Chapter 97. Alliance, Preparing to Attack the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom
As Dragon Kingdom and Kadiya Kingdom reined in the edge of their coercion, the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom and the Reinhardt Kingdom were imdiately left isolated. Because of their geographic position, the strength of those two kingdoms alone was simply not enough to suppress the faintly erging alliance between the Kroll Kingdom, Dragon Kingdom, and Kadiya Kingdom.
They had wanted to ally themselves with the kingdoms of the Foreign Races, but those powers looked down on them and even launched military action directly.
Just as the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom and the Reinhardt Kingdom were preparing to visit more distant human kingdoms...
The Dwarf Kingdom moved first. Seven legions composed of heavy infantry and rune craftsn suddenly advanced to Dragon Kingdom’s western border, their banners stretching for dozens of li along the frontier as they assud a posture that suggested they might attack at any mont.
The dwarves had always been at odds with Dragon Kingdom over mineral resources, so their attempt to stir up trouble at this mont was clearly ant to seize benefits while Dragon Kingdom was preoccupied with the marriage alliance.
The Orc Kingdom and the Barbarian Royal Court were even more direct. The allied army that had originally been locked in confrontation suddenly changed direction. One force pounced toward Kadiya Kingdom’s Southern Frontier, while the other headed straight for Despair Fortress in the Northern Frontier of the Kroll Kingdom.
The orcs’ wolf cavalry trampled several villages along Kadiya’s border, while the barbarian tribes’ warriors and headhunters appeared frequently in the mountains and forests outside Despair Fortress, launching constant harassnt against the stronghold.
For a ti, the war that had originally co to a halt shifted into border clashes between the Foreign Races and the human kingdoms.
Several days later, inside the Kroll royal palace, Kroll II looked at the latest battle reports that had just arrived, his brows tightly furrowed.
“The dwarves are attacking Dragon Kingdom, the orcs are harassing Kadiya, and the barbarians are eyeing my northern border... These Foreign Races certainly know how to pick their mont.”
At that mont, Prince Kande pushed the door open and entered. The instant Kroll II raised his eyes, he knew there had been a reply regarding the marriage alliance.
After the prince bowed in salute, Kroll II asked directly, “Has Dragon Kingdom made its decision?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Prince Kande handed over two gilded docunts.
“The king of Dragon Kingdom has already settled the matter. The Sixth Princess and the Eleventh Princess will both co for the marriage alliance. He also said... this is ‘taking one and getting one free,’ to show his sincerity.”
Kroll II picked up the docunts and looked at the nas on them. His brows could not help knitting together, and his tone carried a hint of helplessness.
“They really do know how to work the angle. Taking one and getting one free?”
Though he complained aloud, he did not say much more.
Having one more princess join the marriage alliance would only bind Dragon Kingdom more firmly to them. It would just an William might have to suffer for it.
He set down the docunts and asked again, “What about Kadiya?”
Prince Kande’s face showed so difficulty, and his voice dropped a little.
“Your Majesty, Kadiya’s situation is sowhat troubleso.”
“Ever since news of the marriage alliance spread, several of their princesses of marriageable age... have died or disappeared one after another under mysterious circumstances. Now only the First Princess, Selena, remains.”
“What?” Kroll II suddenly looked up, a flash of anger and shock crossing his eyes. “How could this happen?”
“According to the reports from our agents, this matter is most likely connected to Selena.”
Prince Kande lowered his voice. “After falling from power, she endured in silence all this ti. Now she wants to use the marriage alliance treaty so that her child with young William can beco Kadiya’s king. After all, William’s talent may well be inheritable.”
“It is just that... if young William enters a marriage alliance with such a ruthless princess, would that not be too dangerous?”
Kroll II fell silent.
He had long heard of Selena’s thods. During the war in the Northern Frontier, she had already shown how ruthless she could be. Now, for the sake of this marriage alliance, she could even lay hands on her own younger sisters. The venom in her nature was plain to see.
Letting William marry such a woman would be no different from burying a ti bomb at his side.
“But Kadiya’s stance is firm. They say Selena is the only princess left who can be offered for the marriage alliance.”
Prince Kande added, “Feir IV also said that although Selena’s thods are forceful, she is skilled in both military and civil affairs. If she can marry over here, it would greatly benefit the two kingdoms in joining forces against the Foreign Races.”
Kroll II tapped his fingers against the table, his gaze dark and heavy.
He knew Feir IV had no other choice. The princesses had all been killed off by the First Princess, Selena. Even if they were to adopt a few girls and make them princesses, Selena would most likely continue killing them.
“Set this matter aside for now,” he finally said. “Let William make the decision himself.”
Prince Kande accepted the order and bowed as he withdrew.
Only Kroll II remained in the Royal Study. Looking out the window, his expression was complicated.
Dragon Kingdom’s “two princesses,” Kadiya’s “poison princess”—no matter how he looked at it, this marriage alliance was a bad idea. He had even begun to think of rejecting it altogether.
At that mont, William had just returned from Mary’s residence. After hearing the news from Kadiya, he stood beneath the corridor, gazing at the setting sun at the horizon, his eyes deep and unreadable.
Selena’s reputation for ruthlessness had already spread through the Northern Frontier. If a person like that entered the Royal Capital, she would undoubtedly beco an enormous problem.
But with the situation as it was, there seed to be no better choice.
Light footsteps sounded behind him. Zoe ca to his side and called softly, “Your Highness.”
William turned and gave her a gentle smile.
“I was lost in thought just now. Co, Zoe.”
With that, he took the first step forward. Zoe and the young man in black robes followed behind him in silent understanding, and the figures of the group soon disappeared at the end of the palace road.
The next day, William went to the Royal Study and made his position clear to Kroll II.
“Royal Father, things have reached this point. We can only agree to Kadiya’s marriage alliance for now. The urgent priority is to draw those two kingdoms over to our side and stabilize the alliance first.”
Kroll II looked at the steadiness in his son’s eyes and slowly nodded.
“Very well. I will have soone send a reply to Kadiya.”
He paused, then changed the subject.
“William, after so ti, I will appoint you commander-in-chief and put you in charge of attacking the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom.”
William was slightly startled. “Should we not deal with the barbarians harassing the Northern Frontier first?”
“The barbarians have Despair Fortress blocking them. They cannot stir up any great waves.”
Kroll II shook his head, his tone carrying an unquestionable decisiveness.
“I will send Duke Tuso to Despair Fortress to hold the line and ensure the Northern Frontier remains stable.”
“When you lead the army to attack the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom, Kadiya and Dragon Kingdom will both send troops in response. We must first beat the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom and the Reinhardt Kingdom into submission and cut off the hidden danger in the west.”
He looked at William and continued, “As for the Foreign Races, our three kingdoms will step forward and negotiate with them. At worst, we will give them more benefits in mineral resources, grain, and the like, so that they settle down for the ti being.”
“You do not need to concern yourself with these trifles. You need only focus on the western front and display the might of the Kroll Kingdom.”
William understood at once. His royal father intended to settle old scores and exact revenge where it was due.
Since the Silver Oakleaf Kingdom had been the source of the trouble, they had to be taught a lesson first.
“This son understands.” He bowed and accepted the command. “I will certainly not disappoint Royal Father’s expectations.”
Kroll II nodded in satisfaction and waved his hand. “Go and make your preparations. The Royal Ninth Legion and your two Knight Orders should also experience so real combat.”
William answered and took his leave. In the distance, Darwin was lying in the plaza basking in the sun. Seeing William co out, he lazily lifted his head.
William walked to his side and said in a low voice, “Make your preparations. In a few days, we are going west for a while.”
Darwin shook his massive head, and a trace of excitent flashed through his dragon eyes.
“Finally, there is going to be a fight? These past few years have nearly stifled . I have been sparring with those Legendary Combatants every day, and there has not been the slightest fun in it.”
William smiled, his fingertips brushing across the dragon scales, but his thoughts had already drifted westward.
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