Translated Chapter
385. Palace Confrontation
"Your Majesty, the Envoy from Cassander Kingdom requests an audience. Additionally, the Envoy from Thrace Kingdom has also arrived, seeking audience."
The voice of the Tiefling Captain of the Guard echoed through the hall.
"So they’ve all come already?"
"Actions are swift indeed. Not even a moment of rest granted me."
Kai Xiusu shook out his wings, stretching his colossal Dragon form with a sigh of quiet admiration.
Cassander Kingdom was led by Otis Aragon—the eldest son of Aragon I—and occupied the southeastern reaches of the Holy Faedran Empire. It encompassed vast territories including the Ataya Plains, the Hrethys Basin, and the sprawling Winen Forest. The land was flat and open, blessed with a mild climate and unparalleled fertility. Known as the "Land Blessed by the Sun God," it was also the Cradle of the Dragon within the Holy Faedran Empire. The empire’s former Emperor had risen from this very region, expanding his dominion step by step until he forged the Sacred Fedran—a Colossal Entity.
After the Great Collapse of the Holy Phaldran Empire, its immense body fractured into three parts, and Cassander Kingdom emerged as the most powerful among them.
Now, the War of the Kings had raged for months. Despite being forced to fight on two fronts, Cassander’s Divine Descendant Army still held firm control over the ancient capital of the fallen empire—Teotihuacan, known as the "City of Solar Radiance"—and continued to occupy the Eternal Sun God Pyramid.
Intelligence reports on Cassander Kingdom were projected before the assembly, displayed in shimmering light across the chamber.
Kai Xiusu glanced at the data, then casually asked,
"So, what do you all think? What could they possibly want? Speak freely. I’m not interested in my own opinion right now."
"Declaration of War!"
"They’re here to declare war on us!"
Tinia shot up with excitement, her voice bright and eager.
The courtiers exchanged weary glances. Even Lanpu, who served as her nominal "teacher," lowered his head, covering half of his grotesque face with one hand.
"Why?" Kai Xiusu’s lips twitched slightly.
Tinia, interpreting the gesture as approval, eagerly bounced forward, tail wagging.
"Master, you’re so powerful—of course they’d resent you!"
"And—well, the ministers said Cassander is the richest region in the south. They claim the soil there runs with gold. If we could seize it, heh—heh—"
A sharp cry of pain cut her off.
The Ancestral White Dragon was kicked hard through the air and sent tumbling out into the courtyard. She rolled several times before staggering back to her feet—dazed, starry-eyed, barely coherent.
"Alright, go play somewhere else," Kai Xiusu said coolly, then added with a hint of finality, "Lanpu, you’ll personally oversee Tinia’s political and historical education. I want results within a year."
"Yes, Master."
"Your servant shall not fail you."
Lanpu nodded earnestly, managing a smile so strained it looked more like a grimace.
Meanwhile, the Giant Ogre Marshal Dolo stepped forward, half-kneeling before the steps, his voice steady and deliberate.
"Your Majesty, I believe they’ve come seeking collaboration."
"Oh? And why do you suppose that?"
"Form alliances with distant powers. Attack neighbors."
Dolo spoke each phrase like a tactical doctrine, words he’d learned from the Player.
"Cassander Kingdom, though the strongest of the three, must still face immense war pressure—fighting both the Kingdom of Seleucus and Thrace Kingdom while attempting to fully occupy the City of Solar Radiance. The Empire lies deep in Thrace’s rear, able to strike them from behind through the Anzeta Corridor at any moment."
"Once we enter the war, even if we don’t cripple Thrace, we’ll force them to divert troops urgently—leaving the southern front vulnerable. That would drastically ease the pressure on Cassander’s frontlines."
His words carried weight, confidence, and precision. The entire hall—Red Dragon included—nodded in agreement.
"Good."
"Then, what do you think we should do? Should we join the war?"
Dolo paused, eyes lowered in deep thought. After a long silence, he raised his head, his voice firm, his gaze blazing with ambition.
"Your Majesty, this moment of Sacred Fedran’s fragmentation is rare. The Empire should concentrate all its forces in the south, ally with Cassander Kingdom, and launch a pincer attack on Thrace Kingdom. Our goal must be total dismemberment of Thrace."
"If we allow the south to reunify into a single empire once more, our southern advance will be blocked forever. Our dream of dominating the Feiansuo Continent will remain unfulfilled."
The Red Dragon did not nod in approval. Instead, he simply watched the courtiers, silently inviting further debate.
Lanpu stepped forward with calm composure, also half-kneeling before the steps.
"Marshal Dolo, you are being overly extreme."
"The Empire has only just unified Anzeta. The wars and noble exploitation have left the northern realms in ruins. We are still rebuilding from rubble—our development is urgent and fragile."
"Now, with our own lands barely integrated, you wish to pour every last strength into the south?"
"Even if we conquer Thrace Kingdom, do you truly believe we have the strength left to govern it?"
Lanpu’s words were sharp, direct—leaving no room for evasion. He had already read the silence after the last exchange and sensed Kai Xiusu’s stance.
"You—" Dolo’s face flushed crimson, but years of command had taught him to rein in his fury.
The Giant Ogre Marshal snorted coldly.
"Lord Lanpu, when your Five-Year Development Plan is finally complete, Cassander may have already erased Thrace from the map. By then, the Empire won’t even get a sip of the broth."
Lanpu scoffed.
"Are you so certain Thrace will fall in three years? Do you really think Wilhelm’s Divine Offspring Nobles are incompetent?"
Dolo, seeing the debate slipping away, resorted to the Player’s tactics—his subordinates’ favored rhetoric.
"Hmph. Are you simply intimidated by their titles and names? Are you underestimating the Empire’s strength? Or are you questioning the Majesty of the throne itself?"
Lanpu only laughed—dry, amused.
"Progress, Marshal Dolo. You’ve finally learned the tricks of men."
"Ah, but it’s you who’s become timid, Lord Lanpu! Fearful of risk. Courage without wisdom is recklessness. On that point, I’d say even Tinia outshines you—out there, still dazed from being kicked."
"You—"
"Enough."
Kai Xiusu’s voice rang out, calm and final.
Lanpu and Dolo fell silent instantly, retreating to their places.
Dolo still glared sideways, resentful. Lanpu, meanwhile, exhaled slowly, half-closing his eyes with serene indifference—unbothered by the recent clash.
"Enough pointless debate," Kai Xiusu declared.
"Bring in the envoy from Cassander Kingdom."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The courtiers answered in unison.
(End of Chapter)
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