Chapter 6: Hidden Intentions
“Your Highness, it’s just a temporary relocation of the capital. At present, the orc armies from both fronts are nearly encircling us. The Blue Dove Regiment cannot withstand the orc forces from the north. Once Jazair is surrounded, the kingdom will truly be doomed. If we withdraw from Jazair temporarily and head south, the kingdom can gain some breathing room to assess the situation and observe the orcs’ next moves. The vast central region can serve as a buffer zone. If the orcs merely intend to plunder, that’s one thing; but if they aim to occupy the area long-term, the central region can still act as a buffer. The deeper they advance, the greater the pressure they face—whether from the four great lords or the northern allied nations to the west. By then, the kingdom might even receive greater support.”
Palermo wore a subtle smile. His slightly swollen eyelids gave him a listless appearance, but his analysis was precise.
“Oh? What do you mean? Those great lords are clearly bandits colluding with the orcs. How could they support the central kingdom? And those countries in the Northern Alliance have so far remained indifferent, showing no intention of helping. They all want to see the kingdom fall. If they’re unwilling to send troops now, will they show kindness in the future?” Kakiya asked in confusion. Yet she knew that her business partner also had an unusually sharp political sense, and she had survived many crises thanks to her guidance over the years.
“Hehe, why would the great lords join forces with the orcs? It’s because the policies of the central kingdom threaten their survival. I guess they reached some kind of compromise with the orcs through someone’s mediation. But I believe no one would agree to cede the entire northern territories of the kingdom in exchange for that. Whether it’s the four great lords or their intermediaries, they just want to use the orcs to weaken the central kingdom’s power so it can no longer interfere in their affairs. But the orcs may not be willing to follow the orders of the great lords and their intermediaries—they too have their own motives. This is a deadlock. When the orcs go too far, it will be time for the great lords and their intermediaries to counterattack. By then, the kingdom might even become a bystander. No one wants to see the orcs point their blades at their throats, whether it’s the great lords or other allied nations.”
Palermo’s voice was rough, but the sentiment behind his words was clear—everyone had to play for their own interests, whether through manipulation or cooperation. Once the line was crossed, enemies could arise.
“Do you think, with the orcs’ current arrogance, the Ferdinand and Heine families can still turn the situation around?” Kakiya shook her head slightly. Her delicate face lit up with interest, but she still didn’t agree with Palermo’s view.
“Your Highness, you underestimate these great lords. The four lords are all in cahoots. Moreover, there’s a hidden mastermind behind them. Though I can’t guess who that is, the fact that they dare to take such bold actions proves this mastermind is no ordinary person. With the four lords’ intelligence, they wouldn’t rush into this without full confidence.” Palermo wore a mysterious smile.
Kakiya nodded thoughtfully, seemingly sensing something as well. Indeed, the conflict between the four lords and the royal court had been going on for years. The imperial government had introduced various policies in the past, and the four lords either resisted stubbornly or feigned compliance. But they had never been so audacious before, suddenly breaking off relations. On the surface, it seemed the Ferdinand family claimed they were forced to retreat due to a sudden orc attack, but anyone with eyes could see that the Fortress of Saint Nicholas couldn’t be taken just by an orc raid. Did the kingdom’s northern border really mean nothing? The orcs hadn’t managed to break through any fortress group for years—how could they succeed at the Fortress of Saint Nicholas this year?
And where did the orcs get those battering rams in the west? Kakiya certainly wouldn’t believe that the orcs suddenly became so ingenious as to create battering rams all at once. Dozens of them—this wasn’t a small number. Ordinary mortal kingdoms’ factories or workshops couldn’t produce so many in such a short time, especially under the strict blockade of the Northern Alliance. There was definitely something suspicious about this.
“Palermo, are you referring to the Church of Light…?” Katiya’s expression changed slightly. If even the Church of Light was involved in this conspiracy, it would be terrifying. The kingdom would likely have no chance of turning the situation around. After further consideration, it seemed there was no one other than the Church of Light who could be the mysterious mastermind. Even the countries of the Northern Alliance, with their various church factions, might struggle to convince the great lords to act, as they lacked the power to help them reverse the situation.
“Your Highness, some things are better left to ponder in silence. All possibilities exist at the moment, and things are very complicated. It might not be a bad idea for the kingdom to give up the North for now. If those people come to the forefront, things might become much easier. At least the kingdom can figure out who is loyal to the Romanov family, who is opportunistic, and who harbors malicious intentions.” Palermo shook his head slightly, picked up the coffee at the right temperature, and took a gentle sip.
“But once the kingdom moves its capital, Galle and Homer will do everything in their power to strangle it. My father surely couldn’t accept such a situation.” Katiya had essentially adopted Palermo’s reasoning, but she didn’t have the authority to make such decisions.
“Your Highness, then perhaps we should wait a bit longer. I think the great lords should also be negotiating with the orcs by now. As the orcs advance step by step, the great lords must be equally anxious. What if they break the agreement and march eastward? Or what if they refuse to stop there? Their masterminds will also be drawn into this, and I’m afraid there’s more to come.” A mysterious smile appeared on Palermo’s face.
“You mean the orcs won’t follow their agreement?” Katiya understood Palermo’s implication and stared at him intently.
“If the orcs were so obedient, could they still be called orcs? They wouldn’t trust us mortals at all. They also believe that these mortals are just trying to use them again. They share the same goal: to destroy the mortal kingdoms like the Kingdom of Nicomedia and turn this land into a mess, turning it into their hunting ground. That’s their ultimate goal. Alas, it’s unfortunate that everyone is scheming against others. It’s hard to say who will end up winning.” Palermo sighed. “Your Highness, it’s better not to worry about these issues for now. You can’t make decisions yet. Instead of wasting energy on this, you should consider how to transfer your assets. The kingdom will eventually move its capital, so you should make up your mind early.”
“What do you think the kingdom will move to then?” A strange glint appeared in Kakiya’s eyes.
“Where it moves doesn’t matter to us. I suggest you not transfer your assets to the temporary capital for now. If you’re interested, you can invest in Leon and the Caucasus—those places are likely to be very promising right now.” A peculiar smile appeared on Palermo’s lips as well.
“You mean Baron Komer? Palermo, have you lost your mind? Without the kingdom’s support, Komer is like an ant, easily crushed by Philip at any moment. Do you really think Komer’s meager forces can rival Homer’s after those half-orcs defeated Homer’s army in Leon? It’s absurd. I certainly don’t want to lose my assets for nothing.” Kakiya was shocked; she never expected her usually shrewd business partner to have such thoughts.
“Your Highness, you underestimate Baron Komer greatly. His tactics are exceptionally cunning. Did Leon fall into his hands just because the kingdom didn’t want to fall back into Philip’s hands after Poningsky’s downfall? No. I’m sure that no matter what decision the kingdom’s court makes, he will become the actual ruler of that land. He’s just playing his game more skillfully than we imagine, and there are people in the kingdom’s central government who support him. You probably don’t know, but the hottest topic these days is that this baron is building a canal from Mardan, across the Vot Mountains, to Lake Nirel, to connect the Caucasus and Leon via a convenient water route. If this canal is completed, Leon will no longer fear Homer’s blockades. Leon’s iron and coal will be able to flow continuously to both sides of the continent. Once this canal is connected to the Catalan route he just opened, just imagine how enormous the profits will be.”
Palermo was clearly trying to persuade Kakiya to invest in this major project. His keen sense for business opportunities was no less sharp than his sensitivity to politics. This canal would establish the Caucasus and Leon’s dominance in the southern part of the kingdom. Palermo was sure Baron Komer would thrive because of it.
“Palermo, I’m not worried about making money. I’m worried that with the situation so dire, Philip might take this opportunity to deal with Leon. As far as I know, the construction speed of the floating bridge at Fort Brooke has suddenly accelerated. You should be able to guess what that means.” Kakiya glared at Palermo and said slowly, “Philip must be planning to take action against Komer!”