NOVEL NEXT Chapter 214
Kael’s lectures were gaining immense popularity.
So much so that there were comments questioning whether those unrelated to the Military Academy should even be listening.
Within the military, some expressed feelings of alienation, saying that the juniors were becoming too impressive.
One day, as all the cadets were wide-eyed, fixated on the lecture by their most revered strategist—
“Chief of Staff! I have a question!”
During the usual Q&A time, a cadet raised their hand.
“What if, hypothetically, Chief of Staff, you were born not in the Empire, but somewhere else? And if you had walked the same path there? What do you think would have happened?”
“If I were born somewhere else, you say?”
At that, many students shot fierce glances at the classmate who posed the question.
How could they say such a thing about someone who was the greatest strategist and hero unique to the Empire?
Perhaps it was an unspoken pressure to refrain from saying such nonsensical things.
In an ideal world, the most exemplary answer here would be, “I exist because the Empire exists.”
Yet, Kael himself had sometimes pondered what it would be like if he were born somewhere else.
Now, with the question posed, it provoked even more contemplation than he had anticipated.
“Well, let’s see… how about Nobogord first?”
*
If Kael had been born not in the Empire but in Nobogord, becoming close to Charlua, and if conflicts arose with the Empire in that circumstance, then—
“Lady Charlua, you need to persuade your father to calm the council down for a moment.”
“What do you mean by that, Kael?”
“What our Demon Tribe needs to do right now is not to confront the Empire directly. We cannot win like this.”
“The council believes we have a decent chance of winning if we fight the Northern Legion.”
Kael shook his head. That assessment only included the ‘Northern Legion’.
At this point, the Empire wasn’t even using half of its power.
If their pride were poked, their full strength would come into play, making it nearly impossible for Nobogord to stand against the Empire alone.
“We must prioritize improving relations with Atria from now on.”
“I understand what you mean. You’re suggesting we build alliances. But you know it’s not as easy as it sounds, right? Our kind dislikes Atria even more than the Empire.”
“I understand. That’s exactly why we need to show that we’re trying to get closer to Atria.”
Charlua looked at Kael as if she couldn’t understand him at all.
The male demon sparkled with excitement in his eyes as he shared his plan.
“No matter how Atria reacts, it doesn’t matter. We just need to publicly demonstrate that Nobogord has intentions to do something. Both our kin and Atria need to know that.”
“…go on.”
“Then, we need to spread rumors that a delegation heading to Atria was attacked, staging a mock event. Though traces may disappear, the blame will eventually fall on the Empire.”
Upon hearing that, Charlua couldn’t help but ask, “Are you out of your mind?”
A mock event? What if it gets discovered? Even if it doesn’t, it’s still a problem. Isn’t it too obvious?
It’s not like Nobogord and Atria have a great relationship to begin with. With Nobogord suddenly trying to improve ties, the Empire, which has no reason to interfere, would just come in to break it apart? Anyone somewhat familiar with the continental dynamics would sense something’s off.
“We don’t need to concern ourselves with the political figures’ nerves. What we need is public sentiment.”
“Public sentiment?”
“We need to ensure that while our kin dislike Atria, they start to dislike the Empire even more for trying to obstruct what we want to achieve. If the Empire is getting involved, then forming closer ties with Atria suddenly seems beneficial.”
“In handling public sentiment this way, the council will eventually take a more active stance towards improving relations with Atria.”
After pondering for a moment, Charlua asked, “What about Atria? Aren’t they in a completely different situation?”
While we can maneuver internally, Atria’s circumstances are entirely distinct, right?
However, Kael shook his head instead and smiled confidently.
“Atria will have no choice but to accept. They desperately need something to ignite their chaotic situation domestically. Besides, the atmosphere in the neighboring Dedorant Kingdom has been unsettling lately. In times like these, they’ll be looking for a solid card to counter the Empire, and they’ll act as a bridge between us Nobogord and Atria.”
*
This technique of using external factors to turn internal conflicts upside-down would have been equally applied by Kael, even if he had originated from the three eastern kingdoms: Burgai, Kaden, or Polrand.
Here, it was even easier. Even while growling at each other, they hadn’t destroyed the other simply because the current balance was perfect.
Just presenting an appropriately manufactured story that the Empire is trying to sow discord among these three kingdoms would be enough.
For example—
“The Empire has proposed something to Polrand. They promised that if Polrand remains silent while they strike east, they would permanently hand over a part of Burgai’s territory. But Polrand maintains they have a minimum sense of duty and—”
“Urgent report! Burgai has held clandestine talks with the Empire! They were willing to hand over all of Polrand’s land for cooperation! Fortunately, Burgai side rejected it…”
“Have you heard the news? This time, the Empire approached Kaden. After all, if they keep being the perpetual second, why not become the second kingdom after the Empire, right? Of course, Kaden declared that they aren’t the kind of cowards to do such a thing.”
If you want to scatter those who are united, just toss a chunk of meat in between them.
Conversely, if you want to unite those who are scattered, just give them a whack each.
Individuals are more rational than one might think, but groups are unexpectedly more emotional.
Kael executed this precisely, allowing him to build up strength to stand against the Empire.
*
This was the case for the northern Nobogord and the three eastern kingdoms.
So, what if Kael had been born in the south, in Benito?
What if he had been an advisor beside Andrea II?
“Your Majesty, I humbly ask that you do not antagonize the Holy Kingdom.”
“Kael, what do you mean by that? They are already meddling in our Benito at every turn, and you want me to turn a blind eye? Is that reasonable?”
“I agree with you, Your Majesty, that the Holy Kingdom must be punished. However, we cannot only think about them. We must look to the greater enemy ahead.”
The greater enemy. Everyone knew what that meant.
The Croisen Empire. The nation that led the order of the continent, standing as the absolute powerhouse.
Before it, no kingdom could dare to hold their head high. Even the arrogant Holy Kingdom couldn’t so much as make a wish before the Empire.
The Empire was the only place that could extract taxes from bishop-level clergy.
Moreover, they would not tolerate any of the benefits that other kingdoms would grant to their parishes.
That is the Empire. Its overwhelming strength knows no bounds.
Any aspiring ruler wishing to dominate a region must be wary of the Empire.
“Your Majesty, the Empire will not welcome our Benito growing any larger.”
“Indeed, they would.”
“Thus, we must keep the Holy Kingdom alive. No, we must ensure it lasts forever. And our Benito must utilize this thoroughly.”
There seemed to be a different meaning behind those words. Just look at that confident gaze and voice.
Before Kael, even Andrea II would have had to ask what he meant.
“Explain in more detail.”
“The Empire has already seized several privileges from the Holy Kingdom. The fact that they are in an unpleasant relationship is known to all, especially to us in the Southern Kingdom.”
“True.”
“So, our Benito should forge closer ties with the Holy Kingdom to gain the justification of being the ‘Protector of the Holy Kingdom’. Instead of punishing them, we should embrace them. By creating a massive enemy, we will provide the foundation necessary for the south to unite against the Empire.”
You dislike the Holy Kingdom, right? You want to get rid of them quickly. So, you embrace them.
Thus, they can’t move a muscle, and you can use your reasoning to protect them.
The Empire itself has done things, so unless you push hard, there’s no justification for them to act.
Therefore, Benito must hold onto that and use it thoroughly. That’s the only way they would have a fighting chance.
“The Imperial Legion is strong. However, when there is no proper reason to fight, and when the sentiments of the Southern people, as well as the Empire’s citizens themselves, are uncertain about war, Benito can rise as a singular power to resist the Empire.”
Not the myriad small southern kingdoms, but a single massive Southern confederation.
There, the apparent leader would be the deposed religious representative, the Holy Kingdom, overshadowed by the Empire.
Yet, the true leader, pulling the strings and safeguarding them, would be Benito.
Andrea II surely couldn’t have resisted the lure of that grand dream.
*
“…Well, I suppose it could have gone this way, too.”
As Kael finished speaking, the cadets fell into silence.
Honestly speaking, what he described wasn’t at a fatal level.
It wasn’t as threatening as to put the Empire at a critical juncture, as they had imagined.
But at the same time, it was extremely realistic. And it was terribly annoying and difficult to crush.
It’s hard to imagine how troublesome the Empire would be if things had truly transpired that way.
Since Kael was on their side, how would they have countered if the positions were reversed?
“And.”
Incredibly, the climax was just beginning.
“Finally, we have the case of Dedorant remaining. Well then, what if I were next to Prince Georg, the King of Dedorant, or rather, the prince at that time?”