In the old dwarf language, there was a word . It was used when referring to things that were predetermined, that were fate.
When they saw the envoys rushing towards them holding white flags in the distance, the dwarves could not help but murmur that old word.
. . .
So of the younger dwarves said more directly,
Damn it. . .
. . .How undignified.
.
It was natural for the disadvantaged side to attempt negotiations. Neither Johan nor the rcenary captains under Johan were particularly surprised.
The problem was what kind of negotiations they were attempting!
Will you pay all the ransom and pay for the insult?
Yes, Your Excellency.
Nonsense.
When Johan scoffed mockingly, the envoy flinched. There was a custom not to kill envoys, but that did not prevent fear.
Moreover, having personally witnessed Johan slaughtering soldiers and charging, the envoy was even more afraid.
Tell your master. Open the gates and co out in person to kneel before . Then I will promise rcy.
. . . . . .
The envoy wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead. Johans prestige was more than enough. But for his master, it was an offer that could not be accepted.
The mont he ca out and knelt, Jekyllids fate would be in Johans hands. No one knew whether he would be executed on the spot, taken sowhere far away and imprisoned.
The noble who had strutted about as the master of the hundred kingdoms would never accept such a humiliating offer.
If hostages are needed, I will offer the bloodline of my house.
I dont need them. The count must co out himself.
Johan was frustrated.
With an extrely advantageous situation, there was no need to make concessions unlike an unfavorable situation.
The hundred kingdoms stuck to the south had always been a thorny presence. They posed irritation by turning into pirates at tis, rchants at other tis, and invaders at yet other tis.
The southern nobles did not have the ans to leave them alone, but Johan did. Now that the opportunity presented itself, he would make sure to grab them.
How great of you, Your Excellency. There is no need to show rcy to these pagan b*stards.
The republic envoy opened his mouth with a satisfied look on his face. They were the ones making huge profits from trade with the pagans, so they were in no place to say this.
There was only one reason why they were saying this.
It was because the current situation favored the republic.
, .
The republic envoy thought to himself. To be honest, it was fortunate that he was an ally, if he thought of him as an enemy, his heart would have dropped.
Those in the holand of the republic might react nonchalantly, saying , , . However, the thoughts of those who witnessed it on site were completely different.
The valor Count Yeats showed on the battlefield could not simply be explained as that of a knight. There was sothing transcendental that chilled the bones of onlookers and made them flee in terror.
The power to tear apart the majority and shake them in a place where screams erupted from all sides and arrows rained down, with the strength of one individual, was nothing short of mythological.
.
The republic wanted to maintain as good relations as possible with Count Yeats if they could.
The two had many common enemies. The Emperor of the Holy Empire, the petty kingdoms of the eastern peninsula, the declining descendants of the ancient Empire, and the strongest and most threatening enemy, the Empire of the East. . .
The republic, with its base deep inside the Edene Sea, wanted fighters who would fight instead outside.
If Johan were to beco the hegemon of the south, nothing could be better.
And. . .
, .
This place was completely different from the south. The authority of the Order did not work here, rather it only obstructed. While there would be those who would switch sides watching how things developed, there would also be quite a few houses who would uphold their honor and loyalty.
Additionally, Johan seed intent on completely destroying the Jekyllid house out of fury and religious zeal.
.
If that were to happen, the houses that turned their backs might also get angry and start a rebellion. Honor and justification were important to the pagans as well.
If that happened, the hundred kingdoms would continue to tornt Count Yeats, and the only place Count could ask for help would be the republic.
A place that continuously trades with the nobles of these Northern Lands, possesses a fleet, and also has the ability to persuade!
When negotiations ended, the republic would welco it. After all, there was no way this expedition would end in defeat. Seeing Johan, it didnt seem at all like he would lose. . .
If so, it was best to consider the gains that would follow.
May I offer a piece of advice?
Johan nodded. Ahir carefully opened his mouth.
There will be considerable pushback among the vassals of the hundred kingdoms if you wipe out the Jekyllid family.
What do you an?
Hmm?
Hmm?
Ahir looked at Johan with puzzlent. Rumors were raging wildly around the camp. It was because of the incident where the envoy who had co to request negotiations was humiliated and chased away.
Even among the nobles held hostage, the rumor was circulating.
Emir. . . I an, the Count has to pay the price. I cant just let soone who openly insulted my honor go. But I dont intend to wipe out the Counts family. Why would I do that?
Regardless of the republics misunderstanding, Johan was extrely rational. Even dealing with the Count was necessary for that reason, he didnt really have much personal resentnt.
He wasnt the type to get worked up just because soone else insulted his honor.
I-I was mistaken.
No need to make unnecessary concessions when theres nothing to regret.
It would be good if the other party completely surrendered and opened the gates, but if not, he was prepared to clash as it was. Johan didnt like wasting his strength, but sotis it was necessary to properly demonstrate his power.
The scene of breaking down the Counts walls and dragging him out would make it very clear to the people around here who the master was.
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