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Chapter 754 Conspiracy
There were many other nobles who were ennobled together. Caesar IV was particularly generous in rewarding them this time, but it was limited to titles.

Except for Hudson's title of Grand Duke, which was hereditary, all the titles awarded later belonged to the nobility.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see that this was a solace for Hudson's retirement.

After all, with the long lifespan of the strongest people, it is possible that even if the Alpha Empire collapsed, they would still be alive.

Similar things have happened in human history. When conflicts accumulate to a certain extent, it is almost a matter of time before the family splits up. Few empires can last for thousands of years.

When it comes to a strong man with a very long service life like Hudson, there is not much difference between discussing whether the title is lifelong or hereditary.

Even though the title of Grand Duke is special and is normally only granted to members of the royal family, exceptions should be made when necessary.

Hudson was not present, so the most eye-catching person became Princess Madeleine. As the king's sister, she also received the title of Grand Duchess this time.

Unlike other princesses, she had her own fiefdom, and with her status as a grand duchess, she suddenly gained the power to participate in politics.

Although there was only a slight surprise, this reward did not cause any waves.

The conservatives were the only ones in power in the court, and Caesar IV was in urgent need of help. Compared with outsiders, family members were obviously more reliable.

In fact, the idea of ​​conferring the title of Grand Duchess on Princess Madeleine had been mentioned once before, but it was rejected by the conservatives in the court.

The reason given at the time was that the reward could not go beyond Hudson, the human race marshal.

The same rule applies now.

Many nobles are watching, and they must follow the rules. This is the foundation of the military merit system. Once the rules are broken, there will be no more fun.

……

At midnight, after the celebration, the carriages of nobles from all walks of life slowly drove out of the palace gate.

"Franz, how do you feel about this scene?"

Count Oran asked with concern.

He was also a beneficiary of the canonization ceremony during the day, but his contribution to the establishment of the empire was not great, and he was only given the title of honorary earl.

"These people are too enthusiastic. I can't handle it!"

Franz complained with a depressed look on his face.

He was just there to make up the numbers, but he ended up being the protagonist. He was surrounded and praised by a group of nobles, as if he was the one who was canonized as the Grand Duke.

Children of nobles often mature precociously. Although Franz was immature, he knew that he did not deserve the flattery.

Theoretically, Hudson's title would be inherited by him. But the most obvious sign of the value of a Saint Domain warrior is his lifespan.

If he wants to inherit the title and hold power, he still has to go through a series of tests. If he fails the tests, he may just be an heir for the rest of his life.

"Just get used to it. You will encounter similar situations often in the future.

Today was still good, as they were all people from the court. If everyone had brought their families, the scene would have been even more exaggerated.

The nobles of the kingdom are all eyeing your marriage. You can be more selective while you are still young."

Count Oran said with a smile.

Marriage has always been the lowest-cost and most profitable way of forming an alliance.

Count Oran has a say in this regard. His most successful investment was betting on Hudson before its rise.

However, this kind of bargain hunting is not universal in the aristocratic circle. A case of a grassroots person making a comeback may not come across once in a hundred years.

Most political marriages are between people of equal social status. Occasionally there are marriages across social classes, but these are extreme cases.

For example: having outstanding talents in politics and military affairs, or having extraordinary talent for cultivation.

“This is too exaggerated!
Are there so few outstanding young men in the kingdom? "

After complaining, Franz just felt a huge pressure.

Reason told him that he was not worthy of so many people's concern. These people's enthusiasm was mainly directed at his father.

"Ha ha……

Little Franz, this kind of good fortune is something many people can't even ask for.

There are many nobles in the country and abroad who want to marry you. In the aristocratic circle, your value is equal to those princes of big countries.

But I want to remind you that some women are just for looking at. If you don't want to marry them, don't touch them.

If possible, it is best to find a marriage partner within the country, preferably a princess of the royal family, or a princess from a collateral family, and secondly, a daughter of a noble family from a great noble family."

Count Oran said earnestly.

He didn't have much contact with his grandson Franz, but as the bond between the two families, he didn't want his grandson to fail in marriage.

The Koslo family now looks very prosperous, but in reality they are in a very awkward situation. They have relatives and friends everywhere, but unfortunately most of them are limited to small and medium-sized nobles.

The reason why he was able to enter the top gaming circle was entirely because of Hudson. Compared with a group of old nobles, the family foundation was not stable.

Now Hudson is in power, and everyone is willing to give him face. If Hudson retires completely one day and transfers power to Franz, that will be a different game.

"Thank you, Count, for your pertinent advice.

My mother also said something similar to me. But my father didn't care much about it, as if I could marry anyone!"

Franz said with a depressed look on his face.

Under normal circumstances, someone with his background should have been arranged long ago. In Melissa's hands, there is also a list of noble ladies from the mainland.

All the unmarried women of the right social status were included in the selection. If Hudson hadn't stopped him, he would have been arranged to marry.

“The position you stand in is different, and the way you look at things is also different.

If you can break through the Sanctuary early like Hudson and possess sufficient political skills and top military talents, then it doesn't matter who you marry.

But I suggest you not to compare yourself with him, because he is a pervert.

Throughout the history of the human race, there are few who can compare with him. The nobles of the same era all live under his shadow!"

Count Oran followed up with a complaint.

For children of the nobility, connections through in-laws are essential.

Especially for heirs, the support of strong in-laws will help ensure a smooth transition of family power.

"Don't worry, Count!
My father never asked me to be like him, and he never mentioned anything about his youth.

What I learned was all from other people, and many of the things were contradictory.

Forget it, let’s not talk about this anymore.

My father told me that the capital is a vortex of trouble. Does the Earl know what is going on?"

This wasn't a change of subject; he really needed to know.

His trip to the capital was an experience in itself, so Hudson naturally wouldn't provide too much help.

If Franz wants to understand the inside story, he needs to go and learn it himself.

“It’s just a power struggle!
The war was over, and the emerging nobles who had made outstanding military achievements in the war were dissatisfied with the conservatives' long-term control of the government and wanted to do something.

It just so happened that our Emperor's dissatisfaction with the conservatives had accumulated to the extreme and he needed an outlet.

The two sides hit it off and formed a political alliance.

As it stands, the alliance remains fragile.

The military aristocracy faction also has a large number of conservative aristocrats, and their say in the military is not low.

Unless your father personally takes a stand in support, they don't stand much of a chance.

In addition to the conflict that is obvious, there is a hidden line lurking.

Our founding father wanted to regain power.

When he got involved in politics a few years ago, your father took the lead in fighting back. In recent years, he seemed to be well-behaved, but he has been making small moves behind the scenes.

His Majesty wants to regain power, but he lacks a strong person to confront the conservative ministers. I guess he is planning to push Grand Duchess Madeleine into the court.

......"

Count Oran said without reservation.

These messages were an open secret in the upper echelons of the empire, but were highly confidential below.

Only by mastering this information can we avoid making mistakes when choosing political positions.

"So, the Koslo family is considered a neutral royalist?"

Franz asked uncertainly.

The complexity of the situation in the royal capital was far beyond his expectations.

I originally thought that the Alpha Empire was a united empire, but it turned out that it only existed in ideals.

In real life, wherever there are people, there are conflicts of interest.

Relatively speaking, the internal fighting in the Alpha Empire was relatively mild. The quarrels were all carried out quietly behind closed doors, without causing a big uproar.

“I have no way to answer this question for you.

Hudson has too many identities and even more labels, so it is difficult to simply classify him into any faction.

If he arrived in the royal capital in person, then the military merit faction headed by him would be the most powerful faction in the kingdom.

Now that you are the representative, you can join the emerging nobles, the neutral camp, or anything else."

Count Oran's answer made Franz's scalp tingle. Politics is too brain-burning, and many times even the parties involved can't understand it.

……

In the palace.

Caesar IV returned to his bedroom in high spirits and suddenly found a box at the head of the bed. Before he could react, a black smoke entered his body.

"Oops!"

As soon as he realized something was wrong, his face suddenly became ferocious, and many thoughts suddenly appeared in his mind.

Soon the vision disappeared and Caesar IV returned to normal, as if nothing had happened.

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Caesar IV revealed an evil smile and glanced outside.

Alpha I, who witnessed this scene, was suddenly shocked. His intuition told him that he seemed to have messed up this time.

Judging from the outside, even a knowledgeable Sanctuary expert like him could not detect anything abnormal about Caesar IV.

The destructive power of an evil demon who pretends to be an emperor is too great.

Alpha I just wanted to seize power, but he had no intention of starting a new business.

If the Alpha Empire were to collapse, it would be of no benefit to him as the founding monarch.

Being upset doesn't help.

Without sufficient evidence, no one would believe it even if the truth was revealed.

Deep in his heart, after secretly greeting the mysterious monster that had plotted against him, Alpha I helplessly disappeared on the spot.

Now that things have come to this, it's too late to turn back.

Now we can only hope that Caesar IV can survive the crisis, otherwise the situation will develop according to the enemy's design and there will be no way out.

As time went by, the people were still cheering for the establishment of the empire, and the nobles were immersed in endless banquets.

After attending banquet after banquet and witnessing the childish calculations of his peers, Franz suddenly felt that the bustling royal capital was not as comfortable as his own castle.

At least in the old nest, there is not so much intrigue.

"Count, an invitation has suddenly arrived from the palace. His Majesty invites you to attend the palace banquet tonight."

Franz frowned at the butler's words.

He was just beginning to feel like leaving when he received this invitation, which really put him in a difficult position.

If I had made the decision earlier, I would be on my way home now and could have avoided this banquet.

Even if you don't want to go, you have to go.

We still have to give the emperor face.

Otherwise, if word gets out, the reputation of being tyrannical and domineering will be hard to wash away.

"understood!"

Franz responded reluctantly.

Almost at the same time, invitations sent from the royal capital appeared in the hands of a group of princes and nobles.

The nobles were immersed in joy and were not surprised at all.

The significance of a banquet is not just the banquet itself, but more importantly, it provides a platform for communication and expanding personal connections.

There were few banquets in the Alpha Kingdom in the past because the kingdom had suffered from wars for many years and everyone had to be frugal and save money to develop armaments.

Now that the threat from foreign enemies has disappeared and military spending has been greatly reduced, there is no need for us to be so frugal.

……

“Your Majesty, launching a coup directly is a bit radical.

Although the conservatives are annoying, they have also made contributions to the kingdom. Why not find an opportunity to find something to hold against them and then remove them from office?"

Newfoundland openly persuaded.

As the former prime minister, he was ousted by Caesar IV in an unethical manner, but that was still within the rules.

Because of common interests, the two sides cooperated again.

However, Caesar IV wanted to do something bigger this time and actually solved the problem through a coup.

If he hadn't confirmed it again and again, he would have suspected that there was something wrong with his ears.

It is true that conservatives are authoritarian, but they are only sidelining the king within the rules.

If the emperor wants to drive away these powerful ministers who pose little threat, he only needs to find something to hold against them.

“No need to say more!

Those conservative guys turned the court into their own one-man show, and even if they found evidence, there would be people to help them get away with it.

Even if they are successfully removed from office, they will still be replaced by conservative members.

If this continues, the country will no longer be a country!
Now is the best opportunity and I have made arrangements.

Later, you just need to expose their true colors in front of all the nobles of the kingdom."

Caesar IV said forcefully.

This scene shocked everyone.

When did our king become so powerful?

In the past, as long as everyone persuaded him together, he would be very receptive.

"Your Majesty, please rest assured!
We have collected all the dirty laundry on conservatives.

Once it is revealed, it will definitely bring ruin to their reputation!"

Count Andres was the first to agree.

The means of an armed coup are indeed somewhat extraordinary, but they are also the most effective.

According to conventional political struggles, even if they joined forces, it would be difficult to move to the conservative camp without several years of effort.

This is still an ideal situation. If the conservatives discover their conspiracy and counterattack in advance, their chances of winning will be even lower.

The most annoying thing is that the anti-Secretary-General's alliance is not so united and everyone has his own plans.

After everyone looked at each other, they nodded in agreement.

……

(End of this chapter)