes. In truth, few of these nobles had done good deeds; a brief description of their life deeds was enough to incite curses and resentment from onlookers.
When it became clear that these were nobles hanged by Muria, the capital boiled with excitement, never before had a monarch executed so many nobles at once and displayed them publicly.
Regardless of the external commotion and opinions about him, Muria sat in his throne room, asking, "Have officials been appointed to the lands of those nobles?"
"Reporting to the duke, all
officials have been assigned and dispatched to take over those rebellious lands. It won't be long before we control all these territories," an aide replied.
"Good," Muria nodded, satisfied, then ordered, "Keep an eye on the implementation of the new tax laws and report any discrepancies based on data."
For the next three months, things were much quieter; Muria didn't cause any disturbances or execute any large-scale actions like the massacre of three hundred powerful nobles.
Until one day, after countless reports of disturbances caused by talented young girls, Muria had a new idea. Sitting at his desk, he massaged his temples, pondering.
"Having too many geniuses isn't necessarily good. Young people are too energetic and ambitious, prone to causing trouble.
Noble geniuses are manageable with family constraints and guidance, but those commoner geniuses are real troubles—powerful yet unattached, needing to be registered and managed.
Hmm, young people like to chase fame and fortune. I offer them fame, give them fortune, and let's see if they won't comply."
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