World Development System 103 34. Plans.

Duke Norman explained, "Well, it all comes down to resources and right now he has money from all those businesses and his town is small which really helped him in promoting it while at the same time creating those new dishes personally that helped it eventually. Anyway, we don't need to worry about it because after the war next year those personnel working for him will be ours."

Mary nodded, "True, if all goes well in the war, that works as well. We would only need to be cautious against other forces."
Duke signaled Mary and spoke, "Hector is arriving, don't mention that count in front of him unless he himself mentions him."

Prince Hector meanwhile arrived as told them, "It's good that he is already gone after speaking all that bullshit, I originally invited him to make a mockery out of him previously, Who knew that upstart would ruin all of my plans. Still, there are no worries, I have already ordered Alistair to make a hit on Evan with his men."

Mary gave a smile and remarked, "It looks like the plan is going well from your expression."

Hector smugly replied as he unconsciously revealed his plans, "Of course, It most likely will go well as Evan's brother Ralph is providing us information from his spies and Duke Blackwolf's minister, Justin just informed me that Evan just left their communication point. Simon will carry out the assassination with his men after communicating with Duke Blackwolf's men so everything is going according to the plan. We have also particularly called a magician this time to imitate the same poison that was used by that upstart's slave, we also intend to integrate that magician with Simon's team. Even if Duke Fjord knows about our plan later on when things have escalated to higher levels, he won't be able to back off and we already know about his relations with Duke Sapphire so you know what will happen."
Alistair spoke his hypothesis behind Prince Hector, "Duke Fjord would mostly be in denial even if he hears that we planned his hit, he would unconsciously believe that this is a conspiracy by that Count and start to suspect his own people or he may be good and realize our plan. I hope for the previous one."
Norman laughed and spoke, "I guess we need to be prepared to face a cold shoulder if we meet him the future. And as you said he won't be able to back off after realizing our plan to make him bear the burnt of damage after starting his attacks. We would also be able to gauge the firepower of those ballistae on the field. Hector why don't you lend Alistair to me. He is quite good at planning conspiracies I would like to have such consultants in my court. Hey, Alistair why don't you leave Hector and work for me, you would get the same treatment as my right-hand man."

Alistair saluted to Duke and spoke neither offending anyone, "Duke Norman I appreciate your interest but I have taken an oath to serve Lord so it would only be possible if Lord agrees to lend me."

Hector Joked, "Duke Norman, You can always ask via Mary if you want any consultations from Alistair. As for lending Alistair, it can't happen as he is my Butler as well as my right-hand man giving important consultations in my times of need."

Norman sighed, "I guess it was your fate to have Alistair working under you. Anyway, let's meet other nobles and conclude our meeting with Finance Minister Justin and Baron Mendez. We don't need to worry about Baron Mendez as he will be under our supervision and he has also taken more than necessary for the next 30 years even if he faces trouble."

Alistair spoke his plan for Count John, "We will start attacking them by increasing the taxes of the port town on the guise that they are taking up more resources of the Port town compared to other small fleets with which they are turning into a monopoly. We will reduce the taxes of small traders so there won't be a backlash from traders. I think we still need to be careful about Duke Fjord attacking the port town. That is the first phase of our plan. This would eventually force the hand of Count John which also includes the assassination of Lord Evan."

Norman rubbed his chin and spoke, "I guess you took a lot of considerations to plan against him. I wonder if you have anything planned against the siblings of Prince Hector when they compete for Throne."
Alistair nodded his head in denial even if he had planned something.
*****
After leaving the mansion,
Duncan asked Lukav, "Master was it really necessary to relay such a piece of important information and such an imposing announcement in front of everyone. Your father would actively start taking actions against you instead of acting passively if he sees that we are causing big trouble."

Lukav smiled and spoke, "It's better to make an imposing announcement before the start of the war and they would anyway take this announcement of mine as a bluff as they would try to think more into my statements, as for those who would take my announcement seriously, only they would benefit. It is anyway better than laying low where they would think something suspicious is going on and try to infiltrate more. Well, I wanted to scare Felix's allies and those intending to join him a bit more and announce my arrival after 2 years. Since we got this weapon, we have to start making preparations. let's see how those pussies hole up in their castles from now on. And they don't have proof that John sold his weapons to us since we only made a verbal agreement. Let them become paranoid at the fact that I may get that weapon anytime. As for me causing trouble, he asked for it all those years ago. If not for him pulling that trick on mother and taking my promise to not to kill him, I would have already tried to kill him directly. However, he knows if he tried to kill me directly, I won't have any reason to keep that promise and that is also the reason why I am provoking him now. Another reason is that I am prepared to fall out in a big way after all these years of preparations. Well, it would still take some time however moving the waves up is better."

Duncan said after remembering the men at Prince Hector's banquet, "It looks they are intending to create chaos from the way they are grouping here, I guess we will be too late to stop any conspiracy they are planning after getting any news."

Chapter end