Acedic Autocrats

Chapter 9

Quintilis 18th, 2180. 

"KURIN!" a voice yelled from behind me. I turned around to search for its source to find Irati Fretres Meus, Imperator Gromeo I, as he entered the imperial throne room. "I leave you alone for twenty years and you allow this to happen. "Fratres I can explain!" I spoke.

"Alright then!" he exclaimed. "Explain why the less fortunate wit hes of Painted Plains are being heavily taxed while the elite are barely taxed at all!" Though, Fratres Meus was somewhat overreacting I couldn't deny that it was necessary.

With every year that passed the Imperator grew even more acetic, and autocratic thanks to Rashid's influence and as such the empire had begun to decline. As Fratres Meus stated, the economy of Painted Plains had deteriorated to a point where the comites were given no choice but to tax their fellow witches to keep the kingdom afloat which isn't illegal on itself.

No, the problem is that according to Painted Plains law, it's considered illegal for Le Roi to tax the witches living within the outer ring higher taxes than those living in the innermost and middle rings., law that was created to minimize the financial burdens of the already struggling lower class, whilst ensuring the kingdom's financial stability. Unfortunately, most comites in Painted Plains tend to disregard it.

"Well Kurin," Fratres Meua said sternly. "I'm waiting." Taking a deep breath, I explained everything that had transpired. It all began several days prior whilst I was visiting Painted Plains for the week. I was welcomed in by the royal guards and escorted to the castle to meet with Le Roi.

"Avunculus," he called out. "I appreciate you coming here on such short notice." "It's no trouble at all," I reassured him. "When I heard Ton Royaume was struggling, I knew I had to come." Le Roi De La Terre gave a warm smile and instructed his servants to take my luggage as we made our way to the meeting hall.

"You've come to Painted Plains in her darkest hours Avunculus," Roi Chuang said. "It'll take a firm paw to save my subjects from death by starvation." "I understand what you mean," I responded. "I've had my suspicions that the four Regnums were beginning to suffer under Salim's reign however I chose to ignore them due to a lack of evidence."

"Is that so?" Roi Chuang asked. "Yes, without an Imperator managing allocating the empire's finances and resources, witches no longer have a means of providing for themselves. Though I've done my best to assist them, I fear that it's not enough."

"Have you informed Salim about this?" I asked. "I have but as per usual he's too much of a distemperare rampallian acetic autocrat to provide any sort of solution." "I see, is there anything I can do?" I asked again. "Perhaps there's a way I can." "I appreciate your generous offer Avunculus," he said. "But unless you've a plan to force Salim to see the error of his ways."

"Actually, I do," I said excitedly. "I've already met with and Titanfather Meus, as well as the previous Imperators to discuss this matter, and they've already created a plan to save the empire." "Then why haven't they enacted it!?" he exclaimed, his voice growing more frustrated.

"If only it were that simple," I answered. "Unless we had other Propinquis who'd be capable of inheriting the imperial throne, if we were to overthrow him now whilst he has no son and heir, just as it had with Chenghiz, civil war would break out and consume the land until the power vacuum can be filled."

"I'd never thought of it that way," Le Roi De La Terre commented. "So that's why you've waited so long." "Votre Majeste!" a voice called out from behind. "The Imperator has arrived in Pari and requested to speak with you!" The source of the voice was Seigneur Charles, Comte du Maine my grandnephew's most trusted adviser.

"Should we allow him entry Avunculus?" he asked as he turned to me. "We have no choice," I answered. "Very well." Le Roi De La Terre nodded his head to Lord Charles, and he departed for the city. Several hours later, Salim entered the meeting hall and took a seat on one of the golden thrones next to Son "Cousin".

"So, what brings you to Painted Plains your imperialness?" Roi Chuang asked, attempting to hide his disdain and anger. "Come now Chuang," Salim responded. "Don't tell me you've forgotten already." "Forgotten what?" he asked, his suspicion growing. "You asked for my assistance in supplying more aureus to the royal coffers a while back. I apologize for the massive delay in my response however I was preoccupied with assisting Viduna in Cairo Land."

Assisting him in finishing bottles of alcohol and diminishing his power to further your own more like, I thought. "Better late than never then," Le Roi De La Terre commented. "What solution did you have in mind?" I sat there patiently awaiting his response, hoping that he'd, for once, decided to place the needs of his subjects ahead of his autocratic beliefs. Oh, sweet Selene, what a fool I was.

"We tax the lower class," he said proudly. "Apologies your imperialness, can you elaborate?" "If you truly wish to make enough aureus to provide for your subjects then we must raise taxes to sustain the economy." "I understand that, but how come we are specifically targeting the lower-class instead of the upper or middle class as Mon Royaume's laws dictate."

"Have you not heard?" Salim asked. "Heard what?" Roi Chuang questioned, narrowing his brow in suspicion. "I spoke to your comites regarding changes I wished to implement. Don't misunderstand me I'm confident you can rule your own Royaume, but there're some laws you have that I don't agree with."

"Such as?" Mon Petit-Neveu questioned, his suspicion growing immensely. "For one I never understood why you'd put more financial burden on the elite, they're the most powerful of your subjects and could easily rise up against you if they wished. Meanwhile the witches of the lower-class have become so dependent on your family's charities that it's come to the point where they don't even attempt to improve their economic standing."

"And who is he to accuse another of Casus!" Imperator Grimus retorted. "This goes against everything I stood for?" "I know Fratres," I answered. "Then I assume that you've already spoken to Titanfather regarding the matter?" "Yeah, you were there, remember?"

After taking several moments to compose himself, Fratres Meus sighed and offered a solution. "You say Salim can't be overthrown until he has a son and heir to replace him?" "Yes," I answered. "Alright, I didn't want to suggest this, but it appears we have no other option." "Go on,". Imperator Grimus looked away to hide his growing shame.

"Do you remember when Tarang gave Salim the idea to enslave the minor ethnic groups in the empire?" "Yes, and may I ask why Tio Sancho hasn't punished him for it?" "You're mistaken Fratres," he answered. "He was about to however Tarang later regretted his actions and repented, so he forgave him." We discussed the matter further for the rest of the afternoon however by the time he returned to Mount Olympos I was having second thoughts regarding his suggestion.