Hero of Darkness

Chapter 1294: Settling Internal Matters

After careful consideration, both the envoys from the Zivot and Vulkan empires accepted Kahn’s terms of negotiation.

Further assimilation and cooperation of their forces was discussed, but Kahn left most of the planning for a later date. He had to confirm that the council actually accepted all his terms before making further promises.

The same night…

Kahn and his entourage returned to the border of the Rakos Empire and stayed in a military outpost, protected by one of the 6th-stage saints of the empire.

A general meeting was held to summarize their further plans for the Great War.

“No Man’s Land is going to be the main entrance for us to send troops over to the other empires, as well as establishing means of communication with the council itself.” said Kahn.

“I’m certain that the council will use it as a pretext to settle an outpost there. It would become their way to keep an eye on us.

Just setting a few teleportation gates alone will be enough for them to send their elite troops if we agree to it.” said Allister.

“Yes. I fear the same. While we also can’t outright oppose it… We can use the same pretext to send a lot of our troops, saying that we also need an outpost to set up an information network to support the communication between the neighboring empires and the council.

We send more than necessary saints to put enough pressure on them.” said Kahn.

“I agree. If we had only one empire’s saints, it could have been hard to spare enough saints. Thankfully, we have more than enough,” said Lucian.

“Alright. Send the Chapter Master of the Obsidian Crows. From the Rakos Empire’s side, Commander Ronin will also be sent there to gather information, as well as send some spies among the future inhabitants of their bases.

From now on, we have to be very vigilant of the external forces, even if they appear as mere collaborators.” spoke Kahn.

“Ronin, you know what you will have to do when their response, as well as a proposition for the base comes, right?” asked Kahn.

“Yes, your majesty. I will prepare for specialized units as well as talk with Mr. Rotich about the necessary resources to build a base camp.

I suggest we take the initiative before their response comes, so we can get a geographical advantage. Preferably, find a location atop a few mountains that helps us keep an eye on our future ‘allies’.” said Ronin.

Most people agreed with his proposal as they knew it was a matter of timing to gain an advantage over the others.

“I will also talk with the Vulkan Empire’s imperial family, as they have a history with me.

There are plenty of people who already know about me in the Empire of Fire. There is also someone I need to meet and bring into the Rakos Empire.

He will be a great help to us. But I’m not sure if he will agree.” said Kahn as he revealed a contemplative countenance.

The person in question was someone Kahn had deep ties with and wanted on his side.

[If I hand over one of the Apples of Eden to the Vulkan Empire, they might grant my request. I will be getting a few more from Hesperides in the future anyway.

There is also my promise to master Vildred. But it will have to wait until I become at least an 8th-stage saint.

Rushing things without proper preparations is only going to ruin everything.] thought Kahn to himself.

A war was coming, and he already had too many things to finish as well as promises to fulfill.

Every passing moment felt like time slipping away from his hands, and there was simply so much to do.

[I cannot leave anyone else in charge of things, and master Vildred, as well as old man Rathnaar, will always have to stay with me. There is also the matter of Kassandra’s safety.

The Martial Emperor wouldn’t have warned me so if the timeline was not so powerful to restore itself.

Time itself is a luxury for me.] he thought and decided to relax for the night.

******************

The next day, Kahn returned to Rathna and gave another set of instructions to all his subordinates, and summoned Sirius Blake.

“How are things progressing?” he asked the orc accountant.

“Things are slow, especially after your announcement about the Great War. And as you predicted… the black market reacted the way it was planned.” said Sirius with a smirk.

“So how much are we talking about?” asked Kahn.

“Thankfully, we bought most of the resources beforehand, and now that we have plenty of people trying to make a quick buck out of the war… the prices have almost tripled.” said the noble-looking orc, dressed in aristocratic attire.

“Good. Sell the extra materials. Let those idiots pay extra money, and then immediately stop the purchase of all the underworld deals.

The damn scalpers will try to take advantage of the war, but once we ourselves stop buying any supplies from them, the prices will drop.

I will order all the noble factions to stop buying weapons and ammunition as well. Once we stop all forms of purchases, those who thought they could profit from war will take a huge loss.

And once they don’t have enough money to cover even the investments, I will regain full control of the economy,” said Kahn with a sly grin.

“Is this really okay, your majesty? We do need people like them to keep the pricing afloat.” asked Sirius once again.

“We can only control the Seven Deadly Sins and Bloodborne. Plenty of other underworld organizations that have no ties with us, as well as black market merchants, can’t be touched for now.

But I will at least wring out every bit of their money and stop them from further interfering with the economy for years to come.

I don’t intend to make normal citizens of the empire pay for the war in the name of taxes.

I can’t afford an infighting among my own people when I have to send my armies to fight battles on a foreign land,” explained Kahn.

“So what is our next plan, your majesty?” asked Sirius.

“It is very simple…” responded Kahn as he steeled his own resolve.

“We go to War.”