Awakening the Great Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Greed

Thud, thud.

Calix acts calm and composed.

As he reaches within three or four steps of Count Mozak, the neural accelerators of the knights standing around begin to fluctuate.

A stable and bright cluster of light, different from that of rcenaries.

If he were to do anything foolish, dozens of blades would co pouring down in an instant.

"You rebuke an old man's worries with youthful vigor. Though impertinent... Those are correct words. As you say, doing nothing is worse than choosing either side. That is precisely my dilemma. Then you must also possess the answer."

"......"

"Why do you remain silent, young man? Speak."

However, there was no need to fear.

The die had been cast long ago, and if his speculation was wrong, there would have been no reason for the Count to summon him in the first place.

Now he had to focus on persuading his opponent.

"I have already shared my limited insight. Taking Duke Saitz's hand is possible, but it is not a wise choice."

"However, that does not constitute a reason to support Marquis Hoover's hand."

"That is correct. However, fair trade is possible. That very fact is what matters. Mozak, you are the ruler of the desert. Because this land is a barren land of death, people only converse in the face of faith and trust."

"......Heh heh, you speak as if you know the desert well."

His words were correct.

Calix did not know much about the desert. Instead, he knew well what his opponent wanted and what kind of story he wished to hear.

"So make a deal with Marquis Hoover."

"Ridiculous. A deal? What kind? Isn't he asking

to sacrifice the lives of the Desert Cavalry? What could possibly be placed on the scales to balance that?"

"I spoke of a deal, not of sacrificing the lives of the Desert Cavalry. Duke Saitz is a clever person. If he cannot end the war with House Hoover in a short ti......"

"There would be no war in the first place."

"Yes. From that perspective, the status of the Desert Cavalry is deeply connected to your dilemma, Count. Their lives are not important. At least not after war breaks out. But if it's now, their re existence would hold value."

"......!"

The old man is an evil ruler.

A man who blocked sandstorms with fear and terror.

And this ant he was clever enough to imdiately understand Calix's words.

"The Desert Cavalry is making a move. Would that be sufficient?"

There was no need to add an answer. Regardless of the distinction between good and evil, he was a born ruler who knew how to acknowledge his own mistakes.

The approaching death had rely clouded his vision for a mont.

"Yes, indeed. How did I think so complicatedly? If the cavalry moves toward Marquis Hoover's territory, that alone would be a ssage. Saitz would have to consider the invasion of the Niboria Empire. There was no need to fight."

At this, the envoy from House Hoover suddenly adds with a brightened face.

It was a rash action.

"As you know, House Hoover is fair and trustworthy. We—"

"However, wouldn't Duke Saitz offer a greater price?"

"Co, Count Mozak! That man is an evil human. How can you try to join hands with him!"

The old man's weapon lies in his cunning. Rather than being innately given, it was an ability demanded by his position and status.

"It is precisely because he is evil that I would join hands with him. If he learns of this fact, wouldn't he pay an even greater price? For example, if we were to kill all the envoys?"

A few words could feel this heavy.

Calix feels the instantly nacing atmosphere on his skin.

Indeed, Count Mozak had summoned them 'to decide' If he could not persuade him, he would kill them all and then side with Duke Saitz.

The choice was entirely his.

No, it appeared to be his.

That part needed to be twisted.

"You neither answer nor act? Are you perhaps afraid to draw your sword?"

"......"

After a mont of silence, Calix responds in a calm tone.

"Your choice, Count, belongs to you alone."

"Is that all? How disappointing."

"Also, the sa applies to Marquis Hoover."

"......?"

"Lady Saba Hoover must remarry. The question is who that partner will be. Surely, it won't be a noble from the central or southern regions."

It's a blatant lie, but also a chilling threat.

There are no nobles with strong power in the northern region of the Astria Kingdom, and if nobles from the central and southern regions are excluded as well... House Hoover would have only one place left to ally with.

Beyond the border, the great chieftains of the Kingdom of Kalahim.

Sure enough, his opponent beca enraged just by ntioning this indirectly.

Crack!

For the first ti since the conversation began, strength enters Count Mozak's grip. The old man's hands, with prominent blood vessels, looked as if they would crush sothing at any mont.

"You wretch! How dare, how dare you speak of beyond the desert? You would bring in the great chieftains with marriage as the price? That is treason! Betrayal against the Astria Kingdom! I overlooked your rudeness, but now you crawl up without knowing your place!"

He rises from his seat and spews out his anger. Spittle flying in all directions and his hands gesturing wildly—he appears thoroughly enraged.

The envoy of Marquis Hoover shoots piercing glares as if asking, 'what the hell is this nonsense', but Calix takes another step forward with an expressionless face.

He instinctively felt that he must not retreat here.

It was ti to play his trump card.

"Isamar Ten Mozak."

"......!"

"Everyone makes choices in their own way. Just as you do, the Marquis can also choose. Whether it's treason or betrayal, he can do anything to survive. Surely you wouldn't be unaware of that fact."

Shing—

The mont he crossed the line of courtesy, the Count's knights drew their swords, and the Mountain Rabbit also drew their weapons in unison, following Commander Royce.

A tension so sharp it could cut flesh.

Now everyone knows.

One wrong word and a tragedy would unfold.

Fortunately, the old man chose to satisfy his curiosity rather than punish Calix's rudeness.

"......Did you send envoys beyond the desert as well? What I an is, am I asking if it's already too late to decide?"

"House Hoover moved early, but it's not too late yet. So choose. Duke Saitz or Marquis Hoover?"

"Sharp urging. In one way, it sounds like you're threatening . If war breaks out, it becos a race against ti, and if I join hands with Duke Saitz, I'll be attacked from both sides. Even if we win, it would be Duke Saitz's victory, not Mozak's victory. Clever. Truly clever. To make it so that I have no choice but to join hands even when there's nothing to gain."

The Count's montum had diminished sowhat, but with the atmosphere in the room still nacing, Calix presents an alternative at this point.

He needed to remind him that making a deal with Marquis Hoover would not be a loss.

"There is sothing to gain. Because Lady Hoover remains."

"What glory would an old man like

pursue by marrying Lady Hoover? The ambitions of my youth have crumbled in the sandstorm."

"You have an heir, don't you?"

"That is... A aningless story. My grown sons died in battle against those Kalahim Kingdom bastards, and my youngest cannot fully handle the influence of House Hoover as he has not yet matured."

Count Mozak worries that after his death, his youngest son would be devoured by Marquis Hoover. In Calix's view, it's an excessive concern.

"The world changes depending on what standards you use to view it by. Such is the case with the usefulness of the Desert Cavalry, and the sa applies to the marriage proposal of the Marquis's daughter. Unite her with your heir, but do not bring her within your own walls."

"Not bring her in?"

"Yes. Both families should be satisfied with just a symbolic marriage relationship. Mozak's heir will gain legitimacy and external prestige, and until he matures, he can use the fact that he's Marquis Hoover's son-in-law as a shield."

"......,"

"Now it's ti for you to decide. I ask you one last ti, Lord Mozak. Saitz or Hoover?"

Imdiately after, Calix closes his mouth and says nothing at all. Under the pouring gazes of those around him, Count Mozak's sharp eyes pierce through to his core, but... He responds only with silence.

Because the one who is hesitating and afraid is not Calix himself.

Choice and decision belong to his opponent.

Though this is a very irreverent attitude, it leaves a profoundly deep impression.

"......Sheathe your swords."

"......"

"I said sheathe them."

Shing, click.

The Count lets out a voice, suddenly drained of strength, and plops down heavily in his chair. Regardless of how he had been thinking, he acknowledged that the board was already set.

Yes.

He could be spiteful, but he was too old to pursue ambition.

"Fine. Let's make a deal. I'll go with sending the Desert Cavalry."

"A wise decision."

"......Just one more thing. Marquis Hoover is famous for his upright character; he's not the type to sche like this. Did this plan co from your head?"

"I am—"

"No, before that. Who are you? Who are you to tornt an old man like this?"

"......I am rely a rcenary."

"A rcenary, a rcenary! Ha! You claim to be rely a rcenary?"

Naturally, Count Mozak did not believe it.

From the process of seizing opportunities to his refined manner of speaking, his ability to orchestrate grand sches, and his boldness in the face of crisis, he had too much of an aristocratic character to be a re rcenary.

"If that's true, co to . Isn't it a waste to remain as just a rcenary? I'll give you desert beauties, wealth, and above all, glory."

"If you speak of glory......"

"I an I'll grant you a title. Hmm, I can demand it as a trading condition from Marquis Hoover. I'll use one of them for you. How about it?"

"I'm sorry."

Many words are not needed.

"I am a Mountain Rabbit. If I enter within the walls, I would surely bring sha to your reputation, Count."

"......"

"I gratefully accept your sentint alone."

The Count slowly closes and opens his eyes, then nods his head.

The firm refusal convinced him that this was not a re rcenary, and his lofty pride would not allow him to make a second offer.

"Enough, let's end this gathering here. I'll have a private audience with Marquis Hoover's envoy."

"A wise decision."

"......Withdraw."

Therefore, the next order of business becos coordinating the trading conditions with Marquis Hoover's side, and only then do the Mountain Rabbit regain the right to leave the tent.

***

Despite safely exiting the tent that had been full of the sll of death, there were no cheers. Instead, the veteran rcenaries only glanced at Calix.

While stepping forward on his own at a gathering where the rcenary company's fate was at stake deserved reprimand, his achievent was too great to scold him.

Therefore, as always, the decision belonged to Commander Royce.

And he looks at Calix quietly and begins to speak.

"Calix, you are truly outstanding."

"......"

"I did well to bring you then. You were excellent."

At this, Calix suddenly feels an unfamiliar emotion.

It wasn't that he had never been praised before, but hearing praise from soone who was ahead of him created unknown ripples in his heart.

His face reddens, and he scratches his head with an awkward expression.

How should he put it.

It felt like receiving praise from a father he had never t even once.

"It just... Happened to work out well."

At this, Priestess Ella steps forward and adds,

"You're being modest. But both brilliant monts and lacking aspects are part of who you are."

"Ella's words are correct. No matter how outstanding or lacking, nothing changes. In the end, we're all Mountain Rabbis."

Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Gregor personally steps forward to shatter the conversation that was nothing if not serious.

"Leader comrade. Are you following the cook comrade's words again?"

"......"

However, the awkward atmosphere is brief. A middle-aged man in neat attire approaches the Antelopes, drawing everyone's attention.

"I sincerely welco the travelers who ca riding the wind. I am Lahiti, a servant attending Count Mozak. I have co under orders to serve our honored guests."

By now, considerable ti had passed, and the desert twilight, mixed with gold and crimson, was slowly fading, when they entered the tent under Lahiti's guidance.

Though not as massive as Count Mozak's residence, it was large enough to accommodate dozens of people with room to spare. And within it, a luxurious banquet was prepared.

"Wow, this is impressive."

"......Indeed."

The ceiling was embroidered with gold thread, sparkling like stars, and in the wide central space, fresh fruits and at seasoned with herbs, honey-sweetened water, and elegant wine cups were neatly arranged.

More than anything else, desert won dressed in what could be described as 'scraps of cloth' captured the Antelopes' attention.

"Was it Lahiti?"

"Yes, my lord."

"Hmm, are we free to eat as we please?"

"Of course. There must be no deficiency before the na of Mozak. Please enjoy yourselves comfortably."

Nod.

Ahahahahaha!

Soon after the Commander's permission was given, the Antelopes, regardless of whether they were veterans or newcors, rushed toward the banquet hall.

anwhile, Calix does not hastily take a step.

It's not that he suspects Count Mozak of plotting sothing strange, but rather because the Count's intention was all too transparently visible to him.

"Please co this way. I'll escort you to the seat of honor."

"......No. I think you only need to escort the Commander. I'm just a regular mber—"

"The young master has requested a eting. He will arrive soon, so please co up with the command. The Count specifically said to et you."

"......"

The Count still wanted Calix.