Shadow King Chronicles: Building a Kingdom From Behind the Scenes
'Without Bloodshed'
"What! A total of 32,000 troops are marching towards here!? No kidding! How could they prepare so many such people in such a short amount of time!?"
Prince William could only be frustrated when he heard the news delivered by a knight. Duke Balzaac has spread spies outside his territory and that information is what he got. Who would have thought that in the face of the crisis that hit the kingdom, the palace could send such an army.
It was not only Prince William who panicked. Even Duke Balzaac and the others as well. Including Johan Hill who had a calm personality also felt uneasy with the news that came to him.
"But I don't think they're here to fight. We have four times more troops than them. We are also in a defensive position. That's an absolute advantage for us. Looks like they're just here to bully us."
What Frans Albatros said makes sense. Judging from any side, they had the upper hand in case a battle occurred.
"I don't think so. 32,000 troops are clearly not just to show off or bully us."
Johan Hill who was silent due to fret finally started talking. A map is placed on the table. Judging from his gait, Johan Hill seemed to have read the hidden intentions of them.
"There are several areas that have been supporting our needs around the Schazar and Duke Balzaac regions. But they don't have a lot of troops in each of those areas."
"That means you mean...."
"It looks like that. Troops coming from the capital will occupy all the territory that sustains our needs. That means, they intend to cut off the supply line and leave us in deep trouble because of the shortage of food and clothing."
Duke Balzaac and Prince William gritted their teeth. If that really happened, it would be too late for them to send reinforcements to their support areas. They have faced an embargo from the capital and are trying to survive.
But with the conquest of the surrounding area by the royal forces, the only place to depend was the financial support of the Moskov empire. He doesn't want to owe them much, but he wants to.
In the end, he did not know how the discussion would proceed. Issac is a sly boy. As his uncle, he knew it. From the beginning, he was conscious. Sooner or later, he will be dealing with his nephew.
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The second and third armies conquered the small territories surrounding the Balzaac and Schazar territories. With this, their supply lines had been cut off and they were in a cornered position.
They will obviously rely on financial help from Moskov but that will not be enough. Moskov was also meddling in the civil war in the increasingly protracted empire. They did not have much help for the Prince William Faction.
At the time he was at the camp and working on some documents, suddenly someone hugged him from behind. It was Lilianne. It turned out that just as Issac had expected, he would come to his camp.
"Welcome Lili. I miss you."
"Yes, welcome back, Brother Is. I miss you too."
Issac stood and faced Lilianne and kissed her. Tears came out of Lilianne's eyes. It had been a long time since he had returned to the empire, he had not met with Issac and the others. He misses them.
During this time, he was locked up by his father and would likely be the bargaining chip between Issac and Duke Balzaac. He knew he had a weak point on Issac. That's why after careful consideration, Lilianne decided to escape through the portal magic that has a ring.
After an hour of romance, Lilianne finally delivered what she really said. He didn't run away from his father's territory quickly for no reason. To help Issac and the others, there was work he had to do. And he has fulfilled his duty very well.
Although Issac was surprised by the information Lilianne had gathered while still at Balzaac, this was exactly what he had expected. This information was his trump card. That's why from the beginning he always thought. Negotiations will never happen.
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Five days after the march, a second parade of soldiers and a third part of the army that escorted Issac reached Balzaac. To be honest, there was nothing special about this region. Not too strategic and not too fertile. Their agricultural productivity is not very high.
But since the embargo began, forging activity has declined. They had no ore to produce war supplies or steel and iron-based furniture.
The second and third armies set up camp outside the walls. But as many as 250 people accompanied Issac to enter the city center. Duke Balzaac was already in his mansion. Lilianne had also been in her mansion after spending three days with her. He did not want to raise suspicion from his father.
As promised, a meeting with his faction members and Prince William would be held three days later. A building is prepared to serve as a meeting place that will take place.
Issac rented several inns to accommodate himself and his bodyguards. He should rest. There are a few things he needs to do before the meeting.
Three days later, the representatives of Prince William had gathered. There were about 10 people including Issac, prince William, Duke Balzaac, as well as the Hill family and the Albatross family. The atmosphere in the room was very stiff and cold. Their side looked so tense that it let out a cold sweat.
While Issac, he just sat down casually while sipping his tea delicately. Instead of negotiation, somehow it's more like interrogation. Crossing his legs on the chair, Issac opened the conversation.
"Thank you gentlemen for opening up the opportunity for discussion. I'll get straight to the point. Surrender and submit to the one who begins the queen. We will consider leniency for those of you who give up their loyalty to the Queen."
Exact and not much ado. To be honest, the others were speechless. But a second later, expressions of wrath appeared on their faces. The most wrathful of course was Prince William.
"Don't joke! Why should I be loyal to that!? His leadership did not bring any progress and any benefits to the kingdom! Look what he caused!"
Calling a queen as ******. Even if Aurellia would not be angry at all, prince William would still get a very severe punishment. Issac don't ask. But he decided to hold back his anger.
"Prince William, no, William. Insulting the ruler is a mortal sin. Even a thousand deaths would not be enough to atone for that sin."
"Fuck! You dare to call my name without honorifics!? I am the prince of the kingdom of Heinz and the rightful king! While you guys are just insolent rebels stepping on the holy kingdom Hey.....GUHHHH!!"
Eve kills emanated from the self of Issac who was engrossed with his tea. All of his interlocutors felt that they were suffocating. Even Duke Balzaac tried his hardest to keep himself from falling to the floor.
"Mr Issac, the kingdom will be ruined if it is led by a woman! The views of other countries on the government will be bad and they will underestimate us! If that were to happen then this land could be attacked by them at any time!
"That's why there's no negotiating room for this! As long as the throne is not handed over to prince William, we will not submit to the kingdom again!"
Richard Balzaac said that. But Issac himself remained relaxed. As he had expected from the beginning. There is no room for negotiation. Issac calmly raised his hand.
"It turns out that way. It's been decided since awa, right? Well, if it's like that."
"Yes, even if it means we have to fight then...."
"No. We're not going to war. I'm sorry, but we're not gonna spend our time fighting against stupid traitors like you."
"What are you...."
As soon as Issac signaled, eight heads suddenly fell to the floor. It left Prince William and Duke Balzaac dumbfounded and unable to move.
"Duke Balzaac and William. In the name of the kingdom, you're under arrest for the treason you committed against the kingdom."
250 People entered the room with swords and spears. Richard Balzaac and William who still could not say anything were captured by them. Meanwhile, Issac orders 1000 of his men to go to Duke Balzaac's mansion and seize all evidence of their treachery.
And the second Prince faction, successfully tamed. 'without bloodshed.'