Chapter 192: Issac Accepts

"Rolf." One of the warriors pulled the young man over sitting him down and placing a drink in front of him. Gunnar watched with a smile as he saw the man’s face ever so slightly light up.

"Gunnar said you all came to a decision." Rolf took a drink of his beer. The men all nodded, with some sharpening their weapons with excited smiles.

"We will attack the surrounding villages within the day. With the war going on, it is the perfect chance." The old warrior said with a happy smile everyone around the table banging it in excitement.

"So it finally begins." Rolf’s lips curled cruelly as he imagined the future already when he stood over Helga’s corpse.

"Gunnar has found us a helper within Helsita. He’s going to head over there whilst we attack. Hopefully in the chaos he can meet him easily."

"Jarl Sven’s folk." Rolf frowned and looked over to Gunnar who nodded. "I assumed it was safe when you visited me again, but are you sure it will work."

"Don’t worry Rolf." The old warrior answered for Gunnar, wrapping his arm around the young man. "If it’s a trick we only lose that old man." Gunnar chuckled at his words as he came over and took a seat.

"You shouldn’t be so paranoid. It will be fine."

Rolf was still hesitant but drinking his beer he let himself think more rationally. "If you think it’s fine then go. But be careful."

Putting Rolf in a headlock he drove his fist into his head and ruffing his hair. "You’re too young to be worrying about old folk like me." Gunnar laughed seeing Rolf smile as he let him go.

"EVERYONE!" The old warrior called out lifting his mug. "A DRINK BEFORE WAR!" Those who were preparing their weapons put them down going around and picking up their mugs. There were only 31 of them but they all wore confident smiles.

Lifting their mugs with old warrior nodded. "SKAL!" The rest repeated his words chugging their drinks. Many knew it may have been their last real drink but none cared happy to finally begin their revenge.

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Alfred walked forward gently running his fingers along the wooden frame of the prototype press that had been made. His hand shook slightly as he was overcome with emotion, unable to believe he had brought it to the world.

"It’s a beauty," William said with a happy voice as he watched Alfred.

"This will revolutionize the world, William." Taking his hand off he walked over to the two ink balls and pot of ink. Carefully pouring some out onto the metal tray carefully picked up the first ink ball and began to gently spread it across. William watched with fascination at the simple process as Alfred carefully made sure to cover it, not putting too much on.

Once finished he rubbed the second ink ball over the first, evenly spreading the ink across the two. His eyes had an intense concentration, not wishing to mess up the first-ever use of the press in the world.

Checking the two balls and seeing the ink was evenly spread Alfred walked over to the press and carefully dapped it down on the steel wording, not smearing the ink. His moves were even and precise as he made sure to do it as he remembered. It was a quick process and once finished he put the two ink balls down and lifted the hatch.

Taking a large piece of paper he stabbed it through the two nails sticking out and closed the paper in. Swinging the hatch down, he pushed the paper underneath the press and grabbed the handle. Willaim eyes didn’t break away as Alfred gave a strong pull lowering the paper down on the ink. The loud creaking it made seemed like the device threatened to break, but Alfred didn’t pay it any attention pushing the handle back and lifting the press.

Sliding the paper back out, he opened the hatch and looked down at the paper that was now covered in writing. breaking into a wide smile he began to laugh at his success as WIlliam went over and picked the paper up. Looking at it he could cleary read what was printed on it and looked between Alfred, the paper, and the press.

"This..." He couldn’t get the words out as he covered his mouth. "This is revolutionary." He gulped his hands lightly shaking much like Alfred’s earlier. In his mind, hundreds of ways to use the device flashed through his mind but he brushed them off. "We can’t let this be known yet."

"Alfred finally calmed down as he looked at William and gave a deep nod. "Have your crafters not leave the palace for a while. We need more of these for what we need to do."

"Of course." once more he rubbed his chin. "This war you and Issac thought off. I think you have the ultimate weapon for it." William could already see the mass release of propaganda that could be released by the press. The church had its temples to give sermons as well as the funds to host large events, but with the press, they could have every city in the Empire reading their narrative. It made him shudder wondering how Alfred thought of something like that.

"Has Issac considered my proposal?" Alfred moved on from the topic and asked getting a smile from William.

"He’s here right now. He wished to talk about it with you personally." Alfred smiled as he took a last look at the press before leaving the room. Two Unyeilding guards stood in front of it not even saluting Alfred as he walked out, knowing their orders, knowing the importance of whatever was in the room to Alfred.

The two walked through the palace halls with a bounce in their step as William held the door open for Alfred letting him in. Issac seeing him quickly stood up giving a bow as Alfred waved him down letting him sit again. William happy with this, closed the door leaving the two alone to talk.

"So you wanted to talk to me," Alfred said happily getting a single nod in reply.

"Are you truthful with what you offered me, Your Majesty?" Issac still couldn’t believe the proposal and hearing his question Alfred chuckled.

"Of course Issac. You may not believe me, but I would never lie about this. After all I said you needed a proper place in the Empire after joining the inner circle."

Issac lowered his head as he played with his fingers. His eyes darted up and down as he thought deeply about it. To accept was to give up everything he had trained and prepared for his entire life. Sure it was an immense honor, making him the third most powerful man in the Empire if he did, but at his core, he felt he was a soldier. Someone who would go on to be the shield of the Empire.

Alfred could see the hesitation in Issac and understood why. The Flanders name was more than a dukedom at this point. They were the undisputed ally of the Lindonfalls and the ones who had protected their borders for centuries. To become the first heir to not accept that responsibility was a big ask.

"Issac." Depsite this Alfred wasn’t giving up. "I know why you hesitate, but your thinking is wrong. Sure you may not be out on the field bleeding for the Empire. but you will become its gurdian another way. I need you to help me. Your the only man I haver met so far who shows the potential to be this."

"Your Majesty," Issac sighed. "Why? I’m sure there must have been others like my father or Raven for that matter."

His words caused a bitter smile to spread don Alfred lips as he leaned in his chair and looked to the roof. "Raven was a smart man. But he knew his path. Even if I wanted him to change he would have never done so. William may be a good prime minister but his place is the battlefield. He wouldn’t accept another life. Catherine belongs to the seas, Abu with the people and the list goes on."

"You however. You I feel are wasted in your current path. You are a fine soldier but you wont ever become general. I don’t say this as an insult but because there are those who are simply better. As much as I don’t like him, Marcus is a man who was crafted for the position, even at his age."

Issac clicked his tongue but nodded. "What would you have me do?" A sharp light flashed through his eyes as he said those words and Alfred smiled leaning back forward.

"The internal affairs of the Empire will soon become rocky. Isra’s plan for the people’s governments threatens to upend our entire nation if handled wrong. You need to be the one to manage it when it’s finished. Keep the people happy but don’t let them have true power. The military will help you. You are their general’s son and someone who fought with them. The nobles will be happy that one of their own was placed in such high power, not knowing the truth of your oath."

"Alongside that, I would simply need you to help with the internal runnings of the Empire. Soon we will need a man in charge of foreign affairs but that can wait."

Issac took his pipe out and filled it with leaves before having a few puffs. He sat in silence as he continuously smoked his pipe in deep thought. He thought about his future if he remained a soldier, not seeing a future where he would rise to its peak. He saw the future where he remained in charge of the Flanders Dukedom not even leaving its constraints. The future where he refused the offer and never got any further in life.

It reminded him of a conversation with Anton. The two had spoke at a banquet and he wondered how Anton ever got placed in charge of the Golden Bank. Even now he could remember the mans thin smile as his eyes went nostalgic.

’His Majesty gave me a choice. Accept or don’t. If I refused the opportunity would never come again. At that time I simply envisioned what would my life become if I didn’t accept. It became easy after that.’

Issac wanted laugh remembering the conversation. Never had he seen such a blatant greed in someone as he did with Anton. "Okay." Issac resolved himself. "I’ll accept. I think if I don’t, I’ll regret it."

Alfred clapped his hands in happiness as he looked at Issac. "You won’t be disappointed, Issac. Now on to the second topic. How do you feel about getting married? I already discussed it with William."

The pipe fell out of Issac’s hands as he looked blankly into Alfred’s eyes. "What?"