Chapter 346: The Battle of Information
Lord Hektor raised his glass, the dark wine swirling with a glint of ambition, as the other nobles, Verlan and Astoria, followed suit, their movements almost synchronized. The room was thick with the scent of opportunity, as if the very air was saturated with the promise of wealth, power, and the fall of a mutual enemy—Lyan Arkanium Evocatore.
"To the fall of Grafen," Hektor echoed, his voice low and filled with malice. His dark eyes glinted with a predatory light, as if he could already see Lyan’s fortress collapsing under his calculated strike.
Verlan, always a man of action, leaned forward, eager to press on with the details of their conspiracy. He wiped his mouth on the back of his hand, the wine leaving a faint stain on his lips. "So how soon do we move? If the reports from your spies are accurate, Hektor, the best time to strike is within the next fortnight."
Astoria, ever the strategist, placed her glass back on the table with an audible clink, her long fingers tapping thoughtfully on the wooden surface. Her sharp features were bathed in the soft candlelight, making her seem both graceful and dangerous. "I agree," she said, her voice smooth as silk but carrying the weight of centuries-old cunning. "Timing is critical. We must strike while the discontent within Grafen is still brewing. If we wait too long, Lyan could consolidate power or discover his weaknesses and shore them up."
Hektor nodded, already considering the best course of action. "I’ve given this considerable thought. First, we’ll need to ensure that our forces are properly positioned along the borders, but not so openly as to draw suspicion. Astoria, your forces are stationed the closest to Grafen. I’ll need you to send scouts ahead to confirm the information my spies brought back. We need to ensure that the internal discord is as widespread as they claim."
Astoria’s lips curled into a half-smile, her sharp eyes narrowing. "I’ll handle it. My spies are more than capable of blending into the background. If there’s even a whiff of deception, they’ll find it."
Lord Verlan grunted his approval, his large hands gripping the edges of the table. "I’ve already mobilized a portion of my mercenary force. They’ve been stationed along the southern border under the guise of ’bandits,’ harassing trade routes. When the time comes, they’ll be ready to strike."
Hektor leaned back in his chair, allowing a thin smile to spread across his face. Everything was falling into place. "Good. We’ll need to create a sense of chaos before we launch our full assault. Grafen relies heavily on trade to support its rapid growth, and if we can strangle that, we’ll weaken their economy. Starve them, and the people will turn on Lyan even faster."
Astoria nodded thoughtfully. "I’ll have my men intercept the supply caravans. We’ll make it look like rogue attacks, nothing too organized. That way, it won’t lead directly back to us, but it’ll put pressure on Lyan."