The Third Prince Of Darkness

After everyone left and I was alone with Alpshar, the atmosphere became somewhat strange—or at least; it felt that way to me. Alpshar rose from the couch at the back and sat at the table.

"Sit, Prince. Although I am well aware of the unpleasant rumors spreading about me in the north, I'm not a barbarian. I won't eat you," Alpshar said.

I pulled the chair across from him and sat down. The Alpshar opened a wooden box-like object on the table and placed it between us. This wooden box, which could open and close, was actually a type of game very common in this world—essentially, this world's version of chess.

"We call this 'utkanc' around here. Do you know how to play, Prince?" Alpshar asked.

Of course, I knew how to play this game, which greatly resembled chess from my old world. After all, this game was widespread among everyone, from the highest nobles to the lowest commoners, and we had teachers in the palace who taught it to me and the rest of the royal family.

"Of course, Your Majesty. I know how to play. But if I may ask, I would like to know why you wished to meet with me," I replied.

"Perhaps I'm just looking for a friend to play this game with," he said with a smile, and began setting up the pieces.

The major difference between this game and chess—or what they had in common—was that, at its core, this was a military strategy game. For instance, the piece representing the castle never moved, and there were no bishops. There were such differences, yet it was still a complex and challenging game.

The difficulty of the game always depended on the skill of your opponent, but even if your opponent was a fool, you still had to know certain things to win. For example, if you attacked the castle with your cavalry, your cavalry would be lost.

"Then I hope my skills will satisfy you," I said, arranging my three castle pieces in a crescent shape in front of the piece that represented the palace. After Alpshar arranged his palace and castle pieces, I made the first move, advancing a pawn.

The biggest difference from chess was the size of the playing field and the pieces. You could, for instance, place your archers on one side, your infantry on another, and your cavalry in a completely different location. Additionally, before the game started, you had to determine the position of your castles.

The main goal of the game was to protect the palace piece, which you could only place in the back rows. The palace represented the capital, so if the palace was captured, you lost the capital, and losing the capital meant losing the game—just as it often happens in real history.

Unlike me, Alpshar placed only archers in front of his castle. Another difference in this game was that you could introduce your pieces at any time. Both sides had the same number of pieces, but when to deploy them was up to you. You could, if you wanted, play the entire game with just one pawn. Ultimately, the only thing that mattered was not losing the palace piece.

"Actually, Prince, I recently read the book you wrote. Tell me, did you really write it?" Alpshar asked.

Ah, now I understood. He was interested in me because he had read the book in which I compiled the teachings and ideas of many philosophers from my previous world. I should also note that the book contained some rather pessimistic or realistic, yet gloomy, statements about human nature.

So it was only natural that Alpshar found it intriguing, especially since I knew enough of his story, even if not all of it.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I wrote it. I hope you liked it," I said, making another move by introducing a pawn.

Alpshar, after thinking for a moment, introduced another archer in response to my move. "I can say I liked it quite a lot. No offense, but I didn't expect much from a book written by a prince younger than me, but by the time I finished it, I was utterly impressed," he said.

As I was busy introducing a cavalry piece, I smiled and said, "Well, there's no offense taken. I consider what you said a compliment."

"Indeed. Just as you wrote in the book, life changes depending on your perspective. To be honest, I was quite struck by your analogy of the deer and the lion," Alpshar said as he introduced a pawn.

"Thank you. Actually, I was curious—was there anything in the book that you disagreed with?" I asked while deploying another cavalry piece.

Alpshar kept his eyes on the board, thinking for a moment. Then, carefully, he advanced to an archer. "I agree with many of the points in your book, Prince, but I disagree with some of your comments on human nature. For example, you wrote that people will rise if they focus solely on virtue. But what you fail to understand is that not all people are the same.

Most people are often very different from you or me. Most people are no different from the pieces in this game. Humans are selfish and hypocritical. That's why people like you or me must move these selfish and hypocritical pieces. In truth, only rulers need to focus on virtue."

Alpshar's words made me pause and think. As we progressed in the game, our conversation felt like a battle of strategy as well. I glanced at the board, and after confirming it was my turn, I moved another pawn forward. I looked up at Alpshar.

"Your Majesty, it may be true that many people are selfish," I said calmly, "but I don't believe that means they are inherently evil. People become selfish when they succumb to their weaknesses and fears. However, every person has the potential for good within them. The key is showing them that path.

Virtue is indeed a quality ruler must possess, but it is also a path they must guide their people along."

Alpshar nodded with a smile, though there was a hint of irony in his eyes. As he moved a piece, he continued, "Virtue won't save the people, Prince. People are ruled through fear and strategy. The virtuous path you speak of can only survive under the protection of the powerful. Even this game we are playing proves that, doesn't it?

We are trying to protect the palace piece, but we must sacrifice other pieces to win. Any ruler who wishes to win in this world must know when to be selfish and ruthless. Selfishness is a luxury that only rulers—or superior people—should indulge in. If everyone were selfish, no one would win."

Alpshar's bleak worldview reminded me of the philosophy of many rulers and leaders in my old world. They had perhaps been led down a dark path by their desire to maintain power, believing that fear was the most effective way to control their people. But I thought differently.

"Yes, this game is based on strategy and sacrifice," I said, deploying a cavalry piece. "But the true winner is not just the piece that survives on the board. What matters is how you play, what you fight for, and how you lead your people. Ruling by fear might work in the short term, but without the love and trust of the people, it's impossible to achieve lasting stability.

In Stoic philosophy, virtue brings inner peace, regardless of external circumstances. That's the source of true strength and happiness."

Alpshar pondered my words for a moment before laughing softly. "I've heard that before, Prince, but I still find it very naïve. Even a dog, when shown too much affection, will only repay you with ingratitude. The problem with making people fear you is that when you fail, it will show. But as long as I do not fail, there is no issue.

However, if you shower your people with love and trust, do you really think they will reciprocate? At some point, they will take it as something that's simply expected. I'm not saying one must be a tyrant, but in my opinion, there are two things required to rule a people: fear and respect. You've probably met my envoys. Do you think they would dare betray me?

Stay tuned to m v l e m p y r

When people both fear and respect you, you become god-like in their eyes."

Alpshar moved all his cavalry pieces into play. "And isn't this the essence of all lasting religions? Fear and respect. The fear of being cast into hell and the respect for the power of God. That's why people have believed in things that don't exist for thousands of years."

Listening to Alpshar, I realized just how closely his philosophy aligned with the dark path followed by many rulers. A system built on fear and respect might appear strong, but it was like a building constructed on shaky foundations. It was bound to collapse with the first quake. But what if the quake never came? What if Alpshar remained a perfect ruler? Would that building still fall?

No... Now I understand. Now I understand Alpshar's philosophy. From a young age, Alpshar knew how powerful fear—or terror—could be...

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