Age of Heroes (Age of Heroes Chronicles)

Chapter 188: Provocation (1)

WAR COUNCIL

After he has clothed himself, he went out of his room and walk to the council. Every morning unless there is an emergency he will check himself at the council chamber.

Mostly his council would be in the chamber discussing everything about measures that can be undertaken to enrich the region, or certain news that he needs to hear but sometimes according to his whim he can check the council authorities.

After all, left unchecked who knows what they will do?

He heard Massey drinking problem but at least he is a functional drunkard, Arial mused.

Lord Oliver told him in one of their wine tasting session, where mostly they talk about each other and more about them then the wine.

Arial did see some of the behavior display in one of the mock battle the military is obligated to do.

Ser Massey was instilling confidence in his men while keeping a flask of ale of his own close by. He even toasted at their enemies but when his toast was interrupted, Oliver at that time leading the opposition got annoyed and released dull arrow at them.

He then yelled

"That was ungenerous. I'll take every single arrow you have!" he said and then his army hearing this yell, mistakes his outburst as a charging rally.

They stormed up Lord Oliver troops with the seething Ser Massey himself on the front, and while Oliver is a learned man in the art of diplomacy, he is not well versed in warfare and seeing this unreasonable anger from what Lord Oliver describe as a prank, he fled in panic.

Well anyone would run when they see how crazed Massey look at that time with bloodshot eyes and with real sword he is waving around when even his own troops only used wooden swords.

On the way of the pursuit, Massey seem to forget that he was in a mock battle and he was in fact the only one in the battlefield still chasing the frightened Oliver until he realized it, or probably sobered up.

Probably he also runs out of ale by that time and finally realizes what he has done. But still, that quirk aside, he is a smart leader of military.

Arial could still use him and because he has a use, Arial keep him in the army. The soldiers liked him regardless of his quirk.

As he is thinking about all of this matter he finally reached the Council. He opens the door and every single eye in the chamber is directed at him.

Their chatter stopped as they look.

'My lord' they said in unison. Arial just nodded as he takes his place at the end of the table. Every single of his vassal is standing waiting him to take his place.

Actually there is something he needs to do today that is why he wants to come to the chamber. Arial has been thinking to share the news with his council.

When everybody is seated Arial relayed them the news.

Shock and fear can be seen in their eyes. Oliver on the other hand is very calm, one of Arial asset and why he chose him to be in the Council.

'What do you think of this matter, Lord Oliver?' He asked his spymaster for guidance.

"Hmmm" he said contemplating his answer and after a while he voices his opinion

"We must send a formal letter to the Empire asking them to release the Princess or we will be facing a great interstate calamity here. If the army of the Dark Lands reaches here, then surely calamity will befall our region considering our proximity with the Blessed Lands.'

'True' Arial said, nodding and he understand the grave situation they are facing right now. But no one understands it better than him.

The Invasion of the Human race, here, in the Human Continent. If the Demon King believes that his fianc really is killed maybe the same tragedy will happen again.

But if Arial can somehow convince the Demon King that his bride is safe and that he can deliver her to safety then maybe the invasion would never happen.

This is the idea he came up with. He wanted to try to prevent the war from happening. Arial then posed another questions to his lords

'But can all of us risk a war with Vern?' He posed his own question to his council.

They fell silent. This is a matter of great importance. Can they really risk a war with an Empire as long as millennia?

'Ser Massey what is your opinion?' Massey looked at his lord and utters his words carefully.

'My lord, our army is without a doubt is the strongest, ehem' he coughed 'but forgives me for saying this, but Vern is bigger than us.'

'And is more divided than us' Lord Oliver added. Then quickly he takes the chance to present his opinion.

'My lord' Oliver said

'It is better to risk war with Vern then war with the demons that inhabits the Dark Lands. We do not know their capabilities, or how many they can muster troops. It is said the Orcs alone numbered in millions. That might be a false news or it might be true. But the point is, we do not know. It is unwise to fight an enemy with so little information'

Then he continued.

'On the other hand, we have Vern Empire. Vern right now is in precarious position, rebellions from the Blood Brotherhood, House of Austen plotting to take the Imperial Throne and many other myriad of problems. And if we could strike a diplomatic agreement with the Dark Lands than it is better because we can ask their armies to fight with us side by side. If my lord information about the kidnapping of the Princess is true, then we could use that to rally the Demon King support to us.' Arial nodded and there is a trace of smile on his face.

The solution that Oliver presented is the one he also thinks of.

It is a smart solution.

He will not lose anything and at the same time he can stop the invasion. But can he really do it? Won't some divine punishment will befall him?

How many things have since change since the beginning of this quest of him? How many people he has saved? How many people has he killed?

If the theory holds that any change even a ripple in a pool lake could disrupt a time continuum, then he has trampled over all the rules.

He denied it. Surely not.  However this plan is still after all a plan and still needs to be ironed out and it is subject to change.

'Then what is your suggestion, Lord Oliver?' Arial asked

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Actually scrap what I say about double chapter. Today will be a triple release. See you in a couple minutes.