Kingdombuilding: All My Inventions Are Novelty

”Baldwin, there’s no need to look so gloomy. I’m just laughing bitterly. It is now that Father won’t send a single soldier to Dunmere. We have no choice but to rely on ourselves. At this point, all we can do is give it our best and leave the rest to fate. Since that’s the case, why not go all out? Not only will I demand money and grain from Prince Gerad, but I’ll also demand them from Father. Those who want to watch me fail will have to pay for the show.”

Simon, who had been laughing heartily, suddenly stopped and spoke seriously.

Lancelot cursed, ”Your Highness is right! Those bastards want to sit back and reap the benefits? No way!”

”Ahhh...” Baldwin sighed deeply, feeling sorrow for the Eldorian Empire. This incident had revealed the true intentions of the non-imperial princes.

Even Alaric could no longer issue decrees entirely according to his own will.

Ignoring Baldwin, whom he found too verbose, Lancelot asked, ”So, My Lord, are you planning to go to meet Prince Gerald?”

”Why should I go to him? He will come to me.”

Simon chuckled.

---

In Burrows Town, at Prince Gerad’s castle.

Just as Simon had predicted, Prince Gerad was furious after receiving the imperial edict. The servants in the castle were all trembling with fear.

”Gerad, why are you so angry?”

Princess Lisa, who was still staying in Burrows Town, had been startled by Gerad’s shouting and came to see what was happening. She soon learned that he had received news from Eldora, ordering him and Prince Simon to defend Dunmere at all costs.

Prince Gerad’s face was red with anger. ”Hmph! The court has been manipulated by the other princes. They want to deliberately weaken my forces and force me into direct conflict with the reavers. And my brother, the Emperor, how could he fall for that Third Prince’s poisonous scheme?”

”That Third Prince truly lives up to his nickname, ’Venomous Snake.’ His plan is indeed ruthless. But it also hits the Emperor’s weak spot. I know my brother well; he cares most about his throne. At his age, he just wants a few more years of peace and stability,” Princess Lisa said.

Prince Gerad fumed, ”He gets to enjoy peace, but what about me? If Dunmere falls and the reavers cross Brambleford, where will I have left to stand? My brother has been blinded by these people. This plan harms two imperial princes and further weakens the royal family.”

Princess Lisa frowned. Prince Gerad had hit the nail on the head. If Prince Simon and Prince Gerad were destroyed, the only remaining imperial prince would be Prince Augustus.

”I suppose my brother had no choice. Look at the ministers advocating for peace; almost all of them are aligned with Prince Ravencrest, Prince Dornhal, and Prince Augustus. If my brother insisted on war, he risked these princes not only refusing to help the royal family but even aiding the reavers. Besides, the reavers invading Dunmere are ultimately Prince Simon’s problem. After all, when the reavers invaded Prince Ravencrest’s territory in the past, he had to handle it alone.” Princess Lisa explained.

Prince Gerad slowly exhaled. Princess Lisa’s words left him speechless. When the reavers had attacked Prince Ravencrest in the past, he, too, had stood by and watched.

However, back then, Alaric had provided money, grain, and equipment.

”Fine. It seems I have no way out this time. If Prince Simon can’t hold Dunmere, I may not be able to defend my own territory either.”

Princess Lisa smiled. ”Actually, Brother, you don’t need to worry too much. If Prince Simon can hold Dunmere, the Eldorian Empire will remain stable.”

”He can hold Dunmere?” Prince Gerad sneered. ”Although Prince Simon has done some impressive things recently, it all seems a bit childish.”

”Brother, while that may be true, if you want to minimise the losses in your domain, you’ll have to set aside your prejudices and help Prince Simon. Let him do the heavy fighting for you. That way, you’ll have fewer problems to deal with.”

Prince Gerad nodded. ”That’s a good point. It seems I’ll have to make another trip to Brambleford to discuss this matter with Prince Simon.”

”Indeed. If that’s the case, I’ll have my people in the court stop causing trouble for Simon over the noble families.” Princess Lisa said. ”Prince Simon really doesn’t know if he’s unlucky or fortunate.”

---

A few days later, a large fleet set sail from Burrows Town, slowly making its way to Brambleford. Three days later, the fleet arrived at the docks outside Brambleford City.

At the docks, Simon was waiting on a horse. Just as he had expected, Prince Gerad couldn’t wait to see him.

”Nephew! Nephew!”

Prince Gerad disembarked from the ship and rushed toward Simon, embracing him tightly when he reached him.

Simon coughed. ”Uncle, you’re going to crush me.”

Prince Gerad laughed heartily and patted Simon’s shoulder. ”Nephew, you’ve gotten so thin. This time, your uncle has brought you many good things to help you regain your strength.”

As he spoke, he glanced back at the crates being unloaded from the ship.

Simon shook his hands in gratitude. ”If that’s the case, then I thank you, Uncle.”

”No need for thanks. I’m sure you understand why I’m here this time. I may have to rely on you quite a bit.” Prince Gerad said.

Simon smiled. ”So, Uncle, you’ve heard the news too. Those good-for-nothings in Eldora are so scared of the reavers they can’t even keep their pants on. This time, they’re making the two of us face the reavers. It’s outrageous.”

Prince Gerad was equally furious. ”Exactly! If I had been in court, I would have drawn my sword and cut down those cowards.”

As they walked and talked, it was now noon. Simon said, ”Uncle, I’ve prepared a banquet by the pond outside the city. Why don’t we go there?”

Prince Gerad was taken aback. He knew about Simon’s execution of the local noble families by the pond. By arranging the banquet there, Simon was likely reminding him that he wasn’t someone to be trifled with.

Forcing an awkward laugh, Prince Gerad pretended not to understand and said, ”Let’s go, let’s go. It’s good to be outside. Enjoying the scenery while eating is wonderful, just wonderful.”

Surrounded by their guards, the two arrived at the pond, where a banquet had already been set up. The servants were bustling about.

Simon invited Prince Gerad to sit down and then said, ”It’s just a simple meal. I hope you don’t mind, Uncle.”

Prince Gerad glanced at the many dishes he had never seen before and said, ”Nephew, you’re too modest. This visit isn’t about the food but about discussing how to deal with the invasion.”

Simon pretended not to understand. ”Didn’t Father make it clear? The two of us are to defend Dunmere together. Since you’re older and your domain is much wealthier than my domain, naturally, you’ll be the main force in defending Dunmere.”

Prince Gerad’s expression tightened. He knew that even if Simon were foolish, he wouldn’t be easily fooled on this matter.

He said, ”That’s true, but I’m afraid the battlefield is unpredictable. My troops have to travel a long distance and may not arrive in time. If we lose Dunmere because of that, wouldn’t it harm you, Nephew?”