READ WEBNOVEL Interlude: Not as it seems
{Parliment - Kevin Penkin}
It's been a mere week since I last faced a crisis of this magnitude, and now an even more perilous situation looms, pressing upon us with an urgency that cannot be ignored. The Micho and Stark houses have mobilized their representatives and armies, demanding justice for the one they believe has jeopardized the entire Nation.
Not only have the houses of this land threatened me with a civil war, but the nobility of the surrounding nations and the church all want custody over the witch kid. It's got to the point where I no longer have an option but to face the possibility of losing my most significant asset, as going against pretty much everyone will drive me insane.
Everyone knows I had to go all in on that duel against the prodigy child, and thus, everyone also knows that I'm in a weakened state; therefore, it would make sense to attack me while I can't fight back for them. It is now or never, so I understand, but also, it's such a low move, even for these scum.
"Lord Auri! We demand the death of the kid! You know you can't control that beast! Look at what it did to you!" The lord of House Stark screams at me while accompanied by the Lord of House Micho, who doesn't hold back their thoughts either.
"You're the sole ruler over the phoenix's power, and she almost took you out during one of her bursts. We can't risk her losing her mind like that again! You must kill her now!" The lord of House Micho was a little more calm with his words and made a whole lot more sense than Lord Stark. Still, I didn't want to hear them.
"Both of you! Watch your tongue! For I'm still your KING!" I didn't really want to sound cocky or dismissive, but I had to remind both of them that I was still the leader of the flame nation, aside from the fact that I had way too many influential people against me already.
The last thing I wanted or needed was for these two guys to rebel against me at a moment like this. "Lord Auri! You know full well that you lack the military strenght to beat us right now! Our armies are at your doorstep! We can overthrow you right now!" Lord Stark threatened me with his sword, getting ready for a duel.
"Have you gone mad? Don't you see the value of keeping someone like her as our ace weapon!? We could be the strongest Nation known to man with her fighting for us, you fools!" With that, Lord Stark finally seemed like he tried to understand my point of view, but Micho quickly reminded him of the risks.
"But what if she finds out you're only going to use her as your Warhammer!? Have you thought of what would happen if she ever found out about your true intentions? She will destroy you and our Nation! I would say that you are the one who's gone mad, Lord Auri!" Micho rebutted with cunning words that reignited the fire in Stark's eyes.
"I know all that too well, but with my plan, it is almost certain that she will never find out she's being manipulated! Don't you understand!? She is young! Naive and stupid! We can easily brainwash her only to trust us and our allies! She's that dumb!"
"Lord Auri, if you're so confident in your plan, please explain in detail how you're planning to keep the truth hidden from her." Finally, Lord Stark lowered his weapon, surprising even Lord Micho, who still didn't seem remotely convinced by my persuasive words.
"Fine, I will explain if you would care to listen." I finally take over the situation, stopping Lord Micho right in his tracks with a single statement. Thus, Lord Stark quiets down along with Lord Micho as I explain my brilliant plan to shape Yoimiya's mindset into distrusting even her best girlfriend so we can isolate her from anyone but the leaders of our Nation.