Chapter 833: To Die Alone

No one is surprised by Henwell's hard line. What catches their attention is his decision to send reinforcements to Kosen.

The people from the Western Regions study Henwell with knowing looks.

Nissen gives Henwell a slight nod. Henwell ignores everyone else's reaction.

By now, everyone has realized that none of the Western Federation's reinforcements are going north. There is clearly more going on behind the scenes.

By openly declaring that he will reinforce the north, Henwell confirms every side's suspicion that something unusual is afoot.

Prince Kevin continues, "In addition, each of your powers will contribute a contingent of elites to form an elite coalition force."

"Whenever a front reaches a critical point, the coalition will rush there as reinforcement and keep the defensive line from collapsing."

Henwell objects. "The distances are too great. There won't be enough time."

Prince Kevin shakes his head. "That will not be a problem. If a front begins to collapse, we will activate the capital-to-capital teleportation formations and deploy the coalition directly."

Henwell asks, "How many?"

"Fifty thousand. The formations can only be activated twice each year."

Henwell nods. "That should be enough. I will provide ten thousand elite troops to represent Peace Haven and Vorry."

Prince Austin of Ogiro follows. "We can also provide ten thousand elites."

Prince Kullen of Ika says, "We will provide ten thousand as well."

Addison, Councillor Prince of Bilri, speaks next. "It will be difficult, but we will scrape together ten thousand as well."

As one of the hosts, Obilian also commits ten thousand troops.

The Kosen Kingdom is already struggling to protect itself, and no reinforcements from the Western Regions are stationed there. No one expects it to contribute.

Just when everyone thinks the fifty-thousand-man coalition is complete, Prince Kevin looks at the representatives of western Lumir. "How many troops can you provide?"

Obilian immediately rises in protest. "That is unacceptable! This is a matter for the six kingdoms. They are merely a rebel regime and cannot represent Lumir."

Prince Kevin says calmly, "The Calamity War is nothing like the child's play you indulged in before. Kingdoms and entire peoples can be wiped out."

"I am not asking for your opinion. I am giving you a choice."

"Since you object, you may decline to join the coalition. I can also transfer the legion stationed at Holy Lake City to Kriye City."

"Furthermore, I am speaking with the representatives of the Western Lumir Federation. Your protest carries no weight here."

Without acknowledging Obilian's livid expression, Prince Kevin turns to the western Lumir delegation. "Count Pajaje, tell me. How many troops can you provide?"

Decades have passed. Scar Tiger has long since shed every trace of his old bandit air. He rises with calm dignity and replies, "Your Highness, please forgive us. We can only provide six thousand elites."

Prince Kevin looks back at Obilian. "Your Majesty, do you still insist on your position?"

Obilian snorts and sits down without another word.

Prince Kevin gives a slight nod. "Excellent. With no objections remaining, this coalition of fifty-six thousand must be assembled as quickly as possible."

"The coalition will assemble at Peace Haven, and the Western Federation will cover the cost of its arms and equipment."

"We will pay in extraordinary materials and have Peace Haven manufacture everything. Do you have any objections, Henwell?"

Henwell shakes his head. "No. I will muster everything as soon as possible."

"However, as an elite mobile force, every member should be cavalry or at least have a mount."

"The coalition must bring its own horses. Otherwise, Peace Haven cannot possibly meet the demand."

Prince Kevin stares at Henwell. "You can. I know exactly how many horse ranches Peace Haven has, and I know you still have thirty thousand warhorses."

Henwell meets his gaze without yielding. "Those are mine, and I have plans for them."

Prince Kevin says, "I am not taking them for free. Name any extraordinary material available in the Western Regions."

Henwell is silent for a moment. "Twenty thousand at most."

"Deal. The horses for your own ten thousand troops are not part of this transaction. I will still cover their equipment costs, but you must provide their mounts yourself."

The rest of the meeting is spent settling the details of their arrangements.

It runs late into the night before everyone finally returns to their respective residences.

That same night, Obilian visits Henwell. "Henwell, they are extorting us!"

Henwell glances at him. "Stop pretending. This war is an opportunity for you. Before long, more orders than you can count will come crashing down on you."

"Your industrial district will finally be able to operate at full capacity."

"The technological upgrades and influx of talent you want will come soon as well."

"Freeing up your productive capacity will allow you to withdraw large numbers of young adults and form even more elite forces."

"Once tempered by war, Lumir will be reborn from the flames. When the war ends, you will be ready to sweep away the Western Lumir Federation."

Obilian sighs. "That assumes we live long enough to see the war end."

"As the war continues, the Western Regions, Ika, Ogiro, and even you will begin restraining us by the final stage, if not sooner."

"And Peace Haven stands to gain even more. You will advance faster and farther than anyone else."

"Why do I get the feeling that once the war ends, you will deal with us first?"

Henwell does not answer directly. "The first thing you said was right. Everything depends on surviving until the war ends."

Obilian asks, "Can't you promise me that you won't make me your first target after the war?"

Henwell says calmly, "What ultimately matters is your own strength."

"If Lumir grows strong enough that attacking you is not worth the price, then naturally we will not devour you."

Obilian catches the pronoun. "We? So it is not yours alone to decide."

"Henwell, how much longer can you keep the beast called Peace Haven on its leash?"

Henwell falls silent for a moment. "A long time. A very long time."

Obilian smiles and shakes his head. "Henwell, you still don't understand. Politics is not a matter of personal strength. Your individual power cannot dictate Peace Haven's will."

Henwell takes a sip of wine. "That is only because I am not strong enough yet."

Obilian cannot help laughing. "Heh... Henwell, only you could say something that arrogant and still make people believe it."

After a pause, Obilian says, "Henwell, I will open southeastern Lumir to you. Your Southern Military District can move in."

"I hope you can keep the beasts under your command in check. Do not let them create a situation that humiliates us both."

Henwell says, "I have scattered the Lord Iron Guards among my forces. My subordinates understand my position now."

"They always did, yet they still created this mess."

Henwell shakes his head. "This time is different. This time, I will kill people."

Obilian stares into the wine in his cup. "Henwell, this is what it means to be a king, a king who stands above everyone else."

"No family, no friendship, no love. Everything is for the kingdom."

"In the end, power and authority are all we will have left."

"We will live alone."

"And we will die alone."