Golden Dragon: Six Thousand Years of Empire-Chapter 247 - 171 Dragon Country, Family Traitor_2

The baseline for human nobles can be shockingly low; he had seen it firsthand.

A merchant who merely surpasses his peers economically can treat his impoverished kin like livestock, and nobles, who possess extraordinary power and are inherently superior to ordinary humans, regard the lower-class populace as expendable.

It’s not simply about using them until they die; nobles completely disregard any objective reality. Whether it’s natural disasters or wars, taxes are still collected. During a bountiful year? Even better, they double down in every sense on being inhuman.

A significant portion of the human nobility sees the lower-class as wild creatures, like Kobolds or Goblins. Even if most of them die, as long as some survive, they multiply rapidly and spread everywhere, requiring no consideration.

Under such a mindset, it’s a miracle if the commoners can live well. The occurrence of vagrants and rebellions is common, and occasionally, there are righteous individuals who punish the noble class, yet such instances are minimal compared to the former.

Noah distributed lands among a hundred dragons. Understanding the nature of the Dragon Clan, Noah never expected them to perform exceedingly well nor considered that they might invest their assets into maintaining and developing their territories.

As long as they matched the Augustus family’s standards in taxation, not excessively exploiting the plebeians, Noah would consider it quite good.

In this regard, Noah had great confidence; no matter how greedy or possessive the Metallic Dragon Race might be, their moral baseline certainly exceeds the average upper limit of human nobles. His kind are not the short-sighted Short-lived Species, fixated on one or two years of gains.

"But they are juvenile dragons. What merits do they have? Should they receive titles and lands just because of their Dragon Clan status? That’s against the rules!"

Tidel offered no comment on the view that the Metallic Dragon Race surpasses human nobility. He knew far more about this than Noah did.

Noah had only had limited interaction with human nobles and was one of them himself. He knew to what rotten depths those worms could descend.

"Against whose rules?"

Hearing Tidel surprisingly use rules to refute him, Noah sneered,

"I gave you the list just for you to read and then sign your approval, not for you to bring it back to me for debate.

Take a good look; none of the listed land belongs to the Augustus family. They’re lands of other nobles; whoever opposes this also opposes you and the Augustus family."

"Noah, it’s not that I wish to oppose you, but there must be rightful reasons. I didn’t object to the three previous lists you provided.

Those dragons have all contributed in battles against devils and on the Abyss Battlefield. But what have these three juvenile dragons done?

This will incite dissatisfaction among the nobles. Don’t you know by now? Those people’s tolerance is nearing its limit. They will concede but cannot endlessly recede without limits."

"Then let’s try it and see what happens when we cross their limit?"

Noah remained unfazed,

"The Kingdom hasn’t been officially established yet; nothing is set in stone. It’s the perfect time to expand our reach. Once the Kingdom is established and everything becomes definite, even paying ten or a hundred times the cost may not bring change, leaving many troubles for your descendants."

"Noah! Considering how far we’ve come, I’m already quite satisfied. We can’t be too greedy!"

Tidel said earnestly.

Unlike the Golden Dragon confined to the Mage City, Tidel, long at the core of political and power maelstroms, was most sensitive to change. Thus, his every move was extremely cautious.

"I’m really impressed by you. If you want a reason, then promote me further; everything before doesn’t count as they were mere entitlements due to the Dragon Clan.

You must promote me anew, allowing me to, as Great Lord, grant entitlements to my subordinate lords. Then, what objections could they raise?"

The Golden Dragon immediately proposed a solution, just as they said, the vassal of my vassal is not your vassal.

Such a power structure, due to the existence of extraordinary power, was widespread across the Continent and considered traditional. Tidel couldn’t grant entitlements as King, so he did so as Holy Dragon.

Though he had been doing this previously, in name, all dragons directly pledged allegiance to Noah instead of Tidel, the New King, yet he still needed to provide land.

"Noah, someone has already come forward to warn me."

"What warning?"

inquired the Golden Dragon.

"He questioned whether I was intending to hand over human lands to the Dragon Clan, to make the Eastern Territory a Dragon Country."

Tidel’s expression didn’t change a bit. Even Noah had difficulty discerning his emotional fluctuations. This fellow, elevated to such heights, had cultivated the fundamental skill of concealing emotions,

"I retorted that while the Kingdom granted lands to numerous Dragon Lords, not one is a true Legendary Metal Dragon. But he questioned what would happen two hundred, four hundred, or even six hundred years later. Whom would this country belong to then, the dragons or the humans?"

"Hahaha, a very foresighted warning and suggestion."

At these words, Noah laughed heartily,

"How did you respond to him?"

"My answer was that I don’t know, because by then, I probably won’t be around." fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓

Infected by Noah’s unrestrained laughter, Tidel also cracked a smile,

"But I believe my descendants will adapt to the times and make the right choices."

"Such an irresponsible answer!"

Noah couldn’t help but shake his head.

"Managing current affairs already exhausts me. Considering what’s to come in a few hundred years? Spare me from that; it’s not my concern. That’s for you and my descendants to worry about."

"Me?"

"Noah, if ever you wish to establish a Dragon Country, feel free to try; as you said, Metal Dragons as lords will surpass human nobles one way or another."

Tidel stated abruptly.

"Tidel, aren’t you overlooking your racial stance?"

Noah wasn’t shocked but half-jokingly said,

"If such words were to spread, your reign could end."

"Do you think I care?"

The middle-aged man across the communication array restored his calm expression, like a pool of unmoving water,

"I really want to rest now. If anyone can replace me, I’m more than happy to yield my position. I only want a good night’s sleep."

"Your sense of responsibility is too strong; you need to learn to delegate. Officials can help share many tasks."

Noah knew Tidel’s way of handling matters, essentially covering everything himself, overseeing every detail personally; no wonder he felt mentally exhausted long-term,

"As for your nonsensical statements, I’ll pretend I didn’t hear them. Presently, on this land, the only ones qualified to take your place, besides Ul, are Little Gwen, so you’ll have to maintain for now."

"What if I appoint you as the King’s Hand? How about that?"

"Please allow me to decline; I too have many things to attend to. If you feel short of trustworthy officials, I can allocate some Fairies under me to assist you. They might be corrupt, but they are reliable in their duties."

"Send more of them."

"By the way, what’s the name of the official who warned you? I wish to meet him."

"I already had him killed; I’m afraid you won’t have the opportunity."

Tidel shook his head.

"Just killed him like that? For what reason?"

"Betraying the family, defying the Family Head!"

"A member of the Augustus family?!"