The Seiros Royal Family Council
Pelion's words left everyone stunned. What he said far exceeded what they had imagined.
Everyone nodded at Pelion's declaration, but there was one person who openly rejected it.
"Brother! Isn't this judgment far too hasty? There must be other ways without resorting to war."
It was Razetta. She had already drawn heavy criticism from the citizens for her lackluster performance in the previous war. Now she was voicing opposition to war from the very beginning. While few people were present to hear it, considering her position, these were words she should never have spoken.
"Razetta, I know full well how much you stand to lose if we go to war. But after hearing this, can you truly remain silent?"
Pelion continued, his tone carrying a hint of being moved by Bagan's long-cherished wish.
"Or is it that you still harbor lingering attachment to what you couldn't obtain?"
Razetta struck right at the heart of the matter. Pelion feigned ignorance.
"I don't know what you mean."
She pressed him precisely.
"In the last war, we fought Sog Kingdom over the Moral Mountain Range. If we could pioneer it, our national power would undoubtedly rise."
"That is already in the past. You know we declared an end to that conflict, don't you?"
"And yet your intentions this time are exactly the same. Are you not simply pretending to agree with Bagan's opinion?"
Razetta had spoken words that could not be taken back, like water already spilled.
"Aunt. No matter what, that is not something you should say to His Majesty. Besides, isn't that merely speculation?"
Vidion stepped forward to mediate the situation. But Pelion's thoughts were different.
"...I admit it. You're right. If I said I felt no greed, it would be a lie. However, my true intention is to support Bagan's wish. He is our benefactor, after all."
At those words, Razetta could no longer argue.
Once she fell silent, the atmosphere grew awkward. Yet Bagan somewhat agreed with Pelion's stance.
"Whatever the reason, it doesn't matter to me. War has always been about winners and losers. The winner naturally seizes the loser's rights. Wanting to reclaim what was lost in war is perfectly logical."
"Even Bagan agrees. Will you continue throwing a tantrum?"
Pelion drove the point home even more firmly. Razetta had already lost her will to fight. All she could do was imagine the aftermath. It had always been this way. She could never properly express her opinions, and things always went the way Pelion, Montihall, and Gruon wanted. They were the pillars of the kingdom, after all.
But she had overlooked one thing: she now had the strongest possible backing.
"Pelion, whether you choose war or anything else is none of my concern. But if De Marinda suffers any damage because of it, I may very well be the first to bring this kingdom to ruin."
The reason Cyron could say such a thing was obvious. As the guardian dragon, his duty was to protect De Marinda—and Razetta.
Pelion swallowed hard, tension visible on his face, yet he responded with remarkable composure.
"...We did not choose war lightly. There is much to gain from victory. Once the war ends, De Marinda will become the greatest tourist city in existence, and the kingdom will pledge abundant support."
When faced with a threat, the proper response was to offer a fair deal. Pushing any further now would be unreasonable. Cyron, recognizing that line, brought the matter to a close.
"If those are the conditions... then very well."
Cyron was satisfied. All that remained was Razetta.
"Tsk. The only help we'll provide is at sea. Don't even think about asking for anything on land."
"Of course. As king, it would be unbecoming not to utilize our kingdom's finest navy."
Pelion had many thoughts after seeing how much stronger De Marinda's navy had become. Above all, he was most pleased that Razetta had grown into someone truly worthy.
She has finally become someone fitting for the royal family.
With that thought, Pelion moved on to the finer details. Montihall was naturally in favor of war, and Vidion, as a warrior who followed Pelion, simply nodded in agreement. And then—
"Brother, why haven't you asked me!"
"Gruon, you rascal! You've been harassing Sog Kingdom's borders all on your own. What permission do you need!"
Just as Pelion said, the moment the topic of war came up, Gruon had been revving like an engine ready to go. The reason was obvious.
Because De Pruna shares a border with Sog Kingdom.
The fortress city of De Pruna that Gruon commanded had been engaging in continuous small-scale skirmishes along the Sog Kingdom's border, using its three forward fortresses. Even though they were not officially at war, such conflicts were inevitable given how fractured Sog Kingdom's power had become.
The kingdom was already in chaos due to the split between the Royalists and the Noble Faction. The news that the king had fallen ill had only driven the two factions further apart. As a result, neither side cared if the other's territories were attacked, and any incursions across the border were quietly ignored.
"I was secretly hoping you'd ask. I was ready to boldly declare my support!"
Pelion looked at the eager Gruon with approval and said,
"There's no need for words. War will come, and we will win."
Everyone nodded at that. As if waiting for the moment, Montihall spoke up.
"Let me say this in advance—our enemy is not the Sog Kingdom we fought several years ago. The guildmaster of the adventurers' guild, Gion, will explain the details."
At Montihall's gesture, Gion nodded and stepped forward to brief them on the situation. He explained everything about the Mercury family and the Royalist faction, as well as the progress made so far. It was so thorough that it seemed as if they had been planning for war all along. Those who hadn't known were left in awe.
"So things have already progressed this far."
After Pelion's impressed remark, Vidion—who commanded Seiros Kingdom's military—added his own thoughts.
"At this rate, we can win the war with minimal damage and demand everything we rightfully deserve."
Bagan shared the same opinion. No matter how powerful the Noble Faction might be, they could never withstand the full might of Seiros Kingdom without the Royalists' support.
Impossible.
If everything went according to plan, they could abolish the slave system—the Noble Faction's policy—and use the First Prince's ascension to the throne as justification to claim full authority over the Moral Mountain Range. There was nothing to hesitate about.
Yet even after hearing everything, there was one person who still looked displeased, glaring at Gion with a menacing aura.
"How can we trust the words of that noble?"
It was Gruon.
"All nobles are liars. There's no difference between Royalists and the Noble Faction. They're all targets for elimination."
"B-but Lord Gruon..."
Gion tried to explain that the Mercury family was different, but Gruon cut him off.
"Silence. I'm not wrong. Look at our Daphne right now. Does that not remind you of anything!"
Gruon was unusually agitated. Everyone at the table was startled. No one knew how to handle the situation. In the end, Pelion—who knew the full story—had no choice but to intervene.
"Are you still holding a grudge over that matter?"
"A grudge?! Brother! This is revenge for Daphne!"
Gruon spoke as if the words could not be ignored. Pelion finally brought up the one word he had been avoiding.
"The fact that she was once a slave is in the past. Has she not proven herself admirably as a legion commander?"
Though meant as comfort, it only struck a nerve with Gruon.
"That past has festered and rotted, burrowing into her flesh! Isn't that why she still cannot speak!"
Gruon's voice was thick with barely contained fury. His reaction was understandable. After all...
Daphne is a character who became unable to speak due to a series of events.
She was mute. Her condition was so severe that even the most advanced treatments had been deemed impossible. Years had passed without her using her vocal cords, causing them to atrophy completely. What a cruel fate...
Selena, the military commander of De Marinda, and Daphne, the military commander of De Pruna, were complete opposites. In personality, ability, and even the burdens they carried. The one saving grace was that although Daphne could not speak, she could still hear and understand. That was why she stood silently in the back, though her expression looked sorrowful.
Gruon, who had turned to check on her, stood up and covered his ears.
"It's okay. Forget it all. There's no need to recall those memories."
As he offered quiet comfort, Daphne gently pushed him away and reached into her chest. She pulled out the writing tools she always carried and showed him what she had written.
Lord Gruon. I am fine. Rather, because I was once a slave, I want us to win this war even more. Even if the Mercury family betrays us and puts us in danger, we will win—just as we always have.
Though it was a rather long sentence for something written so simply, her feelings came across clearly. There seemed to be much more she wanted to say, but Gruon understood enough.
"Since even Daphne says so... Gion, I will trust you. As I said, we do not trust that young lady. Therefore, do not forget that all responsibility falls on you."
Gruon spoke to Gion in a threatening tone. Then he quietly embraced Daphne, who had been standing apart. Her small, fragile body melted endlessly into his broad, reliable chest. Yet she accepted the embrace with a peaceful expression, as if this was exactly the moment she had been waiting for. Whether or not it was appropriate during an escort no longer mattered. No one dared to reproach them after seeing the sight.
Afterward, they continued discussing the internal details of the war over drinks. True to their positions as the kingdom's leaders, they reached swift decisions.
"And so, war it shall be. The opening of hostilities will come after we coordinate the finer points with Sog Kingdom's Royalist faction."
Everyone nodded at Pelion's final words. The banquet that had begun with the declaration of a guardian dragon had now become the last party before war. One could even call it a vigil.
Bagan emptied his glass with an expression full of anticipation.
The next day.
"Bagan! Are you there!"
Bagan, who had been sleeping in De Marinda Castle, heard the voice calling from outside the door and immediately opened it. Though he wasn't short on sleep, being suddenly awakened left him disheveled as he faced the person outside.
"Gruon? What brings you here so early in the morning?"
The one knocking on the door was indeed Gruon.
"No other reason. I simply wanted to invite you to De Pruna."
It was sudden and rather out of nowhere, but it was a welcome offer. That was all Bagan could think. He had planned to stop by De Pruna's underworld anyway, so this saved him the trouble. Besides, the fact that Gruon was personally inviting him meant he was genuinely pleased.
"I'm happy to go, but what's the reason?"
The invitation was welcome, but he wanted to hear the reason. An invitation without purpose could be dangerous.
"I heard from Aunt Razetta that your next destination was De Pruna. Since that's the case, wouldn't it be better to go together? Plus, if I invite you myself, it sets a good atmosphere. It's like catching two nobles at once."
"Nobles?"
"Ah, it's just my own way of saying things."
Well, that was that. It was quite an interesting personality. Bagan hadn't expected him to be so direct about wanting to go together.
I still have things to do, but they say it's best to strike while the iron is hot.
Bagan organized his thoughts and replied.
"Well, if you're going that far, sure. I accept."
"Kahaha! Excellent! I have a feeling we'll become great friends. We'll depart this afternoon, so get ready. Hehehe, Daphne! It worked!"
Gruon rejoiced like a child at Bagan's answer, clapping hands excitedly with Daphne, who had apparently come with him without Bagan noticing.