Face Time

Today was another peaceful day in Aeternum, Works carry on as usual, my Army still training hard and as for me, i got a lot of free time. So today my schedule is, tending my garden that filled with magical plant.

For a rough person, you're quite delicate with your plant.. ]. (T.A.S)

".…I just love gardening, it's one of my stress relief method…beside, just leave a Ygdrasil unattended in my front yard, is kinda irresponsible…Anyway, is there any development about the monster stampede?..".

[There's no large movement at the moment, there's a few of suspected gathering spot all over the Central continent..the closes spot to Aeternum is 5 gathering spot in the Desert of Nothing. From the 5 point, only 1 gathering spot 45% probability it would head towards the Back Gate of New City..]. (T.A.S)

"Is that so?..then just keep monitoring….".

I know the effect of Monster Stampede was devastating, but not for Aeternum. Beside I need the stampede to happened, Aeternum need it, I want my Army to be ready and experienced the whole thing. Also with Monster Stampede happening the chance of Aeternum gaining profit and perhaps refugee.

[Sir, I just receive new information's…looks like Duke Merrica probably in danger..]. (T.A.S)

Checking on my phone, T.A.S send me an Audio recording from the Hallerus Kingdom Palace, looks like the King is as Vicious as the bandit said. Among the information's that Bina gathered from the Bandit while they were interrogated here was that, they were hired by King Roberth Hallerus The 3rd to constantly harassed Duke Merrica Territory, and when the ordered came they have to act together with the Church of Light to take over the Duke Land. Form various information's provided by the Core Radios, Looks like The King have some dealing with the Church Of Light and without Duke knowledge, he put Duke land as payments. There's only 2 possibility as to why this is happening, 1 he sees duke as a threat and planned to eliminate the threat with Church help, or 2 it's possible that the degenerate king owe something from the church and as payments he had to give duke land.

Both of the possibility only beneficial to the King and the Church, the only losing side is Duke Merrica no matter what reason he had to die. The problem is, I can't let him die, I need him and his people for business, he's my shield from possible attack coming from the South, his land is my buffer zone.

[Wow..i knew church were part of the problem...now the king were in it....We need to save him..why not just absorb his territory?..]. (T.A.S)

"..not yet, I haven't done drying his fortune enough…..also his territory was to big and his vision and Aeternum were not aligned, they still hold Church and human supremacy deeply..I hate that…I guess for now the only thing we can do is give him the information, and offer our help the delay the inevitable…just enough for them to get ready and for us to bag coins from the clash between Duke and the Church…and Probably The Hallerus Kingdom..".

The state where Aeternum are now, were not suitable for me to directly involved or participate in any national level conflict. Aeternum strength is vast information's, I need to utilize it for a secure future. After I finished my gardening session, I left for my Square Office in the Black House. As I arrived at my office, I call for an urgent meeting with my five top associate the 5 sister/Ministers and explain the whole situations, all 5 agreed with me that Aeternum right course of actions is to assist Duke Merrica with our Intelligence.

"Sebastian..connect me to Duke Merrica…".

[Understood..calling Duke Merrica….Call connected..]. (T.A.S)

"Hello and Greeting Duke…well aren't you look fancy there my friend…".

After the victory announcement at the Plaza, Duke Merrica is still in a cherry mood. In his mansion celebrating the whole fiasco with a small party, which he invited his close friends and his vassal.

"Congratulations Lord Duke!!…Hahahaha, it's great to have such upstanding nobles protected our nation border…hahaha..".

Every time someone comes to mingle with him, They always said the same thing, to flatter and butter him with words hoping to get close to him. Duke Merrica knew the underlaying message shown to him by the nobles, but as a noble himself, hearing praise and flattering words felt good even to him. Suddenly, he noticed his Captain Knight, Baron Hughes steadily cutting through the hall and casually goes to his side and whispers to his ears.

"My lord..there's a call, it's from His Excellency Mr.President…". (Captain Knight Hughes)

Being a noble help Duke to easily maneuver escaping the crowd, with a calm attitude and smiling facade, Duke Swiftly passed the interaction to his wife Duchess Marriane, who now recovered from her 'illness'. as soon as the door to the ballroom was close, he rushes to his study with Captain Knight Hughes. As he sat down behind his desk, Captain Knight Hughes hold the phone delicately with both hands and turn the phone to him.

"Hello and Greeting Duke…well aren't you look fancy there my friend…".

Shocked seeing a familiar face magically appeared on the screen, Duke Merrica and Captain Knight Hughes frantically look at the phone screen, they noticed that both of them were also in the screen but in a little box at the bottom of the screen, both of them still appreciating the magical scene for a few seconds but snaps to reality as the person on the other end coughing.

"Greeting your Excellency Mr. President Mies Sai…it's been awhile, actually I held a small banquet at my house….just to celebrate the success….I know it's a bit late, but thank you for helping me with the bandit problems…". (Duke Merrica)

"It's nothing…I just do what had to be done, are you alone?..is where you at now secured?..".

"Yes…I'm in my study now…no one here can hear us..is..there anything wrong?..". (Duke Merrica)

"Good..then I want you to listen carefully, because right in this moment…someone is aiming for your life, and that someone won't stop till he get what he wants.. ".

".…who?…". (Duke Merrica)

"Chruch of Light….and Hallerus King, King Roberth Hallerus the 3rd…..".

Seeing Duke Merrica weren't intervening Mies words, the later then explained the whole situations and revealed the vicious plan brewing that aiming for the clueless Duke.

"I'm telling you all this..because, to me a king should strive to protect his nation and people, such cowardly actions is disgraceful…..also, because you are my allies and a true noble knights…in a few days, people from the palace will come to you, when they did, that will be the indication for the people on the list I gave you will started to move against you…and when that happen, believe me, chaos will fall in Northern Hallerus…".

".....no wonder, when I send for help from the crown..they don't even consider helping me or even sending a single person…now that I've managed to do the impossible..instead of congratulating me..they send an iquireer?…Outrageous!!…<BAAMM!!>…".(Duke Merrica)

Slamming his fist on the table, Duke Merrica was furious, he actually sensed something wrong after knowing his wife were bewitched. But all this time he only suspect nobles and church were the one plotting against him, but now hearing that the King himself were the perpetrator all along, now everything is clear.

"Duke, my friend…at a time like this, though I can't send you an army to help…but I still have ways to assist you…if you find yourself unable to bear the burden…call me…till then, take care of yourself my friend…".

At the time, Mies ended the call with an heart felt sincerity, Duke Merrica can feel and see the man was honestly wanting to help him, like a real friend does. Deep down he knew, he's going up against the crown of his nations, if he handle this recklessly he will be labelled as traitor and not only lose his land but life. That night after the party ended, Duke called his whole family, his wife, concubine and his closes knight and vassal to have an important council.