Rishe still remembered that from her life as an apothecary.
"Weitzner. I want to protect this country."
It had happened when there were almost no knights left in Coyolles. Kyle had taken up a sword himself, not listening when Rishe tried to stop him.
"I'll do anything it takes. Fortune has allowed me to live this long, and therefore I must shoulder this great task."
Rishe didn't know what became of Kyle after that—she'd lost her own life on a battlefield while providing medical aid.
"There's a part of this I don't understand." Arnold's tone proved he had no interest whatsoever in what he was asking. "Your actions are nothing but folly. Why would you come all the way here with no plan?"
Kyle answered quickly, "I won't live much longer." He slowed down, speaking with a sort of tragic determination. "New life will soon be born into our royal family. I need to use the rest of my time to preserve the future for that child, along with the citizens of my country."
"Hah!" It was obvious that none of this mattered to Arnold.
The words that came out of his mouth next were unexpected: "Want to know my secret to winning wars?"
"Pardon me?"
The hidden Rishe was just as surprised as Kyle. Arnold didn't let Kyle's reaction stop him.
"As a king, win the hearts of your people with your policies. As a military commander, choose resourceful generals who excel at leadership." His footsteps echoed loudly.
"Select skilled soldiers who will follow commands and maintain order without fail. Rewards and punishments for soldiers must be fair and they must be strict. Keep a firm grasp on the terrain of a battle and fight in favorable weather conditions whenever you can. There's more, but that covers the basics."
Arnold went on, "Even if you follow every bit of my advice, Coyolles still won't win a war—you don't have the power to apply it. Can your people stop chopping firewood for winter to undergo military training instead? Do you have time to quarrel with other countries instead of growing food?"
"I…"
"Past royals likely decided to try diplomacy for just this reason." Arnold turned to Kyle and said mercilessly, "True talent consists of putting existing knowledge into practice. And I have no interest in those without talent… Not even a prince from another nation."
"Please wait, Prince Arnold!"
"No. You seem to be laboring under a misapprehension, so let me speak plainly: In regards to this matter, the emperor and I are of the same mind."
The atmosphere went frigid.
"I'd much rather conquer a country than ally with one."
Arnold's footsteps came closer, so Rishe hurried to leave before he noticed her. She ditched the hall, paying close attention to Lawvine's presence all the while.
Escaping the party's chattering, she hid in a palace corridor. Hunching in the corner, she allowed her thoughts to take over. Her mind was roiling with the conversation she'd just overheard.
This is a turning point.
Rishe took a shallow breath.
Prince Kyle proposed an alliance with Prince Arnold. It might be a trivial incident in Galkhein's history, but for Coyolles, this is a crucial moment that leads to the tragedy five years from now.
Coyolles only had two choices: Face destruction at the hands of Galkhein or face destruction at the hands of its neighbors. If it were to ally with Galkhein here, and that alliance granted it the power to fend off neighboring countries, Coyolles not need to meet the same fate.
I can't mess up now.
Rishe's lips pressed into a tight line as she racked her brains.
Kyle is willing to do whatever it takes to form an alliance with Galkhein. But that doesn't matter. If Coyolles is bargaining from a subordinate position, they'll just be swapping one master for another.
There was only one good solution.
Coyolles, which doesn't have much power, must form an equal relationship with the extremely formidable Galkhein.
Rishe felt like collapsing where she stood. Was such a thing even possible?
She had no way to meet with the emperor of Galkhein—all she could do was focus on changing Arnold's mind.
"I'd much rather conquer a country than ally with one."
He'd sounded like he meant it. Rishe clenched her fists, despairing at the enormousness of the task set before her.