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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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“As expected of Teacher!!”
It was natural for Helia to sing her teacher’s praises. From her perspective, Hans had predicted the situation and prepared a brilliant strategy.
Naturally, Helia’s reaction was clearly conveyed to the Beastmen.
Yuyeong, in particular, the sharp-witted chieftain of the Rat Tribe and leader of the 12 Tribes, couldn’t miss it.
Helia’s reaction meant that Sir Hans had informed her beforehand. In other words, he had anticipated this situation.
However, she hadn’t heard that the Royal Knights possessed such intelligence-gathering capabilities.
They had been busy fulfilling near-impossible requests for the Human Kingdom and the Dwarf Kingdom.
This means he deduced it after hearing their story.
Yuyeong easily reached this conclusion. And for her, who had hoped to gain an advantage over the Orcs through negotiations, this was a bolt from the blue.
She had been careful to minimize the information in her letter.
How could he have possibly figured it out?
Yuyeong shook her head. There was no point dwelling on it now.
“As you predicted, Commander, the Orc chieftain has recently changed. Through a duel, no less.”
“The problem is the new chieftain’s actions, then.”
“Yes, you’re right, Lady Helia.”
Yuyeong nodded at Helia’s remark.
Since their hand had been revealed, the best course of action was to cooperate with Hans and gain as much advantage over the Orcs as possible.
‘This is insane.’
Hans, however, was struggling to follow the conversation.
Wait a minute.
Weren’t the Orcs friendly towards me? Why are they causing trouble now that the chieftain has changed? What’s going on?
It was like that sometimes. When the answer appeared from an unexpected place, one couldn’t help but be flustered.
That was Hans’s current situation.
However, he quickly regained his composure.
He had faced countless unexpected situations and had overcome them all. And this time would be no different. He wasn’t worthy of being Commander if he couldn’t handle this.
“Let’s sit down and hear the details.”
He needed time to organize his confused thoughts.
So, Hans made a perfectly reasonable request as a guest. But Yuyeong became even more certain.
He was already thinking several steps ahead.
Would it benefit the 12 Tribes?
The thought crossed Yuyeong’s mind, but she didn’t show it. She didn’t want to be suspicious.
He was the man her close friend loved.
Besides, the nobility Hans had displayed so far was exemplary. Yuyeong herself had received his help.
“This way. I’ve prepared a place for us.”
“I see.”
“Teacher, allow me to escort you.”
Helia was now naturally attending to Hans.
Hans nodded.
Maintaining appearances was important for a Commander. But the scene was a bit awkward.
While Helia was a full-fledged member of the Royal Knights, she was still a child. Having a child act as his attendant felt uncomfortable.
Of course, Hans had no intention of exploiting her.
He followed Yuyeong’s lead, escorted by Helia. They arrived at a pavilion built over a valley.
“This pavilion is built over our Maple Mountain’s prized valley.”
“Oh, Teacher! We can see the entire valley!”
“It’s truly a breathtaking view.”
From the pavilion, built upstream, they had a panoramic view of the valley below.
The scenery of the valley, combined with the autumn foliage, was picturesque.
A feast, prepared on Yuyeong’s orders, was already laid out in the pavilion. The table was laden with food.
Hans and Helia took their seats.
Perhaps because they were Beastmen, the dishes were a harmonious blend of vegetables and meat.
Not all animals were carnivores, after all. But the lack of chopsticks was a bit disconcerting.
What was this?
“This…”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
Hans quickly shook his head.
He had seen the Beastmen eating with their hands. One of Hans’s greatest strengths was his perceptiveness.
He could quickly pick up on unusual things.
And if he sensed something was off, he would immediately react or find another solution.
That’s how Hans had maintained his Commander’s dignity. And it was the same now.
He still didn’t understand the situation, but he had become known for grasping the bigger picture with only fragmented information.
What if he made a minor mistake here?
Like, for example, not adhering to Beastmen dining etiquette.
It might seem trivial, but such small things accumulated and shaped one’s image. He couldn’t ignore it.
Hans began eating as naturally as possible.
Helia followed his lead. After some time, the meal ended.
The table was cleared, and Yuyeong looked at Hans and said,
“Did you enjoy the meal?”
“It was a feast for the senses.”
“You honor us, Commander.”
“So, let’s get down to business.”
From his experience so far, Hans understood that every word spoken was politics.
Therefore, he wanted to get to the point quickly. Because he didn’t understand the nuances.
“I dislike beating around the bush. Time is more precious than gold. Every moment that passes is irreversible.”
“Indeed… Wise words.”
He was tired of politicians’ roundabout way of speaking. But Yuyeong was actually impressed.
She had never heard the saying “time is gold” before. But she understood it immediately.
Even now, the demons were recovering their strength and plotting against them. One of her own guards had been a demon agent.
The thought made her grind her teeth.
But anger wouldn’t solve everything. Yuyeong had learned a lesson at Lionheart Fortress. Dialogue could achieve more than she had thought. She hoped it would be the same now.
“Then I’ll get straight to the point. You’re aware that the Orcs are pursuing an expansion policy, correct?”
“Yes.”
“But before that, the Orcs demanded food from us.”
“Demanded food?”
This was unexpected.
Very little information about the Orcs had been revealed. Hans had studied them by personally visiting their territories. He had received considerable help from Cluna and Yuren.
“The Orcs are a race of strength. They believe anything not obtained through their own power is meaningless. And yet, they tried to acquire food through trade?”
“Yes. It was unprecedented, so we were taken aback. But after some deliberation, we had to refuse. Winter was approaching, and we didn’t have much to spare.”
“…And then they suddenly started their expansion policy?”
“Yes, Commander.”
It seemed clearly related to the food shortage.
Then the biggest question was why.
Why were the Orcs suddenly interested in food? Was there a problem with their food supply?
“I’ll have to meet with the Orcs and discuss this matter.”
“We would be grateful if you would.”
Yuyeong inwardly sighed in relief.
Hans had addressed the sensitive issue she had been hesitant to bring up. The 12 Tribes and the Orcs were practically enemies.
Of course, the 12 Tribes didn’t condemn the Orcs’ actions.
The law of the jungle.
Predators hunting prey was the same for the Beastmen. It was more of a pride issue. The Beastmen considered themselves predators, not prey.
Yet, the 12 Tribes had chosen to be patient. It was because they trusted Hans, the Commander of the Royal Knights.
Besides, the Human Kingdom and the Dwarf Kingdomhad already strengthened their forces.
In this situation, a civil war with the Orcs would disrupt the delicate balance of power. So, for Yuyeong, entrusting this to Hans was the best option.
He was the only one the Orcs treated with any semblance of respect.
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