novelraw Chapter 221: [221] Greed
Chapter 221: [221] Greed
Before they had the opportunity to take the fight outside, Alexander suddenly jumped between the two of them.
"NO, DEFINITELY NO!" He yelled. "We are in the midst of a war. What would happen if one of you were to get injured?!"
The oppressive mana dropped and King Darius frowned at his son. "Such a spoil sport. Are you even a man?"
"What does that even have to do with this??" Alex sighed tiredly and glanced at the council.
"Please, let us all focus on the issue at hand. I believe I may have found a way to defeat the army of the dead."
The nobles immediately sat straighter, waiting for his next words.
Although many of them hated that Eliron was still in the room, the king’s actions had basically been a form of acknowledgement.
"So far, our problem was that the enemy outnumbered us, and since it is impossible to match the enemy in numbers, we decided to find a single man that could make up for fifty thousand troops..."
The nobles nodded while the King watched patiently.
Alex made use of the map sprawled out on the table. He grabbed a red marker and circled a particular spot, castle Kasket.
"Since we could not find one, we decided to use the castle to force the enemy into a siege combat scenario..."
’Not a bad plan...’ Eliron thought. While an open field battle often favoured the side with superior numbers, a siege was different.
With as little as a hundred warriors, it was possible to defend a castle against an army of a thousand. That was how dangerous castle sieges were.
But even though it was effective, there were two major issues associated with sieges.
The first was that they would be cut off from any potential reinforcements, and second, the enemy would isolate them from the outside world.
There were a number of battles where the other side simply starved the castle dwellers till they had no choice but to surrender.
Alex had probably considered these issues but had no other choice.
"But now..." Alex smiled. "I have found a solution." He then pointed at Eliron, causing all the nobles to stare at him.
"This man is able to fill this spot, he is a talented mage ranking even above a Grand Mage!"
— That man is at the level of a grand mage?!
— A wood elf that is as strong as that is unheard of!
— Has he managed to deceive the prince in some way?
Of course just as Eliron had expected, the nobles were not too keen on believing that he was that powerful. Even when the prince had basically vouched for him.
They all stared at him with suspicion in their eyes.
The Grand Marshal stood up, already shaking his head before he spoke.
"I do not wish to discredit your testimony, my prince. But understand that it is difficult for us to believe what you have said..."
"And I mean no offences, Lord Eliron. But years ago, the wood elves were easily decimated by the high elves due to severely being lacking in magic and martial arts."
"How are we then to believe that a wood elf is on the same level as a grand mage such as Azarath?"
Some of the nobles nodded, it was clear that the marshal had spoken their minds.
"I understand your concerns. But rest assured, I witnessed Lord Eliron defeat Azarath with my own two eyes."
"Impossible!" The Grand Mashal’s eyes went wide as he stared at Eliron, this time more intently than earlier.
"Sorry?" Alexander glanced at the man, a sly smirk on his face.
"Ahh, forgive me, it was a momentary outburst..."
Eliron glanced at the prince, his eyes narrowing slightly. ’So that was what he did...’
Alexander was like a different man when it came to politics, so much so that Eliron wondered if he was the same person.
By saying he saw Eliron himself, he had put the nobles in a tight spot. If they said it was not true, then it would be the same as calling the crown prince a liar.
But if they agreed with him, then it would mean they acknowledged Eliron’s strength as a fact, in which case, there would be no need for further argument.
So although the nobles did not believe him, no one opposed his statement. Right now, the only person who could possibly interject was—
"Interesting." King Darius smiled. "Assuming all you said is true and he is indeed a legendary mage, there is something we are yet to discuss..."
"Tell me Lord Eliron. Why do you wish to assist us? Oh, I apologize." The king smirked. "I guess I should go straight to the point right?"
He folded his hands on the table, his face turning hard. "What do you want?"
Eliron forced the smile that was about to appear down his throat. ’Ahh, my favourite part.’
He walked closer to the table and raised his hand, displaying three fingers.
"If you want my assistance in this terrible war, there are three things you must agree to."
’A must huh?’ King Darius thought. From Eliron’s words, it was clear there was no room for negotiation.
"One. I want Donia to recognize Artaris as a kingdom in the near future." Eliron took a short pause to let it sink.
There was no noble here that did not know the risks accompanied by his request.
If Artaris did declare themselves a kingdom and Donia acknowledged it, then it could spark a war between them and the high elves.
No one wanted to be on the bad sides of the high elves. Already, his first request was a difficult one.
"Secondly." Eliorn added, not missing a beat. "I want all shipments going to the east to be dropped off at Artaris’ port when it is fully constructed."
The mood on the table immediately turned sour. This one stung. The nobles looked like they wanted to chew his face off as they glared at him.
Having their shipments moved to Artaris meant they would be creating a new trade relationship with the wood elves, while causing discord between them and their old allies!
Many of the nobles made thousands of gold coins from the trans-continental trade, to suddenly change trade routes...
That would be millions of gold coins lost in the process! Hearing Eliron’s words felt like being doused with acid.
But Eliron was not done.
King Darius glanced at his son who was also staring at Eliron with wide eyes. He knew Eliron would have some crazy requests, but this was just too much...
"The spirit shard of the strongest undead we will face in the war." Eliron smirked devilishly.
"I want it."
"You lousy, street sullied, useless, petty thief!" One of the nobles got to his feet, his eyes blood shot with rage.
"Lord Darwin." The Grand Marshal cautioned, but he would not be stopped.
"No, let me talk to him!"
"How dare you walk in here and make such preposterous demands!" He spat, unable to control his rage.
’Take a man’s money and he will strive for more, but take away the source and he will riot...’
Eliron chuckled internally. To think money would be all it would take for a noble to disrespect the grand marshal?
The corrupt nobles had definitely built a fortune out of smuggling goods illegally, and now it was all about to disappear...
The noble’s eyes then turned icy as he glared at Eliron. "Your greed is the reason you half ears were exterminated in the first place—"
One of the nobles immediately stood up and physically stopped him from speaking.
But it was already too late.
The room became deathly silent.
Eliron cocked his head to the side, a sinister look in his eyes.
"Half ear?"
The room’s temperature suddenly dropped several degrees.
"Say that again, I don’t think I heard you quite well."