The Vastness of Magical Destiny
Chapter 355: Volume 6: Cautious Planning - 10: Conspiracy_2

Chapter 355: Volume 6: Cautious Planning Chapter 10: Conspiracy_2

"Rohl, don’t lose your composure," said Duke Zellin as he took a sip of the fruit-juice wine handed to him by his attendant. "They are not having an easy time either. The ’Utrecht Decree’ still cannot be fully implemented. If it weren’t for the support of financiers and usury merchants, the kingdom’s finances would have likely collapsed by now. With the Northern Beastmen rampaging, the kingdom has many expenses; its army is stretched thin, and military expansion requires funds. His Majesty the King probably spends his nights just as restless. However, those two from the North seem to be wavering in their stance, likely intimidated by the beastmen’s atrocities. The Caucasus has now become the kingdom’s focal point of attention. You had better be cautious," he continued, savoring the fragrant blend of juice and fermenting alcohol, a sensation that Duke Zellin always enjoyed and savored.

He paused, took another large sip, and as if savoring something in his mind, he said, "This may be our opportunity, and we must be prepared. The past few years have been prosperous, and we have been saving for so long, it’s time we made a move. I plan to increase the number of soldiers in the Galle Infantry and adjust the Nirvana Knights accordingly. I doubt the kingdom can withstand this year’s southward invasion of the beastmen. Sigh, beastmen armed with battering rams and siege instruments... I shudder at the thought of those fierce and terrifying creatures operating those battering rams. Sometimes I think, should we not support the kingdom? At least with the kingdom acting as a shield, we can avoid facing the beastmen’s blades directly. But indeed, this is a rare opportunity we must seize. Perhaps if the kingdom survives this ordeal, our good days will be over."

Philip’s heart chilled, and after a moment of contemplation, he finally responded, "Gofi, in your opinion, we can’t maintain this situation for long, can we?"

"Heh heh, Rohl, what time do you think it is now? Are you still hoping for peaceful coexistence? I’ll tell you, these past few years it’s been the Church of Light infiltrating the North too aggressively, making the kingdom wary. They diverted some of their attention to them, and it took a lot of effort to curb the momentum of the Church of Light. Now that the beastmen are stirring up trouble, it’s actually helped us. Otherwise, His Majesty the King would have acted against us long ago. Hmph, His Majesty harbors a deep hatred towards our opposition to the ’Utrecht Decree.’ That decree is the foundation of the kingdom’s survival and the death knell for our downfall. Its persistence determines life and death, and it’s only because of our stubborn resistance that the decree hasn’t been fully implemented. Otherwise, those nobles beneath us would have run to Jazair to flatter His Majesty. If that day comes, we would have no choice but to bow. However, His Majesty’s patience is growing thin, and sooner or later that day will come. Haven’t you seen that the Iron Cross Corps has already been formed? I tell you, there are reliable sources saying that the Blue Dove Corps is also being established. His Majesty the King has made such a big decision, and it’s probably not solely about the beastmen, right?"

Zellin glanced at his old friend walking beside him, who still hadn’t abandoned those unrealistic illusions, thinking that marriage ties could ensure his position. He doesn’t consider that, with His Majesty’s temperament, he would not ignore the interests of the kingdom because of blood relations; that would be too naive. Having come this far, there are no more chances to turn back. If he continues to waver, downfall awaits.

"No, old friend, you’ve misunderstood; I’m not seeking to coexist peacefully with the kingdom. But as you’ve noted, the beastmen’s onslaught in the North grows like a tide. If we keep dragging our feet behind them, I fear the kingdom will collapse instantly, and we will immediately face the beastmen’s blades. If we can strike a balance and let the beastmen keep draining the kingdom’s resources, while we secretly build up our strength and avoid open conflict with the kingdom for now, wouldn’t that be better?" Philip’s gaze flickered, seemingly unsure of himself.

"Wrong, utterly wrong! Philip, you’re vastly underestimating the kingdom’s power. The old timers in the Central Kingdom are definitely not as simple and incompetent as you imagine. Although the beastmen were able to take advantage last year, that was because the kingdom didn’t anticipate that the beastmen would obtain battering rams, high-level instruments like that through other channels, and were caught off guard. There’s certainly more to it, but I think the kingdom will soon come up with countermeasures. According to the current situation, the beastmen seem to lack the technology to produce these instruments, and they are not even proficient in using them. Moreover, reliable sources indicate that the number of these weapons the beastmen have obtained is very limited. Perhaps a surprise attack at a critical moment could have a significant effect, but once the opposition is prepared and informed, it would be hard to replicate the previous year’s situation of annihilating three kingdoms and a city-state, unless they could get a massive quantity of reinforcements. So, unless the secret supporters of the beastmen provide them with a large scale of these instruments, it’ll be tough for the beastmen to pose a substantial threat to the kingdom. At most, it’ll be a few allies on the West suffering some damage. I’m thinking, perhaps we’re perceived as the biggest threat in the eyes of His Majesty the King. Could it be that His Majesty the King might take the threat of the beastmen as an excuse to expand his army, actually aiming at us?"

The tone turned serious, and even the form of address suddenly became formal, showing the degree of Zellin’s concern for the matter.

"Do we really have no other choice but to stab the kingdom in the back?" With a complex expression, Philip had long known that both he and Zellin were already riding on the tiger’s back, with no other option but to continue resolutely. Either they would succeed and add two dukedoms to the Blue Continent, at the cost of the Kingdom of Nicosia losing its wealthiest third, or the Homer region and Galle Region would remain, only covered with countless small territories, with no family ever able to contend with the Central Kingdom again. However, with deep-rooted ancestral ties to the royal bloodline, he was always somewhat reluctant to accept this reality. As mentioned, family interests were paramount; either through matrimonial alliances or bloodlines, all of those must be predicated on the existence of the family. It wasn’t his or Zellin’s fault, they could only lament how small the world was.

"This year, when the beastmen launch their attack, that will be our best opportunity. Starting now, we must deny the kingdom any aid from Gold Shield. Jazair’s financiers, those Western allies, those officials in the Central Kingdom who have had their fill of our Gold Shields, we need to make our position clear with all those we can control or influence. It’s time to show our hand unless the kingdom accepts our terms. But I think that on this point, the stubborn His Majesty the King would rather die than agree at first. Therefore, we must try every means possible to weaken the kingdom, to prepare as much as we can for our new order. Once everything is considered, I believe His Majesty the King will make a calm and clear-headed judgment," Zellin didn’t answer the other’s question. He had long understood what was on his mind—those words were nothing more than a fig leaf to cover the shame in his heart. When the time truly came, Zellin believed that the other would act more decisively and ruthlessly than anyone else.