novelraw Chapter 284 - 283 - Removing Gnats
Chapter 284 - 283 - Removing Gnats
The meeting room had a massive table set up for all the envoys. Lind sat at the head with Cyntilla and Ethry behind him. Callisto was only with herself. She was powerful without a question. Rathi was the same which made it clear they sat at the same level.
Lysanna was with Wyndam next to her. The Calim twins had old men standing behind them that Lind understood were distant relatives sent to guard them on their journey. The King of Seluthir was present with his son next to him.
Finally, near Lind, was Tessa. Kalen was in isolation training his new form and mastering it.
The principles were present but Lind did not start the meeting, he nodded to Tessa.
"I have been granted the right to host this meeting. I want to start with several issues involving Tur and Seluthir. It is my understanding that the mines are nearly dried up in Seluthir and that our findings were false, is that correct Lord Rathi?" All heads swiveled to the finely featured demon who slowly nodded.
"We initiated the rumors that brought the interest of Seluthir to Tur and Calim Empire as well. Although, I would state that the Calim Empire was more interested in Master Frey." The twins wanted to object but the aura of Rathi made them flinch.
Lind then turned to the King of Seluthir. The powerful man looked angry but Lind made him flinch despite being a Gold Tier versus an Iron Tier.
"I have several slips and scrolls confirming the state of your mines as well as the source of your funds. I have already negotiated forgiveness of your debts. What remains are your intentions to Princess Lysanna, Lady Tessa, and their highnesses from Calim." The more Lind spoke, the deeper the crimson blush went on the king's face.
The pressure from those 3 sets of powers were now solely on him. The large King looked like a mix of frustration and rage battling out in his heart. The man had allowed his kingdom to be essentially bait so he could continue to get what he wanted while looking like he had a lot to give.
If Tur had accepted the proposal, with no mention of the mine's quality ever coming up, Tur would have been enraged at the betrayal but not powerful enough to break it. Tessa's interest would have not only been burned by a lack of the Chimeric Accords, but also losing her brother to the machinations of the Demon Empire.
The Cygnus Clan would not have been able to openly wipe out the kingdom but the royal family would likely not have survived a week.
The Calim Empire would have possibly given up his prized twin daughters to a useless man and his even more useless kingdom. Of all the powers present, the Calim Empire had the strength and authority in such an instance to wipe out Seluthir.
It begged the question of what the king was thinking, but Lind had an idea on that. It was common on Earth but with a twist. The Demon Empire had likely made their resources contingent on following the scheme they would lay out.
He doubted they explained it all, but what mattered to Seluthir was that it could maintain its prestige, such as it was. Their pride would not let them see the grave that had been dug with their own hands.
An effective leader is not always the center of attention. An effective leader deals with reality and makes the best choices possible. The mine drying up was a fact that could happen. If the kingdom prepared or had other sources of revenue to tide them over, they could have had time as cultivators to find a solution.
Even a request to the Moebius Sect would have been easier to endure than the current situation.
Vell looked sickly pale. Despite his youth, he grasped the gravity of his position. His father, on the other hand, seemed ready to defend his position.
"We are looking to forge–" The king's words were stopped by a terrifying aura. Tessa had brought her brother out for tempering and possibly to pressure the Seluthir Kingdom into agreeing to her offer. The threat of an unhappy brother in law with a powerful future was not a small thing.
Now, she exercised her full strength and the terror of her Arts. Lind did nothing to stop her as it was solely focused on the foolish king.
"You seem to think you have hope. Let me tell you reality. The moment you lied to my Clan, all your hopes died. The moment the Calim Empire was put into this awkward situation, those hopes were incinerated beyond any chance of revival." She then glanced at Lind Frey before seeing him nod slightly. "The worst, however, was provoking Master Frey. He may not be the strongest individual, but his sect has quickly risen to a peak power in the 3 continents"
Blood drained from the king's face with her every word but shock flashed as if it never occurred to the man he would offend the Moebius Sect.
"That is sufficient, Lady Tessa. I believe he has received the message." Lind pulled her back and all were quick to note she obeyed him instantly. Flickers of eyes and some worried glances between the twins made Lind sigh internally. It was a large part of why he hated politics.
Simple honesty and respect was never enough for politicians. There always had to be a scheme, or possibly an attempt to reach some ephemeral goal only they could see behind each action.
"M-master Frey, I never intended–" the King of Seluthir was now pale as a ghost but Lind did not care.
"I am aware, your majesty, that you had a very narrow view of the situation. I am lenient as no permanent damage has been done, but you have 1 year to get your house in order or I suspect your reign will come to an end." Lind looked around the table. "One way or the other."
A shiver down the king's well muscled body made him seem small. A low Gold Tier was only an ant even those some at the table could not match his cultivation.
"Unless there is any other need to address, Seluthir is dismissed from this meeting." A flinch was the only response the king had before bowing in the silent and oppressive atmosphere. Vell never looked up nor tried to. He followed his father out and their servants followed.
"I would take it as a personal favor if that year of grace is honored." Lind was looking up at no one in particular but all understood he was asking for a favor for all he had shared over the last 90 years and more.
The silence was much lighter as all took a breath to calm down.
"Now, before reaching the key issue, I am afraid I must address myself to the Calim Empire. Your highnesses, Princess Pelea and Princess Yaren. It is a pleasure to formally meet you." The 2 girls' eyes widened as Lind had correctly identified them. Very few outside their family could do that!
Lind's confused look made them blush deeply in embarrassment. They were very enamored of the sect master!
"Our pardon, thank you for greeting us Master Frey. Also, how could you tell us apart?" Lind looked confused again and glanced to his left at Wyndam. The young man had a pleasant smile but Lind recognized it as one of his pranks.
"Sigh, it is not so much me telling you apart but that Prince Wyndam is a close friend who shares his observations with me occasionally. He gave me a complete rundown of your Empire for me at my request which included both of you." Lind then smiled evilly in his heart. "Really, he was so precise that only with that help I could tell you apart. So if you want the full details, you should ask him." Lind glanced over and so did the rest of the table.
Wyndam paled while Lysanna giggled behind a coughing fit. Cyntilla also shook a bit while the twins looked at Wyndam with interest. How did he tell them apart so perfectly?
"Now, to be a little blunt, while you were baited out, your father seemed clever enough to realize it and use it. Am I correct?" Both women slowly nodded but now with a little trepidation. Lind smirked at the concerned faces but then turned to a slim man in the group behind them.
"I wonder if your father would like to speak for himself?" Shock flooded the room as even Callisto did not realize such a cultivator had snuck in. The slim man flinched then smiled wide. His teeth were very white compared to his very dark skin.
The image dispersed to reveal a much more fit older man but his vitality was very clearly strong. His aura as a mid-Diamond Tier was now clear.
"How did you know?" Emperor Calim did not add an honorific title but Lind did not mind. He then flicked his hands to show what was clearly nearly peak grade 4 Qi dancing at his fingertips easily.
"While I am not fully recovered, my talents have long since been allowed to be used as they hardly stress me. My Eyes due to my recovery seem to have solidified much more at Sky Realm quality so anything below that will be as clear as day to me." Lind's frank admission reminded them all that the being in front of them was terrifying.
His long absence on the martial stage had made some memories fade.
Rathi, on the other hand, was hardly surprised and even smirked at Lind's bit of showing off. The demon could understand the frustration of being so limited for so long.
Emperor Calim bowed and took a seat while his daughters moved behind him.
"I did have an ulterior motive for which I apologize to King Tur. His predicament told me you would become involved and an opportunity was there to grasp." Unlike his daughters, the king had a fully shaved head but the dark metal band around his brow was profound.
It was an artifact but Lind also saw similar colored bands on his biceps and his ankles when he was standing. The loose jacket left his chest exposed but only an idiot would think he was weak to attacks.
Lind's Eyes saw a storm of Qi waiting to be unleashed in all of it. The pants he wore actually seemed normal but that only raised Lind's caution. Something he could not perceive was possibly a Relic or Ruin treasure.
"And what opportunity was that?" Lind did not dance around it, but he would have the Emperor speak the words.
The man cracked a wide smile again and held his hands up.
"It is not difficult, I wish for you to marry my daughters. They do adore you, and frankly, when you are healed at last, I am happy to let you cultivate at the heart of my empire." Lind quickly moved his hands to restrain both Ethry and Cyntilla.
The Emperor never looked at either which meant Lind was right, those artifacts were very dangerous. Callisto made no move which spoke volumes.
"I see, well let's discuss that." Surprise spread on all faces, even Rathi, as Lind did not dismiss it out of hand, but Wyndam shivered. The smile on his master's face was not good. Any sane person would not want to be an enemy of Lind Frey. They were about to be reminded of why.