Chapter 611: The Sand King s Bait

Chapter 111: The Sand King s Bait

A cold draft swept into the room, and Thales could not help but tighten his clothes.

“So, you’re telling me that since last year, you’ve been pushing the Alliance of Freedom to rebel against Eckstedt, causing a political uproar in Dragon Clouds City, sending Constellation’s cavalry across the desert, and basically forcing me to return through the Western Desert… Is all of that connected with the ‘Sand King’?”

The fire’s faint light played across the King’s face as he stayed silent for a moment.

“Some of it is,” he admitted.

King Kessel looked up, locking eyes with Thales. “But not all of it.”

Thales exhaled as he mentally linked the chain of events that had unfolded from the previous year up until then.

“Then why not the Northern Territory?” The Prince’s voice carried a hint of weariness, “You have control over Broken Dragon Fortress there, and the duke’s family has been completely sidelined by you. It’s almost like a direct rule.”

The King didn’t respond, his gaze icy and unyielding.”

Thales let out a sigh and turned to the King.

“Please, if you don’t share this with me, I can’t be of any help.”

King Kessel remained quiet, his gaze deep and unreadable.

Thales held the King’s gaze, hoping to glean something from those deep blue depths.

Finally, King Kessel snorted faintly and turned his gaze away.

“It’s because Vai Arunde is still in my prison, and because the heir of Cold Castle is an orphan girl who can’t gain the people’s trust…

“All eyes will be on the Northern Territory, watching closely every move of the Renaissance Palace.”

The King’s voice grew deeper.

“And the officials the Kingdom sent to the Northern Territory… they’re still inexperienced and lack authority.

“In contrast, the ‘State of Emergency Control Order’ in the Western Desert is still in effect. It makes our actions more convenient.”

State of Emergency Control Order

more convenient

Thales couldn’t help but think of Blessings Town and everything he had seen and heard on his journey to the Western Desert.

“That makes sense,” Thales calmly remarked.

“But it’s not enough to deter you from extending your influence to the Northern Territory.”

The Iron Hand King suddenly raised his gaze.

A few seconds later, he spoke slowly.

“The Northern Territory is, after all, right next to Eckstedt.”

Thales raised his eyebrows in realisation.

That was the reason.

King Kessel lowered his voice and said,

“It’s because it’s right next to an enemy king who’s newly crowned and at the peak of his power. Chapman Lampard can bring us too many unexpected and unpredictable surprises.” As he said this, he glanced briefly at Thales and changed his tone, “But of course, compared to you, he’s still quite lacking in that department.” Thales brushed off the sarcasm.

“Why me?” he asked plainly,

“What’s the Sand King’s plan, and why did it have to involve me?”

The Iron Hand King remained silent, his gaze frosty.

Thales sighed,

“Is this how you always talk? Can’t get a word out for the life of you?”

The King kept staring, but his eyes seemed distant, as if he were looking at someone else. After a lengthy pause, King Kessel finally explained, “Because we need a reason.”

“A reason?”

King Kessel looked away and stared into the dark night outside.

“We need to deceive the cunning people of the Western Desert and make them believe that the royal family’s regular army moving into the Western Desert isn’t suspicious at all. We want them to see it as a bargaining chip for all our plans.” Thales understood the situation.

“Ah, ensuring the safe return of the heir to the throne. That’s a solid enough excuse,” Thales said with a slight scoff.

“They probably think there aren’t many kings in the world who wouldn’t prioritise their heir’s safety.”

The Iron Hand King’s gaze was as sharp as a blade.

“Just a joke,” Thales shrugged.

“That’s it? Was I just the reason that covered the regular army’s march westward?”

King Kessel stated coldly,

“We also needed a guarantee.”

Thales frowned.

King Kessel continued, “So that the Western desert-dwellers would believe, during negotiations, that the royal family’s regular army had no choice but to abandon Blade Fangs Camp and withdraw from the Western Frontline. In exchange, the dukes of the Western Desert would lend their troops to ensure your protection and safe return to the capital.”

“And I’m that guarantee,” Thales said, realising the role he played.

He added with a sigh, “I guarantee them that the Western Frontline within their reach is troublefree and that this bait is harmless and can be taken without any worries.”

The Iron Hand King nodded, a hint of disdain showing.

“Because there aren’t many kings in the world who wouldn’t prioritise their heir.” Thales was initially surprised, then he couldn’t help but huff in annoyance.

‘So petty.

I just made a sarcastic remark.

Holding a grudge, are we?’

Thales sat up straight and decided not to dwell on it further.

“So, just to split the big chunk of land you offered in the Western Frontline, those Western Desert suzerains who took the bait willingly gathered their forces. They marched out of their castles, where they’ve been holed up for years, strolling right into the royal family’s regular army camp without a care, letting you capture them all in one fell swoop, saving the trouble of dealing with them one by one, right?”1

King Kessel fell silent for a moment. “Even more than that.”

The King spoke in a deep tone.

“For this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and to secure the huge profits from the desert trade route, those envious Western Desert dukes, who’ve been coveting it for over a decade, have readied their assets, stocked up supplies, and even found ways to profit from the war. They’ve put everything on the line.”

“All of that would become the budget for expanding the royal family’s regular army.”

Thales sneered softly, unsurprised.

“Well, it makes sense to make the most of the opportunity and cover all bases on the spot.”

The Prince lowered his head, his gaze steady.

“What happened to Anker Byrael and his father wasn’t some isolated incident, and it certainly wasn’t by chance.”

“Because in the ‘Sand King’s’ plan, those Western Desert lords were bound to face unusual attacks from desert forces and even fall victim to ‘friendly fire’ from the Legendary Wing and the regular army, which would lead to them losing everything.”

King Kessel leaned back in his chair and gave a nod.

“When the Western Desert suffered a crushing defeat and the urgency of the situation became clear…”

His gaze sharpened.

“For the greater good and to reclaim the vital Blade Fangs Camp, the royal family’s regular army, arriving later, ‘had no option’ but to break the mould, take matters into their own hands, discipline and strip the incompetent noble generals of their roles, disband, and rebuild the defeated conscripted soldiers…”2

“It was the natural course of action, and they had no grounds to resist.”3

Thales sighed and added, “But in war, you can always expect the unexpected.

If the rebuilding doesn’t go well…”

King Kessel’s gaze shifted, locking onto his own.

Thales paused, thinking back to his first meeting with Mallos, and everything started to make

sense.

“I suppose, since the heir to the Kingdom is in the Western Desert, it’s only logical for Renaissance Palace to send reinforcements there to protect the royal bloodline and handle any unexpected situations—like the troops you sent to ‘greet’ me.”

Thales recalled the clear difference in ideas between the Western Desert Army and the regular army on the Avenue of Blessings.4

King Kessel didn’t say a word.

Thales went on, pondering,

“As for what comes after, once it’s done, it can’t be undone. Whether it’s the restructured conscripted army, the nobles facing consequences and losing their authority, families having their conscription rights revoked, or changes in the Western Desert’s military control…5

“Everything you want will keep running in the Western Desert, all under the guise of the ‘Emergency Control Order’, justified by ‘wartime exceptions’, much like Blade Fangs Camp and Blessings Town.”

Thales recalled Count Derek Kroma’s words during their journey and found himself drifting into thought.

“One year, two years, five years, ten years, maybe… forever.”

The room’s lighting was dim, with the lights flickering, casting restless shadows all around. Thales took a deep breath and brought his focus back to the present moment.

“So, to put it plainly,” he began, adopting a more serious tone, “starting from your negotiations with the Western Desert lords, where you offered the Western Frontline in exchange for their military support, to the moment the regular army marched westward to rescue the Prince, and then the unexpected foreign invasion in the Western Desert, followed by the ‘necessary’ use of unconventional methods by the regular army to address the situation on the ground, until the flames of war finally subsided…”6

Thales paused for emphasis.

“All these strategic moves allow you to efficiently organise and unify the scattered and disorganised military forces of the Western Desert vassals. It’s a way to overhaul a long-standing military conscription system.”

Thales gathered himself, lifting his gaze to meet the King’s eyes at the far end of the long table. “With control over the narrative, logic, power, and benefits firmly in your grasp, even if Western Desert vassals and other nobles within the Kingdom have doubts, they’ll be left without a counterargument, let alone capable of mounting resistance.”

At the far end of the table, there was still no immediate response.

“Furthermore,” Thales continued, “what happens in the Western Desert stays in the Western Desert. In the end, this is a regional event, not a sweeping decree that would incite turmoil throughout the entire Kingdom. It prevents widespread chaos.”

Thales spoke with a reflective tone.

“Well, it’s pretty straightforward, really. Whether we’re expanding or reshaping the army, the funds and manpower are going to come from the Western Desert lords’ pockets, lands, and people. We won’t even need to dip too deep into the national treasury’s coffers. We won’t be taking a hit.”7

With his arms crossed, Thales took a deep breath, recalling the warmth and aridity of the Western Desert as he felt the darkness and chill within the Renaissance Palace.

“But once we get this done, from now on, starting from Blade Fangs Camp to Blessings Town, from Rickenan to Brave Souls Fort, even Wing Fort and the Ruins…”

His voice carried a touch of respect.

“In the lands of the Western Desert, unless Renaissance Palace explicitly allows it, the regional lords won’t have the autonomy to muster troops or lead military campaigns. The royal family’s regular army will be the only reliable source of legitimate armed forces and military service.” There was no response from the King, and silence settled in the Ballard Room.

The Everlasting Lamp, which had been flickering, gradually steadied, casting unique shadows on every item in the room.

Thales lightly rubbed the back of his hand.

“More importantly, this is just the beginning.”

He looked at the Supreme King earnestly.

“With the Western Desert setting the precedent, the long-standing tradition of suzerains raising armies and vassals owning troops is no longer set in stone.”

“As people gradually adapt to the idea that ‘only the king can command armies’, it sets the stage for a smoother, more natural military reform throughout the Constellation.”8 Suddenly, Thales recalled the massive battle he had witnessed in the desert.

“It’s like a cavalry charge; no matter how solid a defensive formation is, once a gap forms, flanks are exposed…”

He said, his thoughts trailing off,

“What follows is a sweeping wave…”

“Like cutting through butter with a hot knife.”9

King Kessel stayed silent, but this time he turned his gaze away from Thales.

“What a ‘Sand King.’”

Thales couldn’t stop his sigh.

“In that case, the Western Desert is really a good horse.”

One that could effortlessly pull the chariot of the Kingdom forward.

But…

“Until you came.”

The King’s voice suddenly broke in, interrupting Thales’ thoughts.

The Prince’s expression turned troubled.

“According to the post-operation report from the Secret Intelligence Department,” he began, “you did indeed come across the regular army’s patrol unit in the Great Desert as planned. However, instead of following the plan and meeting them, you vanished without a trace while keeping your identity hidden.”10

The King’s words seemed to hold weight, amplified by the howling wind outside, making the Everlasting Lamp inside the room flicker.

As he thought back to that time, Thales found himself at a loss for words.

“I…” he began.

But King Kessel didn’t allow the Prince to interrupt. His gaze grew sharper and more unforgiving. “On the night the operation started, you somehow ended up at the heart of the storm. You even brought quite a few companions with you: Shadow Shield, Northlanders, Secret Room, and even some Sellswords who tagged along on your ‘day tour’ at Prison of Bones, is that right?” Thales felt a pang of unease.

“Well, about that…” he attempted to clarify.

The King responded with a cold snort and turned his gaze away from Thales. “The Western Frontlines’ personnel lacked the same determination as those at Renaissance Palace. They were indecisive and fearful, unwilling to take risks that might jeopardise their heirs’ safety, so they held back and dispersed their forces, leading to a fragmented operation.”11

“And our spies were meant to instigate the warlike orcs and Barren Bone people to attack the suzerains’ armies while the regular army was away. But it appears they caught wind of something in advance. Not only did their main forces fail to show up, but even their siege was nothing more than a feint, and they retreated as soon as they made contact.”

When Thales heard this, he found himself adding, “Um, yeah, I heard about this orc—Kandarll, isn’t it?—in the desert…”

However, in the following moment, King Kessel stared daggers at him.

“Err…” Thales decided to stop right there, his smile fading away as he said, “Never mind.”

The King didn’t press further and turned his attention to the dim, flickering Everlasting Lamp. The coldness and dissatisfaction in his eyes were quite evident.

“Williams had laid an ambush at the side of Blade Fangs Camp. That fool is known for his quick and decisive actions, yet on that day, for some reason, he seemed to be dragging his feet. He waited until the battle was nearly over before leading his troops back to camp, causing a delay in the operation.”12

At that familiar name, a shiver ran down Thales’ spine.

“This gave the suzerains from the Western Desert in Blade Fangs Camp an opportunity to retreat without much trouble. The main forces from the Ruins, Wing Fort, Brave Souls Fort, and the three

great Western Desert families were extraordinarily cautious. They sensed something was wrong and kept a safe distance, avoiding the trap.”

Thales’ thoughts went back to what the Duke of Western Desert had told him about “power comes from violence”, which only deepened the lines on his forehead.

“And after that, Fakenhaz, that old fossil, made a very public visit to Blade Fangs Camp. He not only had a friendly conversation with you but also presented you with a family heirloom sword. Word of this spread like wildfire throughout the Kingdom.”

Thales took a deep breath, his mind drifting to the ‘Sentinel’ gifted by Fakenhaz, and his fingers unconsciously tightened into a fist.

“As for Crow and Black Lion, they played their part flawlessly, acting as if they were welcoming a king and escorting you out of the Western Desert with all the pomp and circumstance. And in doing so, they effectively thwarted Renaissance Palace’s attempt to send reinforcements.” A soft scoff escaped King Kessel.

“At the end of the day, the Kingdom’s Secret Intelligence Department had to activate an emergency plan to minimise the damage.”

His gaze bore into Thales, as if he were trying to unearth Thales’s deepest thoughts.

“Indeed, as you’ve astutely observed, the Western Desert mission ended in failure.” “The Sand King came excruciatingly close to success, only to fall short.”13 Thales closed his eyes, leaned back in his chair, and released a heavy sigh.

So, that night, as he frantically fled within Blade Fangs Camp…

In concealed corners beyond his sight, countless heart-pounding and pivotal events unfolded.

“But the misstep of a mere horse, the failure in the Western Desert, won’t bring this Kingdom to a standstill.”

The King’s tone grew firm, prompting Thales to open his eyes.

King Kessel’s expression remained deceptively calm, yet his gaze held a tempestuous depth.

“That’s why this letter was penned.”

Thales lowered his head, eyeing the letter by his side beneath the muted glow of the Everlasting Lamp. The Iris Flowers crest appeared lacklustre in the dim light.

“If Western Desert won’t do, we’ll simply switch our focus elsewhere,” the Iron Hand King said with a chilling finality. “No matter the cost.”

“How high will that cost be?”

Thales found himself clenching his teeth.

Fakenhaz’s words resonated faintly in his thoughts: “Would a man like your father accept reality and give up…or would he change his opinion drastically about me and the power of Western Desert… ”

.go all out to make us pay for what happened? “14

“Now,” King Kessel’s gaze returned to Thales.

“It’s your turn to speak.” it’s your turn

The King’s words, composed yet haunting, resonated within Thales.

“What do you bring to the table?”

“What can you do?”

King Kessel’s tone grew even colder. “To make up for your foolishness?”

Thales lapsed into silence, his thoughts in disarray as he stared at the room’s faintly lit interior. “What’s the matter?” King Kessel sneered, his words dripping with mockery. “Can’t get a word out for the life of you?”

But then, in the next moment, Thales broke his silence with an unexpected question.

“Do you hate me?” His tone was distant, and his voice strangely detached.

In that moment, even the typically composed King Kessel couldn’t hide his confusion. “What?” Thales took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on an empty corner as he spoke, his voice drifting off. “I mean… from Broken Dragon Fortress to Dragon Clouds City, from Eternal Star City to Western Desert, you’ve consistently plotted against me, used me, and often put me in harm’s way. You practically pushed me to the brink and then left me there, your own son, to fend for myself.” King Kessel frowned deeply.

“Why?”

Thales sighed. “Why do you hold such a strong hatred for me? Is it because, as portrayed in many stories, my birth caused my mother’s death, and you hold a grudge against me because of it?” In that moment, King Kessel’s gaze turned sharp. “Or is it something my mother, TherrenGirana, did before giving birth to me that drew the wrath of the heavens and left you resenting her for the rest of your life?”

14 Official translation, chapter 493.

Thales held King Kessel’s gaze.

TherrenGirana

Well, that name indeed struck a chord.

For a change, the typically resolute Iron Hand King seemed contemplative, his eyes deepening as though he faced an entirely new chessboard.

Thales had to smile.

“So, after all I’ve done—bringing forth the ‘Sand King’, pushing for military reform, and even playing the role of bait in the Kingdom’s grand plans for prosperity…”

He ground his teeth together, his eyes still locked onto the silent Kessel the Fifth.

“…can’t I at least get one honest word about my mother?”

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