Chapter 25: The False Light

The Envoy of Peace

Morning sunlight spilled into the throne room of the Noah Empire's royal palace, casting a golden glow upon the gathered nobles and soldiers. David Haipoli stood calmly at the base of Jacques's throne, Regent of a rapidly expanding empire, his expression firm yet cautious. Beside him, Jacques sat upon the throne, his youthful face showing quiet dignity, clearly aware of the gravity of the moment.

Before them stood an envoy from the Kingdom of Light, dressed elegantly in robes of pristine white embroidered with intricate silver thread. The envoy's demeanor radiated practiced serenity, his polite smile hiding any true intentions behind a facade of benevolence. David watched him carefully, wary of any sign of deceit, remembering clearly how Bismarck's treachery had once shattered his world.

The envoy bowed deeply, his voice smooth and calm. "King Jacques, Regent Haipoli, I bring greetings from King Lucius of the Kingdom of Light. My king has observed with admiration your remarkable achievements, yet he fears the spreading flames of war. He urges peace between our kingdoms, wishing only to end needless conflict."

David felt a cold skepticism within him, tempered by caution. "Peace is always welcome, yet King Lucius openly supports Chancellor Bismarck, supplying his armies and sending assassins against us. Your actions speak more clearly than your words, ambassador."

The envoy raised his hands gently, feigning innocence. "Regent Haipoli, my king regrets deeply any misunderstandings. We have merely sought stability—nothing more. King Lucius wishes now to mediate peacefully between the Noah Empire and Chancellor Bismarck. Together, we might avoid unnecessary bloodshed."

Jacques shifted slightly upon his throne, voice carefully neutral. "Your offer sounds generous, yet it ignores Chancellor Bismarck's betrayal and tyranny. How can we trust your kingdom, knowing it supports openly a man who rules by cruelty and deceit?"

The envoy's expression remained patient, calm yet calculated. "Chancellor Bismarck may have faults, yet he maintains order. War breeds chaos, suffering. The Kingdom of Light seeks only stability for all kingdoms. Peace, Regent Haipoli, King Jacques—peace is our only desire."

David's eyes narrowed sharply. He saw clearly the hidden threat beneath the envoy's smooth words—a subtle warning that rejecting peace would bring accusations of aggression upon them. He stepped forward, voice firm and commanding.

"We welcome peace—but true peace, built upon justice and honesty. Tell your king clearly—if he truly desires stability, then he must end his support for Bismarck immediately. Only then will our empires truly achieve peace."

The envoy's smile faded slightly, eyes colder now, though his voice remained calm. "I understand clearly, Regent Haipoli. Your conditions shall be relayed to King Lucius. Yet, consider carefully—the Kingdom of Light is powerful, influential. Our friendship benefits greatly those who accept it."

Without waiting for a response, the envoy bowed once more, retreating swiftly from the throne room, leaving a tense silence behind.

---

A Dangerous Game

Afterward, David gathered his advisors privately, Athena, Peter, Lily, and Jiang joining him within the royal council chamber. His voice was grim as he addressed them, the envoy's words lingering heavily upon his mind.

"The Kingdom of Light seeks openly to manipulate us," David stated clearly. "Their proposal for peace masks clear intentions to preserve Bismarck's rule. Their words are a trap, designed to delay our advance, weaken morale, and justify later aggression against us."

Athena nodded thoughtfully. "King Lucius hides his ambition behind virtue. He seeks not peace, but dominion. By presenting himself as mediator, he attempts to portray us as aggressors, isolating us diplomatically."

Peter frowned darkly. "Yet rejecting their peace outright risks uniting other kingdoms against us. Lucius's deception is dangerous—openly opposing him invites accusation."

David nodded slowly. "Exactly. Yet we must not appear hostile unnecessarily. Jacques must publicly announce willingness for peace—clearly, openly, sincerely—but also demand Lucius end his alliance with Bismarck. That places the Kingdom of Light firmly between truth and their deception."

Lily agreed firmly. "By exposing Lucius's duplicity publicly, we weaken his influence among other kingdoms. If Lucius rejects our condition openly, his pretense crumbles completely."

David's voice was resolute. "Then we act immediately. Jacques will announce clearly tomorrow our willingness for peace, conditional upon Lucius abandoning Bismarck. We'll expose their deception openly. Let Lucius reveal his true intentions himself."

---

A Secret Discovery

Days later, Jiang's spies brought critical intelligence. A hidden facility near the Kingdom of Light's border had been discovered, its purpose alarmingly sinister. Jiang reported urgently to David, his expression deeply troubled.

"My lord," Jiang began gravely, "our agents discovered a secret training camp deep within the Light Kingdom's northern forest. Thousands of soldiers train there secretly—elite warriors, disciplined, heavily armed. Clearly, Lucius prepares openly for war, not peace."

David felt grim certainty harden within him. "Lucius's deception is absolute. He intends war, waiting merely for a pretext."

Peter's expression darkened deeply. "He plans clearly to intervene once our troops engage Bismarck fully. With our army weakened, Lucius's hidden force will invade swiftly, crushing us decisively."

David nodded firmly, determination rising within him. "Then we must preempt their deception openly. Prepare our own army discreetly. Increase patrols at our borders, but quietly. We must be ready when Lucius finally acts openly."

---

Confrontation of Kings

Two weeks later, King Lucius himself arrived unexpectedly at the Noah Empire's capital, his presence a carefully calculated surprise. Dressed richly, his white-and-silver robes shimmering grandly, Lucius approached Jacques's throne with open arms, a warm yet clearly false smile upon his face.

"King Jacques, Regent Haipoli," Lucius greeted smoothly, "I come personally to affirm my sincerity. Let peace reign openly between us."

Jacques regarded him calmly, yet his voice was firm. "Peace is welcome, King Lucius—provided sincerity truly guides your intentions. Yet you openly support Bismarck, our enemy. How can we accept peace when your actions contradict your words clearly?"

Lucius feigned sadness, shaking his head gently. "Chancellor Bismarck desires only stability, young king. Support for him is merely pragmatic. Yet, if peace demands neutrality, we might reconsider."

David stepped forward decisively, voice firm. "Then declare neutrality immediately. Cease openly all aid to Bismarck—soldiers, weapons, supplies. Prove your sincerity clearly, openly, not merely with words, but actions."

Lucius's smile faded visibly now, replaced by a cold glare. "Careful, Regent Haipoli. Accusations carry weight. Rejecting our friendship risks great consequence."

David's voice remained calm yet resolute. "Friendship earned through deceit is worthless. You speak openly of peace, yet secretly you train soldiers to invade us. Deny it if you dare—your deception is already revealed."

Lucius's expression hardened dangerously. "Bold accusations, Regent. Yet truth remains subjective. I warn you clearly—accusing us openly of treachery invites war."

David met his gaze firmly. "War you already planned. Yet your deception is exposed openly now. Leave our kingdom immediately—your false light holds no sway here."

Lucius's voice dripped venom now. "Then you have chosen clearly. Peace rejected openly—remember this clearly when our armies march against you."

Turning sharply, Lucius stormed away, leaving tense silence behind him.

---

The Eve of War

That night, David and Athena stood quietly upon the palace balcony, gazing out upon their city below, preparing swiftly for inevitable conflict. Her voice was soft yet firm.

"You chose correctly, David," Athena reassured gently. "Lucius's deceit had to be confronted openly."

David nodded solemnly. "Yet war is inevitable now. Lucius waits only briefly—he'll strike swiftly."

Athena smiled softly. "Yet our people trust you fully. Jacques supports you openly. Lucius's deception is clear now to all."

David's expression hardened with resolve. "Then tomorrow, we prepare openly for war. The false light ends now—justice begins."

David gazed determinedly into the darkness ahead, ready to confront whatever awaited—prepared to defend truth, justice, and lasting peace.