Chapter 129
At the sudden question, James was at a loss for words. In truth, he had never thought deeply about humans, and his plan after the abduction was simple. Wouldn’t the Emperor be pleased if he just brought the human back and presented her?
It would also be satisfying to land a blow against Duke Blois, and how often would an opportunity like this come to strike the snake tribe in the back?
James, who had only been thinking about satisfying his own curiosity, was confused about what answer to give. As if he had expected this, Aesir spoke with a strange smile.
“You weren’t planning to just grab the human and take her by force, were you?”
“…Surely you don’t think I’m that ignorant.”
That was a lie. James had only been thinking of throwing the human over his shoulder and running. At his response, Aesir gave a small nod, still smiling.
“Of course.”
“……”
The vague answer made the veins stand out on James’s forehead. As he considered whether it might be better to overturn the table and leave with a snake’s head instead, Aesir continued.
“I say this out of concern, but this is not a game you win simply by having the human in your possession.”
“Hah, you’ve been quite rude for a while now. Do you think I don’t know that?”
“No, well… I said it out of concern for the human. The wolf tribe’s strength is rather… brute.”
“What?”
“If you handle such a fragile human carelessly and she dies, will you take responsibility, Duke?”
“……”
James was rendered speechless again. Seeing this, John covered his face with one hand. He had not expected his lord to be this embarrassing. James, his face flushed red, asked in a low voice.
“So what are you proposing?”
“It would be best for us to act together until the human is abducted. After that, we can decide fairly.”
“How?”
“Is it really necessary for only one tribe to possess the human?”
“…Hah.”
James did not want to acknowledge Aesir, but this time he truly had no reply. It was quite a clever idea.
The divine prophecy of Initium had said ‘the tribe that obtains the human’, but it had never specified that it had to be only one tribe. Moreover, the expression ‘obtain’ did not necessarily mean a union with the human. Then wouldn’t it benefit his nation if they possessed the human, even temporarily, in any form?
“…Not a bad idea.”
Aesir, who had calmly waited for James’s response, spoke immediately as if he had been expecting it.
“How about letting the human decide the order?”
“That sounds acceptable.”
“Good. Then it’s settled.”
At last, the negotiation was concluded. Unlike their first meeting, the two men shook hands with satisfaction. They agreed to decide on an execution date soon and parted ways.
After James and his group disappeared, Marcel approached Aesir and asked,
“Your Excellency, what if the human chooses the wolf tribe first?”
“Hmm, since humans are fragile, wouldn’t they also be mentally vulnerable?”
“…My apologies, I don’t understand.”
At Marcel’s reply, Aesir’s smile deepened with satisfaction as he explained.
“That’s why we must bring her to us as gently as possible. And shouldn’t we also let her know that the ones who attacked Duke Blois, whom she briefly lived with, were the wolf tribe?”
“Ah…”
Only then did Marcel fully understand his lord’s line of logic. He then grew curious about the next step.
“Then if the wolf tribe later asks for the human, do you intend to send her to them?”
“Haha, didn’t I say? The choice belongs to the human.”
So even when the second choice came, they would simply make sure the human chose the snake tribe again. Leaning back in his chair, Aesir flicked his fingers lightly.
In any case, taking the human from the cat tribe came first. Matters afterward could be considered later.
* * *
Meanwhile, on the way back to his territory, James asked John,
“Do you think the snake tribe will keep their word?”
Recalling the earlier conversation, John answered carefully.
“There is a flaw in the terms of the negotiation.”
“What flaw?”
“The point about letting the human decide the order may not necessarily apply only this one time. It’s obvious how the cunning snake tribe might twist their words to win the human over. And since the snake tribe will be the ones abducting the human, we are clearly at a disadvantage.”
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