Compromise and Takeover

Langpu turned around. A cordial smile still hung on his vicious, ugly face, but an unusual glint flickered in his eyes as he asked in puzzlement.

"Duke Adrian, are you saying that I personally orchestrated this disaster?"

"No, Lord Lang Pu. I simply find all of this far too suspicious."

Adrian shook his head. Gentle light spilled from his palm, slowly healing his wounds. Then, in an even yet resolute voice, he said:

"All the powerful nobles of the Seleucia Alliance are dead, leaving only me. The Kassand people killed them and slaughtered countless civilians as well. They have undeniably become the culprits, no different from enemies in the eyes of the people.

Very soon, a wave of hatred toward Kassand should rise among the people of the Seleucid Region, completely severing their ties with them. And after this incident, the greatest beneficiary is the Empire behind you, isn't it?"

"Heh."

The Ogre let out a derisive chuckle, then waved a hand and said unhurriedly, "Do you think the one who benefits in the end must be the mastermind?

Did I order the people of the Kassand Kingdom to set up an ambush? Did I incite those mad cultists to slaughter civilians? Or did I make those nobles collude with the enemy and defect?"

"..."

Adrian remained silent for a long time. His throat moved slightly, but he still raised his head and looked the Ogre in the eye. In a low voice, he said, "You could not command the Kassand people, but you could leak in advance the intelligence that the Chief Minister was about to visit, prompting them to attempt an ambush.

You did not order the nobles to defect either, but the local city defense forces and intelligence agencies deliberately exposed weaknesses and turned a blind eye