Translated Chapter
388. Thrace Kingdom
"I... we." Deyef clenched his teeth, his expression grim. He had come on Wilhelm’s orders, primarily to gather intelligence on the Empire of Ashen—yet he held little diplomatic authority and certainly no power to make such a promise.
But from their recent conversation, he had seen the immense crisis facing the Thrace Kingdom. This rising Red Dragon, this newborn empire, was far more terrifying than he had anticipated. If they allied with the Cassander Kingdom and launched a two-front assault, the consequences would be catastrophic—possibly even extinction!
It couldn’t happen.
In the end, he steeled his resolve. A flicker of unwavering determination flashed in his eyes. He took a breath and spoke firmly:
"Your Majesty, the Thrace Kingdom is willing to offer an equivalent amount of gold coins, along with a portion of magical resources."
"Oh?"
"And what about two-thirds of your territory?" Kai Xiusu asked lazily.
Deyef rejected it without hesitation. "Absolutely not, Your Majesty. The Thrace Kingdom will not surrender a single inch of its land."
"You know as well as I do that Wilhelm would never accept such a demand—and you have no reason to propose it."
"Perhaps not." Kai Xiusu grinned again, wide and sharp.
Break their roof, and you allow them a skylight.
Human nature always leans toward compromise. This tactic, timeless and universal, never grows old.
"Then if you cannot match our terms, why should we abandon the benefits right at our fingertips?"
"Your Majesty, you’ve been misled by Cassander’s rhetoric." Deyef spoke with calm authority. "In their words, Thrace is a lamb waiting to be slaughtered—easily crushed. But reality is far different."
"I admit your empire is powerful. But the strength you’ve shown so far is not enough to defeat us."
"Wilhelm commands sixteen dukes whose bloodlines rival legendary divine bloodlines, and hundreds more who have ascended to Solar Warrior status. They fought alongside the old Emperor in campaigns across the realms—into the Nine Hells, the Bottomless Abyss, the Gray Wasteland. They earned glory beyond measure, spreading the Radiance of Sacred Fedran across the Multiverse."
"If we fight to the death, your empire will suffer massive losses. And when that happens, the Cassander will only gloat—just as they always do, so vile and treacherous."
Kai Xiusu narrowed his eyes.
"You do have a point."
"But it still isn’t enough to convince me. Not just empty words from your mouth."
Silence fell.
Deyef believed he had laid out every possible argument, done all he could. If this failed to sway the Red Dragon, then war was inevitable.
He lowered his head, voice heavy with resignation:
"King Kai Xiusu… truly, there is no room for negotiation?"
"Hmm…"
"Truly frustrating. I’ve always said I’m a monarch who favors peace. Yet I see no sincerity from your kingdom."
"Let us meet halfway. I’ll accept two million gold coins. In return, you hand over the Kartpa Hills south of Anstica. How does that sound?"
"This… this—"
Deyef’s expression hardened. The Kartpa Hills were large, yes—but dwarfed by the vast expanse of Thrace. And it wasn’t a fertile land. Beasts and monsters roamed freely. In truth, it was little more than a lawless wasteland, claimed only for the sake of communication with Anzeta.
If securing peace on the southern front—even just buying time—meant sacrificing the hills, it might be worth it.
But Wilhelm had not granted him the authority to sign any pact, let alone cede land. And if the Empire of Ashen gained that territory, Thrace’s northern flank would be dangerously exposed.
He was torn.
After a long pause, he spoke with solemn resolve:
"Your Majesty, on a personal level… I would accept this condition."
"But this involves the kingdom’s territory—something of utmost importance. I must return to consult with Wilhelm."
"I understand." Kai Xiusu’s lips curled into a mocking smirk.
"Tell Wilhelm: he may choose my friendship… or face a sudden, profit-driven assault."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Deyef exhaled, visibly relieved.
Greed. Sly. A cunning Red Dragon, he thought inwardly.
Regardless, he had bought time—stalled the Empire of Ashen, and intimidated the dragon before him. Now, the southern front could proceed with greater ease.
All he needed now was to convince Wilhelm to make a small, symbolic sacrifice.
But Deyef had no idea he had already fallen into the Red Dragon’s diplomatic trap. Kai Xiusu hadn’t truly wanted anything—he only wanted to manipulate both kingdoms, forcing them into conflict, extracting benefits without spending a single coin.
In short: make a profit without investment.
Tinia watched Deyef vanish into the distance, eyes wide, mouth agape.
"Master… you really let him hand over two million gold coins? What if he runs away with it?"
Kai Xiusu gazed into the horizon, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Wait and see, Tinia."
"You’ll soon witness the official delegation, the magical treaty, and wagons piled high with gold rolling in from the south."
Tinia drooled, her imagination racing.
"Two million gold coins…"
"Master, can I see them? I’ve never seen so much money in my life!"
The White Dragon bounced joyfully, darting back to Kai Xiusu’s side, rubbing against his leg with a wide, pleading grin, tail wagging furiously.
Thwack!
A sharp slap.
Tinia yelped, clutching her reddened cheek, whispering in disbelief:
"Master… you just spoke a few words… and they handed over all that gold?"
Kai Xiusu gently closed his claw, and in midair, a phantom triangular balance scale appeared—perfectly balanced. Each side held weights: one large, two smaller.
"This," he said, "is the current situation."
"The strength of the three kingdoms is evenly matched. The war will stall for a long time. Each side wants to break the deadlock."
"All it takes… is a little external pressure."
He snapped his fingers.
Snap!
A brand-new, tiny weight was added to one side of the scale. Instantly, balance shattered. The entire apparatus tipped violently toward the new weight.
"This is the Empire’s role—a powerful outside force capable of shifting the balance."
"But now? I don’t want either side to win. So I’ll simply watch."
Tinia nodded slowly, eyes alight with eager understanding.
"So… if I just speak like you, I can earn two million gold coins too?"
Silence returned to the royal palace.
Kai Xiusu turned his gaze upward, watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon.
Strange—though it was only noon, the world outside looked like dusk.
"Indeed… as I suspected. The Solar Chronology is failing. The God of Law and the Sun—Amanata, honored as the guardian of justice and time—can no longer maintain stability. He is about to fall into slumber."
"The Age of Chaos… is beginning."
In the fading light of the setting sun, Kai Xiusu’s eyes gleamed with quiet fire.
(End of Chapter)
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