Chapter 1411: The Former Klimbert Region ( 1411 )
Marcellus glanced at Cedric and Javier before raising his hand.
"But Father... isn’t that region currently governed by nobles who were openly hostile toward Armand back when we were still a region under the Human Nation? Even before our independence, they refused to acknowledge our autonomy, rejected our offers of aid, and actively opposed our policies. If I recall correctly, they were among the loudest voices calling for our subjugation before we declared independence."
He paused, his expression hardening.
"They rejected our offers to share agricultural techniques, refused our plans to build irrigation systems that could have saved their people from drought, and even turned down the blueprint for the waterway project that would have transformed their entire region’s economy. They called it ’Armand propaganda’ and accused us of trying to spread influence over their lands."
Cedric nodded, his expression serious. "They also refused our banking system and our trade regulation. They imposed heavy taxes on our merchants who tried to sell goods in their region or even pass through their lands to reach the northern territories, forcing most of our trade routes to use other passages, like Mathrias, Arjam, Tybalr or to wait for their own merchants to come to us instead. They choked our commerce out of sheer spite."
He paused, his brow furrowing.
"Now that the war is at their doorstep, they suddenly want our help? Forgive me, Father, but I find it hard to trust their intentions."
Aelius, who had been calmly rubbing his chin, spoke next, his voice measured and thoughtful.
"When Athine and I visited that region years ago to propose a fair tax agreement for their merchants and establish a shared banking system, we were met with open hostility. They refused to even listen, claiming our proposals were ’subversive’ and an attempt to undermine their authority. They chased us out of their region, escorted by armed guards who made it clear we were not welcome to return."
Heres nodded, his expression grim. "After I became the interim ruler of Arjam, we received a formal letter of protest from that same region. They accused us of ’economic espionage’ and ’undermining regional stability’ because Arjam quietly opened its borders to certain traders in need, a move made under Father’s orders to provide a lifeline to those suffering under their harsh rule."
Garius smirked slightly, a flicker of pride in his eyes as he listened to his sons’ sharp analysis and their ability to recall critical details from years past.
His gaze shifted to Javier, who was still quietly reading through the documents.
"So, Javier.?" Garius began, his voice calm. "Your brothers have all shared their thoughts. What is your take on this?"
Javier looked at Garius for a moment before his eyes returned to the documents. He reached for the map of the entire continent, tracing a line with his finger across the Human Nation. Then he picked up another document, lifting it as he stood, rubbing his chin with his lips pursed in thought.
"Pardon me, Father. But this region... was formerly the Klimbert region, correct? The enemy of our family, who was later killed by the late King Edmund during the Celestial War. The same King Edmund who claimed the power of the so-called ’Celestial’ and whom I ended myself."
Garius’s expression remained calm, a faint, knowing smile touching his lips. "Yes. After Edmund destroyed them, the region was later absorbed by the current noble family, a smaller house compared to the former Klimbert domain, who bribed King Klimar and sent their own forces to secure control. They are the ones who rule there now."
Javier rubbed his chin again, his gaze thoughtful. "If I’m not mistaken, the current lord was assassinated, along with his wife, leaving only two surviving heirs: the second son and the youngest daughter from the lord’s first wife. Am I correct?"
Garius smirked, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes, as Marcellus, Cedric, Aelius, and Heres reached for the reports and began scanning them intently.
Javier narrowed his eyes at the document in his hand, his voice low and deliberate.
"And from this report, it also mentions that just a few days after the lord died, their original region, Lurghen, which is roughly half the size of the former Klimbert region, now known as Vurghen, was taken by the Haghrab Household without any resistance at all at the border."
He paused, his gaze sharpening.
"This means it’s likely that their own soldiers betrayed them after the lord died. Or perhaps... it was all planned from the beginning. The assassination, the fall of the border, the timing of it all. Someone orchestrated this to weaken them further, just like what happened in the Mathrias Region before."
He set the report down and reached for another, scanning it briefly before continuing.
"The Haghrab Noble Region likely orchestrated the entire scheme, just as the Bardigas Household planned to take over Mathrias before we intervened."
Javier placed the report down and picked up another document. "Judging by the current situation, the desperate request likely came from the second son of the Lurghen Household, or perhaps the surviving sister. Pardon me Father, but may I see the original letter?"
Garius nodded, glancing at Alf, who smiled and stepped forward, pulling out the sealed letter from his coat. He extended it toward Javier with a respectful bow. "Here is the letter, Your Highness."
Javier opened the letter and began to read, his eyes scanning the contents carefully. After a moment, he nodded silently and passed the letter to Marcellus before turning back to the map.
He traced a line with his finger, mumbling under his breath. "Tybalt is here... Arjam is here... The only open path left is through Garka, but it’s not wide enough for large-scale movement. We still don’t know when the forces from the other continent will arrive. But with Mathrias here, I could install a secure line of defensive systems, from surface to air. Especially the mana missiles and the anti-air mana guns. And since the Beastkin Nation’s border runs adjacent to Mathrias, we could coordinate with them if needed."
He paused, rubbing his chin before reaching for another report. He read it quickly, then pulled out his personal notebook and began scribbling notes.
"Lurghen is already lost to Haghrab. Vurghen is being squeezed from the north by the northern forces, from the left by Haghrab, and from the right by Turka. They’re surrounded on three sides. If we don’t act soon, Vurghen will fall completely, and we’ll lose any chance of establishing a foothold in that region. If we help the second son secure what remains of Vurghen, he could rebuild. That would give us a strategic advantage against Julius’s forces when they eventually arrive."
( End Of Chapter )
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