Enlightened Empire

Chapter 374: Breaking the Isolation

After Corco had spent a while in contemplation, Fadelio came back from distributing his orders. Both returned to their seats, and continued their work in silence. Now that they had finished cleaning up the mess from the previous night, it was time to prepare for war. Although the troops were already being assembled outside, there was still much work left to do behind the scenes. Allocating wages, putting together the supplies for the army, appointing officers to various missions, most of the work involved in warfare was organizational.

They couldn’t just take all their soldiers in one giant blob and march down south without a plan. They had to plan routes, and had to consider all kinds of eventualities. Although most of this work had been done well in advance, small and large problems in their setup would still crop up every step of the way. And some of those problems were too big or too involved for the people downstairs to handle, so they would land on Corco’s desk.

For a while, the king and his attendant continued their work, until a government official came in and interrupted them. This time however, he hadn’t come from the army with more problems.

“King Corco, an Advisor Pallatio is here to see you,” the official said. “He has come here under the sigil of the central house of Pluritac.”

The name ‘Pallatio’ was one Corco hadn’t expected to hear today. The advisor was an old servant of House Pluritac, but unlike Fadelio’s family or the late prime minister Chaupic, Pallatio had chosen to support Corco’s uncle Pacha wholeheartedly during the succession war.

Thus, the servant of his family had become his enemy. Although after their war several years earlier, Pacha and Corco had managed to achieve a precarious peace, the appearance of the servant surprised the southern king.

While he had sent out invitations for his solstice festival to all northern estates, including the ones of his fellow kings, neither his brother Amautu nor his uncle Pacha had taken him up on the offer. Both invitations had remained unanswered, at least officially.

Thus, not only had Corco not expected to see Pallatio here, he hadn’t even been notified by the ghosts either. Which meant that Pallatio, King Pacha’s most important advisor, had entered the city incognito, without an invitation, and without anyone’s notice. Although, considering how many people had entered the city these days, it wasn’t surprising that one or two important figures had managed to slip through the net.

We still have too little manpower, and too little control.

“Let him come in,” Corco replied after a few seconds of thought.

Whatever the reason for Pallatio’s visit, there was only one way to find out. Since Corco couldn’t figure it out even after some thought, there was no point in delaying. He couldn’t really prepare anything anyways. Thus, the old servant and young master finally met again, after over a decade apart.

“King Corcopaca, this advisor extends his greetings.”

After he had entered, Pallatio bowed and greeted the foreign king properly. With a stiff posture, the old man stood in front of the king who once was his young master. He still had the same, unwavering jawline, and he still wore the same, fancy robes. In comparison, the king had changed far more over these years, from a quiet and unfavored young prince to a powerful king. However, in one respect, the advisor had changed far more than him.

“You’ve gotten old, servant Pallatio,” Corco commented.

Although it was a rude comment, he just couldn’t help himself. The last time the king had seen Pallatio had been before his exile to Arcavia. Back then, the servant’s hair had been jet black, dark and shiny like the sea at night. Now however, most of his hair had turned white, and time had left deep traces in his face.

“Yes, it has been a full decade since this servant last saw King Corcopaca,” the old servant replied. Although his tone was light, his words weighed heavy. Corco realized just how much time had passed ever since his exile. Although he had achieved much in these years, there was still much more left to do. The lost time made him melancholic, but he didn’t have time for nostalgia, and he was sure that Pallatio hadn’t come here to chat as an old friend.

“Anyways, welcome,” Corco still said with a genuine smile and pointed to the guest chair in front of his desk. “Please, have a seat.”

After a grateful nod, the old servant rested his bones in the chair. The only thing that soured the friendly atmosphere was the fact that ever since his entry, Pallatio had ignored Fadelio. Corco knew that Pallatio had been in conflict with Fadelio’s sister Inti during the Triumvirate meetings, and he seemed to have some more fundamental problems with Fadelio’s family. However, this animosity didn’t seem to extend to Corco himself, so he decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

“King Corcopaca, this servant is very glad to see you well,” Pallatio said after he had sat down. There was no hint of hostility in his words.

“Yeah, it’s good to see a familiar face, even though we’re on different sides now.”

Corco was hinting at Pallatio’s decision to support Pacha, rather than him. Ever since then, the advisor had been working against Corco during the Triumvirate meetings as well. It was a light attack that was meant to break up the friendly atmosphere and gauge the advisor’s real mood, and real intentions. However, Pallatio didn’t show any signs of discomfort.

“This servant has to apologize for the inconveniences caused to King Corcopaca,” he said. “However, everything this servant has done, he has been done for the stability of the family.”

“I’m not blaming you,” Corco replied. “We’re way past passing blame. Honestly, I don’t mind who you want to work for, and I’m in too good a mood today to give a crap about any political disagreements.”

Since the probe didn’t bring any results, there was no reason to make his guest unhappy, and he could always probe more later. In the end, despite everything, Corco was glad to see his family’s old servant again. Although Pallatio had chosen to support Pacha over him, the southern king really couldn’t fault him for it.

Maybe Pallatio had supported Pacha because he saw it as a chance to rise in standing. Or maybe he felt loyalty towards Pacha because the young King of the Center had been in Medala all these years, while he and Amautu had been away in different countries. Or maybe he thought Pacha’s claim was the most legitimate, because among the three kings, Pacha was the one who controlled the Pluritac heartland around Arguna.

Whatever the case, it was impossible to tell whether or not Pallatio’s choice was wrong, both from a realist’s and an idealist’s standpoint. At least Corco wouldn’t be so presumptuous to judge him for it.

“Yes, King Corcopaca would have to be content after last night’s miracle,” the advisor commented.

“Right? Looks like someone up there is on my side. I wonder why he wouldn’t be on my uncle’s side as well.”

Corco was joking around, while at the same time increasing the pressure on Pallatio again. After all, the ‘miracle’ he had shown yesterday would do much to legitimize his claim to Medala’s throne. Meanwhile, when Pacha had tried to get a favorable sign from the gods during the succession war, he had been presented with a bad omen. Of course, both the miracle and the bad omen had been manufactured by Corco, but Pallatio didn’t need to know that.

“Positive signs from the heavens are good for the Pluritac household. After all, everyone is still family, whether brother or uncle,” Pallatio expertly evaded Corco’s question, as well as his address of Pacha as his uncle, not his brother. “And the northern Pluritac families do not seem to have any involvement in this war. Any signs that predict King Corcopaca’s victory do not harm the interest of the central kingdom.”

“Sure. That’s true,” Corco admitted, before he leaned forward. It was time to get to the real topic of today. “So, since the war has nothing to do with you, what are you doing here, exactly?”

The sudden change in tone didn’t seem to phase Pallatio at all.

“King Corcopaca has invited every force on the Twin Isles to his winter solstice festival,” Pallatio explained. “Of course, that included the King of the Center. As King Pachacutec’s head advisor, this servant has been deemed qualified to represent his king in this matter.”

Of course, it was a shoddy excuse. If he had come on a diplomatic mission like that, he would have announced his arrival, rather than hide away until after the festival was over.

“So you’re a tourist,” Corco joked, despite his reservations. “Don’t tell me you’ve just come to watch my festival. If that were the case, you could have just left. And yet here you are. I don’t think you’re just trying to waste my time, right? So what exactly are you doing here?”

“Of course, this servant has not only come to experience the festival,” Pallatio replied. “Rather, King Pachacutec plans to cooperate with his brother, King Corcopaca, to reforge their brotherly bond, as members of the Pluritac family.”

‘As two groups that are currently in opposition to House Ichilia’. Isn’t that what you really mean?

Already, Corco had a good idea of what was going on here. Most likely, Pallatio had come to Saniya as a quiet observer, to watch what he would do during the solstice festival. If the king hadn’t been able to turn the situation around, Pallatio would have left as quietly as he had come.

However, now that he had seen that Corco was in a position to fight back in the south, he had been deemed a worthy ally. That was most likely why Pacha had sent his closest advisor to Saniya, risking to lose an important servant in the process. He probably didn’t trust anyone else to make such an important call on his own.

“So what’s the plan? How are we cooperating?” Corco asked, rather than reveal his conjecture. For now, it felt smarter to let the other side talk. He could still apply pressure later, if need be.

“First, King Corcopaca should be made aware that House Ichilia has planned an invasion of the southern kingdom. Already, their forces stand ready on their southern shores of Sinchay. This information is a great secret, and will be offered as King Pachacutec’s sincerity.”

As I thought, you’re here to let me deal with your enemies.

“Yeah. I already know.” Corco leaned forward again. “Around eight thousand warriors, waiting on around forty ships. They’re just waiting for the war in the south to start, then they’ll cross the Narrow Sea, attack us from the back and kill us all. As far as intelligence goes, I’m pretty sure my informants in Huaylas are better than yours. If this is your best bargaining chip, then you’ll have made your trip for nothing.”

Even now, Pallatio still seemed unimpressed. Apparently, he had come with more cards to play.

“Of course not, King Corcopaca,” the advisor said. “In this matter, King Pachacutec believes that his uncle Divitius Ichilia has broken Medala’s rules of conduct. Thus, he has decided to support the southern kingdom this time, risking his good relationship with Huaylas. Concretely, he offers to misdirect House Ichilia. By sending misinformation that the war in the south is yet to start for a while, House Ichilia’s attack will be delayed. After all, Divitius Ichilia is famously careful. He would not rush into a war with conflicting information. This should give King Corcopaca time to end the war against his lords early. Thus, King would regain control of his kingdom with ease. All King Pachacutec asks in return is for King Corcopaca to beat back House Ichilia’s forces once they arrive, and then accuse Lord Divitius of poor conduct during the next Triumvirate Meeting, with King Pachacutec’s support, of course.”

So this is your plan.

It really wasn’t a bad offer. In the end, Pacha would just help Corco do what would be beneficial to him anyways. Thus, both sides would naturally align as allies, at least until House Ichilia had been suppressed. However, Corco had a better idea.

“Naah, that’s fine,” he said in a lazy tone, as he theatrically stretched and leaned back in his chair.

He could barely contain his laughter when he saw Pallatio’s poker face finally break. With his mouth slightly open and his eyes staring into nothing, it seemed like the old advisor really had been caught off guard this time.

“But-” Pallatio began after a few seconds of confusion, but Corco cut him off.

“Yeah, I know. It won’t cost us anything. You don’t want anything in return. You just want to see the Ichilias weakened, I get it. Which, for now, makes us natural allies.”

“Then why-”

“Because it’s not necessary,” Corco shrugged. “Even now, you still underestimate what we can do. You also overestimate the courage of Divitius Ichilia. The entire invasion army House Ichilia has assembled is only eight thousand. Compared to the forces of the three kingdoms, it’s laughably small. An army like that can only make a decisive impact if they attack us by surprise, and hit us in the back. If you feed them misinformation, you know what happens, right?”

Throughout Corco’s speech, the old advisor seemed to have calmed down again. After he had understood the king’s concern, he replied with a gloomy expression.

“They will not launch an attack at all.”

“Yeah, Because Divitius is a coward and a rat, who’s good at hiding behind others, and bad at taking the initiative. And if House Ichilia won’t attack, they won’t be weakened,” Corco finished the thought. “So it’s best if they think they’re still tricking us. We already know they’re coming, so don’t think we’re not prepared. When you go back, just inform House Ichilia that our troops have already moved out. Make them attack, and don’t worry about us. We’ll deliver you exactly the outcome you want.”

“In that case, this servant will return King Corcopaca’s good intentions to King Pachacutec.”

After another bow, Pallatio stood up, now once again calm as a lake.

“Yeah, have a safe trip back.” Corco waved lazily. None of the previous tension was left in the room.

“This servant hopes that both sides will be able to cooperate more in the future. Everyone’s last name is Pluritac, after all.”

“Sure. See ya,” Corco replied without any sincerity, before he waved the old family servant out of the room.

Once the advisor had left, Corco took a deep breath. He hadn’t expected Pacha’s involvement in this war, but it had turned out well.

“So, do you really trust him?” Fadelio asked from behind his desk. Throughout the talks, he had remained a quiet observer. Considering his poor relationship with Pallatio, it was probably the best move. “I mean, ever since you became king, he’s been making nothing but trouble for us. Inti is always complaining how he keeps blocking her at the Triumvirate Meeting.”

“Nothing wrong with that. That’s his job,” Corco argued.

“And his job is also to serve Pacha, not us. Whatever he says about family, they haven’t been especially close to you, right? I’d say he and Pacha have been much closer to the Ichilias. Who’s to say he won’t warn them now, to make sure they don’t attack us?”

“Isn’t that fine too?” Corco laughed. “If the Ichilias don’t attack us, our victory in this war will only become more likely. Plus, it means that there’s one more strong force left in the north, which is only good for us. It won’t benefit Pacha at all. If he wants to shoot himself in the foot to make me angry, let him. Then, my Uncle Pacha and my Uncle Divitius can fight it out between them.”

“But then, why not let him help us hold back the Ichilia forces in the first place? It seems like that would be a better outcome for us, right?”

“Because I think it’s a good chance to get rid of our isolation in Medala. It’s a good chance to test Pacha’s reaction, too. Let’s see if he sticks to our agreement, and how publicly he ends up siding with us. That’ll influence our future relations with the northern kingdoms. Of course, we’ll have to win this war first. That should be the easy part.”