章 12: [11] A Gambler’s Foothold

"Then what about this region?" Cero asked, pointing to another spot on the map, close to Pelagos. The location was a small town named Dralven, a territory under Delos's rule located slightly farther from the main coastline.

Isvel stared at the map, her brow slightly raised. "Dralven?" she asked skeptically. "You want to take over Pelagos, the trade hub, but now you're considering Dralven? What's going through your mind, Cero?"

Cero crossed his arms, his gaze fixed on the map. "If we attack Pelagos directly, it will draw the full attention of the Delos kingdom. And my group, as you know, isn't yet large enough to face a force comparable to a 12th-century English kingdom in this world."

Isvel chuckled lightly, but there was no mockery in her laugh. "So, you admit your limitations? That's a smart move, I'll give you that. But I still don't understand what you're thinking with Dralven. That town has almost nothing. Its small mines can't even sustain local trade."

"Precisely," Cero replied, his tone calm but filled with conviction. "A small town like Dralven won't attract much attention. But it can serve as a stepping stone. By taking control of Dralven, we establish our first foothold in Delos's territory without immediately provoking a major conflict."

Isvel narrowed her eyes, studying Cero as if trying to read his mind. "And what about Pelagos? If you attack Dralven, it won't affect their trade hub. You'd just be wasting time and resources on a nearly insignificant place."

Cero gave a faint smile. "We need time to build our strength, Isvel. And time is exactly what we gain by moving gradually. I don't need to take Pelagos right now. Dralven will suffice to provide a foothold, secure small supplies, and… gauge Delos's response to us."

Isvel nodded slowly, though her skepticism hadn't entirely faded. "You're playing the long game, Cero. I just hope you don't run out of time before Delos realizes what you're doing."

Cero swiftly changed the topic, directing his gaze at Isvel. "Now, who is the ruler of Pelagos? Is it Duke Kritus?"

The moment that name was mentioned, Isvel averted her gaze. Her usual confident and alluring demeanor dimmed, replaced by a somber expression as though something deeply troubled her.

"So, it's true," Cero said, his tone neutral but his eyes alight with curiosity. "Duke Kritus is the ruler. What are you hiding, Isvel?"

Isvel remained silent for a few moments, her gaze fixed elsewhere. There was something in her expression—a mix of anger, fear, and deep-seated hatred. She exhaled heavily before finally speaking, her voice softer than usual, almost a whisper.

"Duke Kritus…" she said quietly. "He's one of the most dangerous figures in Delos. Not just because of his power, but because of his mind. He doesn't make a move without a plan, and every step he takes serves a clear purpose."

Cero listened intently, his eyes still focused on the map before him. "A strategist, huh?" he said, tracing a small region near Pelagos with his finger. "That makes him a more intriguing opponent."

Isvel looked at him, her eyebrows slightly raised. "Intriguing? Cero, you're talking about the man who destroyed my kingdom, enslaved my people, and deemed me a threat to be eliminated. Do you think this is just a game?"

Cero turned to her, his eyes sharp but devoid of excess emotion. "Not a game, Isvel. It's strategy. And Kritus might be smart, but he's no god. Even the best plans can be broken if you know where the cracks are."

Isvel was silent for a moment before a small smirk formed on her lips. "You're confident, I'll give you that. But you should know, Kritus doesn't play by the same rules as most people. He's the kind of man who would sacrifice a small territory, even his own troops, if it meant securing a greater victory."

Cero's gaze returned to the map, his finger circling the small town of Dralven. "That's why we start here," he said, his voice filled with certainty. "A small territory like Dralven won't prompt Kritus to make a large-scale move. He'll see it as a minor nuisance, not an immediate threat."

"Perhaps," Isvel replied, her tone still skeptical. "But he's not the type to let anything slide. Even a small attack could provoke an unpredictable response from him."

Cero gave a faint smile, then stood tall, his eyes meeting Isvel's directly. "And that's the point. If he responds, we learn how quickly and with what force he does so. If he doesn't, it gives us time to strengthen our position in the region."

Isvel studied Cero more seriously now, a flicker of curiosity in her eyes. "So you want to use Dralven as bait."

"Not just bait," Cero replied. "That territory may be small, but every place has its potential. Their modest mines can support our initial logistics. More importantly, it gives us a foothold in Delos's domain."

Isvel approached the map, her gaze thoughtful. "You know, Cero, if you fail, Kritus won't just reclaim the territory. He'll ensure your name is erased from history."

"I won't fail," Cero said firmly, his voice leaving no room for doubt. "And if Kritus comes, I'll make sure he regrets it."

Isvel chuckled softly, though there was a hint of respect in her laugh. "You're quite the gambler, Cero. But I'm starting to think you might actually have a chance. So, what's the next step?"

Cero pointed to Dralven on the map, his eyes shining with determination. "We move quickly. Ragner will draft the military operation. I want this strike completed before Kritus catches wind of it."

He turned to Isvel, his expression softening slightly but remaining serious. "And you, Isvel. I need your help. You know more about Delos than anyone here. You understand how they think, how they react. I want you as my advisor for this operation."

Isvel hesitated, studying Cero with a difficult-to-read expression. Finally, she smiled faintly. "Alright, Cero. You have an interesting plan. I'll help you… for now."

Cero shrugged, his sharp gaze still fixed on her. "Sure, he might not be perfect yet. But he's good enough to understand and convey meaning effectively. That's more than sufficient for now."

Isvel tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes as she studied Cero. "You really make use of everything around you, don't you? Talent, people, even circumstances. You don't waste anything."

Cero didn't deny it. He simply offered a faint smile and replied in a calm tone. "In this world, there are only two choices: evolve or perish. If I don't utilize what's within my reach, I might as well sign the death warrant for myself and my people."

Isvel chuckled softly, though a hint of admiration glimmered in her laugh. "You're nothing like most leaders I've encountered. They're too busy safeguarding their dignity or preserving the status quo. But you… you only care about results."

Cero met Isvel's gaze coldly. "Dignity doesn't build civilizations. The status quo only suits those who fear change. And I'm not one of them."

Isvel leaned back in her chair, her slender hand elegantly touching her chin. Her glowing red eyes fixated on Cero with a curiosity that bordered on intensity. "Well then," she said slowly, "this should make communication easier moving forward. By the way, I've been thinking of learning your language. What do you call it? Earth language?"