March 12, 1630, Pariser, Alphanus - Alphanus Government Building
The light of the full moon slipped through the tall glass windows, washing Frederick's study in a silvery-blue hue. In the center of the room, two glasses of deep red wine awaited on his large, sturdy oak desk, reflecting the moonlight like pulsating gems. Frederick and Roydex had just sat down opposite each other, their shadows long and cast in the light.
"...What brings you to my residence after leaving Alphanus for several months, Lord Roydex?"
Frederick's voice broke the silence that had begun to envelop them, sounding clear in the stillness of the night.
He studied the man before him intently. The question was not without reason. He was genuinely perplexed: why would Roydex return to Alphanus after renouncing his allegiance and titles in this nation? Stranger still, Frederick had heard rumors that Roydex had served as a mercenary commander for a new empire in southern Indropa.
Silence…
That was the only word to describe the study after his question hung in the air. The pungent aroma of aged wine seemed to freeze mid-air, matching the measured gazes the two men exchanged.
Roydex did not answer immediately. His fingers idly tapped the surface of the crystal glass holding the remnants of red wine, creating soft clinks that only emphasized the quiet between them.
"Haha! Truly, you are as you've always been, Frederick. You never were one for small talk—just like when we first met, both of us still officials in the land of Gödin."
Roydex answered with a relaxed smile, a glass of red wine swaying gently in his hand before he took a light sip. Frederick watched the man closely. Hah, how strange— he had always considered Roydex the most peculiar person he'd ever met. Yet, at the same time, this man was also one of the most brilliant and influential figures in Indropan politics of this era.
It wasn't that Frederick underestimated Roydex. It was precisely because of this strangeness that he was wary. Roydex possessed an unpredictable mind, full of traps and often contrary to common sense. So, of course, Frederick had to ask: what did Roydex truly want this time?
"Of course, Lord Roydex. I haven't changed much these past few months. But shouldn't you be the one more concerned about yourself? You've been constantly involved in wars among the splinter kingdoms of the Rhein Empire—which was once so powerful. If I'm not mistaken, the kingdom you aided was the Kingdom of Lawe, was it not?"
Frederick replied with an air of indifference, tapping the surface of the table with a steady rhythm as he waited for an answer. Yet, deep in his heart, he couldn't suppress his curiosity. What had Roydex been doing during that time that made him decide to leave Alphanus?
"You are correct, Frederick! I really should be more concerned about myself, considering my age is no longer young," Roydex answered with a relaxed laugh, leaning back in his chair. "However, you should also consider your own situation. Managing both the military and the government at twenty-five years old—truly impressive. Perhaps our meeting back in Gödin was indeed destined."
"Of course, Lord Roydex. I will consider my own condition," Frederick answered, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Yet, you still haven't answered my question from earlier, Lord Roydex. Why have you returned to Alphanus after leaving this nation—after ending your allegiance?" Frederick's voice was calm, as if the previous conversation hadn't affected him at all.
"You are right, Frederick. Let us return to the main topic. You are aware, of course, that I decided to aid the Kingdom of Lawe in the war to unify the fractured lands of Lanitum, are you not?"
Finished speaking, Roydex leaned back in his chair, staring deeply at Frederick. His eyes seemed to measure how much his counterpart knew about the war and the kingdom he supported.
"Correct, Lord Roydex. I know you decided to help the Kingdom of Lawe conquer the scattered territories of Lanitum. I even know you served as a general during that war—leading mercenaries hired by the kingdom," Frederick answered, finally taking a sip of the wine he had left untouched until now.
"Extremely capable, as always, Frederick. This is precisely why you were able to revolutionize this nation at such a young age."
Roydex leaned back in his chair again, a relaxed smile never leaving his face. "You are correct. I did lead the mercenaries hired by the Kingdom of Lawe. I chose to stand with them because I saw a bright future there. The King of Lawe—August Vilhelm Van Kóck—is an admirable figure."
He paused for a moment, then looked at Frederick more intently. "After the war ended, King Van Kóck decided to form a new state on the land of Lanitum he had reunited: the Lahelu Empire, with himself as its first emperor."
"Lahelu...?" Frederick repeated the name of the new empire softly. The faint light of the full moon illuminated his face, adding to the impression of quiet contemplation.
"Truly fascinating information, Lord Roydex. This is the first I've heard that the lands of Lanitum and the Kingdom of Lawe decided to change their identity to Lahelu," he said, leaning back in his own chair.
"True, Frederick. Emperor Van Kóck decided to change the identity and face of old Lanitum. Once, it was merely shattered fragments of the Rhein II Empire, broken into small states."
Roydex crossed his arms, his tone remaining casual. "Now, Lahelu is building a new capital: the city of Göbsburg, standing upon the ruins of an old Lanitum kingdom's capital."
Roydex continued to reveal piece after piece of information, as if unconcerned with how significant it all sounded. To Frederick, this was only more confusing. What was this man's goal? Why was he so readily disclosing things that could be used to weaken the very new nation he now supported?
"Did Emperor Van Kóck do that to prevent the southern part of Lanitum—which was once part of Rum—from rebelling?" Frederick asked with a slight chuckle, taking another drink of his wine.
Hah. Frederick tried to recall the history of the Rum Empire. Throughout history, Rhein and Rum were never on good terms, so special arrangements like Van Kóck's were certainly necessary. He pondered, trying to digest all the information Roydex had just shared.
"You are correct, Frederick. That was indeed necessary to prevent further loss of life," Roydex said dismissively. He straightened up again, projecting an unshakable confidence.
"Ah, that's right, Frederick. I was so enjoying our conversation I forgot my actual purpose for being here," he added with a relaxed smile and a light laugh.
Roydex glanced at Frederick, then continued with an air of nonchalance: "In the Lanitum Unification War, many key officials of the Kingdom of Lawe perished. Currently, I have become the most important official in Lawe after replacing several of those who fell."
Frederick simply remained silent, his eyes fixed on the wineglass in his hand. He listened carefully to every word Roydex uttered.
"However, although Lahelu now controls the lands of Lanitum, unfortunately I still lack people to fill the cabinet seats—to build the Lahelu Empire for the future," Roydex said, feigning sadness as the moonlight illuminated his face.
"And I remember, I have several remarkable acquaintances I've met throughout my life," he added, shooting a sharp glance at Frederick before leaning back in his chair. Frederick finally understood the purpose of Roydex's visit.His talk of a lack of cabinet members was clearly not just small talk. Roydex wanted someone to fill that seat—and that someone was none other than Frederick himself.
"And this 'acquaintance' you refer to is me, Lord Roydex?" Frederick asked, locking eyes with the man to confirm his answer.
"Correct." Roydex straightened up once more,his tone now more serious. "I want you to join me in Lahelu.Not merely as an official—I want you to become its Warlord. You are one of the few people with extraordinary capabilities that I have ever known."
Frederick fell silent for a moment. "Warlord…?" he murmured, before sitting upright again. He was shocked by the magnitude of the position offered. Lahelu was a new empire, but that role was clearly no trivial matter—stranger still, such an offer was being made to someone who wasn't even part of the empire.
"A rather strange offer, Lord Roydex," Frederick finally said, his voice calm yet firm. "I have already decided to devote my life to Alphanus. Betraying this nation for a position—is not a path I will take." After speaking,he tapped the table softly, emphasizing his resolve.
"Of course you would say that, Frederick." Roydex chuckled, as if he had anticipated the answer, and took another drink of his wine. "But in my opinion,someone as capable as you should not be confined to a single nation. Alphanus…" he intentionally stressed the name with a dismissive tone, "has long been stagnant. That nation can no longer progress, no matter how hard you try."
"Hah… a truly dismissive statement, Lord Roydex." Frederick's gaze sharpened, his voice hardening. Roydex's assertion that his nation would stagnate truly struck a nerve. "You are a great man,but how can you so easily conclude that a nation is incapable of progress—no matter how hard its officials strive?"
"Ah, you are right. It seems I have indeed underestimated Alphanus, haven't I? Haha…" Roydex gave a small laugh as he raised his wine glass to his lips, then added lightly, "I apologize for my words earlier." Yet from his tone,it was clear he didn't genuinely care about the apology.
"However, I will not rescind my invitation, Frederick." Roydex affirmed his goal,placing his crystal glass on the table and fixing Frederick with a sharp gaze. "I truly suggest you leave Alphanus and join Lahelu. This nation has a far brighter future—and if you join from the beginning, great rewards await you when that glory arrives."
"Why are you so certain in calling Lahelu a nation with a promising future, Lord Roydex?" Frederick asked. He was genuinely curious, for in all his time knowing Roydex, the man had almost never expressed conviction in such a manner.
"As I said from the beginning, I am deeply interested in Lahelu's Emperor, Van Kóck. Not only that—from my perspective, Lahelu holds a strategic position for the future of Indropa," said Roydex, his voice filled with pride.
"Hmm…" Frederick merely listened, restraining himself from an immediate reaction, digesting the meaning behind each word Roydex spoke.
"I will consider my answer first, Lord Roydex. I will inform you within two days at the latest," stated Frederick. He placed his crystal glass on the table and sat up straight once more, projecting an unshakable composure.
"Haha, very well. I shall await your answer," said Roydex with a thin smile. He rose from his chair, set down his glass, and walked with calm yet assured steps toward the building's exit. At the doorway, the moonlight caught Roydex pausing for a moment before he finally stepped out.
"Good evening, Frederick. I await your response to my request," Roydex said. The moonlight from the corridor window cut across his silhouette before he finally disappeared beyond the door.
Silence enveloped the room once more. Only two unfinished glasses of wine remained, while Frederick sat alone, his mind racing as he contemplated the offer he had just received. The moonlight shone brightly upon him, as the seconds seemed to float aimlessly around him.
Frederick remained still for a moment, pondering Roydex's request for him to become Warlord of the Lahelu Empire... As the seconds seemed to hang in the air around him. "Hah… I should prepare myself. He's surely heading to Place 69 next," he muttered to himself.
Finally, he left the room, leaving it once again empty and quiet.