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Volume 4 Chapter 4 Part 6

「No, Marine intends to destroy all of us. 」

Alexis shook his head. It was just as the diplomatic Mage Sefaud said, but he just couldn’t believe that Marne had changed her mind so much.

「Let’s just end the meeting. Please return to your countries and begin preparations for battle. However, should the allied territories be invaded, my Halusia will definitely come to the rescue. 」

After saying that, Alexis left his seat with a sophisticated gesture and left the meeting hall. Duram was stunned as he saw him off.

「I will try to negotiate with the Factory Alliance The condition may be for us to subordinate ourselves to them, but that way our titles and territories will never be touched. 」

Durham appealed to the Lords who began to leave their seats to follow after Alexis.

「Just do whatever the hell you want! 」

Someone spoke up.

「I just pray that the secret pact you made with the factory Alliance will be worth it! 」

It was a bitter irony.

「There are no secret agreements being made! 」

Durham hastily denied the accusation.

「If that’s the case, then you’re more of a dreamer than Lord Alexis. 」

「S-Such rudeness! 」

Durham raised his voice in anger.

「There is no other way for us to survive than by negotiating! 」

「Yes, it is true, now more than ever. 」

Another Lord said relievedly.

「And we wouldn’t go down that road if we absolutely didn’t need to. 」

「Anyway, everyone, take your seats! Shall we continue the meeting after Lord Alexis comes back? 」

But at this point, no Lord listened to Durham’s words anymore.

* * *
Sensing that his spiritual connection with the Earl of Artuk had been severed, Theo Cornero learned of the death of his master, Vilar Constance. At that time, he was still in Veltava, and had just joined Lassic David, who had pacified Ozer and rushed in to help him.

The gang, which was initially wrapped in the joy of their reunion, was quickly wrapped in sorrow.

「If only I could’ve predicted Nord’s movements…!!! 」

Bitter tears were streaking down Siluca’s face.

「It’s a relief that the enemy army also suffered severe damage and started to withdraw. 」

Lassic David muttered, but he was not feeling relieved at all.

It seems that there were more than 10,000 casualties from both sides in the battle of Castle Unicorn. It truly a battle of epic proportions.

「Maybe Lord Vilar sacrificed himself to protect us? 」

Theo nodded at Lassic.

「Well, what do you plan to do now, Lord Lassic? 」

Moreno asked his Lord, since he continued getting calls from the Mages from the neighboring allied nations questioning Lassic’s intentions. Now that Lord Vilar has passed away, everyone agreed that Lassic was the most suited to become the new leader of the region.

. Ozer and the lords of Veltava have been robbed of their titles, and Lassic’s own Crest has finally reached the rank of Earl.

「I’m not the one who decides that… 」

Saying so, Lasik turned to Theo and bowed respectfully.

「Please, tell us what you think, Lord Theo. 」

It sounded like something a subordinate Lord would say, so Moreno’s face twitched.

「I don’t want to leave the Union… 」

Theo thought for a while before answering.

It is clear that Marine, Margrave of Waldrind, has begun to walk the path of tyranny along with Milza and others. He was no longer someone who could be trusted.

Baron Eugen Niklae and other subordinate monarchs of the Earl of Artuk have also become independent Lords, but all of them were prepared to fight back.

Serge, Earl of Regalia, and his brother Igor were advised by Vilar to abandon the Constance family name, but they do not intend to comply. It is also a sign that they had no intention of surrendering to the Alliance.

Haman’s Queen Edochia lost her 「Palace of the Sea」and her lovers, but she managed to escape. But her grief is deep, and her hatred of the Alliance was great. She’s been telling me she’s going to fight them even if she had to do it alone.

Kirchs lost the Theater King Solon who was succeeded by a steady heir who had no interest in the world of arts whatsoever. However, since his title is less than that of a Viscount, he was considering requesting subordination to someone else. The situation was similar in Mansur, where petty princes were fighting each other for power and influence.

King Alfred of Clovis doesn’t seem to want to return to the Alliance either. Having learned of the massacre at the Isthmus of Penelope, he must have realized once again how tough the Alliance is on the Lords who betrayed them.

「But honestly, I’ve run out of love for the Union as well. 」
Theo continued speaking.

Marquis of Halusia, Alexis Doucet, was still his friend. However, if he remains in the Fantasia Union, he will have to follow the resolution of their Lord’s Conference

「I think that’s good… 」

Siluca raised her face and said so. She had the look of a scheming Witch.

「If that’s the case, then let’s become an independent power that would not belong to the Union or the Alliance. 」

「What would you do if you did that and were attacked by both forces? 」
Moreno blew his nose like a fool.

「In that case, of course, we’d have no choice but to fight. But we just have to be smart about it in order to not let that happen in the first place. 」

「Do you have a plan? 」

「So you are against it Moreno-senpai? 」

Siluca asked back.

「Yeah. If you want to become an independent power, you need to give it some serious thought first. 」

Moreno has an expression that said that he will not back down from this easily.

「In the first place, have you asked Lord Lasik about his opinion? 」

Apparently, Moreno wants to clarify the relationship between Theo and Lassic. In fact, Siluca has decided that she should do the same.

「As I always said, I am only entrusted with the peerage from Lord Theo for safekeeping. 」

Lassic gave a wry smile.
「That may be true for Selvis, but was the rest of the peerage and titles obtained independently by Lord Lassic? 」

「Is there anything unique about it? It was also thanks to the cooperation of the deceased Earl of Artuk and the neighboring countries, and I think that’s what peerage is all about. People’s recognition is the only qualification to obtain it. 」

「It is precisely about recognition! 」

Moreno shook his body impatiently. Ornaments that seemed to be increasing each time he won a battle clattered loudly.

「Neighboring allied Lords rely on Lord Lassic, not Lord Theo, right? 」

「However, I recognize Lord Theo as the true leader. 」

Lassic laughed.
“There are several Lords who have the intention of subordinating themselves to Lord Theo, such as Baron Petr and Baron Radovan of Falvis, and your own position also rose after the battle of Selvis. Independent Lords of Artuk have their eyes on Lord Theo as well

and his popularity among the people of the territory is as high as ever. Who is more suitable to be the leader, Lord Theo or me? 」

Siluca thought that Lassic got the essence of the problem right.

The two factions don’t get along very well. If things continue as they are, conflict will arise between the Theo faction and the Lassic faction. In that case, forget about being independent, they would be destroyed by the Alliance in the blink of an eye. Now that Earl Vilar of Artuk is gone, the issue of who should be the leader should be urgently resolved.

「I’m happy to hear your words, Lord Lassic… 」

Siluca bows to Lassic.

「However, I think that Moreno-senpai’s opinion is correct as far as this time is concerned. 」

「I am always correct. 」

Moreno was stunned.

「Oh really? 」

Siluca looked up at him and started bending her fingers.

「What are you counting? 」

Moreno protested.

「In other words, since there are people like senpai, in order for Lord Theo to become the leader, you would has to show the appropriate qualities. 」

Siluca said quietly.

「Like what? 」

「How about becoming the Lord of Sistina within a year? Of course, you cannot ask other Lords, including Lord Lassic, for help with that. 」

「First of all, it’s impossible. Viscount Pederico Rossini of Sistina is based in a solid fortified city and is protected by loyal subordinates and soldiers. It would require more than 10,000 soldiers to destroy him. 」

Moreno snorted.

「If it’s not that much, then he won’t be able to show his qualities as a leader. 」
Siluca smiles.

「While Lord Theo will be in Sistina, Lord Lassic will serve as the leader. And if Lord Theo returns after completing his trial, and Lord Lassic will still be willing to serve Lord Theo, then he will replace him as the leader. 」

「I see. That way, it will be easier for both the Lords who thinks Lord Theo is suitable to be the leader and the Lords who want me to be the leader to agree with us and avoid unnecessary conflicts. Of course, I won’t change my mind. 」

Lassic nodded at Siluca.

「So, I’m the only one who doesn’t agree. Well, let’s give it a try at least. 」

Moreno said bluntly.

「Thank you. 」

Siluca bowed to them.

「Is that all right with you? 」

Siluca looked back at Theo.

「I can’t be dissatisfied with this… 」

Theo nodded with a determined expression.

The time had finally come for him to return to his hometown. There is no doubt that he has a tough trial ahead of him, but he was prepared to face it nonetheless.

More than three months have passed since then.

On December 7th, 2013 of the Continental Calendar, Theo and Siluca left the port in Falvis on a small boat along with a few of their companions and headed towards Sistina.