Spare Aurora Until the New Year?

Many times, the objective truth matters less than what someone chooses to believe. Guiliniweier had long wondered how Queen Morgan truly felt about Bavanshi. On one hand, the court whispers and Morgan's decision to place Beryl alongside Bavanshi hinted at indifference; on the other, sending two Queen's Knights and Riko as bodyguards suggested some concern. Yet Morgan had vanished, and after countless simulations, there was no sign she would return. Whatever her true feelings, it no longer mattered—Bavanshi would prefer to believe that Morgan cared for her.

"Mother was merely glad I could protect myself?" Bavanshi murmured, hand over her heart, astonished and delighted.

"Yes," Guiliniweier nodded. "From what we've gathered, she wasn't focused on you killing others—only relieved that her daughter could ensure her own safety. That's why she praised you at first."

"My treasure… I'm Mother's treasure?!" Bavanshi leapt like a child upon hearing this. Guiliniweier sighed inwardly at her naïveté. Riko, standing nearby, covered her face, no doubt equally exasperated.

But such simplicity made Bavanshi easily guided. Guiliniweier offered gently: "Bavanshi, wouldn't you want Morgan to see you grow further, to return and find you mature and capable—perhaps even fit to inherit the kingdom she built? That would surely gladden her heart."

"To please Mother?" Bavanshi's eyes widened with excitement. She had long dreamed that mastering the simulator and becoming an outstanding queen might prove her worth to Morgan. Now, hearing it confirmed, she nodded eagerly: "Yes! I'll make Mother happy. I will become an excellent queen—but how?"

"Simple. Leave that to me," Guiliniweier said, suppressing a smile. "Just follow my guidance step by step. We'll begin by making you an outstanding lord right here."

Bavanshi agreed at once: "I understand! I'll learn eagerly, Master Guiliniweier!"

"Master…" He chuckled softly, then grew serious. "First, we start by solidifying your rule over New Darrlington."

System: Bavanshi's trust in you grows beyond expectation; you can now direct her to accomplish nearly anything.

System: Your jailbreak of Altria is quietly suppressed under Bavanshi's pressure. While Cataly accepted your leadership after defeat, Aster's loyalty to Morgan's order was stronger. Yet leveraging Bavanshi's insistence, you now command Aster as well—fully seizing New Darrlington's military.

Guiliniweier stroked his chin. "Now comes the classic strategy: external wars to unify internal dissent. New Darrlington suffers countless penalties—other realms enjoy countless boons. It's like playing Civilization VI on divine difficulty with huge buffs for all others. The surest path is war."

He began training soldiers relentlessly. When Bavanshi approved the destruction of the former Gladiator Arena, his popularity soared and citizens' morale improved. He then tested the freed gladiators:

"For those willing to join a terror raid: bring me five heads from Solsberry's citizens, and you earn freedom. If you refuse, there may still be other ways to regain liberty—but few chances. Choose wisely."

He knew most gladiators, tainted by bloodshed, would join the assault. Indeed, over 80% volunteered. Those with lingering conscience were integrated into the army; the rest formed a "cannon fodder" unit for the raid.

"Why target Solsberry?" Bavanshi asked.

"Simple: pick the softest target. Norwich's armies are well-equipped; Sprigen's fortress is stout. Oxford, Manchester, Edinburgh—all too strong. Sheffield too distant. Only Solsberry lies within our reach. Moreover, past simulations suggested a conflict there may not entangle powerful allies. If Lancelot had ties to Aurora, he's out of play now. Why spare her? Let her await the New Year in defeat."

He expanded the army: recruiting human bowmen, taming bicorns for cavalry. New Darrlington's forces, once mere foot soldiers, now boasted archers and a fledgling cavalry: fifty riders mounted on tamed bicorns grown from captured juveniles.

Meanwhile, other realms faltered: Woodworth's failed alliance in Manchester led to ruin; alliances shifted. By early summer 2018, Guiliniweier judged the moment ripe.

Queen's Calendar 2018, June: You launch an assault on Solsberry.

Thus began the campaign. Under Bavanshi's banner, New Darrlington's deliberately forged troops—bowmen and bicorn cavalry—rode out. The raid aimed to sow terror, break Solsberry's will, and solidify Bavanshi's rule. Guiliniweier knew the moral cost, but viewed it as a necessary crucible: only by wielding power decisively could Bavanshi prove herself a capable ruler—worthy, perhaps, of Morgan's return.

As the armies marched, Guiliniweier reflected: in the end, truth mattered less than belief. Bavanshi now believed that growth and proving herself were the way to her mother's approval. He would guide her, step by step, toward that goal—even if the path ran red with war.