Chapter 130

Chapter 130: Turning Crisis into Opportunity

Turning Crisis into Opportunity
Chapter 130. Turning Crisis into Opportunity
He told himself he could do it, but what exactly should he do?
Even a Ninth Circle Archmage was a novice in this kind of territorial management.
The task for a novice is clear.
“A manual.”
There had to be well-known guidelines for handling such war situations.
Ferda asked Isabella.
— First, we need to gather all the forces in the Far East. What does the war manual say?
— It stipulates concentrating forces in the territory of Count Consillus. But this was established before Regent-nim was born, so we must consider whether to apply it.
Ferda pondered briefly, then shook his head.
— No, we will follow the manual. Send all dispatched soldiers to the county.
Count Consillus’s castle was designed as a fortress with war in mind.
Since everything aligns with that design, exercising flexibility could turn into a bad move.
While Isabella communicated via telepathy for a while, someone visited the office.
Blue hair with blunt-tipped horns.
It was the Master of the Blue Eyes Tower, Erika Iorga.
— Regent Ferda, have you grasped the current situation?
— Yes.
— I believe you need to know how things are unfolding, so allow me to explain.
She took a seat, and just as she was about to begin,
Knock, knock—.
At that moment, another visitor arrived.
Ruri went to open the door herself.
It was the Princess of the Empire, Olivia Arken.
— I greet Regent-nim and the Master of the Blue Eyes Tower-nim. If it is not impolite, may I join this conversation?
— This conversation?
— I believe I could be of help.
Olivia smiled radiantly.
From the moment Olivia appeared, Erika also put on her mask.
— It is an honor to meet the Princess of the Empire. You are truly beautiful, just as the rumors say.
— Oh, you flatter me. If we speak of beauty, compared to the Grand Master of the Water Phase Iorga-nim and his descendants, I am merely a pretty shell.
— Thank you for the compliment. Princess, this matter must be dealt with by the responsible parties of the Far East. There could be uncomfortable conversations for someone from the Empire.
Erika was politely telling her to leave.
— I also desire the peace and development of the Far East. Is it because the matter involves the Empire that you are doing this?
Olivia did not back down.
In a deadlock where neither would yield, Erika sent a telepathic message to Ferda.
— Regent Ferda, it is better not to involve imperial people in this matter.
She asked with a look whether she should throw her out.
Ferda responded to that question.
— There is no need to worry.
— Why?
— That woman is someone desperate to kill my entire bloodline.
— Bloodline…?
Erika’s eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Olivia again.
Olivia read that look and retorted.
— I don’t know what conversation took place, but Regent-nim seems to have said something quite rude, didn’t he?
Covering her mouth with her hand, Olivia laughed hohoho.
Contrary to her words, a sinister murderous intent spread out.
It was like a ghost.
Since Ferda said it was fine, Erika did not insist further.
— Understood. Given the situation, I will allow the Princess to participate as well.
Erika took off her mask and explained the current situation.
— The Empire is already aware of this crisis. This is an incursion into Imperial territory, correct?
— Yes.
— So I asked if the Empire needed cooperation in monster extermination.
From the phrase ‘asked if cooperation was needed’, Ferda deduced a fact.
“Blancaros did not judge this crisis as a continental emergency.”
As heirs to the Guardian Dragon’s blood, the Blue Eye adheres to the laws of the Grand Council.
If they judged hastily and the Blue Eye intervened, they could claim a violation of autonomy, and that would be indefensible.
— The Empire responded like this: It is within autonomy, and they can handle it sufficiently.
One might think the situation is not really serious, but for Ferda and the others, that was not the case.
— I also contacted them about the situation just now. The Crown Prince received it.
— What did he say?
— The official stance is to wait about two months.
Erika made a stunned expression.
Two months when even a week was tight—it was a delayed response.
— Truly worthy of that scheming older brother. Showing intentions to tame the Far East in such a severe crisis.
— Does taming the Far East mean they can prepare faster than that?
— Yes. Mobilizing the imperial standing army and reserves takes only two days. Considering supply distribution and marching speed, they can begin advancing in a maximum of two weeks.
Erika was surprised by those words.
Unlike her refined young lady tone, she recited imperial military details like an active commander.
Ruri made an astonished expression.
— In a situation that needs to be resolved every second, they would make such a move?
— Precisely because it is such a situation, it is a good opportunity. The urgent side can be blamed for not yielding, and they can also claim they did their best. Besides, the ruin of the Far East is not that important to them.
Ruri’s insides boiled.
She wanted to storm the Imperial Palace and cause a ruckus right at that moment.
Ferda looked at Erika and asked.
— What if, as the Duke’s Representative, I request aid from the Blue Eye?
— Of course, as allies we will also help.
Unlike Erika’s triumphant face, her telepathy was somber.
— Don’t get your hopes up too high. We are also struggling to bring firepower. We can assist the Imperial army, but moving alone is beyond our strength.
Iorga’s absence was a critical matter that should not be revealed to them.
The words ‘can’t you even do this?’ rose to his throat, but Ferda chose to understand.
If Ferda were suffering, he would also focus solely on that.
— I will also inform the dragons in various regions and verify if they can help the Duke’s territory.
Just as Erika was about to send a telepathic message to the Blue Eye,
— No. Rather, this is something humans must resolve.
The one who objected was Olivia.
Erika smiled reflexively.
She expressed her displeasure like an elegant noble lady.
— Princess. May I ask the reason?
Olivia responded with equal firmness.
— As you said, this is an event occurring within the Empire, and it surrounds the Duke’s territory within the Empire.
— Correct.
— If the Duke’s territory resolves this on its own before the Empire responds, we will be able to protest the delayed response and gain justification to exercise ‘autonomy’.
— Autonomy…
— That autonomy is not merely laws. It means we can reject acts that curb development factors when expanding into economic and military matters, using this crisis as justification.
Olivia looked at Ferda and said.
— If so, Regent-nim could also claim ownership of magitechnology.
Which means converting crisis into opportunity is not limited to the Empire alone.
Ferda glanced sideways at Isabella.
She nodded slightly, as if agreeing that her words had merit.
— Then, what if it truly becomes dangerous?
Erika asked.
— If that time comes, we will do as the Tower Master-nim says. We may need to consider dragon cooperation, but in the current situation, it only creates justification to make us the Empire’s prey.
— Even so, there are few soldiers to face the monsters. Hestia’s standing forces cannot generate combat power.
— There is no need to worry about that. Haven’t many elite soldiers already gathered?
Top-tier elites had gathered to escort the youth of the Spring Festival.
Officially registered: nearly 4,000. Soldiers alone: 3,000.
— I will persuade them.
— Persuasion is fine, but Princess, requesting their cooperation becomes a sign of bringing in ‘foreign forces’, doesn’t it?
— Who knows. In any case, they are in a dead-end situation; they must unite. And if it is framed not as foreign forces, but as ‘chivalry’ that cannot tolerate injustice and ‘noble duty’ that must be assumed by those who set foot on the Serdes Continent, they will have no other choice. Above all…
Olivia laughed elegantly.
— If the Princess of the Arken Empire appeals for unity, who wouldn’t step forward?
It sounded like self-praise, but no one thought it was nonsense.
Using that beauty as a weapon to seduce and persuade regardless of gender—that was her strength.
Even Erika, who was conversing with her for the first time today, highly valued her power of persuasion.
— Princess of the Empire. I apologize for my hasty judgment until now. You are much better than that Crown Prince and the Second Prince.
— Ho, ho, it’s not flattery; I am definitely better than that human trash.
— But how to resolve this is the Duke’s task. If the Duke is absent, the Regent must decide with reason.
Both looked at Ferda.
Ferda began to weigh between the two arguments.
“Erika’s judgment aligns with mine.”
This matter must be resolved quickly and decisively to avoid subsequent problems.
Even with a political loss, that was the path toward the safety of the Duke’s territory.
“But Olivia’s side isn’t wrong either.”
It’s a gamble, but if it succeeds, it could become a stepping stone for a new leap forward.
Safety or gamble.
At that crossroads, Ferda chose.
— We will resolve this within the Duke’s territory.
He took Olivia’s side.
Erika’s face tightened slightly before she put on her mask.
— Can you not reconsider one more time?
— Given that these are demons, there is concern that human power alone might not be sufficient, but as you said, once broken, it will be difficult to seize momentum.
— Mmm…
Erika could not understand Ferda.
Naturally.
What is happening now is human politics, and Erika is a dragon hatchling.
But the one who surrendered the decision rights was Erika herself, so pushing further here would be unpleasant.
— Understood. If you judge this as a human matter, the Blue Eye will withdraw from this affair.
Erika turned around abruptly and walked out.
Her brisk steps silently showed that she was in a bad mood.
— Then, let us begin a meeting on how to handle this with the remaining humans—.
Knock, knock—.
Just as Olivia was about to open the meeting, someone knocked on the door.
Ruri opened the door, and the person who walked in surprised everyone.
It was Erika again.
No, it was Erika, and at the same time it was not Erika.
No horns on her head, no tail, and her attire was unfitting for a witch of Iorga.
That was not the Tower Master, that was an adventurer.
In the bewildering situation, Erika stepped closer with pursed lips and bowed her head.
— Nice to meet you.
— ……Pardon?
Olivia’s eyes opened wide as she asked.
We met less than a minute ago, and you say nice to meet you?
— Far East Adventurers Branch Master, Eri.
— …….
— Originally scheduled to arrive in two days, but I have arrived faster due to unexpected circumstances. Given the situation, I will support the Far East.
— ……What are you doing?
Ferda also asked, wondering if this was some kind of joke.
— What do you mean? You said dragons cannot participate because it is a human matter, right?
— That is correct.
— Then, not as the Blue Eyes Tower Master Erika, but as the Platinum Adventurer Eri, I can participate, can’t I?
— That’s true, but…
— So I am participating.
Erika boldly declared.
— As Platinum Adventurer and Far East Adventurers Guild Branch Master, Eri!
— …….
— …….
Olivia looked at Ferda as if asking what kind of joke this was.
Ferda passed that look to Isabella.
Isabella simply hid her face.