Raul left the tent in a hurry… he also needed to tell the others that the kingdom of Talimor also wanted to become allies, but this would be difficult under these circumstances since they were at war once they decided to help the dwarves.

  “I can’t say that I am surprised to hear that the kid is alive and well. He was quite resourceful back then, but I didn’t expect that he would be able to defeat a possessed frost wyvern.”

  “He certainly defeated, but he wasn’t satisfied with almost dying in the process. Still, for an archer, he was quite the fearsome fighter. I think that he would be able to put arrows on my limbs even before I considered attacking him. Putting that aside, I tried to convince him to help, but… he has a friend on the Elven side, even though he hates the empire.”

  Roswald didn’t want to give many more details about what Regulus did in his travels since he knew that he would be found out and that Regulus would get really mad, and the others in the room also noticed that.

  Vincent nodded after hearing Roswald’s explanation. Regulus’s involvement, or lack thereof, was a complicated matter. On one hand, his skill as an archer and a fighter could turn the tide in many battles. On the other hand, Vincent couldn’t ignore the issue around the young man.

  Perhaps it was for the best that Regulus couldn’t become their ally, he thought to himself. A half-vampire who hadn’t drunk blood and was struggling with his thirst was a dangerous presence on the battlefield.

  Vincent knew all too well how dangerous that thirst could become if left unchecked. The strain of resisting the primal urge to feed, combined with the pressures of combat, could lead to dangerous consequences not just for Regulus but for everyone fighting alongside him. The thought of him losing control in the heat of battle made Vincent worried.

  Still, there was a flicker of hope in Vincent’s mind. Perhaps Regulus would find a way to balance his nature, but until then, it was better that he stayed out of the conflict. The war was chaotic enough without introducing another unpredictable element.

  At the same time that Nimira was angry at Regulus for not coming to see her after all these years, she also felt relieved, since he was that kind of person. She was also curious about this toddler that he was looking after. While it wasn’t on the same level, Regulus looked after her and that showed that he was still the same caring person, despite his difficult circumstances.

  Nimira also would have been angry if Regulus decided to help them when he was looking after the little girl. He wasn’t the type to do half-assed things, and he was still mindful of the risks that he would take and give in joining such conflicts.

  “Putting that aside… you are a bit late to offer this alliance, Roswald. Now that we have decided to help the dwarves, if you decide to help them as well, this conflict will only escalate even further, even if they agree on joining this alliance.”

  “I understand… what I don’t understand is how come you guys joined them given that they started all this?”

  “We couldn’t let the empire control all these lands. It is too damn obvious what they are plotting and they have such an advantage since they have this clairvoyant… we can’t deal with this person and we can’t exactly let the empire do as they please.”

  Vincent stopped to think for a moment once he had a certain idea. Considering what he had heard, Regulus could be the key to solve this situation. If they find more information about what the empire knows about the rift, they could ask Regulus to make things harder for the clairvoyant to see things regarding the future. That would make them a lot less bold, but Regulus wouldn’t want to be part of this war.

  While he could gain some allies in the whole process, even among those allies, Regulus would be able to tell that some people still wouldn’t like him and they perhaps could even cause problems for him later or try to make him fall for traps. Once the war ends, a lot of people would find his presence a nuisance.

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  “I didn’t imagine that you guys would be so ready to help the dwarves or that they would ask for help so soon. I guess this alliance will be a lot harder to start without you guys readily joining us.”

  “Don’t be so discouraged… you don’t have to join this war so soon. We can still offer a different alternative to the council and then make them join once you show the alliance making some progress. The empire already has the cooperation of the Aquarians and the Elves now. If you head to where they are and convince them to join the alliance, this will make things a lot more convenient.”

  “They?”

  “The orcs, goblins and ogres. They aren’t a part of this conflict, at least not yet. The dwarves only asked for us.”

  Roswald rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his eyes narrowing as he considered Vincent’s suggestion. The idea of bringing the orcs, goblins, and ogres into the fold had value, even if it wasn’t without its issues. Despite having lost more than ninety percent of their forces in previous conflicts, these groups remained formidable. Their resilience and fierce combat skills made them valuable potential allies, even in their weakened state.

  If they could be convinced to join the alliance, it would likely sway the people of Felyndor to do the same. The dwarves, seeing the growing coalition against the Empire, would almost certainly join in their commitment as well. With these factions unified, the alliance would become a force capable of matching the Empire’s strength, both in numbers and in strategic positioning.

  Roswald’s mind began calculating the forces on all sides. If the orcs, goblins, and ogres joined, the balance of power would shift. The attacking and defending sides would have roughly equal numbers, an important factor in ensuring the conflict wouldn’t be a one-sided massacre.

  Still, there was another pressing concern: the rift. Insisting on escalating this conflict while such an event was imminent would be too reckless, perhaps even disastrous.

  “... I guess that can work. I am not sure if I will be able to negotiate with them. They aren’t the type to listen to people like me, after all. Still, it might be worth a try. They also lost a lot thanks to the empire and aquarians, so they have enough reason to help us. Where are they?”

  “They are living close to the coast and holding back the attacks of the Aquarians.”

  “I see… I don’t think that they aren’t fighting in this conflict if they are doing this much. By the way, can you give me a detailed map of your land? Regulus wants one to avoid trouble here.”

  “He is trustworthy, but giving him such a thing would put me on the spot if the word spreads…”

  “He is the type of guy who can keep a one hundred floor labyrinth under control by himself, and he actually would welcome such a challenge. It might take some time for him to get sick of such a place, if you understand what I mean.”

  “I see… I have a place in mind, but I am not sure if it is the right place for someone looking after a toddler to go… What do you think, Nimira?”

  “Humph. If he doesn’t want to see me, I don’t want to see him either.”

  “That wasn’t what I was talking about, but oh well… I will find the map. You said that he has alchemy, enchanting and crafting skills, right? I am sure that we can help each other without making him fight for us or for anyone else.”

  Vincent left the tent to look for the map and then Roswald decided to sit down and rest. He had gotten too used to traveling on the wagon, so he felt a bit sluggish when he was moving around… he felt slower, even though he certainly had gotten stronger after stopping the dungeon break.

  Roswald wanted to rest, but it looked like she wanted to hear a few things about what Regulus had been up to, but she was too stubborn and prideful to ask directly.

  “Speaking of which, Regulus wanted to improve his skills when it comes to dual wielding. While he is insane with the bow, he isn’t making much progress when it comes to fighting at close range.”

  “... What about it?”

  “Have you improved since then? You were pretty good back then. I tried to teach him a bit, but it was difficult to do that while we were on the road. You might want to give him a hand some time in order to repay the favor, right?”

  Helping Regulus with his dual-wielding skills seemed like a small gesture on the surface, but to Nimira, it represented something far more important. For years, she had carried a debt in her heart, a sense that she owed Regulus for looking after her when she had no one else. Repaying that debt could even the scales between them, wiping away the invisible line that kept them from standing on equal footing. They could become proper friends, unburdened by the weight of past favors. That idea sat well with her.

  But there was more to consider. Nimira looked out at the camp, the flickering light of fires reflecting the faces of those who had become her family over the last four years. These people had taken her after they split ways, offering her a home. They were her responsibility now, and they needed her more than ever.

  Regulus would have to wait, at least for now. Helping her people was her priority, and while the thought of catching up with Regulus and truly mending their relationship was nice, it couldn’t come at the expense of those who depended on her.

  Even so, the idea lingered, simmering in the back of her mind. Perhaps, once this war was over and her people were safe, she could seek him out.