### Chapter 130: The Great East Retreat
At the port city of Onstan, the night was alive.
“Those old fools from Rossius, they’ve kissed the Pope’s backside until they got all high and mighty, swallowed the entire Currency Exchange, and now they’re scared that Seattle will pocket all the riches! So, they gang up and force him to the Holy Wall, leaving not a single knight from the most divine order for their families!”
At a long table lit by candles and incense, piled high with a feast fit for kings, Kolaron Leonrio, the Commander of the Second Knights Order, lounged back in his chair, a smirk plastered across his rosy-cheeked face, his eyes already a tad glazed from too much wine.
He gave a little squeeze to the ample bosom of the beauty he’d picked up from the Eastern Continent, who pretended to blush and nestled into his chest. Kolaron let out a hearty laugh, “Those money-hungry, short-sighted hicks, thinking they could push the countries of the Western Continent to raise taxes while fearing the riches go into Seattle’s pockets. In this time of crisis, they’ve crippled themselves, all for a few shiny coins! HA HA HA, a bunch of big dummies!”
He slammed down his shot glass, the clatter echoing in his merry state.
“So, Commander Kolaron, you’re just trying to show them what real guts look like, right?” said Rodris, the Commander of the Sixth Knights Order, nodding in a slightly tipsy way.
“Exactly! I’m just doing a good deed!” Kolaron forked into his plate of ham, chewing like a barbarian enjoying a feast. “These old geezers want to push reforms while emptying the treasury, worrying the money will end up in Seattle’s greedy hands, and instead, they ditch the most formidable knights of the church to cozy up to us…”
He flicked a piece of meat in the air. “What a juicy target, I mean, we couldn’t resist giving them a thorough spanking. They’ll remember next time, if they even survive this.”
Rodris sipped his drink, adding, “Sucking the Republic dry and now trying to shake things up with land reforms? Those poor farmers in Emerald City are gonna wish they were never born! Talk about trashing the very foundations of Silgaya—no way to fix the economy or order in the short term after this!”
“Clearly, the Rossius lot just wants to grab and run,” Kolaron scoffed, smacking the b*tt of the lady beside him to signal for more wine.
After refilling their cups, they clinked glasses, grinning like two schoolboys.
“What they’re doing will harm more people than anyone else. With that alone, if we smash their gate and raid the Currency Exchange? It’s not even a stretch to say they deserve any trouble we cause,” said Kolaron, shaking his head with a grin, “They’ve brought doom upon themselves.”
“Too bad we won’t so much as sniff the main branch in the Royal City,” Rodris lamented.
“That’s the plaything of Queen Ethanbel, and she’s no ordinary candle! Rossius set out to cripple the Royal City financially through the Council, undermining the royals and Raykmont, and then gobble up all the land and treasures. But guess what?”
“They didn’t even manage a fart before ending up in a stew!”
Rodris dramatically raised his glass again, “Royal City sure is fierce nowadays.”
“Ethanbel’s got everyone working together like it’s been thirty years of feuding families having a family reunion! Even those stubborn folks who wouldn’t bow down during the Rose Wars are now sitting at the Council table. It’s a wild sight.”
“We have no cracks to slip through. Those bumpkins in the Empires are no fools like the softies of Silgaya; we aren’t making stupid moves now.”
“Speaking of stupidity…” Kolaron suddenly asked, “What’s up with that fella from the Fourth Knights? Is he alive or dead?”
Rodris pondered for a moment. “He’s been captured down south in the Empire, somewhere called Winterwind Town. Haven’t heard a peep since. And judging by how the northern barbarians operate, he’s likely six feet under by now.”
“Rossius tied himself in knots with those ridiculous orders to the Temple Church, thinking someone would actually follow through. Imagine! Someone, crazy enough to go north and play the flesh peddler, and lost all his elite troops in the process? It’s almost like he was asking for it. The guy clearly had some potential; he knew how to move troops better than anyone! Guess they underestimated Skarlij.”
“Out in that winter wasteland? With Workshop Hunters, Kalia’s heavy cavalry, and that bunch from Erin Castle who’d rather drown in wine than fight? It’s no easy tea party. If it came down to a real fight, it’s just gonna be a losing deal for everyone involved. I used to admire Selamus—a talented kid with fire in his belly. Just too bad—”
Kolaron clicked his tongue, looking a tad too pleased. He waved away the beauty, sending her to fetch more drinks.
“After going around and around, Rodris, you’re the only one in the Western Continent who’s got a clue.”
Rodris chuckled softly, “It’s more like a choice made out of necessity than wisdom.”
“I’ve enjoyed my time here. Now I’m forced to leave this lovely spot I’ve nurtured for years and take my whole family to the Eastern Continent… When those federal forces get wind of it, they won’t let us slip in easily. A few harsh battles are definitely on the horizon, and my heart’s a fluttering mess.”
“So, isn’t that the reason we’re sitting here?” Kolaron patted Rodris on the shoulder, grinning. “The Western Continent is going down the drain, and the Church can’t hold back that tide. No one can. Since they can’t, why flail around uselessly?”
“We’ve stockpiled enough food and treasure to last generations. You have the ships; I’ve got the men. We’ve got nearly ten thousand well-equipped knights ready to haul out with us. Why wait here to d*e? The Eastern Continent might be barren, but it’s still a better option.”
“…”
Rodris fell silent, eventually downing the last of his drink.
Kolaron observed his solemn expression, recognizing the man still wrestled with something deep inside. He didn’t mind; when push came to shove, Rodris would inevitably make the right call.
After all, they were the same in many ways—each had their trusted subordinates, families to protect, and thousands of loyal knights ready to follow their lead.
When it came to principles, responsibilities, or power, Kolaron understood that Rodris was cut from the same cloth.
Neither of them would ever use lofty concepts like ‘greater good’ or slogans about saving humanity to justify sacrifices of those who trusted and loved them. They would never make such foolish decisions.
They’d do the opposite, even if guilt gnawed at their consciences.
“We don’t have much time left.”
The beautiful Meise girl returned with new wine, serving the two commanders. The table’s delicacies had grown cold, and the night breeze rattled the wooden windows.
From outside came the sounds of waves crashing upon the shore and the clatter of craftsmen hurriedly building ships.
“In less than half a month, word will spread through the entire Western Continent. By then, even if the Holy City fails to act, those lurking owls, pesky Pope Knights, and even the Royal City and Shanter Castle will catch wind, responding however they see fit. We’ll be the targets; we might even bite the dust unexpectedly.”
“So, once our food arrives, let’s get the travel plans rolling. Ships need to be built faster, and the craftsmen we captured should be all set to join us. It’ll help our chances and offer others a way out.”
