The Mad Alpha King

The Debate

“And why is that? Your Highness,” Kay Segreti asked curiously.

“Well, it's a secret, and all that has to do with the Treaty of Metus. Just know that the other leaders will follow me if I ask them to.” Orion replied vaguely.

Then further stated, “Nevertheless, there comes a time when men must ensure with their valor, blood, and sometimes their lives to ensure that Justice must be upheld in the land. And I will do whatever it takes to see this through,” Orion vowed.

Kay Segreti frowned at those words, and said inwardly, ‘Is it possible that he knows about that issue? It seems that this man will be a problem for us. Despite knowing that he is outmatched, he still wants to try to stand against absolute power.’

With all these thoughts in mind, Kay Segreti decided to play another card in hand by bringing up Orion's father.

“Your Highness, what does your father, his Majesty think about this?” From what has been known so far. He hasn't been quite supportive of your aspirations.”

Orion sighed at this, and said sneeringly, “My father belongs to the old generation. Of course, he would oppose it. While he is trying to be reserved, the truth is that he's just afraid of losing his throne.”

Kay Segreti objected gently, “Perhaps he is being wise. He knows what could happen. After all, ‘A child can't fully see what an elder sees while sitting, even if he climbs up a tower,’ and besides, it's no secret that he cares about you.”

Orion laughed mockingly, and said, “You shouldn't make excuses for him. And besides, I can't live in his shadow forever, there will soon come a time when I will be on the throne.”

“Your path can be considered a dangerous one. And I'm certain that Modena wouldn't just sit back and let you take the throne with such dangerous aspirations to their interests. And if you push them too much, they may retaliate.” Kay Segreti observed.

Orion raised a brow at this statement “Retaliation you say. Or perhaps you mean assassination.”

Kay Segreti narrowed his eyes, and replied, “That has been the case for many whom they considered a threat. And Modena isn't known for playing fair”

“Then that would be their greatest mistake. Because if I die, it goes to show that I had struck a nerve and that will set off a chain reaction. Moreover, my allies won't take this lying down.”

“Your allies? Kay Segreti's eyes gleamed coldly but Orion didn't notice it. “Forgive my skepticism, Your Highness but who on the entire Bastion continent is powerful enough and would want to give their support against the dominant military power?”

“Professor Segreti, the keyword in your statement is ‘Who on the entire Bastion continent?’ Does it have to be from this continent?” Orion looked meaningfully at Segreti.

“I see.” Kay Segreti's eyes brightened, “So that is the case.” “But still can they be trusted? From what I know, they may have even worse designs than Modena. So they are more unpredictable. After all, ‘A devil that is known for a thousand years is better than an angel you just met.”

“You are jumping to conclusions, my friend. I never said that those you speculated about are my allies. I'm not that desperate at least not yet, for now, it's a cat and mouse game.”

“A political game of shadows is quite intriguing. Deception makes up a great deal of war but at the end of the day, it all comes down to who has the better war machinery.” 

“Ha! But you are also forgetting something.” Orion exclaimed with a twinkle in his intelligent eyes.

“Which is?” Professor Segreti asked curiously.

“Wealth!” Orion stated, “War is also about who has the most money to keep it going. Like the military troops, maintenance of war machinery, logistics, and support; all these need money to work.”

“Without sufficient wealth, no nation can fund a war continuously and if the war gets prolonged, that disadvantage will show itself.”

“I understand what you mean, Your Highness. But who is to say that Modena doesn't have the wealth to fund a war?” Orion asked meaningfully.

“Perhaps, if it was 500 years ago, I wouldn't have doubted it. But now against the current five nations, they can't. Their recent economic chaos has weakened them a bit.”

Orion further added, “And their recent taxations and excessive mining of resources show that they are trying their best to keep their economy stable. Though it has affected us as well it's hurting them more. Particularly their people are not happy with those policies that have made their lives difficult.”

Kay Segreti's eyes widened at this realization as he uttered, “I see. So that's your strategy. You are using their desperate policies to replenish themselves, and the Modena people's dissatisfaction coupled with the unrest in the other nations about their centuries-long rule to oppose them.”

Kay Segreti admitted further, “Moreover, Modena has enemies off the shores of this continent and enemies within the continent who would gladly see it fall.”

Orion nodded, and said, “That is correct. All these are factors that they must consider. There are problems for them on all sides; their hold over the continent is loosening and if they are to have any hope of keeping their nation together then they need to cut loose the excess weight.”

After a brief pause, he continued, “Which is why I plan to pay their country a visit with the other leaders and point this out to them by revisiting the terms of the Treaty of Metus.”

“‘A drowning man will clutch at the straw’ while facing internal and external problems they will have no choice but to give in if you exert pressure in the right place,” Segreti observed.

“The last thing Modena will need is a war on all fronts. No matter how strong they are, they won't hold out for long.” Orion said with a determined look.

Taking a look at his watch. Orion Darkwood rose, and said to his companion, “Well, it has been lovely discussing with you, Professor. But I'm afraid I must take my leave to attend to other matters.”

“Though I must ask. Would you like to join me in this cause? I could greatly benefit from an intellectual like you on my side.”

Segreti stood up and said, “It has been an honor having this discussion with you, Your Highness. But I must refuse. My duty is to ensure balance on the continent regardless of my personal feelings.” 

“That's a shame. We would have made a phenomenal team.” Orion jokes then extends his gloved hand for a handshake.

The two men shook and looked each other in the eyes with a mutual understanding of respecting a rival even if they have opposing views.

‘What a strange fellow!’ Orion mused inwardly as he walked towards his car, ‘I have a feeling that the young professor Segreti isn't simple and is more than meets the eye. It would have been nice to have such a man in my camp