Chapter - 44

[Would you like a full breakdown of the Feudal System and Military Hierarchy of the Kingdom, master?]

"Yes," Leo said. His voice was flat and cold. "Tell me everything. Tell me who I have to crush to get to the top."

He adjusted against the headboard, the silk sheets sliding over his skin. The movement made Seraphine stir. She mumbled something half asleep, her voice muffled against his chest, and her arms tightened around his waist like she was afraid he would disappear.

She was completely naked under the sheets, skin warm and soft against him. After the two rounds they'd had earlier that morning, she was passed out cold. Her thighs were still trembling occasionally, tiny twitches against his hip.

Leo looked down at her face. Her hair was a wreck, tangled everywhere, some strands stuck to her forehead. She looked nothing like a noblewoman right now.

He brushed her hair back and kissed the top of her head. Soft. Gentle. It surprised even him.

"Rest well, my Lady," he muttered, "You earned it."

He wasn't tired. He was still excited from his first sex, then because of the Two thousand six hundred gold coins that sat in his inventory.

It might be a fortune for him right now. But for Leo who planned to own everything? It was pocket change.

"I know my wealth. I know I am probably a hot chocolate for the small fries."

"But if I am going to play the game, I need to know the players." His eyes became realistic.

"Tell me about the power. Who sits above Lord Caelum? Who do I have to bury to reach the top?"

[Accessing the Political Database of the Kingdom…]

[Constructing Hierarchical Pyramid of the feudal lords...]

And in a second, a glowing holographic pyramid formed before his eyes.

[The Feudal System of the kingdom is rigid and absolute, Master. It is structured as follows:]

The Lord:

The lowest noble rank at the bottom of the pyramid lit up in a dull bronze color.

[This is your current level of interaction. A Lord governs a Fiefdom, typically consisting of one main town like Auravale and 3 or 4 surrounding villages. They are the local authority, responsible for tax collection and basic defense.]

[Military Limit: A Lord is permitted a maximum standing army of 200 soldiers. The highest military rank within their structure is typically a Captain.]

Leo snorted, "So this bastard Caelum is basically a glorified mayor with a sword. Small fry. No wonder he freaked out the moment shit got real."

A flash of last night hit him. Caelum trembling, sweat running down his face while the assassins shredded his guards like meat.

Seraphine pressed closer in her sleep, her thigh sliding over his hip. Leo smirked. Yeah, he was living rent free in a noblewoman's bed. But he wanted the whole damn castle next.

'But being a small fry wasn't going to cut it.' Leo thought.

The Baron

And then the next layer in the pyramid glowed in silver.

[Above the Lord in hierarchy we have a Baron. A Baron controls a Barony, which usually consists of one large, fortified town and holds fealty over up to 3 local Lords. Baron Volkov, who attended the party, holds this rank.]

[Military Limit: A Baron may command up to 1,000 personal soldiers, in addition to being able to levy the troops of the Lords under him during wartime. The highest military rank within their army structure is a Lieutenant.]

Leo clicked his tongue, 'Volkov that fat blob of meat. Figures.'

'And that coward still acted like a loyal brother while staring at Seraphine's tits like a starving dog.'

'And this clown has five times the army? What a joke.'

The Viscount

Then again the layer above lit up in a dark crimson.

[This is the first true regional Power. A Viscount governs a full City and holds fealty over up to 5 Baronies. They represent the bridge between local rule and high nobility. The territory Auravale belongs to is the Vermillion family, ruled by Viscountess Katerina.]

[A Viscount may command about 5,000 soldiers in addition to the armies levied by the vassal baronies. The highest military rank within their army structure is a Knight.]

Leo raised an eyebrow, "A Viscountess is ruling the region? That's interesting."

"I hope she is hot."

The Count

The next tier lit up in golden lights.

[A Count rules a Major City, a trade hub or strategic fortification, and oversees 3 Viscounties. This is where true political power begins. The Vermillion Reach falls under the County of Blackwood.]

[A Count may command about 10,000 soldiers in addition to the armies levied by the vassal Viscounts. The highest military rank within their army structure is a General.]

Leo let out a slow breath, "Ten thousand men. Now that is a real war machine."

The Marquis

[These nobles are the real Military Powerhouses. A Marquis governs a 'March' the largest territory a noble can govern. They usually have 3-4 Big Cities under their control along with governing authority over 3 Count Territories.]

[A Marquis is tasked with maintaining law and order in their region and often face the external threats first. So they are allowed to have heavier military power.]

[A Marquis may command about 20,000 soldiers in addition to the armies levied by the vassal Counts. The highest military rank within their army structure is a Major General.]

Leo whistled low. "So these guys are the big dogs of the king. Twenty thousand men ready to crack skulls. Nice."

The Duke

[These guys are usually the King's eyes and ears. They don't rule land territories directly. Instead, they live in the Capital and control politics, military oversight, and the Marquis territories assigned to them. They are the King's most trusted: brothers, uncles, or former war monsters who earned the title.]

[Instead of territories, they are given large lands as semi-autonomous territories around the Capital. They can live there themselves, produce crops, do business and even raise their own armies on those lands]

[There is no limit to the number of soldiers they can have in their private army, and the highest authority soldier under them is a Marshal.]

Leo snorted, "Unlimited army? Holy shit. That's asking for a rebellion. One pissed off Duke and boom, we have a civil war."

The Prince

[Above the duke, we have the Royal Blood. Like the Dukes, they also don't own lands as well. They are often given lands outside the capital and new territories are carved out for them or old nobles are thrown away once the new king has been appointed.]

[Though they don't own land, they hold influence among many nobles. Often, each Prince is assigned one or more Dukes as mentors.]

[They also command personal armies, and there every expenditure is funded by the Royal Treasury.]

Leo scoffed. "Rich spoiled brats with armies and unlimited money. Great."

The Crown Prince

[The Heir Apparent. Chosen by birthright, but never secure until crowned. He helps run the Royal Court and is involved in major decision making. Same military privileges as the Princes, but far more political power.]

Leo stretched his neck, cracking a joint. "So the throne isn't guaranteed. Lots of knives in the dark, I bet. That's juicy."

Finally the highest level on the pyramid lit up.

The King

[The Supreme Authority. Absolute ruler of the kingdom. He commands the Royal Guard and the Royal army. The Royal Guard is an elite unit of 1,000 soldiers. They are the best of the Best. They are always stationed in the palace to protect the king at all times.]

[And the Royal Army is made up of approximately 30,000 soldiers.]

[the highest military officer reporting to the king is the Grand Marshal.]

[Any soldier even in the remotest corner of the kingdom is under the Grand Marshal. And the Grand Marshal reports only to the King.]

The golden glow faded. Silence filled the space.

Leo exhaled slowly. "Lord, Baron, Viscount, Count, Marquis, Duke, Prince, King. Eight ranks. Eight steps from dirt to the top. That's a little too much trouble for me."

He glanced at Seraphine sleeping peacefully in his arms and wondered, 'I have almost taken down the first one. Should I move up, or crush him nine feet under the ground.]

"What about the army?" Leo wanted to cover all his basics, "You mentioned ranks. Captain, General, Marshal. What's the actual difference? Is it just a fancy title thing, or real power?"

The system responded immediately.

[In Aethelgard, rank equals real combat power, Master. The hierarchy is absolute.]

[And you are at the bottom, master]

"Dirt poor and powerless," Leo smirked, "Isn't that how every game starts?"

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