Chapter 195: Declaration of War
An eerie silence hung in the air, which was soon interrupted by a few rulers raising their hands.
It started with Nyzzara, who eagerly raised her hand and stared at Rael with a faint smile.
Then, it was Halemire, who raised his hand confidently.
“I believe this is long overdue,” Halemire commented. “They were supposed to become a country back when the tyrant was still alive.”
Yet no one replied to him, and as it stood, only Ogarak and Yrgon supported them.
Rael sighed, clenching his fists. He had expected this. The deal was a gamble, and the Holy Kingdom clearly wasn’t playing.
It seemed like his options were limited now, and he could only resort to one final thing to ensure this all worked out in the end.
Will I have to control their minds? Drivania could work—
He halted, staring at one person in particular who suddenly raised their hand.
It was the ruler of the Demonic Lands, Lilith. Her black hair fluttered in the breeze, her red eyes gleaming with dangerous charm.
But that charm from earlier had vanished, replaced by a mysterious smile.
“I vote for Celestara. I don’t see why the rest of you aren’t granting them this simple request. Plus, by doing this, we can negotiate better terms…” Lilith tilted her head playfully. “After all… I’m a bit intrigued by those ores you mentioned.”
Demons, like the Holy Kingdom, had their own way of doing things. However, instead of using the ores for artifacts, they’d likely use them to reinforce their demonic cores.
And by reinforcing their demonic cores… they’d become stronger, which also means they’d become a bigger threat, Rael pondered.
He turned to Zafira, who was glaring at Lilith.
“I don’t know if I like her…” Zafira muttered, causing Lilith to let out a giggle.
“I heard that, my dear,” Lilith remarked. “And don’t worry. Even if I am a succubus hybrid, I’m practicing the path of purity. So you don’t have to worry about me stealing your man.”
“Like you could,” Zafira snickered.
Lilith’s brow rose. “Want to make a bet?”
“Stop it, both of you,” Rael interjected as he hugged Zafira by the waist and kissed her on the forehead. “I already have someone I love.”
Lilith’s cheeks flushed. “My my… darling, if your words alone stir this much in me, I can only imagine what your wife feels every night.”
Rael’s brows twitched, and Zafira visibly flinched.
“You should go see a therapist—”
King Arthur coughed, trying to ease the weird atmosphere that was forming.
“One more minute left. So far, it’s three yes, three no. If it’s a draw, we’ll have to cast this vote again tomorrow. If it’s a draw again, then we’d have no choice but to do it during the next summit.”
“You people are way too stingy,” Halemire remarked. “As Demon Queen Lilith said, you don’t exactly lose anything by agreeing. And trust me, by supporting Celestara, you’re going to save yourselves the trouble of what’s to come in the future.”
He’s bringing that up… the immortal players, Rael thought with a smirk.
“Is that a threat?” King Diederich of Aztera asked. “Are you perhaps implying a city with the population of several thousand has a chance to contest our militaries? Celestara has at most a thousand royal guards, none beyond intermediate swordsman level. You expect them to stand against five sword masters?”
“Oh my, I’m not insinuating anything,” Halemire replied, waving his hands swiftly. “All I’m saying is that if you don’t help them today, you will become the enemy of Celestara. That’s about it.”
“Then it is settled.” King Diederich slammed the table and turned to King Asolian. “What about you? Are you afraid of Celestara?”
King Asolian scoffed. “They’re like a speck of dust. They don’t trouble me at all.”
“Obviously.” King Diederich turned toward the rest of the rulers present. “As for you lot. Why? Do you think that Celestara poses a threat to your well-being?”
He glanced at Nyzzara. “You in particular. I have heard rumors you killed your chieftain because the King and Queen of Celestara forced you to—”
“That’s not true!” Nyzzara cut him off with widened eyes. “T-They helped us with agriculture by re-fertilizing our soil… they’re our saviors.”
King Diederich’s eyes narrowed. “What a coincidence that it happened right after your falling out with my son.”
“You sure talk a lot, old man,” Rael remarked with a sigh, causing the table to once again fall silent. “You talk about morality and war. But I’m starting to believe you don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“What was that?” King Diederich frowned. “For someone so young, you sure have a foul mouth. I have decades of ruling experience over both you and Queen Zafira. You are not worthy of ruling an entire country until you’ve gotten the necessary experience.”
Rael had kept quiet at first, but he knew exactly the kind of man Diederich was. And for that same man to say such self-righteous bullshit? It was off-putting.
“According to whom?” Rael tilted his head. “You? The one whose entire family despises him? Who powers his capital with a stolen artifact? Who murdered his wife for giving him just one son and two daughters?”
Rael’s gaze turned to one of disgust.
“You’re absolute trash. Both as a ruler and as a human being. And I hope you remember my words every time you dare utter such frivolous bullshit in front of my face.”
Despite his clear provocation, King Diederich remained silent, yet the corners of his lips were trembling.
But that silence was soon broken by his half-expected words.
“Then hear this. I, Diederich Ashavir, ruler of Aztera, declare war on the city of Celestara.”
“Foolish…” Zafira muttered, a frown appearing on her face. “You’re declaring war on a city. It’s not the best look when a large kingdom such as Aztera attacks a helpless city.”
Her eyes narrowed as she stood up and glanced at King Diederich straight in the eyes.
“But if Celestara becomes a country, then the story is different.”
“Ha… hahaha!” King Diederich burst out laughing, barely composing himself as he glanced toward King Arthur.
“Old coot,” Diederich called out, raising a hand. “I believe the outcome of the vote is clear now.”
In the meantime, Rael couldn’t help but cover his expression with a hand, trying his best not to laugh at Diederich’s stupidity.