Age of Adventure

Truth be told, Karak is not that hard to take.

If Vanheim combine their military forces with Greater Veranis, taking Karak is as easy as taking candy from a baby.

But King George didn’t want to go to war. Both he and Aero saw further than that. They wanted the entire cake and not only a slice of it.

Waging war in Karak is just expending more resources that would be best used to deal with that scourge on the North.

Aero seeing the argument intensify knows that he need to broke this off.

He raises up his hand and finally the gesture caught the attention of these people.

They stopped arguing for a second and Aero said.

"How about a rest, gentleman?" Aero asked.

"A rest?" Said Leon. He looks at the other three people and they all nodded in agreement. Giorgio Cheveres grab the glass of water and took a big mouthful of it.

’Let us go to the Hall and feast for a moment’ Desmond Gael suggested.

It was then that suddenly an idea dawned to Aero.

The most powerful persuasion goes beyond words.

Its symbol!

Aero on the other hand coughed and said.

’Let go visit someplace. I have not been long in this beautiful land. I wanted to visit one of the places I read in the books. I hope you won’t mind accompanying me?’

’A visit?’ Desmond said frowning. Aero only smiles.

"Yes, a visit. I hope you can join me."

They went out from the residence and went inside their carriage. Aero went to his carriage and told his driver where he wanted to go.

The Head of the four family follow him from behind as they all had time to calm themselves down and think deeply about the matter.

It is also the reason why Aero chose the location.

Because it takes a few moments off from the tense atmosphere of the meeting room, they could truly ponder the matter without anyone interrupting and without ego and prejudice that is present in the meeting room before.

The military hates the way of thinking of the scholars who they believe is only interested in benefits and interest, and the scholars hated the demeanor of the military lineage family thinking of them as warmongers.

Aero saw the difference between the four families and their divide.

Even if they wanted to talk rationally they were worked up because they could not keep their ego and pride out of the equations.

Now, as they are inside their carriage, they could truly think for themselves without being influence by such things in their thought and in their hearts.

After half an hour they finally arrived at the place Aero wanted to visit. They slowly went out from their carriage and the sight make them all fall into a silence.

The place that Aero is so eager to visit is a ruin. The glory of this place has fade signs of time leaving it.

But all the four heads of the noble houses recognize this place and they all looked toward the Chancellor Aero with complicated expression.

"Ahh, finally. I always wanted to see this place" said Aero cheerfully as he opens the door of his carriage.

He gets out from the carriage and began to stroll around the ruins. The four heads followed him from behind.

All the Head of the four noble houses recognizes this place.

They are at the ruins of a Fort. Fort Killian.

It is known to all Karakian as the place where about one thousand of their warriors committed a mass suicide rather than surrendering to Vetten forces.

It is famous story, reenacted in plays and sing in songs and poems

Why are they visiting here suddenly?

The Head instantly understand the message of Aero visits.

Aero who is still smiling, and looking at the ruins of the Fort without a care in the world is actually also looking at the four noble houses head thinking of his meanings.

He suddenly said

’This place is beautiful isn’t it? Shame what happened to it’ Then without explaining anything anymore he keeps walking inside the ruins.

The four heads of the noble’s houses frowned and their face is dark.

The meaning is clear now

Aero is indirectly accusing them of courting a mass suicide.

This made the Heads think more seriously.

Aero on the other hand just stroll around the ruins while hoping that the Heads understand his message.

Suddenly Kuvia Vlad said,

"We understood your message, Chancellor Aero. Now how about we go back to the negotiation table" Kuvia said calmly.

"Did you?" Aero said feigning ignorance.

"Yes, let’s go to the negotiation table. I’ve seen enough" Leon said awkwardly

On the way back no one spoke a word.

Everyone was thinking deeply about the matter. Aero on his carriage sighed as he leans back on the cushion on his seat

’Fort Kilian’ he muttered

Aero knew that the Fort carry great emotional significance for Karakians. It is special because it is a symbol that is known by all Karakians

And that symbol signifies and taught many things. It taught them loyalty but it also taught them the consequences of losing.

Vanheim would not care if one thousand troop commits suicide. They would even welcome it since they do not need to do additional work on the prisoner of war.

The times have changed since the days of the Battle of Fort Kilian. It is why Aero brought them to the Fort.

Any direct warning would only anger the heads which need to protect their pride. But showing them the Fort made them think more deeply because it is an indirect warning

So they began negotiating in earnest the moment they came back from his visit.

Aero believes now the Heads are beginning to listen instead just pretend nothing is wrong.

They began talking about their rights and responsibilities if they swear their fealty.

They wanted assurance that Karak will not be absorbed to Vanheim like Vetten, that they will remain autonomous in their rule.

It is one of their most important part of their negotiation

Aero work up a few of the kink and agreed.

This negotiation goes on for days and Aero had to log in and log out a few times.

After a few days ironing out the differences and question about their rights and sphere of power, they agreed to swear fealty to George in the Capital after George proclaim himself Emperor.

This was of course great news for both him and George. Aero could not hide his excitement as he wrote a letter and send it to the Capital.

Now that Karak has sworn fealty the only obstacle is Niovar. But then in his excitement Aero reminded himself.

He needs to be patient

Of course, to commemorate this event, the Four families held a banquet.

The banquet was hosted by the Four families so many influential noble attend it bringing their daughter.

They also want to see the famous Aero in person.

That night, Aero also enjoyed the banquet immensely.

Aero of course has many strange and intimidating traits but most nobles agreed he surpasses others in the banquet in graciousness, aristocratic charm and wit.

He mingles with the nobles, laughing and talking about current events with clear detail, speak plots with ministers, and charm the women with his words laden with wit.

When he tells a joke, the ladies giggle. When he speaks people listens.

Aero understood the game and he revels in it.

He is not only a great tactician in the battlefield, even in the court he needs to be smart and alert.

One moment of forgetfulness could land him in the prison.

Like people said, the higher you are, the harder you fall.

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The end of the Chapter. If you like the story please vote