Mimir's voice echoed in my mind, old and amused as ever.
"Lad, choosing council members isn't something hard but is really important for a kingdom to thrive."
I sighed and leaned back in the high-backed chair, fingers steepled beneath my chin.
"Mimir, you got a suggestion then? A method?"
"Interview them one by one. Let Karlos watch and feel their souls. Daemons have a gift for sniffing out deceit. Meanwhile, you look 'em in the eyes, ask 'em what they want for this kingdom—and what they want for themselves. What a man desires says more than what he speaks."
Not a bad plan. I turned to Karlos.
"Karlos. I want you to observe every candidate that comes forward soul deep. Tell me who is trustworthy and who is not."
Karlos placed a hand over his chest, bowing with a smirk. "I'll peel them down to the bone, my lord. You'll see their truths laid bare."
"Good," I nodded. "Darius, send out a notice. Anyone from either kingdom—noble, commoner, knight, or merchant—can apply for a seat in the new council. We'll test their hearts, not their titles."
Darius blinked. "A merit-based council?"
I smirked. "Exactly. I believe these types of posts should be given based on merits."
Karlos smiled with amusement. "Now this will be interesting."
__________
Soon after the notice was given, a huge number of people from both previous Bermud and Glora came.
I sat in the interview room with Karlos standing beside me. The first person came in. He looked greedy as fuck, but he seemed loyal, though, and seemed like quite a talented merchant.
The man who walked in had a round belly, jeweled fingers, and a smile that screamed, "I love gold more than my mother." Still, Karlos didn't flinch, and that was telling.
"Name?" I asked calmly, fingers tapping on the armrest.
"Ah! G-Greetings, my lord! My name is Belmor Ravine, a humble merchant who ran trade routes through the eastern deserts and beyond. I've served the economy of Berm—uh, Solara, yes, Solara—for over twenty years!"
I narrowed my eyes, studying him.
"You look like someone who values coin above all. What makes you worthy of sitting at my council?"
Belmor chuckled nervously but answered confidently.
"Yes, coin is my blood, my lord. But a kingdom needs gold to move, just as it needs food and soldiers. I can bring wealth. I can reestablish collapsed trade routes, forge new ones, and stabilize markets. And more importantly—" he dropped his voice, "I don't betray those who fill my purse."
Karlos leaned closer to me, whispering with a small smirk,
"Greedy, yes. But fiercely loyal if kept close and given his due. He'll serve well… but let me confirm it."
Then Karlos stood straight, with a sly smile, and asked.
"Tell me, Belmor, if someone else offers to fatten your purse, you will betray us, won't you?"
At that, Belmor's eyes shone with indignation. With a firm look, he replied.
"Forgive me, Mr. Butler, sir, but I must ask you to refrain from questioning my loyalty." and continued with resolute integrity.
"A merchant's true currency isn't gold—it is trust. To break that is to go bankrupt in spirit."
Then he turned to me. "My lord, I may be greedy, but I don't damage the plate I eat from, and I bet my pride as a merchant." his eyes shown with determination
I looked at his eyes I could tell Belmor may be a greedy bastard, but once he pledges loyalty, he won't betray it, I hope.
"Alright, Belmor," I said, eyes sharp, "I'm willing to test your claims. You'll be given control over restoring one trade route. Prove your worth, and you'll earn your seat."
Belmor beamed. "T-Thank you, my lord! You won't regret this!"
Then Belmor quickly left the room.
"Karlos," I muttered, "this fellow was an interesting one."
He smiled, eyes glowing faintly crimson. "And a very entertaining one, my lord."
As Belmor waddled out of the room, practically skipping with joy, I grabbed a quill and scribbled his name on the parchment in front of me:
Belmor Ravine—Potential Minister of Trade and Roads Treasurer/Finance Minister
Karlos leaned over my shoulder, his eyes scanning the parchment. "Not a bad pick for the economy, my lord. Technically, Belmor is eligible for all three posts. As a prominent merchant, he understands the flow of coin, and his caravans have crossed every border in the kingdom." He paused, tapping his chin thoughtfully. "But…"
"But what, Karlos? Speak freely," I encouraged, curious to see if his instincts matched my own.
"I don't believe the roads are his true specialty," Karlos admitted.
"A merchant knows which routes to take to avoid bandits or taxes, but that doesn't mean he knows how to build them, maintain a labor force, or manage civil engineering. I fear his focus would be too narrow. However..." He gestured to the list.
"As a Minister of Trade, a Treasurer, or a Finance Minister? He would be peerless in any one of those." I nodded, impressed. His logic was sound—overloading a merchant with infrastructure would likely lead to roads that served only his own trade routes.
"You're right. A specialist is better than a distracted polymath," I said, striking 'Minister of Roads' from Belmor's name.
"Excellent analysis, Karlos. You have a keen eye for administrative balance."
The compliment was all it took for his face to turn deep crimson, and he let out a shaky, overwhelmed breath that bordered on a moan. "Oh... my lord," he stammered, bowing his head so low his hair brushed the desk.
"Please... such wisdom only comes to me because I stand in your shadow. To be praised by you is... it is more than I deserve."
I cleared my throat, feeling a bit awkward at the intensity of his devotion, and quickly moved on to the next candidate before he could continue.
"Next," I called.
The door creaked open again, and in stepped a tall, lean woman dressed in military armor. Her expression was sharp, her eyes observant, scanning every corner of the room before bowing.
"I am Commander Seris Halden, former captain of Glora's northern garrison. I surrendered my post upon hearing your decree and offer my sword and strategy to the new Solara."
Now that was bold. A former Gloran officer walking into my hall with that much confidence?
"Interesting," I said, steepling my fingers. "Can I trust you? After all, you said you surrendered your post."
She didn't even blink. "Because I feel we were betrayed. Our previous king sacrificed thousands of good men with his stupidity. You brought swift judgment. I respect power and order more than birthright. I'm loyal to those who protect their people."
Karlos had a thoughtful and amused expression on his face. "Hm... interesting."
I nodded slowly. "Commander Halden, if I place you as the head of Solara's border security, will you defend it as if your own blood lived here?"
She knelt down, one fist to her chest. "Until my last breath."
I scribbled again on the parchment:
Seris Halden – Military Integration Officer
"Alright," I said with a slight smile. "You'll get your test soon enough."
She bowed and then walked out of the door.
"Seems solid to me," I muttered while looking at her retreating back but still decided to know my butler's opinion.
"What's your opinion, Karlos?"
Karlos, out of his thinking, bowed and replied.
"My Lord, I believe she is an excellent candidate for the post of Military Integration Officer, given her background as the captain of the northern garrison; as a female knight, she shows that she has risen to that post through talent."
I nodded, then called out for the next candidate.
The door opened again; a soft rustle of robes followed. In walked a woman in a white and gold habit, a nun. Her presence was calm. She moved with grace, her hands clasped in front of her, and her eyes radiated a strange warmth.
She bowed her head respectfully. "Your Majesty. I am Sister Arlen. I served as High Priestess of Bermud's previous church."
I raised an eyebrow and asked, "What do you mean by previous church?"
She looked saddened at that and replied.
"My Lord, our people prayed to the gods for years, but our prayers reached deaf ears, and gradually our people lost faith.
I nodded but, still curious, asked, "So why are you here exactly? Do you need some funding for the church or something?"
She quickly waved her hands and hurriedly said, "No, no, not at all, my lord. The reason I am here is because of you."
I tilted my head. "Because of me...?" while pointing a finger at myself with confusion.
She nodded with a warm smile. "My Lord, both the people of Bermud and Glora were suffering due to this war; all people lost their hope, but then you came." Her eyes were practically shining with admiration and awe.
I was taken aback by this gaze filled with admiration.
"My Lord, you came and immediately ended the war between these two kingdoms and merged them under your banner—something that we believe can only be done by a god."
I nodded, unsure where this was going.
Karlos was smiling, listening to the praises of his lord.
Arlen placed a hand on her chest and continued.
"I come to serve the people, as I always have. Faith, hope, and guidance are needed in times like this. And… if I may speak freely—"
I gestured for her to continue.
"You have done something which people believed can only be done by a god To some, you're already becoming a symbol. And to restore faith, hope, and guidance, it will be a great step if we create a religion in your name as the Sun god, Lord Velsun, the god-king of Solara."
My mind went blank at that.
'Sun god? God king of Solara?'
Karlos was smiling from ear to ear and excitedly.
"Excellent idea, Sister Arlen Creating a religion in the name of Lord Velsun? EXCELLENT! IT'S THE BEST WAY TO SHOW THE WORLD THE GLORY OF MY LORD."
Sister Arlen smiled and nodded.
'Bruh this guy seems more interested in my religion than me, myself.' I thought with a deadpan look.
"So...?" I asked, tapping my finger on the desk. "Sister, are you sure you want to create a religion in my name as the sun god?"
She nodded. "Yes, my Lord. From what I have observed in Bermuda and Glo—pardon me, Solara—people have started viewing you as a god. They already call you the sun god."
"Wow? Really? That fast?" I raised an eyebrow at that.
"I want to stabilize it." She said with a determined look.
"Control this blind devotion before it becomes dangerous. Guide the faithful to harmony. I don't want some fanatics to twist your name into something wicked, my lord."
Karlos narrowed his eyes. "Those damned fanatics—if anyone dares twist Velsun-sama's name into something wicked, I..."
Karlos started releasing a a black aura, pissed thinking about that scenario.
"Ahem-ahem..." I coughed, then Karlos came back to his senses and saw sister scared. "
He bowed. "My apologies, sister."
Arlen gave a nervous smile and nodded.
I wrote quickly:
Sister Arlen – Head of Faith/Religious Harmony Advisor
"Very well, Sister Arlen. You'll hear from me soon."
She bowed again, turned, and glided out like a shadow carried by wind.
As the door closed, I leaned back in my chair.
'A religion of my own? now thats the last thing I expected coming into this world'
'It's pretty expected, lad, from your memories, Veldora, Milim, the future daughter of Lord Veldanava, was prayed by people. People often pray towards otherworldly powers.' Mimir chimed in.
I mentally nodded. "Yeah, I guess you are right."
__________
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