Chapter 380 - 376: The King’s Promise

Chapter 380: Chapter 376: The King’s Promise

Duane had no doubt about the Count’s sincerity. After all, he had supported him many times before.

"Don’t worry, Count. I’m not an ungrateful person."

Duane smiled. "Compared to that, I’m more worried about the second point."

Count Kais listened intently.

"That is, if the war ends or some unforeseen event causes the Four Nations Alliance to collapse, our two factions occupying the Starfall Islands will undoubtedly become a target for the Akutas Kingdom. If the other nobles refuse to send aid at that time, the pressure on us will multiply!"

Count Kais fell silent.

’Will the Four Nations Alliance collapse?’

He admitted it was possible, but the spoils from carving up the Akutas Kingdom were too great. As long as there was profit to be made, the alliance wouldn’t collapse easily.

"That possibility you mentioned is unlikely to happen in the short term."

The Count asserted, "When the Akutas Kingdom collapses completely, it’s highly likely that some ambitious party will betray the others to seize a larger prize."

After all, the Shadow Mist Continent would go from five kingdoms to four, and the next struggle for supremacy would be among those four.

"Don’t forget, the Pruck Kingdom, the Fidun Kingdom, and the Asando Kingdom all have ties to the Holy Radiance Court, while the Kasa Kingdom has refused them entry."

Duane reminded him, "If only four kingdoms remain, the Kasa Kingdom will inevitably be the one left out."

Count Kais was startled. ’He’s right. At that point, it could become a three-kingdom alliance to carve up the Kasa Kingdom.’

’So, would the Kasa Kingdom really stand by and watch the Akutas Kingdom be completely annihilated?’

Kais began to doubt his own earlier assertion.

He finally gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Ever since His Majesty said he would hand over the entire Secret Realm to us, my mind has been completely fixated on it. I seem to have lost my usual composure."

The Secret Realm had been his father’s lifelong ambition, and after taking over the Kennedy Clan, it had become his as well.

He had been so emotionally invested that he hadn’t been able to think things through as clearly as Duane.

"Your analysis is sound!"

The Count clapped Duane on the shoulder, praising him generously. "So, what do you think is the best course of action?"

Duane shook his head with a bitter smile. "For now, the only solution I see is a decisive blitz. We need to take down the Star Sea Clan and Viscount Freddy as quickly as possible, then garrison our troops on the western side of the Starfall Islands and prepare our defenses."

"As long as we can establish a firm foothold before the Akutas Kingdom has time to react, they’ll have to dispatch a much larger force to deal with us. At that point, I refuse to believe the other nobles will simply stand by and do nothing!"

War was full of uncertainties, but he couldn’t let potential risks bring him to a standstill.

"’A decisive blitz, you say?’"

The Count mulled over the phrase, nodding slightly. "I’m planning to recommend you as the commander for the battle of the Starfall Islands. I doubt Baron Uriel would object. What do you say?"

"Well..."

In truth, Duane had little interest in being the commander.

Whether he officially held the position or not, he already had significant influence within the allied forces, as he was trusted by multiple factions.

He tried to decline. "While I may be more powerful than you, Your Lordship, I am far your inferior in status and prestige. Besides, in this war, the Silent Shore will surely be committing the most forces..."

The Count waved his hand dismissively. "Your prestige on the Silent Shore is considerable. If you take command, I guarantee no one will defy you!"

Duane had helped so many people break through to become Celestial Tier Warriors. Even though he charged a fee of a few hundred Gold Coins, the debt they owed him for it was immense.

Besides, his own power was immense, and his combat record and strategic mind were plain for all to see. No one would dare to question his appointment.

"I won’t be going to the front lines for this battle. I’m leaving it all in your hands!"