NABC Chapter 360: Laughingstock
Chapter 360: Laughingstock
A heavy silence hung in the air once again.
Although Vale might be projecting a calm expression, his insides were in turmoil. He was confused on what to do. While coming over to Matsumoto, an idea had slowly taken form in his mind.
He needed to return to Akatsuki with men who could fight. Master Knights. At first, he had thought it would be a simple thing, but the more he learned about Matsumoto, the more he saw made him believe that he wouldn’t have an easy time.
Matsumoto isn’t as he’d been led to believe. The Clan is big, and each Company is well established.
They won’t just follow him. And worse, they might even sell him out to Akatsuki since they are considering joining them.
Really. Why was he in Matsumoto again? If not that mental power has no effect on him, he would have thought Isolde was doing something.
’....I need to navigate here seriously. I can’t come in too strong, or too hard either. I need to take things slow.....’
"I am Thalvyr," a heavy-looking man said. "And I say, that wasn’t Matsumoto’s words. We have not agreed on anything."
Vaelros grumbled but didn’t say anything, looking at him with a flat glare.
"But we still have to know what you are doing in our city, Vale Athrimir. This... is not a place for such a person as you."
With one look, Vale understood perfectly what was going on. All at once, his doubts and uncertainty cleared away. Really, why was he thinking too much on what he was doing in Matsumoto? He needed men, and he would get them here or not.
Either way, his original plan would not change. To get back his territory and add to it.
’....And what’s going on here is that they see me as a powerless whelp. They see no value in keeping me, and they must have seen greater value in turning me over. In fact, killing me would likely make it easier to join Akatsuki...’
’...let me look at this. Although Matsumoto is rich, with Tachibana joining a High Clan and with the Hinterlands changing, they’re not sure of their place in the new order. Ultimately, they still depend on others. They have no Rift to farm their resources. Just like the Ito before they got their water Rift....’
’....they want to tie Matsumoto into something stable of their own capacity, and they don’t mind if they are under another power. As long as they still keep a bulk of their own power....’
Vale isn’t the best in politics and scheming. Hellfire, he’s not that good at it compared to those who have made it their job for who knows how long.
So he went at it like a Knight.
"I want to hire the whole of Matsumoto to fight for me."
Eh? Ehhhh?
The silence this time was needle-drop silent. They could not hide their shock and surprise. In fact, they did not know what to say as they looked at each other in complete disbelief.
Isolde let out a snorting gasp, and that seemed to break the ice as they all began to laugh. Vaelros the loudest. "This is just so funny and comical! You? You? A dead man walking, Vale Athrimir? You want to hire the whole of Matsumoto?"
"What a fucking joke!"
"Didn’t I say we should kill him and send his head to Akatsuki?"
Kaelthorn stopped laughing and gave him a dark look. "Look, boy. You should consider it a mercy that you are not dead already, so why are you stretching it by stepping on our faces? Do you hate your life that much?"
Vale didn’t find any of it funny. His face was set in a grim line. "I make no joke, Kaelthorn. Hear my proposal. I want to hire the whole of Matsumoto to take back Athrimir and expel Akatsuki from my land."
An old-looking man shook his head, and although he appeared old, his eyes were brimming with life. "Even if you want to hire us, do you think you can afford us?"
"I can," Vale said confidently.
Vaelros pointed her finger in anger. "Enough of this bullshit! Let’s just kill him. We have a lot to talk about, so why should we entertain ourselves with him?"
Another man snorted. He looked at Vale critically. "I am Duskryn. And thank you for the entertainment. The meeting is almost killing me, but now I grow tired of you. Let’s kill him."
Vale felt anger rise up in him like an explosive flare. It was humiliating.
’....am I sure I can’t kill six Master Knights together?...’
But he gritted his teeth and spoke above their voices. "My price for you, when I take back my throne, is to make you one of my branch Clans. You will rule your territory by yourselves, but you will defer to me. I’ll also make your Clan part of those that manage the Akatsuki Rift."
That made them silent for a while.
Realistically speaking, it was a good offer. Almost too good. Rifts are incredible sources of danger, but also of resources and opportunities. They are the foundation of Clans, tools used to raise powerful Knights and expand prosperity as a whole. If Matsumoto joined Akatsuki as they are now, they wouldn’t have any claim to their Rift.
But if they followed what Vale said.....
Suddenly, the way they looked at Vale changed. They hadn’t been taking him seriously before, but now they were. Even Vaelros had a contemplative look on her face.
Duskryn shrugged as he spoke. "This is a tempting offer."
Veyrith, the old man, stroked his beard. "If these old bones can see a time that Matsumoto can farm a Rift, then I am fulfilled indeed!"
Vale felt a slight relief that his plan seemed to be working. As usual, going after what people want always seemed to work.
Thalvyr cleared his throat. "Vale Athrimir, can you give us some time while we talk about this among ourselves?"
Even their tone changed.
Kaelthorn nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. And, Isolde, wait behind."
"No. Isolde will not wait behind."