NOVGO.NET Chapter 363: Do you really wish to go that far?
Chapter 363: Do you really wish to go that far?
“More than two hundred Velmourns’ lives against one Dragonborn traitor.
It shouldn’t be a difficult decision at all.”
Imperia repeated Zephyr’s words, and Lavinia tightly held Kael’s shirt, reacting to those words. Kael’s face turned solemn as well.
Just as he expected, Zephyr wasn’t an easy opponent to deal with, even for someone like Morvain. The man had gained complete control over the conversation; he practically left no choice for her but to give in to his demands.
The offer was simply too good to refuse.
’Do we have no choice but to leave this place?’
He questioned inwardly, and at the same time, he started thinking about where they would go. Honestly, they didn’t have many choices available. Not to mention the number of ants under Imperia had grown to an absurd level. Travelling together with more than a hundred thousand ants was…
It was bound to attract attention.
They would probably have to leave the ants behind for a while until they had a way to get them back.
Kael was even thinking of escaping right now. The more lead he had, the farther he could go without getting noticed.
’If worse comes to worst, I will fight them.’
His expression hardened. It wasn’t the option he was a fan of. Drakthar came with a thousand men, not to mention Zephyr was a Demi-God. He alone was enough to take on Kael. Even if he used Ascendant of the Ancients, taking on Zephyr’s strongest Bonds would still be difficult.
’Protecting her would be difficult then…’
Kael muttered inwardly, looking at Lavinia who had coiled herself in his arms.
Soon, he made a decision.
They had to escape.
He tightened his hold around Lavinia, prepared to stand up and leave and go… anywhere.
But then—
“Father.”
Imperia stopped him.
“Morvain turned him down.”
She revealed, and Kael blinked.
“…what?”
…
“You know our situation well.”
After a long silence, Morvain began.
“I make it a habit to learn about the people I am trying to make a deal with. This helps me keep the conversation meaningful and valuable for both sides.
After all, the conversation won’t be enticing enough if I do not offer what the other party needs the most, no?”
Zephyr smiled.
“Indeed.
A good leader should know not just about his own people but the people he is about to deal with.”
Morvain nodded.
“In that regard, you have me beaten, since I know nothing about you or Drakthar’s current situation.”
“…”
Zephyr didn’t say anything.
Morvain, however, didn’t stop here.
“It makes me wonder though…
How do you know so much about my people? You know about the condition of our forge, our farms, our accommodations—even the numbers you gave were quite accurate. It is almost as if you have lived amongst us for decades.”
The Matriarch’s words sparked questions.
Yes, how did Zephyr, a Dragonborn dog, know so much about them?
The air began to shift—something that Zephyr didn’t fail to notice.
“I am the Shadow Regent. It is my duty to know things that most do not know.”
He smiled dryly, then tilted his head and—
“I understand your position, Matriarch. But this matter… it need not be unpleasant. I am offering everything I mentioned before just fo—”
“Let me ask you a question, Shadow Regent.”
Before Zephyr could say anything, Morvain interrupted him as she raised her hand. The Shadow Regent narrowed his eyes. He didn’t like where this was going, but he couldn’t do anything.
“You are staying in your mansion, together with your family you love quite a lot, when suddenly, a man who is called the protector of peace—someone who had been working himself to the limit for the sake of people and was chosen by a Divine Entity—comes to you, seeking your help in a desperate situation, together with a woman who was called a criminal by the very people you hate.
On the other hand, the very people you hate suddenly come to your doors with weapons after long years of hatred and rivalry. They then tell you everything about your own family—the troubles you are facing, the condition of your sick, your finances—everything you thought was hidden by the people outside your family—and then give you the things that you desperately need.
Who will you trust?
The man and the woman he chose despite your enemy’s allegations against her, or your enemies who appeared out of nowhere, seemingly knowing everything about you as if they had been spying on you and your family for years?”
“…”
“…”
Silence.
Absolute silence fell on the place.
The Men of the Watch, who were staring at Morvain, indirectly forcing her to make a decision, suddenly turned silent. Their eyes now glanced at Zephyr—the ’enemy who had come in front of their house with weapons.’
“Matriarch, this isn’t abou—”
Seeing how things were turning around, Zephyr tried to take back control of the conversation but—
“Answer the question, Shadow Regent.”
Morvain ordered. Her tone made it clear that no further conversation would be held without Zephyr answering her question.
Zephyr turned silent for a moment, then, after giving the situation a long thought—
“I would choose to trust the enemies.”
He answered.
Morvain narrowed her eyes, and Zephyr continued,
“Every man keeps an eye on their enemy to the best of their abilities. They do it to ensure the people they wish to protect are not hurt in any way. Gathering information harmlessly isn’t wrong—it is a rather careful action.
As for my enemy who came to my doors—if the reason he is holding the weapons is to protect himself from the danger outside my mansion, I wouldn’t mind it.
For me, the criminal who came to me a few days ago wouldn’t be of concern—not more than my family that I could protect with what my enemy gives me. And who knows?
This might be the first step toward ending the long-running enmity that started because of our ancestors.
We descendants shouldn’t have to carry our ancestors’ hatred.”
“Heh.”
Zephyr tried to explain his reasoning, but Morvain just laughed.
“So you would rather think of ending the twelve-hundred-year-long enmity, huh? Those are some funny words, Regent. Especially considering the fact that these enemies, who knew about your family’s difficulties for decades, only appeared to help when they needed something.
Let alone coming to help, the same enemy also made sure that others did not help or form a relationship with you, wanting to continue suppressing you and your family, showing not a single hint of mercy. You wish to befriend such an enemy, huh?
You are quite naïve despite how you look, aren’t you?
It is quite surprising.”
Morvain spoke as she looked into Zephyr’s eyes. Soon, however, her expression changed, and—
“Or maybe your answer isn’t as genuine as one would think. After all, it isn’t easy for everyone to understand the said situation unless they go through it themselves, eh?”
The Matriarch smiled. She didn’t need to look back to see what her people were thinking. Sensing their silence and their gaze that was now glaring at Zephyr was more than enough for her to know what they were thinking.
Zephyr could tell that the situation had worsened as well. His face twisted into a scowl. He looked into Morvain’s eyes and—
“What do you need?”
He questioned directly.
“Lavinia Dragonborn.
We want you to hand her over. What do you need in return?”
All the politics, manipulations, and communication wouldn’t work anymore. Morvain won, and Zephyr decided to give it to her.
He needed Lavinia, so even if Morvain demanded something ridiculous, as long as it was within his power, he was prepared to give i—
“We do not trade with our enemies.”
Morvain declared.
“The only thing I want is for you and that army of yours to leave our lands.
You were a trespasser the moment you stepped in. The only difference now is that I’m done pretending otherwise.
Leave.”
Morvain instructed, then she took out her sword and—
“Remain a moment longer, and it shall be seen as a formal declaration of war. The world will know that Drakthar was the one who broke the Treaty of Vorgath.”
She declared with a cold look on her face, and following her action, the rest of her men took out their weapons as well, their eyes glaring at the Drakthar army that was twice their size without a hint of hesitation.
Zephyr stared at this situation in silence.
He wasn’t overwhelmed. Honestly, there was no way the Velmourns could win against them. If they wanted, crushing them once and for all and taking both the Princess and the Hero with them wouldn’t be difficult.
But…
Breaking the Treaty of Vorgath wasn’t something they were in a position to do.
The Treaty of Vorgath represented Dragons. If they broke it without a strong reason, the Drakthar Dragons would abandon Drakthar—and in the current situation, where there were enemies all over the place,
Drakthar could not afford it.
“…Do you really wish to go that far? This will not end well, and you know it.”
Zephyr spoke in a grim tone, trying to threaten the Velmourns one last time, but—
“Try me.”
Morvain declared boldly, and in the end…
Zephyr could only clench his fists in frustration and—
“Retreat.”
He ordered with a scowl on his face.
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