266. Obsession (3)
266. Obsession (3)
- 1 -
The capital of the Orbis Duchy, Atrium.
Standing by the window of that majestic royal palace, I looked down at the plaza spread out below.
The sight of humans and monsters mingling and striding about freely was a tiny playboard where a fragment of my dream had been realized.
"Atrium..."
I murmured the name and smiled faintly.
Of course, the name was one I had given it.
This place was my garden, another extension of my dungeon, after all.
Naturally, the official monarch of this nation was Amelia, but she was nothing more than a puppet moving at my fingertips.
This country, in practical terms... was mine.
Charak.
I unfolded the missive that Yuran had brought and cast my gaze down upon it.
The contents stated that the army of the Kiza Minor Kingdom had begun to move toward the Hinness Duchy.
'Actual combat strength twenty thousand... with reinforcements, over thirty thousand.'
The majority of the current elite forces of Kiza were participating in this expedition.
I could feel that they had staked their blade on this campaign.
Though it was ironic that the one holding that blade was, in fact, me.
"My lord husband."
A subtle yet smooth, sweet yet dangerous fragrance approached from behind.
Yuran whispered low, resting her chin upon my shoulder.
Her five black tails coiled around my waist, swaying gently.
"The chancellor has moved exactly as anticipated."
"He submitted to detainment quietly, I hear."
"Indeed he did."
Her warm breath brushed against my ear.
With my eyes still on the missive, I turned my head and exchanged a kiss with her.
Her lips were sweet, as they always were.
"I expected he would act in such a manner, but it proceeded even more smoothly than I thought."
"Because whatever happens in Kiza, the chancellor's own reputation must remain unscathed."
Chancellor Aiden Cromwell.
He was certainly a man loyal to Kiza, but like most nobles, he prioritized his own safety above that loyalty.
He had been the very one who, the moment suspicion arose in Hysen, led the charge in expelling the former royal family members before anyone else.
Yuran's voice was tinged with mockery.
"He does not know that making him make such a choice was, in itself, our doing."
"Indeed."
I nodded, agreeing with Yuran's words.
At that moment, the sensation of the tails coiled around my waist became even more vivid.
Ever since our last conversation, they no longer bothered to hide their affection.
And I, too, had no intention of refusing it.
Dalkak.
"Eve."
As Evangeline entered, Yuran stepped back as if regretfully.
My consul was holding new documents.
The monocle she wore at the corner of her eye glittered along with her golden hair.
"This is the intelligence sent to Clayvan's rebel army and the military support plan. The information merchants under Haley's control are carrying out this task."
I skimmed through the documents and smiled faintly.
Haley was also a noble who had been loyal to me for quite some time, having transformed from human into monster.
Being a mimic-type monster, she excelled in intelligence operations as well.
"What of the plan to grant her husband a countship?"
"He will soon be granted a countship in both Hysen and Orbis. We have received Lady Yurena's confirmation."
"Do not forget to assign suitable tutors to their children as well."
"The search is already underway."
I nodded at Eve's answer and extended my hand. She reverently kissed the back of it.
I then turned my hand and caressed her cheek.
At that moment, Saya entered.
"Master. A communication from Talhan, who departed for Kakia and Elieniesi."
What Saya presented was a communication orb bound by fate to Talhan.
A faint air of victory shimmered within her pink irises.
"It says things proceeded according to your scheme, Master."
Placing the communication orb upon a cushion, she activated the magic. On the other side, a magician with an androgynous face bowed his head.
- It has been a while. Master.
"You have labored much in foreign lands. Talhan."
- If it is for you, Master, it is no hardship.
Having confirmed his loyalty with commendable words, he briefly reported his personal achievements gained in Kakia and Elieniesi.
"Splendid. You have done well. When will you return?"
- As soon as matters here are concluded, I shall return immediately to prostrate myself at your feet, Master.
"Do not rush. Ensure everything is firmly settled before you come."
- Yes. Master.
The communication ended, and I walked back to the window.
Looking up at the sky, the weather was clear again today.
Beneath the high cumulus clouds, sunlight was shattering into rainbow colors and shining down upon the earth.
As I gazed at that brilliant scene, Yuran approached my side once more.
"Before my lord husband's Grand Design, none may be free."
I chuckled at her exaggerated words.
For we both knew that there were still many opponents in this world and the world beyond against whom neither my power nor my cunning would work.
I drew her waist close and whispered.
"Indeed. But you all are the exception."
No matter how brilliant the sunlight, it could not illuminate the darkness and shadows I commanded.
And the rest, only those who dwelt within my shade could enjoy.
- 2 -
The Kija Royal Palace, two weeks before the expedition.
The office of the antique Kija Royal Palace.
Within the dim light filtering through thick curtains, only candles illuminated the room.
Grand Duke Marcus sen Nesbic Kija and Commander of the General Knights Hiscliff en Shaimdel were in discussion over two documents.
Hiscliff's rough finger pointed at the document.
"You say this is the agreement made with the two kingdoms?"
"That is correct, Commander of the General Knights. It is the content I negotiated in secret by sending my own attendant."
A mixture of joy at the unexpected gain and bewilderment crossed Hiscliff's face.
Meanwhile, a triumphant self-assurance spread across the corners of Marcus's lips.
"The Kakia side supports our northern advance, and Elieniesi has promised military support should the need arise."
"Hmm..."
Hiscliff scanned the documents with a suspicious eye.
"The conditions are the opening of trade routes and a few mountain areas east of Hinness. Is it not a truly excellent bargain?"
"Trade routes... Are the conditions not too easy?"
Suspicion deepened on Hiscliff's face.
No matter how he thought about it, the terms seemed far too favorable.
He was always a cautious man, and even more so in dealings with foreign nations.
"Do not think that Kakia merely wants peaceful trade. Once they set foot in..."
"You are overreacting, Knight Commander."
Marcus waved his hand and lightly dismissed Hiscliff's concerns.
"Once our territory is greatly expanded, a single trade route will hardly be a problem. On the contrary, it will benefit us as well."
Within Marcus's mind, the expanded territory of Kija had already been drawn.
And the gold he would receive from Kakia as well.
What he did not know was the fact that the path he thought he had boldly taken was, in reality, upon someone else's palm.
◆
At the same time. The Kakia Royal Palace.
Joyful commotion was also stirring in the conference room of the Kakia Royal Palace.
A damp wind blew between the pillars.
"You say Kiza has agreed to grant us trade route passage rights?"
"Yes, Your Highness. They say that if they conquer Hinness, they will provide us with a maritime trade route leading to Zenota. And..."
A strange smile formed on the face of the staff officer who bowed his head while delivering the report.
His face was unusually pale. As if he were a corpse.
"Furthermore, they say they will even grant us the right to install a naval port in the coastal area they conquer."
"A naval port?"
The son-in-law of the King of Kakia could not hide his astonishment.
It was difficult to comprehend that Kiza would trade something so valuable merely for a single duchy.
But rather than doubting, he persuaded himself that there must be a rational reason for it all.
Sometimes, reason was dragged along by emotion, a leash around its neck.
"If they permit us to install a naval port... we will be able to exert influence not only over the ocean between the continents, but over Kiza itself."
"Haha! They are giving us a grand prize!"
Beaming smiles spread across the lips of the royal family members.
It was an opportunity they could not miss.
Before long, Kakia formalized its support for the Kingdom of Kija's expedition.
Of course, they would begin to move slowly after Kiza's army had crossed over.
To plant their flag in the promised land.
What they did not know was that a neighboring nation had received a similar promise, right next door.
◆
At a similar time, in the Elieni-esi Royal Palace.
A secret promise was also being exchanged in the royal office here.
The eyes of the king, seated on a throne glittering with golden ornaments, widened.
"What did you say Kiza promised us? After they occupy Hinness?"
One of the regents answered in a low voice.
"They promised a cession of territory, Your Majesty. The eastern region of Hinness, the mountainous area east of Avant City."
"That is..."
The king's voice trembled with excitement.
"That is correct. It is our historical territory. There are also a few mines there that yield fine minerals."
The king and the two other regents exchanged surprised glances.
That land had been a disputed region between them and Hysen for decades.
To obtain that land, Elieni-esi had fought wars several times.
"Did they say we need not provide practical support?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. They say a superficial statement of support and a small amount of material aid will suffice."
The King of Elieni-esi decided to accept this unbelievable offer.
He tugged at the corner of his lip and thought.
'Kiza's foolishness is our fortune.'
Although it was Kakia and they who had supported Hinness's independence, what did that matter?
In any case, Hinness was a land of traitors who had betrayed Hysen in its time of chaos, and it was a place whose disappearance would not be strange at any time.
They did not know. That every thread was held in a single hand.
◆
Immediately after the departure, the chancellor's detained residence.
Immediately after the Kingdom of Kija's army departed, Chancellor Cromwell was quietly counting shadows in his own dwelling.
Although in a state of detention, his mind was rather at peace.
Sitting by the window and sipping tea, he sank into contemplation.
'Kiza will be able to unite more strongly through this opportunity.'
Recalling the warning letter received from Hysen, he wore a somber expression.
That document contained Hysen's promise to step forward as a mediator in Kiza's moment of crisis.
And a new trade agreement on top of that.
'This war will fail. Because of me. And our Kiza will gain a powerful ally in Hysen. At the same time, we will come under their interference. Perhaps even more influenced than before this chaos.'
His calculations were already complete.
The reckless Hiscliff and Marcus seizing power would be a disaster, not a blessing.
But that would only be temporary.
In the ruins of war, there would be no one but himself to lead Kiza once more.
'Her information network is certainly fearsome, but...'
He recalled the true power of Hysen, Countess Philia Elskopf.
The woman who had provided crucial assistance for this decision.
That fearsome black-clad woman who, from her seat, saw through the interior of the Kiza Minor Kingdom.
Her information-gathering ability was as if every wall of the palace had ears.
Why a woman possessing such capabilities was trying to establish ties with Kiza of all places, he harbored doubts about, but...
A conviction greater than that moved him.
'As long as I exist, Kiza can rise again at any time.'
A person possessing a part of the truth was designing the future, fallen into the illusion that they knew everything.
He knew this was someone's scheme, but he also knew well that he had to ride upon it.
◆
At the same time. The detached palace where Kiza's former royals resided.
Cleiban Sen Kiza was inspecting the armory in the basement of a noble's mansion.
His son Yulian was polishing a sword beside him.
The smell of iron and the scent of oil filled the basement.
"The time has finally come to reclaim the throne."
His dark teeth and sharp eyes gleaming, Clayvan recalled the promise of the information merchants.
That promise, delivered through a special envoy, was twofold.
If they provided the army and intelligence, the merchants would secure a city for them to use as a base.
"Father, it is a message from the noble on the information merchant's side. They say the reinforcements have arrived at the border."
Clayvan looked at his son with eyes that affirmed victory.
"We have already won. Now that the army led by Hiscliff and Marcus has crossed the border, the capital is empty. They have not even prepared proper defenses."
The two raised their glasses to toast their future victory.
The support of Gray Eye, the information merchant—one of the two intelligence organizations that divided the continent.
There could be no guarantee more certain than this.
"I shall go and lead them myself."
"Do so. My son."
However, they could not even guess.
The true hand hidden behind it all.
◆
Within this tangle of chaos, each believed only in their own truth.
Kakia believed they had been promised a coastal naval port, and Elieni-esi dreamed of recovering its historical territory.
The imperial chancellor dreamed of Kiza's revival achieved by his own hands, and the former royals believed they held the promise of power restored.
Unknown to them, the origin point of all promises was but one.
A dungeon where black flowers bloomed.
Within the darkness of that place, the touch of a single woman holding every thread of the world in her hand.
Challang.
Libertas placed a glass of red wine upon the Kiza Minor Kingdom on the map.
The wine flowed down, leaving a blood-red stain upon the map.
Everything was as she desired.
And it would be as she desired.