Kapitel 289: Balance
"Keep the homunculus in Gordes's care for now. Until we reach a conclusion, none of you are allowed to approach. Violators will be treated as traitors."
Vlad spoke while scanning everyone in the chamber, his figure gradually dissipating into light particles.
"Darnic, come to me. I have something to discuss with you."
"Yes, my King." Darnic slightly bowed.
Seeing that the homunculus had been taken away, and with no reason to stay, everyone left one after another.
Just as Arkhan was about to leave, a hand suddenly grabbed onto the hem of his clothes.
Watching Jeanne, dressed in a high school girl's uniform stopping him, Arkhan couldn't help but roll his eyes.
"Aren't you supposed to leave?"
"I don't understand why you're doing this..." Jeanne lightly bit her lip. "That child, he has already developed his own will, his own thoughts... no different than humans. He deserves the freedom to choose his own future."
"Freedom? Who in this world truly lives in freedom?" Arkhan scoffed. "Even we, the once renowned heroes, have become tools for others to seek their interests, haven't we?"
"No... That's..." Jeanne wanted to retort but his statement was not wrong.
"This is not something you should meddle in, Jeanne. Don't forget, you are a Ruler, and you have your own responsibilities." Arkhan lightly brushed off her hand and continued walking toward the cultivation chamber's exit.
But Jeanne advanced and stood in his way, staring straight at him.
"I won't forget my responsibilities, but I want you to give me an answer."
"An answer? What answer? That homunculus can improve our Caster's Noble Phantasm, increasing our chances of victory. That's my answer, happy now?" Arkhan casually replied, continuing to walk to the exit.
Yet, Jeanne blocked him once again.
"I don't believe you would sacrifice the lives of the innocent for victory."
"Innocent? The purpose of that homunculus is to be used as expendable. I don't consider him innocent. Besides, we've only known each other for so long, making conclusions about someone so easily only exposes your naivety and ignorance." Arkhan mocked.
"Perhaps my experience and knowledge are indeed not rich enough, but the merciful Lord will guide me on the right path." Jeanne pressed her heart, gazing firmly at him. "I don't believe that you, possessing that kind of power, would perform such heartless acts."
Looking into her clear eyes and familiar, determined face that bizarrely resembled someone close to him, Arkhan fell silent for a moment before sighing tiredly.
"Fine, come with me then."
===
Throne Room.
Seated on the throne, Vlad held a cup of blood-red wine, his gaze profound and intense.
"Darnic, do you know why this king just did that?"
Darnic, standing nearby, slightly bowed.
"No, a lowly mage like me, no matter how much I think, I can't catch up with the thoughts of a ruler like yourself."
Vlad suddenly gave him a displeased look.
"Darnic, blind obedience is a sign of your limited capability. You, who address this king as your king, are in the end still this king's Master, and this king is your Servant. This part is undeniable."
"...Yes."
Darnic still bowed his head but clicked his tongue inwardly.
Vlad had once been the ruler of a country in Romania. Even facing a mage who could commit heinous acts without batting an eye, he wouldn't hesitate to express respect.
Of course, it was because of the absolute hierarchy maintained by the command spells that allowed them to uphold this kind of relationship. Since Darnic could hold Vlad's collar in critical situations, he was willing to show his loyalty to Vlad.
"Those in power must consider the overall situation, weighing the gains and losses without bias." Vlad gently swirled the red wine in his cup. "Only then can you win the trust of the people and maintain stability."
Darnic pondered for a moment.
"Are you suggesting that you want to use that homunculus to balance Archer and Caster?"
"Archer is one of our strongest warriors, and Caster is our major source of troops. Any loss on either side is unacceptable for us, even risking internal discord."
Vlad took a sip of red wine.
"Both sides are fixated on that homunculus now. Favoring one side would only upset the other. It's better to remain neutral and use it to restrain both."
"So that's why you handed over that homunculus to Gordes, who doesn't belong to either side..." Darnic said thoughtfully, then sighed. "Thank goodness Rider stepped in at that time; otherwise, Caster alone couldn't stop Archer."
Balancing would require equal power, and with Archer's strength, he could easily take on ten Casters. If Archer was determined to protect the homunculus, Caster wouldn't stand a chance at all. Fortunately, Rider intervened, establishing a balance with Archer.
"Do you really think Rider stepped in solely for Caster?" Vlad looked at Darnic with a half-smile.
"Are you saying..." Darnic squinted his eyes.
"Don't forget, Darnic, Rider, like me, is a king. What I can see, do you think he wouldn't see?" Vlad calmly stated.
"Are you saying he intentionally stepped in and used himself to restrain Archer?" Darnic furrowed his brow.
"The path of balance is a necessary lesson for every king. Because Rider stood with Caster, I chose that course of action."
Vlad explained patiently, then raised his cup to finish the red wine while looking at his own pale face through the smooth glass.
"This is an unspoken understanding only kings can reach."
===
"So, you didn't step in to help Caster?"
Jeanne blinked, staring at Arkhan with her sparkling blue eyes.
"I have to make Caster believe that I'm on his side. If I don't, he might do something crazy." Arkhan explained while walking through the corridor, not bothering to look back.
In the original work, Avicebron betrayed the Black Faction because he couldn't turn that homunculus into the core for his golem. Arkhan's actions earlier were to prevent that tragedy from happening.
"That's really great..." Jeanne said in relief with fingers interlocked and a breathtaking smile on her face. "As I thought, you're truly not that kind of person after all."
"Don't get too happy just yet. The crisis with that homunculus hasn't been averted." Arkhan said casually. "Vlad wants to use that homunculus to restrain Caster and Archer. If we end up on the losing side against the Red Faction, he won't hesitate to sacrifice that homunculus or even..."
He suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned, and looked meaningfully at Jeanne.
"Use that homunculus to control you."
Hearing that, Jeanne's face immediately stiffened.
"So, if you really care for that homunculus, don't show any concern, and it's even better not to see him again." Arkhan continued in a calm tone.
"I..." Jeanne pursed her lips and lowered her head in disappointment. "I understand."
Arkhan nodded and glanced at the night outside the window.
"Alright, it's about time now. You should—"
*Thud!*
Without any warning, Jeanne suddenly fell to the ground.
Arkhan was dumbfounded and quickly went forward to lift her body.
"Hey! What are you doing?!"
"Sorry..." Jeanne forced a smile of apology as she lifted her head. "Because I manifested this time through possession, so—"
"So?" Arkhan tilted his head.
"I've reached my limit..."
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