CH344 Web of Motives II

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"Let's not waste time beating around the bush. Yes, I need your help. But it's not as though I—or rather, House Wastelander—will be the only ones to benefit."

Alric's tone was sharp, his gaze unwavering.

"You Machholts want to control members of the Fury family for their fighting prowess, which you covet so dearly. Especially if you can merge their Furor Bloodline into your own," he continued.

Without waiting for Erman's reply, Alric turned to Otto. "And you, Otto—your Reicherts want the northwestern lands from the Kellerman fief, the former Schaumer fief now under Earl Drake's control, along with the rest of the Dankrot region."

Though the Reichert domain held the status of a Duchy, its lands were poor in agriculture. It relied heavily on food imports from other regions of the Empire and even beyond. What it lacked in crops, however, it made up for in natural resources—rich veins of minerals and ores that fuelled its prosperity.

But the Reicherts knew all too well that such wealth was finite. The mines would one day run dry. And when that day came, it would be difficult to sustain the Duchy. To safeguard their future, they sought stable access to fertile lands—particularly those of the Schaumers and Kellermans, neighbouring territories that weren't directly protected by any higher noble house.

Even with their controlled planes, there was no such thing as too much food.

"As for myself and House Wastelander," Alric said, glancing between Otto and Erman, "all we want is Earl Drake Fury and his heir, Alex Fury."

He leaned back slightly, voice lowering. "However, we can forget about all of that if Alex Fury succeeds in marrying both Zora and Imperial Princess Eleanor. That would tie the Fury line to not just the Imperial Clan, but also to the Nearmarch Confederacy. I don't believe I need to explain what benefits those two women bring to the Fury family, do I?"

Erman's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing.

'Lady Zora is from House Frost, the ceremonial head of the Nearmarch Confederacy. Reports suggest the Confederate council's opinion on her return is divided—but the general sentiment is favourable. House Frost has always been the binding force of the Confederacy. Judging from her management of the DragonHold Enclave, she'll adapt well to the political games of the council. Once that happens, she'll inevitably support her consort's family. By then, the Fury family will be beyond anyone's reach.'

'As for Princess Eleanor—aside from her ties to the Ludevicus Imperial Clan—she carries the Fey Monarch Bloodline. That alone gives her standing within the Elarion Empire and among the Elves. House Elandar's stance on her remains unclear, but the prestige of her lineage is unquestionable. With only the Ironmourn Desert separating them, a union between the Furies and a bloodline heir of the Elarion Imperial House would be… disastrous for our plans.'

Erman's thoughts raced as he silently weighed the implications of Alex Fury's potential marriages.

'I don't know if it is Earl Drake Fury's doing or his son Alex's, but from the look of it one or both of them possess very high political acumen. They've probably noticed the manoeuvres we've made around them. And knowing the vindictive nature of the Furor Bloodline…' Erman's eyes hardened.

'Indeed, we cannot continue to overlook and underestimate them!' he concluded.

Alric's gaze flickered as he spotted a subtle — and favourable — change in Erman's expression.

'Good. He's taken the bait. Now let that paranoia guide you. Soon you'll be drafting my plan for me,' he thought, a sinister smile hidden behind his calm.

Alric drove the final nail into the coffin. "If you help us take down Earl Drake Fury and his son, the rest of House Fury will be vulnerable to you both. Otto, the situation will give the Reicherts the opening to move your proxy forces in and seize the lands."

Otto nodded.

"And you, Erman, I don't need to tell you what you stand to gain, right?" Alric added.

Erman also inclined his head.

One likely scenario was clear: the Machholts would bide their time while the Reicherts pushed the Furies to the brink. When the Fury family was on their last legs, the Machholts would step in as mediators. Using the pretext of offering protection and a fresh start, they could persuade the surviving Furies to leave their lands—lands the Reicherts would then occupy.

It was a tactic older than most in the room: divide, exhaust, and then reap the spoils. Grand Duchies and Duchies had kept their power for centuries by quietly snuffing out ambition before it blossomed. Margrave was the ceiling entrenched powers allowed ambitious houses to reach; anyone who tried for higher often found several Duchies and Grand Duchies united in opposition.

They were planning to do exactly that to House Fury.

Otto was tempted already. He knew he was being used, but he also understood the offer's practicality—and its appeal. It was too convenient, too timely, and too lucrative to refuse.

"What do you need?" Erman asked at last. "Surely you're not asking us to send our powerhouses to ambush Earl Drake Fury, are you?"

"No," Alric shook his head. "I'll handle Earl Drake Fury and his son myself. What I need from you two is your family's expertise. Provide me that, and there'll be no trace linking this to either of your Houses—while you both enjoy the rewards of an eliminated Mad Earl and his heir."

"Speak clearly. What do you want?" Erman asked directly.

Alric smiled — that characteristic sunny grin that hid something vile beneath. With polished charm masking his insidious intent, he laid out his plan.

A few minutes later, the three men departed, each heading their own way.

Erman Machholt returned with his family's delegation to their luxurious suite in the most opulent hotel of the entertainment city. Behind closed doors, he met with the Machholt House's official representative to the auction — the delegation leader — and relayed his conversation with Otto Reichert and Alric Wastelander in full detail.

"What do you think?" the representative asked.

"I believe the Mad Earl truly intends to break free from our… influence," Erman said. "Alric's plan provides a perfect opportunity to put the leash back around the Furies' necks. Whether he succeeds or fails doesn't matter. As long as the plan sets things in motion, it'll open a path for us to reassert control — this time through more direct means than the subtle approach we used before."

He proceeded to outline his planned strategy in detail.

The representative fell silent for a long moment before finally responding. "Do as you wish. It's time you start managing some matters for the family yourself. I'll send a message to the Patriarch to have some resources allocated for your use. Don't waste them."

"Yes, I won't disappoint," Erman said with a bow.

"You'd better not. You know how the House rewards incompetence," the older man replied dryly.

A chill ran through Erman's spine. "I will not fail!" he vowed firmly.

"Good. Leave me now."

Erman turned and left, his face set with cold determination.

The old representative watched the young man's back disappear beyond the door.

"The young bull doesn't fear the lion," he muttered, shaking his head. "Youth these days… they think that because they come from powerful Houses, the lower nobility are weak — that they can bring down any family with a little strength and arrogance."

He sighed faintly. "Still, it's a good lesson. Whether they fail or succeed makes no difference to the House. That's what truly matters."

With that, his thoughts drifted away from Erman's ambitions to something far weightier — the upcoming negotiations with the Lichter Grand Duchy.

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