The Kingmaker System-Chapter 85 - 84. Impending War (1)

I walked out of the lake area and Miri went her way saying she had some other work and I made my way back to the room which I was given. On my way, I couldn’t help but notice the people of the Revolutionary Army who once they saw me paused and stared.

"Who’s that?"

"New member?"

"So beautiful."

"Foreigner?"

"Did he come with those outsiders?"

"Is he an elf?"

I could hear them whisper amongst themselves as I passed by before I reached in front of my room.

There were familiar faces waiting outside which ended up giving me the same expression as others.

"Hael, captain of the third unit of Revolutionary Army." I spoke up making him straighten up along with Ciro.

"I-Is this your true form?" He asked and I smiled.

"Are you here to deliver my things?" I asked pointing at the familiar objects in Ciro’s hands.

They had no idea that they were currently carrying stuff that could cost fortune.

"Yes, since you are staying here we..." Hael cleared his throat.

"Here." Ciro handed me my stuff and I walked inside my room.

"You can come inside if you want." I offered and the two obliged.

I placed the cloth bag and the small trunk on the table and quickly checked if all my devices were still in there or not.

"H-How did you disguise yourself? It didn’t look like any disguise though."

"I’m an assassin, I ought to disguise in a way that none would be able to know." I answered in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Pa-Pardon, you’re what?!"

I turned to look at him with a small smile, "Didn’t you hear?"

The two suddenly grew cautious and I yawned widely.

"I’ve had a talk with your Commander so, I wonder why you two are still here and not attending some urgent meeting."

"Urgent meeting?" Hael frowned and I walked over and sat down on the bed.

"The storm is coming towards Mordino at full speed." I said.

"What do you mean?"

"Your Commander will explain it."

"Are you planning on assassinating the Beast?" Ciro asked and I tilted my head to look at him.

"No, assassinating him is a waste. I need to make a spectacle of his death, something which will remain in the memories of each person of Mordino for the coming generations."

Hael and Ciro stared at me for a moment before I heard footsteps rushing towards my room and a man appeared at the doorway huffing.

"Ca-Captain, Comman-Commander has summoned you for an emergency meeting!" He informed and Hael after hearing that whipped his head back and looked at me.

"You-"

"Please, hurry Captain, the meeting is scheduled for now!"

Hael gave me one final look before he rushed out of the room with Ciro in tow.

I lied down in the bed that was prepared for me and stared at the sandstone ceiling before closing my eyes.

This underground labyrinth seemed like it was constructed a long time ago. There were traces of ancient carvings on the walls and even the lake water wasn’t made by the accumulated rainwater but it was a clear water source, just like the one I had seen in the Dragon’s lair.

But the difference between the two was that Dragon’s lake was charged with its mana and this lake was connected to a deeper groundwater source which gave me a strange feeling of being connected to something which I couldn’t yet decipher.

I would need to investigate when I have time.

I drifted off to sleep before I knew it but thanks to the new environment my insomnia kicked in and I woke up only two hours after I’d fallen asleep.

I sat up and noticed the two presences standing outside my room.

"Master has saved numerous lives until now so, you won’t be bothering him if you were to join us." It was Lyall’s voice.

"Are there more like me?" Remi’s this time.

"Yes, a town full of people who are waiting for Master’s return."

"Will they accept me?"

"Everyone under the Master’s wing is a family, so you don’t have to worry about it."

"You said that, you are an assassin so... do I have to become one as well?"

"That’s for you to decide, Master won’t force you to become one but if you decide to follow then, you will have to take a basic training to protect yourself."

There was a moment of silence as I stood leaning against the wall near the doorway, eavesdropping on them.

[Defender of Divine Glory says that eavesdropping is awful.]

"Be quiet, you guys are eavesdropping on me all the time."

"Will I die?" Remi asked in a low voice.

"When Master first asked me to join his cause, I was ready to die because even after my death I knew he will give my family everything that I possibly could never manage to afford." Lyall said.

"But when I told him that I would die for him he told me this, ’there will be risks but I can assure you one thing... I won’t let you die as long as you are fighting for me.’"

Ah, he remembers.

Seemed like only a few days ago that I had recruited him yet, it felt like I had him by my side for ages. Still, his imitation of my voice was awful.

"Master wouldn’t force you but once you join you won’t regret being at my Master’s side."

I felt slightly embarrassment as I heard Lyall say that.

I opened the door and leaned against the doorsill looking at the two who were standing outside.

"Ma-Master?" Lyall gasped and bowed.

Remi’s jaw slackened before he whipped his head to Lyall and then to me, his ears growing red.

"Ma-Master?" Remi gasped. Well, it was the first time he was seeing my Ocean form after all.

"What are you two doing here?" I asked.

"Uh, I was guarding your room." Lyall answered and my gaze fell on Remi.

"I-I just..." Remi stuttered trying to make coherent words but failed as he seemed too worked up.

"You wanted something?" I asked with a smile and his whole face turned red as he flushed.

"No-No, that..." He put his head down and I leaned in.

"Hm? What are you saying?" I asked enjoying his embarrassment.

"Please stop teasing the poor boy, Master." Lyall sighed with a small smile and I chuckled.

"Aw, it’s fun to tease kids."

"You sure like kids, don’t you Master?" He commented.

"Speaking of which, I think the kids must have settled well in Oasis by now."

"Oasis?" Remi asked with a confused expression.

"That’s the name of my town. The one which Lyall was telling you about." I said and he nodded before his eyes turned wide.

"Y-You were listening?"

"You guys were talking right outside my room."

"We apologise for disturbing your sleep, Master."

"It’s fine, I slept for two hours." I ran my hand through my hair.

"I heard that the emergency meeting of the RA Captains and Commander is still going on." Lyall informed me and I nodded.

"It will take time for them to reach any conclusion. Besides, it’s a big decision to make."

"I hope they won’t foil your preparations." He muttered making me chuckle.

"Are you underestimating my planning skills?" I asked and he hung his head.

"Please forgive me, Master."

"It’s all right. Besides, come on inside, I have work for you."

"Yes."

"And, Remi."

The said boy flinched as I called him.

"Yes?"

"You should get some rest, the days of near future will be extremely stressful." I said and patted his head making him stiffen.

"Ye-Yes, Master." He stuttered before he bowed and turned and walked away like a mechanical doll.

"Beauty can work wonders." I smiled before walking in the room followed by Lyall.

"What do I have to do from hence, Master?" He asked and I sat down on my bed.

"You will infiltrate the palace under the guise of guard with me."

"Yes, Master."

"Also, once you’re inside, you will not move."

"Pardon?"

I explained him his role and he nodded listening attentively before I added up the briefing of my plan and what kind of possibilities we should expect ahead and about the worst case scenarios.

"I understand, Master." He answered after I was done explaining.

"The Scorpion must know that Davian is headed here so, he will try to make full use of it." I mused.

"If you allow, I have some questions, Master." Lyall spoke up and I nodded.

"What could the Scorpion possibly achieve by taking Grand Duke and Grand Duchess as captives? And what kind of profit is there in this war for him?"

Well, I gave him the plan but never the reason so, it was obvious that he would have questions like these.

"This relates to the war that Sestia is having with Denril." I answered and he frowned.

"Do you know what Denril has in abundance?" I asked.

Lyall tilted his head slightly before answering, "Its... land is close to sea so fisheries, pearl farming and sea routes?"

"Precisely, pearl farming is a volatile business and fisheries is good for economy. But, Denril has the monopoly over major routes that connect the mainland to the lands of other species, apart from that it is a strategically important location in case of wars." I explained and he nodded looking like a child who was having his geography lesson.

The reason why Denril and Sestia were at war was precisely because of this, Sestia had a portion of sea but, it wasn’t as large as Denril and it also couldn’t even be used as a port for any major military use.

Sestia had tried to take control of the port areas of Denril using all kind of methods but the latter never agreed hence, the war broke out.

The war was still an impulsive decision as after studying everything I could easily come up with three different solutions of resolving the situation without any war but, the war was happening at present and would go on for a long time.

It was hard to stop the war right away and it was also using up resources which was effecting the economy of both countries.

In this kind of situation, Mordino was the only human kingdom which could profit from this war since the financial stability for the warring countries was possible with the help of the Kingdom of Gold. Hence, giving the domination of the markets of both the countries to Mordino.

The Tyrant’s goal wasn’t only monopolizing the markets and economy of both the kingdoms but also absolute control of their politics.

It was a classic example of when the two parties fight, the third one wins.

The Scorpion had sent the letter to the King demanding control over North in exchange of returning the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess. But, the monarchs of Sestia also wanted control of North so, the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess ended up becoming the sacrifices for the greed of the monarchs of the two kingdoms.

The reason why, the present impending war was profitable to the Scorpion was because the present Grand Duke was walking into the Scorpion’s lair himself. Mordino could easily use this situation and then cut off trade which would lead to a greater financial strain on Sestia hence, it would be only a matter of time till Sestia would face defeat in the war and Mordino would get the spoils of the war for indirectly aiding Denril.

Amidst this, the lesson I got from the Scorpion aka His Majesty Salem Khal’Rozjhiad was that if you’re a Tyrant then you could just do anything for your profit and nobody would dare to question you.

I couldn’t take care of the Golden Serpent and the King right away but, I could crush this Scorpion first before I could have my share of fun with the others.