As I thought about all the things, making my thoughts speed up with the help of the system, I came to understand the situation. It took less than a second. People may think I was only going with the flow but I had very deeply thought about it in a more efficient sped up way. Although I ignored that I could stay calm even in a situation like this… I accepted it and went with the meeting.
"So since My Gr.. I mean the Heroes have just retired after finishing their last mission. This country thinks they can take Treastein without a hassle… but Li.. I mean overlord you know that that is still impossible to happen and we can properly defend and even win the war…." I understood the hidden meaning at why suddenly after 40 years this country wanted to go to war.
"Yes we have considerable strength on our side too. Even though The 2 Hero's have retired, our country is full of adventurers and warriors, and even our normal populous is mostly trained to some extent. Apart from that, the adventurers who have been staying here and become this country's citizens are bound to protect this country in events like this. Moreover we Lords and I are currently the strongest in the history of Treastein… but.."
"But the war could still put a dent in the country since they have been preparing for at least 20 years… they could go for a war of attrition." I said finishing Lilith's Statement, I had stumbled since I was going to address my grandparents as gramps and granny and I was going to call Lilith by her name since I always did that but this meeting had a professional atmosphere, so I corrected them promptly which made my Granny chuckle.
"Yes, that's right, now when Our country is developing steadily, this war would hinder that progress… also it would severely exhaust us. Not to say the 3rd country…. Anyway, a war ragged country would not be beneficial for us in the future. and same with the Stein, the country we are to war with, we can't diminish their power too...." As Lilith finished her comment everyone started to think. The best possible outcome would be to stop the war from ever happening. Everyone avoids talking about the 3rd country so I glossed over it too. I wondered if that country had a non aggression pact with us. but if Lilith feared about decreasing the strength of our opponents too, then clearly there is a larger power at play... hmm... it's a sensitive case... we can't waste our power nor can we destroy and diminish their power, we have to think and maintain the balance like it always was.
"Well we do have lots of kinds of adventurers on our side. If we could send some and cause civil unrest in Stein… then if the war doesn't stop... their preparation can slightly be slowed from making a civil conflict, its not like the citizens are happy their anyway, they would be happy to do a revolt..." Gramps gave a rather cold answer: if we could do that, then a country where nobles had become nothing more than money mongers, we could definitely sabotage it by corrupting it. Even more, the civil unrest by that corruption would hinder their country quite a lot…. but then their power would diminish won't it? or rather, the full suspicion would fall on us, our rep in the world would take a hit if we moved with this scheme.
"But it would make the country even more hostile to us since we would be the one who fanned the fire…people will suffer unnecessarily..." I said with a concerned look that made everyone apart from the lords, overlord and my companions look at me as if I had just stepped on a mine… I may not have given more of my thougths, I told them about only one of the down sides of the plan, when someone asked for my opinion I would say whatever I want, over whoever I want, that was how I was… or rather… my gramps drilled that in me when we were back at the Edge of the world.
Not concerning those stares, I proceed with my theory. "If we use this idea, it will be very hindsight for us. I am sure all of you know that. An enemy is not always an enemy.. It can be a future acquaintance or better a future friend. If we start as enemies we can't get any worse. we can only get better." I said looking at all the sitting members… they nodded with understanding so I proceeded again.
"Anyway back to the topic at hand, It may be able to make the war stop but humanity itself would lose one of its countries if things took a bad turn in the revolt…. Not to mention slow suffering will start and people would stray from that place causing the chaos to slide in our country too. Even if we try to do our best to control it. There will be some incidents. Also with this Idea, the hostility would increase amongst us to the point even citizens would scorn... not to mention, it would make our honour in the world diminish, since the other races would think we are just backstabbers." As I said my peace, a man who was standing behind the other Male Lord said.
"But wouldn't they see that we did this to save our country? The country Stein who was trying to wage war on us for no good reason is in the wrong here, is it not?" The man voiced a very common opinion but the world wasn't that easy. People believe what they want to believe. But the man's opinion showed that he was a simple man who believed justice and truth.
"Well… how can I say this… wars are very delicate things for a country… If we win the war overwhelmingly, other countries would become wary of us… if we win but become weak after that, we have to be wary of the other countries too, also if we sabotage other countries we will also have to be prepared to get sabotaged by others. Moreover, war among soldiers is different from war among civilians…" As I was trying to explain, Lilith got the subject and proceeded.
"That is correct, above all, we are humans, we shouldn't make ourselves weaker by fighting for petty reasons… also there is a world even beyond us … and it certainly isn't… all love and happiness.."
"So then Rekka do you have any suggestions…?" Gramps asked, looking at me. He was honestly waiting for my opinion but this just made most of the standing people glare at me… hey hey, if you hate me taking the stage that much, just take the stage yourself.
[Let's kill them!] there there Amanori, at the very least, they are comrades even if at face value.
"Hey I just joined today.. Why does my opinion matter?" I Asked at last since I don't know what my position here really was? maybe since I wasn't that important that's why they were glaring at me?
"Hmm it is because we deem your opinion necessary. You did get through quite a lot and the overlord even said you had a different perspective for looking at society…" it was said by the Man whose underling had just questioned me. The man looked to be in his prime and had an aura about him which said he had already seen many things and overcame many obstacles. A veteran if described by one word. And a war veteran at that.
Hearing the man's words towards me, many in the room who were standing became surprised. I don't know why but since he said that, I needed to make my opinion…
"Hmm well then, If bigshots like you are giving me a say then why not. I guess I will have to oblige…. So in this case the Nobles are the main villains I presume….? but I still don't know the situation of the royal families ...."
"Geez can't we just kill the nobles!" Since the air in the room was getting heavy, granny gave such a comment that the room instantly became light. it was amazing how she could do such things….
"Ha ha granny…. I mean…"
"Ooh It's alright dear I can't endure you calling me something else!" Granny said so very dramatically so I continued..
"Well I guess I will not hesitate then.. So in this case, killing them would really mess up the whole country and obviously it's gonna get bad since succession issues would begin to rise .... even if they are fools… they still are the leaders… and the leaders' fall would be very bad for us..."
"Hm hm well I guess there goes my plan to build their houses in Ice..!" Well since granny was the one who said this, It really felt quite the easy plan. I could even see the Lords nodding to that Only Lilith disapproved…
"No Master, you guys have been officially retired, I can't impose on you anymore.." Lilith looked genuinely troubled…
"Say… L.. I mean Overlord… since you say preparation… what kind of preparation did they really do in these 20 years?" I Asked to get a feel of the situation of Stein.
"Well you can say everyone of them have saved quite a lot of funds even rivaling the national treasury, that's why they are not waiting for the Royal families anymore. they could start the war themselves. They got funds, manpower, food supply, mercenaries, all of it. That too in loads. Since many of the nobles are joining the war… it's like they are betting on their life.."
"What's so good about this war Anyway?" I had to ask, I mean I heard nobles hardly betted on their life savings..
"Well you see…. suddenly a few months ago the market had been flooded with monster materials and it was said they were all brought from the Edge of the world. The quality of the goods were so high that Stein's Nobles started to think that; with the Hero's retiring, if they could get this land, they would be able to get some good materials and then sell them as their national goods…. since we aren't even hostile to other countries they are taking us lightly and want to start the war at any cost, What happened? Why are you making that guilty face?" Lilith Asked me….since I was the fault of all those materials, I just realized that maybe this war had just started because of me flooding the market…. With high quality monster materials…. I looked at Leila behind Lilith. She had also become red. I guess since she sold all that stuff with me, she was involved in this too….
"Well First let me humbly Apologize…. I am sorry that all this happened!" I said while bowing to everyone. Lilith had gotten surprised but as I stood up again, I looked at Lilith and said.
"It was me… the materials that I had got while being on the Edge of the world… I sold them when I got here..!" I said to Lilith but it got her even more confused.
"I mean just how much did you sell?" Lilith asked to just be sure..
"Hmm I don't really know, I never counted…" I said to Lilith. it was true, after a week, Leila just sent the money and I just tossed it in my storage. I forgot how many after getting 100 sacks full of gold and platinum coins… and I haven't even used 1 sack of the money…
"Mother it's at least a 100 million…." Leila from behind said… hearing her say that, Lilith stood from the chair, all the Lords had gulped hearing the amount… well… apart from the money in my storage… there was a boat load at my guild account too… I really messed up here huh… falling in love is good and all… but… yeah.. You do get stupid when you fall in love...
"Hundred million gold coins?!" Lilith said in a high pitched noise…
"No mother, there was a considerable amount of Platinum coins in there too…" Leila said, correcting her mom… this statement made the room really freeze. The people who were standing were looking as if they got in a daze and the Lords looked with wry smiles…. Lilith was looking at me then to Leila then finally to my grandparents…
"Hey don't look at me like that, I just carried his stuff for a while…" Granny said since Lilith was practically glaring at her…
"I mean how many did you kill? Who even transported them or how did you guys even dissect those monsters?!" Lilith asked…
"Yeah I did all that." I replied…
"What! when was that?"
"Before the day I came to meet you."
"And you sold all the stuff in a month?"
"No I have 100 or so treants and some monster pelts, ooh I still haven't sold the Elder treant…" there still was hundreds of monster carcasses left, and those were too valuable to release in the market like that.
"Impossible….. Was this the reason? I was hearing that many countries' economies had submerged? also about how a lot of money entered the human lands from outside? all that money is with you!"
"Probably…. I mean the things just flew out. Even the elves bought the stuff, not to mention beast-kin, they bought at least 30 percent of the monster materials…" As Leila finished her explanation. Lilith slumped on the chair as if thinking how could all this slide past her view…
"It's okay… I will do something, okay?" I said to get Lilith out of the panic…. if I was the reason for the war, only I can fix it.
"You better do something!.... I was wondering why those nobles had become so impatient!"
"But My Lord, what can a single boy do?" it was the cute Lord who asked…. It was kinda off putting at how nonchalant and carefree she could be in this situation. but that calmness or rather that air headedness suited her to a T.
"Hmm I don't care what he does but he has to stop this war at any cost!"
"Yeah I get it…. Hmm well then…. I just have to stop the nobles huh…. What about the
Royal Family?"
"No they are much more civilized, moreover they are the only civilized bunch in that country…. Still, not all of the Royal family…. The Duke is also not in favour of the royal family…. Maybe but I am not sure…. For now I just know that the Royal family is cornered." Lilith gave me the info she had… so I went into thinking….
"The war would be declared in 2 months…. Time. you have to do what you can in that time frame…" the Lord who had baggy eyes said that to me….
"Hmm yeah that's a lot of time…. Okay, I think I know just what to do…." I said as an evil smile appeared on my face….
"Really! Then let us also hear it!" Gramps said enthusiastically.
"Well if you can guarantee whatever I say will not leave this room, I can tell you my plan?" I said since we never know what could happen…
"Are you saying that people standing here could be traitors!" It was a girly voice which came from a girl standing near the corner of the Room. She must be a part of the Lord who looked and dressed like a Lady knight.
She was really beautiful and this girl who had just voiced her problem…. Well let's just say she looked breathtakingly gorgeous… those luscious lips that looked naturally red and the perfectly balanced proportions of her body. The face that could steal anyone's heart simply by smiling. Moreover she was dressed in a knight's attire, her gold blond hair and white skin which was covered in silver colored beautiful armors. She was a beauty in the battlefield.
As for why I just noticed her right now was because she had covered herself with a cape. I couldn't see her under the hood…
"Rose.. it is good to be wary of the people we have just met, moreover, we are talking about sensitive subjects here… Mr. Rekka is correct, being cautious…" Said the Lord who was the girl's boss.
"But Lord… Rin…"
"Everyone in this room knows each other for years but Mr. Rekka has known us for only a few minutes at best… Did I make Myself Clear?" As she presented why I was concerned, the knight named Rose backed away into the corner again but not before showing me an unpleasant face.
"Rekka, you can discuss the details here. Everyone in this room is trustworthy." Gramps gave the say so I nodded. If grandpa was guaranteeing for them what more did I need?
"I will get in touch with the Royal family.." hearing me say that everyone in the room showed bewildered expressions.
"Rekka Dear I don't think they will hear anything you say…. They hate my guts… and since you are clearly my grandson, it is nothing but impossible…" Granny voiced her Opinion, it was true. I didn't know the full story but I heard from Mai that Granny was from Stein and she was connected to the Royal family too, so in that perspective, she must be a traitor in their country.
"Granny There is a saying… my enemy's enemy is my friend…." hearing me say that, with a smile everyone looked at me with surprise again…
"But how can you be sure that the Royal family and the Nobles are Enemies?" Gramps asked.
"Well if they aren't, then we just have to make them enemies?" I said with an innocent smile…
"What a shrewd boy!" exclaimed the Lord who was one of the cool beauty twins… she was smiling too. It seemed that she liked my way.
"But Mr. Rekka, wouldn't That mean the same as causing civil unrest?" The young man who had questioned me before asked.
"No, that will not be the case.. Since we will have the Royal family on our side, they will actively handle the situations, having the favour of the royal family can change a lot in people's perspective. no ruler wants to make their citizens suffer slowly too.… Now the actual plan starts from here…
At first I'll get in touch with the Royal family members who do not agree with this war. If they hear me out and let me help them gain the upper hand over the nobles, I will do just that. but if I think they will not hear me out, I will just have to kill the family members who want to wage a war and pit their murders on the shoulders of the nobles…." hearing me saying to kill the top brass of a country so lightly some of the members present looked dumbfounded but I continued disregarding their looks. if I wanted it, I can kill it, it's for a whole country, I can easily kill some thugs for that.
I know how to scheme and get the nobles to handle the burden… ha ha ha… how can you bend human wills to get what you want… as a wielder of Amanori, I know the worst of what a human could do.
"Since the Royal family and the Nobles are at equal footing right now, even if the murder feels suspicious, the Royal Family would get too much worried and fear of being usurped, so they would automatically search for external help. Right! At that time I will get to them…. I will become their god sent help and help them fix their position in their country… and to do that, I will rob the nobles of their funds and valuables sending those to the royal family, of course talks would rise about the Royal family having money suddenly but since the nobles in the country would get desperate over their lost fund, the citizens of each territory would also become unstable and get under pressure… to fix their image, the Royal family would capture the nobles themselves and give a share of the funds to new trustworthy nobles in the country…. People would say that in the name of the war, Nobles had tried to rob them of what little money they had, capturing the nobles while donating some of their money to the Normal populace would make the Royal family look like angels in front of the Demonized Nobles....." As I explained the whole plan in great detail everyone in the room were hearing in disbelief... this was a well developed plan. I saw this plan in action in one of the novels I read but with my current capabilities, I can easily enact this plan…. I can threaten people, hypnotize them, take their people hostage and finally I can reach any place in the world, I have the potential to do this all. and I had sufficient time too.
I could have power through this plan too but that would get too much blood on my hands. And that country that was already hostile towards granny.. I don't want to agitate them too much.
Clap..clap clap !
Sounds of clapping can be heard from the Lords; they were impressed by my plan; my gramp's looked like he couldn't believe what I just described… This is an impossible thing to do. I only said what I would do after all, I never said how I would do it.
As a matter of fact, in these few years, I had not only increased my strength but also increased many techniques that could possibility help me cope with many unfavored situations, in life you never know what will happen, as such I had developed many techniques that could even make me able to wage war with the whole world, I know that it will be dangerous but as capable as I was of dying, I could easily calculate if I would die in a situation or not. The things that I had cultivated until now… it was all done… for events such as these. The nobles or the royalty won't know what hit them….