"And what is it, boy?"
"Before that, I want to ask you a counter question. What caused your hesitation? Why were you interested in my proposal?"
"I can't say that I'm interested in a change of power. For me, the most important thing is my warriors. I live by this and I don't care which of you will be at the head of the country. I don't argue that on the way here, I didn't even consider the option of going over to your side. I came only to find out the truth, but what I learned..."
The man briefly sank into his thoughts, took a sip of wine and only then continued:
"Let's say that I always went out onto the battlefield with the firm belief that it was for the sake of protecting the country and its foundations. The fact that His Majesty exterminated his own people for petty gain... I just don't like it. I'm not afraid that I might fall victim. I only raise warriors, although I have several outstanding mages. My family is too powerful for the king to risk exterminating it."
"So you just don't like the fact that they kill the nobles?"
"I don't like the way he does it. I don't like dirty intrigues, although they are an integral part of high society. If he had openly spoken out against the unwanted, I would not have said anything, but to destroy entire families and hide it under the pretext of rebellion, betrayal, accidents and the like..."
"I knew that you were a man with iron principles. That's why my father never liked you, but he couldn't do anything about it. You enjoy too much respect. This is exactly the trait I need for the new country and its defense. I have no doubt that you raised your sons to be the same way."
"So what can you offer this old man in the new country?"
"I want a Ministry of Security to appear in Isorobia. Yes, I want to obtain a peace and trade treaty with our neighbors. Yes, I want to eradicate the mass replenishment of slave labor, but, besides this, we have long ignored another danger."
"Another danger?"
"Our vast forests, teeming with various evil spirits. Now we use them only for entertainment or training warriors. In addition, monsters allow us to keep low-born people in groups, like cattle in a pen. In a country where there will be no slavery, as well as hunting for new slaves, we will need safe roads between cities and settlements."
"You want me to head this Ministry of Security of yours and direct my forces to exterminating monsters? This is impossible. For centuries, they tried to cut down the forest and exterminate the evil spirits, but they always returned, and the forests became dense again after a few weeks."
"Isn't that the best option for you? An enemy that can't be completely exterminated. The new ministry will always be needed. I want you to set up checkpoints at each forest and ensure safe and unhindered movement. Naturally, we will introduce, so to speak, a fare, which will go towards the development of your army."
"I never thought about such a thing," Digger said slowly.
"And that's not all. A free country also has its downsides. A free person can gain knowledge, he has his own desires and over time, people understand that you can achieve what you want not only in the right way. Crime will increase, and your ministry will monitor compliance with the new laws. We will create a fair court to replace the royal punishment."
"You have great ambitions, boy, but I like the way you think. Yes, I am old and I am not sure that I will live to see the day when all your plans come true, but you are right, I have raised three sons who can continue my work. Give me a day to think it over and tomorrow I will tell you my answer."
"I will order a room to be prepared for you - said August, who was in a state of shock. He could not even imagine that the prince had such far-sighted plans."
"Thank you, young man. Let them prepare a hot bath for me. I want to please my old bones."
***
"So what should I do now? He has officially turned against his father. This is the worst-case scenario," Jiro said, leaning back in his chair.
"Sir, whatever you decide, you need to decide now. You know that His Majesty does not like to wait. In the morning, you need to go to the capital or to your nephew." Kylie, a search mage and part-time high-ranking slave and Jiro's adviser, expressed his point of view.
"If I could predict the outcome of this clash in advance, I would have made a decision long ago. If I take the wrong side, I will be finished. Previously, I could say with certainty that Klaus would lose even before the battle began, but now..."
"Yes, many have decided to go over to the prince's side, but few are ready to advertise their choice. Everyone is afraid and this is not an unfounded fear."
"Tell me, would you like to gain freedom?"
"Sir, I have been a slave since childhood, and your home has long been mine. Even if I gain freedom, I would still like to stay close."
"And what would you do in my place? I no longer have the opportunity to secretly take Klaus's side and play both sides until the outcome is clear. I will have to choose a side openly."
"Your brother has always despised you. He killed your youngest son and forced you to participate in the murder of your eldest. If I were in your place, I would take Klaus's side and provide him with all my resources to win. He is your nephew and will definitely not offend you. Even if everything does not go according to your plan, you will still be able to achieve your goal, albeit in a different way."
"I wanted control over the mage slaves and the ability to create new artifacts with their help, but if there is no slavery, how can I get what I want?"
"I'm almost certain that your nephew will come up with a way out of the situation. Now all everyone is saying is that the Minister of War has gone to negotiate. Openly. He didn't leave right away, but stayed there. This can only mean one thing. Your nephew has found something other than bloodshed that could interest the old warrior."
"You're smart and that's what I like about you. There are only two things that upset me. I'm not able to control the boy. He turned out to be different from what I thought. He's a puppeteer himself. Secondly, if Klaus is defeated, I won't be able to change anything and will end up on the chopping block next to him."
"Let me remind you that you can lose your head even on His Majesty's side. He's been looking for reasons to get rid of you for a long time, and after such a massive uprising, he'll definitely come up with something or just let you go along with all the other undesirables."
"Yes, it's a dire situation. Okay, order them to pack their things. We'll be moving out at dawn."
***
Klaus wanted to visit Egor. He knew that Brod would be performing the operation today. But the prince kept his composure. A few days. He needed to wait a few days and then talk to this fool. He needed to tell him what Egor had long deserved to hear, and now he needed to get down to business.
With these thoughts, he went down to the dining room, where August and Slash Digger were already waiting for him.
"I didn't think the rebel leader was such a sleepyhead."
"Sorry, Minister, I stayed up late yesterday, so I overslept a little. So, have you made a decision yet?"
"Yes. I decided not to get involved in your conflict. I am quite happy with the way things are now, but I also like your idea. The problem is that I don't know how realistic it is to implement it, and I don't want to risk the heads of my sons and soldiers."
"I understand, and my offer will remain in force after I win, if you keep your word and do not participate in the coming battle. But if my father wins, your family will not survive anyway. You understand that, right?"
"I thought about it and came to the conclusion that in this case my chances will be half and half, but if I immediately side with you, they will drop to zero."
"Mister Minister, if you side with me now, we will be able to get off with little bloodshed. You have the best army, well-trained soldiers. They will help us save many lives."
"Yes, you are right, but do not forget that the main battle will be between you and His Majesty. Are you sure that you can cope with his power? Do not forget, his mastery of air magic is higher than anyone else's. He can crush your skull with one wave of his hand."
"I know my father's strength better than anyone else, but my power is not inferior to his. My electric shield will be able to withstand direct attacks and I have several interesting inventions in stock that can protect others from his magic."
"This is interesting. I would like to look at these things."
"I will show them to you with great pleasure in our underground city," Klaus smiled.