Chapter 581 - 368: A Biting Dog Doesn’t Bark (Part 2)

Only now did the Governor give off the ruthless air of a man who could kill without blinking.

"The Governor’s arm was broken in his youth during a martial arts tournament. A shameless Persian launched a sneak attack and broke it right after the Governor had spared his life," Mandela explained at the opportune moment. "And that Persian was a Prince of the Persian Gulf Empire at the time. Now, he’s the King."

Levi froze, not expecting such a complicated and bitter history between them.

He also viscerally understood the meaning of the phrase "a dog that bites doesn’t bark."

In the past, there were constant skirmishes on the border between the Holy Sith Kingdom and Debei. Everyone in the country was clamoring for war day in and day out, but it never actually happened.

And now, the Persian Gulf Empire and Debei had simply declared war on each other out of the blue, with absolutely no warning.

It was so sudden that even after the declaration of war, many isolated regions still hadn’t received the news.

"Actually, it has little to do with that. The fact that his sneak attack succeeded only proved that my Swordsmanship still needed work." Bernard waved his hand dismissively, revealing an inside scoop that ordinary people would never know. "In reality, the reason we decided to go to war is very simple. The Persian Gulf Empire is a fanatical slaver state entrenched on the overseas Jade Continent. That continent is at least twice the size of Debei and possesses vast mineral deposits and Magic Crystal Stones. It’s not just us—Talisi and the Holy Sith Kingdom have been watching it very closely for a long time."

"Unfortunately, we’re separated from them by the Storm Sea, and their origins are in piracy. In the past, never mind whether we would lose in a naval battle, we also lacked a suitable reason to start a war."

"But now that they’ve started the war, we naturally accepted the challenge."

Speaking of which, Bernard gave a slight smile. "Because it’s not just Debei that wants this war. There’s no way Talisi and the Holy Sith Kingdom will just stand by and not take a piece of the pork that’s been served up on the table."

Hearing this, Levi’s expression soured. ’So, the rumors about His Majesty Harland tearfully condemning the unprovoked war and lamenting how it would displace countless citizens... those really were just rumors, weren’t they.’

The reality was probably him standing on a castle parapet, swirling a glass of wine, and inwardly laughing his head off.

"War is so brutally simple," Levi sighed. In the real world, wars for justice were the stuff of fiction. Reality was about one thing: seizing and redistributing resources.

It was just like when he first came to the Wilderness. He had encroached upon the natives’ resources, and they had spontaneously formed an Alliance Army to drive him, the mighty outsider, away.

"To put it bluntly, this meeting is about how the Three Kingdoms will form the Alliance Army, and how to divide the spoils after the war," Bernard said frankly. The Lord of High Cliff Castle before him had now entered the ranks of the true elite and was qualified to know such things.

"You know how it is, Levi. Even the closest of beggars will fight over a single piece of flatbread," Mandela interjected.

"With you there to keep things under control, I expect the talks will go much more smoothly."

The sordid, self-serving nature of their discussion made Tannis, who was standing nearby, frown. As a formally invested Knight, she still abided by her vows. Listening to them made her feel sick inside. She wanted to rebuke them, but the three men in the room were all titans whose slightest move could make Debei tremble.

"Lord Governor, I think I’ll go out for some fresh air and take a look at the scenery of High Cliff Castle," she said, her tone somewhat strained.

Bernard felt a pang of helplessness. He had only this one daughter. His intention in bringing her along was to have her understand the rules of the world sooner, so that when he was finally laid to rest, she could take on his responsibilities. But now, it seemed...

"Pitius, go get Mier and have him show Miss Tannis the sights of High Cliff Castle," Levi said, waving over a Rabbit People guard. The guard left, and before long, the towering figure of Mier rushed over.

Before Mier could figure out what was going on, all he knew was that his brother-in-law had kicked him out of the room along with a beautiful girl who was only half a head shorter than him.

...

"Sorry about that, Levi. Tannis is still young..." Bernard apologized once more.

Levi had lost count of how many times the man had apologized for Tannis. He was clearly a father who was worried sick about his daughter.

All three men were shrewd enough to know exactly why Tannis had suddenly left. She simply couldn’t stand to see three famous, reputable men discussing such naked self-interest.

"I don’t mean to meddle in your family affairs, Bernard, but I have to speak my mind," the Lord said without reservation. "Sometimes, trying to control things too much is counterproductive. You might consider letting go a bit."

’In Levi’s opinion, Tannis had simply had it too easy for too long. If she ever had to struggle just for a piece of black bread, she wouldn’t be so high and mighty.’

’Tina, Tiffany, and Liya were much better. All three were of high status, yet none of them suffered from this kind of affliction of the privileged. Then again, it was probably because all three had experienced true hardship.’

Bernard was not stubborn like the Lord. On the contrary, he placed great importance on the opinions of others—he wouldn’t have made it to Governor otherwise. As a general, listening to advice was a fundamental skill. He sank into thought.

For a moment, the only sound in the reception hall was the sipping of tea. The Lord was the first to break the atmosphere. "How about some brandy, Bernard?"

The unique beverage from earlier was gone, and Levi couldn’t resist wanting something else to drink.

"I suffer from migraines, so I cannot drink. The Frost Snow Red Potion is what I prepare for that," Bernard replied, politely declining to Levi’s surprise. "Besides, alcohol muddles one’s thoughts and impairs judgment. As a Governor, avoiding it is a matter of basic professional integrity."

In Levi’s experience, a general who didn’t drink was rarer than a Panda.

This made Levi look at the man with new respect. Generals who could maintain such discipline were pitifully rare.

Mandela, on the other hand, immediately asked for an oaken mug. When a Rabbit Maiden brought one over that was as big as a man’s head, he began to gulp it down.

The man was a hopeless alcoholic; if not for his extraordinary constitution, he would have been done for long ago.

"So, Levi, will you lead the Delegation?" Bernard asked, rubbing his temples. The effects of the Frost Snow Red Potion were beginning to wear off, and he was feeling a bit of discomfort.

"Why not?" Levi smiled. "His Majesty is paying for my trip to the Holy Sith Kingdom, after all."

The truth, however, was that he had long wanted to visit the Holy Sith Kingdom. Their Alchemy was something he coveted, and he was very tempted to just kidnap an Alchemist and bring them back to High Cliff Castle.

Besides, he recalled what Tina had mentioned about the Sea Race. The borders of the Holy Sith Kingdom were near the Gem Sea, home to the Seattle Kingdom.

When he went to the Holy Sith Kingdom, he could make a side trip to the Gem Sea.

Whether or not he could borrow troops from his de facto father-in-law, now that Tiffany was his woman, he had to let her go back home for a visit. After all, it had been far too long since she was abducted and sold to the Human World.

Although she never said so, her longing for her homeland was impossible for Levi to miss.

"Excellent." Bernard grinned. "His Majesty will be thrilled to hear the news. The Delegation departs in half a month, and it only takes two days to reach Gonda by Griffin. That means you have ten days to prepare, Levi."

"As for the war itself, it will likely be some time before it starts. The specific legions that will participate haven’t been finalized, but we can be certain High Cliff Castle will be one of them."

"So start your preparations, Levi. I look forward to our Debei Dragon Knight making a legendary name for himself throughout the Seven Kingdoms in this war, earning a saga that will be told for a thousand years."