"What about the king?" Vina asked. "Why doesn't he do anything?"
Emma scoffed softly. "If the nobles are this corrupt, how can the king be any better?"
"That's not entirely true," Sera said.
All eyes turned to her.
"I heard this from Countess Ravenna," she continued, her voice, calm and measured.
"The roots of this chaos go back to the founding of the Kingdom of Aetheria."
"A long time ago, the first king built this kingdom through war—through strength and leadership. Those who stood with him became the ancestors of today's noble houses.
"The priests of the twelve temples also played a role in that era.
"In return, they were granted the right to establish themselves here—to build their temples and preach their gospel—but under the condition that they were not to interfere in political affairs."
She paused.
"It was a principle they had followed long before Aetheria existed, so at the time, there was no conflict.
"Moreover, the temples serve crucial roles in other aspects of society.
"Beyond them, many minor cults and religions existed as well—and all were permitted to remain, so long as they were not demonic in nature.
"The king rewarded loyalty with land and titles," she went on.
"And in doing so, he created a system."
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"These nobles—whether barons or dukes—rule their own lands.
"As long as their descendants are not guilty of anything too disastrous, their houses alone retain control over their territories.
"The king does not act against them without cause. In return, they remain loyal and defend the kingdom in times of war."
She looked at them, weighing their reactions.
"The first king was a magnanimous person. He understood that if a noble failed in their duty, the king could judge them."
"But then he asked himself... who would judge the king, if he were the one in the wrong?"
"To prevent tyranny, he introduced something else."
"A veto."
She paused.
"If a majority of nobles—say, seventy percent—deemed the king's decision unjust, they could block it.
"And if a majority supported a proposal, they could enforce it—so long as it was reasonable and logically sound."
Tia's eyes widened, though most of the others still seemed confused.
"Furthermore, any new law—or amendment to existing ones—requires both the king's approval and the support of the majority of nobles.
"However, if a noble is found guilty, the king retains full authority to judge them, regardless of the veto."
"And all of this," Sera added, "is bound by magical contracts. Every noble. Every king. Bound to the same system.
"Whenever a new lord inherits a title—be it baron or duke—or when a new king is enthroned, they must sign this contract.
"It is done in the presence of the king, the priests, and the nobles, affirming that they will uphold this system.
YOU ARE READING
The Eclipse Moons Grimoire: Lilith's Soft Whispers
FantasyA boy who wishes to be a girl dies in an accident and reincarnates in a world of gods and demons as the second son of the baroness with hidden past. His supposed mother disguises and raises him as a girl.
