Chapter 40: Summoned to the Capital
Half a month had passed since Saint Liliana returned to the royal capital.
A peaceful daily life had once again returned to the Arkwright territory. For Zenon, the storm of irrational emotions had finally passed, leaving him comfortable days where he could focus on his true work.
Under his command, the road maintenance project had entered its final stage, the production of local specialties was on track, and the territory’s economy was now unmistakably following a steady growth curve.
That day, Zenon was inspecting the construction site of the newly established school.
It was the first educational institution in the territory where orphans, refugee children, and any local children who wished could study regardless of their social status. For him, it represented the most important long-term investment in the “human resources” who would carry the future of his lands.
“The building structure is rational. Lighting is sufficient. However, the arrangement of desks and chairs is inefficient. Teachers cannot oversee all students properly. Have the blueprints revised.”
He delivered his usual precise instructions to the site supervisor, calm yet exact.
At that moment, in the distance, a horse kicked up a cloud of dust, charging toward them at tremendous speed.
The rider wore the deep crimson cloak of a royal capital messenger.
(…I have a bad feeling about this.)
Zenon furrowed his brow slightly.
Ever since Liliana’s return, things had been unusually quiet. Perhaps it was the calm before a storm.
As he had predicted, the messenger brought news of a new, and by far the most troublesome, problem yet.
In the reception room of the mansion.
A letter sealed with the royal wax stamp awaited.
Zenon quietly opened it, Gray, Rio, and Marc watching intently.
Inside was a concise but absolutely binding command from the king himself.
“To Zenon von Arkwright: Having received the report from Saint Liliana, the King commands you to appear in person so that he may question your achievements and their true intent. You are to report to the royal capital Londinium within ten days. Failure to comply without just cause will be regarded as an act of rebellion.”
“…!”
Gray’s voice trembled with tension as he read aloud.
Rio and Marc were ashen-faced.
A summons from the king himself—essentially a call for judgment. Their young lord was now about to have his very existence questioned by the state.
“So it has come to this…”
Gray clenched his fists in frustration.
“The Saint’s report, ironically, has heightened the vigilance of the royal family and other nobles. They fear Zenon’s immense power!”
“Even though we’ve enriched the territory so thoroughly, the capital wants to undermine us out of envy! Unforgivable!”
Marc’s voice shook with anger.
Their loyal subordinates believed without doubt that this summons was a trap intended to bring Zenon down.
Yet Zenon himself, in contrast to their outrage, remained astonishingly calm.
He placed the letter on the table, sank deeply into his chair, and began calculating in his mind.
(A summons to the capital. Time to calculate risk versus reward.)
First, the risks.
- Personal safety. The capital is the stronghold of conservative nobles hostile to me; assassination is not impossible.
- Delay of plans. While I am away, the pace of reform may slow.
- Disadvantage in intelligence. Operating in enemy territory with limited information makes accurate decision-making more difficult.
Next, the rewards.
- Direct dialogue with central government. Explaining the rationality of my reforms to the king and decision-makers could reduce future obstacles.
- Building an intelligence network. Feeling the power structures, weaknesses, and interests of nobles firsthand, securing new sources of information.
- A secondary effect: showcasing my existence to the kingdom. Demonstrating the progress of Arkwright territory may attract further investment and talented individuals.
Zenon’s mind raced, weighing all factors carefully.
The conclusion came swiftly.
“…I’ll go.”
He muttered softly.
“Eh…?”
Gray and the others asked in surprise.
“I will go to the capital. I will accept this summons.”
Zenon declared firmly.
“Remaining isolated on the frontier will only increase pressure from the center eventually. It’s more rational to enter the enemy’s den and seize the initiative myself.”
There was no hesitation, no fear in his words.
He looked like a consultant taking on a new, more challenging project.
“But, Zenon-sama! It’s far too dangerous!”
Gray protested desperately.
“The capital is a den of all sorts of dangers! There’s no way your power will be recognized fairly!”
“Precisely why I must go.”
Zenon stood and looked out over his prospering domain.
“This rational, comfortable system I’ve created. I will protect it. Some risk is worth taking to do so.”
Rarely did his words carry such emotion.
Of course, what he truly sought to protect was not the smiles of his people, but the “system” itself that allowed him to live comfortably.
Yet Gray and the others felt a surge of warmth at his words.
(Ah… Zenon-sama…)
(He plans to face the den alone to protect this prosperous domain and its people…!)
(What noble self-sacrifice…!)
Their grand misunderstanding evolved to a new level once again.
“Zenon-sama! I, Gray will accompany you! No matter the danger, I shall shield you with my life!”
Gray knelt, pledging the knightly oath.
Zenon casually waved off the display, as usual.
“Of course. You are my guard; I need you with me.”
He turned to Rio and Marc.
“While I am away, you will manage this territory. Execute my plans without the slightest deviation. Understood?”
“Yes, sir! Even at the cost of our lives!”
They bowed deeply and resolutely.
Preparations for the journey to the capital began quietly but swiftly that day.
It was the overture to the first time the frontier rationalist, Zenon von Arkwright, would step onto the vast, irrational stage of national politics.
How much chaos and further misunderstanding he would unleash in that den was a story only the gods could know.