As the last guest departed and the grand hall grew quiet, only the faint shuffling of maids and staff remained. Arthur exhaled a long, weary breath, loosening the weight that had hung over him throughout the evening. He turned to Klein, who stood dutifully by his side, and remarked, “Finally, the banquet is over. We’ve got five days left to implement the long-planned tax system. Tell me, where is Ben, and how is the progress on setting up the Keldoria Tax Office in each region?”

Klein straightened, his brow furrowing slightly as he responded, “I haven’t checked in with Ben for the past couple of days, Your Majesty, but last I heard, he was doing well. He’s been tirelessly training the individuals who will be assigned as tax officers. As for the office buildings, construction in the central regions is complete. For the more remote areas, progress has been slower due to the lack of resources and skilled labor, but the framework is in place and will be finished in the next two to three days. Ben assures me everything should be operational by the deadline.”

Arthur nodded, rubbing his chin in thought. “Good. Once the tax offices are up and running, I want regular reports on their functionality. Any delays or inefficiencies need to be addressed immediately. The success of this system hinges on its execution.”

Klein hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking. “Your Majesty, if I may, there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask.”

Arthur turned his attention fully to Klein, his expression inviting. “Go ahead. Speak freely.”

Klein took a deep breath, his tone cautious yet curious. “How do you plan to handle the nobles who might try to manipulate the system? Those who bribe local officials to underreport their income or go to great lengths to hide their wealth entirely?”

Arthur’s eyes narrowed slightly, not in anger, but in contemplation. He leaned back in his chair, clasping his hands in front of him. “That’s a fair question, Klein. It’s no secret that corruption and dishonesty can undermine even the best systems. But rest assured, I’ve anticipated this challenge.”

He stood, pacing slowly as he elaborated. “First, the tax system will include periodic audits. Every regional office will have a team trained to verify the accuracy of the income reports submitted by nobles and commoners alike. Surprise inspections will ensure that no one grows complacent or confident enough to believe they can manipulate the system.”

Arthur paused, meeting Klein’s gaze. “Second, the penalties for tax evasion and bribery will be swift and severe. I’m talking about fines that will sting, public exposure of wrongdoings, and, in the worst cases, stripping of titles or privileges. The nobility must understand that no one is above the law—not even them.”

Klein listened intently, nodding, but Arthur continued, his voice firm. “At the same time, I understand that fear alone won’t create compliance. Incentives will also play a role. Nobles and merchants who fully comply with the system will be rewarded. Tax offset, royal recognition, and opportunities to invest in kingdom-backed ventures will all be on the table. Cooperation will not only be the right thing to do but also the profitable choice.”

He stopped pacing, turning to face Klein directly. “As for the tax officers, their selection will be crucial. Only those with proven integrity and competence will be chosen. They’ll receive fair wages, and their performance will be closely monitored. Any officer found accepting bribes or engaging in corruption will face the same, if not harsher, penalties as those who attempt to corrupt them.”

Arthur’s tone softened slightly, though his resolve remained clear. “I won’t pretend that this will be easy, Klein. There will always be someone who might get aways with their crime but I believe that by addressing these issues head-on and with a mix of accountability and incentives, we can reduce those crime rates.”

Klein straightened, clearly impressed. “Your Majesty, that is a comprehensive plan. I must admit, I hadn’t expected such foresight.”

Arthur allowed a small, knowing smile to touch his lips. “It’s not foresight, Klein. It’s preparation. We may not eliminate corruption entirely, but we can make it as difficult and unrewarding as possible. That’s the first step toward building a better system. If you have more questions, feel free to ask Ben—he’s overseeing the Keldoria Tax Office.”

After a brief pause, Arthur added, “Now, I’ll be returning to my chambers to rest for the day. Before I leave, inform Ben that he’ll need to come to the great hall tomorrow for a meeting. We’ll be discussing the final details of the taxation system with the two dukes.”

With that, Arthur turned and began walking toward the exit. Klein offered a respectful bow, and Ken and the valet followed behind Arthur to escort him. As Arthur walked through the halls of the castle, his mind began to wander. His thoughts drifted to Ben, who had been tasked with training the tax officers—individuals who would become the cornerstone of combating tax evasion, bribery, and corruption.

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I hope Ben’s doing well with the training, Arthur mused. It’s been nearly two months since I began teaching him the intricacies of the system—how taxes should be collected, the protocols for addressing disputes, and strategies for dealing with potential corruption. I visited him frequently in the beginning to ensure he understood everything and could pass on that knowledge effectively. Now, it’s up to him to train the officers properly.

Arthur’s gaze fell to the stone floor as he continued walking, his steps slow and deliberate. It might not seem like much time, but it will have to suffice. Once the system is in place, any gaps in understanding can be addressed through experience and adjustments. I should check on Ben tomorrow to see how things are progressing.

His thoughts shifted to the two dukes, David and Richard. They’ve been cooperative so far, Arthur thought. When Duke David signed the contract, both he and Richard sent their advisors to learn the system in detail. It’s reassuring to know they’re taking this seriously—they’ll need to retrain their own people to ensure the system works seamlessly across their regions.

Lost in thought, Arthur barely noticed when he arrived at the door to his chambers. He stopped, took a deep breath, and let his concerns fade away for the moment. As he entered the room, the valet closed the door softly behind him.

Without another thought, Arthur collapsed onto the bed, exhaustion from the day’s events catching up with him. The soft bed welcomed him, and his mind began to drift, his worries momentarily set aside as sleep claimed him.

—

Inside the guest room where Duke Richard was temporarily staying, the flickering light of a nearby candle illuminated the room as he sat by a desk, deep in thought. Olivia, seated across from him, appeared calm and composed, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

Richard broke the silence, his tone calm yet filled with curiosity. “Olivia,” he began, leaning slightly forward, “over the past two and a half weeks, you’ve had the opportunity to closely observe Arthur—his actions, his decisions, and his methods. Tell me, what have you learned?”

Olivia’s gaze shifted briefly, as if reflecting on everything she had witnessed. When she looked back at her father, her voice was steady but carried a note of admiration. “To be honest, Father, I’ve been... surprised. His daily routine is grueling. If I were in his position, I don’t think I could maintain the pace he does. And as he mentioned, he barely paid any attention to me. He simply stuck to his schedule as though I wasn’t even there.”

Richard’s brow furrowed slightly, intrigued. “What exactly does he do?”

Olivia nodded and began to elaborate. “He wakes up early, around five in the morning, and heads straight to the training grounds. He trains for about two hours, practicing with both knights and mages. Afterward, he spends another thirty minutes just talking and socializing with them. Following that, he has breakfast and then heads to the library, where he spends the majority of his day studying, writing, and reviewing countless documents, books, and reports about Keldoria. He works tirelessly, barely taking breaks except to eat.

“Throughout the day, he would sometimes meet with Klein and other officials. While I was only allowed to attend some of these discussions, the ones I did witness revolved around taxation, governance, and plans to improve the kingdom. But what surprised me most was one particular meeting—he summoned about thirty high-ranking priests from various churches across Keldoria. I don’t know the details of their conversation, but it must have been incredibly significant to involve so many influential figures from the church.”

Richard listened intently, his brow furrowing slightly as Olivia described Arthur’s grueling routine. He leaned back in his chair, processing her words before speaking. “It seems he’s far more disciplined than I anticipated. To train, study, and hold meetings relentlessly... most kings leave such tasks to their advisors or ministers. Yet, Arthur takes it all upon himself.”

Olivia nodded, her admiration becoming more apparent. “Yes, Father. His dedication is extraordinary. I’ve seen him work through exhaustion without complaint, driven by a clear purpose. He doesn’t just delegate; he immerses himself in every detail. It’s as though he’s trying to understand every aspect of this kingdom, no matter how small.”

Richard stroked his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as if piecing together a puzzle. “Also summoning the high priests from across Keldoria is no trivial matter. Whatever he discussed with them, it’s undoubtedly tied to his larger plans for reform.”

Olivia nodded in agreement. “That meeting with the priests... he didn’t share any details with me, but it’s clear he’s laying the groundwork for something significant.”

Richard gave a small, approving nod. “Indeed. A meeting of that scale with the clergy suggests he’s securing their influence, perhaps to unify their support or to preempt any resistance to his reforms. Regardless, it’s a calculated move.”

He then turned his gaze to Olivia, his expression softening. “You’ve done an excellent job, Olivia. Your observations have been invaluable in helping me understand Arthur’s character and his strategies.”

Olivia smiled faintly, a mix of pride and humility in her expression. “It was my pleasure to assist you, Father. I only hope my insights are helpful.”

Richard’s lips curved into a rare smile. “More than helpful. When we return home, I’ll see to it that you’re properly rewarded. But for now, why don’t you get some rest? You’ve earned it.”

Olivia inclined her head respectfully. “Thank you, Father. I’ll retire for the night.”

As Olivia left the room, Richard remained seated, his thoughts racing. Arthur was proving to be far more formidable than he initially expected—a man of vision, strategy, and relentless determination. A king like that could either be a powerful ally or a dangerous adversary, and Richard intended to ensure it was the former.