Chapter 8~Issues Arising~

Chapter 8.

Hours later...

~Situation Room,~

In this room was where high ranking officials and even the monarch, deliberated over important issues and made decisions.

The walls were painted blue and a long black table sat in the midst of the room.

The king, prime minister and the generals sat with their hands on a black table, they were discussing about the issue with the trade unions.

"I sincerely believe your Grace, that the soldiers should be sent to bring order to the city." General Kurion said while he stroked his chin.

"I'll also agree to this decision your Grace because a rebellious move will show that we're not in order, imagine what this could do to your image my King." Prime minister Salkion advised.

Jiar was quiet the entire time as he was weighing the pros and the cons of his decisions.

'Sending the Luxarian Military into the capital city to quell a rebellion isn't going to be the best, I need to find out why there's a rebellion this will give me a chance to get to the root of the matter.' Jiar inwardly spoke as he wore an expressionless look.

"What's your decision your highness?" Prime minister Salkion inquired.

The king snapped out of his thoughts and gave a fake cough.

"Well I'll surely make a decision tonight." He replied in a low tone.

The king dismissed the prime minister and the generals as he'd already planned what he'll do.

....

...

Jiar stood in front of the mirror as he'd changed completely, he dressed exactly like a merchant and the elf girl watched him from behind.

"Okay my King." The elf girl said as she transformed into a silver bracelet on Jiar's hand.

Jiar readied himself and left the Castle's premises using a stairwell, then he approached a door planted his finger on its scanner.

The door gave a green hue as it opened and he walked through, using his speed he ran through the lit tunnel.

They were tunnels which were connected to the castle, which only the royal family knew.

As he ran he could already calculate the time of his arrival at the end of the tunnel, he came to a halt and walked out.

The king went into the streets as he was satisfied that his disguise had actually worked, he could smell the fumes of dust and smoke from the bustling city.

The streets were properly tarred with an asphalt like material called Alxite, Alxite when in liquid form can be used to tar a road it would last much longer and was much more efficient.

Jiar's shoes copulated with the Alxite road to make clicking sounds, he looked at the terraced houses and cuboid shaped buildings.

'Wow it's really beautiful.' Althea said telepathically.

'I thought you were in touch with nature and you shouldn't be surprised by this right?' The king asked telepathically.

'That doesn't mean I don't appreciate architectural beauty.' Althea replied.

'So what will you do when you get to the market?' Althea inquired telepathically.

'I know what I'll do though but to give you a sneak peak, I want to actually understand the reason why the trade union's are planning a rebellion.' The monarch replied.

'Okay I think at this point I'll just watch.' The elf girl replied.

'No problem I can live with that.' Jiar conclusively replied as he was nearing the market.

The sounds of busy Koondarrian laughing, conversing and shouting could be heard as he neared the market.

The King hobbled over to the market stalls as he saw those who sold jewelry, pots, spoons etc.

He looked around and went to a trader and wanted to know the latest prices of goods.

"Hello Sir, I'll like to know the price of this Slkym pear?" He inquired as he picked one from the brown basket.

"Sir it's 40 Lhixons." The trader answered as he glanced of the customer.

"That's very cheap ok I'll come back ." The King replied.

Jiar left and walked to other stalls asking several questions about prices of different goods, he did this to get acquainted with the realities of the people.

He leaves the shops and locates a noble as he wanted to discuss with him.

"Goodmorning dear noble, I'll like to rent a shop in the Luxar central market." The merchant looking royal requested.

"Oh that's easy all you need is to pay the rent and then I'll give you the permit of business operation." The noble said as he wore a surprised look.

"How much is the rent?" He asked.

"1150 Lhixons is your rent fee then the daily fee is 75 Lhixons, there will also be additional cuts as to better enhance the market." The noble cunningly said.

It didn't sit right with the royal as he knew that the original rent price is only 500 Lhixons, he also noticed that the market was not being maintained as it should be.

Also according to the laws additional cuts shouldn't be added as not to increase hardship on the traders.

This only proved one thing nobles in charge of managing the markets were corrupt and something needed to be done swiftly.

"I'll think about this let me go and arrange the funds." Jiar replied as he turned his back and left.

Jiar walked out of the markets feeling an air of authority surrounding him.

...

The lights automatically switched on all over the castle as the King, already sat in his throne room he was expecting someone.

The guards walked in as a noble was in their midst it was none other than the same noble, he'd earlier saw at the market.

"Yes your grace I'm pleased to make your acquaintance." The noble said.

"May I know your name." The royal requested.

"My name is Noble Bulxion." He introduced.

"Hmmmm you're part of the nobles in charge of the central Luxar market along with other markets right?" Jiar asked as he sat comfortably on his throne.

"I am not only that my Lord but I'm also the leader." Bulxion answered.

"Alright there's something I'll like you to see." Jiar tapped his watch beaming a holographic screen.

A video played as it showed the interaction between him and the trader.

Prime minister Salkion stepped out from from an entrance as he'd been watching everything that was going on.

"Is it true that you increased the rent and also collect fares unlawfully?" The angry minister questioned.

Noble Bulxion's face was filled with fear as he perspired profusely.

"It is true."

"You are a disgrace to all nobles and a disgrace to yourself, you shall be stripped of your position as a noble." The King said authoritatively.

It dawned on Bulxion that the king was the one who was that trader, as to expose his corrupt practices.

Bulxion knelt as he begged for the Monarch's forgiveness, knowing that he'll be disgraced and punished.

"Arrest him!" The royal commanded.

Some palace guards swooped in arresting him and taking him to away gradually.

"This'll serve as a deterrent to other corrupt nobles as this video and your trial will showed on the public media." The king conclusively said as the guards dragged him away.

"That was some good undercover work your grace." The minister acknowledged with a smile.

...

Several television's broadcast were interrupted as King Jiar made a public statement.

"Good Day, Dear citizens of Luxar I have recently directed the media team to publish a video of a corrupt noble who's been involved in corrupt practices." The Monarch started as looked at the camera.

"The noble's name is Noble Bulxion who was heading the nobles in charge of markets across the kingdom, he and other nobles have been profiting from our dear traders, therefore he shall be tried and sent to prison." He added as he adjusted his royal clothing.

"Corruption shall no longer be tolerated at any level in Luxar, i and those in power will make sure to clamp down on this menace as the comeuppance of such evildoers have come." The king conclusively said as the broadcast ended.

Citizens of Luxar were surprised and excited at this development as truly the king was living, up to his name.

....

The Monarch and Salkion sat down at the king had his breakfast.

"Minister Salkion I trust you and I want you to appoint a new set of bureaucrats that'll oversee the affairs in our markets." The Monarch started after cleaning his lips.

"I want them to be trustworthy and transparent so that we can extinguish the flames of corruption, the nobles will no longer oversee such affairs." He added as he drank water.

The cheerful looking minister nodded affirmatively as he excused himself and left.

....

Later in the day, a public announcement was released stating that the new bureaucrats will run the markets, all shops will be free and daily fees will be reduced by 70% thereby making it cheaper for the traders.

This excited the traders and the citizens of Luxar as they praised the king and celebrated these reforms.

They all chanted.

"Long Live the King!"