329 THE CHOICE

The guards on the city wall however did not dare to slacken tonight. 

Tonight the King of Veva and the Prime Minister of Veva seems to have something to talk about and instead do talking about it in their court session, they instead meet here on top of the city wall and talk to each other here

These guard usual would try to catch a bit of sleep while some of the others keep watch. But who would dare di such a thing now. 

Not only they do not dare to sleep, they do not dare to listen or to look to long toward the direction of the Prime Minister and the King

the area around the city wall is dark now as the moonlight is covered by the clouds. The light did not seem able to pierce through the thick dark clouds.

But Eric didn't seem to realize it as he is eager to persuade Zeus to listen to him

'The step we have taken shows how impatient we are. We sow the wind and we reap the whirlwind.'

'Vanheim and us are the same in the beginning but while they are stable, we are not. We had to cope with rebellion, external enemies trying to caught our weakness and pounce on us and we are always reacting when we should have been the one that force others to react to our moves. By having to react to other people moves, we are in a passive position'

Zeus was about to say something but Eric would not have it as he keeps saying what he needed to say

'It might appear to the world that by losing the south we grow weaker. But it is not. If we could unite our forces, a truly united force, then it would be easy to take back the south'

'Even though we have the south, we had to keep defending it. With so much time spending on defending that border and dealing with other internal problems, we never had enough time to prepare to take over the world' 

'In the past, we could see the path forward very clearly. But now? Now we are booged down by Aerosia, Holy Zun Empire, fearing that the Savillia kingdom would move to our upper parts region and Alfhaim attacking from the bottom. 

'We are too preoccupied and we stretched our line too thin. It is fortunate that all of the kingdoms is not united. If not, we would be attacked in all sides and no matter how bigger we are than them, we would crumble under such assault'

And as we are preoccupied, Vanheim is conserving their strength. I believe that the force that met Alexander in the plain is not the true force of the Empire. I believe the Emperor have some scheme of himself. But that is another matter. I am digressing' Eric seems to be very excited now.

Taking a deep breath and then continuing, Eric said

Zeus rub his forehead. Eric did not stop trying to persuade Zeus

If Zeus is stubborn on keeping the south, then they could only wait and wait. Aero plan is very insidious. 

If they did not move at all, Aero wins. 

Even if they move Aero would win. 

But Aero would only win if Zeus protect the borders of his kingdom. Only in that way, it would fulfil the prerequisite of Aero scheme of moving and losing. Not moving and also losing.

However, if Zeus let go and sacrifice a lot, then that created another scenario. 

That is what the other kingdoms fail to see. If they could sacrifice their territory, they could break from this deadlock. 

But the reason why they all could not see it is because which ruler would want to sacrifice their territory?

And out of all the western kingdoms, there is only two kingdoms that is able to sacrifice their territory and still able to stage a comeback and that is Veva and Holy Zun.

The other kingdoms could not do this because they might lose all of it, if they take the wrong step.

As such, they must take this risk. 

If they take this risk, Zeus could still compete for the world. 

if he misses this chance, then when Aero returns back to Vanheim and assume back his Chancellorship, he would never ever give Veva a chance to rise again.

Eric believes that Aero could not have foreseen that Zeus would abandon the whole south.

By doing that, Veva could break out form this deadlock and could start anew.

Eric then hold both of Zeus hand and said

'Believe in me, old friend. This is our last chance. If we could not take it, then the worst case scenario would happen. Sooner or later, if we could not break this, when Aero returns to Vanheim, the world would be separated into the Eastern and Western side. He will make sure of that'

'And with Aero capabilities, he would surely find a way to make us never ever be able to travel east. He would then pacify the Empire, and the when the time is ripe they will march to the west. We either have to wait for him to die or for him to be suddenly stupid to ever breakout from the west to the east'

'I…I…'Zeus was hesitating. He knew he had made a deal with Eric. He promises him that he would listen to Eric counsel. 

But this decision made him speechless. 

He didn't mind fighting in battlefield. 

But giving up his territory? 

This is the first time. 

It is not like he never lost his territory before. He and Ariana have always fought around the borders and the border region had seen many changes of hand between Holy Zun and Veva.

But none of them was done by him voluntarily. 

He is not used to giving up. 

Eric gripped Zeus hand tighter and said

'If Holy Zun take Loth kingdom they are no longer just neighbors with Nero Republic but they would also be neighbor with Alfhaim' 

'One of our problems is that we are restricted by all sides. Since we are restricted by all sides, let's give the restricted side to our enemy'

'If Holy Zun take Loth region, they would border with those Elves. Those Elves had already hated on the Church. Instead of trying to attack a faraway enemy, they would attack the closest. because by then, we are not the threat. It is the Holy Zun' 

Eric continue by saying

'Even if we march to Duvar, they could not stop up even if they separate their forces. They have to choose. Whether to stop us from entering Duvar. Or…. stop Holy Zun who is already on their western border'

'I believe that they would stop Holy Zun and contested with them in the Loth region. Holy Zun had to bear the brunt. Their ability to mobilize their troops would be severely impacted and they would not be able to stop the forces that we will send to Duvar since they still have to conquer Loth first'

'But since we already given up on Loth we could focus our military to take Duvar. We might have lost Loth, but we also lost two enemies at the same time. And if Aerosia take Redat region that is even better. Now, Holy Zun Empire had to cope with three enemies at the same time. They have to experience what we are experiencing.'

Eric is now unstoppable as he lists all the projected movement of the other kingdoms

'Veva territory might become smaller but it is also becoming more manageable and we could reorganize back the regions. Let those Churchmen handle the secret society in Loth and let Aerosia deals with Redat region. We would try to take Duvar and if we succeed, we now have the access to the East. And we also have access to both Savillia and Alfhaim' 

'With our military we could easily garrisoned the mountains around the Holy City and create a powerful fortification. It is not a lie that said if a powerful force could take Duvar, they could take the whole world. If not for Veranis rebellion how could it be easy for us to think to take Duvar easily. But because they are cut off, they are isolated'

Zeus is trying to temper Eric enthusiasm by asking him

'What if Holy Zun would not move even after we move our army to Duvar?' Zeus asked. Laughing Eric reply

'Then that would even be better. But that is unlikely. Very unlikely. Because if we move, Holy Zun would undoubtedly move. Nero Republic would also move. Their objective is probably to take some territory from Holy Zun'

'But I doubt it would succeed. But even if it would not succeed, it would bring more pressure to the holy Church. Because unlike them, we have already let go. But they will still need people to protect their borders. This separate their forces. That is not counting if Alfhaim would join in or other people. That is the terrifying part of all this. 

'Once anyone moves, it is free for all. They would be too many variations, to many moves that could be employed. I don't think even Aero could calculate all the possibility. But that is where lies Aero greatest trick. It didn't matter how chaotic it became. Because no matter how chaotic the western kingdom becomes, it would not affect Vanheim by the slightest'

'Arianna would probably put some of her army on their eastern border to defend against Nero Republic soldiers while they would move north and take Loth kingdom. In the end they have to take it even if they don't want it. Because if they do not take it, then they will not have any benefit whatsoever. The moment we make a move; each kingdom will move. What we should do however is to let go of some borders, defend some of the border, and take what we can take.'

Eric then release Zeus hand and said

'I already spoke to the generals of the army and they stand at the ready'

hearing this Zeus was shocked. Then he said

'Then what is the point of asking me? You did not even consult me on this matter?' There is a little bit anger in his tone. 

Eric did not flinch

'I gave them the order to be ready. I did not yet tell them what they should do. If I told them to move tonight, by dawn the army would start to march'

Zeus then understand what Eric is trying to say to him

Taking a deep breath Eric said to him

'I need you to make the choice, Zeus. This military order must come from you and not from me. You have to choose. To me, this is my only way of breaking the current situation while having the most benefit for the development of the kingdom'

The wind blows again as the clouds that covers the moonlight were pushed away and the moonlight illuminate the two figures on the top of that city wall. 

Zeus look at Eric and then sighed. he looks at the dark horizon in the distance. 

He thought of those days in the past and then determination flashed in his eyes and then he decisively said

'Abandon the south!' hearing this Eric smiles and laughs.

'That is good. That is good!' He laughed and the order was quickly relayed to the other officials. By dawn, pigeons were flying in the sky

In the afternoon, probably all the surrounding kingdoms of Veva would get the news that vena had move.

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