"Your idea is good. Forgive this poor father who can't even make protect his family. Speak with old Fladnag to smooth out the details."

"Yes, lord."

"You may go out now. Edward, stay for a moment, I want to talk you."

Genji went out of the study to search for the steward Fladnag.

"Son, tell me, what do you think of your brother's plan?"

"Many thoughts father, primarily that we wouldn't have bones left to be picked once the plan fails miserably. But if things work out well, then a small noble family like ours would really jump to become an upstart great family of the kingdom, lacking only in heritage compared to other great families. I still have misgivings on my brother's plan to bind our interests with the northern nobles, and his ability to play Duke Alexis and Ironhand Inar. I admit that he is much better than me in combat ability, among the soldiers of the kingdom he is unmatched and he can even compete with the grand knights, but I have doubts about his leadership and diplomatic skills. I believe he would not be able to balance things out between Inar and Alexis."

"Fair enough, but his idea of using Agathon and the northern nobles is a great one. Remember this son, your brother once said that opportunity favors the prepared, so even if your brother fails his part of the plan, it's not bad to have a power base to support us."

"As you wish, Lord father."

"Leave now, and help your brother prepare what he needs."

Edward went out of the study and searched for Genji. He found Genji talking to Fladnag in the steward's quarters, with the old man taking notes of his words.

Once Genji saw Edward, he told Fladnag that he has already told everything that he knows. Genji then acknowledged his brother's presence and signalled to walk in the hallway together.

"So, young lord, what do you think of my plans?"

"I have doubts, but all in all, it's good enough in the first part. But the second part is really risky. You're plotting the big nobles downfall and it won't be good for our family once we picked the wrong side. Remember, Duke Alexis is our direct superior. Once there is war, it's not hard for him to prepare for the siege as he waits for reinforcements, and he will surely liquidate those nobles who step out of the line. I think even Grand Duke Agathon won't think our family is profitable enough to go against a vengeful noble like Duke Alexis."

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"Brother, our family is not enough, but our family at the head of the Northern nobles is. Do you know the South's greatest weakness?"

"The South's weakness? None, in fact, they don't seem to have any vulnerabilities at all, and that is thanks to Grand Duke Agathon's ability."

"That, my brother is their greatest weakness. Grand Duke Agathon is the South's weakness. He made the South too strong that it's not hard for me to see that even his Majesty the king fears his power. While it might look like Grand Duke Agathon has no enemies, the thought of a greater noble standing above the rest terrifies any monarch, much less our king with his very powerful noble lord who has no enemy. Honestly, I think the king is being driven mad with nightmares of Grand Duke Agathon sitting in his position. Sooner or later, if nothing happens, even a noble Lord like Grand Duke Agathon would be forced to rebel, only because he is made to ride the tiger that the other nobles have forced upon him."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Yes, young lord, and that's why we should use that to stir the pot. Grand Duke Agathon's knows that he is already a threat under his Majesty's eyes, so he is currently searching for a way to make himself less threatening to his Majesty by having a conflict with another great noble. Only that will destroy his perfect image, and before insults turn into full scale conflicts, the king would then come in to mediate between both sides. This event is something the king needs to show his prestige in reining in two great nobles, like how a father disciplines two disobedient children. And that is where we come in, we can gather the power of Northern nobles in the name of supporting each other, then seeing the benefit, Alexis would want a share of the pie. Then we can ask for help from the most honorable Grand Duke Agathon, who would use that opportunity to make things big enough to warrant his Majesty's attention, and from which the king himself would be happy to make us, the third party a necessary power to maintain the balance between Agathon and Alexis. Alexis is our family's direct superior but he has no hold over the rest of the northern nobles, but together, Alexis and us will restrain Grand Duke Agathon while Grand Duke Agathon himself would restrain Alexis. All in all, great nobles dragging down each other without conflict should be his Majesty's goal and we would be happy to oblige him."

"Very impressive Cain, instead of White Death, you should be known as Black Scavenger instead, for you really remind of a certain bird which heralds and thrives on conflict."

"Young lord, is that an insult? Maybe we should spar again, just to remind you why I am called the White Death."

"Nevermind, I don't want to play with you anymore, which man in their right mind would want to fight a being who terribly outclasses them."

"Young lord, it is a man's duty to defend himself, his family, his property, and his nation. So it is only right for a man to train with his betters so that he may better defend himself."

"Cain, learning is best done with those whose mastery are a bit better than the one being trained, but you are a monster and that's a compliment, not an insult. Now, instead of sparring, better save that energy for the important things that are about to happen."