As the gravity of the situation sank in, the king's words carried a blend of caution and reassurance, painting a vivid picture of the challenges that lay ahead.
"As you have successfully eliminated the obsolete Epics, it is highly probable that you will become their primary target," the king affirmed. "Yet, the royal support forces and the knights' troops can instigate and sustain uprisings within the kingdoms themselves, spurred by the movement you have sparked. Though they may be outnumbered and risk their lives, there remains a possibility that they will take up the cause and advance it further. Therefore, this is an obstacle you must overcome on your journey, one that you shall face alone."
The king's words held a flicker of motivation, a reminder of our indomitable spirit and resilience in the face of adversity.
Babu, joining the conversation at this juncture, sought to gain a clearer understanding.
"I presumed that such a meeting would require the approval of all the kingdoms involved to come to fruition," Babu voiced his thoughts.
"Indeed, it did require confirmation," the king confirmed. "Initially, the first Epic prevented us from establishing contact with our youngest brother, King Aoin. However, once you vanquished him, we were able to reach out, and thanks to this development, we obtained the necessary approvals from all the kingdoms. Consequently, while the council's decision and the meeting's resolution were somewhat delayed, they were ultimately endorsed."
A sense of realization dawned upon us as Babu's question hinted at the king's true intentions. Was he planning to mold us into some sort of super-soldiers? Did we unwittingly catch the attention of avaricious statesmen, much like we had drawn the gaze of the Epics?
The king swiftly dispelled any misconceptions with a gentle wave of his hand. "Oh, no, no, no," he reassured us. "I would never make decisions that go against your will. To do so would sever the bonds of trust and respect between us, and it would reveal me to be an unfit ruler. We are merely convening to form an alliance against the Epics, to launch a counter-offensive that will preempt potential scenarios and dismantle their defensive strongholds. Your actions, as I mentioned earlier, have instilled hope within us. It is a precious and elusive hope, one that presents us with an opportunity to rebuild our future once more."
The king could find a reply even against any answer we might have. He was reading our hearts like a manual, connecting our minds to his own, proving to us the greatness of his direction. Just like a real king, he understood the language of his people in a way, and he told us everything as if he would give us the best option. He also filled our sense of trust in him quite a lot and made us feel as if we had gained an ally that achieved many more things.
His answers were also quite sincere. These were words that were immediately poured out of the mouth without any purpose of lying. Of course, even being a liar would have required decency, but there was a world of difference between the words that came out of a liar's mouth and the words that came out of his.
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So having our way of talking much more at ease with him, Ryuu decided to talk,
His eyes were filled with hope, and his ears heard the words he needed the most,
"How likely is it that this will happen? Can you really help us in our war?"
"Ryuu, my child, believe me truthfully, I have no answer for that. So on I don't know either. But I'll do my best, and even though I myself a human being that could let even myself down, would have the only option to help you if you trust me. I have no other way than that to restore the things you might need."
He then added,
"So have your own decision about it, but take it in the way most possible of not regretting it."
In a moment of resolute silence, Shou directed his gaze towards the king, breaking the lingering quietude that had enveloped us.
"This cannot be accomplished without the unanimous approval of all the kings present in the meetings," Shou stated firmly. "And both you, Majesty, and I know that such approval cannot be attained."
Ryuu, turning towards Shou with curiosity, sought further clarification. "And how do you know it won't happen?" he inquired.
Shou's response carried a hint of caution and wisdom. "People you believe to be friends can pose significant problems if you keep them close. That is precisely why the current situation has come to be. There are clandestine alliances and divisions even among kings at times. The fourth king, who happens to be one of the most powerful monarchs, is in cahoots with the fourth Epic. And it is going like this for a long time."
The king seemed aware of the reality Shou had laid bare, but he wore an expression tinged with fear, apprehensive that we might not fully believe him. He spoke cautiously, selecting his words with care.
"I understand the danger involved. However, I intend to personally engage in discussions with my brother, the king of the fourth kingdom, as well as the Fifth King. I will strive to convince them," the king declared.
Shou's voice carried a solemn tone as he interjected, "The negotiations you engage in will bear no fruit. The king of the fourth kingdom and the fourth Epic are not as malleable as you might perceive. Their realms are governed by brutal regimes, diverging greatly from other kingdoms in terms of mercy and compassion. Even if you manage to broker an agreement they consent to, it will be solely in their own interests and advantage, and they will possess greater knowledge and leverage. However, should you proceed, and should you align yourself against them, it will ignite the flames of The Great War, unleashing a torrent of conflicts, disputes, and enmities among the kingdoms. The fourth kingdom will consider you their primary target, the epitome of their wrath."
Shou lifted his head, his gaze firm as he concluded, "Therefore, regardless of the circumstances, we must strive to find an even better solution."
However, Ryuu interrupted Shou, engaging him in a discussion about their differing perspectives.
"No," Ryuu interjected, firmly expressing his support for the king's decision.
"What?" Shou's surprise was palpable.
"If the king does not promptly initiate meetings with the other kingdoms, doubts will begin to fester among them. If we attempt to convince them of a deal at this very moment, it may appear as though they are still being played by someone among their ranks. The most prudent course of action is to seize the initiative once the deal is finalized. Until then, we must exercise patience and deliberate on our next steps."