Chapter 474: The Archduke’s Demands [Part 1]

Two days after the Orion Troupe’s arrival, the situation in the Kingdom of Britannia took a turn for the worse.

Due to the delay in the return of the Black Tortoise General and the Vermilion Bird General, the Barbarians and the Beastkins managed to push deeper into the lands of Britannia, like a raging tide that couldn’t be stopped.

The Blue Dragon General and the White Tiger General had no choice but to deal with them first, leaving the army of the Helion Family unchecked.

Their reasoning was simple.

Since the Radiant Empire broke the agreement first, the territories they lost could just be demanded back from them, along with reparations.

On the other hand, the Barbarians and the Beastkins rejected any form of negotiation.

They knew that the more lands they conquered from the Kingdom of Britannia, the more compensation they would have to pay in order to regain their lands.

The battle was fierce, and the two generals who clashed with the invaders almost lost.

Fortunately, the Black Tortoise General and the Vermilion Bird General could finally use a private teleportation gate, allowing them to arrive in time just before the situation devolved into the worst-case scenario.

But even with the four generals working together, the war had entered a stalemate.

If they were only fighting against the Barbarians, they might have pushed them back easily.

However, the Beastkins were also participating in the battle.

Because of that, the only thing they achieved was to halt the enemy’s advance, holding the line to prevent further incursions.

While this was happening, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Britannia made his way to the Headquarters of the Helion Duchy, which the latter had set up in one of their conquered territories.

The messenger representing the King of the Radiant Empire had ordered Lugh to stop all hostilities against the kingdom, or else he would be punished for the crime of treason.

Lugh laughed at the messenger’s threat, knowing that his in-law, the King himself, wouldn’t dare to go that far.

He understood Lugh’s temperament the most. If he really tried to punish the Hero of the Radiant Empire, a civil war might break out.

And that was the last thing the King wanted to happen.

Even so, Lugh had already accomplished his mission. He had helped his grandson by forcing the kingdom’s army to retreat to their domain.

That was already enough.

And now, the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Britannia and the Royal Messenger of the Radiant Empire were both inside Lugh’s temporary residence.

Both were holding communication crystals, allowing their sovereigns to join the meeting.

“My name is Theodore Ashford, and I am the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Britannia,” Theodore introduced himself. “I am the right-hand man of King Augustus Vi Britannia.”

“I am Leopold Sterling,” the Royal Messenger replied. “I am the Royal Messenger of His Majesty, King Helios Solthane.”

The two then glanced at Lugh, who was casually picking at his ear with his little finger. Clearly, he looked like he wanted to be anywhere but this room right now.

The two messengers wanted to get this over with, so they took out their communication crystals and activated them.

Soon, the projection of the two Kings appeared in front of everyone.

“Helios, you have a lot of explaining to do,” King Augustus of Britannia said with barely restrained anger. “We had an agreement. Why did you break it?”

“I didn’t break our agreement,” King Helios replied. “I just failed to inform the Helion Duchy about our secret agreement.”

“Don’t you use sophistry on me! Do you realize how much my kingdom suffered due to your empire’s actions?!” King Augustus was finally unable to hold back and lashed out in anger.

“I will allow you to be angry since you have every right to feel that way,” King Helios answered. “I also admit that the fault lies in me. I should’ve informed my vassal about our agreement. As such, I will also see to it that all the lands taken by Archduke Helion’s forces will be returned to you.”

Just as everyone in the room thought that this matter was settled, Lugh finally made his move.

“Excuse me?” Lugh interrupted the conversation. “Are you saying I will not be compensated for returning the lands that I rightfully took for my own?”

“Rightfully?!” King Augustus almost popped a blood vessel after hearing the old man’s words. “You have no right to invade our lands!”

“Says who?” Lugh asked back in a challenging tone. “The Kingdom of Britannia has tried to invade my domain repeatedly over the past few years while the Radiant Empire was busy dealing with the Beast Kingdom.

“The sons of the Helion Duchy have died and bled while defending our lands. If you think you can get away without compensating me, then you have another thing coming.”

“Y-You! How can you be so unreasonable?!” King Augustus roared in anger.

“I’m not being unreasonable,” Lugh stated. “Do not forget that I am an Archduke. I can declare my domain as my own kingdom. After that, I will join the Barbarians and the Beastmen in their campaign. Let’s see if you can withstand our combined forces.

“Have you not learned your lesson? I already showed you how easily I could break into your capital city in just a few days. Do you really want me to kick the doors of your castle down and personally strangle your neck?”

King Augustus clenched his fists so hard that his knuckles cracked.

How could he possibly forget that day when the old bastard before him summoned an Elemental Archon right in front of his Royal Palace!

“Archduke, please don’t say such things,” Leopold commented from the side. “You only enjoy such privileges because the King allows you to enjoy them.”

Lugh shrugged. “Then I can just join the Beast Kingdom and the Barbarians. Even if my lands are taken away, I’ll just carve my own domain with my own hands. That way, I no longer need to listen to anyone else telling me what to do.”

Listening to the old man’s words made King Helios sigh and pinch the bridge of his nose.

One reason the former King gave Lugh the title of Archduke was that, although he looked like a harmless old man, Lugh was actually very dangerous.

Extremely dangerous.

He was not only strong, but also had many connections.

In fact, Lugh had somehow managed to become the sworn brother of the Dragon King of the North.

A Calamity-class being whom even the Radiant Empire didn’t dare to offend.

That being so, the former King decided to marry off his own daughter to the Hero of the Empire and made him an Archduke.

He hoped that Lugh would be satisfied with his title and domain, turning the Hero into one of the pillars of the Radiant Empire.

And now, that same person was threatening to detach himself from the Radiant Empire and form his own faction.

If that really happened, the majority of the military officials would take Lugh’s side, which would spell bad news for the empire.

“Okay, everyone. Please calm down,” King Helios said after a minute had passed. “Archduke, I was wrong not to inform you about my agreement with the Kingdom of Britannia.

“As such, I am willing to compensate you for your losses and grievances. In return, please retreat to your duchy and enter a non-aggression pact with the Kingdom of Britannia.”

However, Leone’s no-good great-grandfather shook his head.

“I don’t want to enter a non-aggression pact with the Kingdom of Britannia,” Lugh stated. “But how can I possibly not object to my King’s request? So, let’s settle for a compromise.”

King Augustus frowned after hearing Lugh’s words.

However, since the situation of the war against the Barbarians and the Beastkins had entered a dangerous stage, he decided to listen to the compromise that the Archduke wanted to present to him.

As long as it didn’t go past his bottom line, he was willing to agree to it.