Chapter 90: Hector's Star (4)

When the news of Hector's attack first arrived,

there was a reason why the Cairo royal family could not respond quickly.

The young king.

Daniel Cairo looked at the empty conference room with a dejected expression.

"Exactly when will everyone arrive?"

"… I apologize. It seems that everyone is taking a long time to arrive from far away due to the sudden news."

The servant bowed his head.

However, that was all.

He did not say he would contact them again.

Although he did not have a specific master, he knew that a single slip of the tongue in the central government could cost him his life.

Daniel Cairo's power could not protect the servant's life.

If the royal authority (王權) were strong, such a situation would not have arisen in the first place.

"Haa."

Daniel Cairo let out a deep sigh.

The shocking news that the southern front was under attack.

Even if they responded quickly, it would not be enough, yet the nobles of the central government said they would defer judgment until everyone was present.

In other words,

the king did not have the authority to make a decision.

Viscount Benedict, Earl Denver, and Earl Gregory.

Their consent, with their formidable power, was required to mobilize the country's troops.

A considerable amount of time passed.

During that time, Hector's Ranger Corps passed through the southern training ground and infiltrated the rear positions, successfully occupying the Warp Gate.

Yet, the Cairo royal family was completely unaware of the reality.

Daniel Cairo could only wait for the powerful figures of the central government, and they finally appeared late.

"Hahaha, I'm a bit late. My carriage had some trouble on the way, so I couldn't help but be late. But is it true that the Kingdom of Hector has attacked the southern front?"

Viscount Benedict.

He showed no sign of regret for being late.

The same was true for the other nobles.

Earl Denver and Earl Gregory, who had taken their seats, ignored the time Daniel Cairo had spent waiting alone and said,

"According to the communication from the southern front, the Kingdom of Hector has crossed the border and attacked the defensive positions in a surprise attack. We don't know what justification they have, but if this continues, the southern front will be in danger."

"Then shouldn't we send troops immediately?"

Finally.

The suggestion to send support was mentioned.

Daniel Cairo's heart was boiling.

If the nobles had attended the meeting quickly,

if he had at least the authority to give orders, he would have sent support troops to the south an hour ago.

But what could he do?

This was the reality of Cairo.

Daniel Cairo said,

"Then I will send troops to the southern front immediately."

"Understood."

"I accept the order."

The decision was made.

Deciding the affairs of the country through the central government's meeting was the way of the small country, Cairo.

However,

it was already too late.

The Warp Gate on the southern front had been occupied.

Only then did Viscount Benedict realize the severity of the situation.

"… The Warp Gate has been occupied. This is a very serious issue. Not only has the method to quickly send troops to the southern front been lost, but also, the southern front will not be able to withstand Hector's attack."

This attack.

Cairo would not be in danger.

The southern front was a somewhat barren area.

It was not geographically significant to the Kingdom of Cairo, and they were confident they could suppress Hector's forces if they attacked from the south.

The problem was if the enemy held out in the south.

If the situation developed that way, the occupation of the Warp Gate would become a significant headache.

Ultimately,

the divided command structure exacerbated the problem.

If they had responded a little faster, the Kingdom of Cairo would not have lost the southern front so helplessly.

Daniel Cairo said,

"How do you intend to deal with this result? When the crisis of the southern front was reported, if you had at least allowed me, as the king, to make a decision, the southern front would not have been in danger. Reflect on this. This is entirely your responsibility!"

A weak king.

Even for him, this matter could not be overlooked.

Despite his face turning red with anger, the other nobles did not show significant agitation.

It was then.

Edwin Hector.

He contacted the Cairo royal family.

* * *

As the magical communication connected,

Viscount Benedict, on behalf of Daniel Cairo, asked,

"What justification do you have for attacking Cairo? We have always believed that Cairo and Hector have maintained a friendly relationship. There has been no mutual crossing of borders to threaten each other, and recently, we even provided food aid to Hector due to their difficult situation. What is this nonsense!"

His voice was aggressive.

On the screen,

Edwin Hector did not lose his composure in the face of Cairo's anger.

[You are truly shameless. The one who crossed the line was Cairo, not us.]

The current situation.

He had practiced it countless times in his mind.

It was clear how the Kingdom of Cairo would react, and thus Edwin Hector gave the perfect answer.

[Half a year ago, soldiers from the Kingdom of Cairo crossed the border. They claimed they had lost their way, but in reality, maps detailing the geography and key buildings of Hector were found in their bags. We tried to apprehend and subdue them, but they fled, falling to their deaths off a cliff. Since then, we have had no choice but to suspect Cairo's intentions. Why would they explore Hector's border? There is no reason for such bold action without ulterior motives.]

It was different from the truth.

The Cairo soldiers were found dead at the bottom of the cliff from the beginning.

It appeared to be a simple accident, but Edwin Hector used it as the basis for the justification of war.

In fact, the justification itself was weak.

But it didn't matter.

After all, war is

a fight where the logic of the victor applies.

Even if problems arise later, what matters to the Kingdom of Hector is solving the immediate issue.

"Unbelievable!"

"Do not slander Cairo! We have no such intentions!"

The resistance was intense.

However,

Edwin Hector did not blink.

[The important thing is that distrust has arisen between Cairo and Hector, and we have attacked the southern front to hold them accountable. You are aware that the Warp Gate is now in our hands. The Kingdom of Hector has taken control of the southern front. From now on, our demands are clear. Apologize for that day's incident and provide appropriate compensation. If you comply with our demands, we will consider withdrawing our troops out of respect for our past relationship.]

This was Hector's true intention.

A series of poor harvests.

The treasury was depleted, and the interest on the loan from the Golden Bank was overdue.

Borrowing money from other sources would only exacerbate the problem, so Edwin Hector took drastic measures.

War.

It was not an unreasonable demand to seek financial compensation.

The southern front was barren but necessary for Cairo, and he intended to use it as collateral to solve Hector's problems.

"Such highway robbery!"

"Do you think that is a reasonable demand!"

The nobles of Cairo resisted.

However, that was all.

Edwin Hector had no intention of backing down.

If it were a matter that could be compromised, he would not have attacked the southern front.

Looking at the people suffering,

he was determined to solve the problem, even if it meant becoming a devil.

[I will give you exactly three days to think carefully and make a decision. If you do not meet our demands, we will prepare to annex the southern front into Hector's territory. Remember, if you try to buy time with a half-hearted compromise, the hostages in the southern front will not return alive.]

With those words,

snap.

Edwin Hector unilaterally cut off the magical communication.

* * *

After the intense magical communication ended,

silence fell over the conference room.

Viscount Benedict, who had been so confident, was left speechless by Edwin Hector's unilateral announcement.

Ultimately,

Daniel Cairo, with a dejected face, spoke the reality.

"Since the Warp Gate is in the hands of the enemy, we have no other choice. Even if we send troops to the nearest region, it will take at least two weeks to reach the southern front. During that time, the Kingdom of Hector will have completed all their defensive preparations, and a prolonged war will drag Cairo into ruin regardless of the outcome. The only way to minimize our losses is to pay the compensation that the Kingdom of Hector openly demands."

"They will certainly demand a large sum."

"Is there no other way? If you don't like this method, suggest an alternative!"

Everyone fell silent.

It was truly laughable.

The nobles of the central government.

People who acted as if they were great in this small country, but when real crises struck, they could not exert any power.

The reality was that they were fighting over insignificant power.

At least Viscount Benedict showed some enthusiasm for solving the problem, but Earl Denver and Earl Gregory were different.

They followed other countries.

They acted as if Cairo's fate had little to do with them.

It was always like this.

In normal times, they treated Daniel Cairo as a figurehead, but when it came to difficult matters, they put the king forward.

"… We will accept Hector's conditions."

"I oppose this."

At that moment,

a person who had been quiet until now stepped forward.

Earl Denver.

"Is there another plan?"

"First, the reason Hector is demanding money is clear. They intend to solve their country's difficulties through war, and the amount will be significant enough to shake Cairo's foundation. This issue will not end with just reclaiming the southern front. We must consider the situation afterward. If the treasury is depleted and the Empire of Chronos crosses the border, we might suffer even greater losses in exchange for reclaiming the southern front."

"… But is there no other way?"

"There is."

Instantly,

all eyes were on him.

The leader of the Valhalla faction.

Earl Denver knew special information that the other nobles gathered here did not.

'They think there is no element to reverse the situation on the southern front.'

There is.

One method.

Earl Denver said,

"Roman Demetri is on the southern front. According to the latest report, Roman Demetri has successfully defended the 5th defensive line and has gathered troops to resist the Kingdom of Hector."

They do not know.

Roman Demetri's true strength.

With his talent that has reached the 4th rank and his resilience that brought down Barco, he will not go down easily.

Therefore,

"We must trust him. If we send troops to the southern front immediately and Roman Demetri creates a crack within, we have a good chance of winning."

One variable.

Earl Denver placed his bet on Roman.