Clap—
Clap—
Clap—
The audience's applause began with a polite and rhythmic clap as if marking the culmination of this prestigious moment.
People from all walks of life joined in, clapping with unbridled enthusiasm, their faces beaming with admiration for Governor Samuel Lazo and his monumental achievements.
Amid the sea of clapping spectators, Irene sat quietly among the ordinary citizens, her presence seemingly just another face in the crowd.
As the applause and cheers filled the air, her sharp eyes remained fixed on the stage where the ceremony was unfolding.
The atmosphere around her was charged with excitement, but Irene was calm and collected.
She had been unwaveringly focused on the ceremony from the very beginning, scrutinizing each individual on the stage.
Their names, faces, and the significance of their roles were methodically stored in her mind.
It was a tedious process, but Irene was no stranger to such tasks.
In her world of espionage and intelligence, information was a currency more valuable than gold as it would certainly be helpful in the future.
After all, the defeat of Barlia had been nothing short of disastrous. Everything seemed to be going well until Ryntum stepped into the fray.
The intelligence circles were abuzz with debates and discussions.
On one side, there were those who believed that Barlia should have taken a more cautious approach, strengthening and stabilizing the captured territories before venturing further.
To them, it was a matter of consolidating power and securing what they had gained.
Others, however, held a different perspective.
ραndαsΝοvεl ƈοm To them, Barlia's audacious rush into the heart of Middle Jozia, akin to a locust swarm descending upon its prey, had been the right course of action.
Their intention had been to strike at the heart of Bideford, the very nerve centre of their biggest adversary, a bold move that could have redefined the course of the war.
Alas, everything has gone down the drain. Barlia has lost.
Irene stood up from her seat. "I have nothing left to do here. Let's see what this king gonna do next," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible before gracefully making her way through the crowd.
....
Riz took a deliberate step back, allowing the announcer to take centre stage and guide the audience through the closing moments of the ceremony.
As the ceremony neared its end, the honoured recipients, their chests adorned with medals, rose from their seats.
One by one, they made their way to reunite with their families, who waited with beaming smiles and tears of pride in their eyes.
Meanwhile, Riz began his slow descent from the stage. William, the minister of war and defence, approached him with a question in his eyes.
"Are you leaving already, Your Majesty?" William inquired, his voice filled with curiosity.
Riz met his gaze with a faint smile. "Yes, William," he replied quietly. "There's nothing left for me to do here. My presence will make a lot of people feel awkward and restrained."
He turned around, making his way to his nearby office which was within a walkable distance.
But, his eyes meet an unexpected figure, standing in his path.
"I thought we had finished our business, Alexander," Riz remarked with his calm but curious tone.
Alexander met Riz's gaze without hesitation. "You are surely jesting, Your Majesty. Prisoners of war are one matter, but the fallen soldiers are another," he replied with a solemn expression.
Riz considered this for a moment, then gestured for the diplomat to walk alongside him towards his office. "State what you want to say, Alexander," he requested, his voice steady and measured.
"First, I want to convey the displeasure of my emperor regarding his son's treatment as a prisoner of war. My emperor found it very unbecoming for a royalty to be treated in such a horrible manner," Alexander stated.
Riz chuckled as he listened to Alexander's words.
Somehow, it reminded him of a particular rich friend he had in the past. Someone who constantly complained about life, finding fault in everything and nothing ever quite suiting their refined taste.
It was... very irritating, but Riz remained composed as he answered with a hint of cynicism.
"Tell your emperor that he should jump for joy, Alexander. I've provided his beloved son with a comprehensive experience of the horrors of war. Many do not have the opportunity as they often meet their end far too early."
Alexander's expression shifted, his irritation mixing with a hint of discomfort. "Your Majesty, are you really meant by those words?"
Riz maintained his composure, studying the diplomat's reaction closely. "Yes, Alexander, I meant every word. Now, tell me your true purpose here."
"The empire wishes to invite you to a joint operation." he delivered the message.
Riz raised an eyebrow. "Operation? What kind of operation?"
"To attack the Kingdom of Inver," Alexander stated plainly. "Inverloch's goal is to recover the territories they lost. Whatever Ryntum's objectives may be, we are prepared to offer our support."
Alexander firmly believed that Ryntum would be tempted by the prospect of an alliance with the Empire.
Although Riz hadn't openly declared his intentions, his expansionist ambitions were evident to many in Inverloch's court.
Contrary to Alexander's expectations, Riz was not the least bit tempted by the offer.
He knew that if he joined forces with Inverloch, they wouldn't stop at simply recovering lost territory.
The southern neighbour would be left in total ruin, and the primary beneficiary wouldn't be him.
Riz had resolved not to drag his kingdom into a war anytime soon, as his ambitions lay not in the south but to the north.
"Regrettably, I have to refuse the offer, Alexander," Riz stated firmly. "We have yet to recover from the previous war. However, as a sign of support for your actions, Ryntum will stop trading with them during the period of war. I believe that should suffice from our side."
Alexander appeared disappointed by Ryntum's decision. "Perhaps you could spare us some of your weaponry for our use," he suggested. "That way, it would send a clear message to the Invers that you are displeased with their actions."
'So, that's what you're aiming for, huh?' Riz narrowed his eyes. Aloud, he rejected the idea, "No, we don't need to go that far."
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