The Queen and the Lion - Chapter 72

Naturally, Bullet Kingdom did not want to bear the risk of subjugating Heiban, and thus suggested to Heiban that they invade Florea together. Of course, the suggestion was promptly rejected.

The proposal was highly tempting to Heiban, but as nomads, they remembered being abandoned after their usefulness had ended. If they joined forces to invade Florea, the next target of Bullet’s swords would surely be Heiban.

Amid this situation, Aslan was captured by Florea. It was said that more than a hundred soldiers had died to capture Aslan, and the news reached Bullet. Bullet, surprisingly, was pleased and clapped their hands. If Florea killed Aslan and crushed Heiban, their situation would become far easier.

However, the indecisive Florea seemed to show signs of seeking peace with Heiban. To make matters worse, rumors spread that the new king of Florea would be none other than Aslan.

In disbelief, Bullet sent a congratulatory delegation to verify the situation. But the rumors were not false. After confirming the truth, they rushed back to Bullet in a hurry.

Heiban and Florea had formed an alliance.

Now, should they abandon Florea’s vast plains just like that? The Bullet Kingdom, which had long been eyeing Florea, was in an uproar, wondering what to do next.

“If Aslan Yilmaz has become the king of Florea, then this is actually quite good. There is no kingdom that pushes its king into a trap. He will not be going to war. If he is no longer there, isn’t it quite possible? Just because they made peace, it doesn’t mean the relationship between Heiban and Florea will improve. It’s a house built on sand. If they don’t establish a center quickly, they will destroy themselves.”

It was a plausible argument. The king of Bullet had devised a plan to invade Florea and quietly gathered his army. And when the time came, he swiftly moved the troops toward Heiban.

A telegram arrived in Florea, reporting that the Bullet Kingdom’s army was advancing toward Florea. The heavy aura of war, far greater than any of the previous minor invasions, cast a shadow over the faces of all in Florea.

Fortunately, the enemy’s vanguard stopped at Heiban.

Only then did the people of Florea breathe a sigh of relief.

They had never thought that the Bullet Kingdom would actually target Florea, and now they were left wondering why the Bullet Kingdom was aiming at Heiban.

Soon after, a request for reinforcements came from Heiban. They were allies with whom Florea had made peace. Florea had the obligation to send reinforcements for Heiban.

However, some of the ministers, still opposing Heiban, stood against it. They argued that sending reinforcements to Heiban would only provoke the Bullet Kingdom unnecessarily.

“I don’t know why the Bullet Kingdom has invaded Heiban, but that is their problem. Why should we sacrifice the people of Florea? It’s an absurd idea.”

“Heiban and we have made an alliance. It is not acceptable to pretend ignorance in a dangerous situation. Furthermore, it is the king’s homeland!”

“But the might of the Bullet Kingdom is quite serious. What if, by intervening, they then turn their attention to Florea?”

“Florea’s military strength is not inferior to that of the Bullet Kingdom. If we join forces with Heiban, we can surely defeat them.”

“Right. I understand. But in the process, it will be our people of Florea who will suffer.”

The heated debate made the conference room feel suffocating. Practicality and honor. Deep furrows appeared on Lysian’s brow. The reason for opposing the reinforcements to Heiban was painfully obvious to her. A fire rose in Lysian’s eyes. She opened her mouth.

“Silence.”

The conference room, which had been as noisy as a market square until then, suddenly fell quiet. As Lysian’s gaze swept across the room, everyone lowered their heads.

“As the Queen of Florea, I have made an alliance with Heiban. If we do not help them now when they are in need, who will want to ally with us, Florea? Are you trying to make me seem like a ridiculous and petty ruler?”

“……”

“Once the Bullet Kingdom swallows Heiban, even if not immediately, they will eventually turn their blade toward us. It would be better to show them what we’re capable of now. I will send reinforcements to Heiban, and I want everyone to understand that.”

Lysian’s words were a final announcement.

Having spoken, Lysian immediately stood up. The firmness in her straight back radiated an unyielding resolve.

Once Lysian left the conference hall, the room fell into silence for a moment before returning to heated debate.

This time, the discussion was about who would lead the reinforcements and what the appropriate size of the force would be. Had Lysian mentioned Aslan while proposing the reinforcements, the anti-Heiban faction would have likely protested, but since Lysian’s command was backed by solid reasoning, they could not continue to oppose her stubbornly.

As Lysian left the conference hall and walked down the corridor, she let out a quiet sigh. The words “the king’s homeland” from the meeting had particularly struck her heart.

The invasion of his homeland.

How should she deliver this news to Aslan? Her heart felt heavy.