"I finally understand why you wage war in this way," Hoffman said to him, smiling ferociously. "To control the lives and deaths of others this way—it is a feeling like no other."

Howard smiled politely and reported, "The Grand Pass is safe now. Shall we follow up on this victory and take back all three cities of our Bright Dynasty in one breath?"

"Of course! I have brought two hundred thousand soldiers here. They won't come all this way for nothing..." Hoffman trailed off. Every time he remembered Leena, he set his jaw as hatred flared anew within him. She had not only set a trap for him, but also poisoned his two hundred thousand soldiers. Fortunately, Harrison had brought reinforcements from the south domain. Otherwise, he would not have had a solution to that disaster.

"Then please give the orders, Your Highness." As always, though, Howard was not in a hurry. He had found that the soldiers Hoffman had brought back this time were obviously

ay as every other county of the Bright Dynasty. That is not an unreasonable arrangement, considering the alternatives. Do you agree?"

The humiliated king could not help but smile bitterly. This time, he had gone for wool and come home shorn. Everything he had been relying on, from the benefits of taking the three cities to the merciful reputation of the Bright Dynasty—all had proven to be a fatal mistake. He had never guessed that Hoffman would be so shameless.

Despite knowing his folly, the humiliated king spent a moment fretting and deliberating in silence. Hoffman grew impatient, however, and thought there was a name he could mention that would help the king make up his mind. "You should thank God that I'm the one who came to deal with you, as opposed to Prince Matthew, my uncle. Otherwise, you would be dead already."

That did the trick. At the mention of that name, the king's face went deathly pale. "Very well, I agree to your terms."