Chapter 368

Chapter 368: War?!

“Since Lord Treeda’s daughter, Trada, was the region’s king until she was recently and unjustly slain,” Jarrit added, “she’ll also pressure the Nova Prefecture to compensate her as part of the negotiations.”

“That’s correct,” confirmed the man.

“So regardless of what we do, our territory will be fought over by three prefectures?” Bradok laughed some more, “You and that brat really found quite the place!”

“But now you know what will be coming your way, at least for the time being... Sadly, this incident will give the Tempest Prefecture a chance to sweep their treachery under the rug, for the most part.”

“And we just won our first war...” Vloz scoffed at their bad luck.

Ania was downtrodden, unsure of what was the best plan of action. “Should we... just hand it all over?”

The man shrugged. “No matter what you try, the quadrant will send someone to investigate and the quadrant will decide whatever it wants. You’ll have absolutely no say in the matter... Such is the protocol for interprefectural affairs. The desires of a small territory will likely mean nothing to them.

.....

“And the most important thing will be keeping the gorilla clan safe during the process.”

“What do you-”

“The Toxic-Shadow and Tempest Prefectures will both be sending groups for representation...” Zelsh added. “The Nova Prefecture will do the same, but you’ll still be in danger. There’s no telling what Tempest will do once invited into your homes or who they will send.”

“Then why will my father be a target for assassination?!”

Glancing at Donovan, the man nodded softly. “That’s for a different matter... But given how Rot Region borders the Nova Prefecture-”

“I’ll be the Toxic-shadow Prefecture’s representative,” concluded Zelsh, finishing the man’s statement.

Donovan still shook his head. “But why would that merit being-”

“You don’t know everything about me or what I do. And I’ll keep it that way so I’m the only target,” Zelsh remarked. “Is that understood, Son?”

“D-Dad-”

“Is that understood?!”

“Yes... Dad.” Donovan swallowed his concerns, unable to voice them further.

Continuing, the man stood up and began pacing around the room, “While the entire world is preparing for the upcoming mortal tournament, the Iron Territory will be facing some of the harshest conditions yet...”

“Now, there is a possibility that the war breaks out after the tournament, but investigations will take place,” added the man. “If anything, that’s the outcome we will strive for.”

Blinking, Vloz tilted his head in thought. “Why is that?”

“The mortal tournament is the most important event to take place between prefectures, and even between the quadrants. Should your territory have a strong enough candidate, then perhaps you’ll gain the favor of the West God and be granted a period of peace for the sake of your candidate.”

“Seriously?!” Puula shouted, understanding what the man was hinting at. “How could a tournament be so important?!?”

“Because you have a candidate with perfect affinity...” Zelsh replied with a slow nod. “If that were the case, then the dispute would be postponed until the tournament ended and the magicite mine would be closed until the appropriate time for the dispute. It’s a brilliant idea.”

“But Netra-”

“Netra is a genius, to say the least,” Jarrit added, catching Puula off guard. “To have someone of her caliber come out of a back-woods territory is virtually unpredictable. Sure, proving it will be difficult, but it will save Iron Territory for the time being.”

“That...” Puula stared down at the table. “But won’t such a test be dangerous?”

“Oh, you can be certain.” The man continued, showing Puula’s emotions no mercy, “To prove such a thing, they’ll have Netra face another top-rank competitor, someone already predicted to blow past all qualifiers and rank well in the final tournament. And such a test may even push her to the brink of death...”

“NO!”

“Puula...” Vloz used his tail to rub the fox’s back, doing his best to calm her. “I... I’m not certain what’s best either. But what would happen without Netra facing such a test? There’s a chance that we’re attacked from the inside, or that our territory is put on the front lines of prefectural war, which could annihilate our entire territory, including Netra...”

“Regardless of what Netra chooses, your territory and regions will be pressured. Whether it happens now or in three years’ time, you’ll all be facing challenges unlike anything you’ve seen prior. And sadly,” added the man, “I’ll struggle to protect you during it all.”

Immediately, Ania’s stomach sank as if filled with hundreds of stones. “Why’s that?”

“I’m only able to help you while I’m undiscovered. But the attention of the quadrant is something I must avoid at all costs,” answered the man, leaving many at the table with a hole in their resolve. “Should I be found out, then prefectural war will be the least of your worries...”

Before everyone could fully grasp the weight of his statement, the man continued, “I’ll still be helping from the shadows. But I won’t be able to act as openly as I’d prefer. The best thing we can do is postpone the war. Then, we’ll all be in a better position to deal with these issues.”

Ania opened her mouth but stopped herself from sharing her reactionary thought.

However, Puula thought similarly and didn’t refrain from asking, “What about Oli? Can’t he-”

“NO!!!” The entire room shook from the man’s voice, despite the lack of echo.

Shaken, Puula quivered and asked, “But... Isn’t Oli a better-”

“Netra is the only person able to do this. That is all,” stated the man, silencing all thoughts of discussion. But the man quickly looked to Jeminine and sighed in displeasure. “Jeminine... I’m sorry for getting you involved in even more secretive matters, but the knowledge privy to your position, mixed with your natural curiosity, has sadly brought you to the correct conclusion...”

“Wh-what?” Puula questioned, startled to see the change of atmosphere at the table.

Taking a deep breath, the man looked Puula in the eye. “I’ll say this once, since like daughter, like mother. Never mention Oli in front of anyone unknowing of his current whereabouts. NEVER!”