Chapter 147: In the Midst of the Calradia Continent Simulation

"All along, I have believed that among my sons, Rafad was the most outstanding one. He possesses a very high talent for territory management, and his combat aptitude is also quite decent. Originally, my plan was to hand over Uxhal to him for management after my death. As for you, you have actually always been very ordinary; even your talent for combat is quite average. Your ability to enter King Harlaus's Lion Knights was entirely due to me pulling strings; in fact, you did not pass the assessment."

Dilinade spoke of these past matters with a calm expression. Allen did not say anything while listening to these words, but instead stood up, filled the wine glass in front of Dilinade, and tried his best to play the role of a son.

"However, after that war with the Rhodok, my impression of you changed drastically. It seems that overnight, you suddenly became enlightened and became abnormally powerful. To think you were actually able to capture Graveth directly on the battlefield—it truly surprised me for quite a while. I know that compared to your older brother, the love I have given you has always been very little. You might have some grievances about this and be unwilling to show your true abilities; I can understand that. But it cannot be denied that I still fulfilled the responsibilities a father should, raising you and securing a fertile piece of land for you, allowing you to become a true noble. I think you also know how many young people in the family are jealous of you, and I have also blocked enough marriage proposals for you."

Dilinade drank the wine in his glass in one gulp, signaled for Allen to continue filling it, and his words did not stop.

"Having obtained a territory, you have displayed extraordinary ability. Wincode Castle is managed very well, and I am very gratified. The troop-leading ability you displayed when clearing out those scoundrels also made me look at you with new eyes once again. Davis, I have to admit, you are my most outstanding son. I think King Harlaus's thoughts are the same as mine. For this point, have a drink with me."

Allen picked up the wine glass and gently clinked it with Dilinade's, drinking the wine in the glass in one breath. He knew he was not Dilinade's son, but a sense of pride actually welled up in his heart at this moment.

"I just said it, this war was actually instigated by me. The reason is simple: because King Harlaus is old. If possible, I hope he will never grow old. We are friends of several decades; even when he wanted to usurp the throne, I stood by his side without reservation. But he still grew old, knowing he wouldn't live much longer. Now, for the sake of his son's rule, he is full of wariness toward an old guy like me. I think he hasn't even been able to sleep soundly these past few years. A king who relied on usurpation to seize the throne naturally would also worry about his own throne being seized by others. What a pathetic wretch."

When Dilinade said this, he drank the wine in his cup in one breath.

And Allen, hearing this, finally understood everything and said: "Actually, I have always had a premonition that King Harlaus would move against us sooner or later. The family occupies nearly one-third of Swadia's land: Haringos Castle in Haringos, Tewalin Castle in Grunwalder, your Wincode Castle, plus Wincode Castle and the villages occupied by other clansmen—we tightly surround Praven and Sunor in the middle. If King Harlaus were alive, this wouldn't be any problem; he has enough confidence to control everything. But he is dying. Although I have not seen his son, his reputation doesn't seem particularly good. Then, we, being the strongest, naturally become the eyesore. And based on the performance just now, he seems to have already won over other nobles in the country. Are you hoping to delay King Harlaus's plan through this battlefield?"

"Actually, I am hoping to let King Harlaus calm down through this war, to let him understand that on this continent, we have many enemies. Even after he dies, we can still fight around his son. But he seems to have become impatient. Most importantly, Rafad did not finish things cleanly; King Harlaus already knows that I was the one who did that thing. Hehehehe, I think he must be very angry. Just now at the meeting was my final test. If he had agreed to my suggestion, then we should still be able to live in peace, but he refused. Do you know what Craggs of Sunor's true mission is? He will ambush near Jelbegi Castle, and in collusion with the Nords, attack from both sides to finish me and Haringos off. Then the rest of you would be nothing but fish on the chopping block."

Allen listened to all this and suddenly discovered that compared to the cruel calculations among the Swadian nobles, those human and Elf lords in Middle-earth were simply as pure as a blank sheet of paper. However, facing such a situation, a trace of worry still appeared on his face. He had finally obtained a territory in Calradia and did not want to oppose nearly three-quarters of the Swadian nobles at this time. Even if his personal strength was very strong, he couldn't stop others from burning his home base.

Dilinade seemed to see through Allen's worry, smiled lightly, and said: "Actually, there is no need to be too worried. We are not without a chance of winning this war. The lord of Dherim, Count Klauss, is actually our man. What, surprised? This is the nobility. I agreed to his marriage request; Klauss will be your father-in-law in the future. Do you know how much he likes you? On the battlefield of the Rhodok, you even saved his life. Of course, his conditions are not simple either. Besides marrying his daughter, you also need to adopt a son to inherit his family. And if we succeed, he also requires me to pass the throne to you, so that his bloodline also has the possibility of becoming king. It really is a crazy idea, son. This is actually also what I want to do. For our family, for your future throne, now, you need to complete one thing, and that is to find an opportunity in the upcoming war to kill King Harlaus and that useless son of his. Rest assured, after success, Klauss will assist you in escaping."

Actually, according to Dilinade's plan, if they really tore off the mask, Count Klauss would also find a way to keep Allen by his side, then find an opportunity to kill King Harlaus on the battlefield. Of course, one could actually choose others to complete the assassination, but if this matter wasn't completed by Allen, how could he legitimately pass the family's inheritance rights to him? You must know, he is not the eldest son.

Moreover, in the family, there really couldn't be found a warrior more powerful than Allen. From all aspects, he was very suitable for this task.

However, in the current situation, Dilinade no longer needed to make so many preparations, because King Harlaus actually wanted to take Allen as a hostage to threaten him; that was seeking his own death.

And Allen, hearing all this, had somewhat chaotic thoughts in his mind. Just like that, he was suddenly going to become a king, and a girl he had never met was about to become his wife. Damn, he hadn't even married Yamila yet; when the time came to summon them, two wives—how was he supposed to face this Shura field?

Allen shook his head, cast aside those strange thoughts, and after pondering for a moment, said: "Father, if, I am saying if, at this moment, I head to King Harlaus's military camp and kill him by surprise, do you have the confidence to control the chaos that might follow?"

Allen had sufficient confidence in his current combat power. As long as he prepared a little, he could completely charge into King Harlaus's main camp, kill him in full view of everyone, and then retreat unscathed. What he worried about was that his family's army, without preparation, might not be able to occupy an advantage in the upcoming great melee, so he tentatively asked his cheap old man.

This time it was Dilinade's turn to stare wide-eyed at his son, then he burst into loud laughter. After laughing, he said with a satisfied expression: "I really like this confident look of yours now. You must maintain it, son. This confidence will help you in the days to come. However, there is no need to do that. We need to let Craggs make the first move. As soon as he makes a move, your father-in-law will find a way to get you the news, and then you can complete your mission. And your father-in-law will also arrange for people to spread King Harlaus's despicable behavior, and we will only be forced to defend. This way we can legitimately launch a counterattack. This is the game rule of the nobility; we do not yet have enough strength to ignore it. Do you understand?"

Allen nodded. He knew that reality and the game were not quite the same. It wasn't that you could do whatever you wanted just because you had strength. Sometimes occupying the moral high ground was equally important. This could also allow him not to carry the reputation of a kingslayer.

Seeing that Allen understood the entire plan, Dilinade waved his hand and said: "Is there anything else you don't understand? If not, go and rest. Go report to King Harlaus tomorrow."

"Alright." Allen nodded, responded, and turned to leave.

"Davis, remember, be careful." Dilinade's voice came over again. Allen nodded again, lifted his legs, and left the tent.

Allen knew that this plan was very risky for him. There was actually no big problem with Dilinade and Haringos's side. On the premise of already knowing King Harlaus's plan, it was certainly impossible to be caught in a pincer attack by two armies. If operated well, they could even counter-ambush Craggs's troops.

As for the Nord barbarians, they just needed to station their camp further away from Jelbegi Castle. The camp had a retreat route, and with the help of the Heavy Cavalry, they wouldn't be entangled by a bunch of infantry.

But Allen's situation was different. No one knew how King Harlaus would treat him tomorrow, whether he would lock him up with chains, or arrange a large number of guards to watch him. Even with the help of Count Klauss, Allen felt that his situation had a certain degree of danger.

However, Allen was also willing to take this risk. Someone else's blade was already at his throat; no matter what the opportunity was, he should grasp it. What's more, after winning this gamble, it was the treatment of a king, and what he put on the gambling table was just a territory and a save file, not like Dilinade and the others, which was their true life. At worst, he could just spend some reputation to do it again. Maybe next time he could even randomly get King Harlaus's useless son, saving himself several lifetimes of struggle.

Moreover, Allen also wanted to see if the Simulator would have new functions after he became king. After all, after he became a lord, the Simulator had the matter of entrusting the territory. What if after becoming king, he didn't need to give up his identity to summon soldiers? Not to mention there was also the unification of the continent. Would there be other rewards? This was worth him taking a gamble.

Early the next morning, King Harlaus dispatched his messenger to "invite" Allen over, and Dilinade also led the family's army toward the direction of Jelbegi Castle, leaving Allen with only ten Heavy Cavalry riding Hunter Horses.

In Allen's view, it didn't matter if he wasn't left a single soldier, because his freedom depended entirely on King Harlaus's attitude toward him. Allen now only hoped that before they completely tore off the mask, King Harlaus could maintain basic courtesy, and the number of subordinates didn't determine anything. Leaving some of his own people was just for the sake of making things more convenient.

However, what surprised Allen was that King Harlaus was very enthusiastic when he saw him, so enthusiastic it was almost excessive. He even arranged a separate banquet to receive him. At the banquet, a young man in his twenties, refined and courteous, nodded and signaled to him politely. Under King Harlaus's introduction, Allen learned that this was his son, Prince Edward.

At the banquet, King Harlaus kept chatting and drinking with Allen, even mentioning Allen's undervalued status as a second son in his words, and expressed that it was a pity for Allen. When the drinking reached its peak, he even slightly revealed the idea of being willing to help Allen obtain the family's inheritance rights.

And Prince Edward also kept behaving very politely, which was vastly different from the rumors Allen had heard.

"Isn't it said that King Harlaus had a son in his old age and spoiled Edward to no end? Looking at this situation, could it be that he is deliberately acting for me to see?"

Complaining in his heart was one thing, but Allen still cooperated very well at the banquet to play a scene with King Harlaus. When King Harlaus expressed that it was a pity for him, he deliberately revealed a trace of desolation and a trace of anger, and when he heard that he could obtain the family's inheritance rights, Allen also revealed a trace of surprise at the right moment, followed by a face full of yearning.

He portrayed himself as a young man who was frustrated and couldn't hide his thoughts.

Although Allen was not a professional actor, he could still barely complete this level of performance.

Perhaps because both sides had just made contact, King Harlaus did not continue to delve into this topic, but instead left the banquet under the influence of alcohol, leaving the dominant position to the two young men.

As for Prince Edward's personality, Allen didn't understand it deeply for the time being, but this young man really knew how to play—hunting, banquets, gambling, he was proficient in all of them.

At first, Allen barely coped, but by the time they finished drinking, this prince seemed to be unable to control his mouth, and the topic gradually veered in a certain direction. For example, which Viscount's widow was seductive to the bone, which Count's daughter was very flirtatious and hospitable, which town's alley had particularly varied tricks—he was simply like counting family treasures. Such topics left Allen dumbfounded; he couldn't respond at all. If he had known, his past life was one where he hadn't even been to a bar!!

However, soon, King Harlaus returned. Perhaps feeling that the topic his son was chatting about was too vulgar, his complexion was very ugly, but when facing Allen, he still barely managed to put on a smile.

Under such a situation, Allen felt that he shouldn't stay long, so he feigned drunkenness and rose to bid farewell to King Harlaus. King Harlaus arranged for his personal attendant to send Allen back to his residence.

However, just after walking out of the room, Allen heard a "slap" sound. Judging by the crispness, it didn't sound like it was slapped on a table. However, the room door closed quickly, and Allen didn't know about other things, so he could only return to his room with the attendant, thinking about the meaning in King Harlaus's words in his mind.

And the father and son in the room had already started arguing. Prince Edward's drunkenness dissipated by more than half under his father's slap greeting. At this moment, he was covering his left cheek and looking at his father with eyes full of disbelief.

"Why did you hit me?"

Looking at his son who still didn't know where he went wrong, King Harlaus's face was full of an expression of being disappointed that he couldn't become steel. Suppressing the anger in his heart, his right hand trembled as he pointed at his son, and he said in a low voice: "I invited Davis over to let you win him over, to say some topics that could make him approve of you. You told me you were prepared, and you prepared this?"

"The things I said, every man likes!!!" Prince Edward looked at his father with a stubborn face, feeling that what he said was not wrong at all.

This time King Harlaus finally couldn't hold back and roared loudly: "You think everyone is the same as you? How many times have I told you, for a man, power, power is the most important. I wanted you to express the meaning that you become king and let him assist you, and you would bestow a town to him as a fief. And what did you say? Take him to visit a brothel?"

Prince Edward suddenly remembered that it seemed there really was such a thing, and he looked dejected and didn't speak.

Looking at his son who knew he was wrong, the expression on King Harlaus's face softened, and he said gently: "I know you don't like leading troops to fight, nor do you like managing fiefs, but you are my only son, the throne will definitely be passed to you. Davis is not valued in his family. Although he has a dilapidated castle, he hasn't obtained the family's inheritance rights until now. I can see that this is a young man with ambition, and his ability in combat is very strong; it can be said to be the best among the younger generation. In terms of leading troops, his recent performance is also quite good. Winning him over will be very beneficial to your future rule."

"Why must we win him over? Aren't we going to deal with his father? He is like a bumpkin; I don't want to be friends with him." Edward saw that his father was no longer angry, so he boldly asked the question.

Looking at his still naive son, King Harlaus was again in a rush of anger, constantly comforting himself in his heart: I still have time, I still have time, it will be fine, it will be fine.

"Son, in the confrontation of power, any friendship or preference is not important; only interests are everything. Those fox friends and dog buddies of yours, I had already dealt with them before leaving Praven. You have to grow up; you can't be as reckless as before. As for Dilinade, after he dies, I will push the murderer onto the Nord barbarians. Even if it's exposed, it doesn't matter; just cut the weeds and eliminate the roots. You don't need to worry about this. Davis still has some ability; if he assists you, I will be very at ease."

King Harlaus said through gritted teeth about his old friend. After Allen obtained Wincode Castle, Dilinade had already touched King Harlaus's bottom line.

Your family's territory surrounds my capital; what are you trying to do?

From that time on, King Harlaus began to contact other nobles in the country, preparing to deal with Dilinade and the others. And Allen's current family was indeed hateful; they occupied too much territory. If they died, the cake left behind would be very large, enough for everyone to have a full meal, so King Harlaus quickly won over enough strength.

Originally, King Harlaus had already formulated other plans and started preparing a banquet, but the war with the Nord Kingdom caused his plan to fall through. And when King Harlaus learned that the one robbing the merchant caravans was still Dilinade's eldest son, he was even more furious.

Subsequently, King Harlaus had a secret talk with Count Klauss and Count Craggs, and formulated the current plan. Moreover, Count Craggs and the barbarians in Jelbegi Castle had a business relationship, so it was easy to talk with the Nord side. It also fulfilled that saying: there is no lasting hatred among nobles, only eternal interests.

Until now, King Harlaus still thought this plan was a secret. His relationship with Dilinade had indeed worsened over these years because of the Wincode Castle matter, so everything that happened at the meeting was considered reasonable in King Harlaus's view.

And Prince Edward, hearing that all his fox friends and dog buddies were dead, had a dazed expression on his face, and what his father said afterward, he could no longer hear clearly.