TREASONOUS INTENT
"That is unfortunate. We do not want to reveal the strength of our army in Kaleon city. We would like to keep it a secret to the world, for now", I replied to the prince who had to accept the reality of my answer.
"Yes, Kaleon city is under no obligation to protect Tarah city. That I understand", Prince Geoffraie lamented to me.
"By the way, what is the purpose of you coming here today, you seem to have something on your mind", I replied to him and asked.
"I want to discuss with you about the future of our Mithridocus family in Tarah city", Prince Geoffraie said to me.
"What do you plan?" I asked him.
"The Church and apostles were almost completely wiped out since the invasion. Even the forces from the other families are all gone. We are the only forces left in the city", Prince Geoffraie said to me.
Kaleon city was the only safe place during the invasion of the demon army. The Mithridocus family was saved because Kaleon city sheltered them.
"What do you suggest?" I asked him.
"I don't know whether we should leave this city which is the reason I want to discuss with you", he asked me.
"Well, on the contrary, after this invasion, the Mithridocus family shall share this city with us. We are the only survivors of this invasion, and we should enjoy the spoils of victory", I replied to him.
"I don't understand what is your plan?" Prince Geoffraie asked me.
"We found a new kingdom in Drachia starting from Tarah city", I replied to him plainly and frankly which gave me a shock.
"That is treason against the King of Drachia", he replied to me.
"The Church has already carved out the major cities in the kingdom. With the exception of Eloora city, few cities are within the king's sphere of control. Drachia kingdom's fate has ended, and we should plan on moving forward", I said to him.
"The Church and Conjurer Court will not stand by if you declare independence and found a new state", Prince Geoffraie told me.
"The Conjurer Court doesn't concern themselves with the politics of nations", I replied to him.
"And what about the Church?" he asked me.
"This time I doubt the Church could turn back the demon army or be bothered about the cities in Drachia. The demon army has returned much stronger than before", I replied to him.
"What are you suggesting?" he asked me.
"It is time all the cities under our control gained their independence from Drachia kingdom not immediately but when the time is ripe starting with Tarah city", I replied to him.
"Can we defend against the demons if they invade Tarah city again?" he asked me.
"Tarah city is the safest city in Drachia kingdom at the moment because the Conjurer Court and our city is sited here. I couldn't say the same about the other cities if the demons decided to attack them", I told him.
"Did you plan to annex Drachia kingdom all along?" Prince Geoffraie asked me with suspicion.
"That wasn't my intention initially, but a vacuum of power is caused by the demon invasion. Only a strong power can return peace and stability to this region. We should accept this responsibility", I said to him.
"What should we do in this empty city now, almost the entire population was lost during the invasion? There are not many people left for reconstruction after the founding of the new kingdom?" Prince Geoffraie asked me.
"Don't worry, there will be many migrants coming here soon", I replied to him.
"Why will that be? Where will they come from?" he asked me.
"Many will come and make sure we charge the rich people an enormous sum for the privilege of settling here", I replied to him.
"I don't understand. Why will people migrate into a devastated city and will pay large sums for the migration?" he asked me.
"Because Tarah city will become the safest city in all of this kingdom after our newspaper circulates throughout the kingdom by tomorrow. The other cities will worry about being the next target of the demon army, the wealthy families would want to settle here to enjoy the protection of the Conjurer's Court", I replied to him.
"Is this the reason you will promote the Heliostat and the Conjurer Court's powerful magic defense to an exaggerating degree in your newspaper?" he asked me.
"Yes, now you get it", I replied to him.
"You really know how to profit from war, even after a war", he said to me.
"We will profit together. Will the Mithridocus family be a part of our undertaking?", I returned the reply and asked.
"What should we call this new political entity in Drachia kingdom after this, your majesty?" Prince Geoffraie asked me without replying to me.
Obviously, there was no need for an answer from him. He already accepted my proposition.
"It'll depend on the Church to bestow the name of course", I replied to him to his puzzlement.
"The Church will sanction your taking over Drachia?" he asked me in shock and surprise.
"They have already agreed to it or will do so after this demon invasion", I replied to him.
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"It is a true tragedy that befell Tarah city. Only if we caught wind of the situation earlier and came to the city's rescue, Lord Knight Oriese", Apostle Matthieu lamented to me looking sad and mournful.
"The fault lies not in the Church but the uselessness of the King. If the kingdom was strong enough the demons would not dare attack our cities and waste the Church's precious resources to defend us", I replied to the apostle.
"That is true but there is nothing we can do about it. The Drachian court is impotent. What can we do to strengthen our defense against the demon army? They would not stop at Tarah city", the apostle told me worriedly and asked.
"Perhaps there is", I replied to the apostle.