In the placid office surrounded by glasses, three figures sat. Thane’s arms were folded after answering the question, but Max had yet to respond.

John was patient. He gazed at his nephew with a warm smile stretched across his face.

Max finally stopped pondering after considering all the possibilities. "Uncle, I

think it’s something related to the warring period that our continent is facing.

Our kingdom has maintained a ’No War Policy’ for over 3 decades and remained neutral.

During this time of peace, we have become a hub of technology that every other kingdom

desires."

John nodded. "That’s a fact, not a reason."

Max shook his head. "Bentram Kingdom has no threat from any neighbouring kingdoms,

but the sudden urgency and preparation to this extent mean only one thing. Cursed

beasts!"

"Then why did our kingdom buy the disputed peninsula from the Republic of Tataria and

the Drevlorn Dynasty?" John asked.

"Wasn’t that simply because our kingdom needed a different route for exports and imports?" Max gave a wild guess.

His facial expression indicated that his knowledge was lacking in the currently discussed matter.

John’s smile turned into a chuckle. "Haha, then the best option would have been the Barony of Visca that the Drevlorn Dynasty was willingly selling, a fertile chunk of land big enough for trade.

The peninsula only connects us with the Republic of Tataria, the smallest nation on

the continent resting on the eastern coast south of the Drevlorn Dynasty.

The Barony of Visca, however, is a strategic place. It’s a small riverside barony.

Not only could we have access to a river that we lack, but we could also directly connect to the Great Murak Empire, the very heartland of this continent.

Now tell us, which would have benefited us more? A small, already built land, or a

massive 91,000 km² territory that would take effort to maintain?

A territory that could connect us to the biggest empire, or a disputed peninsula where we paid both countries the same amount of money just to reach the smallest state?

The Barony of Visca was land-connected, while the peninsula is geographically separated by the ocean. We planned to make boats for river trade.

Instead, we now have ships that are only used to reach the peninsula. Care to tell me, my genius nephew, why Bentram Kingdom made such a blunder?"

Both youngsters again started deep deliberation. No, not both. Thane, perhaps, was no longer interested in the matter, or at least that’s what his yawning face suggested.

Max, on the other hand, was quick. He looked at his uncle. Words were almost at his lips, but he swallowed them and again turned his gaze away from his uncle.

He was still thinking. The time he took did not signify the intensity of his mind, fools also take their time to answer, but their remarks only spark travesty.

However, that was not what Maximilian was. He was a man of marvellous intellect.

The battle of thoughts finally ended as he raised his face again. This time, he wore an unsettling look of worry.

He took a deep breath, as if he wished whatever he was about to say was incorrect. "Are we planning to attack Tataria?" he finally spoke.

John squinted his eyes. He thought the answer would be around the actual matter, but Max hit the bull’s-eye.

John nodded. "There are rumours circling that Bentram has made that peninsula into a fortified military base. They even caught several espionage agents from Tataria and Drevlorn."

"Really?" asked Thane. "Can’t Bentram demand some sort of explanation? I mean, spies are solid proof, aren’t they?"

Max shook his head. "They will simply deny that these spies belong to them. Spies are no normal soldiers, they are highly trained to keep their lips sealed even after torture."

Max looked again at his uncle and continued. "Is this true?"

"That’s what we heard through the grapevine. Bentram’s actions are shouting about the coming of war. As for war with whom, only the gods and the King’s court know.

So keep these things in mind, war is a terrible thing. And we are new to it. The other seven states are in a continuous state of war, unlike us.

War can create heroes from orphans, and at the same time, it can make children of heroes into orphans.

Slavery, rape, and whatnot, all those things that Bentram hasn’t seen in three decades will be seen if war begins."

John stopped. He looked at Thane Ironforge and continued. "Cities that are near borders will be at high risk."

Thane’s eyes widened. He gulped subconsciously. His home’s name is Borderstone City, located at the western end of Bentram Kingdom, connecting Ironforge County with Krynova Kingdom.

"But, Krynova is not our enemy, right? You were talking about Tataria and Drevlorn," Thane questioned, his voice carrying concern.

"Only the gods and the King’s court know," John replied.

The ever-haughty Thane was now disturbed.

John spoke again. "I would pity those who dare attack Borderstone City. The notoriety of Ironforge is well known."

It was at this time that Thane snapped back to who he was actually worried for.

His brother, who was always bigger and stronger than him, or his sister, who taught him how to be bold.

He slowly recalled all members of his family until the image of his father came to mind.

"Pft." He let out a snicker. "You’re right. Nobody is beating Pops."