327 THE COVETED CITY

'They were many ways that we could break it. Negotiating alliances with the other kingdom is one of the way we could go about this. And the other way is giving something up to gain another'

Eric could see Zeus faces changes and he understand what Zeus is thinking about the first solution

'As for negotiating alliances, that is quite hard to do but we must still try it' 

Zeus sighed and said

'It is my fault' Eric did not say anything as he keeps on walking forward

In the end the reason why Veva is stuck and could not easily broker alliance with the other kingdoms is simply because of his reputation as a warmonger, an oath breaker, a usurper and truce breaker.

It is because of this, no kingdom would ever believe in them. There were too many kingdoms that have become the prey of Veva

But what Eric proposed is something that would surely break the deadlock of the current situation. But precisely because it is hard to do that it become a deadlock. Zeus is confident that Aero had also foreseen this.

That is the way to break this move by Aero. 

But it is a move that is unavailable to them.

If in the past Zeus did not take the kingdoms so violently and did not cultivate such brute reputation for himself, this current deadlock situation is easily broken.

Zeus even though he knows Aero is his enemy he could not help but admire this man. 

In the past, Zeus always thought that the best quality of the Chancellor was his ungodly strength and prowess in battle.

It isn't until Veva repeatedly suffer setbacks from this person, that Zeus knows that the best quality about Aero of the East is his ability to toy around with the world

He did not even need to move a muscle, fight in battle to determine the outcome of victory and loss.

Zeus then said

'If we could do it, then that would truly be a miracle' Eric just smiles bitterly

If they could negotiate an alliance even among one of the kingdoms, they could take Duvar and keep it. 

It would then free up a lot of moves that they could use to counter the rising influence of that Empire in the East.

They could easily aid the supply lines for Veranis and protect Veranis rear while at the same time opening up more roads to conquer Savillia and Alfhaim.

If Zeus could take Duvar, Veranis is not his concern. Instead, he would support Veranis to go against Vanheim. 

By weakening Vanheim, Veva could take time to take the other two kingdoms and then when Veranis is exhausted, Veva could take Veranis. 

Then even if Holy Zun Empire take Nero Republic, they would not have the qualification to fight against them

Right now the moon is already high up in the sky and every once in a while there would be clods pushed by the wind, covering the moon for a few seconds. 

Even now as they were talking and discussing about the matter of the world, in the Plains of Ethylred, the forces of Vanheim and Veranis probably is fighting against each other.

They both did not show it in their expression, but both of them know that time is running out. 

There is a reason why Zeus ask if Aero is the one responsible for the matter on the Vanheim border.

That is because he is truly wary of this person regarded by many as a Divine Strategist. 

They did not know how Aero would win, but they were certain that Aero would win. 

Veranis might try to mask his intention as a bold and brave move of attacking straight to the Capital of Vanheim but people like Eric could se that is just a diversion. 

Most probably King Alexander move is actually to take the Plains, controls the road to the west and then created a stronghold there to act as a base. 

From there they could easily harass the border of Vanheim and they could slowly take over the cities and regions of Vanheim, taking it piece by piece

that is the best case scenario. But with Aero there, how could he not see such a blatant diversion.

This best case scenario is doomed from the very beginning.

Hence, both Eric and Zeus believe it is only a matter of time that Vanheim would emerge victorious. 

What concern them however is how Aero would win and how much time he would take to win. If he wins, would he just win against the invasion? Or would he take some of the territory of Veranis?

And how long would it take him to win? Would it be enough time for them to scheme anything or would it be swift?

It already takes half a year for the matter to fester

It is during this time that Vanheim forces had not yet won that they should have a countermeasures or at least gain some benefits from this current vacancy of Vanheim strong presence around the borders of the western kingdoms. 

'Duvar, Duvar. The temptation of any warlords that wanted the world' Eric sighed.

Duvar is the middle point of the Vilajeri Continent. Duvar has always been a kingdom that many wanted to conquer

But one had to conquer it that made anyone acknowledge the person who conquer it as the rightful master of the world

It is because of that reason why it is a very delicate situation for anyone who wanted to conquer it. 

They could not just slaughter everyone inside the holy city and then wanting everyone to acknowledge their superiority.

It is a holy city for many peoples. And people would react strongly in the act of sacking the holy city

They have to be anointed by the King of Duvar like the Pope anointed Kings and Queens in his Holt territory

The way Aero had done it was masterfully done. 

Without spilling even one drop of blood, it shows the generosity of the Empire and its benevolence, winning the support of the people of the world

The reason why Duvar is so highly coveted is that it is said that whoever that could take Duvar could take the world

It is not because Duvar is a large kingdom or a wealthy one. Maybe some would argue it is because the holy status of the city

But for warlords and strategist like Eric, the importance of Duvar is not merely this.

It is also because of its geographical position.

It is surrounded by mountain connecting the road between the west and the East. It could threaten the north above them and the south below it.

If a kingdom that have powerful military could take Duvar, the desire to unite the whole continent is no longer just a dream. 

It is a possibility. 

But right now, because of the past misdeed that Zeus had committed, they not only have to worry about external factors, they also have to worry about internal problem. 

One of them is the matter of the region that used to be called Asgaro.

The former region of Asgaro would always try to rebel against the royal authority

Even though Zeus had changed his ways and give many benefits to the conquered people such as reducing the tax and providing more benefits toward the former citizens of Asgaro, they would not relent in organizing rebellion against him

This is because the act of Zeus burning down the Temple of Athena had angered the Goddess and those scholars of Athena help organize these rebellion, becoming constant headache for Veva court as they kept stoking hatred to the royal court

And there are others refugee of Asgaro who migrated to other kingdom and they offer their ability to those kingdoms while furthering their agenda to bring down Veva. 

one could say it is that Zeus is reaping the fruit of the misdeed he had done. Accumulating resentment of the people make him the enemy of the world

It did not help that during the time the Chancellor was in office, he had crafted all kinds of rumors to slander the King of Veva, creating many outlandish rumors about him

It did not matter whether it is the truth or not. 

Since it is mixed with the truth, even the most outlandish lie is slowly believed by the common people.

The common people already had a negative view on King Veva before and the Chancellor act is just like pouring oil into an already large flame

Zeus was no longer trying to be like he was during his early years of conquering. He tries to be a good King after his constant defeat when facing Vanheim scheme.

Like any other kingdoms, he is trying to pacify the conquered regions and defend against external threat

He relaxes many of the restriction, cancel any draconic laws and try his best to govern wisely but since his act of cruelty is always popularized, it is hard for the people of his domain to trust him

The more they try to oppress the fabricated stories about Zeus misdeed, the more it lends credence to the story

This is another move of Aero that seems to embodied that same principle, damned if I do, dammed if I don't.

Eric and Zeus had always lamented the fact that while United Kingdom of Veva and Vanheim both grew form a small kingdom to an Empire, the reputation that they have are so different.

Zeus regretted that he did not hear the suggestion of Eric in the past about not burning the Temple of the Goddess. 

And Eric regretted the fact that he did not kill Aero in that Feast. 

Eric believe that if he was really determined that day, regardless of the condemnation that they have to face and dither external pressure that will come to him, he should have killed Aero regardless of the cost.

By letting him go Veva had only raises the reputation of the Chancellor, and lost the trend of the era.

Vanheim and Veva were both kingdom that conquers other kingdoms.

But Vanheim is praised as a good and prosperous empire ruled by a benevolent and wise Emperor but as for Veva, they are an Empire that is built through the bloods of innocent. 

To the common people, they surely want to live under a benevolent and compassionate ruler instead of living under a warmongering king.

War and showing of force had its limit. And Zeus did not understand this in the past

He believes that with enough force, the whole world will have to obey.

What he failed to understand was that the world is the people. 

Without the people there is no world. As such, Aero work hard in obtaining the people hearts. And as such, he would easily gain the world.

Even though Veva is regarded as a kingdom that spill the blood of people to expand their borders, the same could be said for Vanheim. 

It is not like they expanded their borders by speaking words of peace and singing 

They fought in battle and they slaughtered people.

But because the King at the time was humble and someone that could be taught, Aero had been able to scheme against the world freely, painting Vanheim as some kind of savior of the people. 

And no one could argue with that.

Aero knows how to use reputation to his advantages. Zeus did not. And as such, the current situation is borne

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