They Hated Me in My First Life, But Now I Have the Love System
Chapter 276 - 276 Cold Calculus of Politics

Chapter 276: Cold Calculus of Politics Chapter 276: Cold Calculus of Politics His gaze was intense, challenging anyone to contradict him.

“I told all of you we should have sent them aid.

We could have prevented this disaster.” He paused, hoping someone would agree, hoping they could see the logic behind his words.

But the room remained eerily silent.

The weight of his words seemed to hang in the air, but no one was willing to speak up.

“It’s not too late,” he pressed on, determination in his voice.

“We can still send more aid than they initially asked for.

If we do that, they can regain their kingdom and everything will be fine.

It’s not too late to fix this.” But before anyone could respond, the Minister of War interjected, his tone cold and resolute.

“No, Third Prince.

We cannot do that.” The words hit Abuchi hard.

“What do you mean we can’t?” he snapped, frustration rising in his chest.

“This is a matter of life or death for them!

We have the resources, we have the means to help.

If we don’t step in, they could lose everything!” The Minister met his gaze, unshaken.

“It’s only been a few months since His Majesty died,” the Minister replied.

“Our enemies are already sniffing that something is wrong.

Since His Majesty has not made any public appearances, and only the Second Prince has been speaking in the media, they are starting to notice that things are not right.

If we send help to Purlit now, it will make us weak.

And when our enemies come to attack, how will we defend ourselves with the resources already spread thin?” The Minister’s words settled heavily in the room, the tension thickening with each passing second.

Abuchi’s fists clenched at his sides as the weight of his responsibility pressed down on him.

He knew the kingdom couldn’t afford to weaken itself, but how could he stand by and do nothing?

“But we can’t just abandon them,” Abuchi said, his voice quieter now but no less intense.

“If we don’t act now, everything we stand for will fall apart.

What kind of kingdom would we be if we let our allies fall into ruin?” The room fell silent once again, everyone weighing the gravity of Abuchi’s words.

Even Obinna, usually quick to speak his mind, stayed quiet, knowing that this was a decision bigger than just one kingdom’s survival.

Abuchi turned to look at the Queen and his brother, searching their faces for any sign that they would stand with him.

But the Queen remained calm, her expression unreadable, while the Obinna simply nodded, his eyes reflecting the burden of his role.

The Minister of War stepped forward again.

“Our kingdom’s survival is paramount,” he said, casting a quick glance at the interim King and Queen.

“We cannot stretch our forces thin.

We need to prioritize our own security.

If we overextend ourselves, we might not have the strength to defend when the time comes.” Abuchi’s heart pounded in his chest, and he could feel his frustration building to a breaking point.

“So we just stand by and watch as everything falls apart?” he demanded, his voice rising.

Nobody answered him.

Nobody spoke, because they all understood the stakes.

They knew that the political ramifications of acting too soon could lead to disaster.

But in his heart, Abuchi couldn’t accept it.

How could he abandon Ruth and her people?

How could he just let them suffer when he had the power to help?

This wasn’t just about kingdom politics.

This was about doing what was right.

But in the cold calculus of politics, right and wrong were often irrelevant.

“If we had just sent them the little help they needed before all this,” Abuchi said, his voice rising with emotion, “we wouldn’t be needing to send massive help now!” His words echoed in the court, sharp and angry.

“At that time, all they needed were a few soldiers and other resources!

All of them were what we could afford to send!

But no, you wanted to be too careful.” His eyes burned as they swept across the room.

“What are you waiting for now?

For them to be executed before we finally act?

Do you want to carry their blood on your head?” The entire courtroom fell silent.

The weight of his accusation hung in the air like a blade, cold and pointed.

“I will not carry anybody’s blood,” the Minister of War said, his voice tight, with a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes.

But then he straightened, folding his arms behind his back, trying to stay firm.

“We had to make a logical decision.

A professional one.

Everything I do is for the good of this kingdom.

That’s my duty.

You can’t blame me for that.” His words were sharp, too sharp.

He spoke as though Abuchi wasn’t a prince, as though he was just another emotional citizen.

The heat of the moment had made him forget who he was talking to.

“The good of the kingdom is also for your good,” he added, harsher than necessary.

And then “Minister,” Obinna’s voice cut through the room like ice.

Cold.

Low.

Dangerous.

Everyone turned.

Obinna hadn’t raised his voice, but the chill in his tone sent shivers down spines.

The Minister of War froze.

He realized it instantly.

His face paled.

“I—I’m sorry, Your Highness,” he said quickly, lowering his head and dropping to one knee before Abuchi.

“Please forgive my tone.” But Abuchi didn’t even look at him.

He didn’t care for the apology.

Not right now.

His eyes were fixed on Obinna.

“Second Brother,” he said, his voice rough with emotion, “are you really going to sit there and allow my fiancée and her family to die?” Obinna didn’t answer right away.

His face was unreadable.

Abuchi stepped forward, not done.

“She’s an only child.

If I marry her, the Kingdom of Purlit will eventually merge with ours.

That’s more power for us, isn’t it?

More influence.

That’s not just a love story, that’s strategy.” —————————– Happy Reading!