The Great War of Rhodesia

13. Gathering

Meanwhile, Nata is seen sitting around an oval table in the meeting room with Lucia, Orland, Amithy, Caspian, and Helen in Central City.

They are the people who take care and are directly related to the problems in the southern mainland that they will discuss after this.

"So I'll ask you one more time, Your Majesty," Nata said. "So what's your plan to end the problem with the south?"

"I've decided, Nat. That we will reclaim the territory from the hands of whoever controls it now." Lucia answered without a trick to think. It was as if he had been waiting for Nata to ask that question.

"You sure?" Nata held up his body.

"I've thought about it many times over the past five years. Not only because the region was part of Rhodesia when it first stood. Or because Tyrion has to take responsibility for everything he's done." Lucia.

"But only in that way can I make amends to the families of the inhabitants and the soldiers who lost their lives because of me. And also to the people out there who I've been letting suffer because I don't have the strength to act" the young queen continued. A look of decisiveness and regret was seen in his eyes.

"It's all our fault, Your Honor." Orland.

"No, uncle. It was my fault as a weak and incapable leader." Lucia retaliated.

Everyone who was in that place looked grim, speechless at Lucia's words. They understand why their leaders behave this way. The reason that Nata did not know.

"And I believe that your return now is a second chance that the gods have given me. So I'll trade anything to take that chance and win this war." Lucia continued her words.

"So, Nat. Lend your strength to this kingdom. Lend your strength to me. Because this war is my burden and responsibility." The girl closed her words with a request.

Nata was a little surprised to think that Lucia would talk like that. "But you know there are things to sacrifice for power, right?" Nata.

"Yes, I know and I'm ready for that."

"And there is also a limit to the sacrifice of gaining power that we must not break." Nata reminds Lucia. Because he was worried about the attitude of the girl who seemed willing to sacrifice anything to win this war.

"I understand what you mean, Nat. Because this is my penance, so I won't cross that line. You don't need to worry," Lucia replied without hesitation. "You, Aksa, and all of you have the right to rebuke me when I have begun to lose control and am about to cross the line," this time it was for everyone in the room.

Nata looked at Lucia for a moment before then exhaling a deep breath. "All right then. I think you've really decided it" he said later. "Now let's start our meeting."

Lucia seemed to smile at Nata's words. Which was followed by the others.

"So what do we know about them now?" nata then asked as she moved her body closer to the people sitting across the table.

"The territory of the Eastern and Western Provinces was now divided into four parts by them." Orland started telling stories. "The southern part of the districts of Two and Three, now controlled by the kingdom of Augra. The western districts of Seven and Eight were ruled by the kingdom of Jouren.

"The remaining territory is divided in two. The rest of the Western provinces were controlled by Tyrion and the rest of the Eastern provinces were controlled by Vistralle" Orland closed.

"Who is this Vistralle? What is one of the leaders of the Estate?" ask Nata later.

"really. He was a Dux former ruler of the Ceodore Estate." Orland answered.

"This guy is more dangerous than Tyrion. Because he was clever and also very careful in deciding things." Caspian.

"True, this guy learned about our culture and science, then used it to fight back." Amithy added as well.

"Using our science to fight back?" Nata.

"Interesting." Nata looks small. "And to what extent does this Vistralle absorb our science?"

"Our people who are in that place report that they already know how to process Dracz metal into a protector or weapon. And also, they already know how to use the weapons we have." This time Caspian answered.

"Oh? Do they also know how to make Iron Trains or produce gunpowder?" ask Nata later.

"Looks not. Because the information about the knowledge they got seemed to come from soldiers or people dealing with supplies." Caspian explained.

"There may be some craftsmen who divulge it, but the average craftsman who knows how the steam engine works is only the East Star people who are not directly related to the south," his sword later.

"Same with gunpowder. The manner of making gunpowder was known only to Mr. Selene's people in the ranch area."

"And is this information reliable and accurate?"

"We are fairly certain that this information is not false information. Because the people who provided this information were part of the rebels who did not want to be under Tyrion or Vestralle's rule." Caspian answered confidently.

"Oh, rebel group. Is the group big?"

"They have a vast network, just don't have the power to move. Because within the first year of the territory's capture, Tyrion and Vestralle carried out a purge by eliminating suspicious people and potentially moving a rebel."

"Yes, reasonable anticipation" Nata said.

"Some of the survivors decided to remain silent and started contacting us, which then became our eyes and ears in the region."

"That's what it looks like." Nata looks back to understand. "That means we indirectly have some kind of spy in that place right now?"

"true." Caspian answered quickly.

"The guy named Vistralle will be a problem later if it's not dealt with immediately." Nata leaned his body backwards. "I'm sure that very soon when they find someone who understands minerals or animals, they'll soon realize what gunpowder is and how it's made."

"Yes, that's one of our fears" said Caspian.

"Then for Tyrion himself?" Nata continued his question.

"According to the information we have, in addition to being supported by two Yllgarian fighter unions, Tyrion also enforces conscription to add his soldiers." Caspian explained. "Youths from among the peasants were required to be soldiers. And also the boys. They are armed to advance to the battlefield" he added.

"Where did he get all the money to fund all that?" Nata asked himself

"And because of that, many of the residents of the southern region who want to evacuate to this central region. 'Into the wall', if they say." Lucia suddenly spoke.

"But reflecting on things that have happened before, we can't just enter them." Orland.

"really. Even though we knew the residents would suffer under the rule of Tyrion and Vistralle" Lucia later said. "Gotistical indeed, leaving them all with it. But, the risk is too great for this region and the people who already live in it."

Nata is again taken aback by Lucia's changing mindset. "I didn't think you would make such a decision" he said later, without knowing whether to be happy or sad to see the change.

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