752 Agares Part 2 (1/2)
With a sigh, Agares said, ”Aloyen, if you didn't stop me, I would already have killed those old fellows long ago.”
Calmly, Aloyen replied, ”If you can progress to the next grade, I will let you go.”
”It's not so simple.” Agares was a little demoralized. It was true that he was a prodigy, however, a sorcerer could rely on their experience for advancement, but here were no known assassins above grade-9 yet.
”Your Majesty, the Bitter Water County is situated near the sea. Even though our fleet had extirpated the enemy's warships, all of our troop-carrying vessels were destroyed. This means that the Bitter Water County has the capability to establish a mighty navy. It would be better to exterminate it as early as possible. Information from Holy Rock City stated that the Qin nobles are strongly supporting Lex, there are substantial resources in Daliang City. If we do not conduct a two-pronged attack from the other direction, then we will only deplete our resources by staying by the coast in vain.”
”Aloyen, do you know why I am trying to marry Lex?”
Aloyen shook his head. If anyone could guess his brother's thoughts, then this person had to be a pinnacle holy master. They would have to have power from the gods.
”Qin people are loyal and they are intelligent. If I produce a child with a person like Lex, this child will surely be a flawless prodigy, unlike the both of us who are flawed. If I name a queen, this queen must be from Qin. Forming an alliance with the Tanggulasi Empire will bring humiliation to me.”
”Since you put it that way, I can rest assured,” Aloyen replied nonchalantly. All this while, this brother of his had never followed the rules. Perhaps he really wanted to marry into Qin royalty. Nevertheless, since Agares said that an alliance with the Tanggulasi Empire was a humiliation, then it was very likely that it might take place out of the blue.
The Cloudflow nobles agreed to an alliance because they had already lost half of Titan Duchy. If it was not for the line of defense at the Red River, the Tanggulasi people would have invaded Cloudflow's land already.
”Mm, help me to make this decision, but I am not willing to meet their envoy.” Waving his hand, Agares signaled for the performance to stop and dismissed all of the performers. The court ladies also left obediently. Aloyen called out to one court lady and passed the finger on the table to her.
Being accustomed to bloody scenes, the court lady received the finger. Aloyen had pleaded on behalf of that noble. With treatment from a mage, this finger could still be reattached. If it remained in Agares' possession, that noble would be crippled.
Only the palace guards remained in the hall, these people were Agares' confidantes. Aloyen then said, ”The southern nobles are indifferent to the alliance, Tanggulasi will not pose a threat to them. The nobles at the border are worried that they will lose half of Titan permanently if the alliance goes through. Some of the nobles in the capital support the southern nobles, but there are also a number of them who support the northern nobles.”
The interior of the hall became gloomy. Agares' face sank as he held the fruit knife in hand. The small silver knife flipped between his fingers, producing powerful trembles as it sliced the air.
”Will the Tanggulasi people return half of Titan to me?”
”No, but they will help you to seize Bitter Water County.”
”Aloyen, if I deploy the family's elites, won't I be able to conquer Bitter Water County?”
”The Tanggulasi people will conduct a suicidal offensive along the Red River. By then, the nobles will change their stance and allow us to form an alliance with Tanggulasi.”
”Precisely, all these people should be slaughtered!” Agares ruthlessly stabbed the small knife into the skeletal porcelain plate. The plate, which could withstand an alchemical arrow, was pierced by a soft silver knife, but it did not crack.
”Your Majesty, it was the same case for the Qin Empire. After the emperor died, his subordinates fell into turmoil. The north and south are not united and the new emperor cannot control the situation. We have to endure, once the imperial fleet recovers, those southern nobles will still have to do our bidding obediently.”
”I guess that's the only way now. The nobles have to continue contributing to the offensive against Daliang City though. No matter what kind of soldiers they deploy, the headcount cannot be less than one-million and two-hundred-thousand. Even if they are walking to their doom, they have to recruit soldiers to fill this cavity. I will make a trip to the Black Serpent Island. Without the Purgatory Boa, my attacks will not pose a threat to a Golden Grand Swordmaster. There are many eyes staring at me inside and outside the palace, I don't feel at ease being the emperor.”
”Aye, go ahead, let the big prince supervise the country, while I will manage to government affairs.”
”Okay then, he is Uncle's only son. If he dares try anything funny, kill him, so his bloodline will go extinct.”
”Aloyen nodded in agreement. Raising a cup, he pour clear wine into his brother's cup, then said, ”Your Majesty, for this trip to Black Serpent Island, bring along my trusted guards too. Their equipment has been replaced. The Qin people have created diving warships and I am afraid that the southern nobles have purchased the drawing. Bring along the Sacred Emperor Warship. With a portable magical tower, those diving warships will be harmless.”
After the discussion was concluded, Agares returned to the rear palace. Two court ladies walked up and helped him change his clothes.
”Your Majesty, has the Prince allowed you to leave?” A court lady with abnormally fair skin removed Agares' clothes as she enquired.