Chapter 1017: Arrived

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"She has arrived in Inam," informed Zela.

Marchioness Arenthal had arrived in Inam, bringing her entire army; she was the last one to arrive. Her army had been gathering there for nearly two weeks.

"So, she has," I replied, as I leaned back in my chair.

"Who do you think she will target first?" I asked Argis and Zela. It is a question that even we don't have an answer to; we have good intelligence on her, but we don't know who she will target first.

Summerfield or Zanav.

The only thing we're sure of is that both of them will want a base before coming for me, and there are two cities to take.

Well, given Viremont's army, he could target any of Zanav's or Summerfield's cities.

Though Stone thinks he will get a base before coming at us. He wouldn't want to lose morale. He is coming for me, and he won't stop until he attacks me.

"I believe it will be Bilgas; it's the closest," replied Argis, but Zela shook her head.

"No, it would be Almin; it will give her direct access to Panar and Gailhorn," countered Zela.

"But you forgot, Miss Zela, that Count Viremont had clearly stated his desire for the city. Given the army and the powerhouses he is bringing, I don't think the Marchioness would take the risk," added Argis.

"Given her nature, she might."

This kind of conversation is going on in the war rooms. We know there is a 90% chance that both of those cities would be the first to be attacked."

The important question is, who is going to attack which city or who will attack the other person after they get that city.

A big part of our strategy depends on that.

Our intelligence is improving, but we weren't able to get definitive intelligence. Viremont hinted he wants both cities, while Arenthal could effectively conquer only one with the force she is bringing.

"We might not agree on which city they will choose, but we know the huge effect Arenthal will have on it."

"She has become a focal point of it," said Argis.

It made me smile, but with no mirth, because he is right.

The army she is bringing is not an enormous threat to me. It is a threat all right, but not enough to destroy me like the undead with their endless hordes, Grimvale with his massive army, or Viremont with his powerhouses.

That makes her the most important piece.

On her own, she couldn't defeat me or win against Viremont, Grimvale, or the undead, but if she joins any side, she will make that side very strong.

It is why everyone understood her importance and is courting her for support.

"The fourteenth brigade had reached Gailhorn," Zela's voice broke me out of my thoughts. I nodded with relief; this is the last of the army reinforcements Gailhorn will receive.

If it is attacked, it would have to defend with what it now has. It will not be getting any more.

I have already stretched myself, pulling more from the baronies than I should, but I had to take that risk. Grimvale will probably attack, but he is only one, while Gailhorn and Panar are facing triple threats.

I need to reinforce them more. So they could defend better, I cannot afford to lose either.

Gailhorn is the only seaport I have, and it has already proved its immense value, while Panar has the ancient inheritance which could become a pillar of the dominion.

…

Count Summerfield

'I swallowed my pride and went to the manor where she was staying, but her people refused to let me in,' my son said. The anger simmering beneath his words was unmistakable. I felt it too.

This was humiliating.

Arenthal had arrived at Inam, and I had sent my son to meet her. He had been waiting for her for a few days. So, he could talk to her about an alliance to at least spare our territory.

We will pay good money for that, but she is not even willing to talk about it.

A week ago, she stopped taking my calls. A day later, Landon stopped doing that as well. Now, when I call, their mages make excuses.

It fills me with burning rage and humiliation, but I drank it down, as nothing is more important than my territory.

"Keep your emotions in check, Darius. These are trying times for us. We must swallow this humiliation and bury it deep until the day comes when we can repay it—with interest."

They will pay.

I am doing well, better than I thought I would a few years ago, but my enemies are getting stronger faster. Though I have confidence, as long as I have enough time, I could bear them.

It's not empty confidence.

The mine is doing very well; I have found three new veins with purer crystals. It's going to help me tremendously. All I need is time to use it to create a force that will strike fear into my enemies' hearts.

"I have a call with Thorn this evening. I'll ask him to arrange a meeting with her." I said.

The meeting with her is extremely important.

Since that woman is going to bring her army to the region tomorrow, she is only staying in Inam for one day; once she leaves, it will be even harder to meet with her.

I could send an envoy, but if she is not willing to meet my son. She will not meet my envoy.

Thorn could arrange the meeting easily. He holds immense leverage over us. Especially me and Grimvale, since we didn't have port cities, and it's the same with her since she is coming to the region.

'Then call me after the call, Lord Father,' he replied and cut the call. I sighed before turning to the mage.

"Anything from Grimvale or the others?" I asked, and the mage shook his head. I had extended an offer to sell Almin, not only to Grimvale and nobles in the empire but also in the region.

A week ago, I had reduced the amount to the third, but nobody made the offer.

"Send the offer to Silver," I gritted my teeth. It is the absolute last thing I want to do, but I have to put aside my hate for the bastard and be realistic.

"My lord?" There is a clear surprise in his eyes.

"Do it," I ordered. He hesitated before nodding, while I leaned back and closed my eyes. Now, the only thing that remained to do was to wait for the callback.

From Thorn as well as Silver.

…

Taren Zanav

"The cannons are going to help us a lot, my lord," said Vantair, the Governor of Bilgas.

"Though I wish you could provide a few companies of cavalry, I would be more reassured." It is not the first time he has requested it.

He is a small man, with stubby hands. A capable administrator, and I like him, but now I wish I could kick him off the wall.

Since I came to Bilgas to see the arrangement, he has been constantly whining for reinforcement.

Didn't I want that too? If I could, I would have given it to him; I have spent too much money and effort here to lose Bilgas, but I can't give more. If I give too much, I will weaken Port Midlet.

If those two sense weakness, they will attack it, and that's not something I want to face.

I need to protect Port Midlet at any cost. I cannot lose it.

"You will have to manage with what you have, Vantair," I replied. The man opened his mouth, but closed it after seeing my expression.

I looked around before turning to my mage, and he shook his head. I am waiting for the call with my sister. I hate her plan, but I know, I know it is the only choice I have.

I will need to do it if I want to survive.

"Count Summerfield's office is asking for the reply on the offer," the mage informed me. I am angry whenever I think about it; Almin is better than Bilgas, but unfortunately I can't have it.

"Tell him we will answer him in a few days," I replied.

The bastard is selling it and even lowered the offer to a third of the original. If he had done that a year ago, I would have bought it, but now there is no use.

I looked at the defenses of the wall and the army before I mounted my beast.

Usually, I stay at least a night at Bilgas, but I'm leaving. My sister didn't even want me to come. Asking me to focus on Port Midlet, but I wanted to see the defenses of this city I conquered one last time.

"Vantair, be prepared to execute the final plan," I said one last time.

The man looked as reluctant as I felt, but after a long moment, he nodded. He understood as well as I did that when all other options were exhausted, we might have no choice but to execute it.

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