Chapter 39: The Boomerang Returns

Outside the lord's hall, Onie pressed a cup firmly against her ear, using the resonance of its inner walls to eavesdrop on the heated argument within.

Her brow furrowed; it was clear that Ralph’s initial probing had not gone well. She understood that to win the lords' support, concessions were inevitable. In the long run, she believed it was necessary to strip them of their taxation and governing powers, leaving them only with the authority to levy and command troops. Domestic affairs within all territories should be handled by appointed officials. She firmly believed that human energy was limited and that specialization was key; only professionals could manage state affairs effectively and keep this war machine running smoothly. Furthermore, consolidating military and political power in the hands of the lords was a breeding ground for ambition, which was detrimental to governance in the long term.

Yet, reclaiming power came at a cost. She pondered what she could offer as a trade. If this policy were rejected by the lords, their morale would surge, directly threatening her position and making the passage of future decrees significantly more difficult.

"What should I do?" she mused. She recalled the concessions she had made to rise to power and stabilize her rule so quickly. Now, it felt as though the boomerang she had thrown had returned to strike her in the face. Of course, had she not made those concessions, she likely would have been killed alongside Harold. Who could say for sure?

Although she could force the policy through, it would likely incite resentment among the lords and sow the seeds of rebellion. Walking into the noisy hall, Onie had made up her mind. She knew that to make the lords surrender their power voluntarily, she needed a clever plan, and that required the right bait. She had not summoned the High Priest, instead finding a pretext for Xina to take him into the mountains to gather herbs; she believed clergy should not interfere too much in politics. Moreover, the temple she had previously promised had yet to be built, and she feared his presence would only bring more trouble.

As she entered the hall, the room fell silent. Feigning ignorance, she asked, "What are you discussing?"

Lord Ludwig expressed his dissatisfaction subtly: "My Lady, we oppose the selection of administrative officials. They jeopardize our interests! We implore you to reconsider!"

Onie tried to win their understanding: "I see. I only have everyone’s best interests at heart. I believe we should cultivate talented individuals to handle trivial matters and share the burden of territorial affairs—they would essentially be stewards."

However, Lord Magnus rejected the proposal outright: "My Lady, we have our own men to manage our territories."

Onie scanned the lords with annoyance, realizing that not a single one was willing to stand up for her. She felt disappointed, realizing that oaths of loyalty were merely a facade, not something to be truly trusted. Yet, even so, she kept trying to believe in people time and time again. As for the others, such as Ralph and the lower-ranking officers, they had no say, as the matter did not concern their interests, nor did they hold the status to speak.

She understood that if she were in their shoes, she would likely refuse as well. Unless she could offer greater benefits that would make them willing to support her as her absolute confidants, nothing would change.

A realization struck her: to pass the decree, she had to dangle a larger incentive before them. She beckoned to a maid, took a barley cake from the table, broke it into six equal portions, and gestured to the six minor lords: "Distribute these to them!"

The maid followed her instructions, handing a piece to each lord. Magnus looked at Onie in confusion, but she raised a hand to silence him: "Listen to me!"

"We have one barley cake here, which I have divided into six pieces for you. If there were no other food, would you be full?" Her question left them silent; they did not understand her point.

"Ludwig, you say you only eat that small piece of barley cake each meal. Can you be full?" Onie began to call them out.

"No, my Lady. I eat a leg of lamb every day now; I can no longer stomach barley cakes," Ludwig replied, bowing politely.

"And you, Magnus?" she asked another lord.

"No!" Magnus stared down at the cake. "I would starve. I could eat at least five of these!"

"Then what happens if there isn't enough food?" Onie pressed.

"We loot?" one lord answered tentatively.

"And what if you aren't strong enough to win?" Her follow-up left the lords glancing at one another.

Onie raised her hand, intending to slam it on the table, but hesitated and pulled back. "Then why do you make such foolish decisions to stop us from becoming stronger? Why can't you think about seizing more barley cakes? Remember, we must strengthen ourselves. We must be better than the others so that our lands become prosperous, our populations grow, and more people are willing to join us. When that happens, we will conquer vast territories, and you will each become great lords. Why fixate on these petty gains?"

Onie grew more impassioned, rising to her feet, her chest heaving. "Now, let us vote! Who agrees and who opposes? Show me. Those willing to support the decree, raise your right hand. Those who do not, I will not force you, but you shall be on your own!"

She sank back into the Jarl’s throne, letting out a long breath, waiting for their reaction. The lords looked at each other, the tension thick. Finally, Lord Joachim, who had remained silent, raised his right hand. "You are right, my Lady. I cannot be satisfied with this small piece of cake, so I am willing to trust you!"

"And I!" Sven raised his hand in support.

Onie looked at the remaining four. "And you? Do you oppose me? If you do, I will not implement these decrees in your lands. I will allow you to govern independently!"

"You have always been generous, and I am willing to believe in you!" Magnus raised his hand, his decision causing Ludwig’s expression to darken.

"Magnus, you..." Ludwig looked at him urgently.

"Say no more, Ludwig. I am willing to follow the Lady's lead, for everything we have, she gave us!" Magnus replied firmly, taking the opportunity to flatter Onie.

"I agree as well!" Sigrun, who had been wavering, feared being targeted for lagging behind and raised his hand.

Only Frederick and Ludwig remained. They hesitated, restless and uneasy. In the end, they did not raise their hands, choosing silence instead.

"Very well. Since you have made your choices, I announce that Joachim, Sven, Magnus, and Sigrun are included in the new administrative system..." Onie stifled the angry retort that had almost slipped out. She had promised they could speak their minds, and she could not break her word or lose her temper; otherwise, no one would dare speak in the future. She had to manage her rage, remaining calm and rational to better rule these men. It was an incredibly difficult task; after all, she was human, and she felt anger.

"My Lady, since you have made your decision, I recall I have matters to attend to. I request permission to leave!" Ludwig did not say anything else; he cast a deep look at the other lords and bowed to take his leave.

"My Lady, I also have affairs to see to!" Frederick bowed as well, then turned and followed Ludwig.

"Wait a moment!" Onie called out to them. Stifling her anger, her voice was soft. "Come to our victory banquet tonight. It is a joyous occasion after all. We are all on the same side; there is no need for unpleasantness over a difference of opinion!"

Though she was filled with fury, she knew that as a leader, she must remain calm and keep her emotions hidden. The two lords exchanged a glance, stopped, and replied, "As you command, my Lady," before turning to leave.

Onie praised the others, painted a grand picture of the future, and dismissed them.

"My Lady, should we kill them?" Robert approached her. "We do not know when the Jarl of Slomisfalls will return. If they betray us, we could be in danger. We cannot afford to gamble."

Onie pondered for a moment, then shook her head. "I had anticipated this possibility, but I would rather they betray me first than kill them on mere suspicion! Strengthen the territory's defenses."

She had considered much; while killing them might be safer, if she did so, all her followers would feel uneasy, and she might face even greater trouble later.

*Feld, what should I do? I have been pushed step by step down a path I never expected, and I have never felt such hardship!*

She glanced at the relief of the gods on the wall, praying silently in her heart. She pressed her clasped hands, fingers intertwined into a hammer shape, against her forehead. "Feld, grant me strength!"

Ralph watched the scene silently and pulled Robert away. "We must do something."