The Emperor’s Angel of Death

Soshyan listened with rapt attention, his wine glass raised halfway before he realized he hadn't taken a sip. He then took a small sip and said:

"Phoenix... I heard it was because he, cough, slept with a... bride-to-be that things went wrong?"

Doral immediately looked at Soshyan in surprise.

"Your Highness? You even know about that? Hmm... My father didn't mention the specific details, only that while Phoenix possessed unparalleled intelligence, he ultimately acted impulsively in matters of the heart. After the Archon and her daughter were assassinated, he could have seized control of the Archon's power, but he chose to go down in flames. However, the family that hunted him didn't fare much better. They were hit one after another by Phoenix's meticulously planned schemes and quickly declined until they were destroyed. But the Archon's remaining forces were taken over by Vect, which led to the ultimate rise of the Black Heart Kabal. My father used this story to warn me that I must never act on emotion in the future, whether it's for a woman I love or anything else."

Soshyan pondered for a moment, then suddenly thought of something, nodded thoughtfully, and muttered to himself:

"I understand... Vect leaked the information. Only him. What a Vect who endures humiliation and bears a heavy burden. But does Phoenix not killing him in the end mean that Phoenix was determined to control his emotions?"

Doral blinked and asked cautiously:

"Your Highness suddenly mentioning him, is it because..."

Soshyan sighed softly.

"Phoenix is the alias of my ancestor, Olórin, and his dwarf servant was the Hearthkin, Wulkhar."

Doral opened his mouth slightly in shock, but then he reacted, swallowed, and said softly:

"Can Your Highness confirm this?"

"Yes, it should be true."

With that, Soshyan opened the box placed at his feet, then took out the necklace and tossed it to Doral.

After catching it, Doral looked around and immediately saw the name on it.

"The rumors my father mentioned are actually true. Vect really is Phoenix's... dog."

"The wonderful things don't stop there. You know Kandrak, right?"

"Of course, he's the leader of the Mandrakes, the famous headtaker of Commorragh."

"His actual identity is Olórin's uncle, a male descendant of the B'froopol-Queshnash family, originally named Shadowblade Ferruccio Queshnash."

At this time, Doral didn't seem so surprised. He just crossed his arms and held his chin, thinking.

After a moment, he said meaningfully:

"...This is a point that can be used. After knowing these things, Your Highness must have some plans in mind."

Soshyan smiled slightly.

"Phoenix, who has an army but no soldiers, must still have some residual power in Commorragh. If Vect knew he was still alive, what would happen?"

Doral also smiled, and he replied happily:

"He would be on pins and needles, living in misery, because this would definitely be the person he fears the most in his heart, someone who knows him best."

"So, the first step of the plan is to find people to spread the news in the hidden corners of Commorragh, saying that a mysterious guest with a Hearthkin attendant has arrived in the court. No need to worry about whether this news will reach Vect. Even if Vect doesn't receive it, others will receive it and eventually Vect will know."

"Yes, Your Highness."

"The second step is to find a way to contact Kandrak, but it must be done secretly to ensure that Vect doesn't find out. I have a Shadow Stone here that can summon Mandrakes, and it is said that it can also summon him. It was a treasure he gave to Olórin back then, but I don't know if he still recognizes it now. This step can be put on hold for now, and we can act when the wind in Commorragh changes."

After speaking, Soshyan took out a spirit bone chip and shook it in his hand.

"This is our trump card for taking Commorragh. If we really fail, Vect will definitely jump over the wall in desperation, going down in flames, and even at the cost of completely destroying Commorragh. This is the way to enter Commorragh's great armory. As long as we control it in the first time, Vect will be equivalent to cutting off an arm. But he still has a second way. Commorragh has a large number of Webway entrances, but because many Webways have been damaged and a large number of demons have poured in, these entrances are actually connected to the warp. Once the seal is opened, a large number of demons will pour in. This is also a means for Vect to overturn the table, so we must find a solution."

"Your Highness is right. Your minister has an idea. Now the important seal gates of Commorragh are guarded by the Nightmare Shrine... That Drazhar once came forward to save His Majesty in the Blackstone Fortress. Although the motive is unknown, it seems like he can be won over. If we can win him over, then even Vect will not be able to easily break the seal gate. The Nightmare Shrine is not just a shrine, but also a fortress with many traps."

"Drazhar..."

Soshyan turned the wine glass with his fingertips, silently chanting the name in his heart. For some reason, from the first time he met him, he felt that this person had some unspeakable familiarity with him, but he couldn't say what it was.

"...I heard that this person hardly ever leaves his house and his behavior is strange. I really can't trust him, but this is indeed the best way. But such an important person must be monitored by a large number of Vect's men, so it won't be easy to contact him."

"I heard that the bishops of the Nightmare Shrine have to visit him every once in a while. Perhaps we can find one of them and contact the other party in the name of Phoenix."

When Doral said this, Soshyan suddenly understood, and a meaningful smile appeared on his face.

"Your plan is wonderful, I will leave this matter to you."

"Your Highness, are you planning to start preparing for the operation against Commorragh in the near future?"

"Not in a hurry. What we have to face is not just Vect. The court is definitely more terrifying to the residents and Kabals of Commorragh than Vect. A little carelessness will cause a rebound of all forces. This matter needs to be considered in the long term. The first thing is to divide the inside of Commorragh. Last time you said that some Kabals are against Vect, but they are only against Vect. They just want to use the power of the court to defeat Vect and become the next Vect. Afterwards, they will definitely turn against the court, maybe they are even playing the idea of ​​letting the court and Vect suffer both losses, waiting to reap the benefits. Hehe, Doral Qing, take your time, Commorragh is a big dish, it needs to be simmered slowly, but now our stove is not ready yet."

Soshyan paused for a moment, wiped his mouth with a napkin, and continued slowly:

"The court's military reform is about to begin. We must first train ourselves well before we have the strength to build such a big stove. No matter what kind of plan, it will eventually need to be put into practice, and the decisive factor in practice is often strength. In addition, several large Craftworlds have a very ambiguous attitude towards the court. It is not certain that they will choose to stand on Vect's side when we really take action. We also have to consider the possibility of armed intervention by external forces, such as the Empire or Chaos. Diplomatic and intelligence preparations must also be done well."

"Yes, Your Highness."