World Development System 263 194. Internal discussions between Plato and Lionheart.

The North Frontier Hospital's Cheif Doctor nodded and spoke as he accepted the potion bottle, "Yes, Milord. I will look after him. It's good that he can wake up early. We were quite worried about him when the war started."

John nodded as he prepared to see other matters and was about to leave.

'I guess finally the mystery of this kid will be solved.'

Grey who was behind John spoke proudly as they got some info on the kid, "Milord, We have got some information about this boy after we captured some of the soldiers from Prince Hector's personal army."

John nodded and signaled him to speak,

Grey continued after watching his approval, "Apparently, this boy had just joined their army but because of his great talents, he was noticed early and promoted to the regular army. As for his name, he was known as Aiden in their team. However, there is one peculiarity." 

John spoke as he was quite interested, "Speak."

Grey knew that John didn't Radiant Church and hence spoke a bit cautiously, "It seems he is a servant of God of Fire."

John nodded and asked, "What are the doctrines of God of Fire? Are they a threat to the state and Monarchy?"

Remembering about Fire God and their followers, Grey spoke, "I don't think so. If you don't bother they won't bother you. However, they believe they must live their lives morally and hence they are not suited for professions such as spying or assassinations."

John nodded and understood, "Hmm... It's better. They won't be a problem. They are manageable if that's the case. I don't want to raise something like Radiant Church which will cause chaos in the future like they are doing it in Aelius. Our state will run on Morals, ethics and state interests, not on ideological or religious doctrines."

Grey nodded as he too understood the personality of John which aligned with his own thinking.

John meanwhile reminded Grey, "You should go and help Taylor in managing the spies meanwhile. I heard there were problems at Imperial capital. Taylor has the rights to manage Antonio's matter so you can follow his policies. however, you must write a report to me directly."

Keeping Checks and Balances in mind, John told to Grey for reports.

****

Meanwhile, at the Imperial Capital.

Taylor had already activated their spies and was keeping a watch in the Imperial city for any suspicious movements via his spies.

One of the spies under Dearil spoke, "Remember this, we can't save him from the shadows. His enemies should show up near him and reveal their plans so that Baron Mendez can become a good chip for Lord John or else he will always have some sort of hate against our Lord."

The other spy spoke, "In short, If the Royal family or Prince Hector's men move then we have to wait until the last moment and then save him, correct?"

"Yes."

The leader of the team sighed and spoke, "Quite a tough job."

The subordinate spy under Dearil spoke, "That is why you guys will be paid triple and will receive extra state benefits at your retirement. The premise is classification."

The guy spoke and nodded his team to go through the plan thoroughly, "Yeah, we already know that. You guys should get ready. Those guys from Radiant Church are already behaving and moving suspiciously."

****

King Lionheart was quite pissed at Duke Norman and Count Casey because of their differences and about this particular scandal involving Hector, He immediately asked Plato, "What do we do? I think we should kill that nuisance (Antonio) in the prison. Or do you have any other suggestions? And Why can't both Casey and Norman solve their differences?"

Plato sighed and spoke, "I differ Milord. This will have consequences where nobles will start doubting the Royal family when it comes to justice. Though there will be a lot of supporters however, many will become cautious of the Royal family as well. I recommend to prolong this case as long as possible and take Antonio under house arrest. After a few years we will cover-up this case when no one remembers. Or else Baron Mendez might be a pain for us in future if Antonio dies, you should know that Antonio, in the end, he is Mendez's son and he wouldn't want to watch him die."

Plato continued, "As for the difference between Count Casey and Duke Norman, it won't go away easily because it is based on interests and honor. Previously Count Casey didn't deploy troops for Duke Norman's invasion as he didn't trust his neighboring domains as well as in the success of previous war as he had first hand watched the power of ballistas. And as Prince Hector is Duke Norman's closest ally it was expected that he won't leave any chance to get back on the insults he faced previously from the Duke."

Lionheart sighed and spoke, "Hmm... I guess I can only let them solve their differences. Ok, we won't interfere in their business. Why do you recommend taking Antonio under house arrest."

Plato nodded and explained his line of thinking, "For two things. First, Lord John of Sky is continuously putting pressure on us in regard to Antonio. They want a fair trial. It may also impact our Trade and Peace deal with them as Luke informed us. It seems it is due to their hatred for Prince Hector and hence their support for Antonio. I also think he is manipulating us so that we kill Antonio and they have guise to not deal with us when it comes to mana restoring pills. Second, we can fan the flames of revenge on Antonio against Lord John and Mendez, Its a Carrot and stick policy. Keep him happy and he might do our bidding since he won't anyway inherit his father at Dolores since now that main inheritor will be Vince his elder brother. However, if we kill him in prison then it will have negative consequences whether it is trade and peace deal or our relations with Lord Mendez will be at an all-time low. He might resist all our policies for the next decades if that is the case. One of important factors is, Sky is at the borders of the Dolores domain and from now on Duke Norman's new domain as well. So it can become a situation like Duke Fjords where Mendez will threaten us by allying with Sky. And I am certain if we are going to trade with Lord John he will definitely choose familiar borders of Dolores and nearby regions instead of Norman's border who will be hostile to him because of Prince Hector."

Lionheart nodded and understood as he asked his doubts, "What about Hector and that Antonio's grudge with Hector? I don't think he will leave his revenge so easily. Not to mention the Greenwoods village scandal which was done on the orders of Hector and partly Antonio."

Plato sighed and nodded, "Yes, and there is also Prince Hector who might try to kill him. However, it has to go this way. The only thing is Antonio will no longer be in Hector's camp and he might get purged if Prince Hector comes to power. Antonio might join Prince Jadal's camp since he is always in need of power. As far as Greenwoods' village massacre is concerned, Prince Hector can simply ignore and treat it as ramblings of a poor sod who was abandoned by him and hence his ramblings."

Lionheart sighed and spoke, "I guess this is inevitable and also the best solution. Additionally, those Mana restoring pills and other new technologies at Sky are very important to us. Those elders are already chewing my brains every day since a lot of Magicians are leaving for other countries. Those magicians are temporarily been detained and given the best treatment. Start the trade routes and sign the peace deal. We have anyway unofficially accepted Sky as a state and John as their king. During his crowning ceremony send him a gift so as he is not offended. Additionally, I am already worried about God Irmela's Oracle. I don't like the thing about God's interfering over here. If a new pope is chosen by him then it will be a disaster for us since he will have a lot of power among the Radiant followers."

Plato too understood and simply nodded as he too wanted to curb the influence of the Radiant Church which would only increase after the Oracle.

*****

Presently, Alistair was preparing the assassins to kill Antonio in the cells under the orders of Prince Hector.

Chapter end