Chapter 1007: Plans

Proofread by Thomas F

August Summerfield

"As my people discussed with you. I want to be your ally, Count. With us together, you won't face any difficulty in conquering the region," I said.

I hate it, but I have to do this.

'It's a great offer, Count Summerfield, which we will discuss in great detail once I come to the region in a few weeks,'replied the man on the other side.

I wanted to curse, but I remained calm.

"I think that's enough time for us to complete the agreement," I said. Bastard, agree, I prayed. I need the agreement; it is the only way to save myself from the chaotic storm that is about to engulf the region.

'I would love to do that, but unfortunately, I could not. It is a complex agreement, and I would need my best people on it; the people who are currently traveling'

'So, I hope you understand. I promise you, we will talk the moment I step into the region.'

'Have a good day, Count Summerfield!' said Viremont and cut the call before I could persuade him further.

"Bastard!" I cursed, and my aura flared widely. Nobody said anything; there was an absolute silence in the office. I wish somebody would speak, give me an idea on how to get out of this predicament.

Viremont is unwilling to make an agreement, and so is Arenthal. They didn't decline directly, but continued to stall.

"Anything from Grimvale?" I asked, and the mage shook his head; that made me want to curse again.

I had given him two offers; one of them was to ally with him. Something I had promised myself I would never do after his betrayal, but now I feel forced to.

It wasn't long ago I had the strongest hand in the region, but before I knew it, I had become one of the most vulnerable.

I looked at the map and saw the cities. All are secure, except for Almin and Bilgas. One is Zanav's and one is mine; the two cities that Viremont and Arenthal will attack first before they attack Silver.

Even Deerpond might be threatened with danger if I am not careful.

"We have no choice, my lord. We have to do it if we want to survive the coming storm," said General Silva.

I glared at him, but said nothing.

I understand and agree with him; it is why I made that second offer to Grimvale despite how much it pains me.

"You should also think about my second suggestion." He said. "Absolutely not!" replied Darius, my son, before I could even open my mouth.

"It is because of Silver that the enemies are descending on the region, and you want us to ally with him, General?" he asked.

"It is a preposterous suggestion, General; I can't believe you have even thought about it," added Ronda angrily.

"The storm is going to sweep the region soon, and we might not like it, but we are not strong enough for it."

"We need support if we want to survive and maintain our territories. Two people could provide that. One is Grimvale, which we have already contacted, and another is Silver."

"Yes, the enemies are coming because of Silver, but it is also without doubt that he is strong."

"There is a good chance that he will prevail. At least Greltheaven would survive, and that would be good for us. Especially if he did that with our help."

"A diminished Silver would be grateful to us, and his resources would help us grow more powerful," he stated.

"No," I replied, shaking my head.

I consider Silver far more dangerous than Grimvale. Even more than those two that are coming. I don't want something that will give him even the slightest chance of surviving.

I'd rather have hungry wolves at the helm of Greltheaven than Silver.

Though I am aware of the consequences of that. This is why I am shamelessly begging everyone but Silver.

The reason is simple: he will devour me. I don't want that.

"Then, there is only one choice: pull all our forces and powerhouses to this city. This way, we will be effectively able to defend against anyone who comes at us."

"Even Viremont won't be able to conquer us unless he diverts considerable force here at us or comes with his full force."

"Which I don't think either Silver or Grimvale would want to see happen," said Silva.

He is right, but I don't want to pull my forces from Almin. I had spent a lot in that city. The condition of the city had improved tremendously since I had conquered it; I don't want to lose without getting something in return.

Thus, I offer to sell it to Grimvale.

"We should have done this before; many people would have paid massively for Almin," said Darius, and I sighed. My General had advised me months ago, but I had only decided on it a few days ago.

I don't want to lose Almin even now, but it might not be mine in a few weeks.

So, I agreed to sell it, and there is a lot of interest, but all those people need time. They all know what is happening in the region and need a big enough army to protect the city if they were to buy it.

That leaves only one viable option, Grimvale.

As even Silver couldn't buy it. He might have money, but he didn't have the means to protect it. His army is stretched across all those fronts.

If not for that, the bastard might have attacked me already.

"It was a mistake to wait for so long, but what has happened has happened. Now, we should focus on things we could do. So, I could get out of this storm unscathed?" I stated.

The storm is coming, and I have to survive it. It will be difficult, but I believe I will.

I have survived other storms, and this will be no different.

…

Taren Zanav

The guards stopped at her command, while we walked forward on the beach on our beasts.

Her appearance was surprising. She suddenly appeared in the morning without prior notice. I didn't like it at all, but bearing with it. I saw I needed more forces from the family, and she controls a lot.

She said nothing; her eyes were toward the sea.

"We need territory with a coast," she finally spoke after minutes of silence.

"Our house has been trying to achieve it for centuries. It's not easy," I replied.

She laughed at that and turned toward me, giving me the same look she had been giving me since I was a child—the look that said I was an idiot who didn't understand the obvious.

I hate this look, and she knows it.

"Father is not our ancestors, little brother, and this is an opportunity that few had ever gotten." She replied, and I wanted to curse her, but I forced myself to remain calm.

She is trying to rile me up; she always does it, and when I react. That caused me a lot of trouble.

"Has Father found a way?" I asked, and once more that look appeared in her eyes. "You should understand very well, one shouldn't talk about such things openly."

I opened my mouth and nearly cursed her when I stopped myself.

She was the one who edged me toward it, and when I asked, she pushed me with a taunt. I hate her, and I wanted to remove my sword and challenge her, but even after I reached Lv. 40, I am powerless against her.

She could defeat me. I thought I might have a chance against her, but a few months ago, she showed me a hint of her power, and I know I am still not at her rank in both levels and aura.

Though I will catch up one day and humiliate her, as she has been doing to me since childhood.

A few more minutes passed, and I gathered the will to make the request.

"Viremont and Arenthal are coming; my forces aren't enough to deal with them. I need more," I said, as calmly as possible. Hating myself for begging her, but I have no choice.

"We have already provided you with more forces than we should, little brother," she replied, with that same condescending tone.

This time, I couldn't hold back my anger.

"I need the forces; I deserve them. I have built something here on my own, unlike you, who got everything handed to them from father," I said, regretting it a moment later.

Not because of the words, but because I lost control like this.

She stared at me in surprise for a moment before suddenly bursting into laughter. She laughed and laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.

It took her a long while to stop, and when she finally looked at me again, her eyes were filled with pure condescension.

"You achieved nothing on your own, little brother. You stayed in Port Midlet because father ordered you to. You became its lord because you simply acted on the plan that I had devised."

"The only reason you conquered Bilgas is that the undead barely had forces there, not to mention you used forces for that offensive that all came from the house."

"So tell me, was any of it purely your effort?" she asked with a clear mockery in her voice.

"I defended against attacks by the undead!" I couldn't help but reply with that and hated it immediately, seeing how weak and defensive it had come out.

She sensed it and laughed.

"It wasn't much of a challenge. It might have impressed me if you had faced the number of undead Silver had faced, even with twice the number of men."

"So, little brother, the only impressive thing you have done is reach Lv. 40 and awaken the aura,"

"Even that shouldn't be surprising. If you hadn't managed at least that, you wouldn't be able to call yourself the son of Attaris Zanav!"

An anger I had never felt before surged through me. My hand instinctively moved toward my blade, and the corners of her lips curled upward.

She wanted me to do it.

I almost drew the blade. Almost. But I forced myself to calm down, letting my hand fall away as I relaxed.

I expected her to mock me. Instead, for the briefest moment, something else flickered in her eyes.

Approval.

Or perhaps that was merely what I wanted to see.

The feeling washed over me for only an instant before reason took hold, insisting I had imagined the entire thing.

I could never impress her.

"The house would like to have provided you with forces, but we could not," she said, her voice turning unexpectedly gentle. "The storm is gathering in the region."

"So, I need you to listen to me carefully about what you have to do. You won't like it, but it is what you must do to survive the storm."

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