126 Opponents (1/2)
”Aah, that was tiring.” While he rubbed the back of his neck, Corco let himself down on a sofa and put up a leg. ”Do we still have any tea left somewhere or have the vultures emptied the kitchen?”
Even though he knew that cultivators would eat more than normal people, today's host had still been astounded by the appetite of his guests.
”Yes, King Corco. I have told the staff to retain a few pieces. Quato, please bring some tea,” Tama said, as she stood aside.
”As you please,” Quato answered from the door, before he left the master and servant alone in the room.
”You can go sit as well,” Corco said with a look up to Tama. He really didn't like her sneaking around behind his back all the time.
”Thank you, King Corco.” With silent steps, the girl walked past the table and took a seat on the second couch, to her master's opposite.
”...can you be a bit less stiff for once? Getting creeped out, to be honest. You don't need to try so hard to impress me.”
”Of course, King Corco.”
Although the girl was still stiff, for now it would have to do. At this point, they had more important matters to consider.
”So what's going on with our guests right now? Give me a summary.”
Dutiful as always, Tama brought her notes up to the table and began to read.
”To our surprise, most lords have stayed over night and will only leave in the morning. In fact, some lords have considered the purchase of a mansion in Saniya. Only young master Epunamo Villca has decided to leave sooner, possibly to follow his brother Uchu. It appears as if Lord Saqartu and Lord Ogulno considered an early departure as well, but when they heard the plans of the remaining lords, they were forced to stay as well.”
While the girl talked, Corco had gotten back into an upright position, but all of his grandeur disappeared when he heard the last sentence.
”Ahaha, turns out that not everything's going how my bratty cousin wants.”
Although Tama hid it well, Corco could still detect her smirk.
”From what our men tell me, Lord Mayu has been quite frustrated throughout the evening, even more so since your meeting. It appears as if he dislikes all the new connections we have built up with the lords he considers his own.”
”And how do those connections look?”
”Quite satisfactory as well. Although the duel and misfire were troubling at first, most lords didn't seem to mind all that much.”
”We're all a bit bloodthirsty down here,” Corco added.
”Instead of the dangers, they were more focused on our various trade goods, even more so after we announced our harvest for this year.”
”Is that so?” Accompanied by the tiniest smile, the king grasped for a cup of tea to hide his perfect expression behind, but found that Quato still hadn't returned.
”Yes. In fact, Lord Ogulno seemed intent to form a coalition of lords, to force Saniya into giving up its secret technologies. However, by the time he could talk to the other lords, most tables had been visited and knew about the fertilizer, iron tools and enclosures, so Ogulno's incitation fell on deaf ears. Still, even with the dangers involved, I believed we could have kept the secrets for ourselves. I am amazed that King wold show this much foresight to predict Lord Ogulno's move.”
”It's nothing that great, really,” Corco said as he stroked his invisible beard. ”Yeah, I thought someone might try and use our good harvest against us, but I never wanted to hide the fertilizer in the first place.”
”You did not?” For the first time since the meeting started, the girl looked up from her notes.
”Of course not. Why would I? After all, we'll be much better off if we can sell our fertilizer to other lands. If the other lords start to depend on the fertilizer, then most of their harvest – which is most of their income by the way – will come from us. In that case, how could they pretend independence again?”
As the implications of the plan dawned on her, Tama's eyes grew large. This time, Corco was rather proud of his little ploy as well. Just as he had said, he would conquer the south not with guns, but with food and drink.
”Plus,” he continued, ”all the people of Medala are my people. I have no reason to make a distinction between them and deny some a massive ease of life like cheaper food, just because they don't live on my lands. After all, sooner or later, all of them will be under my rule as well.”
After her initial shock, Tama regained her composure and put her notes in front of her mouth, to hide her smile.
”Hihi, very true, King Corco. Your greatness will shine all across and enlighten all of Medala.”
”Let's not go overboard. For now, we should first get our own backyard under control.”
Although Tama looked like she wanted to deny Corco's sober attitude, she was interrupted by a knock from the door.
”Ah, that should be Quato with the tea. Please excuse me, King Corco.”
As Tama stood up to open the door, she left her notes on the table. Fascinated, he picked up the paper. However, the king hadn't even found order in the chaos on the page, when a surprised scream from the door demanded his attention.
”What the hell is going on?” he shouted as he jumped out of his seat.
To his surprise, it wasn't Quato who had entered, but Atau instead. His face a mask of rage, Corco's cousin had grasped Tama's neck and silenced her scream, while he pushed her back, until she fell onto the couch once more.
”Stop! What the fuck are you doing!?” the king screamed and ran around the table.
”This is for the best, Laqhis. She's a traitor. She cannot be trusted!”
”What the fuck are you talking about! Let go!”
Desperate to save the girl, Corco ran towards them and grabbed hold of his cousin's arm, but of course he was too weak to shake off the much taller captain.
”I knew she was up to something, so I had Ivo follow after the bandit in secret. She's tried to kill him, did you know that? Again, same crap that happened with her brother! Even worse, the guy escaped! Now she's really done it!”
By now, Tama's eyes watered as she gasped for air, clawing at her attacker's hands. At last Corco understood where the problem lay. At last he knew how to solve it.
”Stop! I did it!” he shouted, happy that he wouldn't have to choke out his cousin to break up the fight.
”Huh?” Confused, the warrior turned his head. His fingers eased up in reflex, just enough for the girl to break free. Under fits of coughs and wheezes, Tama rolled off the sofa and onto the expensive carpet.
”I ordered the attack on Uchu,” the king said, with no time to worry about the girl. ”I ordered the failure too. It's all been my plan.”
For a while, everything was quiet, as the warrior stared at him with an open mouth.
”Are you okay?” Corco asked the girl who still sat on the ground and held her neck. However, before she could say anything, Atau managed to form words again.