Proofread by Thomas F
Marchioness Arenthal
"My lady, Prince Declan is asking you to reconsider your leave," said the old man in front of me.
He is Ahen, one of Prince Declan's advisors.
"We had a deal: two years of my service without any benefits for the freedom to do anything afterward. I have done my end of the bargain," I stated, and the old man smiled.
"His Highness understands that and will promise you that you will have one of the first rights on the territory we gain," I wanted to laugh hearing that, but I kept my face impassive.
We are barely stopping the enemy, and our progress is excruciatingly slow.
As for gaining the territory, I could forget about that. First, we will have to claw back our own. Which, if we do that, would go to those whose territories they were and are fighting to reclaim.
The rest had already been promised to others.
So, the only way I could gain the new territory is by capturing Geim's original territory, which is unlikely to happen within a year, let alone in this war.
The enemy had been waiting for years, and they had made massive preparations.
They will soon launch another advance, within a few months, to claw back what little territory we had captured.
"If you stay, the prince will give you the Blade of Vasdar." He said, and I really wanted to laugh hard. It's an artifact from the imperial armory.
That means it will only be temporary. If they had given it, I might have thought about it for a moment.
Though, I wouldn't have agreed even then.
Nearly all the preparations have been made. In a month, I will leave for Greltheaven. Unless the prince offers me a territory, I wouldn't be staying.
"Please thank his High Highness for the kind offer, but all the preparations have been made."
"I cannot stop, even if I want to," I replied gently but firmly. The man opened his mouth, but closed it.
"Think about it, my lady. Prince Declan values you a lot," he said, and I completely agree. That is why he has been making me the vanguard in battles for the past few months.
I wanted to hide my strength, but many times, to save my life, I had to use all my strength.
I have nearly died many times leading the charge, but I have improved a lot. I am now a lot more confident in my campaign in Renwell than I was a year ago.
The man left a few minutes later, and I sat down.
"A week more," I said as I looked out of the tent. In a few days, my replacement would come and take charge of it. Relieving me of my duties.
"I can't believe they're trying to keep you with such puny offers," said Kadira, and I finally laughed.
"You can't be surprised by imperials," I repeated, quoting my father.
They will use anything and everything for their benefit. They have no limits and will go to any lengths to achieve their goal. Even Prince Declan, one of the good ones, is the same.
"Any response from Biltone?" I asked.
One of the mercenaries with a thousand men; his company is well-trained and experienced.
"No response, but our contact with Viremont had informed us that he had already accepted that man's offer," she replied, making me sigh.
He is not the first mercenary who has chosen Viremont over me.
"The count is promising everything to these greedy bastards, looting, raiding, on top of an insane amount of money they are asking."
I smiled upon hearing that.
If I had agreed to it, some of those mercenaries might have joined me, but I can't. I will not make the people I am planning to rule suffer like that.
"Still, we should think about agreeing to mercenaries' demands; Viremont had gathered a large force and with large powerhouses."
"He will be an enormous threat to us in Renwell," she stated. "Don't be so pessimistic," I replied, laughing.
Yes, he had gathered a bigger army and more powerhouses, but that is not everything.
I agree he will be a danger to us, but there will be other threats he will have to deal with before he turns on us, and in those moments, opportunism will rise.
The people who win are not the ones with bigger fists, but those who make the most of the chances they have.
These were the words of my father. Unfortunately, the man didn't follow these words, or he would have been here now.
"This message is from Zanav; are you really not going to give a thought to it?" she asked, and I laughed. The man wants me to marry his son.
He offered some concrete benefits, but not enough.
I might even have thought about it, but I heard a lot about that man. He is the same as Raul's son and the sons of many nobles.
I know I will not get what my parents had, but I want to marry a decent person.
"How long before he comes?" I asked. Someone important is coming to meet with me; I have to give him time. Few officials would dare to come so close to the front.
The enemy is camped on the hill and likes to snipe at people.
My men are on guard and intercept most of the attacks, but a few sometimes slip by.
"An hour more," she replied. I nodded and read the latest intelligence report. The man didn't come with only one item in hand; he also brought intelligence.
It's such a regret that I will lose access to it.
Imperial intelligence network is quite good; I am going to miss it.
It's mostly about the enemies, but there are also a few lines about Renwell too. Like always, there is mention of Silver, Grimvale, and Undead.
The three biggest forces.
Things have been calm for a while, but with our entrance in a month, there's going to be chaos in the region. Which is good, as that's when opportunities arise.
It will not be easy, but nothing ever is. If I want the territory, I will have to take the risk.
An hour passed quickly, and I heard the sound.
"He is here," Kadira informed.
A few seconds later, the tent flap opened, and a man with a scholarly air entered. He was handsome, with well-defined features and gentle forest green eyes that immediately focused on me.
Darial Robin, one of the most trusted people of Lord Silver.
He was the only one who could not keep his position after Darrow died, but also rose to the highest position.
He commands incredible power in Greltheaven, and the intelligence reports that he is one of the few people who have a significant influence on Silver.
"Marchioness Arenthel," he greeted, executing a perfect bow.
"Minister Robin."
He lowered himself into the chair across from me, his vibrant green eyes studying me with unnerving patience. They offered no hint of friendship or hostility, only the quiet certainty that nothing escaped their notice.
"I am surprised that you have come to this dangerous place just to meet me, Minister," I said, and the man smiled gently. "With you guarding it, Marchioness. There is no danger."
He is good.
"So, what do you want to talk about, Minister?" I asked directly. There was no hint of surprise. His smile disappeared almost imperceptibly, and the easy expression he had worn gave way to one of quiet seriousness.
"That you don't attack us when you come to the region," he replied simply.
"What gives you the idea that I will do that?" I asked with a small smile on my lips, while the man's expression remained unchanged.
"We are happy to hear that."
"If you sign the contract, you will not attack us for three years without provocation; we will give you a thousand Grade III emotion essence potions per year."
"Even the charge, the artifact for you."
Despite every effort, I could not keep the shock from showing. Across from me, Kadira stared in stunned silence, the color draining from her face as the meaning of the words settled upon her.
A thousand Grade III emotion essence potions is a truly massive amount. I could give it to all my officers and keep hundreds to spare.
And he is offering a thousand a year, and that's not the only thing. He is also offering to charge an artifact.
I quickly controlled my expression. Admonishing myself for showing a reaction that only appeared for a fraction of a second, but the man had caught it.
"It's a great offer, but I will have to decline it. Such an agreement will restrict me in ways, even when I did not plan to attack your territory."
"I'd rather not take that risk," I replied.
It's a very enticing offer, but I cannot accept it first, because I don't know whether I would attack them. It all depends on chance.
Second, the allies will not agree.
To gain them, I declared Greltheaven is the biggest target in the region. If I sign the agreement not to attack it, half of them will leave me immediately.
Third, I do want to attack Greltheaven.
Though my current forces are not capable of that, despite the numbers I gathered are greater than I had thought. Silver has also grown his forces, making them more powerful in that time.
Still, I will attack it if I get a chance. It is, after all, the greatest prize of the region.
Whoever captures it instantly doubles or triples their power. They will gain the legacy and its massive resources and influence; they will get through it.
Everyone could already see the power and influence Silver had gained in such a short time.
It's all because of it.
"It's your choice, Marchioness, but our offer stands until you decide to attack us."
"We can be great allies, but also very dangerous enemies to those who attack us."
"Undead had found that out, and the others will suffer the same fate as them if they decide to repeat the same mistakes." He delivered the threat with a gentle smile on his face.
I shuddered because he pointed out every hesitation everyone has about attacking Greltheaven. They wiped out the Great Horde within seconds with alchfire.
Something nobody has done at such a scale in a long time, and something nobody has figured out how Silver had done it.
If it had been a skill, a spell, or an artifact, the undead would have sensed it; that artifact in the capital would have sensed it, but nothing did, and nobody has found out.
Imperial spies have been trying. I heard they even tried to threaten Silver's mistress for it.
Even this man had been threatened and offered a great reward for that secret, but until now nobody did.
Most people are leaning toward it being a skill, but there are many flaws in the theory as well.
"I will remember that," I replied casually, despite being utterly serious in my heart. I have no desire to make my army its second target.
I will go for Greltheaven when I am absolutely sure of the reason or have the counter.