"I-Indeed, it is so! Your Majesty!"
The messenger bowed low and clenched their teeth.
Emperor Argonne did not issue the order.
"Surrender, Surrender."
As he mulled over the words, Argonne the Great addressed his vassals.
"What do you all think?"
They were unable to muster an answer.
If they fight back, they are outgunned.
To speak in favor of surrender would be like encouraging Argonne to do the same.
As vassals, they could not possibly answer this question."This is a chance."
Argonne the Great said to his people.
"It is true that we are unable to take the Kingdom of Loredin and establish the Krares Dynasty, but if we can infiltrate the budding power of Lota, it may give us an even better chance."
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Argonne the Great was not at all ashamed of parasitism.
His past greatness was largely due to his parasitism on a host named Kairos, and his original plan was to find and parasitize on another host that would become great in the future.
In that sense, there was no better opportunity available to him than this.
Right now, Otto is just one of the many potential hosts for Argonne the Great.
If he surrendered, it would be as smooth and natural as water flowing down to Otto's side.
‘Otto de Scuderia did not accept Rivolt's surrender, but rather executed him.'
Emperor Argonne briefly paused in thought.
‘It is most likely because Rivolt surrendered under false pretenses, and Otto saw through it. But I am different. I have been invited to surrender first. This is an indication that I am not likely to be faking my surrender.'
‘If I honestly explain my desperate situation now and convey that surrender is unavoidable, Otto de Scuderia will not doubt me.'
If the surrender was successful, it would be welcomed with open arms by Argonne the Great.
To rebuild the tattered and dilapidated Kingdom of Loredin, and to make his mark.
Parasitizing on the up-and-coming powerhouse that is Lota.
Regardless of how Argonne looked at it, parasitizing on the Kingdom of Lota was 100 or even 1,000 times better.
When it comes to accomplishing grandiose goals, being the dragon's tail is far more favorable than being the snake's head.
Why?
Because eventually one could become a dragon's head.
"I will personally write a letter to Otto de Scuderia."
Taking up the quill himself, Argonne began to compose a letter to Otto.
He cannot surrender in this dire situation. If surrender is desired, please show him mercy. He will pledge loyalty in return.
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The letter from Emperor Argonne went straight to Otto.
"I was careful not to end up like Rivolt."
Otto understood Argonne's innermost thoughts as if he were a ghost from the contents of the letter.
"I was right to suggest they surrender first.", said Otto.
If Otto had attacked in a rash manner, Argonne would likely have fled rather than surrendered.
Because Otto had executed Rivolt, which had surrendered first, and absorbed its forces, Otto's image had suffered greatly.
So managing reputation was extremely crucial.
If a Lord acted based on personal emotions without considering the perceptions of neighboring countries and lost credibility, even small matters could become very complicated.
That was the current scenario.
If Otto hadn't executed Rivolt, there would be no reason for Argonne to be wary and suspicious.
"Let's see… how should I write it…."
Otto paused for a moment, then began to write down what he felt would be acceptable to Argonne.
Pay off the debts of the Oberhauser Trading Company.
To grant Argonne the title of Marquis, and to recognize the status of nobility to his people as well.
As a sign of trust, Otto and his men will travel to Argonne's camp first and sign the agreement that Argonne will surrender.
‘Right. They'll believe it if we go first.', thought Otto.
He wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea of going into the heart of enemy territory, but it didn't matter.
If Otto didn't go first, Argonne would get suspicious and maybe even bolt.
‘Argonne will be dealt with by Kairos anyway.'
Otto decided to trust in the strength of himself, Camille, and the magic swordsmen.
Even if things went wrong, he figured they'd be more than capable of escaping.
"Camille."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Get ready."
"Understood."
Camille obeyed Otto's orders and prepared to travel to Argonne's camp.
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Otto went to find Kairos again.
"We're leaving early tomorrow morning."
"It's about damn time."
"It is."
At Kairos's words, Otto nodded.
"How are you feeling?"
"How do you think?"
Otto felt as if he were standing before a wild beast in response to Cairo's counterquestion.
*Crackle*
Kairos presence was so fierce that every hair on Otto's body stood on end.
‘Is this what Kairos looked like in his prime?'
He was beginning to realize just how fearsome Kairos had once been in the past.
The aura emanating from Kairos was overwhelming.
‘This is the might of an Emperor.'
The figure of a man who built an empire with a simple mace was indeed different.
Kairos was fundamentally different from Argonne the Great, who had achieved his greatness through all manner of scheming, deceit, and manipulation.
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"Tomorrow."
Kairos said firmly.
"I will repay the debts of my past life's enemies."
"Yeah, that's how it should be."
"Thank you, Pansy."
Kairos stood up and patted Otto on the head.
In a short period, Kairos' stature had grown to the point where he was a head taller than Otto.
Despite the fact that Otto was also a fairly tall man.
"What's wrong?", asked Kairos.
Otto furrowed his brow.
"Where do you think you're patting, the King's head, impiously?", Otto said sternly.
"I was once an Emperor, and you're just a king. Surely it's acceptable."
"Clean them up." Otto said.
"Kekeke."
Kairos chuckled and removed his hand from Otto's head.
"He's got a temper.", murmured Otto.
Then.
‘Huh?'
At that moment, Otto sensed a certain unease in Kairos' demeanor.
It was as if….
‘What's the sudden change?'
Otto felt that Kairos was somehow unfamiliar.
"Anyway, thank you so much."
"…..?"
"Thanks to you lot, I've got the chance for revenge."
"If you're grateful, then behave yourself from now on," Otto replied.
"Kekeke."
Judging by the fact that he didn't say good luck, it was clear that Kairos wasn't interested in hearing it.
"Take care of yourself. Get some rest."
"I got it."
With that, Otto left the barracks, leaving Kairos to his own devices.
The following day.
Otto and his men traveled to Argonne's base to demand their surrender.
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Argonne the Great welcomed Otto's party with a very formal and polite reception.
"I greet His Majesty, King Otto de Scuderia."
Argonne the Great himself knelt down on one knee in front of Otto, assuming the manner of a vassal.
"I never imagined our paths would cross like this, Your Majesty," the Argonne expressed.
"Haha."
"Now that you have become the Lord of a rising power, Your Majesty, I can only imagine how remarkable your abilities are. It is an honor to serve such a distinguished lord as yourself," the Argonne remarked.
"I appreciate you thinking so."
Otto brushed off Argonne's blatant lie with a smile.
That afternoon.
After signing the treaty, Otto was invited to a banquet at Argonne's camp.
Argonne had thrown a banquet honoring Otto.
However, Argonne the Great did not notice the presence of Kairos and the Soul Knights.
Kairos and the Soul Knights were disguised as the Guards, with their helmets worn down so that their identities could not be discerned.
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"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's kindness and generosity," Argonne expressed to Otto.
Argon did his best to please Otto.
Having surrendered, Argonne's goal was to gain favor in Otto's eyes and expand his influence within the Kingdom of Lota.
To achieve that, he needed to earn Otto's trust and demonstrate his exceptional abilities, which goes without saying.
"You must have been through a lot all this time," Otto remarked.
With a smile, Otto spoke to Argonne.
"Who would have thought the mighty Oberhauser would suddenly fall." Otto said.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Argonne forced a melancholic smile.
"I suppose the world's affairs are not always what they seem." Argonne said, his expression thoughtful.
"I wonder why you captured workers and forced them into labor, killed them, and turned them into undead."
"…What?"
At that moment, Argonne doubted his own ears.
‘Did I just hear that right?'
The thunderous statement left Argonne stunned and unable to compose himself.
"Isn't it true that things went awry when you attempted to plunder the tomb of the former Emperor Argonne of the ancient Krares Empire?"
"W-What are you talking about?"
"At that time, you couldn't pay off your debts, and the Trading Company got into financial difficulties. Hmm. This doesn't smell right to me."
Otto turned his glass upside down.
As a result, the wine in the glass spilled onto the table.
"W-What do you mean?"
Argonne's face went frosty cold.
"I was willing to let it go until now. But are you attempting slave trading with the Caliphate Kingdom? Recruiting and then selling people from the Kingdom of Loredin to the Sahara Kingdom under the guise of conscription."
"…..!"
"I was watching, intending to play with you, but you've gone too far. Crossing the line repeatedly can be troublesome. It's making me want to kill you," Otto said.
"……."
"Isn't that right, Julius?"
With a cold smile, Otto asked Argonne.
"No."
Otto amended himself.
"Should I call you the Great Emperor Argonne?"
Argonne realized.
That Otto knew everything about him.
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*Skkrr!*
*Clink*
In unison, the knights of Argonne the Great drew their swords.
Thus, the once cheerful banquet turned into a tense atmosphere, as if a bloody storm could break out at any moment.
"You came here knowing everything?"
Argonne rose to his feet.
"Do you think I just knew everything?"
Otto shook his head.
"Who do you think has been sabotaging your every move until now?"
"…."
"The imperial tomb excavations, the smuggling trade, and now this slave trade. You've played right into my hands, you parasitic bastard."
"Hehe."
Argonne the Great laughed.
"Kehe…. Kehahaha!"
It was genuine, heartfelt fury.
The very culprit who had been sabotaging his plans and pushing him into a corner was now standing in front of him, mocking him.
"You… someone like you… dare… dare to toy with me!"
At that moment,
*Whooosh!*
A storm of mana surged from Argonne's body, sweeping through the banquet hall.
The anger that had risen to the limit had unleashed the power that he had been concealing.
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"A backward bastard like you… Daring to mock me… Do you think you can get away with it?"
"Of course."
Otto didn't cower in the face of Argonne.
Since there was already a separate opponent in mind.
"Before you pick a fight with me,"
Otto said, turning his head slightly.
"Go talk to your Brother the Emperor first. If you survive that, then I might listen to what you have to say."
"…..?"
"Don't you remember your brother, Emperor?"
Then.
*Bam!*
Kairos threw off the helm he was wearing, and strode toward the Argonne.
"Long time no see, Brother."
Kairos smirked and greeted Argonne.
"Aaah!"
From the mouth of Argonne the Great burst forth a scream that was close to a cry.
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