Side Story Chapter 173
Joshua made his way toward the Palace’s depths.
‘No one is around, so be honest with me,’ Lilith said.
-What do you mean?
‘Do you really trust those two demons?’
Joshua was sharing a body with Lilith, so he knew that she didn’t believe them in the slightest. It hardly surprised him.
‘I don’t think that an Overlord Symbol is perfect. Although it took a long time, the Magic Tower’s mages figured out the loophole of Mana Pledges.’
A Mana Pledge was as absolute as an Overlord Symbol. When a mage broke one, the mana circle around their heart shattered and disappeared. As mages and knights valued their ability to use mana more than their lives, Mana Pledges were vows that should be upheld at all costs—but the mages had recently found a loophole.
‘Don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,’ Lilith reminded Joshua.
-It’s the crux of a False Pledge.
‘Yes, it’s about not letting your soul know what your body is knowing. Mages made a Mana Pledge that they don’t have to uphold even if they swear it out loud.’
Considering it had been done by humans whose life spans were less than one hundred years, it was far too early to conclude that demons, who lived at least ten times longer than humans, wouldn’t find a way. Above all, the emotions that Lilith occasionally showed in Perchilin and Tshchary’s eyes made Lilith very uncomfortable.
‘Your dear people could fall into danger,’ Lilith advised Joshua.
-Even if that’s true, they’ll be fine while I’m away.
‘What makes you so sure?’
-Demons’ greed surpasses human imagination by leaps and bounds.
‘What...?’
-Let’s say that there are four big empires and a neutral city at the heart of the continent.
‘It’s like Reinhardt was in the past,’ Lilith immediately .
Reinhardt, the neutral city, was now called the Martial God’s land out of respect for Joshua, but it used to be the most hotly contested territory on the continent for its strategically advantageous position.
-All the emperors wanted to take the continent’s heart, but none could afford to make a move.
‘The moment one country takes action, the other three would simultaneously attack them,’ Lilith commented.
-What’s the best choice in a situation like that?
‘Hmmm... The obvious tactic would be to form a temporary alliance with a relatively distant country, but in this case, there’s four countries. It won’t be easy to gain the advantage unless an anomaly like you shows up—!’ Lilith’s voice quivered as she came to a realization. ‘I see! I had a feeling when you mentioned four empires, but it’s an analogy for the demons.’
-You’re a quick learner indeed.
‘They’ve established a degree of trust with you, so they’re going to let you hold onto the merchandise for now and fight you later?’
-If they have a way of undoing their Overlord Symbols by force, then that would be the best choice.
Joshua would immediately notice any external influences on the demons’ Overlord Symbols, so there was a high chance that the demons were going to hide their ulterior motives until the very end.
‘You have a plan for everything, don’t you? It’s admirable, although I shouldn’t be surprised at this point,’ Lilith said.
-I still lack in many areas. Although I’m good at painting the bigger picture, I need Icarus for the details.
As Joshua and Lilith conversed, they eventually arrived at the entrance to the Palace’s underground level.
-Let’s go in.
‘Wait! It just occurred to me: what would be the four empires’ best choice if there isn’t someone like you?’
Lilith clearly had the Hubalt Empire in mind as one of the four. There had been a similar situation in the past. The Avalon, Swallow, and Hubalt Empires had gone up against each other for Reinhardt, but they had been at an intense stalemate until Joshua showed up.
-Do they have to fight?
‘What?’
-You should prioritize the continent’s peace. Unless an empire wishes to unify the continent like Marcus the tyrant and Grand Duke Lucifer, I believe that there is no need for the empire to take action first.
‘I need power to protect peace. Powerless justice is merely incompetence—just like me right now,’ Lilith said self-deprecatingly.
-Do you really think so?
‘Definitely. I believe that to occupy a strategically important position first by any means necessary.’
-Even if that means the other three empires would all attack you at once?
‘Once you’ve taken the “hill”, however you choose to do it, the rest is straightforward. The four empires can rule the place together so long as they promise not to attack the empire which made the first move. Then no one will be able to consider treachery since that is the same as handing the other empires a perfectly justifiable reason to invade you,’ Lilith explained.
There had been a time when the Hubalt and Swallow Empires had ruled over Reinhardt together, but one of them had betrayed the other, ending their co-rule. That was how the two empires had become mortal enemies, but this hypothetical situation was different. If one of the empires conquered the heart of a continent, that empire would have to risk being attacked by the three other empires.
-What you’re saying is only possible under the premise of your empire successfully occupying the continent’s heart. It’s a very risky move.
‘That is why I’m asking for your opinion,’ Lilith said.
-I told you earlier that I won’t fight if the goal is to maintain peace.
‘Would you still think that even if there were maniacs who insist on unifying the continent in the three other empires, like Emperor Marcus and Grand Duke Lucifer?’
-That’s all the more reason for me to stick to my decision. One other way would be withdrawing from the place and eliminating my annoying political enemies within my country.
‘Pardon? You’re going to voluntarily start a civil war with a war already on the horizon?’ Lilith asked, aghast.
-It’s too complacent to think that the three other empires would fight themselves bloody after I withdrew. In fact, they might agree to attack me together because they think I’m actually up to something.
‘But still... a civil war?’
-They’ll only believe me if I do something that dramatic. Well, I’m actually purging people so it’s odd to call it dramatic. When a country is obviously preoccupied with their internal issues, they have no time to care about foreign affairs, so the three other empires would be delighted.
‘No matter how hard I try, I can’t understand your plan this time.’
-Don’t try to understand. Remember the past instead. I think you’ll find that something immediately comes to mind.
Lilith hesitated just as she was about to speak again and her eyes widened.
‘Avalon!’
-Now you remember.
The stalemate between the three empires had come to an end with the civil war between Avalon’s princes and the Dark God’s betrayal.
‘But... No, regardless of everything else, you...’ Lilith trailed off.
It wasn’t an idea that an ordinary person would think of. War was a common method to divert the populace’s attention when the power struggles within a country became too intense. A bloodbath was inevitable if the nobility held power but their ruler insisted on peace. History was filled with such incidents, and the same thing was happening in Hubalt right now.
-An invasion always ends in self-destruction. No ruler has fulfilled their dream of unifying the continent. The failure weakened the original people in power, and then they were overthrown by other people who had been waiting for the opportunity.
‘They... did,’ Lilith agreed.
-Would things have changed if they succeeded in unifying the continent?
‘Pardon?’
-Naturally, they’d be busy tiptoeing around each other right after the war ends. But one unified empire has finally been built—wouldn’t everyone dream about becoming the one and only emperor, especially if they have the power?
Joshua was saying that he would prioritize stabilizing his own country to prevent that from happening. In the end, trying to unify the continent was a temporary distraction at best.
‘Then what are you going to do after you’ve put your people’s families in control of the country...?’ Lilith wondered.
-That is when the war really begins. I assure you that it isn’t a simple matter that can be solved in a matter of days. By that time, the three other empires would have been greatly weakened after their bloody war—in fact, one of them might have already fallen.
Lilith was completely dumbstruck. This kind of plan could only be created by a person with great self-confidence, a bold spirit, and a broad perspective.
-It’s the same right now.
‘Wait...’
-While the four demons are fighting to the death, we’re going to find the Demon Spirit’s legacy. They’ll need a hostage to take something from me, so it’s going to be difficult for them to harm my people. It’d also be a problem for the demons if they push me too far and I start something.
Were the Demon’s Spirit’s legacy an object, Joshua could destroy it, but if it were an ability, he would be able to use that as a tool for his revenge. In many ways, getting on Joshua’s bad side wasn’t a good choice. It only shocked Lilith more.
‘...Let’s never become enemies.’
-Are you done asking your questions? It seems we still have more time...
The energy in the air alone indicated that the four demons hadn’t begun their fight yet. Maybe because they were trying to determine each others’ level beforehand.
‘All my questions have been answered, so just promise me something,’ Lilith murmured.
-Are you talking about never becoming enemies?
‘Right.’
-I don’t intend to ever be your enemy either, but your country, Hubalt, is a different question.
Lilith’s lips trembled. Although she wished that Joshua wouldn’t attack Hubalt either if possible, she couldn’t be shameless enough to make such a request.
‘...I understand.’
-Thank you for understanding.
Joshua nodded and released his energy, instantly lighting up the cavernous chamber.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m