Edwin Hector was shocked. If others were told of the conspiracy of the Kronos Empire, they wouldn’t reject his offer. The enemy of all. It was a plan to overthrow the Kronos Empire, so why was he reacting so aggressively?
“To be honest, I don’t understand what Mr. Roman Dmitry means. The Dmitry Duchy invited the Kingdoms’ Alliance and told them about the coming future. Just as you drew in the Kingdoms’ Alliance during the incident with the Kronos Empire, it proves that the nations’ power must be maximized to counter the empire.”
Dmitry’s and Hector’s purposes coincided. Then it was only right for them to welcome Edwin’s hand.
“I will not deny that Hector is weak. In just one year, the damage caused by the harvest and the war couldn’t be solved, and there were people starving in Hector. But what does that have to do with this? If there is even one person willing to help overthrow Kronos, then this would help Dmitry too. It means that we will go to war together and bear the consequences together. And Hector’s plan is to involve Dmitry in this as well as the Kingdoms’ Alliance.”
Outside the office, a friendly conversation was happening at the party. As they clinked their glasses and talked about the future of the kingdom, they laughed and joined forces against a common enemy.
It was already agreed upon. On the surface, Dmitry and Hector’s positions were established, and Hector was just preparing to make sure of it. So the rejection wasn’t expected.
Roman Dmitry was unpredictable on the battlefield, but he didn’t expect the man to be this troublesome outside the battlefield too.
And Roman said,
“You are right. With the common enemy called the empire, the kingdoms can only survive if the alliance properly works together. What that means is a closer relationship. Then, does Prince Edwin Hector believe in the unity of the kingdoms? We may turn to each other for comfort now, but there is no guarantee that the situation will last.”
There was no such thing as permanent allies. Given that premise, Roman wanted to clarify the benefits they could reap from a solid relationship.
“Currently, if I were the Kronos Empire, I would think about destroying the Kingdoms’ Alliance, which is like a sandcastle.”
Human relationships are complex. If one’s subordinate was loyal and could be trusted, the existence of those outside the wall had to be doubted.
Alliance and union—in order for such words to actually work, not only the purpose but also the conviction that the relationship is mutually beneficial must be present.
Hector had a clear purpose and they weren’t influenced by the trend.
“Recently, the situation in Umberto hasn’t been good. They border Kronos at the very front. They are suffering the most damage due to frequent battles. In addition, dissatisfaction is clear within their nation as a result of their exhaustion. If I were Kronos, I would try to make Umberto compromise. If they do, then the other nations will fall from the constant rift they will have with the other kingdoms.”
One possibility.
“The King of Redford has fallen into gambling. The security of the nation was put aside, and the treasury was used for his desires. The servants under him tried to solve it, but they eventually got their hands on the Golden Bank. As you know, the Golden Bank has influence all over the continent. If they start to press them to pay their debt, the kingdom will try to find ways to do that, which could be treason too.”
Maybe both.
“You think Frank and Odelia can be trusted? No, never. They have a very divided system of power, just like the old Cairo. Frank neglected supporting Phoenix, and a disaster happened because the forces of the empire who were there encouraged the King. Cairo found stability by taking down Marquis Benedict and the nobles, but miracles like that cannot happen everywhere.”
Finally,
“Then what about Hector? The four Kings in the alliance have weaknesses, making them targets for Kronos to attack. It is the same with Hector. If the starvation becomes extreme or if Valhalla declares war, are you sure you can handle that? I am asking if you, who want to take revenge against Kronos, have the strength not to be shaken.”
The Kingdoms’ Alliance was a sandcastle. They formed a hazy relationship that could collapse at any time.
“Dmitry has no intention of making the mistake of breaking ties with the alliance first. I hope to continue a friendly relationship with Hector as well. However, joining the plan you have come up with is another matter. The cost of excessive trust is fatal. If the allied nations betray each other, Dmitry will not be shaken. However, if we start to trust you and you betray us, that is a different thing. Because Hector is getting something out of this, and we cannot allow ourselves to be hit with a fatal attack.”
It was a complex matter. An alliance without trust—that was the answer he gave to Edwin Hector, who spoke honestly.
Looking at Edwin Hector, who couldn’t accept this situation, Roman Dmitry said in a low voice,
“It isn’t like I am not aware of the sincerity of the Hector Kingdom. Unlike the other kingdoms, you have a clear purpose to take revenge on Kronos and enough reason to be taken as an ally. The question is, is Hector truly worthy of Dmitry? That is an important role for Hector to play. If Hector says that you will take revenge on Kronos only with your mouth because of the harsh lives you have, Dmitry has no reason to treat Hector seriously. After all, what we can obtain from Hector isn’t much. Rather than that, trusting and following ourselves is a much smarter way to avoid taking risks.”
For his future plans, he needed confidence in Hector. And if they proved their worth, Roman would surely think about it. In addition, above all else, Roman wanted Dmitry to be the one who would handle the plan.
“I will ask you again. Do you have any reasons for Dmitry to truly join hands with Hector?”
Roman Dmitry’s words were right. Hector was weak. Even so, Edwin Hector talked about the plan first without knowing his place.
‘… if I think about it, the fact that the Kronos Empire is behind the shady plot isn’t that important.’
The Kronos Empire always looked friendly on the outside but was plotting something from behind. The continental war was always talked about.
Drying out the land of Hector was something he was angry about, but considering the things they did to overthrow the power Hector had, Edwin knew this was Kronos’s way.
And the truth just convinced him that reality hadn’t changed. Even though the Hector Kingdom lacked the power to carry out the plan, they only talked about destroying the Kronos Empire.
“You are so cruel.”
Hector smiled. The truth was so cruel and harsh. Edwin Hector smiled self-deprecatingly.
“Actually, I know the truth. Hector is falling into the path of downfall, and at the pace that it is going, even if someone doesn’t attack it, it will collapse on its own. That is why I am desperate for revenge. Even though Hector only has a little bit of power left, we still have the desire to take revenge on Kronos for turning Hector into this state and to solve the problem of the kingdom with the little wealth we have left.”
Hector’s worth wasn’t clear. Even if they had the power to shine for the last time, it wouldn’t be too bright.
“Hector isn’t qualified to lead a war. If a war breaks out and the alliance wins, Hector will be there, but you cannot say that the victory was because of Hector’s strength. But that doesn’t mean that I will give up on the idea of revenge. From the moment the people of Hector collapsed and died from hunger, Hector became an existence that couldn’t coexist with Kronos.”
His voice became more and more strained. Looking at Roman, he added,
“You asked me on what grounds I came to Dmitry? I can just promise you one thing. As the Prince of the Hector Kingdom, if it is to destroy the Kronos Empire, I will risk my life and do my best. It is okay if we aren’t the ones leading the war. If you destroy Kronos and promise Hector’s future, then we will stand at the forefront of this war like a scapegoat and pave the way.”
Roman Dmitry. He was convinced by the conversation he had with him. If he was this meticulous, there was no other person more perfect than this man to lead this plan. And he truly believed that, so he made a sacrifice.
“Even if the Hector Kingdom gets reduced to nothing, we will still work to benefit Dmitry. How about doing this, then? Dmitry helps Hector. I don’t want much. If the soldiers are given good weapons, we will continue to move against Kronos. We only have one cause, so please help us. Rather than an alliance that is only shiny on the outside, I think Hector, who has a clear goal, is a better fit for Dmitry.”
It was a bold proposal. When he was asked about the return, he hoped that the expected result would be achieved.
Edwin’s eyes were stained with madness. As he uncovered the truth about the dying lands, he accepted his destiny as the Prince. So he chose to risk his life. If he couldn’t destroy Kronos, Hector would be finished anyway.
It was at that moment….
“The promise you just made. Keep that in mind.”
They weren’t a perfect ally. However, Hector was. He confirmed the value of Hector by accepting Edwin Hector.
“Dmitry will do our best to help Hector get back its power in the future from the shady ones.”
Followed by Cairo, a second alliance was made. Rather than a showy Kingdoms’ Alliance, Hector had definite plans. Of course, variables always had to be prepared, but the meaning behind Hector’s movement didn’t change.
Before leaving, Edwin Hector said,
“When I first met Mr. Roman Dmitry on the battlefield, for the first time in my life, I felt I couldn’t handle someone. At that time, we were defeated in the war, and I thought about it a lot over the past year. Why did the perfect plan fail? Was it alright to accept failure just because of one person? People say that I met the wrong person. However, since I cannot say the same thing while dealing with Kronos, I do not want to avoid responsibility with that excuse.”
The Prince of a nation—the life of Edwin Hector, whom people looked up to, was in a tough time.
“I worked hard to become the person who can be a variable in any situation. It is no different now, too. Hector will be stronger than ever. In order to not be swayed by excuses, I will somehow raise the value of the Hector Kingdom, so Roman Dmitry, please set the stage for us.”
He gritted his teeth. That was the last appearance of Edwin Hector as he left the room.
‘The Hector Kingdom. Edwin Hector alone is enough to bring the plans into motion.’
Beyond his figure, he saw into his intention. Edwin Hector didn’t waste the past year and became stronger. The mana inside of him showed that.
As his understanding of magic increased, Roman knew how great Edwin was. His growth was shocking. In the war against Kronos, Edwin Hector was a person who would play a nice role.
It was interesting. From an enemy to an ally. The wheel of fate connected the two of them again.
And at that time, another relationship entered Roman Dmitry’s wheel of fate.
