“Just as I expected… I can’t deceive Your Majesty.”0

Viola shook her head. 0

“It’s because there can’t be a decisive outcome.”0

“Why is that?”0

“The empire already knows that the principality is in Your Majesty’s hands,” Viola went on. “Though they claim to be the continent’s strongest, they must realize by now that the tide is turning against them.”0

“Hmm.”0

“If the Three Kingdoms of Istria fall under Your Majesty’s command, the empire will be able to focus on a single enemy. But if the war remains unresolved, their attention will be divided, and the empire will have to keep both sides in check.”0

Karyl nodded at her words.0

“We intended to settle the Three Kingdoms the moment Your Majesty declared war against the empire. In doing so, the spark of war would spread rapidly, and the empire would be completely isolated. Olivurn would then have no choice but to eat up the poisonous weed he was left with to strengthen his position.”0

“Poisonous weed...?”0

“Luon, the First Prince.”0

At that, Karyl smirked. 0

“Though Luon has fallen from grace, there are still forces loyal to him. Or rather, loyal to the empress... Olivurn is in a position where even...0