Against the World II: Transgression
Chapter 14: Turning Point, Part 3
...—Coralina, Ekralina Kingdom—...
King Mortana was very self-aware that he was not at all a brave king.
If other kings dared to sit on horseback leading his soldiers, Mortana was not so. Let alone that, Mortana will feel frightened when there are people with large bodies looking at him sharply with a mouth snapping loudly. Wherever he went, Mortana never let such people get close to him. He always made sure his trusted guards kept such people away from him.
It is not without reason why Mortana grew up to be a timid individual. In his family, only he was born without the blessings of good looks and physical beauty. That made him the moon of his brothers. They demean him for having a physique that does not reflect the family of the cult. He was even called “babii bobak” by his brothers and sisters friends.
Worse, which left a deep trauma in Mortana's life, his younger sister had the heart to accuse Mortana of being the mastermind of the kidnapping that befell her. In fact, Mortana had gone to great lengths to save his sister. He sacrificed his mental and energy to save his sister. Although his sister often mengisaknya, as an older brother he still has an obligation to protect him. But this world is not a good place at all.
Mortana who was 16 years old at the time was thrown in a prison inhabited by large-bodied criminals with rough faces. There he became their moons. If it were not for the kindness of Frabotta (the father of his present trust guard) who revealed the truth to the king, he would have been dead by then. If there wasn't a good human like Frabotta, Mortana wouldn't be here.
That explains why none of his brothers are alive. That explains why only Mortana was left from the descendants of the previous king. Mortana had Frabotta kill them one by one, then scapegoated the other for their deaths. And, it also explains why Mortana is apathetic in regards to family-related matters.
The distant past of the word good makes Mortana grow up to be a timid and paranoid individual. He did not want to stop being king; only in his position as king did he feel safe and secure. Therefore he established a friendly relationship with the Holy Kingdom. He was therefore against the Empire. And therefore he also supported the Holy Kingdom to take over Favilifna. Emiliel Holy Kingdom is useful in maintaining the sovereignty of his kingdom.
At least, that was what Mortana thought a dozen minutes ago before hearing the trusted bodyguard concern—Foratta.
Although Mortana admits he lacks courage in many ways, he is by no means stupid. Upon hearing Foratta fearing a battle involving the empire and the New World Order, he immediately understood the main problem: Emiliel Holy Kingdom will make his kingdom the center of their troop deployment. It only means one thing: his position is threatened—his kingdom will be destroyed into a battlefield.
“Do we have to join New World Order?” mortana asked her loyal bodyguard with a very sharp panic in her face. “Vladivta Kingdom is one of their members, certainly very easy we can be accepted.”
“King, if we do that, Fie Axellibra could have come without warning and leveled the kingdom with the ground.”
Mortana's face instantly turned deathly pale. He remembered the deed of his royal treaty with the Holy Kingdom. One of the points in the agreement, Emiliel Holy Kingdom did not accept treason in any form. If Ekralina Kingdom were to betray, the consequences would be sadistic. What Foratta had just said could not be considered a joke.
“To be honest, King, we have absolutely no choice here. Our kingdom is very risky. If we are not destroyed at the hands of the Holy Kingdom, we are destroyed as a battlefield. It is like being between two abysses. Wherever we jump, the result is equally dead. Hence, King, why didn't the King make contact with the recently established Magic City of Maidenhair?”
“What do you mean? Try explaining.” Mortana's attention was entirely on the twenty-eight-year-old Foratta—.
“We don't need to change the direction of the kingdom. The king only needed to buy a place in Maidenhair Magic City. I'm sure, in the inevitable battle of the day, the Magic City of Maidenhair will not be touched. It is the safest place on this island. When the war broke out, the king could stay there until the war was over. However, to ensure the King will not lose this kingdom, the King must be able to make a new agreement containing guarantees from the Holy Kingdom to restore the kingdom if the kingdom is destroyed.”
Mortana digested Foratta's words for a moment. As he completely understood Faoratta's entire explanation, a wide smile developed on Mortana's somewhat round face. “Grilliant idea, Foratta!” yells. “Thus, I don't have to worry about what will happen. I just need to sit and wait. When everything is done, I will continue my leadership as if everything is fine.”
“True, King. The king just needs to sit sweetly and wait, let those people enjoy their war. Indeed, the action will cause great upheaval from the citizens. They—to be exact what's left of them— will probably rebel when the King returns. But that's not a hindrance. With money, dramatic excuses and sweet promises, the people will certainly accept the King with understanding.”
Mortana could imagine that. When he returns with money and logistics, the people will be forced to understand. They will understand that he did not leave because he wanted to protect himself, but because he wanted to make sure the people survived the famine after the war. The reason is, war at a large level must cause a crisis—both economic and food. In the end, he would be branded as a wise king.
“You are very reliable, Foratta!” praise Mortana with face sumringah. “You're like your dead father. You are the people I can trust and rely on the most. Therefore, there is no need to hesitate to ask for anything that you and your family need. I'll definitely give it to you if I can give you.”
“Your words are too much for me, King, but I accept them with pleasure. I will rely on the King when I run into a problem that requires the help of the King.”
“Yes, no need to hesitate!” Mortana nodded her head. “I wouldn't mind helping my confidant. Now, come with me. We have to talk to the prime minister and the foreign minister. I want them to immediately compile a royal request and send a delegation to Axellibra.”
“Of course, King, of course. Faster, better. King need not live in excessive worry.”
Once again Mortana let her lips curl in satisfaction, then stood up from her throne and stepped away—Foratta faithfully walking on her left, one step behind Mortana.