The cold wind blew into the room, and Tales instinctively tightened his clothes.
"So, since last year, you incited the Free Alliance to rebel against Exeter, stirred up a political storm in Dragoncloud City, dispatched the Star cavalry across the Great Desert, and had me return home through the Western Wasteland... All of that was part of the 'Sand King'?"
The firelight flickered faintly. The king across the long table remained silent for a while.
"Some of it was."
King Kessel raised his eyes and stared straight at Tales.
"Some of it wasn't."
Tales exhaled, piecing together everything that had happened from the previous year until now.
"Then why not choose the Northern Territory?" The Prince's voice was tinged with weariness.
"Why not choose that place, which also has Dragonbreak Fortress as a foothold, where the Duke's family has already been completely sidelined and is practically under direct rule?"
The king did not answer. He merely stared coldly.
Tales sighed and looked back at him.
"Please. If you don't tell me, I can't help you."
King Kessel did not reply. His gaze was deep and unreadable.
Tales fixed his eyes on the other man, trying to find something in those pools of blue.
At last, King Kessel gave a soft snort and looked away.
"Precisely because Val Arendt is still in my prison, and because Cold Castle's first heir is an orphan girl whom no one can rally behind..."
"All eyes would be fixed on the Northern Territory, watching what Revival Palace did."
The king's voice sank lower.
"And the kingdom's officials stationed in the Northern Territory... haven't been there long enough. Their authority is insufficient."
"By comparison, the State of Emergency Control Order is still in effect in the Western Wasteland. It makes things more convenient for us."
The