94 The Art of Manipulation
Cedric chuckled, shaking his head.
"Anyone with half a mind could tell that I used him as an excuse to pull myself away from danger. That much is obvious. But what he saw beyond that is an entirely different matter."
Beyond?
"He saw that I plan to return… and that I intend to save my brother."
The situation had already deviated from the original plan.
Would his elder brother, Claude, truly be able to crush the rebellion through sheer numbers and brute force?
"Impossible," Cedric murmured. "No one dares to say it outright, but they all know it in their hearts. This suppression will fail. My brother is going to lose. The only question is—how badly?"
If the enemy rely defeated their forces and took Claude captive, that would be the best possible outco.
But what if, blinded by hatred, they executed him on the spot?
Cedric exhaled slowly. He didn't even want to imagine what would follow.
"If the Empire rely suffers a loss of face, that would be fortunate. But the worst-case scenario? Father loses himself to rage and razes Crepelt to the ground—draining the last of the Empire's strength in a mindless act of vengeance. And then what?"
The Empire was already stretched thin. If they squandered their remaining forces out of fury, the collapse would be inevitable.
That ant one thing—no matter what, he had to keep Claude alive.
As long as his brother survived, the Emperor might be able to hold onto his reason.
"If he suffers defeat and has to stare death in the face, perhaps that will finally knock so sense into him. He might even retreat of his own accord. But to ensure that, I must send reinforcents at the critical mont."
...Are you saying you plan to send that man?
"Of course," Cedric smirked. "A re thousand elite soldiers of House Hern. Hardly a full army. But more than enough to extract one man from a battlefield."
William's role in this had been clear from the mont Cedric had spoken in his defense.
Cedric had used the opportunity to withdraw from the frontlines—there was no point in staying in a dangerous battlefield when there was no need.
But at the sa ti, he had approached William, trying to cultivate goodwill.
Because in an ergency, forcing soone to act through authority was never as effective as having them move of their own free will.
"And yet, he saw right through ." Cedric let out a quiet laugh. "Not just my attempt to remove myself from danger, but also my efforts to win his favor. And even beyond that—to the fact that I intended to ask him for reinforcents later."
The shadow at his feet remained silent.
"In the end, his remark about preparing for deploynt… that was his way of mocking . He was telling not to put on a show. That he saw through my act of sincerity. That there was no need for to pretend—because when the ti ca, he would send his troops regardless."
Cedric sighed and tilted his head toward the sky.
Had there ever been a ti when his sches were seen through so completely?
He had always prided himself on his ability to manipulate people—to understand them, guide them, control them.
And yet, William had dissected his every move as though he were reading an open book.
"The world is vast, indeed," Cedric murmured. "I truly was arrogant to think myself exceptional."
Then… what will you do?
Cedric gave a soft hum, glancing back in the direction William had left.
"About Lord William?"
If he's that dangerous, wouldn't it be best to eliminate him now?
Cedric let out a short laugh.
"Oh, no. If I strike without reason, I'd only stir a hornet's nest. That would be the end of both of us."
William wasn't a fool. He had exposed Cedric's intentions deliberately.
That ant he had already anticipated any potential hostility.
Any move against him now would likely be t with a response Cedric couldn't afford.
"No," he mused. "He would be a deadly enemy. But if I can make him an ally…"
A talent like that would be invaluable in securing the throne.
The gleam in Cedric's eyes sharpened.
A collector's gaze. The kind that had found sothing truly worth acquiring.
William and the elite forces of House Hern withdrew from the vanguard, following the First Prince's command.
As a thousand of the finest warriors prepared to retreat to the rear, the atmosphere within the coalition forces grew noticeably heavier.
The war had barely begun, yet already, infighting had broken out among the ranks.
And worse, it had resulted in the loss of one of their strongest allies.
William could feel the shift in morale, the silent unease that gripped the soldiers. He let out a faint, bitter chuckle.
There was a reason defeated generals and disgraced officers were not paraded before their troops until after the battle was over.
Even if punishnt was justified, witnessing the humiliation or expulsion of their own could only lower morale.
Yet here they were, exiling a loyal ally for no reason other than the prince's wounded pride.
This campaign was dood from the start, but now, even taking Bodiam might be beyond their reach.
William had no intention of sitting idly by. He needed to be prepared for the inevitable.
And for that, he sought out Blasker, the head of the Pyromancy School.
"Lord Blasker, are you inside?"
The sound of pages rustling ceased. A mont later, a deep voice responded.
"Ah, Lord William. What brings you here?"
Blasker set aside the thick to he had been reading and rose to greet his guest.
Though he was old enough to be William's grandfather, he remained deeply respectful, bowing his head slightly.
It was, William suspected, less out of deference to his age and more to the fact that he represented Duke Hern in this war.
So he's not just an academic hermit obsessed with magic.
William had expected Blasker to be the type to care only for his craft, but the man clearly knew how to navigate politics as well.
The realization made William smile slightly as he returned the gesture.
"I have a favor to ask of you."
Blasker frowned.
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