Steel and Sorrow: Rise of the Mercenary king

Chapter 378: Playing the game(1)

Things were spiraling downhill—at least for the nobility. For the crown, however, it was nothing short of a golden age. If there's one thing the noble caste dreads, it's the rise of a strong central power that could overshadow their own influence. And in Yarzat, that very nightmare was unfolding right before their eyes.@@novelbin@@

The recent war against Herculia was the ultimate wake-up call. The crown wasn't just a toothless relic as it had been three years ago, apparently a new prince meant a new heard; it had become a force to be reckoned with. The nobility had no choice but to watch in growing unease as Princess Jasmine rallied an army of 1,300 soldiers—without so much as lifting a finger to ask for their support.

It was a stunning display of power, one that drove home the uncomfortable reality: the days of a weak and malleable monarchy were over. 

Needless to say, the crown's recent campaign had been an overwhelming success—an outcome that defied all expectations. By every measure, it was a war they should have lost. Yet, they didn't just hold their ground; they emerged victorious.

This turn of events sent ripples of unease through the nobility. Their wariness of Alpheo, already simmering beneath the surface, surged to new heights.