Chapter 282: Father and the Firstborn.
“What? You want me to reveal my identity after I save them?”
Kael questioned with a frown.
“That is correct.”
Lavinia nodded.
“Why?”
“You need people on your side if you are the Hero. The only way to bring them to your side is to protect them.”
“But if I reveal my identity, the nations all over the world will know my location. Once they find out I was here, it wouldn’t be difficult to predict that my aim is to reach the Ashen Heights, especially considering the treaty that was signed all those years ago.”
Kael was worried.
Yes, he wanted to save people, but the entire reason he left the Royal Palace was to hide and get away from the schemes. If everyone found out where he was, he would once again become the centre of all schemes, now more than before because Lavinia was with him.
“Even if you do not reveal your identity, they will find out about it eventually.”
Lavinia shook her head.
“How many people do you see going around riding a Dragon and saving towns from Corrupted Beasts? Even if you have not revealed Lord Igni’s existence until now, the moment the news spreads, you will be the first suspect, enough for the nations to send an investigation team. They will know it was you once they ask around.”
“Then… what is your plan? Even if they will know it is me, they will still need some time to be sure and take action. Why do you want me to make it easy for them?”
Kael questioned, but again, the princess shook her head.
“Time? You underestimate your worth, Kael. You are the Hero. If they—especially Drakthar—found even the slightest evidence of your appearance, they will spare no resources in investigating it as soon as they can.
Teleportation Crystals will be used. After the rumors reach them, it would only take them two days to investigate and confirm your identity. You are not buying any worthwhile time here.”
“…”
Kael turned silent.
“So reveal your name.”
Lavinia advised.
“Make sure you let the people know that the one riding on the red dragon and saving them is Hero Kael. Spread your name so much that no amount of suppression can suppress it. Keep the public by your side.
As for them learning about our location…
I have a plan.”
Lavinia smiled as she glanced at Igni.
She took out the map they had been using all this while and,
“After saving the town, it will take us three days to reach the shore. By the same time, the townspeople will be done with reconstruction and recovering from the losses and start spreading the rumors.
As we move through the sea, you and Lord Igni—who has now become a symbol that represents you—will fly around different towns and kill as many Corrupted Beasts as you can.”
Lavinia then pointed at the map to the place where the Greyvale town was located and moved down,
“From Greyvale Town, you will move South, then to the West, covering the forest. Your goal is to be seen by as many people as possible. It would be even better if you protect a few more towns like Greyvale, and every time you interact with people, make sure you reveal your identity.
Do not play the hidden messiah.”
The Princess warned.
“What’s the point of all this?”
Kael did not understand.
“We are currently right beneath Zypheria, the Sky Kingdom. Because of the shadow that the Sky Kingdom casts on this region, the forests of this region are called the Shrouded Wilds.
The Shrouded Wilds, together with Riverdream Forest—that falls to the South of the Xenthalor Empire—are two of the biggest regions where the most number of Corrupted Beasts are found.”
“Wait…”
Kael’s expression changed.
“Yes, what you need to show them is that the reason you are here isn’t because you plan on going to the Ashen Heights. You are here because you wish to kill as many Corrupted Beasts as possible and save countless lives like a Hero is supposed to.
Now whether they interpret this as you protecting the people or training yourself to get stronger, it doesn’t matter.
All we need is for you to distract them from finding out our true goal.
Of course, even if we widen our range, it will only be a matter of time before they find out the truth, but this will at least buy us two weeks. That would be more than enough for us to be accepted by the Velmourns.
Once that happens, even if the Nations did find out where we were, it would not matter because they won’t be able to attack us because of the Treaty.”
Lavinia explained the entire plan with a light smile on her face, and Kael…
He just stared at this woman in awe.
To think she thought all this through just when he decided to save the town…
Just how far does she usually think?
Impressed, Kael played out the scenario in his mind. Soon, however, another question popped up in his head.
“What if they decide to ignore the Treaty?”
If the King was indeed the enemy, Kael believed this was very much possible. After all, what treaty has been upheld for eternity?
Treaties were made to be broken.
It was already a surprise that this treaty held on for so many years.
Lavinia nodded at that question, as if she was already expecting something like this,
“It is a Treaty signed between Nations with their Guardian Beasts as witnesses. It is not easy to break such treaties.”
“But what if—”
“Of course, there is a small chance that they will still break it without letting the Guardian Beast know.
This is why I told you to spread your name as much as possible.”
“Huh?”
“Ashen Heights is at the Corner of the World. It isn’t exactly easy for people to get to us once we settle there, especially once Imperia and her Ants set up their information network around the place.
The chances of assassins succeeding are low. The only way for them to move against us would be an all-out assault, and an all-out assault needs a reason.
If the people are on our side, they will have no reason to attack us.
If they push it any further, they will only paint themselves as tyrants, and even the Drakthar Kingdom isn’t strong enough to bear that stigma—especially not when they are breaking the Treaty witnessed by the Guardian Beast.”
Once again, Kael could only stare at the woman in awe.
…
“She is quite thorough, isn’t she?”
Kael, who was recalling his conversation with Lavinia four days ago, chuckled as he patted Igni, who was flying at a high speed.
“She is indeed.”
The Fire Dragon nodded as well, enjoying his father’s pats and attention.
“Then let’s do as she says, Igni.”
Kael laughed as he then pointed forward with a confident look on his face and,
“Let’s go get rid of a few Corrupted Beasts and be a Hero.”
“Yes, Father.”
And after those words, Igni raised his speed, once again showing his father that he had no need to sit on any other bird when he had him.