30: Negotiation
For the rcenaries, sand worms referred to monsters that moved beneath the ground. These were not creatures born from evil forces like the monsters of the East, but predators born from environntal conditions.
"Cook comrade, those things resemble giant earthworms! Their bodies are that elongated, with the small ones being about the size of a forearm and the big ones large enough to swallow a wagon in one bite. Their shells are very hard, so you mustn't carelessly slash at them!"
Pusik-tuwoong!
Gregor strikes a sand worm that leaped up like a dolphin with the edge of his shield.
Calix looks at the monster that revealed itself above ground.
True to his words, the body was long and the skin had an ochre tinge. The matte outer scales trembled finely - chareureur - according to the worm's writhing.
The round, muscular snout was fitted with hundreds of sharp teeth, repeating contraction and relaxation as it craved human flesh.
However, the real warning ca at the very end.
"The old man's words are right! But the truly dangerous thing is the Sand Ghost! It's the one that leads the worm bastards around..."
Joltan, the rcenary captain of Grima, draws out his words.
Fortunately, predicting the worms' movents wasn't difficult, so the rcenary party was effectively defending by reading the sand's movents.
However, vibrations were spreading even in places where sand worms didn't pass through.
Tseutseuts, tseutseutseutseutseuts-
Like shaking grain, sand particles danced on the ground.
"Sand Ghost! That's exactly the problem. It's the one that leads the sand worms, and after eating magic stones from sowhere, ordinary blade work can't even wound it. The desert people worship it as a spirit... Spirit my ass, it's a damn bastard!"
Piiik, piiiiik!
Sure enough, Vice-captain Marik's whistle at the front of the party emits a warning sound.
Paaaaak!
Geudeudeudeuk!
Calix reads the sand worm's attack in advance and deflects it with the back of his blade, then looks toward where the rcenaries' gazes are fixed.
Hwiii, seuseuseuseus-
It has no form.
Under the moonlight, one could only infer its approximate shape by seeing sand particles swirling and being blocked by sothing.
"Damn, it looks disgustingly gross. Like hundreds of sand worms bundled together."
"...We escape quickly!"
Piiiik! Piiiik! Piiiik!
The whistle sounds three long tis. The Mountain Rabbits' signal to 'withdraw from the battlefield'. Marquis Hoover's envoy group had been fleeing even before the whistle sounded.
Accordingly, Calix also runs after the wagon with Gregor, followed by the newcors and the rcenary group Grima.
"Ah, a wise choice. You can't inflict a single wound on that bastard with ordinary blade work. You need to be able to use sothing like Wind Scar to resist that guy."
"...Captain?"
In the urgent situation, Joltan's explanation goes in one ear and out the other. At that mont, he spotted Royce, the leader of the Mountain Rabbits.
Puk, puk, puuuk.
"Whoa whoa."
He stands still and lets everyone pass by, then dismounts his horse and looks up at the Sand Ghost approaching him.
A monster that rose from beneath the sand to the surface. It wasn't impossible to face, but fighting it openly would result in significant casualties among allies.
'So I just buy ti.'
His brown horse doesn't flee despite having no control. And this loyalty stems from trust.
At this mont, who is the most fearso predator?
Royce answered this by pushing his neural accelerator's output to the extre.
Huuuuk, kkuwoong-
If this had been a field overgrown with weeds, it would have ended with leaves swirling, but where he stood was the middle of the desert. Due to the magic power's dynamics, sand particles were pushed away around Royce.
Shuwaaaaak!
Then they swirled inward again.
Power gathered around his sword.
Thanks to this, not only Calix but everyone in the party could see the magic power waves with their eyes. That's why Joltan burst out in admiration.
"I've heard that the leader of the Mountain Rabbits is strong, but... Ha, to see that directly."
"Mister, what is that? Let
learn it too."
"He's a man who received offers from great houses' knights. If it were just Wind Scar level, he would have only received offers from humble local nobles. But great houses are different."
"Are you saying he stepped into the next stage?"
"That's right, you fool. He tears through the wind. So what cos after that?"
"...I wonder?"
Volga's puzzled expression disappears completely upon hearing the sound of a sword being drawn.
Seu-kwaak!
Even the sound of the sword leaving its sheath is extraordinary.
Royce's body seed to tremble finely from so point on, and his weapon also tears through the air just by existing, using extre acceleration as its foundation.
Tik, titik, tiktik!
"The stage after Wind Scar. That's called Falling Spark, Nakhwa (落火). Sacred sparks that only those with innate talent among upper-level knights can reach. Like rcenaries usually do, he probably can't maintain it long due to neural accelerator stability issues, but... It's certainly a remarkable achievent. Ah, the words of the ancient hero Ashapel co to mind. 'I shed tears made of sparks with my blade, so evil things... shall retreat.'"
It was around then that Royce swung his sword.
Puhwaaaaaaaak-!
Since sparks had been flying even before he began moving in earnest, what spectacle would unfold when he swung it?
Calix and the other newcors stop walking and stare blankly at his figure.
Hudududuk.
The mont a crescent shape was ford following the sword's trajectory, thousands of sparks flew up and fell around.
This is Nakhwa (Falling Spark).
A fireworks display illuminates the desert night.
Kkeueueueu.
Hwiiiii-
And the spirit called Sand Ghost staggered after being struck by fierce flas, then no longer tried to pursue.
It acknowledged the fact that they were not re prey.
***
After Royce displayed his presence as a leader.
People and the beasts pulling wagons regained stability, and Joltan chatted away with a sowhat relieved expression.
"Eye candy aside, thanks to that, I'm relieved. Actually, my subordinates' complaints were no joke because I decided on my own."
"..."
"Indeed, this Lord Joltan's intuition is alive."
"It's not intuition but insight."
"Ah, isn't that the sa thing?"
Calix responds appropriately to his chatter.
Although the Mountain Rabbits were ahead regarding information about Marquis Hoover's territory, when it ca to the border areas, there was no one who knew as well as Joltan.
"That said, there's no need to view the existence of sand worms entirely negatively. Those guys grow magic stones inside their bodies. The larger they are, the higher quality the magic stones beco, and this is one of the major inco sources of the western desert. Actually, this is deeply connected to the existence of the desert cavalry."
"Do they supply magic stones attached to magic armor?"
"Right. The mining output isn't as excellent as the central-northern mines, but it's a sufficient quantity to raise elite troops."
"Is the desert cavalry that outstanding?"
"Limited to the west, yes. Cals are animals with trendous endurance. They just don't get tired. In the extre environnt of the desert, they can endure for days without water or food. Ah, of course, there are disadvantages too."
Calix listens to his words attentively with his mouth closed.
The desert cavalry was one of the reasons for trying to win over Count Mozak.
It wouldn't hurt to know in advance.
"First, the surrounding environnt must support it. They can't exert their power in areas with forests or wetlands. Being specialized for deserts ans they lack adaptability. Food is also a problem. Managent thods are different from horses, so if you only give them oats or wheat, they'll collapse and die."
"Can't they eat them at all?"
"No, how should I put it. It's not that they can't eat them, but for humans, it's like the sweets that nobles eat. Those creatures mainly eat thorny plants, shrub leaves, branches, and such. They all have to be desert plants. And the amount they eat at once is enormous, too."
"Mm, I understand."
It's certainly helpful.
Especially the content about Count Mozak's territory.
As if he wanted to deliberately reveal that they had beco allies, he told him all about the count's territory situation.
"Co to think of it, war preparations definitely weren't complete. Now that I'm talking about it, I rember they hadn't piled up enormous amounts of hay and such. Seeing that the blacksmith accepted weapon repairs, he wasn't making anything separately either. The more I look back on it... We were perfect targets to be scapegoated."
"But you couldn't have gone inside the inner castle, right?"
"Hehe, inner castle. Calix, this is your first ti in the western desert, isn't it?"
Then suddenly, when the other party showed a sinister smile on his scarred face, one of Calix's eyebrows furrowed accordingly.
"...Is there no inner castle?"
"It's not that there's no inner castle. There are no walls."
"No walls?"
"Is it only walls that are missing? There are no borders either. The lords spanning the western desert are all like that. They're lords in na only, all of nomadic origin. Sticking to this side, then sticking to that side. They're people who originally survived by walking a tightrope between the Kalahim and Astria kingdoms."
The following warning is a bonus.
"But don't look down on them. People living in the desert, whether n or won, are those who know how to fight. Count Mozak is the sa. No matter what anyone says, he's a person living with his territory bordering the Kalahim Kingdom, right? Rumors say he's just like a madman, but on the other hand, it's also because of that appearance that he shows his dominance."
"You're saying he's that remarkable a person."
This is a story that can't be dismissed.
For an opponent whose allegiance - whether enemy or ally - hasn't been determined to be this outstanding.
Since it's content he doesn't want to accept readily, he listens even more carefully and stuffs it into his head. He couldn't miss a single word.
"Right. There's no lord who rules through fear alone. Count Mozak is exactly that kind of person. While he deals cruel punishnts to those who don't know their place, the reason he could remain a ruler for so long is that he treats his people generously. According to rumors, he even laughs off rudeness from capable people. What do you think?"
"It feels more frightening."
"Hehehe, so don't let your guard down. For my sake, too. I've bet 'almost all' my stakes on you."
"Almost all-?"
"It practically ans 'everything', I'm not just joking around. We mainly operate in the west, you see? The situation needs to be resolved well for us to receive the next commission. When you think about it, Calix, you're also different from your appearance, so I believe you'll do well. You're the person corresponding to the head of the Mountain Rabbits, aren't you? Make sure to persuade Count Mozak. For all of us."
"..."
However, it seed so misunderstanding had occurred.
"Oh, co to think of it, I haven't asked about you in detail. How many years have you been living as a rcenary? Three years? Four years? To fool
so completely, it must be at least-"
"...Half a year."
"Uh... Half a year? You don't an six months, do you? Does 'half a year' have a different aning in the central region?"
"That's correct. Actually, it hasn't even been six months."
"...You're not an official mber of the Mountain Rabbits?"
"That's also correct."
"Shit, no matter how much they're Mountain Rabbits, I bet my stakes on a rookie who hasn't even completed a year? Are you serious?"
Calix responds by shrugging his shoulders.
From the ashen expression to his subordinates looking at him with disdain, the spectacle was quite entertaining.
***
While the dangerous mont passed by, shaking off the Sand Ghost, the truly perilous mont begins with reaching Count Mozak's territory.
"...It was really true. There are only tents pitched in all directions, nothing else."
"I told you it was true. Anyway, we're withdrawing now. See you later."
"Go well. Let's not et again."
"If we don't et again, it ans sothing went wrong... Never mind. I don't want to see you either. I was talking to Calix, you fool!"
While Joltan and Volga bicker until the last mont, Calix looks around the count's territory located in the plains.
Joltan, the rcenary captain of Grima, spoke only the truth.
In the early dawn, hundreds of tents stood on land sparsely grown with grass. Children wandered outside from early on, and n mounted horses to drive livestock toward pastures.
In every way, it didn't look like they were preparing for war.
However, the mont Grima's rcenary group disappeared and Marquis Hoover's envoy group revealed their business, the situation changed rapidly.
Before long, dozens of cavalryn ca rushing out.
The atmosphere was too hostile to be welcoming to an envoy group.
"Follow us."
"We'll wait outside-"
"No, he said to bring all of you too."
"At least we should leave our luggage behind."
"Do so."
The Mountain Rabbits couldn't say it was good, even as empty words.
They were only allowed to leave their wagons on the outskirts, but all personnel had to go inside without exception.
"Sothing feels strange about the atmosphere? If he called Marquis Hoover's envoy, he called them, but is there a reason to call all rcenaries like us, too?"
"Damn. Things are going wrong from the start. We barely shook off those monster bastards, and now there's no ti to rest."
"Enough of that, just rember what the captain said."
"Don't eat or drink, don't let your guard down."
"Right. Let's not let our guard down."
The veteran rcenaries' murmuring quickly subsides. This mission was agreed upon by all mbers. Evaluating and judging should be done after the commission ends.
Of course, Calix also had to comfort the newcors under him.
At the center of the count's territory stands a massive tent. Large enough for about a hundred people to easily enter and still have room left. With security becoming increasingly tight, it was clearly Count Mozak's residence, which made so anxious.
"Calix."
"It's okay. Trust ."
"...Yes."
Fortunately, their trust in Calix didn't waver. The newcors closed their mouths without much objection, and the Mountain Rabbits soon entered the large tent with the envoy group.
The interior was decorated lavishly to display the count's authority.
Silver goblets and marble tables, silk carpets and dozens of flags hanging from the ceiling.
And at the end sat the owner of the count's territory.
He was very different from what they had imagined.
He was an old man with a gaunt and shabby build. His cheeks were sunken, making his cheekbones prominent, and dark shadows around his eyes gave a neurotic feeling.
"Pay homage! The person here is one born as a son of earth and wind. The ruler of vast sands born under heaven, the one who governs wanderers, and the great guardian of Count Mozak's territory! He is a wise diplomat who diates between the two great kingdoms of Kalahim and Astria, and his wisdom never extinguishes even in sandstorms and never dries up like oasis spring water! That glorious na is Lord Isamar Ten Mozak. Be grateful for his magnanimity and generosity in welcoming strangers!"
"...What the hell is that-"
Calix jabs his elbow into Volga's abdon to make him close his mouth. Honestly speaking, it was an unfamiliar culture to him, too.
Even in his childhood in the Niboria Empire, they didn't make such lengthy introductions.
But what's imdiately important is that about thirty knights are lined up around them.
'They're all blue. If by any chance a battle breaks out, how many could the captain and Gregor handle.'
Including the personnel emitting green light - that is, the shadows cast on the tent surface - at least 200 or more forces were on standby.
'Even if escape is possible, almost everyone would die. We must avoid conflict as much as possible.'
Then, does the count want to kill the envoy group?
In Calix's opinion, that's not the case.
'If he didn't intend to have a conversation, there would have been no need to et at all. Though the atmosphere is different from expectations, displaying troops is probably for psychological pressure. The best case would be for negotiations, and even in the worst case, he probably hasn't made up his mind yet. The envoy's role is important.'
Unfortunately, the situation flows differently from expectations.
Tuk.
Count Mozak reads Marquis Hoover's letter, then drops it to the floor without any change of expression. For the envoy group, this is rudeness itself.
"...Count Mozak."
"I understood Marquis Hoover's intentions well enough. But isn't there proper content? Tell
who will guard the empty territory, what the war plan is, and how the aftermath will be handled. Only then can I fulfill my duty."
Count Mozak spoke like a noble.
How will you compensate for the losses that follow troop mobilization?
In his childhood, this was 'speaking in circles' he had experienced plenty at the Marquis Ashapel house. And the envoy presented his prepared answer.
"Naturally, we will pay a reasonable price."
"Now proper talk is coming out. In what way?"
"Marquis Hoover's daughter is seeking a connection. Her wounded heart has healed, so she wishes to welco a respectable person as her husband. What are your thoughts, Count?"
"...Hmm, I once had feelings for Marquis Hoover's daughter. Is she still not remarried?"
"Yes. By embracing Kriya's bosom and offering prayers, she has washed away her wounds, so now she's ready to follow fate."
"Oh my, that's fortunate news indeed."
Sothing is strange.
'Why such a reaction?'
While the two people exchange conversation, Calix detects subtle crackling sounds. The sentences themselves are flawless, but negative anings were hidden throughout.
Kkeuhehehehe.
Sure enough, the count lets out a sinister laugh at so point.
"But is that all?"
"Pardon?"
"How can I raise myself for such a trivial price? A man cannot abandon great causes for a woman."
"Please reconsider. Being connected by blood is beneficial for both sides, and intangible compensation follows as well. I didn't co here simply to force honor and duty upon you-"
"Right, as you say, I have various duties. There's duty toward above, and duty toward even higher above."
"Higher above ans... Surely you don't an Duke Saitz?"
"I never said such a thing. Marquis Hoover sent a rude person."
Around that ti, Calix notices a heterogeneous phenonon.
Not only Count Mozak's disappointed tone, but also his neural accelerator's light seed very weak.
Emitting blue light, but faded like a setting sunset, appearing closer to sky blue.
Just then, text from the neural accelerator floated before his eyes.
[User request confird]
[Opponent's neural accelerator identification complete]
[Poor quality individual confird]
[Confird as 'Kasiya Wanderer', a degraded version of the Kalahim desert-specific device 'Kasiya Nomad']
[Output specifications estimated between '2.1' and '2.8']
[So functions were lost due to the identification target's physical problems]
[Opponent user's magic power is dying out]
[Self-recovery impossible. Neutralized state]
That was it.
He's not soone blinded by ambition but... Dying.
"Count, I earnestly request your reconsideration. This marriage relationship will bring enormous benefits to both Hoover and Mozak. Your influence will extend throughout the desert..."
"Still, it's an unpleasant eting."
"..."
That's why he responds with such an indifferent expression. Marriage and such are no longer important matters.
Accordingly, Calix uses this small but important hint as a reference point to think from the opponent's position. What does Count Mozak truly want?
The puzzle is quickly solved.
'He doesn't want change. He doesn't want to deal with Marquis Hoover, but he also didn't mobilize troops to attack him. In other words, rather than getting involved in war, he wants to secure the succession structure before he dies. But he can't remain neutral either. It's a clash between the giant houses of Saitz and Hoover. Both sending troops and not sending troops are problematic.'
Therefore, the count wants to obtain an answer.
Words that can soothe his fear of death - that terrible fear of possibly losing his power forever.
"I ask again. Is this all? Don't you have more to say?"
"...I will give you dominion over the desert."
"Dominion? Sand belongs to no one."
"..."
"Still, let
hear it. Who wants this old man's protection?"
"Selkir and Entang, two places. If it's Count Mozak, your reputation is not lacking..."
The envoy brings out his final proposal, but Count Mozak, approaching sixty, laughs as if it's absurd.
"Kkeukheuk. Selkir aside, Entang isn't a place that needs Hoover's permission. Offering to give
land that's not even certain to belong to Astria? Is it greed or recklessness?"
"Build fortresses in those two places. I will provide stone materials touched by mages' hands."
Seeing the old man hesitate, it was certainly an unexpected proposal for him, too. If he had been given sufficient ti, he would have accepted.
"...Disappointing. Really disappointing. I thought you'd at least offer the Wind Fortress."
"Count Mozak, the Wind Fortress is not a place that can be touched at Marquis Hoover's will. Since you're fighting against Kalahim, you know this better than anyone."
"That's exactly why I'm saying this."
"What..."
"It's true that you brought quite decent conditions. But you don't even know what the other party wants, do you?"
However, Marquis Hoover's envoy doesn't know all these facts. Not knowing that the old man is dying, he only shows signs of panic while breaking out in cold sweat.
Soon, he looks around as if searching for soone, but before that, Count Mozak adds in a sarcastic tone.
"Hmm, looking for Engge? That bastard is dead. He had to pay the price for acting on his own without knowing his master's will."
"That, that..."
"Why are you surprised? The Marquis Hoover house, renowned for fairness, wouldn't have conspired with a rotten rat, would it?"
"..."
From the pale complexion to the tightly shut mouth.
With this, the Marquis's house plan is completely ruined.
The negotiation is over.
"I can join forces with the weak, but I cannot fight alongside foolish ones. If you have nothing more to say, let's end the conversation here."
"..."
"Mm, no... Should I give others a chance, too? Anyone is fine. If you can persuade , I'll accept it. Consider it my last loyalty to Marquis Hoover's house."
Then suddenly, the count looks around the tent with his gaunt face.
There were so who briefly t eyes with his final proposal, but they couldn't withstand the fierce gaze and were busy avoiding it.
The Mountain Rabbits also t gazes one by one. None could step forward confidently, and while Commander Royce and Vice-Captain Marik flinched, that was all.
They were prepared to draw their swords, but persuading a noble wasn't sothing that could be done with courage alone.
The sa was true for Calix.
'Is this a position I should step into? No, I must step forward. Otherwise, the worst situation will occur. The damage will be uncontrollable.'
His contemplation is deep but short.
Seuwik.
When so pale young man stood up and t his gaze, Count Mozak's wrinkled finger pointed at him.
"..."
"..."
"...You there, do you have sothing to say?"
Fortunately, he caught his interest.
Calix forgets the many eyes focused on him and cools his mind. What's needed now is nothing other than the raw truth.
The ergence of a new great chief, he overheard in Marquis Hoover's territory, the characteristics of central nobles he heard from the Mountain Rabbits' veteran rcenaries, rumors about the Niboria Empire's invasion he heard from fishern, the characteristics of desert cavalry he obtained from Joltan, and even Count Mozak's personal characteristics.
He carves away the disorderly and unclear fragnts, reprocesses them... And uses them to persuade the opponent.
And Calix knew what noble conversation thods were.
"The central nobles... They are not few in number."
The beginning is a cold warning.
If you cooperate with Duke Saitz, his subordinates won't stay quiet when they enter the west.
"Indeed, those bastards are greedy. So?"
"Also, even if you can shake off the central nobles' influence, you must consider whether your hands can reach throughout the entire west."
The west doesn't only have desert terrain. Marquis Hoover's territory alone is a humid region along rivers. Cal cavalry couldn't govern all regions.
To put it briefly, taking Duke Saitz's hand would be foolish.
"You bastard! How dare you in this place-"
"Tsk tsk tsk, shh."
"I'm, I'm sorry."
Count Mozak rebukes his subordinate while not relaxing his hardened expression. It's worth listening to.
So far.
"Then you're saying I should lend a hand to Marquis Hoover's victory. No one expects the west to win."
"Yes. However, not achieving victory doesn't an defeat. Since the sandstorm is calm, ti is on the count's side."
"...Right, that's true. A new great chief of the Kalahim Kingdom has appeared. That side will be quiet. But that alone is insufficient."
Justification accumulates steadily.
By the gap of information that Count Mozak, isolated in the western desert, doesn't know, but Calix does know.
"Also, winter isn't far away. Even marketplace rchants and riverside fishern are ntioning the na Ashapel. Do you know this?"
"Ashapel, you don't an..."
"Yes. The Niboria Empire's invasion is imminent."
"..."
"Of course, Duke Saitz's house is strong. I understand your concerns. But think about it. Can they bring down the 'Silver Marika' before winter cos? Those towering walls touched by mages' hands?"
"...Your words are correct. If the Niboria Empire invades, internal power struggles beco aningless. Then what should I do?"
"Do nothing."
"...?"
"Betrayal is the worst move, and fulfilling duty becos a burden, so just remain subrged in the sand without choosing anything like now. Though you know better than anyone that this is impossible."
"..."
While the count's vassals rage again at the intentional provocation, Calix doesn't take his eyes off the party concerned.
When you think about it, the mine supervisor and the old man before his eyes aren't very different. The forr was obsessed with the power called a whip, and the latter is rely obsessed with ans for the continuation of power.
And when you possess the answer the other party wants, a certain level of rudeness actually becos a stepping stone.
"Quiet!"
Kkadak, kkadak.
"You, co closer."
When the count calls him with a gesture of curling his index finger, Calix passes by the half-dazed Volga and soon walks to the center, receiving the gazes of many n.
The old man of noble birth wanted to hear a little more of his words.
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