Chapter 428: Those who Lead

「What do you think, Elder Saleino? It’s not a bad idea, it’s actually a good suggestion. 」

Accepting Telsarat’s faint smile, Saleino rubbed his own wrinkled face with his fingers.

Like Ann, Saleino was unable to read Telsarat’s true intentions. He felt that her words were plausible and made sense. It would be better if he could gain Elizard’s support.

But whether it was worth believing was another matter. Besides, this was Saleino’s way of ruling. The path that others offered was usually not a good one.

Saleino’s fingertips froze for a moment, as if thinking deeply about this. His old eyes pierced the ceiling of the tent, trying to see farther.

Was this really a coincidence? Some news arrived between his thoughts.

「…Lord Saleino. Excuse me, but I have a report. Something that looks like a swarm of magical beasts is approaching this area. I think we need to dispatch our troops. 」

All the people sitting at the table inside the large tent looked up at the reporter’s appearance. Their gazes seemed to criticize the presence of this intruder, and most of them expressed dissatisfaction.

They even disregarded that report. The expressions of the elders were tense as they conveyed their feelings.

But Saleino was different. He leaned his weight forward while nodding at the report.

「Largud Ann. Miss Emissary. It seems that a disaster has struck, and I must take command. Let’s temporarily suspend this meeting…Prepare a tent for them. 」

Saleino clapped his hands and issued orders to his soldiers and followers, and the scene quickly began to move.

Just by looking at that scene, Ann could clearly see that the army was moving around this old man’s command. The one who had tried to drive Ann and Telsarat away with swords and spears was now leading them with courtesy.

After a moment of thought, Ann raised her shoulders and followed his lead. Her voice was still stuck on her lips, but she didn’t think she could exchange any more words here.

It was a nice, temporary break for them both, and it gave Ann some time to reflect. It was luck whether for Saleino or Ann.

Actually, Ann didn’t consider herself lucky. She just thought her time had been slightly extended.

「Why did you tell such things? Are you willing to support me, Lady Telsarat? 」

Ann said those words in a low voice as she was being guided along the way. Her gaze remained forward. The way she spoke, with her lips moving slightly, didn’t seem like she was talking to anyone looking at her from the side.

Telsarat glanced at Ann and quickly returned her gaze. Her black armor made a noise. Telsarat responded while keeping her gaze facing forward as well.

「It’s as I said. Largud Ann. If the person you’re about to shake hands with is someone whom you consider your enemy, then you must do everything to crush it. 」

The way she spoke was typical of an Elizardian. They believed in their military might and relied solely on their own physique and strength. In order to survive in a country covered in desert and in order to compete against other countries, all of the people there had to be strong.

Ann pressed her lips and gritted her molars. Ann could sense that her lips and the inside of her mouth were extremely dry. After entering her tent, Ann managed to open her heavy mouth.

She said while letting her words get lost in her mouth for a moment.

「…I was surprised. I had no idea that an Elizardian could tell lies so easily. 」

There were probably people around her trying to eavesdrop, so she kept her voice to a minimum. However, Telsarat certainly heard her voice.

The air took on a slight tinge of tension and oppression, even becoming tense.

The humans of Elizard believed in power and despised falsehood and vanity. People who talked too much and people who weren’t sincere were especially despised. They liked honesty above all else.

Because of that kind of personality, diplomatic relations with other countries often ended on a sour note.

Therefore, the humans of Elizard considered it a terrible disgrace to be labeled as vain people who told lies. That’s why they often quarreled with other nations because those nations weren’t considerate of their people.

Ann’s words were truly the kind of thing that kicked up the wrath of the people of that country with all their might.

Ann rolled her eyes and looked at Telsarat’s face. There must be some kind of change in her expression.

Ann didn’t think this was the best move either, but she had no other choice. In enemy territory, it was necessary to know whether Telsarat was truly an ally or an enemy. Even if it meant taking some risk.

The next moment. As Ann expected, Telsarat’s expression loosened. But what she showed was a refreshingly cheerful smile. Her lips were parted, and her cheeks were curled up.

「He, he, he. That’s not true, Largud Ann. As an Elizardian, it doesn’t matter if you have to resort to one or two tricks, as long as you have the power you need. This is the truth. 」

And it’s much easier to control that way. Telsarat said as she put her hand on her waist and created a long shadow. Her eyes, which seemed to be honest, were shaking a little just now.

When Ann saw it, she let out a deep sigh from her mouth. Ah, that was a troublesome move. It was really troublesome to have a partner who belonged to two sides of the same coin.

However, in a sense, Ann felt that it was natural and rubbed her feet against the ground. Elizard had sent her their emissary, a diplomat so to speak. It wouldn’t be worthy unless it could pull off a trick or two with an innocent face.

Telsarat looked into Ann’s face from a considerable height and said the following words.

「However, personally, I would be happy if one side swallowed the other and became a stronger force. What are your thoughts on that? 」

Telsarat’s big eyes pierced Ann’s silhouette. It was a gaze that was trying to see right through Ann’s thoughts. Was she worth using or not? Was she someone whom you could reach out to or not? She saw this as a good opportunity and valued it.

It wasn’t pleasant for Ann, but it was something she could use.

She was beyond blessed with her negotiation skills, and not blessed with her physique. Ann, who was small compared to her average height, was often treated with a certain amount of contempt. That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it rarely worked in her favor.

Therefore, in order for Ann to recognize her own worth before others, she had to lower her price tag and advertise her capabilities.

「…Lady Telsarat. Do you know why Lord Saleino took command of the magical beasts’ subjugation and interrupted that meeting? 」

Telsarat heard Ann’s question, and her expression changed as if blankness had struck her. This was the kind of expression people made when someone said something unexpected.

Although her eyebrows were twisted in suspicion, Telsarat replied that it was his duty as a commander. Ann shook her head in response.

「No, that’s not true. It’s a simpler reason…he’s the only one in this army who can seriously lead an army. Yes, I know him very well. We used to work together. 」

Ann said those words while no longer concealing her hostility towards Saleino. She let it flourish. There was a look on her face as if she had crushed a bitter insect to death. Her gaze narrowed severely.

Saleino led the troops, maintained morale, and issued instructions. However, that alone was not easy. It was a job that could only be done by someone who had the ability to force people to believe in him. He had to be someone who believed that his own decisions were the best.

That said, it wouldn’t be possible if he were to doubt his heart. If he did such a thing, he wouldn’t be able to lead more than a thousand soldiers.

「That’s why this scheme was the only thing I could do for the Heraldic Order. Yes, even if it hurts a little. 」

Ann didn’t say anything beyond that. However, Telsarat had already received the meaning that was behind Ann’s words.

—

Vestaline was showing a white breath as she looked down at the Great River of Augus. Hiding in the surrounding forest, Vestaline didn’t move, waiting for an opportunity.

Her excitement inevitably began to subside since she couldn’t move. Vestaline was eagerly waiting for some action.

As she adjusted her stance, the armor she was wearing made a crunching sound. Suddenly, she started to hear a commotion in the distance.

She told the mercenaries she led to bend down and hold their breath. When large humans breathed together, their white breath became a landmark, letting others know that there was a group of people there.

It was the worst possible situation to hide from. Therefore, no matter how much the death snow consumed them, they had no choice but to hold their breaths until the right moment.

As expected, Vestaline hated this scenario. She pouted her lips as her expression hardened under her helmet.

Originally, the person named Vestaline had a personality that valued dignity. She was not the type to hide in order to accomplish something. She didn’t like the feeling of guilt creeping into her chest.

The Belfein mercenaries she led were people who liked things that were flashy and showy. This type of sneaky work didn’t really suit them. In that sense, Vestaline and her mercenaries were well matched.

But the time they had in hiding and sneaking around like this was over.

Several magical beasts were running under Vestaline’s eyes. They did so because their own hunting grounds were destroyed. Even from a distance, Vestaline could see that those beasts were quite angry.

Then a group of soldiers appeared to go up against that horde of magical beasts. This scene was clearly reflected in Vestaline’s eyes. Then, Vestaline told the mercenaries around her.

…Well then. I know you don’t feel like it, but let’s destroy it now. Show me your value as Belfein’s mercenaries.

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