Age of Adventure 31 SCHEMES AND PLOT 1

In the capital city the people are opening their stalls and welcome the morning, devotees praying to the Temples asking for blessings for the day, kids playing outside and hunters went to the wilderness to hunt for monster.

The birds sing in the forest and the wind always blows gently here in this part of Veranis. Today is a clear day with not a gray clouds could be found in the sky.

It seems today, like yesterday, and like the day before it would also be peaceful.

Young mothers sing the Hymns of the Gods towards their young child as they smiles and be grateful for these peaceful days.

While this is the scenery of the capital city, the scenery inside the court of the King right now is starkly different by contrast.

In the court right now, a momentous decisions is about to be made.

The sound of people arguing and spit flying about could be seen inside the court.

The ministers of Veranis vehemently argued with each other, weighing the pros and cons.

'We must not involve ourselves in the battle between these two powerful nations else we will invite war to our borders' one of the minister trying to calmly calm his opposition.

'Vetten has always been our enemy and Vanheim has always been our allies. Now, in their darkest times, should we abandon all propriety and forget the help Vanheim have bestowed upon us? No to mention, Vanheim is fighting our enemy, the enemy we both hate and despise!"

They debated and argued about many things. Like the impact of this towards the economy, the trades routes, the political ramification and many others.

The King of Veranis also notices something. He notices that some of the staunchest opposition of the war yesterday, they were different.

Now, they seem more receptive to the idea.

The King knows that these staunchest opposition is amongst his most loyal officials so they would not do something that would be detrimental to Veranis prosperity.

Thinking of this, he could not help but cast his gaze toward the ambassador of Vanheim and ask himself

'What did she promise them?'

Sarah was just standing there on her position, closing her eyes. All she can do is wait and trust in Aero plan.

The King also closes his eyes, the wrinkle on his forehead creased as he thought about the proposition.

He heard all of his minister words and soak it in and thinking about the prosperity of Veranis and pros and cons of declining Vanheim plea for help.

After intense debate they finally agreed with a common consensus. Vanheim has helped them all this time.

It is not honorable to not help them now. That was their consensus. The King pondered but did not say anything.

The court is silent. The King kept his silence, and Sarah open her eyes and she looks at the King challengingly.

But she did not urge the King. She waited for the King to address her.

Sighing the King then said

'Ambassador Sarah' Sarah smiles a courteous smile

"Your Highness. I assume you have made your decision?" The king nodded and then his eyes shone with determination.

"Yes, I have. We decided we will send troops to help King George with his effort" the other ministers in the court nodded.

Though there is a certain minister who is wearing a glum expression.

"Good. Now that is settled we can move to the rewards" said Sarah happily. The first phase has succeeded.

Now on to the second phase.

"Rewards?"

Everyone on the court was perplexed. But some of the politicians that Sarah visited last night smiles like they were anticipating this moment.

These loyal ministers are all Philip people.

They looked towards Philip and nodded.

Philip now knows, that the reason why his loyal minister did not reject the idea of the war was because the proposition that Vanheim proposed will aid in the prosperity of Veranis.

Usually it is a matter of course when Vanheim ask for aid. That is because Vanheim provide them protection.

But a reward? This is the first time. But Aero knows this rewards must be given because Aero did not want to keep this gift.

Nor would he would like to let this gift set upon by his enemies.

"Yes, rewards. Your Highness must never think that King George will ask to deploy Your Highness troops without promising rewards?"

"What rewards?" An old minister asked puzzled

"Erdanis state." Sarah announced. And with that statement the whole court was silenced as they looked shocked

For a while there was only silence then they were all murmuring to each other.

"Is this true? Did your King give his word?" the King asked.

Philip couldn't believe what he just heard. Erdanis is one of the nine states in Vetten.

"But can that really be done?" One minister chimed in.

'I thought you need our army to defend your territory" the minister was questioning Sarah but there is also excitement in his tone of voice. It seems too good to be true.

"Who says we're defending? We're attacking" Sarah corrected with a smirk on her beautiful face.

"Does Your Highness know Strategist Aero?" Sarah asked. Philip nodded.

The famous strategist of George. His name is mentioned a lot these days. He also heard that King Fjord in Asgaro is asking this Aero to help him with something.

He heard this from one his spies. People describes him as very smart and sly. He would raise hell just to put one man on the throne.

That requires not only bravery but also wits and powerful mind.

"Well that's good. He will act as bait for our plan to work." She said.

'Ambassador, please explain?' One of the minister ask politely and at the same time excitement could be seen gleaming in his eyes.

If Veranis could really conquer Erdanis, then….this…means, they might even be able to reach the Old Dreams of their ancestors.

So, his excitement is understandable.

Then after taking a breath she continued explaining

"Vetten will not expect that Veranis know about their deployment of troops to Fort Vars. Aero believes that Vetten will bet everything on this invasion. Every state of Vetten will be called upon to give troops for attacking Vanheim. Erdanis will be left undefended. That's your chance" explained Sarah.

The ministers were paying attention to every of her word.

"How do we know that the time is right?" Philip asked.

"There will be a signal. From what Aero told me, it will be a sound so loud it could be heard all the way from Erdanis."

Then Sarah explained Aero plan. Aero will bait Vetten troops to follow him to Zantleaf. Then they will make a final stand there.

Then during the time Kyle was busy sieging the Fort, Veranis need to quickly take Erdanis. They will then attack Vetten from the back.

Vetten will be trapped with the front facing the Vanheim troops and the retreat path will be blocked by Veranis soldiers.

King Philip was thinking this is not a bad deal and the plan is feasible.

And at the same time, if Erdanis state becomes one of Veranis dominion then maybe the Old Dreams can be fulfilled.

Maybe George knows this and why the strategist Aero was confident that Veranis would agree with Vanheim proposition.

That's the only reason George would offer him Erdanis. King Philip smiles bitterly. He didn't like feeling being inside someone else palms.

In Veranis every child, every citizens dreams the Old Dreams.

It was coined during the split of Veranis. It was the dreams to unite back the Old Kingdom of Veranis.

All this time Veranis could not make a move against Tian and Gerad because of Vetten military strength.

But if they succeed and George really gives Erdanis to him then it would serve as strategic place for him to strike to the heart of Tian dynasty.

Philip is not naïve.

From what he heard of this plan, he finally guessed the intention of George strategist. That strategist of his has grand ambition.

He wants to swallow Vetten.

'The young…they truly are remarkable aren't they' he said in a whispering voice.

If George did not give him rewards like Erdanis probably he would not risk his army to make Vanheim stronger.

And conferring a state? Only emperors of Old did that. George is trying to show his intent to all the Kings.

The intention to rule.

But this is also one of a lifetime chance for Veranis.

There is no reason to refuse.

And so with two hundred and thirty thousand troops he handed the responsibility to lead his army towards his son Alexander, the crown prince of Veranis.

Alexander is a very ambitious young man. He is still young about sixteen years old but very talented in using weapons and leading army.

Sarah will supervise his son and tell them the entire plan. After all she is the ambassador of Vanheim.

So after preparing them they start marching with the ferocity of a lion. Morale was high, and supplies were abundant.

Everyone is marching for different reason, Alexander for recognition from his father. The troops for an old forgotten dream, and Sarah, to show to Aero how capable she is.

Sarah was overjoyed in the morning the day there were about to march when the King as a sign of goodwill gave her a present which was full set of the Red Armor.

Wearing an armor that has a full set gives a lot of bonus. And she was also thinking how formidable she will look wearing this.

She almost forgot her job to report to his boss about the progression of the quest. Then with all things settled, they began their march, hopeful of the future and the beginning of a new era

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Part one of the fourth chapter for today. Next, we will delve into Bradheim and how he appears in the Coro city

Chapter end