Chapter 130: Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 130: Turning Crisis into Opportunity
He had told himself he could do it, but what exactly was he supposed to do?
Even as a 9th Circle Archmage, Ferda was a complete novice when it came to managing a territory. For a beginner, however, the path forward was clear.
‘A manual.’
There had to be well-established protocols for handling wartime situations like this. Ferda turned to Isabella.
“First, we need to gather all the forces currently stationed in the Far East. What does the wartime manual say?”
“The plan is to concentrate our forces in the territory of Count Consilus. However, that protocol was established before you were born, Regent. We should consider whether it’s still applicable.”
Ferda pondered for a moment before shaking his head.
“No, we should stick to the manual. Send all dispatched soldiers to the Count’s territory.”
The castle of Count Consilus had been designed as a fortress with war in mind. Since the entire infrastructure was tailored to that purpose, trying to be too flexible now could result in a disastrous misstep.
While Isabella was busy sending out telepathic messages, a visitor arrived at the office. She had blue hair and horns with blunt tips—the Tower Master of the Blue Eye, Erica Iorga.
“Regent Ferda, I assume you’ve grasped the current situation?”
“I have.”
“I should brief you on how things are unfolding so you’re fully informed.”
Just as she sat down to begin, there was a knock at the door. Ruri went to open it herself. It was the Princess of the Empire, Olivia Arken.
“Greetings to the Regent and the Tower Master of the Blue Eye. If it isn’t an intrusion, may I join this conversation?”
“This conversation?”
“I believe I can be of help,” Olivia said with a thin smile.
The moment Olivia appeared, Erica donned her social mask.
“It is an honor to meet the Princess of the Empire. You are as beautiful as the rumors say.”
“Oh, you flatter me. Compared to the Great Aspect of Water, Lady Iorga, and her descendants, my beauty is nothing but a hollow shell.”
“Thank you for the compliment. However, Princess, this matter is to be discussed with those in charge of the Far East. There may be things said that could be uncomfortable for someone from the Empire.”
Erica was politely asking her to leave. Olivia, however, did not back down.
“I, too, pray for the peace and prosperity of the Far East. Are you acting this way perhaps because this matter involves the Empire?”
With neither side willing to yield, Erica sent a telepathic message to Ferda.
— Regent Ferda, it’s better not to involve people from the Empire in this.
She glanced at him, asking silently if she should kick the Princess out. Ferda replied instantly.
— There’s no need to worry.
— Why not?
— That woman is more desperate than anyone to kill off her own kin.
— Her kin…?
Startled, Erica’s eyes darted back toward Olivia. Olivia read the look and chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.
“I don’t know what you two are discussing, but I suspect the Regent might have said something a bit rude about me?”
Despite her light words, a sinister, murderous aura emanated from her. She was like a vengeful spirit. Since Ferda said it was fine, Erica didn't try to stop her any further.
“Very well. Given the gravity of the situation, I shall allow the Princess to participate.”
Erica dropped her mask and began explaining the current state of affairs.
“The Empire is already aware of this situation. This is an invasion of imperial territory, is it not?”
“It is.”
“So, I asked the Empire if they required cooperation in eliminating the monsters.”
From the phrase "asked if they required cooperation," Ferda deduced a single fact: Blancaros did not judge this situation to be a continental emergency.
As one who inherited the blood of a Guardian Dragon, the Tower Master of the Blue Eye adhered to the laws of the Grand Council. If she intervened rashly, the Empire could claim their autonomy had been violated, creating an inescapable diplomatic trap.
“The Empire’s response was this: it is within their autonomous jurisdiction, and they are more than capable of handling it.”
One might think the situation wasn't actually serious, but to Ferda and the others, that wasn't the case.
“I also reached out regarding the current crisis,” Erica continued. “The Crown Prince answered.”
“What did he say?”
“The official stance is to wait for about two months.”
Erica’s expression turned to one of pure disbelief. When even a week was pushing it, a two-month delay was a blatant act of negligence.
“How like my sinister brother,” Olivia remarked. “To show his intent to tame the Far East in such a dire situation.”
“By saying he’s trying to ‘tame’ the Far East, does that mean they can actually prepare much faster?” Ferda asked.
“Yes. It only takes two days to mobilize the Imperial standing army and the reserves. Considering the distribution of supplies and marching speed, they could begin their advance within two weeks at the latest.”
Erica was momentarily taken aback. Despite her soft, noble tone, Olivia was rattling off details about the Empire’s military strength like a seasoned commander.
Ruri looked appalled. “They would do such a thing in a situation that needs to be resolved immediately?”
“On the contrary, it’s a great opportunity for them,” Olivia explained. “They can claim it was the fault of the party in distress for not bowing down, or they can wash their hands of it by saying they did their best. Besides, the ruin of the Far East isn't as important to them as you might think.”
Ruri’s blood boiled. She felt like storming into the Imperial Palace right then and there to raise hell.
Ferda looked at Erica. “What if I, as the representative of the Archduchess, request help from the Blue Eye?”
“As allies, we would certainly help.”
Contrary to Erica’s confident face, her telepathic voice was somber.
— Don’t get your hopes up too high. We don’t have enough firepower to handle this alone. We can support the Imperial army, but we lack the strength to act independently.
Iorga’s absence was a critical secret that could not be revealed. The urge to ask, ‘You can’t even do this much?’ rose to Ferda’s throat, but he held it back. If Valdrova were the one suffering, Ferda would focus solely on that as well.
“I will check with the dragons in various regions to see if they can assist the Archduchess’s territory,” Erica said.
Just as she was about to send a message to the Blue Eye, Olivia objected.
“No. Rather, this matter must be resolved by humans.”
Erica instinctively flashed the haughty, elegant smile of a noble lady expressing her displeasure. “Princess. May I ask why?”
Olivia countered with equal poise. “As you said, this is happening within the Empire, and it surrounds the Archduchess’s territory. If the Archduchess’s territory resolves this on its own before the Empire can respond, we can protest their delayed reaction and gain the justification to exercise our ‘autonomy.’”
“Autonomy…”
“That autonomy isn't just about laws. It means we can use this incident as a pretext to reject any imperial interference that hinders our economic or military development. If you do that, you will also be able to claim ownership of Magitech, Regent.”
She was saying that the Empire wasn't the only one who could turn a crisis into an opportunity. Ferda glanced at Isabella. She nodded slightly, agreeing that the Princess’s logic was sound.
“And what if things become truly dangerous?” Erica asked.
“If it comes to that, we must do as the Tower Master suggested. We might have to consider the cooperation of the dragons, but in the current situation, that would only create a justification for us to become the Empire’s prey.”
“Even so, we have too few soldiers to deal with the monsters. The standing army of Hestia cannot provide enough power.”
“There is no need to worry about that. Aren't there already many elite troops gathered here?”
To escort the young nobles attending the Start of Spring Festival, many of the finest soldiers had converged on the area. There were nearly 4,000 official attendees, supported by a military force of 3,000.
“I will try to persuade them,” Olivia said.
“Persuasion is all well and good, Princess, but wouldn't asking for their cooperation be a signal that you’ve brought in ‘foreign powers’?”
“Well, they’re all stuck here with no way to escape anyway; they’ll have to band together. Furthermore, if we appeal not to foreign interests, but to the ‘chivalry’ that cannot tolerate injustice and the ‘noblesse oblige’ that those who set foot on the Serdes Continent should possess, they will have no choice. And above all…” Olivia smiled gracefully. “If the Princess of the Arken Empire appeals for unity, who wouldn't step forward?”
It sounded like pure narcissism, but no one could dismiss it. Her ability to enchant and persuade anyone using her beauty as a weapon was her greatest strength. Even Erica was impressed by her persuasiveness.
“Princess of the Empire. I apologize for my previous rash thoughts. You are far better than that Crown Prince or the 2nd Prince.”
“Hoho, calling it flattery is a bit much, but I certainly am better than those pieces of human trash.”
“However,” Erica added, “the decision on how to resolve this lies with the Archduchess. In her absence, the Regent must decide.”
Both women looked at Ferda. He began to weigh their arguments.
‘Erica’s judgment aligns with mine.’
Ending this as quickly as possible would leave the fewest complications. Even if it meant a political loss, it was the path to ensuring the safety of the territory.
‘But Olivia isn't wrong either.’
It required taking a risk, but if it succeeded, it could become a springboard for a new leap forward. Safety or risk? At that crossroads, Ferda made his choice.
“We will resolve this within the Archduchess’s territory.”
He sided with Olivia. Erica’s face crumpled slightly before she donned her mask again.
“Could you not reconsider one more time?”
“There are concerns about facing demons with only human strength, but as she said, if we falter once, it will be hard to regain our momentum.”
“Hmm…”
Erica couldn't understand Ferda. It was only natural; what was happening now was human politics, and Erica was a Dragon Spawn. However, since it was Erica herself who had handed over the decision-making power, it would be unsightly to press the matter further.
“Fine. If you judge this to be a human matter, the Blue Eye will stay out of it.”
Erica turned on her heel and walked away. Her heavy footsteps clearly showed she was sulking.
“Then, let us begin a meeting on how to proceed with the humans currently present—”
Knock, knock.
Just as Olivia was about to open the meeting, someone knocked. Ruri opened the door, and the person who stepped through surprised everyone.
It was Erica again.
Well, it was Erica, but at the same time, it wasn't. She had no horns on her head, no tail, and her outfit was not the typical attire of a witch of Iorga. She looked like an adventurer, not a Tower Master.
While everyone stood dumbfounded, Erica approached with a pout and tilted her head.
“Nice to meet you.”
“…Pardon?” Olivia asked, her eyes wide. They had met less than a minute ago, and now she was saying "nice to meet you"?
“I am Eri, the Branch Manager of the Far East Adventurer Guild.”
“…”
“I was originally scheduled to arrive in two days, but due to unexpected circumstances, I arrived a bit early. Given the situation, I will provide support to the Far East.”
“…What are you doing?” Ferda asked, wondering what kind of joke this was.
“What do you mean? You said dragons can’t participate because this is a human matter, right?”
“That’s right.”
“Then, while Erica, the Tower Master of the Blue Eye, can’t join, surely Eri, the Platinum-rank adventurer, can?”
“I suppose so, but…”
“Then I’m participating,” Erica said defiantly. “As Eri, the Platinum-rank adventurer and the Far East Adventurer Guild Branch Manager!”
Olivia cast a glance at Ferda, wondering if this was some kind of joke. Ferda passed that glance to Isabella. Isabella simply covered her face with her hands.