CHAPTER 61: PROGRESS AT BYZETH

Over a week later.

Aric stood in his tent, having dismissed the soldiers guarding outside. Now alone, he stared at the rune stone resting on the table, waiting for Serina to connect as they had agreed. She was to inform him of the current state of affairs back in Byzeth.

Suddenly, the rune stone began to glow, flashing a steady blue light.

"Yes," he called out, confirming if Serina was on the other end.

"Your Highness," came the mage’s voice.

"Serina, good," Aric muttered, stepping closer. "So, what’s the situation?"

"The lord and the bandits worked incredibly fast. Lerai was swift in producing more MPGs, and around seventy percent of the bandits now possess a pair. With this strength, they were able to seize the stretch of Miredis in just five days."

Aric nodded, though he already knew. A few days prior, he had received an unexpected system notification:

[You now have full control over the Miredis stretch.]

It had surprised him. Though he had stressed urgency, they had accomplished the task faster than even he projected.

"That’s good to hear. How are Borag and his men doing with the other matter?" Aric asked.

"As well as one could expect from bandits—perhaps better, now that they’ve grown more formidable. Thirty percent of all goods being transported have been seized and handed to the lord of Heidz. Traders are complaining, refusing to transport goods unless the royal army intervenes. But, as you know, the army isn’t present, and what little remained of them was quickly dispatched when they confronted the bandits."

"Excellent," Aric said with a satisfied nod. "And what of the goods meant for the Northrenders?"

"Of the thirty percent seized, most were bound for the Northrenders. Currently, half of all goods already paid for by northern traders have been taken. The rest were followed by around thirty bandits, who plan to ambush the recipients. They were also given activation runes for use if cornered, which will override and multiply their MPG strength by a hundredfold," Serina explained.

"It seems Lerai did well," Aric grinned.

"I don’t understand much about MPGs or Lerai’s methods, but I doubt mana crystals can provide that much amplification. Is that truly meant to increase their power a hundredfold?"

"No," the prince replied, shaking his head. "When activated, they’ll detonate. I cannot allow loose ends."

"I suppose that’s... pragmatic," Serina muttered. "At this point, the bandits could march into the capital and claim the throne with ease. There would be no resistance. Why wait?"

Aric shook his head firmly.

"No. There are two reasons: First, if we take Byzeth while its army is still away fighting meaningless wars, then when they return, they’ll crush us easily. I must ensure all loyal to Aszer perish here, with him. Second, while it may appear undefended, there is in fact a formidable group guarding the throne."

"There is?" Serina asked, intrigued.

"Yes. They call themselves the Lotus Fourteen—mages of immense power. From what I’ve heard, they may surpass even you. Fourteen in total, all women, sworn to the Byzeth throne and its king. I encountered them once, though I didn’t know who they were at the time. Even then, I could feel the danger they radiated. If you raid the castle now, you will all die swiftly."

"Tch. That sounds problematic. How do you plan to deal with them?" Serina asked.

"They are loyal to the throne itself, and to the king who sits upon it. If I deliver them Aszer’s head and claim the throne, they will serve me. No bloodshed required."

"Ah, then it seems everything still advances smoothly," Serina remarked.

"It seems so," Aric agreed.

"Well..." Serina hesitated.

"What is it?" Aric asked, a flicker of panic slipping into his voice.

"Old man Hitoshi reports that news of the Byzeth raid has reached imperial ears. Some claim the imperial squad, led by the First Prince, would have already descended and leveled Byzeth. But the emperor insists no such action be taken. Instead, a small detachment has been sent north."

Aric let out a long breath of relief.

"That is excellent news. Connect with me again as planned," he instructed.

"Understood, Your Highness," Serina replied, before the rune stone dimmed and went dark.

Aric exhaled slowly, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"I suppose I should thank you this time, Father... for believing in me."

The emperor had bought him more time, though not much. He would need to finish things swiftly.

The pieces were set. Soon, word would reach the legion that Byzeth had begun cheating them, harassing their traders, and robbing them outright. By then, Aric would have already drawn the legion to Aszer, who would demand an explanation. Egos would clash, tempers would ignite, and inevitably, they would fight.

Once the Northrenders withdrew their support, and with Byzeth already at war with Valeria, all soldiers would realize their cause was lost—that nothing awaited them but death.

That was when Aric would strike, not as a general, but as the Imperial Prince of Valeria.

He would promise the soldiers their lives spared if they denounced Aszer. He would offer the Northrenders continued trade with Byzeth—fairer prices, no lies, and dominion over the settlement they had already seized.

It was a deal the Northrenders could not refuse, preferable to paying the steep prices of the Draken Empire, their rivals.

Aric threw his head back, laughter spilling from his lips, manic and triumphant.

"Could this plan be any more perfect?" he roared.