Shifting Alliances
“Lycan Empire envoy leader Gideon Belburn greets the King of Osiris.”
Duke Belburn bowed his head in greeting to Defon Osiris.
“You've had a long journey—well done. I'm deeply grateful that you've reached out first for this dialogue.”
“His Imperial Majesty the Emperor was keen on uniting our strengths in the face of this great turmoil ahead.”
“Ahem.”
“Turmoil? What on earth...”
Several nobles showed their discomfort at Duke Belburn's words.
But the duke paid no mind to their reactions and pressed on.
“As the saying goes, yesterday's enemy is today's ally. Can't we set aside the old conflicts between our nations for now and face the massive wave bearing down on us?”
For a first meeting, Duke Belburn was strikingly blunt in condemning the Aditz Empire.
The ripple effect of his words exceeded even his expectations.
“Just what are you implying? Are you claiming the Aditz Empire is plunging the continent into chaos?”
“They've developed magic tools that control monsters—what else would you call that but chaos?”
“Hey now! Have they ever used them against us? With such shortsighted thinking!”
Suddenly, the Osiris nobles began arguing among themselves.
Duke Belburn barely suppressed a grimace at the sight.
Truly barbaric behavior in front of an envoy.
He'd heard they were far from refined in etiquette.
But seeing it firsthand was worse than imagined.
BAM!
“Silence!”
The king, seated in the highest position, slammed his fist on the armrest, instantly quelling the noisy atmosphere.
“As an allied nation, it's uncomfortable, but I agree to some extent. So, what does the empire's emperor seek from me?”
The king cut straight to the point.
This wasn't rudeness—it was just his nature.
“Our empire hopes the Kingdom of Osiris will declare neutrality.”
No sooner had Duke Belburn finished than a silence as heavy as the king's earlier fist descended.
Breaking it was Count Kaisson, the one who'd been objecting from the start.
“Your Majesty! Neutrality? What nonsense is this? The Aditz Empire is our eternal ally and mentor!”
“Indeed. Even our late king prioritized relations with Aditz above all. Their words aren't worth hearing.”
Long years of alliance had woven deep ties between most Osiris nobles and the Aditz Empire.
Hence the fierce opposition.
Yet Osiris was a kingdom where royal authority ranked among the strongest on the continent.
“It's hard to tell if you're nobles of the kingdom or the empire. Shut your mouths, all of you.”
“Y-Your Majesty... Ahem.”
“Khmm.”
The king quelled the mood once more and locked eyes with Duke Belburn.
“If we declare neutrality, what will you offer in return?”
“If the kingdom treats Aditz and our empire equally, we'll treat you the same as the Kingdom of Gelroff.”
Gelroff was the sole kingdom bordering both Aditz and Lycan Empires—and a neutral one.
“Hm.”
A somewhat lukewarm response.
As expected, so Duke Belburn continued.
“Additionally, His Majesty has approved admitting three promising youths from your kingdom each year to the Rior Imperial Academy.”
“That's not bad.”
One might think academy admission was no big deal.
But for knowledge-starved Osiris, its value was immense.
“Furthermore, we'll share the circuits for tracking those troublesome magic tools—free of charge.”
“That... really?”
A key to resolving the kingdom's greatest anxiety.
Offering it for just a neutrality declaration was irresistibly tempting.
“These are battle-tested circuits with proven results.”
As the mood shifted subtly, some nobles began to fidget uneasily.
“Your Majesty! Think of the graces Aditz has bestowed upon our kingdom!”
“Quiet! Quiet! Guards outside—drag Count Kaisson out this instant!”
No sooner had the king spoken than guards burst in and seized the count.
“Your Majesty! Our mentor, our parent-like Aditz Empire...”
Thud!
The door slammed before he could finish.
The king shook his head at the scene and spoke.
“We showed an ugly side.”
“Not at all. Long alliances inevitably seep into politics deeply—I'm impressed by Your Majesty's resolve.”
“Thanks for understanding. This may take time, so unpack and rest first. We'll discuss details over dinner.”
“Yes, my thanks for your consideration.”
Perhaps the Lycan Empire came with genuine intent.
The more they talked, the more the king's firm stance softened.
The next day, Osiris declared the end of its century-old alliance and neutrality.
“Captain, time to wake up.”
“Ugh...”
It was late evening, with no sunlight in sight.
A deeply unpleasant voice drilled into his ears.
“At this hour... what is it?”
“Sleeping soundly deep in enemy territory.”
“I was running around all day. This is my limit.”
He hadn't wanted to sleep so deeply.
Should've spun around a bit less frantically.
Patrolling Hasmon Fortress like a whirlwind while staying vigilant wasn't easy.
“Excuses are impressive. Get up—we're heading out.”
“Now...?”
The abrupt news snapped his foggy mind awake.
“Any issues?”
“No, sir.”
“Then move fast. Time's not on our side.”
“Understood.”
This was the moment he'd been waiting for, so he dressed hurriedly.
“Put this on too.”
Eden handed him a dark gray robe.
What's with this ominous vibe?
It screamed “outfit for illegal, dangerous deeds.”
Felt off.
“Something wrong?”
“Nothing, sir.”
“Then put it on and come down.”
Draped in Eden's robe, he descended to the inn's first floor, where a carriage awaited.
“Right on time.”
A white-haired old man climbed down from the driver's seat to greet Eden.
At a glance, just a typical grandpa—but his eyes and aura were different.
“Paid good money—why would I be late?”
“Heh heh, fair point. Hop on. Long road ahead.”
The old man returned to the driver's seat.
“Get in.”
Eden headed not to the cargo area but beside the old man, so Palan took the edge of the driver's bench.
“You're taller and finer than I heard, Captain.”
The old man spoke as if he knew him.
“Thank you. Have we met?”
“Heard plenty about you. Ah, I'm Yorn of Vesnia.”
“I see. Mr. Yorn of Vesnia... wait, what?”
The unexpected organization's name froze him solid.
“Heh heh, you're startled.”
“Vesnia...”
Unsure what to say, he glanced at Major Eden.
Vesnia? Here? Why?
Far from his guess of an Intelligence Agency operative in Hasmon.
“Why so surprised?”
“No, it's just...”
Couldn't blurt out “crime syndicate?” with the man right there.
“Heh heh, quite the shock. But no worries—I'm here to help you both.”
Knowing his identity now, the old man's chuckle sent chills down his spine.
“H-ha, right.”
“Vesnia's the staunchest ally when on your side. Relax.”
No. Can't relax at all.
This was thorns on thorns.
Might as well check—just in case.
Enduring the silent pressure, he stared straight at the old man.
Would you like to view the target's truth?
Cost: 120P
Damn.
The highest number yet—nearly cursed aloud.
“Something on my face?”
“N-no. Just flustered. But reassuring.”
“Glad you see it that way.”
As idle chatter flowed, the carriage slipped naturally through Hasmon's north gate.
No guards, no checks.
“Captain.”
“Yes?”
Praying for a smooth escape, Yorn called him.
“Vesnia adores the exceptionally capable. Meaningful deals with them sustain our long tradition.”
Yorn expounded on the organization.
The point came quickly.
“In that vein, you—emerging right with the war, as if waiting—caught our eye.”
“H-ha, just lucky.”
Sounded like praise.
Hard to take.
These crime bosses have been watching me...?
If that interest veered wrong, the outcome was obvious.
“So we've decided to build a healthy relationship with you. I'm here as representative.”
“Vesnia and me?”
He, heir to a Lycan count's house, linking with Vesnia?
Instant lightning strike beyond demotion.
“No need to worry. Not inviting you in—just relations, as said.”
“Still, I...”
Trying polite refusal.
But refusal wasn't an option.
“Not curious how you became an assassin squad's target?”
“You... know that?”
“Recent intel we acquired. Intriguing and tangled. But you need to know.”
Too curious to ignore before, despite no leads.
This was too sweet.