Arthur, leaning back in his chair, spoke with an air of arrogant entitlement. He offered Adam immense fortunes and influence within the kingdom if he were to help him. "I was meant to be king," he declared, "but my foolish father's decision put my brother on the throne. He lacks my intellect, clinging to old ways of fighting and being strong, which only slow down our kingdom's economy."
He boasted of his connections with powerful merchants and influential nobles who supported him. His grand plan: to overthrow his brother and claim the throne for himself. Arthur offered Adam vast lands and control over a section of the kingdom under his new rule. Adam quickly grasped the gravity of the situation – a civil war was brewing,
potentially costing thousands of lives.
"What can an outsider like me do that would benefit your plan?" Adam asked, feigning ignorance.
Arthur chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes. "Precisely because you're an outsider, you're vital to my plan. I need you to go to his location and assassinate my brother." He waved off any concern for Lyra. "Don't worry about her. I'll take good care of her while you carry out my plan. Once my brother is dealt with, I can control the narrative of his passing, blaming it on turmoil from other kingdoms. This will unite our nobles and people, leading to war and the expansion of our riches."
Adam understood the dire implications. Don't make any rash decisions, Lyra's voice echoed in his mind via their neural link, or he will use his power as king to make us scapegoats for his ambition.
Adam and Lyra quickly formulated a counter-plan. Adam spoke, "I understand your plan, but it seems a little too naive."
Arthur bristled, a flicker of frustration crossing his face.
"I'm not saying it's not a good plan," Adam quickly clarified, "but you're rushing it without proper planning. Assassinating your brother will leave too much room for speculation. Not all nobles are foolish enough to believe a convenient narrative, especially when it's obvious you want the throne. That will ignite a civil war, collapsing the kingdom before you can even wage an external war. Your kingdom will be left vulnerable, ripe for other kingdoms to exploit."
Arthur, seeing the logic in Adam's calculated words, fell for the bait.
Adam has successfully bought himself time by playing to King Arthur III's arrogance.