The nobles shook their head as they had nothing more to report, but no one dared to speak except for the Duke.
"We don't have anything to report, Your Majesty. However, we are very curious about the second reason," the Duke Melchizedek spoke to the king, and then looked at the strategist, Kenny, "May we have the right to know what is it?"
"Of course, you have. And that's the main reason why you are here," then Kenny looked upon the nobles who were sitting, "Dear nobles and officials, have you been wondering why the Marquis Cyril of the Esclamado Family are not here?"
The nobles and officials looked at each other.
"We noticed that earlier, but we don't dare to speak first. In addition to that, it is really strange that even some neutral factions of the kingdom are here," the Duke answered while looking at the empty seat of Marquis Cyril, "Is the second reason about the Great Marquis?"
"As expected of you, Duke. You got it right!" Kenny replied.
"Hohoho! A 'Great' you say and it's coming from you? The Duke who was known as Bloody Killer?" the King sarcastically proclaimed, "How interesting!"
"Pardon my offense, Your Majesty. But all of us here knew that the Marquis was also known as the God of Destruction in the battlefield as he won every battle with his destructive magic power, the fire element." Viscount Richard suddenly spoke out of nowhere.
"Viscount Richard is right, Your Majesty," the Duke added.
"Then, Duke Melchizedek. Did you know the reason why he is still a marquis, not a duke like you, even though he is more powerful and famous person not only in our kingdom, but also in neighboring kingdoms?" the King said with a serious voice.
"I d-don't dare to answer, Your Majesty." the Duke bowed down his head as he spoke.
The King smiled as if it was pleasant for him seeing that the duke bowed down his head, "That's because you are wise, wise enough to side with me. Even though the marquis chose to remain neutral, he was still considered as a huge threat to my power and position. He's like a bomb that will explode anytime if I let him do as he pleases, that's why I didn't dare to promote him anymore."
"You are brilliant, Your Majesty!" the Duke Melchizedek praised King Jefferson as he was mentioned as a wise man.
"It's a credit by the strategist, after all, he was the one who suggested that to me," the King corrected the Duke.
"No. It was still your wise decision that matters, Your Majesty," the strategist humbly denied and praised the King, " Anyway, regarding the Marquis Family. We discovered from the spy we planted on their residence that recently some of their clan members were became more powerful than before at the same time. Isn't strange? Furthermore, the Marquis himself broke through to another level. He became a 7th-circle fire magic user. Thus, we would like to hear your  thoughts about this issue."
All nobles became silent after hearing the words coming from the strategist himself. All they could think was that, now that the Marquis broke through to the 7th-circle level, he's now the strongest magician throughtout the Feronia Kingdom and one of the top three of greatest swordsman and maybe a sudden change of the kingdom would happen soon.
"Ohhh, great nobles of the Feronia Kingdom. Why are you all keeping your mouth shut off?" Kenny, the strategist himself broke the silence, "If you're worried, you don't need to because all of us here are allies, right? Even though he's now stronger than before, don't forget the forces behind the kingdom. So say anything you want."
The General Rayven coughed before speaking, "If it's true, then it's great merit for the military. Am I right?"
"You are right, General. However, as Marquis Cyril remained in a neutral faction, he will only send some of their warriors and magicians in the battlefield against the Merica Kingdom," Viscount Richard added.
"What if we would treat them not as neutral faction of the kingdom, what would happen?" the Strategist Kenny uttered.
"We will pursuade him to join our faction? Do you think he will do that? His stubbornness knows no bounds, you know."
"Did I say that he will join our faction?" Kenny straightly asked.
As shocked as Baron Lloyd was, he asked, "D-do you mean?..."
"Hahaha!" The King's laugh echoed thoughout the palace, "Why not? He and his family are growing their power abnormally. Not only that, they didn't even consider to support my ruling, instead they are in a neutral state. The Marquis Cyril was an enough threat for my position back then. Do you think I will let him continue to roam MY KINGDOM without any restrictions?!"
His loud voice towards the words, "MY KINGDOM,"  was to emphasize to the nobles and officials who were present in the meeting that he was the ruler and not just anyone.
"S-so what should we do, Your Majesty?" the Earl Joshua asked with a nervous voice, "Do you have a plan, Mr. Strategist?"
"It's simple!" Kenny blurted out, "We should uprooted his entire family out of this kingdom!"
"B-but how?"
"Hmmm, we will deceive the public through announcing that the entire Esclamado family was collided with the Merica Kingdom and was planning a rebellion to overthrow the Feronia Kingdom. Furthermore, we will also declared that they used a forbidden spell to increase their magic power."
"D-do you think the public will believe us?" Earl Joshua voiced out with a disbelief and fear look.
General Rayven added, "And it is not easy to kill the Marquis, you know."
"That's not a problem. We have Duke Melchizedek here, and also we have invited some hidden forces," the strategist answered.
"H-hidden forces?!" Duke Melchizedek blurted out, "Who are they? Are they trustworthy?"
"You don't need to concern about that, Duke. I, the KING, trust them." King Jefferson meant that whoever they are, as long as they earned his trust, there's no need to ask their loyalty and trust.
As Duke Melchizedek understood what the King meant, he apologized, "Sorry, Your Majesty, for doubting you."
"It's okay. So if you will support me annihilating the Esclamado Family, we will surely win and I will surely give you great benefits. A kingdom can't have two rulers, so I just need to eliminate the threat of my throne," King Jefferson remarked with a serious tone, and then he gave them a command, "Gather all your forces and get ready for the battle tomorrow! Understand?!"
The nobles and officials stood up from their seats and spoke out, together in unison.
"Everything is according to your will, Your Majesty."
_TRAVANGEL_