Cleaning up after a civil war would take a lot of money and infrastructure reconstruction….if that was even a word. The king would have to swallow up the Craftsman and Adventurer's guild, bringing them under Royal rule. He would also have to send his army right back out, as their neighbors would be eyeing Te Boreas like it was a pie ready to be carved up.
Cole didn't care though, the alliance between him and the King was over. Perhaps Cole was taking it too far, but he'd like his allies to the do for him what he would most definitely do for them, and chief amongst that, was not stabbing him in the back or denying their relationship. The king had shown that he was willing to change sides at the drop of a heart as long as it benefited him.
Not that such a character was a bad thing, Cole could even respect him for having such a character. But Cole, either from his own hubris or just being drunk on his power knew he was not just someone else. He had much more to offer than chaos and an alliance with him ought to be the best thing in the lives of others, yet some people took it for granted.
Okay maybe he was being too arrogant, and yes if he was in the same position where his power was limited, he would make what seems to be a more viable deal to save his life and the lives of those he loves. So Cole truly understood, but so far everything he has built, which frankly speaking was not what he had initially set out to do. But regardless, everything he has built has grown based on reputation alone, and not just strength.
A deal with Raen Valley should be like a deal with the devil. Iron clad, unbreakable with consequences for even the slightest faults or deviation from the clauses in the deal, and one of the things Cole and the king had agreed upon was that they would never raise their weapons against each other. But the king had done so without much remorse, and Cole knew if he had not shown himself capable of dealing with the other guild kings the King would have definitely worked together with them to bring him down.
Either way, now that he was done dealing with this damn civil war, all that was on his head was to find a way to the next floor. There might be more things to be gained, but Cole would leave that for the remaining aspirants to discover, as far as he was concerned right now, he was done with politics, just give him a good old straight on fight and he would appreciate that more than anything else.
Cole was finally about to pat attention to the system notification that had been buzzing and bothering him since the fight ended, when the king walked up to him with Aiteen in tow. The king raised an eyebrow as his daughter moved forwards her head bowed to stand in front of Cole.
Cole on the other hand just sighed and tapped her on the head, the same way an elder would a younger, reassuring them and telling them everything is okay. Cole knew she was troubled, her way of life and method of thinking had been challenged today in a way that it never has.
She felt that she was unworthy of being a princess. She held no care in the world for anyone or anything else other than her family when her station demanded, she thinks of much more than them. Honestly Cole did not know what to say to her, he had been raised the exact same way and was also the exact same way…at least until he started building a civilization of his own.
But then he was also someone who greatly believed that positions of power are a privileged and an honor, especially if you were born into it. A princess be beholden to the expectations of her people, cause they would love her without condition, unless of course she was a total bitch, then the story would be different.
But Aiteen did not seem like that kind of person, so far she has been fighting for a way to secure their kingdom and centralize power to bring an end to all the unnecessary conflicts and hoarding of secrets. It was best for everyone to grow together and not go about conspiring to bring each other down for glory you were definitely not taking to your grave.
"I can't begin to tell you how grateful I am for your help in saving my kingdom. I just wish you can reconsider your stance on our alliance, I will make no excuses for my actions, all I did was play the hands I was dealt. But regardless I know that would have been a very terrible thing to witness….for my own ally to point his weapon at me, especially after he had just so recently promised not to do so.
I take full responsibility for my actions and use all my pride and honor as a king to apologize. Give me a chance to make it up to you Lord Cole, or else I would not be able to sleep easy knowing I owe you so much." Cole rolled his eyes as Aiteen chuckled behind him at her father's expense. Sometimes the man could not help being such a politician.
"Yeah no thank you, as for you owing me shit, you don't need to worry about it. Both as a punishment and as payment for fucking with me when all I was doing was helping you…I'll be taking your daughter away from you. Not won't be too farfetched to say that you will never see her again. Especially since she's an illegitimate child your fucked up queen has abused her entire childhood, it's even worse when you consider the fact that she's your first child even.
lightsnοvεl You're lucky she gets along with her siblings and they're not poisoned by their mother's bitterness. And your cowardice. Te Boreas will fall your majesty, if you do not make a change and stand your ground for the food of your people. Maybe it will not be in your generation, but another guild or even the same guilds might rise up again to fuck you sideways. She saved you, but you do not deserve her, so that's the end of that. Now let's talk business, mainly the business of my payment.
I don't want there to be any remnants of karma between me and Te Boreas. You people can not be trusted with an alliance,. Not until you all are ready to learn and understand that and alliance with a Raen means you must be ready to die for them, because they would be damn well ready to die for you too."
The king held Cole's gaze for moment longer than was necessary. Cole did not back down, his gaze boring a hole back into the king. Cole was using him to make an example, as long everyone else realizes that deals with the Raens were not something to be taken for granted, Cole was prepared to perhaps attempt to relieve the king of a limb or two….the keyword here is attempt of course.
"I acknowledge my shortcomings, but if you would at least consider a trade deal, just a simple exchange of materials and knowledge, I will double your reward and offer favorable deals to Raens in every aspect of Te Boreas Economy. And in return I tell you that the path to the next floor has been opened and that I know where it is." Cole didn't eve waste a lot of time to think on the so called offer, he just said.
"Deal!"
Aiteen looked at him with a shocked look on her face, Cole shrugged as he turned to her and said. "no offence baby girl hut I tire of your world and it's bloody politics, and I'm sure you are too." Cole said to her as he turned to the king.
"So my ambassadors will come pay you a visit soon enough, at least before the entire floor collapses anyways. But enough chit chat, give me my treasures, and money and point me in the right direction and I and my wolves will be getting out of your hair." Cole said making emphasis on the wolves to show that he was also taking the company along.
"No problem with that, as long as a beneficial relationship can be shared between our two nations, the company is a viable gift for the Raens to have." Cole raised an eyebrow and laughed as he said to the king.
"So how do I get to the next floor?"
"Oh that's simple, you just have to visit Bob's inn. That man has the answers to everything, anyways the entrance to the next floor is in one of the rooms there, but it can only be accessed by gaining recognition from either the guilds or the kingdom, there's a merit system, and yours is more than high enough for the next floor."
"Okay then your Majesty, this is good bye. Aiteen come along now, more adventures await."
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