ch 16; Foreboding

Assasination. 

 

A radical, surefire method of eliminating the future threat of a person. It is usually employed when an employer needs a decisive move to upturn the situation, which is infinitely easier than any scheme. For the separatist, such extreme measures were more of a desperation. 

 

For them, and their staunch supporter from the shadow, Gardenar Kingdom, the escalation of events from the time Philip took the office until now are entirely unpredictable, in a bad way. 

 

No one could predict such haste in Philip's governance; his handling of the critical situation is too smooth. Almost like an art to behold. 

 

His brilliance is a threat. 

 

Just take a look at the current situation. 

 

One of the gravest matters which plagued Vedora among other things, is the lack of food. More accurately, the lack of staple ingredients in the country, as a result of a small-scale plague in critical areas last year. 

 

This, among many other things, surely did not escape from the eyes and ears of many nobles. It was the then-tyrant king which used this situation as an excuse to wage a war againts the Empire. Knowing he doesn't have enough weight to go toe-to-toe with the Empire, he borrows it by creating an alliance. Convinced that they would atleast able to take one bite amidst the chaotic situation. 

 

But confidence did not guarantee success. 

 

Because of that, he was toppled by the Empire, and in his place, a new king from the previous royal family's bloodline. 

 

At that time, even the separatist was shocked that there's still a survivor amongst that bloodline. But they thought, since every one of them were already planning to ditch the ship, it would be better that the head is some unknown man with merely bloodline as his legitimacy, with hideous track-record following his ascent as the head of a noble house. 

 

That way, they could extract more benefit before eventually separating themself to establish their own nation. Inviting another kingdom into the fray was a planned move. By doing that, they could split the attention and pressure had Vedora Kingdom tried to move their army to suppress the separatist movement. And, at the same time, such a move could also grant them a piece of the Vedora Kingdom by simultaneously attacking the kingdom from two fronts. 

 

In essence, these schemers thought it was a heaven-sent opportunity. 

 

At a certain point, everything was still under their thumb. With a collaborator in the seat of a ministry, they could grasp any movement of the newly crowned king. His movement did not derive much from their prediction. And although Philip's outburst on the first assembly and his aversion to war which was vital to their plan was quite shocking, the circumtances won't allow him to choose a pacifist option. 

 

But just in case, they quicken their preparation as fast as possible. 

 

However, the moment the Empire joined the fray, everything started to feel ominous. 

 

To be fair, none of them could estimate that the Empire would so openly move in this situation. Even if the Empire is indeed the one who crowned Philip, seeing not even a movement from their side to lend a hand to their newly champion, naturally the separatist and its allies thought the Empire merely punished the previous king and his clique, who clearly at fault for insolently waging a war againts the Empire. 

 

Yet, their expectation shattered spectacularly when the Empire openly admitted to help the Vedora Kingdom by giving them enough grain to stabilize the inflated price. 

 

This is where things start to derail entirely from their expectation. 

 

WIth this ammunition given by the Empire, Philip now has alternatives other than waging a war. For the separatist this is clearly not good. No, scratch that. It was a critical mistake. One that could potentially end everything, every effort so far. 

 

Aren't you in the middle of war?! Why—how, could they still have surplus grain to be shipped?!! 

 

And as they feared, Philip's next move sealed the deal. 

 

Of all times, an investigative bureau! 

 

On paper, they are responsible for surveying the market in each region in collaboration with nobles in said region. The problem was, their authority included mandatory ledger survey, and many more intrusive authority. Their findings could be used as a basis for summarized court, at worst. 

 

With them hastening the preparation for independence, of course there would be many traces which were bound to slip up in lieu of their acceleration of preparation.

 

And, it was confirmed through their collaborator in the ministry, that Philip was aware of their existence. He did not move merely to bid his time. 

 

We can't drag this now. Either him, or us. 

 

In a race againts time, they would be the one that's ultimately lost. And the newest movement of him—reorganization, and the most crucial, rallying nobles aligned with him to set a trap—was their last straw. 

 

It was nothing but a heaven-sent opportunity that their collaborator was trusted enough by Philip, to be met in private discussing when and where they would set a trap. 

 

"Comrade. I'm sure all of you understand the severity of our situation. That despicable man, Philip, was aware of our plan and is going to move. Far more quicker than our prediction. Our main supporter, the Gardenar Kingdom, has agreed to send agents for this assasination. Along with our own force, we had no choice but to succeed. Or we'd die." 

 

Has there ever been a situation more dire and smell more vicious than this in my life? The leader of separatists thought solemnly. But as they say, crisis bred opportunity. If we succeed in this, the reward would be enormous. 

 

Even if they somehow failed, the attempt would throw the on-going peace into disarray. The leader has already imagined how he would synchronize with the Gardenar Kingdom to force the Vedora Kingdom into two fronts. Further extracting what was already a profitable venture (in his opinion). 

 

Of course, they didn't start this risky adventure without assurance. One thing that they are most wary about is the Empire, obviously. Who knows if the Empire would react if they press the assasination button. But like Philip's early thoughts, naturally, they believe the Empire wishes for peace, at least in this region. 

 

So we'll give them peace. A quick hit and dip immediately. 

 

That way, they won't draw aggro too much; a clear stop before a veritable line. 

 

And another insurance, a fail-safe variable that further ensures the succession of this mission. 

 

An insider. 

 

The one who gives them the info, the highest seated authority among the traitors, their main collaborator on the government side.

 

With him giving them live information faster than any spy, there's no way they would fail. 

 

If we do, then we could only blame ourselves.

 

That's how confident they are. 

 

***

 

The thing called destiny is quite peculiar. 

 

You wished for it to go on your way countless times, yet, how many times does it actually happen? As my bloodline dictates, my luck is truly abysmal. Almost nothing goes my way—only after I desperately stretch my bones would the gate of success blinked at me. 

 

Destiny rarely points at my lane, and I believe it rather enjoyed seeing me suffer mentally. 

 

But maybe, just maybe, it awakens its emotion? And perhaps, that first emotion would be 'pity'. Because this letter which was freshly delivered by the always-faithful bird straight to my room, contains an opportunity so well-placed it could only be described as destiny handing its grace to me, its lost lamb. 

 

The content was about a dangerous escalation between two agressor and its three meek lambs. The three pitiful nations, which even after banding together and creating an exclusive sphere called 'alliance', still can't help but be beaten one sidedly by the two agressor's hit-and-run tactic. 

 

But of course, if it's merely that, the Empire won't waste their breath using an express delivery to send this letter. 

 

The situation was escalating beyond a recoverable point. The two kingdoms are planning for conquest, in response to the alliance's desperation to reach us, vying for the protective umbrella under the Empire's banner.

 

So, what's that had to do with my Vedora Kingdom, you ask? 

 

"So they're planning to do a coup in those two kingdoms… make sense." 

 

The two agressor are primary targets for puppet entente, as I belatedly informed. That gentleman Ludwig is essentially asking for my take on this, probably seen as a basic courtesy since I'm the one who proposed that plan. 

 

But, for me? This is nothing but a heaven-sent! 

 

"The timing is just right when I was about to clean the house. Might as well call an insect exterminator." 

 

A proper clean up, I'd say. 

 

I've already buried the seed, watering it everyday; collaborating with those five ministers and one baron to lure out the traitorous bunch. I'm planning to quickly seize their assets, behead them, and hasten the rebuilding of our ransacked market. But, frankly, I don't have much confidence on how much I could salvage from those bastards. 

 

However, just when I started to have a headache, the opportunity just came into my lap. 

 

Three major food producing nations wish to align with us. The two Entente candidates are preparing for war. And just in time, I hold the name of the country responsible for funding the separatist. 

 

Ha… the picture is too good… 

 

I then quickly picked up the pen before the ideas ran cold.