Three days passed with frequent meetings between Duke Reviarra, An, Sol, and Dorothy. Those in attendance fluctuated between Knights, businessmen, attendants, and Arcgate’s mid nobility. Even without Duke Reviarra declaring the approaching war, it was difficult for the locals to ignore the abrupt activity.

Sol utilized her connections in the business world to establish backup import and export routes just in case Arcgate was isolated from the main roads. Luckily, the road project had long since been completed in Arcgate and accelerated her preparations beyond what Prince Elric might have been able to predict.

With Iridescent’s reputation in the region, it was rather straightforward for Sol to negotiate prices for bulk purchase. Even considering Iridescent’s position outside Arcgate, the conglomerate was massive. It was so embedded in everyday life and critical to so many facets of life that few businessmen were willing to deny Sol’s requests.

Due to her years of work paying off, Sol managed to negotiate food, medicine, and resources related more directly to war such as iron, coal, horses, wagons, and more. Another week passed when border patrols reported a distinguished guest to Duke Reviarra.

Upon reading the name on the report, Duke Reviarra’s brows furrowed. Dorothy happened to be in the room with him and caught his expression. “Has something happened?” The Duke only glanced at her before considering the situation.

“I’m not sure… Border patrol just reported an individual identifying himself as Prince Roland requested political asylum.”

Dorothy could tell from his tone that the story wasn’t that simple. Her brow tipped up as if asking for more details. “When you met us for the first time, we were escaping from the Blonsall Capital. Without speaking to Prince Elric’s situation, there was another fallout that happened around the same time, though not nearly as violently. Sol attempted to create an alliance with Prince Roland, however he failed to meet by the appointed time…”

“Is he trustworthy?” Dorothy asked after immediately catching onto the general situation. Despite asking so, Duke Reviarra’s brows remained bunched up. Since they returned from Blonsall capital, Arcgate has had a constant stream of intelligence flooding into it through different sources. Businessmen from the Blonsall capital passed word that Prince Elric attempted to acquire and assimilate Prince Roland’s businesses, yet failed miserably.

He failed so badly, in fact, that the businesses approached by him abandoned their land to run away with all their products. Needless to say, the Capital’s standard of living dramatically decreased. Iridescent was no longer supporting the daily products and tools causing a slight blemish, however Sol was still propping the economy enough to keep it from bursting.

Now that Lunar Supply left the market, Iridescent was no longer able to prevent the burst from happening. Signs had already started to show it tearing at the seam with the value of products skyrocketing while the currency value was fluctuating. After they learned about it, Sol engaged in an emergency meeting to discuss options.

The last thing she wanted was for the bubble to pop so soon. While it would be devastating to the Royal family as all their assets were tied up in the local region, it would also damage the citizenry. According to their original plan, Iridescent would inflate and pop the bubble on their own initiative. By doing so, they could soften the blow to the general public while tearing down the bulk of Blonsall nobility.

Unfortunately, fate makes fools of the best laid plans and Sol was no longer capable of deflecting the strike to the citizens. Prince Roland, in essence, forced Sol to choose between abandoning a sharp blade capable of striking the heart of her enemy and the citizens that supported her Iridescent to this point.

Duke Reviarra could still recall Sol’s expression the moment she made her decision. REcalling such, his hands clasped together before responding to Dorothy. “It’s difficult to say. Prince Roland withdrew his entire force without a second thought from the Blonsall Capital, yet he did so in an irrecoverable way. The man played scorched earth tactics against his own brother and citizens… If you’re asking this Duke if he trusts such a person, then this Duke would answer ‘No.’”

He released his grasp and leaned back in his chair before continuing. “However, if you asked this Duke whether Prince Roland was trustworthy from a military perspective, then this Duke would be hard pressed to declare no… Sol attempted to form an alliance before, but there’s too many mysteries surrounding that Prince. How did he escape his brother’s territory when his military was already scattered? How has he evaded the scouts Prince Elric has monitoring our ingress points? Why has he come so late? Truth be told, This Duke struggles to believe there are no hidden motives in his arrival…”

Stolen story; please report.

“Of course he harbors hidden motives. Since Sol invited him before, she must have her own plans. Let her figure it out.” Dorothy expressed her rather frank view. Duke Reviarra couldn’t help but glance at the woman.

“You trust Sol quite a bit. Is there a reason?”

“I trust the legends she left behind and my Master’s judgment. Even if I were to ignore that though, I’ve spoken to enough people on the estate to understand how abnormal that girl is. Call the Prince over… Or perhaps we should call him Former Prince at this stage? Haha. I’ll go inform the girl.”

Dorothy left Duke Reviarra behind in thought. Her perl like fingers unlatched the lock of a window immediately outside the Duke’s door and with a subtle flick, the window launched open. Moments later, her figure flickered from view.

Duke Reviarra soon issued his order and Prince Roland was soon escorted to the Reviarra estate’s guest room. The moment Prince Roland entered the room, he found Duke Reviarra, Sol, An, and an unknown woman chatting around a table.

Sol didn’t bother to stand up. The pristine manners Duke Reviarra indoctrinated her with had already started fading and a more natural, yet still elegant, disposition was emerging. Without making things difficult, Sol merely gestured to the Prince to sit down.

“To what might this Lady owe the pleasure for this visit Former Prince Roland?” Her chirping voice scratched the hearts of those listening, however Prince Roland only felt a sense of shame from the tone. Despite feeling as such, he understood his situation quite well.

“Prior to leaving the Blonsall Capital, this Prince-”

“Former.” Sol interrupted him without mercy. “Former Prince.” There was no arrogance in her tone, however there was a firm assertion that backed her words. Prince Roland withheld his anger. He knew Sol was establishing the discrepancy between their negotiating positions.

“Apologies. The Lady may call me Duran then. Before I left the Capital, Lady Reviarra suggested an alliance of sorts between us. I’d like to know, is that alliance still on the table?”

“That would depend on what the Sir has to bring to the table. This Lady understands that Lunar Supply has all but dismantled itself and Sir Duran’s military forces have dispersed. Prince Elric has already assumed the role as acting King and, as Sir is likely aware, the Acting King harbors a strong hatred for this Lady while simultaneously a potent craving for Sir’s forces.”

Sol leaned back on her seat while sipping from her drink. She swirled the liquid while gazing into it in thought before she continued. “This Lady is willing to negotiate an alliance under the minimal conditions that Sir Duran retains control of his military.” Her eyes lifted to meet the former Prince’s gaze. “Does Sir Duren retain control over his forces?”

Despite the questioning gaze, Prince Roland was relieved. The worst case scenario for him was that Sol no longer had a need for his forces. Had that happened, he would have become the unfortunate 3rd party stuck between two massive forces and his army would have been whittled away from lack of resources.

Now that there was a way forward, most of his nervousness dissipated. “Lady Reviarra need not worry. I retain control over my forces and have them waiting nearby. This… I have only a few conditions for the Lady should the Lady desire my strength. First-”

“Before that, shouldn’t you explain why you have the scent of Assemblers on you?” An abruptly interrupted Prince Roland. The Prince felt the gazes in the room turn cold at the comment. He never knew there was a way to ‘smell’ an Assembler on another. In fact, there was no method.

An only held his suspicions for the same reason Dorothy had. Prince Roland’s escape was too smooth. With himself around protecting Sol, that hidden organization would find other means to reach Sol if brute force was off the table for whatever reason. Assassination was always a valid option. As such, An decided to play the bad guy.

“As the Lady and Gentleman know, my forces have received the favor of a mysterious group once before. Prior to Prince Elric taking control, my group was in contact with that group in order to receive training. Our contact ceased after escaping the Capital. Should the smell of ‘Assemblers’ linger around me, it likely belongs to the members of my group.”

Prince Roland was sweating internally. He wasn’t compatible with cultivation and was incapable of becoming an Assembler. Due to that, he had little understanding of the world beyond what was taught to him. Rather than force himself to a dead end by admitting he was on a mission related to Sol, he’d rather take his chances by graying the potentials. An only nodded his head with a “Oh, is that so.” before returning silent once more.