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So it was about the stones.

It wasn’t a surprise that the prince had gotten his hands on it. It had already spread to a lot of nobles and it wasn’t out of his expectations that a few of those would have given some to the royal family as a gift.

"I’m glad they were of use, Your Highness."

Eldric slightly leaned forward, his arms clutching the edges of the armrest.

"More than you know, Baron Arzan…" The prince paused as his dark eyes penetrated him. "They’re not the only thing that impressed me. A few of my retainers told me about how you have been dealing with the bandits in your territory." The man brought his arm to rest on his chin. "And then, there was the necromancer incident. It was a hot topic in the court when the news broke out."

Eldric knowingly looked at Kai.

"Quite the feat for a young Mage like yourself. It’s… very promising. It seems like getting a territory has really made you shine."

The last few words made him internally wince. The way Eldric had pointed out his feats, it was clear what he was trying to prove. Even if he couldn’t see any fakeness in his expression or words, it was simply a way for him to tell him that Kai had caught his eye and he had been watching him.

It was a thinly concealed power play and Eldric was probably trying to snatch him for his side in the throne competition. It wasn’t like Kai couldn’t see why.

A young baron who was also a Mage and one who belonged to the bloodline of a duke and a Magus— In all honesty, if word about him started to spread, he was sure that the other two princes would try the same.

However, this wasn’t the place for this and Kai wasn’t here to play these games.

He forced a chuckle, which came out hollow in the spacious room. "Just doing my part as the baron."

Eldric’s lips in return curved into a ghost of a smile.

"Indeed. Now, about this beast wave. You mentioned a brood mother and other beast led by it? A formidable foe. I understand you require assistance."

Kai gave a small nod as relief washed over him, temporary though it may be. They were finally on topic.

"Yes, Your Highness. The situation is quite dire, and we lack the manpower to fight against these beasts. Around five thousand soldiers would be ideal, to combine forces with my own men." He pressed on, giving a number that would just be enough. "Weapons and other supplies would also be invaluable."

Kai carefully watched Eldric’s face as he spoke. The lit-up face from before when they discussed the Heat Stone was no longer there. Something akin to disappointment replaced it.

Eldric shook his head with his lips tight in a thin line. "Five thousand men, you say? That’s a tall order at the moment, Baron Arzan. If I’m being honest, it’d be hard at the moment." The prince steepled his fingers. It wasn’t disappointment that etched across his features, it was regret— genuine or not. Kai couldn’t say it for sure.

What he had seen till now was very different from the tales he had heard of him.

"We’ve been facing increased aggression from our western neighbour, Vanderfall. Skirmishes along the border are becoming commonplace. Additionally, the orcish hordes in the south continue to be a thorn in our side, a very annoying one at that. So, with all these…" Prince Eldric sighed. "We need a good portion of our military presence. It’s quite impractical to pull off the soldiers when the kingdom is facing so many threats. It would also take significant travel time."

Kai’s heart sank hearing that, but he didn’t want to show it just yet.

"What about Mages? I can put in a request with the Archine Tower, and I’m sure Your Highness can appoint them. A savant and a few adepts would be a huge help."

The prince’s expression remained unreadable. "Savants are rarely swayed by whims, Arzan. They’re mostly engrossed in research, or the middle of vital matters of the kingdom’s well-being. Pulling them away like this isn’t an easy matter.

"As for adepts, many are currently in temporary service of various nobles. For those who are unaffiliated, I could certainly request their assistance. But understand, there’s a high chance that they’d reject my request. The kingdom lets the Mages decide whether they want to be a part of an expedition or not until it’s a very urgent matter. I wouldn’t want them to be disturbed with their research and meditation as they’re crucial. I think you understand what I meant."

He finished with a sigh of helplessness and Kai barely managed to control his mana from flaring up.

He felt a growing dread in his gut. The prince was acting as if Mages held so much power that they wouldn’t listen to the decree of the crown, especially adepts.

Eldric was simply taking him for a greenhorn who had no idea of how things worked and the worst part was that he couldn’t find anything he could leverage against him for now.

Of all the things he’d heard about the prince, there was nothing that would work in the moment. Most of the records he knew of him were way after he became king and even then, he’d had a ruthless climb that left no room for dissent.

Hence, no records of his younger days that he knew.

That’s why, he simply grew quiet, letting an uncomfortable silence stem around them. After a while, the advisor standing next to Eldric gestured something.

It happened in a blink, but Kai caught it.

Eldric smiled, speaking again. "While persuading the Mages won’t be a simple feat, Arzan," he said, his voice smooth as honey. "Perhaps I can be… persuasive. A good word from me can go a long way."

"I’d be thankful for that—"

"Of course," Eldric continued after cutting him off. "Persuasion flows both ways, wouldn’t you agree?"

Kai understood the unspoken bargain. Eldric’s aid wouldn’t come without a price. The prince wanted him to pursue him so that he could go and put in a word with the Mages.

Kai took a slow sip of his tea, refusing to give anything away.

He couldn’t help but think how it was probably a miracle that the Lancephil Kingdom hadn’t simply broken up in parts in the future and become a giant empire that had left its mark on the world. If the princes were really trying to gain profit and favour in times of crisis, it was a situation beyond saving.

The advisor shifted uncomfortably as time passed and Kai kept silent, clearly sensing the growing tension. Eldric’s smile faltered slightly, a hint of annoyance flickering in his dark eyes.

Unable to keep the silence growing, he spoke again.

"Perhaps," he drawled, "we could discuss the matter of the Heat stones further."

"What of it?"

"Their distribution, for instance. I have a network of merchants, the finest in the kingdom. You might know of one of them. Henrich Bartens, the owner of Bartens merchant company. I could ensure they reached every corner of the kingdom, even exploring trade routes with neighbouring kingdoms. I know you have a merchant for distribution, but maybe with someone like Henrich, the Heat Stones would reach far more people. Winter is going to come again and we don’t think it would be easier this time."

The offer was tempting. Increased distribution of the Heat Stones meant more coins in his pockets, resources he could desperately use. Yet, Kai couldn’t shake the feeling he was being played.

"That is certainly… interesting," he replied cautiously. "However, a decision of such magnitude requires careful consideration."

Eldric’s smile returned, but his words played a part in what Kai felt about him now. "Of course. There will be a ball being held at the end of the week. Perhaps you could be present there, and share your decision."

With that, the prince rose. Along with him, the advisor shifted, ready to follow him.

"Very well then." Eldric gave a curt nod.

"Thank you for your time," Kai said, rising and bowing as tradition.

The prince exited the room without another glance or a word. Kai stared after him for a few more seconds— his offer finally settling along with the many other burdens that had already made home in his mind.

He felt like this whole conversation had been a waste of his time in so many ways.

***

A sardonic laugh escaped Kai’s lips. The famous ’Mad Prince’ was still young, fighting for things to consolidate his position. He was someone who could be considered the polar opposite of his expectations. He was slightly disappointed if anything.

If he had a little bit more insight, he would have helped Kai, playing the longer game and instead of the distribution, he would have wanted the formula for Heat Stones, cutting him off directly. Or simply, he would have befriended him, hoping to come across any more inventions that he might benefit from.

The former might have been too authoritative, but the latter was certainly something he could have done. But he had simply tried an approach that had left a bitter taste in Kai’s mouth.

Now, he was back in his assigned quarters.

Sitting in his room, Kai scribbled furiously on a piece of parchment. Across the room, Killian sat on a plush sofa, huffing as he processed everything that Kai told him.

"The nerve!" he sputtered. "Even if he’s a prince, doesn’t the man understand the gravity of a beast wave? Profiteering during a crisis! Disgusting!"

Kai grunted in agreement, not looking up from his writing. "He’s never seen true war, Killian. All he knows are courtly intrigues and whispers. And the King…" he trailed off, a bitter taste lingering in his mouth.

"He cares little for the outlying territories. As long as the crown remains secure, another baron falling wouldn’t be a tragedy. He obviously knows that a Ducal household resides in the lands and they would defend against the beast wave. Eldric simply wants to be looked up as a saviour while securing a profit on the Heat Stones."

"So, what now, Lord Arzan? We can’t rely on the crown. What’s our plan?"

"Nothing. There’s no way I’m giving Eldric control over the Heat Stones."

"Is it because of Malden?"

Kai looked back at Killian who had raised an eyebrow in question.

Kai hesitated. "Malden’s useful, sure," he admitted. "But mostly, it’s because Eldric’s offer is a gamble and a risky one at that."

"He wouldn’t guarantee our safety, even with the stones?" Killian scoffed.

Kai shook his head. "Worse, accepting his offer paints a target on my back. It announces my support for him in the throne competition. And he won’t genuinely help me anyway."

Killian’s brow furrowed. "What makes you say that?"

"Lucian. He’s already helping the first prince and would never let the prince genuinely help. Even if I accept his offer, I would probably get a few hundred soldiers and one or two adepts that might not even know how to launch a spell on a charging monster."

"But Duke Lucian hasn’t officially declared his support for anyone." Killian’s frown deepened.

"True. But the merchant that the prince was talking about— Bartens. He had been found spending a lot of time in Lucian’s territory and they have a lot of deals together. Malden talked about this with me when I inquired after my meeting. It’s easy to make sense if you put the two together."

Killian raised his eyebrows at this.

Apparently, Malden had little to do with Bartens, but he had a good idea of their distribution network and Kai was sure that it was half a secret that Lucian was supporting the first prince in the court.

"What are we going to do now? Will you be blackmailing the Archine Tower to get Mages? It’s certainly an option."

"That’s a good idea…" Kai nodded. "But I’ll only be using a bit of my leverage against them." Before Killian could ask why, he continued, "I’ve no idea how the tower will react to my blackmail. They might send problematic Mages; ones who’d create more nuisance than help. If I want to win, I can’t afford such a scenario. I need everyone to follow my orders without a question. No doubts or second glances. They probably would also be spying on me from now on and I don’t wish for them to know everything that I would be doing in the territory.

"I plan to win this battle without help. I’d still get Mages from the tower, but lower-ranked ones that I can control. I would also be doing a thorough check on them and making them follow my commands without a word." He paused, thinking about it. "At first, hearing about the beast wave was a big shock, it felt as if my limbs were tied together and I had no option but to try and settle for failure."

"You are doing your best, Lord Arzan. You are—"

Kai waved his hands, cutting Killian off. "I am and I’m pretty sure I can defend against the beast wave and win now. I simply needed time to consolidate my plans."

"How?" Killian’s question made Kai look at what he was writing.

"With this."

He stood up and walked towards Killian, who was immediately on his feet. He handed the paper over to him as the knight looked up in confusion.

"Tomorrow, you head down to the blacksmiths’ and alchemists’ quarters. We need skilled people, but also those who are adaptable."

Killian raised an eyebrow, a knowing glint in his eye. "Easy to relocate, you mean?"

Kai nodded. "Exactly." He tapped the paper again, "and show the blacksmith this paper, gauge their reaction. If their eyes light up, then we’ve found our man or woman. Any good blacksmith would know what it means. Also, find those who have worked with enchanters."

"And the alchemist?"

"Similar criteria," Kai instructed. "They’d surely be interested in relocating after they read this."

Killian nodded at that.

"And one more thing. While you’re there, keep an ear out for anyone who’s worked with golems before."