Golden Opportunity (2)

Had two days passed? Contrary to expectations, Radian's family quickly gathered at his mansion, and Vasili summoned them to the conference room for an emergency meeting.

In the meantime, Gregory's plan had succeeded.

Jorhen's son spread news of the incident Gregory had caused throughout the kingdom, and as a result, reports of a mysterious force attempting to bring catastrophe to the Blandi Kingdom made newspaper headlines and spread everywhere.

The papers contained such grim stories that even Vasili expressed doubt. Yet all the blame seemed heaped on the Stria group, and since incriminating evidence had been seized, it was clear Stria would be unable to exert their influence.

The conference room, its atmosphere elegant yet noisy, buzzed with Radian's assembled family exchanging casual chatter about the sudden summons.

"Why did Father call us together all of a sudden?"

"Right... Is there some important announcement?"

"I heard things have stabilized lately thanks to relations with Arme. It's probably good news."

Vasili entered with an air of authority, followed quietly by Gregory. The family, seeing Gregory for the first time, whispered among themselves within Gregory's earshot.

"Who's that?"

"Yeah, did he hire some new servant?"

"No, father wouldn't call us here over something so trivial. And he doesn't look like a servant."

"Isn't that the guy who won the martial arts tournament? I swear I saw his face on the village notice board..."

"That's right, that's him. Looks exactly the same."

Vasili assumed a stately expression and settled everyone down. He cleared his throat.

"Be silent. This man is our benefactor. And he is also the one who will lead us to Arme."

The family recoiled in surprise. They could hardly be blamed for not understanding; the great Zaikov family Vasili had built up had allowed them to live in oblivious comfort until now.

"Father, what do you mean? Lead us to Arme? Are you saying we're to go into exile?"

Vasili nodded firmly. Thanks to Gregory, he'd been able to release the grudge he'd long harbored against Stria.

A head-on clash with them had always been inevitable. Had they ignored the problem, the Zaikovs risked vanishing into history as Gregory had once witnessed in his previous life.

Though the timing had moved up, Vasili saw this as much better than having his family be driven to their deaths. For that reason, he had decided to help Gregory unreservedly.

"We are currently threatened."

"By the Laderios family and the Gabriet family? I thought you said we could easily overcome that much."

"No. They are no longer the problem. Do you know of the mysterious force reported recently?"

Vasili's attendant laid the newspaper across the long table. The headline caught their attention with provocative wording:[New Force Threatens the Blandi Kingdom]

"So the rumors were true...?"

Everyone gasped after reading it, and fresh unrest swept through the room.

"Rumors? What happened?"

"Haven't you heard? The Laderios family is on the verge of ruin."

"Is this mysterious power targeting us now?"

Vasili fixed them all with a sharp gaze and nodded.

"That's right."

It was a thunderbolt out of the blue. The articles painted a bleak picture, and the notion that this force was now after them filled everyone with dread.

Only one person had a different reaction.

"Are you telling us to leave Radian behind and run to Arme? Do you even know the situation he's in right now?"

The rest of the family, unaware of Radian's circumstances, looked grim.

Vasili, deciding quickly to restore order, began to outline Radian's situation and their plans going forward in detail.

Gregory took the opportunity to chime in.

"I will rescue Radian, no matter what."

The family stared at Gregory in blank disbelief, but with Vasili saying no more and insisting on exile to Arme, discussion ceased.

They knew Vasili was not someone who trusted people lightly.

"Then this concludes today's agenda. We're going to Arme. We will rebuild from the ground up there."

Thus, the meeting ended without incident, and preparations to leave began. Vasili drew near as Gregory was organizing affairs for Radian.

"So, what's your plan now? You sounded so confident..."

"I have everything worked out."

In truth, Gregory was aiming for something more. Namely, the chain reaction caused by the spread of this news.

Because of the Stria incident, Radian's trial would not proceed properly, and there would be an outcry that he was unfairly treated—allowing him to be released, if only temporarily.

"So that's your angle... will it work?"

"Trust me."

"Very well... I'll leave it in your hands."

Vasili went back to his room, while Gregory had to devise yet another escape plan as he awaited Radian's trial date.

Before long, good news arrived. Once again, Gregory's foresight was correct. The judge Stria had bribed recused himself, and Radian was released.

Radian flung open the mansion doors and strode inside. This time, Gregory welcomed him.

"You're back, Sir Radian."

Radian instinctively sensed that it was Gregory's doing he had been freed; given Stria's nature, there was no reason at all for them to release him. Thus, he was all the more grateful.

"Well done. Thanks to you, I was freed. What plans do you have now?"

"You once said your goal was to live happily with your family."

"That's right."

"We plan to go to Arme together."

Gregory persuaded Radian, offering to personally lead them to the kingdom. He explained that otherwise, their safety would be at risk.

Deeply moved by Gregory's faithful adherence to his promise, Radian agreed.

Gregory's plan was set in motion without delay. First, he captured some notorious criminals from Vatinoka and locked them in the mansion. They loaded all the necessary belongings and prepared carriages.

Then, Vasili's mansion was set ablaze, a decoy left behind, and the insignia of Stria planted as before.

The aim was to delay the start of war as much as possible.

If Estia group noticed what was happening and joined the action to counter Stria, they might reap some unexpected benefits from the conflict.

Though Vasili and Radian's family had attachments to the manor, they did not look back as they left.

Just as planned, when they crossed from Blandi to Arme and cited the purpose of trade, the border was easily opened.

This was thanks to the prestige of the Zaikov family, central to trade. And entering Arme, the soldiers readily let them through, as Gregory was known to be on a mission by order of Hemingway.

Thus, all successfully emigrated to Arme, and Gregory prepared to report the situation in order to bid farewell.

"I will take this road now and go see Father. Without his approval, we may not be able to settle. I suggest you look into the area ahead."

Both Vasili and Radian's favor toward Gregory had soared.

"Understood. I trust that you will help us establish ourselves. Thank you for all you've done. Please return with good news."

They decided to settle in an outlying border region of Blandi. With plentiful wealth stored as gold, they expected no trouble in resettling.

But Hemingway's permission was still required, so Gregory had to act quickly.

After bidding them farewell, Gregory journeyed to the Radiant Light Order to compose what he would report to Hemingway. He couldn't tell him everything.

Hemingway had already assessed the Zaikov family as safe, so their migration posed no issue. Still, Gregory was troubled, for his actions in enemy territory were nothing ordinary.

Arriving in the audience chamber, Gregory greeted Hemingway with proper etiquette.

"So you've come. I trust everything went well?"

"Of course... Have you been well?"

"That is hardly the main concern. I've heard from your uncle about what you've done."

What Hemingway referred to was Gregory's choice to act alone, not bringing the Dawn's knight order, and undertaking independent action.

Knowing his actions had been reckless, Gregory bowed his head. He had acted alone for the sake of a swift resolution, but his fellow knights were supposed to fight beside him on the field.

Ignoring their opinions and storming into enemy territory was, arguably, unforgivable.

"Have you defied your father's command?"

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