Reborn as a Mind-Reading Empress
Chapter 753: Location

Chapter 753: Chapter 753: Location

’She and her brother had indeed worked hard over the years. They had gathered so many people to join their cause,’ Arabella thought as Alwin continued to unscroll it.

"You have this many households on your side, and yet you still cannot defeat the pro-slavery faction?" Arabella sought confirmation.

"Unfortunately, yes, Your Majesty. The households in the pro-slavery faction are the most powerful and influential ones in Crux," Princess Seraphina admitted with a tinge of sadness and shame in her eyes.

’I see. Since they cannot do it on their own, they have decided to depend on this war to teach their people a lesson and end slavery in Crux,’ Arabella sighed deeply.

This was heavier than she initially thought.

What would Valeria gain in acquiring Crux?

Taxes?

Yes, that would be the only benefit she could see from Crux right now.

After all, they did not need any resources from Crux.

But what would they lose if they do not agree to Princess Seraphina’s proposal?

They might lose the lives of a lot of Prudencians if they do not get the location and lists that Princess Seraphina possessed.

They would also lose Princess Seraphina, her brother, and their faction who seem to be determined and driven people.

Arabella understood now that maintaining good connections and allies were important even for a territory like Valeria.

Even the long-lived races once almost got wiped out because as Ferdinand termed it, they got too confident in their overwhelming power. They had underestimated humans’ quick wit and unity when driven by a common goal that benefited them.

Every potential ally Arabella could gather now could prove invaluable in the future, and Princess Seraphina seemed like a promising ally indeed.

Similarly, while Crux might not hold immediate value to Valeria, it could potentially become useful someday. Though currently perceived as a liability, Crux might offer unexpected benefits in the future.

Moreover, abolishing slavery in Crux right now would lessen the danger that threatens the security and peace of mind of their territories near it.

The Prudencians would also feel better knowing that Valeria had avenged them by conquering Crux. It could also serve as a warning to those who might still be keeping Prudencians as slaves in other territories.

Arabella realized that agreeing to Princess Seraphina’s proposal could yield more advantages than initially thought.

However, a crucial question remained.

"What would you do if we were to refuse?" Arabella inquired, and Princess Seraphina and her companions visibly tensed.

[She wouldn’t refuse, would she?! This decision affects the lives of their people.] Seraphina nervously gulped.

"W-we initially thought of trying to get the throne and capture Queen Trisha and her children and use them as leverage over the most powerful households in the pro-slavery faction," Princess Seraphina admitted. "However, after weighing the consequences, we concluded that they would be able to take back the throne in a matter of days even if we succeed. We would lose the lives of our companions for just a few days on the throne. Sacrificing our comrades for a fleeting hold on power wasn’t worth it. Thus, we have decided against it and concluded that my brother and I would continue with our plan to leave Crux."

In short, they would give up on Crux and accept that it was a hopeless case to try to change it now.

Seraphina and her twin brother planned to marry outside their kingdom and spend their lives there, observing from a distance to see if Crux would eventually change.

"We will take as many of our allies with us in pretense of getting them as our slaves. But in truth, we will find employment for them there. I have spoken with my fiance and he has agreed to help me in this matter. However, what my brother and I could take with us would be just about a fraction of our commoner allies. The rest would have no choice but to remain in Crux until some of our ally nobles marry outside Crux as well and could take some with them as well," Princess Seraphina explained, sadness evident in her eyes.

’They had already considered the possibilities,’ Arabella sighed deeply.

Princess Seraphina’s words indicated that their allied nobles would gradually arrange marriages outside Crux over the years to relocate their commoner allies as well.

It wasn’t a perfect solution, but it offered a better alternative than enduring the current suffering and conflicting beliefs in Crux.

However, it also meant that the principled households in Crux opposed to slavery would gradually depart. In time, Crux could deteriorate further and become a worse place to live, with the pro-slavery faction growing stronger in their absence.

It also meant those who remain in Crux would suffer so much worse than they did presently.

This was another reason why Princess Seraphina and her faction had implored Arabella for this favor, hoping she would heed their plea and appeal to Ferdinand.

Arabella glanced at Alwin and Rendell, silently signaling the need for further discussion and evaluation.

Alwin nodded in agreement, his expression serious yet contemplative.

{Yes. We must assess the credibility and strategic value of this information before proceeding.}

"Firstly, we need to verify that you indeed know the locations of hidden Prudencians in Crux. Could you provide us with at least one or two locations? We can verify their presence immediately," Arabella requested firmly. It was crucial to confirm this before proceeding further.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Certainly," Princess Seraphina affirmed, signaling to her companions.

Emily brought out a map and laid it on the table. It was a map of the capital of Crux.

[What part of Valeria is this? Can the mage earlier teleport directly into Crux?] Harold was concerned it meant they could easily infiltrate.

"Here, and here, Your Majesty," Princess Seraphina pointed at two locations in the map. "There are Prudencians hidden here and they are heavily guarded. However, if you send someone there, please do not do anything yet since the other nobles might change the location of their hiding area if they realize some had been exposed."

"Yes, of course. Rest assured I will only send someone to check," Arabella glanced at Alwin and he nodded.