Chapter 391
Griffith’s Hostility
After the Round Table Hall meeting concluded this morning, the ministers simply had lunch before quietly gathering once more.
This was not a formal Privy Council meeting.
On the surface, they were all part of the ancient “Chocolate Club,” united by their shared fondness for chocolate. However, in reality, it was a small gathering involving about a dozen ministers, including the Privy Council Minister and the Trade Minister.
Before and after the Round Table Hall meetings, knights with common interests or close friendships would convene to align their thoughts and proposals, preventing conflicts during the formal sessions.
While not as overtly divided into two opposing factions as the Iris people, they were indeed forming alliances.
The difference was that these knights were aware that such small gatherings were not unique. At this moment, knights who were surprised by what they had seen and heard would undoubtedly be grouping together in threes and fives to discuss matters.
In fact, every minister present might be involved in more than one such meeting. They might badmouth others at the Chocolate Club, and some of them might even form other groups like a “Candy Club” or “Honey Club” in the evening to continue their gossip.
“I think Her Majesty is a bit off,” the Privy Council Minister, Camelot, said with a solemn expression. “Her reaction is completely different from what we had anticipated.”
“It seems you aren’t as close to Her Majesty as you thought,” the white-haired elder scoffed. “You don’t even know when she changed her personal style.”
He was the Minister of Education from Avalon.
Minister Camelot remained silent.
Previously, the Privy Council Minister had confidently asserted that Isabel was a gentle and soft-hearted child. She would be unable to adapt to the position of Queen and would feel immense pressure.
At such a time, if a force offered sincere goodwill and assistance, the helpless and lost young Queen would subconsciously depend on them.
This was their chance—an excellent opportunity to eliminate the High-Rise Faction.
The High-Rise Faction referred to the high-rise building of the Lloyd Society headquarters, denoting ministers who frequently entered the Lloyd Society. This generally implied a close connection and vested interest with the Lloyd Society.
Although the Lloyd Society had declined considerably and was not what it used to be, it still existed. The vast wealth it controlled was still coveted.
Under these circumstances, the Lloyd Society, having lost its deterrent power, had instead become a cash machine. The Lloyd Society was now leaderless, with no single figure capable of commanding everyone’s respect. This association of merchant interests was constantly embroiled in internal strife.
This was because the immense, covert controlling power that could transform wealth into political influence was gone. It was now completely exposed, and under such conditions, simply maintaining its existence required the continuous ceding of substantial benefits.
The result was that the ministers who used to take money from the Lloyd Society continued to do so.
They could even receive more money and greater benefits more safely than before, while doing less work, or even nothing at all—not destroying them was considered an act of goodwill.
Perhaps in some time, the merchants could slowly recover. But not now.
Under this close alliance of interests, the influence of the Round Table Knights of the Lloyd Faction had risen instead of falling. Led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, the Chairman of the Trade Committee, and the Maritime Minister, they were united more closely than ever. In many matters, they adopted a stance of advancing and supporting each other.
Their primary inclination was to advocate for open free trade, a free market, comprehensive tax cuts, and the vigorous promotion of the “Merchant Knight” system, suggesting that excellent entrepreneurs could also enter the Round Table Hall.
As the only family among the founding lineages to have generations of experience in commerce, the Moriarty Family naturally belonged to this faction.
Because the core of the faction, the former Trade Minister Dross, was investigated, the position of Trade Minister was given by the Queen to another major faction in opposition to them, serving as a check and balance.
That was the “Chocolate Club” led by the Privy Council Minister. They were also known as the Chocolate Faction.
Chocolate, a dessert, became popular in Avalon during the late Hrasal Empire. Due to high transportation costs, only a very small number of knights possessed the wealth and privilege to taste this expensive delicacy. The “Chocolate Club” established during that era was exclusively for old knights and founding families.
However, just as chocolate gradually flowed to the common people, the wealth initially controlled by these knightly families was increasingly controlled by commoners.
These were the knights who had refused the Lloyd Society’s bribes. But this did not mean they were incorruptible—their proposal was to suppress the power and trading activities of merchants, vigorously oppose the implementation of “Merchant Knights,” even demand higher taxes on merchants, and call for increased benefits and income for knights.
The discussion of taxation versus tax cuts, the feasibility of “Merchant Knights,” and the constraints and social welfare of knights were perennial topics in the Round Table Hall.
Although these were still informal factions, they could be considered embryonic political parties.
Because of this, the personal stances of these knights were not solid.
They also had their own personal interests, and therefore, each had their own methods to achieve the same goals. This left room for discussion.
For instance, the Finance Minister favored imposing taxes on a wide range of low-value small commodities. For example, he planned to start taxing matches and kerosene lamps in the spring of the following year. This would, on one hand, continue to promote electric lighting, and on the other, make the accounts look better through increased taxation. Furthermore, it could create a subconscious resistance to taxation, thereby indirectly protecting merchants.
What they were most uncertain about at the moment was which faction the current “Minister of Affairs,” who was deeply trusted by the Queen, truly belonged to.
On one hand, he was the heir of the Moriarty Family and its future head—even if the succession ceremony hadn’t taken place, he could be considered the current head. He should, by all rights, belong to the High-Rise Faction.
On the other hand, the High-Rise Faction had suffered a series of setbacks—the President and Vice President of the Lloyd Society had been consecutively arrested, the Trade Minister and Naval Minister had been arrested, and the Maritime Minister had been executed. All of these actions were the result of direct interference from Eivass Moriarty.
Now, even the Privy Council Minister was being suppressed.
The loyalty of the Camelot Family was beyond question. Of Avalon’s twelve monarchs to date, eight had had their Privy Council Ministers come from the Camelot Family.
Yet, he had been assigned the fifth position.
If it were a position further down the list, it could be understood as Queen Isabel having a closer affinity to the High-Rise Faction, suggesting Avalon would lean towards peace and economic development. In that case, they would also have to make certain concessions and self-transformations.
But the fifth position… was actually quite high.
The first four positions were occupied by the four pillar-like figures of the “Great” generation, who did not belong to any faction. This meant he was the very first person after those four Fifth Tier powerhouses.
“I believe Her Majesty Isabel’s attitude is already very clear,” said the Minister of Defense.
This old general, still clad in armor even at the private meeting, spoke with a stern expression. ” ‘Before the Privy Council are four protectors of the nation.’ This means that while maintaining the fairest attitude, Her Majesty believes ‘individual strength’ is a more important factor.
When the status of the four protectors is higher than that of the Privy Council, it signifies that Avalon’s greatest need right now is for Fifth Tier Extraordinary individuals.”
“…Are you suggesting that Her Majesty’s intention is war?” the Minister of Education retorted.
“Coupled with the increase in military spending and troop recruitment, I cannot rule out this possibility. In fact, it’s highly likely,” the Minister of Defense stated gravely. “Gentlemen, prepare for war.”
“With Madam Meg likely already deceased?” Griffith, the new Trade Minister, couldn’t help but ask. “Don’t you think we have no chance of victory?”
“I’m wondering if there’s a possibility,” the Privy Council Minister said slowly, “that although Her Majesty had no affinity for the Path of Authority in her youth, it doesn’t mean she cannot awaken this Path later in life?
Just as some of us awaken the Path of Wisdom or the Path of Twilight in our old age, these are all influenced by post-natal factors.
Although we all say that Her Majesty the Queen might be the only Du Lac unable to inherit the Path of Authority—but after all, she carries Du Lac’s blood within her. What if she awakens it later?”
The old man spoke slowly. “My esteemed colleagues, do not speak too definitively. Who could have imagined before today that Her Majesty the Queen would possess such momentum at her first Round Table Conference? And Miss Lixia may not necessarily be inferior to Meg.”
“I think it’s not a question of whether she is superior or not,” the Trade Minister countered. “It’s a matter of ‘if one merely thinks she might not be superior,’ then she inevitably won’t be. Madam Meg is indeed powerful, but our peace is not maintained by Meg defeating all our enemies. Rather, as long as the Star Antimony people and the Iris people know we have Meg, they will not attack.
Regardless of whether Lixia possesses Madam Meg’s power—of course, she cannot—even if she did, it would be useless because she is ultimately another person. Her name does not inspire fear, which could lead to war.
Once war breaks out, it might be too late for everything. Today’s Star Antimony is different from the Iris people twenty years ago; the Star Antimony internally has a strong demand for war.”
Griffith warned. “Once they start fighting, they will never stop. Because if they stop, they will collapse on their own. Therefore, if war breaks out, it will be a war for survival.”
Before being appointed Trade Minister by the Queen, he served as a diplomatic ambassador at the Star Antimony embassy. He was recalled after diplomatic relations with Star Antimony deteriorated. Now that diplomatic relations between Star Antimony and Avalon have improved, Griffith, who has a friendly relationship with Star Antimony, was appointed as the new Trade Minister by Queen Sophia to negotiate a new phase of trade contracts.
Therefore, Minister Griffith was perhaps the one among those present who understood the Star Antimony Kingdom best.
“Then what is your suggestion?” Deputy Minister of Defense scoffed. “Surrender with a wave of your hand?”
He had always disliked Minister Griffith.
Perhaps due to spending many years in Star Antimony, Griffith possessed a strong Star Antimony style. He lacked the tough attitude and courage of a knight, instead being timid. He also frequently lauded the power and advancement of the Star Antimony people, which greatly disgusted the Minister of Defense.
“We can simply redirect them to attack the Iris people,” Minister Griffith said in a low voice. “While we secretly provide assistance—assisting both the Star Antimony people and the Iris people. As long as the Star Antimony people believe they have a chance of winning, they will not stop the war; and as long as they do not achieve a swift victory, they will likely disintegrate on their own.”
“An excellent proposal,” Minister Camelot said slowly. “But this matter is to be decided by Her Majesty the Queen.”
“Is it to be decided by Queen Isabel, or by Minister Moriarty?” Minister Griffith sarcastically asked. “Do you truly not understand, or are you pretending not to? Her Majesty’s abnormal attitude today clearly indicates she was well-prepared. Minister Moriarty was with Her Majesty last night, and yet he isn’t here today—and Her Majesty claims he is unwell? He’s a priest!
In Star Antimony, this would be called consort interference. Whom do you pledge your loyalty to: Queen Isabel, or Minister Moriarty?”
