Palmaryan had suspected it.

The reason Marquis Palatio was building Divine Land.

It was probably because he intended to become king.

…

“Yes.”

“War?”

But even so.

He hadn’t expected him to so openly reveal his intent for war.

Because to do so was, in his eyes, the worst possible move—one unworthy of a king.

“Haa…”

With a sigh, Palmaryan calmly thought it over.

Was Marquis Palatio truly trying to start a war?

No matter how much he thought about it, he couldn’t help but tilt his head in doubt.

Surely there were better ways available to the marquis.

But when he recalled what his son had told him.

No matter how he looked at it, it sounded like a call for war.

“So then… what was it you said you experienced there?”

At Palmaryan’s question, Tolenis steadied his breath and reported everything that had happened in Divine Land without leaving out a single detail.

From the very first words he had heard when meeting Marquis Palatio.

To the explanation from a Divine Land knight about the “shortcomings” of Divine Land.

And finally, how the marquis rejected all offers of sponsorship.

“That’s everything.”

“Nothing more?”

“Nothing, sire.”

Palmaryan let out another sigh.

No matter how he looked at it.

No matter what perspective or intention he applied.

The marquis’s intent was clear.

In other words.

“If you don’t want war, then let’s settle this peacefully. Pay up—but not the amount you suggested, much more…”

He considered it seriously.

Marquis Palatio was strong.

Thanks to his incredible achievements, his reputation within the Allied Kingdoms was very high.

But still.

This kind of blatant extortion was not in the marquis’s favor.

Because no matter how strong he was, if the Allied Kingdoms truly made up their minds and struck as one—

If they did…

“Hmm.”

“…Would he still lose?”

Palmaryan recalled the feats the marquis had accomplished up to now.

And then he thought of all those who followed him.

Yes, it wouldn’t be so simple after all.

As he sank deeper into thought, a man who had been silent all this while finally spoke.

“Your Majesty, may I say something?”

“Speak.”

It was Duke Padrima, who had been making a separate report.

“I believe it would be wise to gather with others and discuss this matter jointly.”

“That sounds to me like you’re saying we should prepare for war together with other kingdoms. Is that correct?”

“That is correct.”

“Are you underestimating Marquis Palatio’s achievements?”

The duke shook his head.

“Not at all. In fact, among those in the Allied Kingdoms, there is no one who would dare look down on him.”

“Then why do you say such a thing?”

“Because of the future, Your Majesty.”

“The future?”

At Palmaryan’s murmur, Duke Padrima continued.

“Marquis Palatio will become king. But do you think he will be satisfied with just that?”

“You mean—”

“My belief is that Marquis Palatio will come to desire more.”

“…”

Palmaryan fell silent for a moment.

Of course, it was all just speculation.

No one could truly know what choices the marquis would make in the future.

But the duke’s words were not beyond the realm of possibility.

Even if Palmaryan could not fully grasp the marquis’s character.

The man had more than enough power to envision such a future.

And so, as Palmaryan rubbed his chin again and again, lost in thought—

“Your Majesty—”

“What is it?”

“There is word that Ashtalon has declared its intent to sponsor Divine Land.”

“What?”

A knight rushed in with an urgent report.

“Is this true?”

“Yes—our informant reported it so.”

“Hmm…”

Palmaryan frowned.

Certainly, at present, the Kingdom of Ashtalon had already lost so many troops that its position within the Allied Kingdoms was precarious. Even if they went to war without Ashtalon, it would not be a major issue.

But what mattered was this.

That Ashtalon had expressed intent to sponsor Divine Land at all.

The moment this news went public.

Regardless of Palmaryan’s own stance, other nations could announce their support in agreement.

And if that happened.

War would essentially be off the table.

“If I hesitate here and declare support later than the others—”

It would be all too easy to incur the marquis’s displeasure.

And that was clearly not a good thing.

Marquis Palatio was not yet the king of a nation, he merely held Divine Land.

But his achievements alone made others wary of making an enemy of him.

And so.

“There’s no choice.”

Palmaryan realized it clearly.

There had only ever been one option.

He let out a heavy groan.

***

Just earlier, Duke Padrima had fervently pressed his case before Palmaryan.

But now, in the carriage ride back to his estate, he clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

Because of Palmaryan’s decision.

“Another mess.”

Duke Padrima—

No, the man who had infiltrated the Allied Kingdoms as an agent of the Eastern Empire Kasranoia twenty years ago—

Let out a deep sigh.

“Why is everything turning into a snarl…”

His head throbbed with frustration.

Back when he had first killed the duke and stolen his skin.

He had thought everything would go smoothly.

After all, the Allied Kingdoms were far more careless than the Empire.

Of course, the Empire itself was split into four factions as well…

This place, divided into five kingdoms and small principalities, was the perfect ground for his goal of stirring up a “war among the Allied Kingdoms.”

At the same time, there were many regions outside the Allied Kingdoms’ direct control.

It was an ideal environment for organizations he could exploit to grow.

That was why, up until a few years ago, he had no doubt his plan would succeed flawlessly.

When the Outer Gods appeared, he had even applauded.

That is, until Marquis Palatio revealed himself.

‘What on earth is that man…’

The marquis defeated each crisis of the kingdom one after another, almost unnaturally.

And not only that.

Ever since he began acting in earnest.

The underworld organizations he had secretly fostered were destroyed one by one, torn to pieces.

“…”

Thinking back on it, he couldn’t help but sigh.

Even now his stomach churned when he remembered how those groups he had nurtured so carefully were wiped out—one or two each day.

Of course, it wasn’t Marquis Palatio himself who personally crushed those organizations.

But the strange snowball effect that had begun with the marquis’s arrival had grown completely out of control.

And it was tipping his plans toward failure.

Even the daughter he had painstakingly prepared long ago to manipulate Marquis Palatio had failed.

And his attempt to provoke Palmaryan at just the right time had also failed.

“There’s not much time left… I’ll have to start a war before the clock runs out—”

He muttered anxiously as he began drafting a new plan.

“This is… rather interesting information.”

“Should we squeeze more out of it?”

“Yes, we should.”

He never realized that someone else might have been listening.

Duke Padrima, who had arrogantly tried to manipulate Marquis Palatio.

To punish him, even just a little, the eyes of the elf and the lizardman sent by Magrina gleamed.

***

Alon arrived at the Magic Tower about a week later.

“Wow, it’s huge.”

Seolrang marveled at the towering structure in the distance.

“Hey—move over! You’re crowding me!”

Ryanga shoved Seolrang aside, while Historia silently turned her gaze to the tower.

Watching them quietly, Alon suddenly recalled what had happened a week ago.

Rine and Magrina had left as soon as the partners were decided.

Rine, after all, had only been manifesting through an artifact, so she had to withdraw eventually.

And Magrina, as the leader of the elves, could not remain for long either.

Yutia too had left for a while.

“She said she had business, right?”

With a deeply regretful face, Yutia had promised to meet again in Terea before leaving for Rosario.

So in the end, Alon arrived at the tower with just Ryanga, Historia, and Seolrang.

But even with fewer companions, Alon’s carriage was anything but quiet.

Seolrang and Ryanga played pranks on each other the entire way.

…Each prank blowing away a small mountain or erasing a whole stretch of road.

Regardless, thanks to that, Alon arrived at the tower without much chance for boredom.

“Huh?”

The sight before him raised a strange question.

Even though no symposium was underway—and the place should have been quiet—

The grounds were crowded with mages.

‘That many?’

It was as if every single person inside the tower had come outside.

“What the heck are they?”

“Homeless…?”

Seolrang and Historia muttered as they watched the crowd.

From their perspective, it was an understandable thought.

Even to Alon, the mages outside looked utterly haggard.

On closer inspection, small tents were pitched here and there.

As if they were prepared to stay for a long time.

‘Are they really vagrants?’

Alon unconsciously shook his head at the thought.

The robes they wore made it clear they were mages.

Which only deepened his confusion.

Why on earth were mages camped out around the tower?

It made no sense.

And at that moment—

“Gasp!”

“A… a carriage!”

“Wh-who is it!”

Alon heard the voices of the mages.

“M-Marquis Palatio!”

“Ah!”

“It’s Marquis Palatio’s carriage!”

“R-really?”

“It’s true! It’s the marquis’s carriage!”

The cries of the mages rang out.

And then, those haggard figures who had been staring at the ground suddenly all turned toward Alon.

And then—

Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud—

They began running at him like mad.

“Uh—”

“Wh-what is that?”

“Boss, should I blow them away?”

For a moment, Alon hesitated.

With hundreds of mages charging at him with desperate eyes, the pressure was overwhelming.

So while Alon debated his response—

And Seolrang, with a serious look, was about to lift her leg—

“L-Lord Marquis! Please choose me!”

“?”

One mage cried out desperately.

“N-no, me! I’m good! I’m great at basic calculations!”

“Move aside!!! I’m a professor—no, I am a professor! Choose me! Please!!”

“Pick me! Please pick me!!”

“Huh??”

As if waiting for this moment, they rushed to the carriage.

Shouting frantically, like they were yelling, “I’m great at coding!”

Alon’s head spun in disbelief.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep