Chapter 43: The Reason Why
Tayin stepped into a large room filled with the finest things money could buy. Above all, a man was sitting on a couch, sipping wine as he glanced through the papers on the table in front of him.
He raised his head when Tayin entered, revealing a youthful face.
If not for their different positions, one would have thought Ren and Tayin were the same age. They both looked incredibly young.
"Grand General Ren... why? Why did you sign this piece of shit?"
Tayin raised the letter as he spoke.
His emotions had reached their limit.
"Have a seat."
In response to Tayin’s anger, Ren calmly spoke as he leaned back more comfortably.
"Grand General..."
Tayin gritted his teeth.
"I said..."
"Sit."
This time, Ren spoke more calmly and slowly.
Tayin swallowed his anger and sat down.
"About the letter and why I signed it... I have my reasons. But you can already see what is happening between your families," Ren said.
"Yes. Which is exactly why seeing your signature here makes no sense, with all due respect. This will only cause even more problems. This order is sending me to my death, and my father will let hell loose if I die."
Tayin explained as Ren nodded.
"Correct. But let me ask you something. Do you think things would be peaceful even without this order or letter?"
Ren asked as he took another sip of wine.
"Think about it. Even if, somehow, some way, your father accepts this ridiculous proposal, do you really think the Royal Family will stop?"
"They only allowed and supported the Church because they want to weaken your family’s influence and power."
Ren’s words caused Tayin’s blood to boil.
"That makes no sense. My family is deeply rooted in the Destal Kingdom. My forefathers and ancestors have bled and died for this kingdom. We are part of this kingdom. Besides, we aren’t weak."
"Isn’t this simply calling for the destruction of the Destal Kingdom? Especially now, when we’re all on high alert for an Abyssal retaliation."
Tayin spoke, seemingly baffled.
"Ah... yes."
Ren savored the taste of his wine for a moment before placing the cup down.
"You see, what you just said is the exact reason why the Royal Family chose to act now."
"Your Duke family is simply too powerful. Look at your influence. You control half of the trade, part of the military, and have a say in many matters concerning the Destal Kingdom."
"At this moment, you stand on equal footing with the Royal Family."
"But in the next two years? Three years? A decade?"
"Where do you think your family will stand?"
"Above the Royal Family."
"Wouldn’t that mean you could eventually snatch the kingdom away from them?"
"Look at it from the Royal Family’s perspective. Yes, you are their ally, but your family has simply grown too powerful."
"Even if it means erupting into war, it is better for them to do it now rather than wait until later, when your family becomes strong enough to overthrow them. By then, your family could be far more powerful than theirs."
Ren explained.
Tayin’s raging fire seemed to be met with cold water.
His eyes blinked rapidly as he thought about Ren’s words.
At least, if he looked at the situation from the other side, it made sense.
The Royal Family was losing its influence, while the Duke family had become too powerful. They couldn’t simply take that power back without using their full strength.
"But... I don’t think the Duke family can become stronger than the Royal Family. Besides, a war between us would split the Destal Kingdom apart."
Even then, Tayin didn’t see this as the right course of action.
The risks were simply too great, and both sides would suffer massive losses.
"Hahaha, Tayin, don’t be naive."
Ren shook his head.
"Let’s start with your father. He’s a Supreme Realm expert, putting him at the same level as the Royal Ancestor."
"Then there’s you. You’re likely to break through to the Supreme Realm, perhaps even before me."
"And apart from that, your sister is a monster as well."
"Your family is growing far too quickly."
"Maybe if it were only you, the Royal Family wouldn’t take such drastic measures. But with your sister..."
Ren paused.
"That is potentially three Supreme Realm experts in a single family."
"The Royal Family would be doomed."
"And the only thing more foolish than having such a threat is refusing to do something about it."
Ren spoke as Tayin opened his mouth.
"But—"
"Tayin."
Ren interrupted him.
"It’s like your wife brings home an orphan. Over the years, he lives with you, your wife, and your daughter. He becomes like the son you never had. You love him."
"But as the years pass, old age catches up with you. You grow weak and weary."
"You can barely work anymore."
"Then that same orphan begins plotting to take your wife away from you. He even plans to sleep with her. Your daughter is the same age as him, and he takes her away as well."
"Your family slowly crumbles as everything you spent your entire life building begins slipping into his hands."
Ren’s black eyes narrowed slightly.
"Tell me, Tayin. Would you use all your strength to take him down while you still could?"
"Or would you simply watch until you’re too weak to even walk or speak, allowing him to take everything you worked so hard to accomplish?"
Ren’s question hung heavily in the room.
Silence followed.
It was as though cold water had been poured over Tayin’s head.
He couldn’t immediately find an answer.
Ren simply shook his head.
"Besides, you’ve forgotten something."
"The Royal Family has the Church now."
Tayin looked up, confusion evident on his face.
"Isn’t that impossible? The gods and their temples are not supposed to interfere with mortals."
"If the Church helps them, doesn’t that mean they’ve broken the rules?"
Tayin asked.
Ren laughed.
"Haha. Yes, you’re right, kid."
"But what if the people have accepted the Church?"
"The Royal Family has already agreed to allow the Church to establish itself in the Destal Kingdom. That means the Church has become part of the territory under that God’s influence."
Ren leaned forward slightly.
"So now, answer me, Tayin."
"Are they still forbidden from acting within their own sphere of influence?"
Ren’s black eyes remained fixed on Tayin.
Tayin sat there, confused and defeated.
He had entered this room filled with rage and a sense of betrayal.
But now...
It felt as though his entire understanding of the situation had been shaken.
"You are still a kid, after all."
"There’s a lot you still need to learn."
Ren thought as he sighed.