The Storm is coming

23rd March 300.

While the topic of public school was still being discussed among the people, another piece of news arrived that shocked the entire territory. The royal messenger arrived in the town square this morning with the king's decree in his hand.

All the people gathered near the messenger. When he sees there is a substantial number of people gathering around him, he begins to read the king's decree.

[To Marquess Richard Ryntum and Marchioness Josephine Csorvar,

In the name of King Nicholas Napuna Bagyarosia, together with Duke Brook of Baroks, Count Hector of Hajdu, Count Victor of Vofors, Count Nelson of Naharog and all of their vassals; the viscounts and viscountess; the baron and baroness; under the joint banner of Noble Coalition

shall declare a war on

Marquess Richard of Ryntum, and his vassals; Baron Charles of Coreton, Baron Joseph of Csorvar, and Baron Norward of Newbigle.

The noble whose name was not mentioned shall remain neutral during the entire war until one side declares victory over the others.

Those of the vassals of Ryntum are given a chance to surrender with a guarantee of their status and their private wealth. They shall be classified as neutral parties as well.

The neutral parties shall not provide any help in any way such as providing rations or giving military support in terms of equipment and weapon to Ryntum. They should also not provide any refuge or safe protection to the members of the Ryntum family.

Should they do so, they will be deemed as an enemy by the Noble Coalition.

Sincerely, King of Bagyarosia Kingdom,

Nicholas Napuna Bagyarosia]

After the messenger finishes reading the decree, the people in the town square remain silent for a moment with stupefied faces. They couldn't believe what they just heard. The messenger just ignores them and rides his horse to the next location.

Afterwards, the news about the formation of a noble coalition has shaken the entire Bideford Town. It has created tension in Ryntum territory. This is the first time a formal coalition has happened. Last time, it was just a coalition that happened accidentally.

Ryntum will fight against most of the nobles in the kingdom. Some were optimistic and some were not.

All the populace is talking about the news. In a tavern, some group of men in the tavern has been discussing this news.

"Did you hear about the news? Apparently, the king has wanted to destroy the Ryntum family", said Robick the tavern owner. He is one of the trusted sources of news and is always up to date with the current situation.

"Why would they even do that?", asked Jareth the young blacksmith.

"Did you know about the Cerdeauxia blockade on our merchant from using their port?", asked Robick.

"Yeah. Why is that?", asked Jareth.

"It is because they want our young lord's life", replied Robick.

"Huh?! Why?", Jareth doesn't know since he is always stuck in Riz's workshop.

"You don't know? Where are you all this time?", Gustall the merchant interrupt.

"It is because our young lord is the last descendant of the Cerdeauxia royal family. The ruler there is afraid that the young lord is threatening his rule. So he requests the king to hand him over or they block the port", said Edmund the fruit seller joining the conversation.

The conversation becomes bigger and bigger as many people come to the tavern and coincidentally overhear their discussion.

"What the fu-", Willan the tailor almost cursed. He asked, "So the king just listens to Cerdeauxia's request?"

"Yes, many merchants are affected. He can't really let our economy go downhill because of one nobleman", Robick calmly replied.

"Can't we just sell in another nation instead? I can't believe there is a need to go as far as destroying an entire family", said Jareth.

"You are still young, Jareth. Do you really think their reason is simply for the sake of saving the nation's economy? Politics plays a role too". Robick

"What do you mean?", Jareth is confused.

"Did you forget that our lord defeated the Gyalcakes in a mere week? They have military prowess and are influential among the noble. The king and other big shots felt threatened by this. The blockade is just a reason", explained Robick.

"Furthermore, look at this fat Gustall", Edmund said. "If all the merchants were really affected, this guy would be the first one to make a noise".

"That's because I don't have much dealing with the east. I often trade with Turtevekesia and Sidgean. However, I have to say that if the merchants on the east side stop whining and use their brains for a moment, they will definitely be able to sell their goods", Gustall said.

"Exactly. In the end, they build their wealth with the help of their lords. Their lords will find the deal and they just have to share a portion of the profit with them. When the blockade happens, the lords lose their source of income as well", said Robick.

"You sure know a lot, old man", praise Jareth.

"Do you think we will be safe?", asked Gustall worriedly.

"Of course we are! We won the war with Gyalcakes not long ago", said Robick. He was one of the conscripts who joined the previous war.

"But this is entirely on a different level!!", Gustall said.

"Don't worry. I believe the young lord has a trump card to play", Jareth smiled mysteriously.

"Come to think about it...Aren't you working in one of the young lord workshops? Did you have some inside news?", Robick asked. How could he not be interested? He will lose his title as the most updated man in town.

"It is not like I know anything about it but I can confirm that the part that I am making right now is new and has a weird shape. All I can say is it is something that we have never seen before". Jareth said.

"That's not enough to convince me. I am planning to evacuate my family. I don't think Ryntum can win", said Gustall. He can't lose the wealth that he has built over the years.

"What a coward", Robick said in disgust.

"Well, he is the merchant after all", Edmund added.

"Ungrateful!! Where do you think you will find a kind lord like ours? I believe our lord will defeat them", Jareth yelled.

"Calm down, Jareth", Willan trying to ease the situation.

....

Ryntum Mansion.

"How is the populace?", Richard asked.

"There are tense but not entirely hopeless. They still believe that we are able to create the miracle just like in the previous war", Riz replied according to what Robick had reported to him.

Robick has worked with him for a while now. In the beginning, he just wanted to know people's thoughts. Now, he starts to control the flow of information and uses him to disclose some 'insider news'. People won't be suspicious since he was a tavern owner and he can subconsciously shift the blame to the king and nobles.

"I guess it is the right decision to follow your advice", Richard said while leaning back in his seat. Not long after Riz starts making the printing press, he comes back to him and gives the idea of controlling the populace indirectly.

Most people tend to listen to their friends whom they meet on a daily basis rather than their superiors who they rarely meet. Riz was once a commoner himself. He knew that when politicians tried to assure them, the populace would be sceptical and think that the politicians tried to hide something to save their own skin.

He needs to say that sometimes he felt pitiful toward the politician because everyone doesn't believe in their words. However, thinking back on how luxurious their life is while the masses live a life full of hardship makes him lose all the concern he has for them.

"How much do you think their army would be?", Riz asked.

"Probably 20,000 to 30,000 men", Richard replied.

"Huuu...", Riz let a long breath out. He then said, "This is going to be a hard war to win". Ryntum has 8,000 men trained soldiers ready to move anytime.

"I know but it is not impossible. How's the arquebus team?", Richard has seen the arquebus and he is very impressed by the concept but the weapon has a lot of shortcomings. It will be a very good surprise element for the enemy.

"They are doing fine. They already have 1,000 members and they're all training every day. Now ninety percent of them are able to shoot twice in a minute". Riz informed his father. "Did you know where they are going to attack?", he asked.

"No, all I know is they will gather in the capital first. After all, we only border with Royal Territory on the east and Baroks Duchy on the south", said Richard.

"Are we going to conscript more men for the army? Not to be rude but they are not useful and will end up being cannon fodder at most".

Richard replied, "I plan to ask the men from the barons first though I can guess that they might think of surrendering". He sighed before start writing a letter.