Chapter 1504 1344: Incoming War
Under such 'loose' terms, the vigorous recruitment work began instantly. The Fortress was much livelier than before, with the massive migration from the people of nearby regions. Now that people had heard of the overlord's recruitment to his private army, there were a whole lot of people who signed up and most of them passed the interview. This was why Alex promoted a group of experienced mercenaries from his men, he could easily pick out those who were loyal and respectful toward him to manage and train the newcomers. Among the mercenaries, many of them were kicked out of the military and were extremely familiar with the military style. Besides, they were skilled at their jobs, which resolved a huge trouble for Alex. The mercenaries welcomed this decision with open arms. The reason why they had joined his group earlier was because they hoped to be valued highly by Alex to eventually become his henchmen. And now, not only did they join Alex's army, but they also received various titles such as captains or instructors.
With the prestigious titles, statuses, and wealth, the other mercenaries were naturally envious. They also wished to perform outstandingly to capture Alex's attention and eventually become his henchmen. Moreover, many mercenaries had also joined the guild and hoped to develop themselves, which started private groups in the orbit of a virtuous cycle. Within a few days, the strength of Alex's private soldiers had grown to about 2,000 men. Thereafter, Madeline had also temporarily stopped the recruitment works in order to keep the stability.
The management of all of this put pressure on Alex who was sitting behind a sandalwood desk, because it was his private quarter, Silveria could come out, and not even Bahamut's clone could spy on them. Thanks to the sisters' powerful concealing technique, there are some things he hides from the enemy.
''What are you thinking about?" Silveria asked as she sat from across him.
Alex took a deep breath before saying what he had on his mind.
''I feel like this Survival Game, this game is more complex, almost as if trying to make me lose myself playing various roles.''
''Indeed! I do feel the same thing but what are worried about? You just have to not succumb. Never become too immersed, stay true to yourself until you achieve your goals.''
''You are Sil, thanks for telling me this. I can see clearly now.'' Alex was grateful for Silveria's advice.
''It is my duty to help my man." Silveria declared but was looking down, too shy after making that declaration.
Alex was amused, the two chatted happily before Alex started reading his subordinate's intelligence reports.
From the report.
The Kingsley's Parliament's prestige was swaying. The prime minister had gotten involved in the internal affairs of the country. The country was in a complete mess. The people were feeling a mix of emotions which included worry, anger, and restlessness. According to the intelligence, people from most of the cities were also putting up demonstrations and protesting the Kingsley's Parliament.
Alex knew that the five largest financial groups definitely wouldn't take action immediately. If they truly wished to manipulate the Kingsley's Parliament, they had to allow the financial holes to expose themselves and when the Kingsley's Parliament were incapable of resolving the problems, they would emerge with the identity of the savior.
Why were heroes always popular and well-liked? That was because they often emerged during the worst scenarios. When the Demon ravaged the surface. When the ruler oppressed its people tyrannically. When blood flowed to form a river. When the world was suffering from war and death.
Only under such circumstances where a hero stepped out and defeated the bad guy was respected. How many people would respect the hero if the hero immediately slaughtered the Demon King who had just emerged to the surface and burst into laughter, saying,
"Hahaha. I'm going to destroy this world!"? No one.
The Kingsley's Parliament also knew that this was the five largest financial groups' scheme. But Alex knew that they wouldn't let the five largest financial groups take advantage of this situation. The reasons why Kingsley's Parliament dared to snatch the authority from the Prime minister was because of themselves. Even though the five largest financial groups often applied pressure on them, Kingsley's Parliament held political rights, after all. If the Kingsley's Parliament were to fall into their tricks and become their puppets, something they wish to do.
Alex was sure that things wouldn't end so easily. Besides, the more miserable the Kingsley's Parliament was as stated in the intelligence report, the more Alex couldn't force out a smile. Even though he couldn't wait for Kingsley's Parliament to perish, he had a premonition as though one was standing on the plain and watching thick, dark clouds rolling over and covering the entire sky. It was apparent that a huge storm was brewing without the need for a weather report.
Indeed, things were slowly changing.
The Kingsley's Parliament had kept quiet all this while. However, another problem was slowly growing and that was regarding the rumors of the Dali Kingdom. The rumors of the Dali Kingdom launching ambushes on the Kingsley's Kingdom border guards were spreading within the Kingsley's Kingdom and its people were slowly shifting their attention away from the Kingsley's Parliament's embarrassing situation and discussing this issue.
Everyone was aware that the Dali Kingdom, the dark country was a nation dominated by other races and some Humans had tried all sorts of ways to cross the border and arrive at nations dominated by Humans like the Kingsley's Kingdom or the Renner Kingdom. The defectors had various reasons. Some did it for their research and some were spies, or for whatever reasons. Of course, the Dali Kingdom definitely wouldn't admit that they were the ones at fault. The Renner Kingdom and the Kingsley's Kingdom didn't count on them admitting that either.
But now, the rumors of the Dali Kingdom's ambushes and that they were about to invade the Kingsley's Kingdom were spreading. The people weren't too aware of such rumors as they were mostly stopped at the borders. But now, there was an obvious problem with the speed of spread of these rumors. It would still be unavoidable if only a few regions were spreading the rumors as there were bound to be loopholes.
However, the situation would be completely different if the entire Kingsley's Kingdom was spreading them.
These rumors had left the Kingsley's Kingdom people in a state of unrest. Moreover, there was also a rumor that mentioned that the Kingsley's Parliament had lost every scrap of reputation, the Prime minister tried to snatch its authority back, and the Dali Kingdom had the intention of attacking the Kingsley's Kingdom.
One must says, that such opinions were popular among the people and based on the intelligence report, many of the Kingsley's Kingdom people agreed with this view too.
At this moment, Kingsley's Parliament which had been maintaining silence had some activities.
They formally protested to the Dali Kingdom through diplomatic channels, requesting them to hand over the murderers who killed their border guards!
The Dali Kingdom definitely wouldn't regard their words highly. They expressed that it was merely an accident and there was no evidence that proved that it was the Dali Kingdom's regular army that attacked the guards. They believed that it was the doing of some fleeing unrelated Creatures, sent their condolences for the mishap of the guards, and announced that they would investigate the case. But the Kingsley's Kingdom actually asked for them to hand out the murderers… That was impossible because the murderers didn't exist, so how were they able to hand them over?
The Kingsley's Parliament was oddly stubborn on this matter.
They provided a massive number of evidence and witnesses to prove that it was the Dali Kingdom's regular army that had attacked and once again issued unyielding arguments that requested the Dali Kingdom to provide an explanation.
In the end, the Dali Kingdom was no longer interested in playing games with the Kingsley's Parliament. They expressed that there must have been some misunderstandings in the situation and they could communicate with the Prime minister… It went to show that the Dali Kingdom knew the situation happening in the Kingsley's Kingdom inside out and they wouldn't mind messing with the Kingsley's Parliament.
But the situation took a turn thereafter.
The Kingsley's Parliament was still unwilling to forgive the Dali Kingdom. They definitely wouldn't allow the Dali Kingdom to communicate with the Prime minister. As a result, Kingsley's Parliament once again requested for the Dali Kingdom to apologize and compensate them for their losses.
But this time, Kingsley's Parliament wasn't only speaking. They had mobilized several of their troops to the rumored border region where their guards were ambushed and announced to the public that this was the military exercise of the new year. However, everyone knew what they were up to.
Alex understood from the intelligence that war was inevitable.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m