NOVEL NEXT 134. Free Cities And Annexation
Kenric's laugh sparkled like the raindrops on the window glass. "Really, Viscount, must I explain my own craft? The letter specifically antagonizes Ancorna's Foreign Ministry while implicating Duke Roland's economic Ministry's involvement." He leaned forward, the carriage's brass lanterns casting dramatic shadows across his sharp features. "Emperor Andrew already distrusts his spymaster Frank Eldric, head of foreign affairs. This will have the imperial court tearing at its own throat for months."
Viscount's ringed fingers tapped an impatient rhythm against his knee. "By the time they look up from their squabbles, Conley will control both free cities."
"Precisely." Kenric extended a gloved hand palm-up. "Now. My payment?"
A leather pouch hit his palm with a satisfying clink. "Thirty Ancornan mana coins, as agreed."
Kenric made a show of counting each enchanted coin—not because he doubted the amount, but because he enjoyed watching the Viscount's patience fray. Satisfied, he tipped an imaginary hat as he exited the carriage.
"Pleasure as always. Though do tell your shadows to be less conspicuous." His smile showed too many teeth. "The senate's intelligence agents may be provincial, but they're not blind."
The carriage door slammed shut behind him. Kenric melted back into Otto's rainy streets, already mentally spending his earnings.
Ravenna's Office, Lord Castle, Kim City, Kim Island
[ Reputation System v0.1 ]
User: Ravenna Solarius / Joy Cha Kim
Reputation Level: 70 — (59,399 / 59,400 EXP)
Current Reputation Points: 210,140 RP
Titles Unlocked: Raven of the Sun Palace, Unruly Princess, Beast Slayer
The holographic blue screen materialized before Ravenna with a soft chime, its glowing text casting eerie shadows across her private chambers. She swiped through the familiar menus with practiced ease, her fingers pausing at the[Spend Reputation Points] option.
[ Spend Reputation Points ]
Access to the Internet: 100 Points per Hour
Access to Magic Spell Library: 100 Points per Hour
Geographical Scans: 5 Points per 1 Kilometer
Nullify Minor Poison Damage (Self): 250 Points
Nullify Minor Poison Damage (Others): 350 Points per Entity
Minor Heal: 1,000 Points per Entity
Major Heal: 1,500 Points per Entity
Lie Detector: 2,000 Points per Use
Change Appearance – Locked
Copy Skill – Locked
Loop Back 1 Minute – Locked
Enter Celestial Realm – Locked
With a thought, Ravenna deducted 100 points. The screen shimmered, transforming into a browser window displaying Light's Conquest.
If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"I can't interfere with Uncle Morgen's campaign against Conley," she murmured, fingers tracing the floating text. The excuse about hiding Kim Island's military capabilities was convenient, but the truth ran deeper.
She remembered the novel's arc: this was where Eugene would meet Lady Seraphina of the Azure Vales during the border reconquest. Their battlefield romance would forge the emotional development necessary for him to eventually defeat the Witch of the West. Denying him that meeting could put the whole world in danger.
The screen flickered as she searched for any mention of the Southern Isles. "But annexing the free cities presents its own problems," she muttered. The novel had barely mentioned Otto and Bolita, just a passing reference to their eventual conquest by Conley in the later chapters.
Ravenna's nails tapped an impatient rhythm against her desk. Without the novel's guidance, the current situation in the free cities was a blind spot. Yet the potential rewards were undeniable, controlling those strategic straits before Conley could would be a masterstroke in the imperial succession game.
"Whatever's brewing there," she said to the empty room, "I need to claim it first." The system's glow reflected in her determined eyes as she began formulating plans for an expedition the original novel's author had never envisioned.
Jola Estate in the Capital, Capital City, Ancorna Empire
The Jola Estate's audience chamber smelled of aged parchment and nervous sweat. Edward Jola sat stiffly in his high-backed chair, fingers drumming against the armrest as he surveyed the dangerous gathering before him.
Prince Nolan occupied the central position, his imperial robes pooling around him like spilled ink. To his left, Count Jeremy toyed with a jeweled dagger, the rubies in its hilt catching the candlelight. High Priest Caldus loomed to the right, his Solious medallion gleaming against his austere robes.
"I—this doesn't sit right," Edward managed, his voice cracking. "Even if we succeed—"
"—When we succeed," Prince Nolan corrected smoothly, "you'll reclaim your ancestral lands and remove that unruly bitch from the succession." His manicured fingers steepled. "She's already defiled your family name by renaming the dukedom. This is your chance to restore honor."
Count Jeremy leaned forward, the dagger's point etching invisible patterns into the oak table. "Think strategically, Edward. The Order of Expansion binds her hands—she can't retaliate against imperial nobles first. We strike now, we either eliminate her or expose her military capabilities to figure out future plans now."
High Priest Caldus' voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper. "Fail or succeed, you emerge favored by both Prince Nolan and His Faction. Me in the Church will ensure your reinstatement as Duke, once she is not in the position anymore."
Edward's throat worked soundlessly. The portrait of his grandfather, the first Duke Jola, seemed to glare down from the wall behind them.
"But Ravenna..." Edward swallowed. "She doesn't forgive trespasses against what she claims as hers. You've heard the reports—she calls those islanders 'her people' with the same possessiveness as her jewels."
Prince Nolan's smile didn't reach his eyes. "Precisely why we need you to declare the grievance. As the wronged party, you can petition for imperial knights support." He placed a sealed document before Edward. "Sign this, and by week's end, we sail with the Emperor's blessing and support of imperial knights."
The fire popped in the hearth. Somewhere in the estate, a clock chimed the hour. Edward stared at the parchment, its wax seal bearing the imperial Sun.
Edward's fingers trembled as they hovered above the document. The candlelight flickered across the parchment, making the imperial seal seem to writhe like a living thing. His stomach churned with the sour taste of fear—not just of Ravenna's legendary wrath, but of the precarious position these nobles were pushing him into.