A Settlement of Scores

"Are you planning to seek vengeance against the Greyrat family?" Philip didn't quite understand why, but something was escaping him. However, when he realized it was related to the attempted assassination of Prince Gilgamesh, he understood that the Greyrat family was involved. 

"You understand a bit, but not everything. The Greyrat family and the prime minister were supporting my brother Grabell so that when the noble struggle came, he would become the King... They acted ahead of time and tried to eliminate me. I don't know how involved the Greyrat family is in this, but just as I thrust more than a hundred swords into the prime minister, I'll do the same with the Greyrat family." Gilgamesh said with a smile. 

Such a declaration made even Ghislaine want to draw her sword and attack Gilgamesh, but as if all of this didn't make sense, Philip began to laugh out loud. "I understand, I understand your point now, Prince Gilgamesh..." 

"Three times in over two months, they attempted to assassinate me. I didn't want to be a king of such a trashy kingdom, but I know from experience that trash can be cleaned up, so I'm going to become the king of this kingdom." Gilgamesh said as he set down his teacup, stood up, and walked toward the window. 

"I don't know what's wrong with the idiots who have attacked me repeatedly, they treated me as if I were a damn fool they could point their swords at whenever they pleased. They have infuriated me, Mr. Philip. I didn't want to be a king, but I will be in a way that takes care of cleaning out all the noble families that oppose me." 

Philip, still using a calm demeanor, was secretly thrilled that Prince Gilgamesh had chosen his family. He knew that the prince's eccentricity was quite unique, and if he chose his family, it meant he valued them. In light of this, he couldn't refuse, and finally, there could be a glimmer of hope for his future as the head of the Greyrat family. 

"So, you want my support to weaken the Greyrat family. In exchange for my trust, you're willing to marry my daughter Eris, giving me the assurance that you will consider us when you ascend the throne." Philip had grasped what Prince Gilgamesh was seeking. 

"You've understood it correctly. I want you to be clear on this... It's not about power, a desire for the crown, or any other nonsense that humans often chase in their short lives." Gilgamesh turned to Philip and said, "It's about greatness and as a punishment for all those idiots who have considered me a hindrance, I will become their King, and I will eliminate all the trash among the nobles. The families that support my faction will be promoted to the high nobility in a new kingdom structure." 

In the end, Gilgamesh was destined to be King once more, but this time it would certainly be a new way of ruling. A kingdom didn't need a King who made decisions; it needed useful followers and productive tools. As he had thought, his sister would be of great help when he became King, and he wouldn't have to worry much about trivial matters like governance. 

He knew what this kingdom needed, he understood perfectly the urgent changes required by this kingdom, and new policies that would ensure endless greatness during his rule. 

"So, you want my support for your faction? In addition to that, what do you require from my family?" Philip was more than willing; not only would he ascend directly as the leader of the Greyrat family, but his daughter would also become the first wife of the new King of Asura, a height he had never imagined reaching. 

"I want the city of Fittoa to be my growth zone. In a few years, I will establish new reforms in this city to improve the lives of everyone here. Slaves are important, so I want your family to buy all the slaves entering this region, no matter how many there are." 

Gilgamesh turned towards Philip and said, "Being a King is child's play in my eyes, not worth my concern. If I truly want to aspire to be a ruler, the entire central continent should be mine." 

"What are you saying?" Philip, who was convinced to be part of Gilgamesh's faction, froze upon hearing this even more shocking declaration. 

"Oh, this is a baseless joke... I heard there are many dragons in the central continent. It would be good to make them bend their knees and become part of the Asura Kingdom, turning us into an empire." If Gilgamesh didn't have clear goals after achieving the ones he already had, he would seek to strengthen his rule. First, he would gradually take over half of the central continent. 

Of course, to do this, he was increasing his private army, and for that, he needed a central region where his operational bases would be fixed. Additionally, he would need to reform each of the regions before starting a potential war. 

"That's unexpectedly dangerous, Prince Gilgamesh." Philip didn't know what to say upon hearing this. 

"And very ambitious, don't underestimate it, Mr. Philip... Very well, if you agree to follow my plans, we will announce the engagement between Eris and me during her tenth birthday celebration. There will be even more guests due to my presence in this place, so it will be a perfect time to spread the news." Gilgamesh finally proposed what he wanted to do during his stay in this place. 

"I will be delighted to follow your faction, Prince Gilgamesh, and I am sure my daughter will be in good hands if she becomes engaged to you. It seems you already know her, so there's no need for introductions right now," Philip had heard from his daughter that she had brought a friend who had won twenty thousand Asura Gold Coins from her, and he was certainly intrigued. However, he later discovered that it was Prince Gilgamesh, so he didn't delve into it further. 

"Very well, I will leave you to discuss this matter with your father... When the time comes, I will only require the oath of each of your family members, and in return, you will receive a very powerful magical treasure that will protect each of you from external sources, although with my aura, those sources should be kept at bay." Gilgamesh now possessed ninety percent of his power, so wherever he went, no God or external force would touch the hearts of the people close to him. 

"Then it sounds perfect to me. Thomas will show you to your room so you can feel at home; our home is now your home," Philip bowed respectfully and said, "When we complete the formalities, special soldiers will come to protect your entire family. Among them will be several sword kings, numerous Saints, and a Sword Emperor." 

Ghislaine felt intimidated; if those words hadn't come from Gilgamesh's mouth, she would have mocked such claims. However, she could sense the beastly aura of all of Gilgamesh's followers, and each of them was a sword king. 

It should be known that the existence of a sword king was already quite impressive, and the numbers surely didn't exceed a hundred from all the academies combined, and encountering them was not as common as meeting ordinary people. Yet, it appeared that Gilgamesh had numerous soldiers of such caliber in his ranks. Eliminating the Greyrat family for him would certainly be child's play; all it would take was sending an entire squadron to dispose of his rivals, and everything would be over in a day. 

Philip turned around and bowed once again, saying, "We will accept your protection, Prince Gilgamesh. I am confident that with these forces, no enemy will dare to touch my family."