Chapter 424 424: Power Plays VI
After that altercation Cole and his unit did not experience any more problems again, such a thorough display of power has never been anything the people of Te Boreas had seen in the open like this. Because of how much politics had seeped into the very existence of the city, a sight like this could only be seen when a guild lord wants to posture.
But that was their own level of strength, with Cole having realized that the people of this floor only advanced stats that they were focused on. And to make it clear these people have unlocked their own system and not using an introductory system like Cole was using, yet they were not able to actualize the full potential of their own power.
Either ways, by the time they had reached the gates, the King had sent a contingent of soldiers to escort Cole and his unit to the estate that has been prepared for them. It was more posturing really, if the soldiers could show up before he reached the gate then it was obvious the kingdom knew about the attack before hand, but at the same time they had not made a move,. Probably trying to see if the Adventurer's guild would be able to kill Cole in their attempt….all in all this was a bad first move from the Kingdom.
And going forwards this was going to affect their relationship, not that he did not understand. The devil you know is better than an angel you don't , and in this case Cole was the angel, or in this case a demon…..Change was terrifying, so much so a terrified king would rather sink back into what he was familiar it than take the initiative to usher in real change. All in all the king was a spineless fuck, and perhaps unseating him or leaving the government as it is would be for the best, it did not look the man would be able to steer his country in the right direction if properly given the reins. But then again it's still too early to judge.
They were deposited at the manor where they were told in no uncertain terms to wait until they were sent for. Cole was not against that, they have been traveling for quite some time and it would be quite nice to rest a bit. He wanted to Log off, but it would probably be a few days before he would be able to log back in, so he'd deal with the king's issue then make other plans or moves after their meeting.
The rest of his Unit made themselves at home in the massive manor that they had been given as Cole made his way out of it. Once outside he could see the gate at the distance and the small crowd that seemed to be crowded in front of it. They were rather loud, but the militia guards at the entrance were doing well enough in keeping them away, Cole smiled as he made his way towards the gate, his approach more than enough to silence the clamoring voices as he reached them.
"Go back to where you came from you fucking invader!" Cole raised an eyebrow in confusion for a moment then he relaxed after realization dawned on him.
"Man these guys are really trying so hard aren't they?" he muttered to himself as he plastered a bright smile on his face.
"Me? I'm no invader. I've been kidnapped and stuck in a city filled with corruption to fight for my life and the whims of your leaders. Believe me I too am pissed, like some mercenary the system has me and my people running circles around many different civilizations in the name of getting strong enough to protect ourselves and our families from the advent of the powerful and all knowing system.
Dozens, if not all of your leaders along with the leaders of other universes that have been swallowed by the system are waiting, waiting for my planet to be swallowed up, so that they can carve up a piece of the pie for themselves. And in the process thousands, millions if not billions of innocents will die, and after seeing how you all have messed up your own government, my courage to fight even harder against the system is strengthened. I'm not the invader in your lands, it is the system interface in front of you that's an invader."
With that said Cole turned around and left, not even giving ears to the clamor he had caused. The guard were trying but failing to quiet the now boisterous crowd. There were many amongst the crow that were more than ready and willing to argue with Cole to prove him wrong about everything he had just said. Not that he cared much, he wanted to make a little bit more noise, he was working multiple angles, if the kingdom would not keep their word he would play a different strategy, and as usual it would be beneficial for his allies….and very frustrating for his enemies….. hopefully the Kingdom itself doesn't fall into the latter category.
The whole thing about being an invader was already playing to the animosity the people of The Boreas had to the aspirants. It was a tricky situation, but someone amongst the craftsman and Adventurer's ranks was finally using their head and trying to figure out a way to limit Cole. And very much like the deep seated animosity the people had about their leadership, this was also a weak point that anyone could exploit with just a little motivation and a point in the right direction.
Cole dealt with it by shifting the blame to the system as a whole, it's not as if they can fight or lynch the system. The Denizens never really know the details of the competition unless they're told, so making it seem like the people of earth wanted absolutely no part in this whole thing and were instead victims would buy him some sympathy. Not as much as he would have wanted, but enough to keep this new development at bay.
It was until the evening that the king was finally ready to see them, apparently he had prepared a banquet in their honor. Cole could smell the politics from a mile away, he'd much rather be doing something else, but he had already dipped his toes into troubled waters…..so it was time to play the game.
It usually took hours if not days to get to the center of The Boreas. The city was massive, within it's massive walls were thousands of farm lands and factories and even a thriving ecosystem in the form of a massive forest, not to talk lf the guild lords with acres and hectares of land. Somehow the damn city had found a way to exist side by side with nature, it's no wonder they keep fighting each other for territory, owning property in a city as beautiful as this would make you a very rich man, everything was prime real estate.
The Palace was decidedly located right at the Middle of the city, they had used the city's fastest transportation in the form a portal. But even then it still took them 40 minutes to walk through the spatial bridge that connected the two locations. They were dropped off somewhere close to the palace, then placed in armored black carriages. It seems the king wanted to make a statement about his new military unit. Funny…..the man was trying to play both sides.
Cole did not make too much of a fuss and all of them were promptly delivered to the palace. The place itself was an architectural marvel. From above, a view Cole had confirmed himself, the castle look like a star. But the building was close to a 100 floors long and covered a ridiculous stretch of land. But why it was a marvel was that the building was not uniformly built like a star.
In fact it was total mess with towers jutting out of the walls at random places. The entire building looked like one giant colorful grey and gold cheese, and there windows everywhere. Cole liked the palace, he reckoned it would be like a maze inside, there were just to many corners and alcoves and balconies and windows. Their carriages took them to the entrance were dozens of other guards were arraigned to escort the arrivals.
Servants ran to and fro, carrying platters of drink or food, some smoking pipes and other weird eccentricities that Cole knew was probably this world's equivalent of drugs. Say what you would about his unsure character, the king of Te Boreas sure knew how to throw a fucking party! The music was damn good too!
Cole was here to work and mingle with the upper levels of Te Boreas. He'd either end up being the king's loyal lap dog that would bite anything and anyone who would get in his way, or he'll be mending broken bridges with the guilds by midnight, or better yet just say fuck it and hijack the palace, do some terrorist shit and cause some chaos. So many directions that this night could go, but either ways; Cole had to say…..the possibilities were endless.
Occasionally missing content, please report errors in time.
Updat𝓮d from freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.co(m)