As he walked ahead with every step his worry was growing more and more. The more he tried to accept his reality the more he instead rejected it. He took deep breaths but even his deep breaths fell short. His face was fully distressed to the point that even a person who doesn't pay much attention to emotions could point out that Arthur was distressed. Arthur tried to put a smile on but it felt forced.
His head was as turbulent as a storm had been waged in his mind. Many vision passing by in a single moment.
Whenever Arthur would blink he could see the fate of the carriage. He could see the fate of his parents.
And carrying these turbulent emotions he finally arrived at the Throne room where he wore his crown which was kept beside the table. And he took up the crown and wore it as he sat down on the throne, with the ministers before him.
With incredible effort he was able to put aside his thoughts for a moment.
The first minister that spoke up was the Minister of Economy.
The minister spoke briefly about the situation throughout the kingdom.
"Your Highness. Our tax collection has hit a staggering low point. Many of the nobles are claiming tax exemptions and are refusing to pay taxes under the name of public welfare.
We cannot bear to give them the exemption since it will deplete our reserves."
Arthur leaned into the argument. He asked, "Have these claims been investigated?" The minister returned with a refusal.
"These claims will require months to be checked."
Arthur thought for a second about what could be done.
His philosophy is always simple. The simplest answer is often the most correct.
He could fund a merchant to perform audits within a specific time.
Collect taxes and till the investigation is complete do not provide exemptions.
These were the suggestions in the back of his mind. But still he decided to give the minister a chance.
Arthur blinked once and asked the minister, "So Minister what do you suggest as our course of action?"
The minister shamelessly recommended the obvious mode of action.
"Your Highness I recommend that we reduce the tax rate of the individuals, thus ensuring compliance and replenishing the imperial treasury as well."
Arthur had been fully expecting it. They finally revealed their intentions. Arthur peered into the minister's eyes as he fully knew he was allied with a noble and was doing his bidding.
Playing like a puppet. But to take action he needed names.
The King further prodded the Minister of Economy.
"Which nobles are asking for the exemption?"
In Arthur's mind he needed a list of enemies such that he could target them better. And the Minister complied as he read the names of the nobles seeking exemption.
"Baron Laron, Count Volsung, Baron Meinschaft, Iron Fortress Captain Saron and Duke Daramten."
When he said Volsung something struck Arthur's mind.
He immediately called Sieg who was currently in the library watching over the librarian who was working hard at decryption. A guard was sent to call him.
Meanwhile Arthur asked further. "I understand about Baron Laron but what about the others?"
The minister started explaining why the others were non-compliant but the more he spoke the more it sounded like an excuse rather than a legitimate reason. To summarize, Count Volsung due to his close bonds with the Baron decided to lend him water. But it ultimately affected his own region. Baron Meinschaft whose region lies beside Laron was similarly affected and had to buy water and set up mana wells which used mana in the air to convert it into water.
And finally the Captain of the Iron Fortress says that due to Arthur's coronation the markets in the fortress have been temporarily stopped since any policies the new King sets affect them the most.
Arthur was stunned when he heard about the Captain. It felt like he treated the authority of the crown as a joke.
And before he could announce his verdict Sieg Volsung came into the throne room and stood beside Arthur.
Sieg was under the impression that he was called to stand as an advisor. But instead Arthur questioned him.
"Sieg Volsung, I have a few questions to ask about your territory."
Sieg Volsung had been entirely absent during the entire conversation thus he acted normal and just nodded slightly.
Arthur asked him while trying his best to perceive the lies within his response by analyzing it.
"Sieg, about your territory are there any problems? Is everything well?"
Sieg was puzzled with Arthur's question but then he looked at the ministers who had arrived. He just slightly forced a smile and replied, "No, your Highness everything is wonderful in our territory." And with this response Arthur was puzzled, determining his response until he reached a conclusion: he doesn't know. So he asked once again.
"We have received a tax exemption request from Count Volsung. Have you anything to say about it?"
Sieg fell silent as he heard this. He needed to find an appropriate response within seconds or he would be hounded by the dogs of Volsung and his father as well as lose favor with the already skeptical King.
"Now that I think about it there are a few problems, but since I'm here all the time I don't know much. I will ask father and inform you as soon as possible."
Arthur couldn't help but look down upon Sieg unconsciously. Sieg did whatever he could to save his skin. But even the ministers looked down upon the advisor. The minister had the thought, "As expected from the dog of the King. He doesn't even know the deeds of his own father. How incompetent."
Arthur finally gave his verdict disregarding an already embarrassed Siegfried.
"Ask them to meet me in person. I shall further discuss the rest with them."
This way Arthur was able to push his decision until he met them. Until then he could secure even more evidence.
The next was the Minister of Magic. He is responsible for maintaining and building magic facilities, educational centers as well as funding many notable and respectable projects from the budget he receives from the King.
Magic is everywhere in the lands. But its exact occurrence is yet unknown. It runs on a fuel source known as mana whose nature is being intensely studied. Mana is very abundant but the power to harness it is very limited. Thus the kingdom is always looking for those who can wield it. And Arthur is one of the coveted few who can use magic.
The Minister of Magic was a respected professor from the Imperial School of Magic where only the most talented hope to attend.
He made his point very brief.
"Your Highness, I have a simple request. I want to increase the funding for research. There are many groundbreaking projects being worked on but they are being stalled due to very limited resources."
Arthur used to study under the professor before becoming King thus he had shared a student-professor bond with him. But because of the truth he was now indifferent while his professor tried to bring up that bond again without stating it directly as he looked with expectations in Arthur's eyes.
He looked at the prospect the minister handed him with utmost scrutiny. He saw there were more than 15 projects in a single year warranting funding.
"Minister, I cannot fund these many projects. All of these projects are extremely similar. And what is with this expected amount? It's very expensive. Narrow them down."
The minister tried to appease his own side.
"Arthur—"
Before Arthur could interject him Sieg did.
"Please refer to him as Your Highness or My King. Please be mindful of your standing."
The minister apologized even though he was a bit intimidated as well as furious.
"Minister my decision still stands." Arthur gave an ultimatum and the minister had to back off.
The minister still tried to use his connection.
"Your Highness, this research has a very incredible premise and is on the verge of a grand breakthrough. It will be incredible and through it we shall devastate every other kingdom."
His pleas were getting more and more desperate as if he wanted it passed no matter what.
Finally Arthur decided to hear him out for the sake of their bond.
"Then what are these groundbreaking projects? Please elaborate."
A few of the thesis titles were written: 'A deeper understanding of mana, Castless magic, magic integration in steam furnaces, effect of stellarium on mana and magic.'
Many of these titles were already studied but soon abandoned and now according to the professor there was a breakthrough. Arthur couldn't help but feel a bit impressed.
"Minister the prospects are surely very resounding. But once again I cannot approve this many all at once."
The minister had to back off this time even though he wanted to move forward.
And the third minister who had arrived today was the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He deals with matters regarding other kingdoms, from trade to peace treaties, and collaborates with other ministers.
"Your Highness, I am deeply sorry to bring grave news."
"Our neighboring kingdom, the Kingdom of Dragan, has sent a rather threatening letter."
The minister handed the letter to Arthur who started reading.
From Rutherford Dragan
To Arthur Pendragon
The King of Dragan,
Congratulations, Arthur Pendragon for succeeding your father and continuing his lineage. I would have liked to come by to give my congratulations, but due to unfortunate circumstances I was not able to attend. I have also heard an unfortunate incident had occurred that day.
Regardless, our kingdoms have been allies for decades. And as such I would like to continue the tradition. Thus I propose we sign a treaty of peace once again. As well as I want to make a slight suggestion to the new King as a King myself. It is not useful hoarding and holding materials for too long. It never leads to good things.
When Arthur read the letter he was able to feel the intended meaning. To open the stellarium supply to the market. Or else. It was inevitably clear.
Arthur cleared his mind and gave his answer to the Minister.
"I shall deal with Dragan myself."
And finally he dispersed all of the ministers as they left the throne room.
And Arthur found himself staring at the letter despite having understood everything he needed to know.
Sieg just stood beside him but once again inside he was seeing himself in various unfortunate situations.
And Arthur had found himself in a deep web of difficult situations. It felt like everything around him was collapsing on him all at once. First his parents, then Volsung and now Dragan. As well as the ledger. He felt like he wanted to just get up and leave everything. But he knew the weight of the crown and what it entailed.