Chapter 352: The Emperor Has Spoken (1/2)
Emperor Cervantez looked across the room as he had a wide smirk on his face. Each and ever nation here had a complicated history with Hazelgroove kingdom. For generations his family had suffered defeats after defeats. Humiliation after humiliation , now was the time to pay it back.
He said ” Envoys of the Lizardman kingdom , tell King Atlas , Emperor Cervantez sends his regards, we wish to continue the trade of fish and rice with other minerals with utmost sincerity. Wishing to increase output on both ends”.
It was a positive response for the Kingdom of lizardmen.... They were happy with this stance of the Emperor.
The envoy immediately bowed and said ” Itzzzzzz ourrr pllleaassurreezzzz lblblb ”. As he performed a polite bow.
Cervantez continued ” With the kingdom of Elves , we wish to continue our amicable relations , as neithbours. We of the Hazelgroove fully support the cause of the Elves as the ruler of the ancient forest and will continue to help them incase of any acts of external aggression ”.
This was a stance of a ally! Cervantez wanted no conflict with the Elves , Hazelgroove kingdom had three kingdoms neighbouring it's border and Cervantez was sure to start a fight with one( or maybe two ) , hence he did not want a three way war with three powers at a time. Wisely choosing to ally with the kingdom of Elves as a reason.
To this Ruby immediately replied ” The Kingdom of Elves will also come to the aid of the Hazelgroove kingdom , in-case on an act of aggression on its territories. We support your claim over the lands of Hazelgroove empire ”.
It was a bold statement .... She mentioned Hazelgroove empire and not kingdom. Her words caused many low murmurings throughout the entire room.
However a firm thump of Patricia's leg on the ground , that caused the ground to shake a little later , it was eerily quiet.
Patricia said ” THE EMPEROR IS SPEAKING !”.
Cervantez continued his greetings of each and every kingdom , where he mentained neutrailty and agreed to trade , untill the last two kingdoms were left. Hazelgroove's immediate Neighbours, Nineclouds Kingdom and Aquahose Kingdom.
The most recent one to rebell against Hazelgroove kingdom was the Aquahose Kingdom. During the time of his great grandfather , this was the last territory that they had lost , that rose to its own independence.
However , the most recent kingdom to come in conflict with Hazelgroove kingdom was Nineclouds kingdom. Trying to eradicate it once and forever , during the reign of Cervantez's grandfather , they were unsuccessful in their attack , and were repelled thoroughly.
Cervantez's grandfather though victorious succumbed to the injuries in five short years , it was a wound that he would not forget easily. As he was but five at the time. His grandfather was his hero and loosing him was a trajedy .
Cervantez knew he wanted to crush both the countries .... However how would he go about it? , Should he go for Nineclouds kingdom first?
Should he go for Aquahose Kingdom first?
Or should he take on both at the same time?
Conquering countries was not a matter of one or two days. It would be a campaign , a war lasting for years to come. As territories would be conquered slowly , while counterattacks would be mounted.
One town at a time ... That is how kingdoms fell , one battle at a time.
Cervantez was not an irrational king driven by sentiments , he was a veteran of war , and an excellent strategist and politician. It was in his blood , he was raised to be an Emperor.
Each choice had its own merits and demerits , however one thing was for sure , that Aquahose and Nineclouds kingdom had really close ties. Hence Cervantez invading any one of them would spark a military response from the other.
Hence if it was going to be a three party war anyway , then he would surely not shy down from such a fight! Might as well tell the whole world , that Hazelgroove kingdoms time had come!
His gaze turned bone chilling as he eyed down the two emmisary groups standing side by side. As he said ” To the two of you , whom I did not address , tell your rebel leaders , that the Emperor will be back for his lands. You rebels have had the citizens of Hazelgroove kingdom under your clutches for wayy to long.... It's time they are freed back! ”.
A loud clamour started in the hall .... The two emmisaries were completely devastated at this decision from the king. What was this judgement , what could they refute?
A brave emmisary from Nineclouds kingdom said ” Proposterous .... They are not your people , and we are no rebels , we are the own.... ”.