Herald of Steel

“Can we kill him?”

As soon as Alexander said this, Pasha Farzah viciously lashed out against him with as much venom as he could muster, swinging his sturdy fists around and throwing a small tirade of objection in the form of a barrage of spit and words.

The old man could not believe they were even discussing this. Not even when he had been driven up the wall by that power hungry lord did this even occur to him.

As for the reason… well it was obvious.

It was not because Pasha Farzah was a saint but because Lord Assazd was not a lone man. He had his allies and followers.

What was going to happen to them after they killed him? There would surely be a second front to the civil war.

Pasha Farzah did not believe that Alexander was stupid enough not to understand this. And if he was, well Pasha Farzah had better uses of his time.

Hence the reason for his shout, “…. stop saying stupid things!”

Alexander took the roar of this elder with a gentle countenance. Then, instead of becoming angry or afraid, he slowly flashed his palms and chimed with a small, nonchalant smile,

“My lord, no need to get so angry. We are simply spitballing here. And I can see that were have a core difference in opinion on how to resolve the problem at court.”

“You believe that we can buy our way out of this problem. Since Ptolomy is foolish, let us fool with money. Since Lord Assazd is power hungry, let him earn some more money and power. This is what you are thinking.”

“But I like to believe you are wrong. Because if Ptolomy could have been straightened, you would have already straightened him out by now. You are no fool. The same way, if Lord Assazd was so easy to please, you would have already given it.

“But Lord Assazd has not gotten where he is not by being simply content. A mere Matbar (Marquiss) giving the strongest Pasha a run for his money… how can we simply think of buying him? You are looking down at him too much, Pasha Farzah!”

“Thus we need to look at reality. Both Ptolomy and Assazd’s real goal is to wrestle back control of the court from us to them. This will not change, no matter how many carrots we feed them.”

“But at the same time, we also cannot just sit by and let this happen. We have not fought so hard to let this power go so easily… just like that.”

“You will know better than me the power and respect the royal family holds among both the common people and the grassroots nobles. This political capital that is frankly priceless.”

“Now… as you said, Ptolomy is untouchable. While Lord Assazd… is also no dog we can just throw a bone to and expect it to be happy! Meaning we need to at least put him down or at worst, have him caged!”

Alexander was very firm in his proposal, sending Pasha Farzah a fiery look. He made it clear he was not going to back down from his demands.

“….” While hearing this, the old man became slightly silent, his own eyes dimming.

Since Alexander was only asked for ‘caging’- i.e.- imprisonment or simple house arrest, the idea appeared far more palatable to him.

However, that too soon hit a roadblock as Pasha Farzah frowned, “What do you mean… fabricate some kind of charge against that reptile. Snort! It will not work. Ptolomy will pardon him the next second!”

“….” This did not surprise Alexander… because he had actually already expected this.

This was the reason he had gone for the nuclear option from the very beginning.

And now he was bringing it yet back again, very ominously asking, “My lord, how many armed men does Adhan have currently?”

Pasha Farzah instantly became alarmed at the direction the talks were going, as he pointedly asked, “What are you thinking brat?” almost shooting straight up from his seat.

He truly feared Alexander was thinking of sacking the city, so that he would be done with the all the problems once and for all.

This would of course be an apocalyptically bad choice of actions but given just how bellicose of a rhetoric Alexander was spewing, the Matrak Lord had to consider that possibility.

Hence he hastily and firmly added, “Don’t do anything stupid! Your 5,000 is nothing in front of a real army! Inform me before you do anything!”

Alexander on the other hand failed to quite guess the reason behind this intense reaction. But he was not interested either, as lightly taking a small sip to whet his throat, he chimed,

“Pasha Farzah is misunderstanding me. Let me rephrase- how many men can Adhan muster in a short time?”

“…..” It took a slight time for Pasha Farzah to process the difference.

But once he understood, he relayed the information with a slight frown in quite an extensive manner,

“There are around 10,000 men inside the walls. By that, I mean good, sturdy men… like the palace guards and the various nobles’ bodyguards! There are another 10,000 who are the city guards.”

“These qualities vary immensely… from sewer rats who are more thieves and robbers disguised as guards, to first rate fighters who were part of the several campaigns. And then there are another 8,000 to 10,000 gangs who keep the other rats in check. So if by short notice, you mean one or two weeks, we can get you about 30,000. Why?”

Pasha Farzah leaned back with some degree of comfort as he revealed the report from the back of his mind, keenly waiting for Alexander’s explanation.

While the details of the reports frankly impressed the latter.

Given the sudden nature of the question, he had only expected an estimated number, not such a comprehensive breakdown of not only the numbers but also the quality of each of those numbers.

But if you thought about it, this was not that unexpected.

Pasha Farzah had been the mad king’s prime minister for close to twenty years, basically running the place while his lord was busy losing his mind and spiraling down towards more and more depraved things.

Even now, he officially held the post.

Thus knowing the defensive capabilities of the place was a must for him- as any prime minister worth even half a pinch of his salt would.

“Is that enough to man all the walls?” Then upon learning of the soldiers, Alexander followed up with this query.

And once again, it made Pasha Farzah narrow his eyes in suspicion. But despite his misgiving, he decided to clench his teeth and reply,

“Normally… barely… if we ask one man to do two man’s. Given the state of our treasury, this is the best we can do…”

“But this is the time for Jtaama. We are already swamped trying to keep peace in the streets as is. The walls might as well be empty!”

There was both some helplessness and shame as Pasha Farzah said, feeling he was letting Alexander laugh at him. Because he certainly knew from his spies how well Zanzan’s walls were guarded.

But then again, Zanzan did not have to deal with so many high profile people every year. And this time, due to the wedding, it was particularly bad.

However, Pasha Farzah was never a man to find excuses.

He could not defend his walls currently; that was a fact.

And in trying to hide that shame, he then let shouted out with warning, “Brat! I am telling you! If you attack this city… things will not end up well for you. This is the Jtaama! We have a treaty!”

“….” Alexander did not bother to explain himself. Rather, only giving a creepy, thin smile, continued with his line of questioning,

“And what about you, my lord? Do not tell me you and Pasha Ozman have not brought some extra men for the wedding?”

“…..” The frown on Pasha Farzah’s white, fair forehead further deepened, almost becoming a valley.

But ultimately recalling all of Alexander’s accomplishments and believing the man to be still sane, the old man relented one last time and mused,

“Not as much as you would think. Ptolomy mostly let me use the palace guards. I also have three borders to defend. So I have brought around only 2,000 extra men. While Ozman… he has around 3,000. Heh! That sweet talking old fox… clearly he does not trust us much. Brought an extra thousand just in case!”

Alexander keenly noticed Pasha Farzah’s lips curving up amusedly at the mention of his old friend. His tone was also softer than when he talked about Lord Assazd and even the name calling was much more contained.

“If I have coming into the enemy’s den… I, too, would have brought some men!” And noticing the man’s mirthful mood, Alexander thus could not help but jokingly quip so.

“You already have. And it is against your own ally!” To which Pasha Farzah also instantly shot back.

“Hehehe…” The Pasha of Zanzan let out a breezy chuckle.

It was at that point, Pasha Farzah finally took the opportunity to turn his voice firm and frigid, pointing his stubby finger at him and announcing,

“Brat! I told you everything you asked. Now tell me why you are asking all this. And before you say anything, let me remind you this is the Jtaama. Spilling even a single drop of blood is blasphemous.”

“Haha, I was just thinking of attacking Ankoot right now- the seat of Ameneheraft’s powers!”

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!