CHAPTER 2349 MANIPULATING FEAR
From the start of the meeting, the prime minister had been tapping into the guildmaster's fears. He didn't make an excessively logic-driven argument or take a data-driven approach to try and convince the guildmaster that siding with them was objectively the best decision.
No.
He simply asked questions that focused on the guildmaster's fear of three Sage-level nations.
He asked him whether he thought that the Kandrian Empire could protect him from the alliance.
He asked him whether he thought Rui could protect him from the alliance.
He simply asked whether it was truly a decision he wouldn't come to regret.
These were questions with absolutely no rational foundation and were simply designed to place the guildmaster in a negative state of mind.
Of course, the guildmaster was cognizant of the prime minister's machinations. However, it did not stop them from working due to the fact that they were based in some truth.
Could the Kandrian Empire, a single powerhouse, protect him from the wrath of the alliance?
Was it worth putting his trust in Rui?
Was it worth taking the risk?
Rui's expression grew grave as he fully understood this dynamic and the fact that he couldn't allow it to continue.
He also understood that vainly hammering their credibility over and over again like a broken record was not an effective diplomatic strategy. The guildmaster was very well aware that the Kandrian Empire had successfully beaten back the alliance's attacks on all its allies in East Panama. There was no point in reiterating it any more than he already had.
On top of that, there was no point in offering any more benefits and offers than the Kandrian Empire already had. Their offers were already extremely generous, and adding anything on top of everything that they had already promised would only have diminishing returns.
All the riches and treasures in the world didn't matter if the Bradt Distribution Service and the Shionel Confederation were too dead to enjoy them.
Rui needed something new.
He recalled his father's words.
"Be open-minded," Emperor Rael had told him. "It doesn't matter what you say as long as the Shionel Confederation becomes an ally."
An idea popped into Rui's head as he understood what he needed to say.
"The Kandrian Empire may not be as blood-thirsty as the alliance, but…" His voice grew ominous. "Rest assured that we will not show mercy to those who ally with enemies that seek to destroy us."
The two men stirred at his words with a hint of surprise.
Rui's words were a threat.
Of course, he wasn't as audacious as the prime minister. He took the standard diplomatic way of trying to make threats without coming off as actively hostile. More importantly, they realized that the Kandrian Empire had decided that it was no longer enough to work with incentives and benefits.
The Kandrian Empire, for the first time in the war for allies, had decided to use the stick.
A smile emerged on the prime minister's face while the guildmaster directed a pointed gaze to him. "It is no secret that we Kandrians do not enjoy conflict," Rui continued with a calm yet sharp tone. "It is no secret that we have a dovish foreign policy that prioritizes harmony. However, do not mistake it for dogma. We very much prefer harmony, but if it is not possible, then rest assured…"
The darkness in his eyes stirred menacingly. "We have no issue setting the world ablaze."
Guildmaster Bradt's eyes sharpened with severity while the prime minister expressed a hint of grudging respect.
"Did you really think that we would just sit back and watch if you dared to support enemies that fight to destroy us?" Rui raised an eyebrow. "Do you think the alliance will be able to protect you from us?"
His gaze shifted back to the prime minister. "What do you think is more important to the alliance, guildmaster? Protecting you or destroying the Kandrian Empire?"
Guildmaster Bradt turned his eyes to the prime minister.
"The Britannian Empire will protect you Martially while the Republic of Gorteau will support you economically," the prime minister reassured him. "We do not simply abandon allies in war."
"And what credibility do you have?" Rui retorted. "Why should he believe you? The Kandrian Empire has proven that it will fight to protect its allies by actually doing just that for the past three months. We have fought many times to protect them, and there is no question about that. However, what proof is there that the alliance will do the same?"
"History," Prime Minister Edward replied nonchalantly. "We have protected our colonies in the event of an attack throughout the Age of Martial Art."
"Colonies?" Rui smiled. "Is that what the Shionel Confederation is to you? A colony and not an ally?"
The prime minister's eyes narrowed. "We have not colonized our allies."
"But you don't have precedence of protecting them, either," Rui pointed out, gaining momentum. "After all, you have only protected colonies, which does not mean that you will protect allies. Unless, of course, you think that your allies are your colonies." Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
Rui continued to try and rhetorically hammer in the point that the Britannian Empire looked at its allies as mere entities to colonize. If he could drive that point home, then he would be able to ensure that the guildmaster would not want to cooperate with the alliance. After all, nobody wanted to ally with a person who looked at them as though they were slaves.
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Edward was far too shrewd to be outmaneuvered so easily.
"Do you know why we don't have precedence?" He smiled. "It's because nobody dares to attack our allies. We are not soft like you Kandrians. We do not tolerate affronts. That is why you are the ones under attack. Trying to flex that like it is something to be proud of is simply proof that you are not worth allying with. Any powerhouse that cannot deter others from attacking their allies is not worth allying with."
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