307. The War of Puppets (4)
Fernandez covered a distance that would normally take two days in less than half a day. The sturdy warhorse he started with was now gasping for breath, its legs ready to give out at any moment. Shaksisi had been silently clinging to his back since who knows when.
In the distance, towering city walls began to emerge. The outline of a massive city, adorned with beautifully glowing blue bricks, came into view.
Dozens of roads lined up at the foot of the city, bustling with merchants and soldiers. It was a sight befitting the majesty of an empire. Fernandez couldn’t help but think of Paltennoia.
The size of the cities wasn’t drastically different. However, Paltennoia was in ruins due to the tyranny of a foolish ruler and internal divisions, while Al Zahra’s Sun Palace was still thriving under the reign of a powerful sultan.
“…Impressive,” Fernandez muttered to himself as he ascended the road leading to Al Zahra. Why had it fallen so easily?
Half a century. That’s how long it took from his previous life until the world’s destruction. Could such a prosperous nation really collapse without a trace in just half a century?
During the Great War of his past life, humanity’s last stronghold was the empire’s Paltennoia. Under Empress Carvelier’s rule, the final battlefield against the forces of hell was the plains of Paltennoia.
This altered history, different from his past life, was shaped by his existence. Fernandez rolled the thought around in his mind before chuckling softly. Yes, there is no fate.
Even if the Leviathan Empire were to wage another 50-year war now, victory against Kirzat would be far from guaranteed. The empire was still reeling from the aftermath of civil war.
So, this opportunity was actually a blessing. The Leviathan Empire’s strength alone couldn’t stop Karadskar. With the relatively intact Kirzat’s support, there was still a chance.
Empress Carvelier was still an unripe hero. But she had Kirhas in her prime, loyal followers scattered across the world, and the full support of the church and nations.
Divided nations and insufficient preparation? Certainly a weakness. But the war, which broke out 30 years earlier than expected, would have caught Karadskar off guard too. Plus, Fernandez only had about five years left to live.
It was a blessing. In his lifetime, he could eliminate at least one more threat to the world’s destruction.
Fernandez nodded firmly and tugged the reins. The exhausted horse foamed at the mouth as it trudged forward. The Sultan’s palace was getting closer.
The guards at Al Zahra’s gate checked the half-conscious Shaksisi’s immunity certificate and first-class diplomatic guarantee before letting them through without resistance.
After passing through multiple gates, armed inspections, and strict security for half a day, Fernandez was finally led into the heart of the Sun Palace, the Sultan’s audience hall.
* * *
The current Sultan, Isa Musq Yahya Al’Hashir, was a young and fierce man. Barely past thirty? Having inherited the throne midway through the 50-year war, he had spent most of his reign on the battlefield, and the dignity of a war enthusiast burned in his amber eyes.
Behind a faintly glowing purple veil, only his silhouette and gaze were visible. His lavish robes shimmered under the hall’s lights, and attendants behind the veil handed him tobacco and feathers while bowing their heads.
According to etiquette, the Sultan never issues commands directly. As Fernandez knelt silently on the luxurious marble tiles adorned with jewels, a soft whisper came from behind the veil.
“The radiant sun, lord of the proud fortress and king of kings over all territories where the sun rises and sets, asks the foreigner: What do you seek in coming to this land?”
An attendant immediately boomed the question. Of course, Fernandez had already heard the Sultan’s words before they were shouted. No matter how softly spoken, in this silent hall, not even a cough could escape Diemonica’s ears. The Sultan’s voice was deep, like the growl of a beast.
“The Emperor of the Leviathan Empire foresaw the uprising of the southern bandits and deemed it the most urgent crisis yet. Thus, as the Empress’s representative, I humbly request that Your Majesty send troops to punish these bandits.”
“The noble one replies to the foreigner: Those who kill my subjects are my enemies, and those who defile my lands are my thieves. This is not a matter for your ruler to meddle in.”
“However, the Emperor believes this is not merely a border dispute but the prelude to a great war that could harm many and shake nations. If our two great powers join hands against this unknown foe, what rival could stand against our civilized world?”
After a brief silence, the Sultan whispered into the attendant’s ear. The attendant hesitated before shouting loudly.
“The noble one asks the foreigner: You are not an envoy of the empire, nor my guest, but merely an unwelcome visitor. Your ruler is but a young and fragile girl who has grown fearful. As the benevolent leader of this civilized continent, what can you offer my nation in exchange for easing your concerns?”
Before the attendant even finished, Fernandez, having already heard the Sultan’s words, couldn’t help but laugh. He raised his head and looked straight at the Sultan through the veil.
Quite an interesting move. With this, he could roughly gauge the Sultan’s temperament. The man was a beast.
From childhood to youth, and throughout his reign, he had been immersed in the 50-year war. Born a prince, a warrior, and a general, he had learned everything he needed on the battlefield, atop his warhorse.
The 50-year war ended shortly after he inherited the throne. Not with anyone’s victory, but with an ambiguous miracle. The Great Wilderness became grasslands, and the wastelands returned to the beastmen.
Thus, to cover the enormous military expenses, Sultan Al’Hashir had to make choices. Unlike the Leviathan Empire’s electoral system, as an absolute monarch, he had to protect his throne with blood, assassination, slaughter, and dictatorship.
It was the way of wolves and jackals. Born and raised in…
The young man, who had spent every moment as a field commander, now stood as the sovereign of the most powerful civilized nation on this continent.
And the war sovereign seeks to test him. This is the way of beasts. Before extending a hand, it was a light check to see if he was capable enough.
So, Fernandez looked straight into the shining eyes behind the curtain. Their gazes clashed in the air.
“I will provide support.”
“Your Excellency—”
“No. The support I mentioned means the minimum necessary to prevent your country from collapsing.”
“Your Excellency said—”
“Of course, you can take it that way. I understand. But nothing changes, and the Emperor of the Empire thinks the same. The unrest in the south is not just a matter of lax borders, and your country will suffer irreparable losses from this war.”
Fernandez no longer waited for the attendant’s words and replied. It would not be strange if he were hanged on the gallows immediately. Yet, except for the flustered attendant and the indignant officials, the two men, the Sultan and Fernandez, remained calm without a trace of anger.
Even though swords danced and spears flew in their words.
“This is neither a threat nor a baseless prophecy. Not only His Majesty the Emperor but I personally have reached the exact same conclusion. It is only a matter of time before the enemy forces arrive here at Al Zahra. The Great Wilderness, which you so desired, will burn under their hooves, and you should rather rejoice at the sight. At least those forces did not invade your country!”
Fernandez slowly stood up, speaking word by word. It was perfect Kirzat, with fluent pronunciation and sentence structure, but the meaning was far from it.
Anger was rising among the ministers. If the Sultan’s authority had been even slightly weaker, the ministers would have immediately stood up to drag him out or cut his throat.
But with the Sultan sitting under the canopy, his eyes wide open, no bold minister dared to move first.
And soon, a low voice echoed. Unlike before, now loud enough for everyone in the Audience Hall to hear.
“You say that an enemy I cannot handle alone is targeting my territory, and the Emperor from afar wishes to help. Are you asking me to trust you?”
“Your Excellency said—”
“Shut up. Useless fool.”
The Sultan stood up and kicked the attendant who was trying to pick up his words. Though roughly thrown, the attendant made no sound and immediately stood up, straightening his attire.
Silence filled the Audience Hall. Whenever the Sultan raised his voice or acted during a council, someone’s head would roll. The ministers shrank back in fear.
Soon, the curtain was drawn. The Sultan walked barefoot on the cold marble floor. It felt like a beast was approaching, and Fernandez felt his muscles tense for the first time in a long time.
It was Diemonica’s instinct. His instincts recognized a being that posed a sufficient threat to him. Standing within arm’s reach, the Sultan spoke to Fernandez.
“Wag that fluent tongue a bit more. I’ll guarantee your life for that long.”
“Your Majesty cannot kill me.”
“Why? Because you are an envoy of the Empire, a guest of the Elf Queen, a concubine of Empress Carvelier, and a favorite of the Great Wilderness’s lord? I hope you didn’t think I was unaware of your illustrious history. My ministers are not that foolish. Now, answer me.”
The Sultan was a head shorter than Fernandez. But because of that, he looked like a feline predator lurking in the dark, ready to pounce.
“Do you think those shiny titles will guarantee your life before my hand?”
“The reason Your Majesty cannot kill me is not because of those things.”
“Then what is it?”
“Because you lack the ability to do so.”
Gulp. Only the sound of dry swallowing echoed in the Audience Hall. The ministers, now forgetting even to be angry, exchanged tense glances. In their minds, they saw the enraged Sultan tearing the Empire’s envoy apart, slaughtering the ministers who tried to stop him, and declaring war on the Empire.
An eternal silence continued. And at the end, a sound like wind scattering was heard.
“Hoo, hoo hoo. Hoo.”
No one dared to look at the Sultan. But they were witnessing the Sultan laughing out loud for the first time.
“Hahaha! The Emperor of the Empire has a remarkable man. I thought the second son of the late Emperor had come, given the Empire’s reputation. Except for him, all the Empire’s men of your age were duds! Haha. Well, good! Hmm! That’s the spirit a man should have.”
The Sultan laughed heartily and patted Fernandez on the back. When Fernandez smiled back at him, the Sultan suddenly extended his hand.
“Even if the Empire sends tens of thousands of horses and tons of steel, I doubt they would be as reliable as you. You’ve grasped all the situations in advance, had the boldness to convey them to me, and understood my intentions first. Your gaze is on the same point as mine.”
The Sultan gladly shook Fernandez’s hand. Soon, he nodded and walked back to the throne.
“As you predicted, the situation is serious. And also, as you predicted, they are advancing even now, and we still have no clear countermeasures. At least in this room, we both know there’s no need or value in restraining each other. Now, speak.”
At this moment, the Emperor has no need or reason to use the White Nation as an example to restrain Kirzat.
From the Elf Queen’s perspective, Kirzat is not a target for restraint. Rather, it could be a trade partner.
Everything has its cause and effect, and diplomacy only holds meaning in the face of cold logic and clear profit. Now, preaching about the White Nation’s threat to Kirzat and engaging in high-level diplomacy to sow confusion would benefit no one.
Therefore, the Sultan had trusted Fernandez’s words from the moment he heard the news. There was no reason not to trust him. It was simple elimination.
And Fernandez also knew that the Sultan was already aware of the fact. The two men had recognized each other’s abilities from the moment they met. However, the Sultan had a duty to test him. To prevent discord among the ministers in the future, it was a necessary procedure.
So now, all procedures were over. They had doubted enough, explained enough, and proven enough. Now, all that remained was execution and discussion, and the two men laughed together under the satisfaction of having cleared the tedious procedures.
Before the late evening of that day had fully passed.
The Sultan sent almost all of Al Zahra’s forces south.
Considering the maximum expected advance speed of Karadskar’s forces, it would take a week.
That’s how long it would take for the Sultan’s forces to first encounter Karadskar’s forces at the southern border, classified as a ‘safe zone.’
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