[Eldion Empire, Emperor's Room]
Inside the Emperor's room where it was modified to be arranged as a strategy room after the princess went missing, the news regarding the incident soon reached the ears of the King Emperor and his lackeys
Unfortunately the their communication crystal suddenly bursted on reports from different kingdoms and capitals stating only one and the same report "the communication from the inside was caught off and explosions occured inside the capital causing the deaths of numerous spies"
With this issue on hand not only reports from spies were being called to them, it also includes the complaints of many kingdoms that sent their own spies in regards for the empire and was reported as their men was dead
Due to confusion of the unexplainable deaths of their men, they soon knocked on the doors of the empire to complain and to know the reason why such things happen
It was actually the Empire's plan to sent spies across the kingdoms and asked every kingdom for their cooperation, thus meaning they have full control and command of the operation, unfortunately this happened causing the deaths of their men while still under the commands of the empire
The spies was meant to be a trap for Kaido, the news of such operation was supposed to tight lipped and no one from the populace have known such operation was done, they don't know how such information was leaked causing Kaido to have full knowledge of the Empire's movements and able to plan out a counter plan
The trap that they laid for the enemy that was supposed to surveillance him anywhere he go and corner him when the chance arises, was soon used back caused for trouble for them
They didn't expect that Kaido used this spread out method of theirs to actually confuse them
At first they suspected the only kingdom who didn't respond Ingra kingdom to have sheltered the culprit, but the sudden incident also happened inside the kingdoms capital causing them to disregard that thought
As series of reports and complaints filled the room King Emperor Ergo slammed his hand on the table as he showed how frustrated he was to know that a commoner has actually outsmarted the plan that was developed by numerous minds and geniuses of the empire
"Damn it! He actually used our plan against us... . . Ahhh!" He shouted as his teeth gritted in fury
He was so frustrated on the fact that Kaido actually used their plan against them, on the other hand Raguel who is possessing the body of Hibiki seemed a little bit mused as for the first time in a while someone has actually outsmarted them
He once experienced this during his times in the past and didn't expect that he would experience it again, this event actually brought him nostalgia
"The enemy isn't a fool as we think he is, he actually foiled our plans... . . And to be able to operate this counterplan of his needs connections far and wide, meaning he is deeply rooted towards the people in other countries by some other means, and with this he was able to make a mess of us" stated Raguel
"Are you saying that he's just taking us for a fool?" Asked King Emperor Ergo in full anger
"I'm afraid so... . . It's like he's actually leading us by the nose, and asking us to actually play a game, a game of Life death where every move can be countered" answered Raguel as he reads the report
"Then your liege! What are you implying?" This time Duke Agra asked Raguel
"I'm implying that we made a move and he countered it with his move, and now it's our turn on how to react from his counter and given a chance to counter his plan... . . It's our move" stated Raguel
Hearing that king Emperor Ergo glanced at the small table near them and saw a chess board lying there, upon seeing to sides facing against each other as their troops gets countered by every move he suddenly received a realization as he muttered
"Two side's collides, only one survive! either him or us"
Unknown to them the reason why Kaido's side knows about the Empire's operation was all because of Jack's fault as he actually leaked it to them and upon seeing their distraught gave him endless joy, but he surpresed his joy and excitement as he fears that some celestial would notice his reaction
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[Ingra Kingdom, king's throne]
As the door opens Kaido comes inside together with Pablo and arrived in front of king Simon the king, at his side stands General Stone together with Princess Ingrid and her guard his daughter Sarah
While Kaido's companions that was located at the side of the castle, stared at Kaido as he actually went up towards him in the middle of the room and actually putted his hand inside his pocket rather than kneeling down and paying respect to the king
"King Simon! Long time no see!" Fretted Kaido as if he's greeting someone who is equal to him
Luckily the guards and the King has already grown accustomed to his behavior that they have actually allowed only Kaido to act this way in front of the king, after all even if they counter him they know who's side will suffer
"Kaido! Long time no see... . . Your reputation actually precedes you... . . " Replied King Simon
"Kaido-dono! It's been a while! But aren't you occupied by something else like how did you get in here without letting any spies and delegates from other kingdoms see you?" Asked General stone
"That? Oh please it's like a walk in the park! If you want to know about it, you can ask their Ashen and burning corpses outside" shrugged Kaido
"Burning!!!... . . I see so the explosion was your doing" deducted general Stone as he placed a hand on his forehead
"This act of yours... . . Aren't you afraid of retaliation? This is basically stating that it's alright for you to go into war with the empire"
This time King Simon stated the facts as he predicted the effect of his actions
"Don't worry no war will happen and your kingdom wouldn't be involved! I'm pretty sure that their hands are tied busy, unto something else" replied Kaido as he drank water that he requested from the servant inside the room
Hearing this both the King and General stone were confused and looked at princess Ingrid for inquiry
After that princess Ingrid explained what Kaido meant and told them his plan which made the room to be silent for a moment and the people stared shocked at Kaido
Later on a loud laugh came from General Stone as he holds his stomach
"Hahahaha! I see you used their spread out operation to actually confused them and hiding your whereabouts from the chaos!!! Brilliant... . . If only you were a subject to this kingdom, you would have been promoted as an army's strategist" praised General Stone
Hearing that and seeing Kaido King Simon deducted that the latter must have wanted something from them so he broke the ice and asked
"I presume your presence hear means that you need something from us?"
"Actually yeah..." Said Kaido as he drank another mouthful of water
"I need a ship!"
Hearing that silence again permeated the room
"A ship? Wa... . . What are you planning on doing to a ship?" stuttered King Simon as he didn't expect such answer
"Not warship! Only atleast a transport ship! I need it to be prepared at Screa Port City by this next week... . . I'm planning to cross the plains of the Beastman Country and head towards the Elven Nation" answered Kaido
"What!!! Why?"
"Aren't you going to encounter both heroes from those country if you do such thing? Are you planning on causing havoc there just like what you did to the empire?" Ask worriedly by General Stone
"Nope I'm planning to cross them... . . I have my reasons on why I'm doing this, time is of the essence, I can't be idle!" Stated Kaido
After thinking for a while King Simon finally gave his verdict and agreed to his request which enlightens Kaido by a lot, however the door suddenly opened again revealing two cloaked people
As the cloaked people saw Kaido and his crew, they stood a daze as they slowly pulled their hood revealing their identity
"Kaido!?!?!"
"You guys!?!?!"
Immediately Kaido recognized the two as Lily and Luke who went and left the Empire's lands few days ago, by their appearance it seems they didn't stopped their tracks at all until they reached this place
Immediately Lily ran up to Kaido and upon contact she fell down on her knees and cried
"Thank God! Everything was not in vain!" She muttered as she slowly broke into tears
Confused on what's happening he glance at Luke as the latter explained to him that the trip caused them the lives of their two companions Alda and Mia
"I see they're... . ." Paused Kaido as he understands why Lily was crying
Soon Kaido stood firm and looked down at Lily as he said
"Stand up! We can't do anything for the dead now! Why did you even come here?" He asked
Hearing that Lily took a hold of him firmly as she pulled herself
"I... . . I don't understand! Why is the empire hostile against you? They're not like usually like this? And Hibiki also you! It felt like you two have changed after having contact with that Archdemon and losing against it! What is happening?" Asked Lily
Taking a hold on her arm and pulling it off his clothes Kaido answered
"So you were left in the dark by your very own country which you protected... . . They must have left you ignorant! But why go to me? It not like I would give you all and every that I know!!! I'm not obligated to do that at all!"
"Still! Your the only person I know that knows about the predicament of the empire... . . Even if you didn't give me your answer now... . . I would wait patiently and follow you until you tell me everything! I want to understand as the future Queen of the empire, I don't want to be ignorant of such dealings" stated Lily as she stood her ground
Hearing this Kaido sigh as he said
"I'm planning to go overseas! Are you still going to follow me?" He taunted
At that Lily the princess of the empire was stunned for the moment about this sudden news of overseas, meaning Kaido was going to leave the continent and planning to go to the Beastman Country
After a while she resolutely answered him
"I will still follow you" said Lily as she wipes her tears
"Until you give me a proper answer" she added
Realizing that his taunt actually backfired, Kaido simply shrugged at that notion and was surprised to see the shocked faces of both King Simon and General stone including all the kingdoms people inside the room
Immediately they plan to pay respect towards the pr