According to the book, the last 15 recent kings aren’t included so there’s at least 46 Kings total
Some stuff I was really looking for more info on
Also the dynastic crisis in 601 is interesting, the 1st Shinobi master is noted as assisting Cosomel
Summary
Night had fallen. A man of some years rested his tired legs on a small rock by the forest road. He had left with an adequate vehicle and plenty of luggage, yet he now carried nothing but the weight of his own body.
A young boy no older than twenty stood guard behind him, a single sword in his hands. Six servants, men and women, had found a comfortable place to sit and rest nearby.
Surrounding them was an armed group of nine men and women, seemingly soldiers or warriors. They too enjoyed a break, each sitting or standing at their positions.
It was a cold early Spring in the year 601 of the Kingdom; times were as restless as the news coming from the kingdom’s capital. Besides the man, another man gazed steadily at him. He was several decades older and supposed his weight on a cane. The elder was armed with a single visible sword.
He faced the resting man and spoke quietly.
“A year ago we commemorated the 600 years of our Kingdom; now we can barely be certain of what future awaits us. Your Highness.”
“Yes, I took belived we would be far from trouble if only his Highness was treated with the priests divine cure. I too never thought we ould end up roaming hte woods, unable to so much as attend His funeral. But Sir Sederberg, remember I haven’t yet become the offical heir to the throne.”
“Rael III has passed and the late king left no sons or daughters. Who else would but Your Highness would ascend in such conditions? Neither Duke Techel nor Duke Varchel are fit for the throne.”
“Under the law, they and I are the same in the line of succession. Our ties may be distant, but we all descend from the royal lineage of Great King Zachariel. I do not wish to escalate this into a civil war. One civil war in the reign of King Kadumel was more than enough for the history of our nation.”
The young man holding the sword behind the two joined the conversation.
“I’m afraid there will be no other way to decide the heir but by force. Not even for King Malkiel and King Chaspael before us have the goddesses taken a side in our political disputes. What’s more, the three of you are under equal footing before hte law. Chancellor Roibuos is merely looking over His Highness’ funeral and kingdom affairs, he does not have a say in the sucession.”
Sederberg reacted to his words. “Anyone attempting to interfere with such matters would be infringing our national laws. They would be guilty of treason, Sir Alfred.”
The young Aflred Hutton spoke again.
“Precisely. This cannot be resolved by the law or judged by all the officers in the kingdom, neither can we leave it to the will of the goddesses. What else then, other than force, is the answer?.. Who is there!”
Alfred Hutton suddenly fell silent and withdrew his sword. Cosomel, the man at the center of the conversation, remained undisturbed and merely said, “Mora.”
At once, a woman appeared by Cosomel’s side.
Alfred Hutton sheathed his sword, protesting.
“We know you’re a Shinobi, but there’s no need to startle us like that, Mora Saizo.”
Shionbi Mora told Hutton without looking.
“You are far too proud and reliant on your swordsmanship. It might not be enough to keep His Highness safe. It would be wise for you to mind your surroundings. I was here before you could even sense me.”
Cosomel started to speak before their conversation began to lengthen.
“Stop. Give me the report.”
Mora Saizo began to speak.
“There is good news and bad news.”
“Continue.”
“The good news is that you have the Winterspoons support. As a sign of their support, Riena the house’s head wizard will arive to aide you.”
“That is indeed good news. Surely, the endorsement from the Winterspoons will be of great help when all the other families are too scared to get involved. Now, let me hear the bad one.”
“Duke Varchel will endorse Duke Techel. Furthermore, Marquis Tenstun will also be endorsing Duke Techel.”
Sederberg said,
“Duke Varchel showed no real interest in the throne so we can assume he would not take actions himself. But still, his involvement… could the Tiberinas influence be in play here?”
Alfred Hutton continued where Sederberg left off.
“At the moment, no royal offical, clergymen or Magic Association are taking any actions. That being said, if such endorsement is put forward, Chancellor Roibuos will step forward to give his endorsement openly in order to prevent any further chaos.”
Mora followed after Hutton.
“Gaining the support of another influential family would certainly balance out the situation.
Securing the endorsement of two families, however, could tilt the scale of public recognition in our favor.”
Cosomel pondered briefly before speaking.
“We are on the way to meet with the Black family to solicit their support. Should we succeed to persuade them by tonight, we can solve at least half our impediment. That would leave one other family to approach, but who?”
It was Hutton who replied,
“What does Your Highness say of appealing to Marquis Tenstun?
He might have sided with Duke Techel, but I don’t believe he is particularly fond of him.”
Sederberg opposed vehemently.
“We shouldn’t go to Tenstun. Have you forgotten about the quarantine uproad that happened in his lands? Had that diaster not aggravated His Highness’ condition, His Highness could very well still be among us. As I see it, the mere fact that Techel is supported by someone as despicable as Tenstun makes him unfit for the throne. I say, should His Highness Cosomel become king, the titles and lands of the Tenstuns ought to be impounded. I see no need to forge ties with such a vile human.”
Hutton nodded and said,
“I still believe the Tenstuns’ wealth will become a great threat to us. As much as it may have been accumulated through corrupted means, that is.”
Then Sederberg spoke. “If wealth is your concern, is there no family to surpass the Tunstons? The family owning the vastest lands in the kingdom.”
“Do you speak of the Green family? I was under the impression they concerned themselves solely with their farms and orchards. They consider any additional profit gained from their crops a blessing of the goddesses, every year donating it to the religious orders or the poor. Is that not their custom? I don’t believe they would take interest in our affairs.”
Cosomel replied, laughing.
“And yet, with their support, we may just end this ordeal without shedding a drop of blood.”
Sederberg agreed.
"The Winterspoons boast a long tradition of alchemy and science, the Blacks have gathered a roster of military connections since the days of Lydia Schaffen, and the Greens, along with their wealth, have the trust of the people. Should all three famlilies endorse our cuase, I’m certain this dispute will cease before a war arises.
Cosomel spoke.
“Then it shall happen. Should a war occur, the few noblemen supporting Techel and myself will summon their troops. But regardless of who wins, the royal army is bound to intervene if the battles persist. If so, either the royal army decides the successor, or one ascends by action of their supporting troops. Both cases are undesirable. Vicotry must be assured before this dispute turns into a war. Be it I or Techel, whoever loses must be exiled to the Woodlands for the rest of his days. Not doing so will endanger the future of hte kingdom, regardless of who succeeds.”
Hutton reacted as such:
“I’m certain of our victory, but I believe the defeated should be exiled to Kalejimas, not the Woodlands.”
Cosomel laughed heartily and replied,
“I’m well aware of your dislike for Techel, but that seems rather harsh, no? Either way, who shall we send to meet with the Greens?”
Sederberg spoke.
“As the eldest, I believe I myself should go.”
Cosomel shook his head.
“No. The Blacks are virtuous people. They will not be convinced lest the future Chancellor of the Kingdom is present.”
Hutton came forward instead.
“I shall go, then.”
Cosomel had begun to ponder on Hutton’s proposal when Mora spoke.
“Hutton is too young. What’s more, he will be needed to escort Your Highness. The Blacks are a family of military tradition. I believe Hutton’s swordsmanship could earn us their recognition. I shall go to the Greens.”
Hutton spoke again.
“I don’t intend to dismiss Mora’s judgement, but I do believe a Shinobi would be somewhat of a stranger to the court. Would someone with a certain degree of nobility such as myself not be better suited for the task?”
Mora, once again objected.
“Hutton may be bright, but brightness alone does not suffice to persuade the Greens, considering their position. Shinobis are masters of information and strategy. Trust me with this task and I shall earn the support of the Greens.”
Cosomel hestitated.
“One must be cautious not to let any strategies end up smearing our names.”
Mora Saizo replied.
“Trust me. I can assure you i will not let anything hinder Your Highness’ dignity. I only require a letter to prove my s tatus to the Green family.”
“I am counting on you. If i shall obtain the throne, Shinobis shall comeout of the shadows and get the recognition and the master they deserve. Of course, the First Master shall be Mora Saizo. Moreover, those who pick up your mantle shall work for the royal court.”
“It’s an honor, Your Highness. I have a long journey ahead of myself, I shall haste and start. Sir Alfred Hutton, His Highness’ safety depends on your sword. Be wise.”
Without waiting for the others to reply, Mora Saizo vanished.
Hutton was left muttering to himself after the already-absent Mora.
“If that is such a concern, why not take the skills of someone who defended His Highness from assassination several times and go to Duke Techel instead…”
Sederberg did not hestitate to retort.
“Must we really follow Techel? Nobody wants the King to ascend by assassination less than I do.”
“Yes, sir.”
Cosomel spoke over Hutton’s soft reply.
“I may not have Mora by my side, but I am accompanied by the best swordsman in the Kingdom. I have no reason to fear danger. We’ve rested enough. Shall we continue our journey?”
Hutton could not help but to strangly agree.
“Yes! Your Highness.”
