Chương 1289: 1319 - Opportunity

Shimmering light filled the room, casting blues, pinks, and purples all across the walls, dyeing the projected murals in more colors than Leon usually preferred. He didn't mind, though, given what the source of light represented. Alongside word of a spectacular victory, Alix had sent him a symbol of W'Nadack's submission: a pearl nearly the size of his head, apparently having been made by a 'striped void whelk' as long as he was tall, and twice as wide.

This pearl had been the symbol of W'Nadack's ruler for thousands of years, having been stored within the plane's capitol building in the office of the High Archos when Alix arrived. Now, it was in Leon's office, though he wasn't sure that's where it would stay. The pearl wasn't particularly dangerous, being largely magically inert, but it was beautiful, and the symbology was important.

He figured he'd store it in one of his treasuries eventually, but for the moment, he basked in the light reflecting off the pearl's surface. His people had won. This was the first true operation that any of his Task Forces had undertaken—he didn't count the establishment of relay outposts and logistics hubs on uninhabited planes, important though such things were—and it had been a resounding victory.

'This bodes well for the future…' he thought, allowing himself a small smile. There would be a follow-up regarding W'Nadack. The fleets that he would send after Alix in the next few months would establish patrols, set up a small garrison, and otherwise help to integrate W'Nadack into his Kingdom. This mostly meant helping merchants trade their goods with the rest of his Kingdom since, as they'd submitted willingly, he was more than willing to allow them a high degree of self-governance.

It was easier for everyone that way. When the garrison was established on the plane, High Archos Ojolon would be brought to Artorion to solidify his rule. He, alongside many of his plane's elites, would bow before him in his throne courtyard, and when they arose, the High Archos would have another title: Planarch. Given the plane's Archoi already elected their own High Archoi, Leon decided that their Planarch could be elected by the same political mechanism.

So long as W'Nadack remained stable and loyal, this wouldn't have to change. Aside from that, so long as they respected his laws, ensured that everyone on the plane was given his Kingdom's citizenship and all the rights that entailed—including the abolishment of slavery and serfdom—then they'd continue ruling themselves in perpetuity. But he didn't concern himself with that. Instead, he simply reveled in this victory, allowing it to soothe his worries about the rest of the campaign.

His people were competent and powerful, a combination that would surely bring him more victories. A knock at the door drew his attention, and when he ordered it open, Elise and Lucianus entered, both looking rather disturbed.

"Husband," Elise warmly greeted, a smile momentarily breaking through her concerned demeanor.

"Despot Archelaus just arrived. Unannounced."

"Unannounced?" Leon asked, seeking clarification.

"We should've clocked him crossing the border. How did he get this far, and I'm only now hearing about it?"

"He came secretly," Lucianus explained.

"He revealed himself only to Chief Diplomat Clear Day, who sent word to me. Despot Archelaus is requesting a meeting with all haste, and under the highest secrecy possible." Leon cocked an eyebrow, his golden eyes drifting from Lucianus to Elise, glimmering with an unspoken question.

"I ran into him just a moment ago," she explained.

"He looked harried, and I asked why." Leon chuckled.

"'Secrecy'. Fine. Where is he?"

"The fifteenth guest palace," Lucianus stated. Leon immediately projected his magic senses southward. Artorion was largely located in the east of the Artor Valley, with the city beginning about halfway down the length of that branch of the Blue Feather River.

The palaces were in the relatively wild parts of the valley west of the river after it converged with the western branch, keeping guests close enough to the city and Westmount to not be insulting, yet also far enough away from everything else to retain a high degree of privacy. And of those palaces, the fifteenth was easily the most private of them all, the fairly small palace having been built high on the forested slopes of the southern mountains.

The enormous red trees and dense shrubbery ensured that it was impossible to see with one's physical eyes. In Leon's case, however, he was easily able to find it with his magic senses, and with his blood being so keyed into the valley's defensive enchantments, the wards around the palace parted before him like mundane ice before Doomfire. He saw Archelaus deep within, his face cast in shadow, though the deep canyons carved into his face by concern were still easily visible.

Clear Day was with him, though neither were speaking as far as he could tell.

"I'll head over now, then," Leon said.

"Alone?" Elise asked, concerned.

"If he's come here so secretly, then there has to be a reason. I'll play along for now."

"Take Zhang and Daryun at least," she pleaded.

"Whatever's happening… has me worried." Frowning, Leon replied, "I doubt Archelaus would bring violence to our door… but if you insist, then I will." Elise smiled gratefully, and Leon paused only to give her a quick kiss before slipping out of his office. He projected his voice into his Paladins' heads, ordering them to come to him, leaving the rest of the guard detail to Anna and the Tempest Knights.

"Problem?" Daryun asked once he and Zhang entered the small courtyard that Leon awaited them in.

"Maybe," Leon answered, quickly bringing them up to speed.

"Something happened to spook him," Zhang observed.

"That much is obvious," Daryun replied with a cheeky grin. That grin fell away quickly, however, as he followed up with a question.

"What could have so perturbed a Despot?"

"Let's find out," Leon said as he donned his armor. The in-built invisibility in his and his Paladins' armor ensured that they rose above Westmount without notice. Wasting no time getting to the fifteenth guest palace, they arrived in less than a minute. No wards on Westmount, in the Artor Valley, or on the guest palace inhibited them, nor did any protective magic disturb their invisibility. Leon's form resolved only once he touched down in the guest palace's courtyard, with Daryun and Zhang doing the same.

He sensed Clear Day perking up as soon as they arrived, and a moment later, so did Archelaus. Leon and his white and black shadows made a beeline for the room they were waiting in, and the moment they entered, his Paladins shut the door and immediately began checking the room's privacy wards.

"Archelaus," Leon said with both warmth and concern.

"I wasn't expecting you."

"I wouldn't have come like this if the situation didn't demand it," Archelaus gravely replied. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Daryun and Zhang both gave Leon gestures indicating that they were good to speak and took up positions by the door.

"Well, we're in private," Leon said as his eyes flitted between Archelaus and Clear.

"What demands such secrecy?" Archelaus hesitated a moment, but Clear did not.

"Basileus Ramin is dead," the tau said bluntly. Leon's heart skipped a beat.

"What?" he asked, sinking into an armchair as the implications of that statement ran through his head.

"It's true," Clear stated.

"Jors-kil confirmed it himself. Ramin has been dead for more than a decade, now. He reached Drenthor's plane before the Belicenian Games were even over, but he reached it at a time when Drenthor's enemies were still there. A battle ensued, one which Ramin was ill-equipped to handle. Despite putting up a valiant effort, he was killed. Jors-kil barely managed to jump away from the ambush, and even then, he was unable to save many of the crew of Ramin's flag ark.

The damage and casualties they sustained, not to mention having to run from this enemy… Jors-kil only just managed to return to the Nexus a few weeks ago."

"That… sounds like quite the story…" Leon murmured.

"Do you doubt it?" Archelaus sharply asked.

"Not so much," Leon replied, his tone conciliating.

"But it is quite the story. How specific did Jors-kil get with his explanation?"

"Drenthor is dead, most likely. Ramin is dead, killed by the enemy. Drenthor's territory has been brutally sacked."

"And the enemy?" Leon pressed.

"Jors-kil couldn't say. But they clearly possessed some kind of Inherited Bloodline. He was able to confirm that it was the same enemy that assaulted Iaivi Fortress, slaughtered its defenders, carved runes of torment into his body, and left him to die. He was… is … shaken by this ordeal. Were he in better condition, I would have brought him here myself. As he is now, I left him to rest back in Archelion." Leon nodded, following along as best as he could.

Archelaus continued his explanation, answering what questions Leon had that he could, but unfortunately, what they knew was limited—and, ultimately, not immediately relevant. Instead, there were a couple other questions that demanded answering, and it was these that Leon suspected brought Archelaus to Artorion so secretively.

"What happens now?" Leon asked.

"To the Far West, I mean. Ramin was your Basileus. Until I came along, he was the western-most Basileus."" That," Archelaus stated, "is why I came here. To discuss what comes next with you, as you are in the best possible position to act first." Leon stared at him both warily and expectantly. He could already feel the headache that was about to come, as well as the manic thrill of seizing an opportunity as quickly as he could.

"Ramin's death won't stay secret for long, not now that Jors-kil managed to bring his flag ark and what few crewmembers he could save back to the Nexus. I imagine Anax Alderion will hear of Ramin's death within a few months, assuming he's in the Nexus. Even if he isn't, he'll hear of it within the year, at most." Archelaus paused, a frown momentarily passing across his face.

"When Alderion hears of this, he will act quickly. This region needs a new Basileus, and he'll want one loyal to him."

"As I recall," Leon said, "Five Despots, including you, were sworn to Ramin."

"Aye, us five. Seven Strategoi were also directly sworn to him rather than a Despot."

"And if you're here…" Leon whispered.

"You're looking for me to be that new Basileus?" Archelaus fixed him in a look of extreme seriousness.

"Perhaps not for all the lands and Lords Ramin once ruled… but at least for me, I would acknowledge you as my Lord, the Basileus that I would follow." Despite expecting it, Leon leaned back in his armchair, staggered by Archelaus' statement. It took him several long seconds to regain his composure and properly respond.

"I am… honored beyond my ability to express, my friend."

"You can honor me in return by accepting." Leon was about to accept, but he caught himself.

"Why?" he asked.

"I mean, we're friends, but… I find myself curious anyway. I want to hear your reasons."

"You have conducted yourself honorably," Archelaus stated.

"You have a light hand with your vassals. And… Alderion is not known for either." Concern again lanced through Leon.

"I… What kind of man is he?" Archelaus took a moment to think, his face scrunching up while his mouth opened and closed several times. Eventually, he figured out what he wanted to say.

"When you first arrived in the Nexus, the Anax of these lands was a man named Yun." Leon twitched in recognition, but he sensed more than a twitch from Zhang behind him. However, they both kept their composure; this wasn't the Yun they knew, obviously.

"He was a just and kind man," Archelaus continued, apparently not noticing Leon's reaction.

"Too just. Too kind. Alderion was one of his Basileis, but when he ascended to the fourteenth-tier, he challenged Yun and killed him. This was… a year or two after your war with Terris, if I recall rightly… Alderion demanded the submission of Yun's other Basileis. Most submitted, but one didn't. Alderion mercilessly broke him, invading his territory and slaughtering all who resisted. Basileus Morda attempted to surrender once Alderion reached the walls of his capital, but Alderion killed him without a thought.

"Leon, I would not serve a man like this. What's more… as your friend—and if you accept me, as a Lord loyal to your cause—I believe that this is an opportunity for you that shouldn't be ignored. With Ramin dead, his Despots will be… vulnerable. If you can win their support, your Nexus territories will grow by several times their current size."

"I'll win for myself more vassals," Leon said, "and the probable enmity of a violent Anax."

"He's left you alone since you arrived," Archelaus pointed out.

"Hmm, right. I find that curious. Why do you think he's done so?"

"I can only speculate; Alderion is not known for sharing his thoughts with any who ask. Alderion is one of the westernmost Anakes, far removed from the power struggles in the Far East between Halbast and Kamran. Despite this, he's involved himself multiple times, offering his services to both Halbast and Kamran in moments when he could extract the most rewards."

"That seems… shortsighted. What happens if one of these Anakes wins, and they seek to punish him for playing both sides?"

"I can't speak to his thoughts; I can only speak to what I know he's done. He's had his fleets fight for both Anakes at different times, and given the forces of both sanctuary on his planes in the past when it was required. As far as power… Alderion is one of the more powerful Anakes in the Storm Lands, though far from the most powerful, even when only accounting for fourteenth-tier Anakes." Grimacing slightly, Leon said, "I'm… not enthused about this, my friend.

I'll accept your fealty gladly, but the other Despots…"

"Illum knows you and would bow to you without thought," Archelaus said, jumping in as Leon took a moment to think about how to properly argue his perspective.

"Makros would need convincing. Horagh can be easily bribed, and T'monipal… he would be the hardest, I believe. But you could do it. And once done, the other Strategoi who once answered to Ramin would fall in line with you."

"And leave me with a potentially murderous Anax directly on my border. At a time when my best fleets and legions are conquering territories in the planes. And when there seems to be an increase in activity out in the King's Ocean. And when I'm still waiting on an opportune moment to bring Ingrid into my sphere of influence. Archelaus, my friend… I'm not sure I can handle all of this at once."

"You can," Archelaus insisted.

"You have the power. You have the name. You have the allies. Alderion is distracted, so move quickly, before he can consolidate power, before the other Despots can act on their own. Once done, you can use their resources to help defend yourself. You'll be a harder target if you have Despots of your own to protect your lands." Leon frowned, still not quite convinced, but he could see Archelaus' reasoning.

"If I may…" Clear whispered, drawing both Leon and Archelaus' attention.

"Leon, you'll need to do something like this eventually, and you're hardly without fleets and armies now, even with the ongoing operations. Strike quickly, strike hard, and you might make great gains."

"Is the risk worth it?" Leon countered.

"We've built so much…"

"No King can rule alone," Clear stated.

"You need support. This is a good time to expand your base, to strengthen your position when you make a move to reclaim your Clan's titles and lands." A long sigh escaped Leon's lips.

"I hate to admit it, but I do like the idea, at least on some level, so don't take my hesitation for cowardice; I'm merely trying to show a bit of restraint, here."

"As recklessness can be a problem if shown in abundance," Clear said, "so too can caution. Don't take needless risks, but also don't let opportunities slip through your fingers without at least an attempt to hang onto them. Leon, my friend, my King… given what I know about your neighbors, I believe this course of action to be worth the time. I'll do as you command, but… I urge you to at least reach out to these Despots and see how they might bend in the wind."

A moment of silence stretched between them, broken when Leon finally said, "Fine. We can at least reach out. Archelaus, I'll accept your offer of fealty. In return, I expect you and Clear to work together on this. You two are the ones who know these other Despots better than anyone else in my Kingdom. So you'll be taking point. And… while we're doing this, we might as well go all out. Reach out to Ingrid and invite her and her daughter to Artorion. Perhaps it's time to make her a formal offer…"

Both Clear and Archelaus smiled. Though most of the Kingdom's military might was dedicated to the Task Forces and their follow-up fleets, that didn't mean that they couldn't participate in a conquest of their own, using their own methods. When Leon left the guest palace, the two were already huddled close in deep conversation, discussing how best to proceed. Given their talents, Leon expected only a short wait before their efforts started to bear fruit.