Chapter 229: Views Part 3

Although a major development, the death of Fredrick Delamb received very little attention compared to the other events occurring around the world.

This didn't stop vultures in the form of supportive donors, ambassadors, and so on from trying to use the opportunity to bring gains to themselves.

It was now common knowledge that meta-humans would play a large role in the future of humanity, so much so that even a small country like Markovia was starting to carry the weight of a superpower simply due to its large meta-human population.

Because so many events were taking the headlines, much of the public was largely unaware that many countries were in legal battles with Markovia, demanding that the meta-human children who originally came from their territory be returned.

Many even accused Markovia of militarizing and brainwashing them, making them think of other countries in a bad light.

Unfortunately, international laws had always been more for show than anything else.

Markovia argued that the countries these children came from had put no effort into trying to rescue them and now only sought them for use. This was also quite obvious.

Tensions were growing, and more countries were becoming increasingly impatient with Markovia's growing meta-human population.

A good number of political analysts felt the attack on the Markovian Castle was a move by one or more of the countries currently against Markovia's meta-human monopoly.

After all, by eliminating Fredrick Delamb, Princess Tara would need to take the reins. Her young age and inexperience aside, many allies of Markovia would likely feel dissuaded from supporting a nation whose most important figure had been so easily attacked.

But that was exactly what Arias wanted.

Knowing the greed of man, it wasn't hard to predict—especially since he had instigated it.

But the greed didn't stop there, as even within Markovia, other tensions were rising.

Ambitious political figures were calling for an end to the absolute monarchy, advocating for democracy, free and fair elections, and positive change.

With such a hostile environment, political analysts were confident that this mantle would be too much for a young girl who had yet to even turn 18.

And they would be right. Fredrick Delamb had been the leader of the country's military for more than two decades, and with such support, his role as regent received little to no opposition.

But now the military was divided, with traditional heads supporting Tara's claim to the throne, while another faction believed the military itself should rule.

The biggest shield Tara now held, as many analysts pointed out, was Arias himself and Leviathan Co., which he had left her.

But even this didn't seem like enough for obvious reasons. Arias was just one man, believed to be gravely injured, and Leviathan's value was rapidly declining.

All logic pointed to a bad outcome for Tara or a very difficult reign—one no inexperienced child could handle.

As for why Arias would put his assets in such a position, it was simple: to reveal those with bad intentions and to filter out those who would remain loyal even in the face of adversity.

Initially, his plan had been to allow Fredrick to continue ruling in Tara's place, making her take the reins once she came of age and Slade became president of the States. At that time, with the world's most powerful military backing Markovia, very few countries would be able to challenge them.

But now, even the United States was among the countries demanding that Markovia release the various meta-human children back to their countries of origin. The States were also the biggest reason no country had yet made a military move on Markovia despite its current fragile state.

And the reason the U.S. had yet to make a move was simple: Arias.

Unlike other countries that didn't fully understand the threat Arias Markovic posed, the American government didn't dare act carelessly in a matter he was clearly involved in.

At the moment, their intelligence agencies were working around the clock to find information on Arias's current state and whether he was really gravely injured, but they had nothing, thus no forceful move could be made.

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At this time, the instigator of all this, Arias, was casually seated in a lavish olden lounge area within Markovia's most luxurious hotel—a refurbished castle owned by the royal family, currently acting as the royal residence while repairs on the main castle were underway.

He was leaned back into a comfy sofa, his gaze fixated on the news constantly reporting on the affairs in Markovia. He found the disarray many countries were in quite amusing.

*'I gave them an opportunity, and they're still having reservations. A shame—this was a very good opportunity.'* Arias shook his head in disappointment, reaching the personal conclusion that his plan had failed—at least partially.

The entire point of putting his assets in such a fragile state was to lure the vultures into trying to get a piece. In this case, the vultures were opposing nations. Once they made a hostile move, it would be an act of war, and Markovia would have grounds to retaliate as the victim.

By then, a new world war would begin—the most one-sided in history, as Arias would ensure Markovia not only won but secured as many territories as possible, all under the rule of a single monarch.

This plan had its own hurdles in the form of future revolutions and obvious resistance, but Arias felt that could be handled over time.

*'Oh well, that doesn't change much.'*

Despite this conclusion, Arias wasn't the least bit fazed. If he couldn't conquer nations under reasonable grounds in one fell swoop, he would simply do so slowly by employing cunning means. For this plan, due to the path taken, resistance would be much less—just like how Slade was on the path to becoming president with the support of the majority of the nation.

Arias would simply need to employ similar tactics. As he was already thinking of how to go about this, a trembling imperial guard walked into the quiet lounge and bowed.

"Princess Tara is here, Your Excellency," he reported, not daring to meet Arias's gaze.

Arias gave a nod as the smile on his face faded. "Send her in. It's about time I also discipline this daughter of mine."