Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 486: Negotiations with the New Patrician Clan

Nodding along, Fulkar paid close attention to everything that was said. Both Kuldar and Fulkar were incredibly astute at the moment.

Fulkar spoke up and asked, “So, what’s the cause that brings you all together? It can’t just be market value, right?”

“You’re right. There’s much more to it than just that. It would also bring another perennial family into the fold,” replied Oli.

Hurman added, “How else could I have become a mid-perennial so quickly? And have all three of my sons become perennials one after the other if someone else wasn’t supporting me? Don’t you want to become a high-perennial more than anything?”

“Hmm... That would make sense. But who’s this secret backer that my son mentioned?” asked Kuldar, not quite biting the bait that Hurman had cast into the conversation. “Is that supposed to be Iron Territory? Is Iron Territory so powerful that it can attract two regional kings?”

“Well, we do have our own king,” Oli chuckled, finally getting Kuldar to show some sense of shock. “But that’s not public knowledge. It’s something we prefer to keep secret. And we’ll have more kings in the near future. You could say that we’re equipping our territory as if it were a region of its own. And both Rhyner and Zelsh know that. As does Lord Treeda.”

The mention of that name caused Kuldar to drop all expression from his face. “... Lord Treeda? You’re working together with the prefecture lord?!”

.....

“Something like that...” a new voice spoke up as a figure with a hood stitched from shadows appeared in the head seat of the table. “Don’t be alarmed. I’m that backer you’re asking about.”

Fulkar was stunned and dumbstruck while Kuldar showed tremendous resolve as he rolled with the situation without missing a beat. “In that case, you should be someone stronger than Zelsh, correct?”

“Much stronger.”

“And you’ll become the hidden backer of my family?”

“So long as you join Iron Territory and follow them implicitly, then you’ll gain my full backing. And I believe that Oli has yet to mention the gift he wished to get you for accepting,” remarked Eeole, not mentioning his name.

Kuldar turned his attention back to Oli. As a high-level businessman, he was smart enough to infer that the man didn’t want to give his name, as to be expected while calling himself a hidden backer.

Oli stated, “Fulkar can show you the first gift he’s already received.”

As the icy daggers appeared on the table, Kuldar grinned widely.

“I’ll also be buying Fulkar’s new weapon at an auction in Avalanche City,” added Oli, lighting up Kuldar’s financial spirit. “And while I’m at that new moon auction, I’ll be searching for a suitable peak-perennial axe for you, Kuldar. If there’s not such a weapon at the auction, then I’ll be requesting one from a smith. And I’m already certain that a suitable ice-based shortsword will be at the auction, so Hurman won’t need to feel left out.”

Both Kuldar and Hurman were at a loss for words as they shared a proud glance.

Oli continued, “From your reaction, I take it that you’ll be migrating soon?”

“Yes! Once the Mortal Championship ends, we’ll make it official,” answered Kuldar.

“I suggest you do so sooner. That’s my recommendation.”

Everyone at the table was caught off guard by Eeole’s statement. But Oli was the first one to ask, “Why’s that?”

“I can’t say why, at least not right now. But certain things might be in motion by that time, so it would be best that Libarn migrates before the end of the Mortal Championship,” Eeole answered. “Perhaps it’s best to move after the Provincial Qualifier? I’m sorry, Fulkar, but I don’t believe you’ll be passing on to the prefecture level. So you’ll be back and able to help your father make the official migration to Iron Town.

“Also, as Oli had suggested to Fulkar, I must ask you, Kuldar, to cleanse your clan of unwanted riffraff. You can exile them, leave them behind in Forell City as a newly-formed Libarn Family, anything you like. But they must not be welcome as part of your family while you’re a patrician clan of Iron Territory. Understood?”

“... I understand.” A sunken expression replaced Kuldar’s earlier excitement. “Will that include my son?”

Eeole’s hood slowly bobbed up and down. “Yes. To be specific, that includes your second son, not your third or fourth sons.”

Oli hadn’t expected that detail. Though he also felt similarly about Libarn not bringing everyone, Oli had no idea that included people within the main family.

“Can I ask why?”

Nodding again, Eeole explained, “Because I don’t trust your second son. You see, the gorilla clan leading Iron Territory has already gone through many ‘cleansings’ of their own. They annihilated half a perennial clan because they would’ve sold them out. They also crippled one of their patrician clan chiefs because he had betrayed them on numerous occasions. There’s no longer any space allotted to anyone that might further betray Iron Territory for personal gain. Tell me, if a king were to offer your second son enough riches to never work a day in his life, would he sell out?”

“Without batting an eye,” Kuldar answered immediately, startling even Fulkar. “... I see. And I understand... You said it’s fine if those that are left behind start their own Libarn Family here in Forell City?”

“Yes. So long as they are not your allies and you’ve severed all ties from them.”

“Okay. Then I agree to that condition, so long as I can leave behind some wealth for them to keep their local business afloat for a few moons. If they ruin it after that, then it’s up to them to solve their problems,” stated Kuldar.

Eeole nodded. “That’s perfectly fine. I’m glad to find such a reasonable subordinate with a great view of the larger picture.”

“And I’m proud to be called a subordinate of someone so powerful that even King Zelsh and Lord Treeda work with you,” complimented Kuldar. “What other conditions are there?”

Oli answered that time, “Apart from your migration and the ‘cleansing’ of your family, as a patrician clan you’ll be assigned a certain role and responsibility in society. That will be monitoring and supporting the marketplace. Of course, you’ll be allowed to have your own businesses. But no special treatment can be given to your own properties, which will be overseen and checked by the Iron-body Gorillas.”