CHAPTER 57: THE SHIFTING SANDS OF WAR

Two days later, because Reese had sent a letter to Dimitri that the imperial soldiers were moving north to occupy the Vernice fortress and harbor, Dimitri stopped Ard, Eva, and the others who were about to continue their journey. He invited them to a meeting in the dining room and gave Reese’s letter to Ard, Eva, and all their friends. After everyone read the letter from Reese,

"Hmm... so for the time being, the harbor in Vernice City is closed, then," Ard muttered.

"Yes, and there are search orders to find Prince Edmund and Princess Eva, as stated in the letter," Dimitri added.

"My brother was captured by Prince Abel of Fredonia, wasn’t he?" Eva asked, turning to look at Ard.

"Yes, but the Emperor couldn’t possibly know about that," Ard replied.

"Looking at the timing, Prince Abel must have already crossed the continent to return to the Fredonia Kingdom, right, Ard?" Alicia asked.

"He should have," Ard replied, thinking.

"If you look at this letter, Reese also says that Fredonia refused the cooperation offer in the war against the Ateras Kingdom... that means there’s a possibility the Orthus Empire or the Durnhill Kingdom will declare war on the Fredonia Kingdom, especially since Durnhill’s second prince is also in Fredonia, right?" Mirea asked.

"Yes, that’s the worst possibility. The relationship between the Ateras Kingdom and Fredonia is very close; there’s no way my father would ruin that relationship by allying with the Empire, plus Prince Julius’s actions in the forest which led to the loss of several Crow unit members, and the capture of Prince Edmund, who was causing trouble at the academy. My kingdom definitely won’t agree to cooperate with the Orthus Empire. My father will instead oppose them and might even support Ateras or declare war on Durnhill," Ard answered.

"Didn’t Prince Nikolai return to the Durnhill Kingdom to resolve yesterday’s misunderstanding and report about the sect to his kingdom?" Milia asked.

"He should have. We can only hope that Nikolai can convince King Gregorius not to get involved in this war and explain that Julius caused all this trouble," Mirea answered.

"That pig prince really made things big. It’s too much. I know he’s useless, but to cause a war, that’s going too far," Geoffrey said.

"It’s not just him. My brother Edmund also complicated the issue and actually caused my father, who is normally calm and dislikes war, to start a war with the Ateras Kingdom," Eva added, looking down.

"But isn’t the relationship between the Orthus Empire and the Ateras Kingdom already bad?" Ainsley asked.

"Not necessarily. If the relationship between the two kingdoms were really bad, you wouldn’t have been able to enter the academy in Orthus," Rosalind replied.

"The important thing now is to find a way to get back to my kingdom. Let’s just leave the politics alone," Beatrice replied.

"Beatrice is right. Let’s focus on our plan. What’s clear is that we can’t go to Vernice," Ard replied.

"Hmm... I know another way, but it’s dangerous and risky," Claudia replied.

"What? Just tell us," Alicia said.

Claudia explained that she knew a tribe of barbarians who lived on the coast and worked as pirates. They had a hideout near Vernice City and operated in the surrounding waters. She had a relative who had joined that pirate group. Hearing this, Ard, Eva, and the others immediately thought it over.

"Ah... you mean Vahn Sarvia?" Dimitri asked.

"Yes, that’s right. Count Dimitri knows him?" Claudia asked.

"Of course I know him. Besides being a pirate, he’s also a mountain bandit who has never been caught and operates in the Orthus Empire. But he only targets corrupt and evil nobles, as well as illegal slave traders who are usually funded by those corrupt nobles. He gives his spoils to those in need," Dimitri answered.

"That’s true. It’s true he’s an enemy of many kingdoms, but he’s not a bad person. His father is my dad’s younger brother, so you could say he’s my older cousin," Claudia replied.

"Do you know where his headquarters is, Count?" Ard asked.

"I don’t know where his headquarters is, but his men often visit my village," Dimitri answered.

"Hmm, that’s tricky. We can’t stay here too long," Ard murmured, thinking.

Then Ard turned to glance at Eva next to him, who seemed shocked and familiar with the name Dimitri had mentioned. Ard immediately shifted and whispered to Eva,

"You know him?" Ard asked.

"Yes. The reason I destroyed the barbarian tribe in my nine past lives was because I was looking for him," Eva replied.

"Oh, so that’s it. When I was among the barbarian tribe, they didn’t talk about him either because it was taboo... it seems that man’s relationship with the barbarian tribe isn’t very good, and I just found out he’s Claudia’s cousin," Ard replied.

"What are you two talking about?" Patricia asked, seeing Ard and Eva whispering.

Ard and Eva instantly flinched in surprise. Then they turned to look at Patricia, who was tilting her head, staring at them with a questioning look.

"It’s nothing, not important," Ard said.

"That’s right. Don’t worry about us," Eva replied.

"Oh, okay. Very well. By the way, I already sent a letter by bird yesterday to let my village know about our arrival," Patricia replied.

"Is that so? Good. We’ll definitely come there," Ard replied.

Then Patricia turned to look at Dimitri, who seemed to be observing her with a friendly face but a sharp, piercing gaze. Patricia immediately fell silent and looked down, not speaking anymore. Dimitri smiled, then continued his conversation with Mirea, Claudia, Geoffrey, and Ainsley, discussing how to contact Vahn, the pirate and mountain bandit.

"Alright, in that case, I will send my people to find his headquarters. Give me two or three days," Dimitri said.

"Is that so? Well, please do, Count Dimitri," Ard said.

"I will do my best, Your Royal Highness," Dimitri replied.

"Oh, come on, I told you just call me Ard, don’t call me Prince," Ard replied, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Hahaha... alright, Ard. You all can leave now," Dimitri replied, glancing at Patricia.

"Understood, thank you for helping us, Count Dimitri," Eva said, standing up.

After that, Ard, Eva, and the others stood up and walked out of the dining room, but as Patricia walked past Dimitri, "tap," Dimitri caught Patricia’s hand, making Patricia turn around in surprise.

"May I speak with you for a moment?" Dimitri asked politely, releasing her hand.

"Very well," Patricia replied.

Patricia then sat back down. After making sure everyone else was out and the servants had left the two of them, closing the door behind them as they exited,

"Welcome to my mansion, Princess of the Elf Tribe, Pyria Wysacaryn. Please show me your true form," Dimitri said, bowing politely.

Patricia, shocked, stared at the handsome Dimitri in front of her. Then, a bright light enveloped her body, changing her into her Elf form.

"You know who I am, Count?" Pyria asked.

"Of course I know. I have been watching you since you first arrived here. Do Prince Ard and Princess Eva know your identity?" Dimitri asked.

"They know I’m an Elf, but they don’t know I’m the Chief’s daughter. Please don’t say anything about it," Pyria replied.

"Understood. As an observer of this world, what is your opinion of Prince Ard and Princess Eva? Are they truly the saviors we have been waiting for these 1,000 years?" Dimitri asked seriously but politely.

"Yes. I am certain about that. They are indeed the reincarnations of Ashton and Esmeralda from 3,000 years ago. I have confirmed it," Pyria replied.

"Thank goodness. I am very happy to hear that. Please watch over them and follow their journey, Princess Pyria," Dimitri said.

"I will, Count. Once again, please keep my true identity a secret," Pyria replied, smiling.

"Of course. I promise not to reveal your identity. How is your father?" Dimitri asked.

Finally, the two talked casually about other things outside their urgent business, like old friends who hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Meanwhile, Ard, walking with his friends, was deep in thought. He then patted Claudia’s shoulder, who was walking in front of him.

"Claudia, are you sure that bandit and pirate named Vahn can help us?" Ard asked hesitantly.

"Of course he can. I’m quite close with him, and besides, he owes my father a favor, so I don’t think it’s a problem, even though my entire tribe hates him," Claudia answered.

"Hmm... in that case, when we meet him, please go first, alright?" Ard replied.

"That’s a given. You don’t have to worry, Ard," Claudia replied.

"What’s he like?" Eva asked.

"Hmm... how do I put it? He values freedom and equality, and he can’t stand injustice in this world, but when it comes to manners, don’t even ask. He’s a mess, haha," Claudia answered.

"Hmmm, I see. So he doesn’t rob and pirate ships for himself, but for the sake of justice," Eva murmured.

"Something like that. He’s also close with Reese... ah, I mean, Cain," Claudia replied.

"Oh... really?" Ard asked.

"Yes, really," Claudia replied.

"Hmm... I just found out about this. In my nine lives, I did hear stories of a fierce pirate and bandit who was very slippery and hard to catch, but I never once suspected that the bandit or pirate had a connection to Reese and Claudia. I hope everything goes smoothly and we can get to the Rellios Kingdom soon," Ard thought to himself.