The White Cat That Swore Vengeance Was Just Lazing on the Dragon King’s Lap - Volume 2 - Chapter 1

Chapter 1: Preparing for Invasion

The Land of Nadasha was a nation that had obstinately refused to enter into diplomatic relations with its neighbor, the Nation of the Dragon King, despite the latter’s status as a major nation. Not only that, they were also envious of their neighbor’s bountiful wealth, licking their chops at any opportunity to make the nation their own.

However, Nadasha’s size paled in comparison to the Nation of the Dragon King. The Nation of the Dragon King dwarfed Nadasha in terms of sheer territory and population. And with their coastal access and bustling diplomatic ties with foreign nations, the Nation of the Dragon King was the epicenter of commerce in the world.

Even though their massive military force and the presence of dragonkin alone was enough of a viable threat, the kings of Nadasha past had declared war on the Nation of the Dragon King many a time only to be utterly trounced as a result.

Currently, Nadasha was gearing up for yet another one of those wars. Nadasha might have had less land overall, but its soil was rich. With proper tillage and maintenance, it would reap ample rewards. But with the nation sending all of their available hands out to war, the perfectly harvestable soil had fallen into disrepair.

Nevertheless, their longing and envy toward the Nation of the Dragon King gave rise to war. Soldiers scrambled back and forth in the castle, prepping for the invasion on the horizon. Amidst this, the King and the Head Priest were overseeing the work as it happened.

“How are preparations coming along?”

“Swimmingly, Your Majesty.”

“And what about the you-know-what?”

“Rest assured, I have given them to the nobles and a handful of soldiers.”

The King and the Head Priest grinned devilishly.

For this war, there were nobles who had been implicated with the anti-war moderates—the same moderates who were framed and exiled via the King and the Head Priest’s plot. In order to clear their family’s name, regardless if they were innocent or not, they dispatched many of their troops to help in the effort.

The King and the Head Priest provided the nobles and soldiers with a certain item under the guise of a “good luck charm.” It was an item paramount for disposing of the mighty dragonkin, which made both of the men feel assured of victory. The past kings of Nadasha underwent continuous hardships, but at last the time had come to get their revenge on their wretched dragonkin foes.

“Even the mighty dragonkin will be helpless when faced with what we have in store.”

“Indeed, and because dragonkin have such strong mana, it will be that much more potent, as well.”

As the two men conversed among themselves, Asahi walked up to them. Upon seeing her, good-natured smiles seeped over both of their faces.

“Ooh, Priestess Princess, are preparations coming along?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Excellent news. You are an important presence around here, so you mustn’t be negligent in preparing yourself. Oh, yes, there is something I need to give to you,” the King said. He glanced at the Head Priest, and the Head Priest pulled out a small sack and delivered it to Asahi.

Asahi took it with wonderment as she proceeded to look inside of it. “A stone...?” Inside was a rugged, transparent stone a little smaller than a balled fist.

“This is a good luck charm to keep you safe, milady. When you sense danger is afoot, please toss this toward your threat. It will surely protect you.”

Asahi unassumingly accepted the gift. “Yes, I very much appreciate it.”

The King and the Head Priest exchanged suggestive glances and slight smirks. They had given her the same type of “good luck charm” they gave to the nobles and a handful of soldiers.

Ignorant to what their looks implied, and considering the trinket as nothing more than an ordinary good luck charm, Asahi kept the sack for safekeeping.

“So, um... I was wondering about Ruri-chan...”

“Aah, you mean the girl? To be honest, I am quite doubtful that was truly her...”

“I’ve told you the truth! I am positive it was Ruri-chan. I saw her and talked to her!”

“Yes, well, if that is what you say, then it must be true, Priestess Princess. However, from her slanderous claims about the Head Priest and myself, I would say she is under some rather heavy brainwashing. It is quite worrying, to say the least.”

“You don’t need to worry. I will get Ruri-chan back from those bad people and undo that brainwashing!” Asahi said with gusto.

In spite of Ruri’s warning not to trust the King or the Head Priest, Asahi had gone in a display of overly naive honesty to ask them directly for the truth of the matter. She asked them if they were both deceiving her, but seeing as how scammers never just up and admit to their wrongdoings, the King and the Head Priest managed to cajole her back to their side in no time.

Their method of choice was fabricating a story about brainwashing. By their account, the Nation of the Dragon King had brainwashed Ruri to do their bidding. The King urged that they needed to hurry to war in order to release her from their control. Since Asahi had been taught that the Nation of the Dragon King was evil, she bought their bogus story hook, line, and sinker. Ruri’s request was to no avail as Asahi had become even more proactive toward the war efforts than ever before. Everything was proceeding perfectly according to the Head Priest’s designs.

“I implore you to do your best in order to save your friend. I pray to god for both you and your friend’s safety.”

“Yes, thank you very much, Head Priest,” Asahi said with a bow before walking away.

As soon as she did, the expressions on their faces took a turn.

“Quite fortunate that our Priestess Princess is a dimwit, I see. We were right about being prompt in throwing out that friend of hers, don’t you think?”

“Yes, it is just as you say, Your Majesty. Admittedly, I never would have imagined she would live after being thrown into the forest.”

“No matter. It’s not as though a single little girl making a fuss would be enough to stop this war from happening. It’s a trivial issue at this point.”

“Very true.”

The King and the Head Priest both smiled and chuckled deviously among themselves. Everything was going according to plan—their plan to finally seize control of the Nation of the Dragon King once and for all.