Chapter 3: Pilater

　　Armed with the official decree, Gems Kokoli cast aside all restraint.

　　Once the rioting crowds were dispersed, the administrator exploited the situation further. Under the guise of rooting out those who participated in or harbored rebels, he brazenly plundered the meager assets left in the hands of the people, pushing the already strained confrontation to a breaking point.

　　It was only the persistent and forceful pleas of his subordinates that finally prevented Brill from doubling down on his erroneous judgments in a fit of rage. After allowing his emotions to settle, he transferred the vital responsibilities of the region to his son, Kosile, narrowly averting even greater tragedies.

　　Brill personally reviewed the cases from Rierbi and uncovered numerous suspicious details. Upon a fresh investigation, he commuted the previous sentences and ordered the release of the innocent. Property that had been seized was either returned or compensated to its rightful owners; unjust treatments were rescinded, and the people’s fundamental rights were restored.

　　The administrator, Gems, faced a rigorous inquiry from Kosile. The investigation yielded a surprising revelation: though his methods were tyrannical, he had not actually lined his own pockets with the spoils. In the end, Gems was removed from Rierbi and reassigned to Bisnil—a city situated so close to the frontier that it remained in a state of constant tension and vigilance against the barbarians. Kosile commanded Gems to reach the post within seven days; the relentless jolting of the hurried journey caused the official to fall ill with a severe gastrointestinal ailment.

　　Meanwhile, Lord Levens maintained an almost unbelievable indifference toward the suffering in Rierbi. His coldness earned him a sharp reprimand from Brill, along with a punitive reduction of his territories and a demotion in his noble rank.

　　Yet, the steppe barbarians remained unyielding. Despite their massive defeat, and while unable to mount a large-scale invasion, their incessant border raids continued to sow unrest across the Limidian frontier. Brill concluded that a decisive military operation against the barbarians had become an absolute necessity.

　　After detailed discussions, careful consideration, and thorough preparation, the Limidians crossed the frontier walls and advanced toward Huluhan. As they passed through the Gake region, the local herdsmen showed a friendly disposition toward the arriving army, relieving the troops of any lingering concerns about their rear.

　　A victorious pitched battle shattered the power of the steppes and restored the former tranquility to the plains. The glory of the Limidian victory was further magnified by the capture of nearly two thousand barbarian prisoners, including two high-ranking chieftains and a Semer noble. The commanding general, Hargus, had these three aristocrats locked in prison wagons. As for the rest, their left ears were cut off as trophies, and their right hands were severed—a brutal measure intended to carry a wave of terror back to their barbarian kin.

　　The chieftain of the Burda tribe had perished in battle during the previous confrontation, a turn of events that proved most timely for the Limidians. His son, Tiato, received a feathered headdress from his people and a noble crest from the royal court of Hedlim. From that day forward, he established a bond with the southern realm, serving as a sturdy bulwark for the kingdom.

　　Following the death of the Great Ruler of the Steppe, his sons divided the tribal inheritance at their father’s funeral. They then departed with their respective followers and livestock, living lives of total estrangement from one another.

　　On the strength of this military triumph, Brill received from the King in Hedlim the key to the Temple of Mars, a bronze sword, a medallion adorned with a Xie-beast motif, and a purple-bordered robe. During the ceremony of offering sacrifices to the God of War, Brill stood in the most prominent position, clad in the vestments bestowed by the King. The emblem of the Willem Family stood side-by-side with the royal crest.

　　Several richly dressed warriors escorted the bound steppe nobles into the great hall. Together with several captive female slaves, they were forced to kneel before the Limidian deity. Beside them stood several robust and powerful horses; silver platters were heaped with various valuables, while barbarian weapons, armor, and other spoils of war were neatly stacked to one side.

　　In a ceremony that was both austere and grand, Brill praised the martial virtues of the God of War in a resonant voice and issued a stern, resounding warning to the captive nobles of the steppe.

　　The strain on his frail body left Brill drenched in sweat following his speech, yet he strove to maintain an upright posture and a solemn countenance. On this day, numerous officers—the capable subordinates who had long followed him—were bestowed with grand rewards and titles.

　　Following this, in his capacity as a high official clad in the purple robe, he assisted the King in the ritual of sacrificing to the Parshi ancestors on the first day after the winter solstice. After the perils of military campaigns and the grandeur of honorary ceremonies, Brill was finally able to enjoy a fleeting moment of tranquility. The Parshi King, well aware that his own life force was spent, publicly announced during a court assembly that he would cede the throne to the illustriously meritorious Brill, hoping that Brill's intellect and capability would bring prosperity to the people.

　　Brill acted the part of one struck by utter consternation. He attempted to speak, but after being waved into silence by the King, he covered his face and wept—though from what exact emotion, none could say. Ultimately, amidst the cheers of the people of Hedlim and the fervent support of the assembly, Brill received the scepter from the Parshi King with profound reverence in a majestic ceremony. It was then that he issued his first—and also his last—royal edict to the nation.

　　The former sovereign was granted a unique title and vast fiefdoms to distinguish him from the ordinary nobility. This exalted title ensured he would retain the respect of the common folk, while the diligent farmers and artisans within his lands would provide for a life of luxury and ease.

　　After passing through a brief period of peace, Brill departed from this world, enveloped in the glory of victory and the praise of the populace. During his short reign as King, he relied on his personal charisma to gather a group of brilliant and loyal men around him, ensuring they would be ready to serve his successor.

　　Kosile Willem accepted his father’s authority with a gesture of humility during a grand ceremony. To ensure a fairer distribution of rewards among the civil officials, military commanders, family kin, and allies, the new King meticulously weighed their merits, status, and bloodlines. While he continued to grant them significant autonomy in local affairs, the appointment and removal of officials remained strictly under the King’s command.

　　Some time later, the urgent war dispatches from the frontier lords shattered the kingdom’s peace. They also ignited the ambition of Kosile, who sought to crush the barbarian threat in a single stroke, suppressing their rising power while spreading the prestige of the Willem Dynasty to match the legendary deeds of his ancestors.

　　The lords tasked with defense were Lexbol, Nerdavick, and Palmidus. The fathers of the first two had been valiant commanders, while the third was the descendant of a resourceful courtier. Kosile personally led his troops to the frontier to join them. Despite the long period of tranquility, the Willem army still maintained its historical spirit and discipline.

　　However, after their supply trains were plundered by the enemy, the King and his lords were forced to withdraw from the steppes with a sense of humiliation. The relentless pursuit by the barbarians compelled the Limidians, under unfavorable terms, to trade gold and treaties for a temporary and fragile peace.

　　Following exhaustive investigation and preparation, Kosile again led the royal and feudal forces, this time pushing through the Hemira Corridor into the western regions, where he raised the banner of the Willem Royalty. To guard against Hulor to the north, he granted the local populace, lands, and defenses to Drawn, Galennico, and Mimir.

　　Fortunately, this power from a distant land temporarily shifted its focus toward the eastern steppes. In a military confrontation, they left a profound impression on the temperamental barbarians, earning a rare period of respite for the southern Willem Dynasty.

　　During this interval, wise courtiers established strict ceremonial codes for the King to moderate the conduct of the lords, strengthening unity and cooperation. This display of national order and regulation earned the deep admiration of the ruler of Hulor.

　　Deman Willem, however, bore the memory of his father's era—the lessons learned and the shame of defeat. He was unwilling to wait passively for an uncertain future, nor did he wish to continue feeding these barbarians with the kingdom's taxes—especially as they continued to stir up trouble at the borders under the leadership of yet another strongman.

　　Seated upon his throne, Deman addressed the gathered courtiers and nobles:

　　"The time has passed when a mere peace treaty could resolve our problems. For too long, the Limidians have attempted to use humble words and lavish wealth to influence the minds of these barbarians, or at least to curb their volatile nature. Facts have proven this futile. They regard our offerings as their due and view the keeping of oaths as a sign of weakness.

　　These barbarians never labor, yet they despise those who are industrious. Once they squander their wealth, they give full vent to their predatory instincts. Such a character dictates that they only care for immediate gain; they would rather bicker endlessly over the present than make long-term plans for their future.

　　For a sovereign, true virtue lies in allowing blessings to reach the people. Yet to this day, the hardworking folk cannot keep the fruits of their labor, and those living in the borderlands face constant threats to their safety. Such a peace holds neither security nor glory.

　　Our forefathers left us a legacy of valiant troops and abundant resources. Therefore, we can no longer allow the barbarians to make arrogant and unreasonable demands that compromise Limidian security and wound Limidian dignity. A King views the suffering of his people as his own misfortune, and the people, in turn, will feel the shame of the Royalty as their own. Surely, the gods will grant victory to us Limidians."

　　During this same period, the three sons of the ruler of Hulor ignored the warnings regarding unity and kinship. Driven by mutual suspicion, they split the once-powerful kingdom into three parts.

　　Out of concern for security and tradition, Arer maintained friendly relations with the Limidians. His son, Kevis, was educated at the court of Hedlim, eventually returning home as a top scholar and a high-ranking cavalry officer to assist his father in managing the fief. Leveraging personal ties, Kevis contacted Lazas, and through this cousin, established a security consensus with his uncle Rahir (Arer’s brother).

　　This not only thwarted the schemes of Soyal to sow discord but also allowed Rahir to set aside his doubts and focus on defending his western and northern borders. Upon gathering intelligence regarding the steppe barbarians, the habitually cold Rahir quickly dispatched friendly envoys with gifts to the Limidian capital, Hedlim.

　　Soyal, meanwhile, secretly sent messengers to the barbarian tents, loudly praising the fame and valor of the steppe ruler and making seductive promises. The satisfied barbarian leader reciprocated generously with wealth and swore a blood oath with the high-ranking envoy, even slaughtering one of his own fine horses for the occasion.

　　Gleeful and self-satisfied, Soyal believed he could use the barbarians to strike down his two brothers. But the Limidians launched a preemptive 'financial offensive,' infiltrating Soyal’s court and simultaneously informing Rahir and Arer of the news, allowing them to prepare for the coming war.

　　After a day and night of deliberation, Rahir decided that rather than waiting in anxiety, it was better to strike first and teach his treacherous brother a lesson. Before launching military action, Rahir cautiously sent secret agents to signal the start of the war to both Arer and the southern Willem Dynasty.

　　An officer under Soyal’s command, remembering the kindness of the late King, did not wish to see the tragedy of fratricide. The troops he led halted in the Kazraban area and refused to execute further orders. Eventually, he was persuaded to join Rahir’s forces and march toward Femins. Soyal was shocked to see his commander standing with the enemy and erupted in a torrent of curses.

　　When persuasion failed and the commander learned that Soyal intended to threaten his family, he took his own life before Soyal in a fit of grief. This suicide enraged the soldiers; they swore to punish the culprit and, fueled by this fervor, stormed Femins alongside Rahir’s army.

　　By the time the steppe barbarians were ready to assemble for war, Soyal had been driven out of Femins and was clinging to survival in the Midi region. In his camp tent, the barbarian leader arrogantly received the opposing envoys and issued threats.

　　For a long time, the stability here had relied on the valor and strategy of Dakra. Now, he claimed, a flock of sheep wanted to overturn the order established by the Moss Wolf. He accused the others of destroying the peace, stating that if they did not return the seized lands to Soyal, he would be forced to answer the call of the messengers of war and terminate the long-standing peace.

　　Curiously, the battle of words preceded the battle of blades. The Willem Foreign Minister, acting on the King's orders, received the envoys of Rahir and Arer with a solemn ceremony. The King formally informed them that the Willem Kingdom regarded the words of the barbarians as a declaration of war. Subsequently, Deman accused this man, Dakra, of being the true architect of all evil.

　　The steppe herders had originally lived peaceful lives, detached from the world, but now they were ruined by an insatiably greedy dog. Dakra claimed to be a founder of order, yet he seized the fruits and pastures of others, forcing fathers, husbands, and sons to take up arms for dishonorable slaughter and plunder. Now, the wronged nations have petitioned the Limidian King for justice, and he could not stand idly by—especially since Willem itself had long suffered from the sting of steel and the shame of broken faith.

　　This same message was repeated to the barbarian envoys by a low-ranking official, serving as a formal declaration of war. Deman told his officers and lords that the military action was not only to help their neighbors achieve justice but also to wash away the shame they had previously endured.

　　As the barbarians prepared to attack, Arer had already made combat preparations at his own borders—not only with trenches but reinforced with sharpened stakes—and had stocked sufficient arrows, maintaining a state of constant vigilance.