Chapter 90
‘Snow falls in the northern regions of Wilkeron. But the people of the South don’t even know what snow is.’
If they went without preparation, they would only end up freezing to death.
The Aquafuran tribe also had no reason to head north, as their entire livelihood was based on the southern seas.
‘For them, the best strategy is to seize the eastern granary region, secure the food supply from there, and consolidate their power in the South.’
Since their objectives aligned, conflict was inevitable.
It was obvious which side Siren should support—the Aquafuran tribe.
“The North also borders the sea. Wouldn’t it be fitting for the Aquafuran tribe to claim it?”
“Well. Should we not also teach those shivering in the cold about the mercy of the Sun God?”
“The Sun God loves the South. How could we abandon the place where He resides?”
“That is precisely what we should be saying to you. The Aquafuran tribe has only just returned to the South. If given enough time, surely, they will finally bring rain to these lands. In that case, wouldn’t it be only right for us to remain close and serve them? The Sun God is invisible, after all. But the Aquafuran tribe is here, in plain sight.”
“What blasphemous nonsense!”
The debate dragged on meaninglessly.
Yasamin and Eltan let them argue without interference. Siren, sensing their stance, also kept silent. She assumed Yasamin must have had his own thoughts on the matter.
‘Sending the Kalik tribe to the west seems to have been the right move. He hasn’t raised any objections, after all.’
The Aquafuran and Nu tribes refused to concede or compromise in the slightest. Meanwhile, the Kalik tribe, seemingly satisfied, merely sipped their tea.
Ignoring the ongoing quarrel, Siren turned her attention to the leader of the Kalik tribe.
“Oh? Do you have something to say?”
“You will need a guide. Unless, of course, you intend to rule through fear… Someone must serve as a bridge between the Kalik tribe and the existing nobility of Wilkeron.”
“If you have a recommendation, I would be grateful to hear it.”
“Larisa Orm. Take my lady-in-waiting. I was planning to send her home anyway.”
If she secured a promise, Larisa would have no choice but to follow her until the time came for her to leave. It was uncertain when the Kalik tribe would ascend to Wilkeron, but it likely wouldn’t be too far in the future.
‘If she proves useful to them, her safety will be guaranteed as well.’
Siren, who had observed Larisa closely, knew she was an exceptionally capable woman.
After all, she had been entrusted with an entire trading company.
She could only hope Larisa would have the opportunity to put her talents to use where she truly belonged.
Seeing someone she had once shared a bond with thrive—if only for a brief moment—would bring her genuine joy.
“I understand, but can you guarantee that your lady-in-waiting will assist us?”
“If the leader of the Kalik tribe guarantees her life in return.”
“Hmm. That won’t be easy… unless, of course, she marries a Kalik warrior.”
But the leader of the Kalik tribe was not one to make things easy.
His smirking face was far too calculating.
‘Whether Larisa will accept such terms… that remains to be seen.’
Since she was a clever woman, wouldn’t she choose a man she could control?
If not, she could always pick one of the Kalik chieftain’s sons.
The Kalik tribe would soon become a ducal house, and any child Larisa bore would be the heir to the West.
“Does the chieftain have sons?”
“There are three. Well, they’re all of marriageable age… You can choose from them.”
“It would be best if Larisa had a chance to meet them first. She should at least know who she’s marrying.”
“Fine by me. What does His Majesty think?”
The final decision rested with Yasamin.
But without much thought, he simply gave a slight nod.
“Do as you please.”
His attitude showed complete disinterest.
At that moment, Siren was certain.
Whether Larisa Orm returned home, never made it back, died along the way, or remained here—he didn’t care in the slightest.
That meant it wouldn’t be a problem to send her home.
“Enough chatter.”
Yasamin slowly surveyed the room.
He had heard enough. He had allowed them to speak, and now it was time to be silent.
“Neither the Aquafuran nor the Nu tribes have any intention of establishing noble houses, do they?”
“…….”
“If the South becomes a land worth living in, the Aquafuran tribe will have even less reason to leave. On the other hand, if vegetation flourishes in the South, the Nu tribe will no longer have a reason to stay.”
If the climate across the land evened out, the Nu tribe could simply move east.
“The sun rises in the east, so worship your Sun God there.”
At Yasamin’s decree, Hies’ face lit up.
After all, he was being handed a prime piece of land—there was no reason to refuse.
But then, in the next moment, Yasamin pointed to a section of the map.
“However, we split it in half. If you take the whole thing, your power will grow too strong. Hand over half of it to the royal family.”
“…What?”
“What? You don’t like it?”
Could this even be called a negotiation? It was practically extortion.
Siren muttered this inwardly, yet she couldn’t deny that it was a sound decision.
If the Aquafuran tribe wasn’t going to take all of it, then the Nu tribe couldn’t be allowed to have everything either. For that, Yasamin’s intervention as an absolute force was necessary.
“This half… Right, Siren. I’ll give it to you.”
…Huh?
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