CHAPTER 69 #8
singit ni Lucy Pearl habang nakangisi. "Just imagine it, Rassia. You already have Mysarea under your rule, and once you take the empire, you'll have even more authority. Vincenzo may have been the heir to the throne before everything happened, but if you are the one who reclaims the empire,
then everyone will know that you were the one who brought it back from the hands of the usurper. Honestly, I don't think anyone would dare question who truly holds the power anymore."
Tumawa si Thaddeus dahil doon at napainom sa kaniyang kopita.
"The Queen of Mysarea, Rassia Saint Quentin-Vacardi, can burn the world of Arcadeya if she wants to, and Vincarion will probably just stand beside her and ask what she wants to burn next."
Lucius also smirked.
"Trust me, Vincarion doesn't care about that. If Rassia decides to take the empire, he'll probably support her without hesitation."
Napailing si Rassia at ngumisi.
"Let's focus on more important matters. Report more."
Lumapit naman si Stain at may binuklat na isang dyaryo sa ibabaw ng mesa.
"Lurtheron established a squad of powerful mages. They call them the 13 Guardians, and Lord Caspian of House Laurent is the captain of the group."
Napalunok si Cayena nang marinig ang pangalan ni Caspian. Tahimik siyang napainom mula sa kaniyang kopita.
Napansin agad iyon ni Natalia. Pasimple itong lumingon kay Cayena at marahang hinawakan ang kaniyang kamay sa ilalim ng mesa, as if silently telling her to stay calm.
Tahimik na napatingin din si Rassia sa kaniya.
Stain continued, "According to our reports, each member was personally selected because of their exceptional abilities. They are being trained and gathered under the direct authority of Emperor Lurtheron."
Bahagyang kumunot ang noo ni Rassia at tumingin muli kay Stain.
"So he's building his own army of powerful mages..."
"Yes, My Queen. And from what we've discovered, the Thirteen Guardians are not ordinary soldiers. They're being prepared to respond to any major threat against the empire."
Rassia slowly leaned back in her chair.
So Lurtheron isn't sitting quietly on the throne...
He's preparing for something... as if he sees or is aware of something coming...
Is he aware of Erishkigal?
I doubt that he's preparing for me. The whole continent of Vermeleyon believes that I'm dead...
Perhaps that's good to know. I'm not the only one preparing my army to become stronger. He is as well...
Even though we're enemies right now, if Lurtheron is truly preparing his forces for whatever is coming, then perhaps that's not a bad thing...
If Erishkigal really is the threat we're all going to face, then I would rather have a powerful empire standing against her than a weak one.
If the time comes when we have to stand on the same side against a greater threat... then I'll deal with that when it happens...
"Take note, my Queen. They are only the first squad."
Bahagyang kumunot muli ang noo ni Rassia.
"First squad?"
"Yes, My Queen," sagot ni Stain habang inilapag ang isa pang dokumento sa mesa. "Marami pang ibang squads na itinatayo sa ilalim ng utos ni Lurtheron. The Thirteen Guardians may be the most powerful group, but they are not the only force he is preparing."
Tahimik na pinagmasdan ni Rassia ang mga dokumento. "So he's building an entire military structure."
"Exactly. Powerful mages, trained warriors, specialized squads... it seems the Emperor is preparing the empire for something much bigger."
Bahagyang napangisi si Rassia.
So that lunatic is indeed preparing.
Good. If the day comes when Erishkigal finally appears, at least we won't be completely defenseless...
Thaddeus leaned forward and tapped his finger against the map of Erenhal Sartorias.
"If that usurper has already started building multiple squads, then he expects trouble. If you move too quickly, you'll only give him a reason to strengthen his defenses even more."
Dimitrius nodded. "He's right. Your first move should be information. Find out where those squads are being stationed, who commands them, and how loyal they actually are to Lurtheron."
Cassandra crossed her arms. "And don't forget the nobles, brat. You don't need to conquer every territory by force. Some of them may already be unhappy with Lurtheron's rule. Find out which houses are willing to support you, which ones are afraid of him, and which ones can be convinced."
Devi quietly studied the map before pointing toward several territories.
"You should also strengthen Mysarea's trade routes. If you control the flow of resources between these territories, you'll gain influence without having to send an army everywhere. Let the nobles come to you because they need what Mysarea can provide."
Lapileon nodded at Devi. "And your reputation is already spreading. The people here love you because you gave them freedom. If you continue improving Mysarea, other cities will eventually hear about it. That can become more powerful than an army."
Tumango si Rassia sa kaniyang mga narinig. But deep inside, she had already formed a plan.
"If the Holy Cathedral has gained this much influence... alam kong nasa likod ng lahat ng iyon si Megan. At alam kong mas lalong lumala ang corruption ni Megan."
Bahagya niyang tiningnan ang mga dyaryong nakalatag sa mesa.
"I can't attack them that easily. They're protecting each other. The Holy Cathedral protects Megan, and Megan gives them more power and influence in return."
Napahawak si Rassia sa kaniyang baba.
"If I attack the Holy Cathedral directly, they'll use their influence against me. They can turn the nobles, the people, and even other kingdoms against Mysarea."
Bahagya siyang ngumisi. "So I won't attack them yet."
Tahimik na napatingin ang lahat kay Rassia.
"I'll take away their influence first."
Mabilis namang napatingin si Anastacio kay Rassia, tila hindi niya lubos na naintindihan ang ibig nitong sabihin.
"Master, how are you planning to take away their influence? The Holy Cathedral has already gained control over many territories. They have nobles supporting them, people who believe in them, and enough authority to make anyone who opposes them look like an enemy."
Tahimik na pinagmasdan ni Rassia ang mga dokumento sa mesa.
Anastacio continued, "If we attack them directly, they'll simply use their influence against us. So how exactly are you planning to weaken them without starting a war?"
Bahagyang ngumiti si Rassia.
"That's exactly why I won't fight them with an army."
Napakunot ang noo ni Anastacio.
"Then what will you use?"
Rassia simply smiled at Anastacio. Kumuha siya ng tobacco pipe sa tabi ng mesa at sa isang iglap ay nagsimulang umusok ang tabako matapos niya itong painitin gamit ang kaniyang mana.
Tahimik lamang siyang bumuga ng usok habang iniisip ang kaniyang plano.
Napatingin sina Anastacio at Lucy Pearl sa isa't isa ng mabasa ang iniisip ng kanilang master.
The councils stared at Rassia, waiting for her answer.
Ngunit sa halip na sumagot, tahimik lamang siyang bumuga ng usok mula sa kaniyang tobacco pipe. She slowly turned her gaze toward Desmond.
"Desmond."
Agad namang umayos ng tayo ang commander ng Mysarea Knights.
"You will be my right hand. Is that okay with you?"
Saglit na natigilan si Desmond, tila hindi niya inaasahan ang biglaang tanong.
"My Queen... if that is your command, then I will gladly accept."
Tumango si Rassia. "Good. Then from this day forward, I want you beside me whenever we deal with matters concerning Mysarea and Erenhal Sartorias."
Desmond bowed his head.
"Understood, My Queen."
Tahimik namang nagpalitan ng tingin ang mga council members.
They still had no idea what Rassia was planning.
But judging from the faint smile on her face, she clearly had something in mind.
Rassia dismissed her councils without saying her plan, leaving only Lucy Pearl, Anastacio, and Desmond inside her office.
"Desmond, as my right hand, I will leave another task for you. The Six Azure Blades will be the new commanders of the Mysarea Knights. I want you to work closely with them and make sure everything is properly arranged."
Bahagyang ngumiti si Rassia.
"Besides, there's something else I want you to handle..."
Tumayo si Rassia at dahan-dahang nagtungo sa terrace ng kaniyang office. Tahimik niyang pinagmasdan ang buong Mysarea mula roon, habang marahang hinahangin ang kaniyang buhok.
The time has come. It's time to move my chess piece.
I already have several high noble houses in mind that will support me. I know who I can approach, who I can trust, and who might be willing to stand beside me when the time comes. I don't need to force them to choose my side. I only need to give them a reason to stand by my side.
But before that, I will now make my first move. Kailangan ko munang pahinain ang impluwensya ng Holy Cathedral. Hindi ko sila kayang harapin nang direkta habang hawak pa nila ang mga tao at suporta ng mga bobong maharlika.
So I'll start there...