Guinness stroked his mustache, a sly grin forming on his lips. "If his beasts are so drawn to gold, it's safe to assu Count Michael himself isn't entirely incorruptible. He's from a lowly baronial family, born to a commoner mother. He only beca his family's heir after the sudden death of his predecessor, and his talents were recognized later."
Guinevere raised an intrigued brow, urging him to continue. "And?"
Lowering his voice further, Guinness suggested, "What if we dipped into the royal treasury and used it to buy his favor? Think about it. The Lania-Elonia alliance's sudden truce with the Pamir Empire was largely because Michael captured their crown prince and the five tribal leaders. If we offer him a substantial reward, perhaps we can convince him to ensure our kingdom is spared."
The suggestion made Guinevere's face light up. For siblings so ignorant of international politics, the plan seed entirely plausible to them.
"Very well. Send an envoy to him imdiately," she declared.
It was a decision that would have made the late King Alphonse I, her predecessor, rise from his grave in indignation.
The Imperial Palace of the Pamir Empire
In a vast hall filled with the spoils of war, Michael reclined comfortably, sipping wine from a gleaming silver goblet. With the cursed emperor defeated and his duties completed, he was finally enjoying so much-needed rest.
Nearby, Miaomiao was in the middle of appraising treasures with the gathered warriors, while Marcus dozed lazily in a corner, boredom etched on his face.
Michael's tranquil mont was interrupted by a commotion. The doors burst open, and a griffon rider entered the hall, his armor drenched in sweat and exhaustion evident on his face. The rider rushed forward and knelt before Michael.
"Are you Count Michael? I bring a letter from the Regent Dowager of the Kingdom of Pasha."
Michael lowered his goblet, his brow furrowing in curiosity. "A letter from the Regent Dowager of Pasha?" He took the envelope and broke the seal.
As he read, his expression shifted from surprise to bewildernt, then to disbelief. Finally, he let out a dry laugh. "Hah! Unbelievable."
He exhaled sharply and looked at the letter again, shaking his head. The correspondence was a disaster. Filled with disjointed sentences and lacking any diplomatic finesse, it was hardly the work of a regent. Even more absurd were its contents: the Dowager Regent begged him to secretly release the crown prince and the five tribal leaders of the Pamir Empire while ensuring the imperial army withdrew from Pasha. In return, she promised a substantial amount of gold.
Michael stared at the letter in disbelief. Does she think I can bypass Charles V and Chris III to make such a deal? He scoffed. Does she take for a fool—or is she the fool?
As he shook his head, a thought struck him, and a sly smile crept across his lips. This could work to my advantage.
His gaze shifted to Miaomiao, who was engrossed in her appraisal, and to Marcus, who was still nodding off. Of course, Miaomiao and Marcus will co along…
Next, his eyes fell on the veteran warriors who were listening intently to Miaomiao's explanations. Half of them will likely follow as well.
Michael's mind whirred with cold calculations. He recalled a recent ssage from his grandfather, who was stationed near Pasha. So Grandfather's in that region too.
He nodded to himself. Though he had planned to return to his domain to organize the spoils of war, it seed his adventures would have to continue a little while longer.
Michael sat in a quiet corner of the imperial palace's grand banquet hall, admiring the opulent decor. The golden dod ceiling glittered under the brilliance of a massive chandelier, radiating light like the sun. Intricate carvings adorned the walls, their craftsmanship enhanced by the play of light. The polished marble floor glead like a mirror, its pristine surface betraying no trace of ti.
As Michael observed, he couldn't help but compare it to the modest capital of the Kingdom of Rania. Is this why emperors go bankrupt building palaces like this? he mused before cutting off the thought. Excessive grandeur bred complacency among rulers and suffering among their subjects—sothing he vowed never to introduce to his own domain.
At the center of the hall, Miaomiao and the gathered warriors were finalizing the appraisal of the spoils of war. Scrolls and books detailing life-extension techniques had been stacked high, awaiting duplication by the mages. Soon, each faction would receive their copy.
"All right, the appraisals are complete. Don't forget to pay the fees," Miaomiao announced, her exhaustion evident as she gripped a scroll of accounts in her mouth. The list would ensure smooth collection later.
As soon as she stepped away, the eager mages sward toward the pile.
"I'll copy this set. You take care of that one," one mage instructed another.
"Let's finish quickly—there's so much to test," another chid in.
anwhile, the warriors retreated to the edges of the hall, waiting their turn and chatting amongst themselves. Their eyes shone with a mix of anticipation and greed. The hall had transford into a celebratory space, with everyone content with their share of the spoils.
An older knight in gleaming silver armor spoke in a steady, commanding voice. "We may not have found a way to live forever, but this is still a worthwhile haul."
A mage with neatly combed golden hair nodded in agreent. His ornate robe, embroidered in white and blue, spoke of wealth and refinent. "Indeed. If we can rely slow the aging process, no price is too high. This expedition was worth the effort."
A burly warrior with a thick beard joined in. "We've bought ourselves so ti. With hard training, maybe one day we'll reach the next level."
But as the conversation turned to advancing their ranks, their expressions darkened. The seemingly insurmountable barrier to progression lood large in their minds, souring the joy of their recent success.
"Advancing to the next stage… Yes, it would be wonderful," muttered an elderly knight with deep wrinkles on his brow. "But honestly, I don't know if that day will ever co."
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