A tier 8 knight, his aura radiated a quiet but undeniable pressure, a presence that made even seasoned warriors take a step back. He had ruled his county for two decades, having inherited it from his father at an early age. His lands, nestled at the empire's very edge, had withstood ti and turmoil—not through sheer military might, but through sothing far more elusive.
The beasts.
The lands surrounding the county were teeming with creatures of fangs and claws, nightmares made flesh, yet none dared lay waste to Han's territory. The count held a secret—a ans of controlling these monsters, bending them to his will. He had been protecting this county and was able to keep the two nations in check. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire
The empire or the province didn't dare to outright push the county.
And it was for this reason that Yilar had co.
The eting was held beneath the shadow of a ruined colossus, its broken hands reaching toward the sky like a supplicant. A slab of fallen stone served as a makeshift table, and Han sat upon it, one leg stretched out, his expression one of mild amusent as he listened to Yilar's words.
"I have co with an offer, Count Han," Yilar began smoothly. His voice carried the air of a diplomat, but the glint in his eyes revealed the mind of a strategist. "We need your help in crushing the empire forces, Count Han. You already know how the tyrant of an empire had been ignoring you all this while, and I'm sure they have already approached you to aid their campaign against the Chittera province. And it will be large scale, so they would have maybe pressured you too. And those who do not choose a side will find themselves crushed beneath the weight of fate."
Han exhaled through his nose, unimpressed. "Fate," he echoed, his voice deep and steady. "A coward's excuse for failure."
Yilar chuckled, unbothered by the insult. "A fair assessnt," he conceded.
"Then let us speak not of fate, but of opportunity. You hold power here, Count. The beasts of these lands bow to you. The Empire has left you alone, but for how much longer? Sooner or later, their hand will extend toward Godeylet. When it does, will you kneel?"
Han smirked. "You mistake for a man with a choice."
"You always have a choice," Yilar countered, stepping closer. The barbarians behind him remained still, their presence a silent reminder of what lay beyond the Empire's grasp.
"Join us. You control the creatures that stalk these lands. Imagine them unleashed against the Empire. Imagine a tide of fangs and claws tearing through their legions. The Chittera province is not rely resisting—their forces are growing. With your help, we could turn the tides."
Han stared at Yilar for a long mont, his expression unreadable.
Then, he chuckled.
"You think I am fool enough to side with savages and traitors?" His voice was laced with amusent, but there was steel beneath it.
"You, who is a Nynthrall, the very existence of you here is already making puke. And you are asking to join hands with those savages. You overestimate yourselves."
"And let tell you, I don't care what the empire thinks or what you people are doing, as long as my land is untouched. I will not be a pawn on either side."
Yilar's expression remained calm. "And what do you think will happen when the Empire decides you are no longer useful? Do you believe they will allow a man like you, a man who commands creatures they cannot control, to continue existing unchecked? They will turn on you.
Maybe not today.
Maybe not tomorrow.
But the mont they no longer need you, they will erase you."
Han's smirk widened. "You assu I do not already know this."
For the first ti, Yilar hesitated.
Han leaned forward, his hands resting on his knees.
"The difference between you and , Fiend, is that I do not need to choose a side. I am the line between order and chaos. My county stands because I have made it so, and it will continue to stand because I know when to fight and when to wait.
You ask to gamble everything on a war that is not yet lost. But I am not a gambler. I am a survivor."
Yilar's lips pressed into a thin line. "So you will do nothing?"
"I will do what I have always done," Han said.
"Watch. And when the ti is right, I will decide the fate of my county—not you, not the Empire, not the Chittera." His gaze hardened.
"Now, you will leave."
Yilar's eyes narrowed. "You would turn away an alliance that could tip the scales?"
"I would turn away a snake that slithers into my ho, whispering poison into my ear." Han's voice grew colder. "If you stay beyond this mont, you will not live to see another day."
The tension in the air thickened.
Behind Yilar, the Chittera warriors tensed, their hands inching toward their weapons. But Han remained seated, completely unshaken. There was no hesitation in his words—only certainty.
Yilar's next words made Han frown and stare at him.
"Fine. I understand. But what if I said that I have so news about your wife?"
"And that is?" Han said, as if waiting for him to continue. He wasn't surprised or shocked. He was rather calm.
"Do you know about the man who is sleeping with your wife?" Yilar said. As soon as he said that, Han's n unsheathed their swords and were ready to pounce on him.
But Han raised his hand, stopping them.
"My lord, let cleave this savage creature alive and hang his hand on the walls," one of his n said, eager to take action. But Han shook his head, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"No need for such barbaric displays. Let him speak; I want to hear what he has to say," Han replied calmly, his eyes fixed on Yilar.
Yilar laughed mockingly, "She is sleeping with a man, rather a being, far more superior to you. The deity king, Inadrys."
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