Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 496: What Else Can You Offer?

“Yeah... That’s why we have to take certain actions even if we’d normally prefer not to,” remarked Trantor. “But since it involves the future survival of the family, what else can we do? We don’t know if a successful challenger will be merciful, to my father or the rest of the family. In most cases, they aren’t.”

Oli rapped his fingers along the table. “So? What’s the proposition?”

Shrugging, Trantor sighed, “There are a couple. Like I said, we’re desperate. The first is to work with Iron Territory to conquer the territory that exists between Iron and Forell, the Prodson Territory.”

“Prodson Territory... I think I’ve met some of their representatives in the past,” mentioned Oli.

“It’s a territory heavily prejudiced against beasts. The capital city and all towns are solely for humans, and beasts aren’t allowed entry without special permission from the territory leader,” Trantor explained. “That’s why we want to offer that proposition, but I have a feeling that we’ll lack the military force to actually make such a proposition attractive. If Libarn were staying, then it might be possible. But with Libarn leaving, we’ll be left as the only family with someone stronger than a low-perennial. And with only a few perennial families left, going to war would be the end of Forell Territory due to casualties alone.”

“Hmm... But Iron and Prodson are in different regions. Wouldn’t Iron warring against Prodson be put down by the regional kings?” asked Oli.

“If such a war involved common territories, yes. But that likely won’t be the case for Iron. After providing a perfect candidate and helping King Rhyner stabilize his position over the region, and given Master Zelsh’s relationship with the Iron-body Gorillas, we doubt either of them would even mention such a war, let alone address it,” reasoned Trantor.

.....

“However, since our teleportation circles are linked, we would be able to allow forces from Iron to flank and surround Prodson Territory. So there’s still some merit to the proposition. And Forell would still be able to offer logistical aid and support should Iron Territory accept the offer.”

A slight smile appeared on Oli’s face. He briefly remembered his brief match against a Prodson Territory youth back when Iron Academy was opening. Thinking about how arrogant the Prodson representatives were stoked the flames of ire in Oli’s mind. And those flames only grew stronger after remembering that the representatives tried to dishonorably back out of their deal.

“... If that were to happen, what would become of Iron? Would it simply double in size?” Oli asked. “What good would come from overtaking another territory?”

“It would further cement Iron as the territory to both remember and avoid. However, the moment your city grows and can rival a regional capital’s influence, there’s a great chance that you’ll gain a slew of challengers all at once. It’s a strategy used by many to overtake and divvy out winnings from fallen territories. And it’s commonly done by many high and peak-perennials for territories as renowned as Iron,” stated Trantor, carefully examining Oli’s reaction.

However, Oli didn’t seem fazed in the slightest. Fulkar was also expressionless at the statement. In Trantor’s eyes, they almost seemed ignorant for a split second.

“Trantor. For Iron Territory and the Iron-body Clan, challengers are the least of our worries.”

That response rocked Trantor’s heart, especially after personally witnessing all the challenges that his father and family had been facing. “... Is that so?”

“Yes. Completely. It’s not even in the back of our minds,” Oli chuckled a little as he sighed.

While Trantor took a moment to reposition his thoughts, Eeole’s voice trickled back into Oli’s mind, ‘Actually, expanding the borders is a great thing. Territory leaders wouldn’t know this, but regional kings do. If a territory can conquer its neighbors and gain enough territories under its influence, that leading territory can be offered the chance to become a region by the prefecture lord. That would involve either gaining the permission of the kings over that territory or facing those kings in a duel. But since you’re already allied with both kings involved, there wouldn’t be a problem with expanding Iron’s borders.’

Taking that explanation in stride, Oli asked, “What other propositions has Forell prepared?”

Trantor replied, “Should that first proposition not be attractive enough, as my father suspects... My father is willing to become a vassal territory of Iron. That would not only cement his position as territory leader with your support, even if some citizens wouldn’t like the idea, but it would allow our territory to be declared as Iron’s property. This would more than triple Iron’s size if we include conquering Prodson Territory.”

Oli maintained his poker face but Fulkar was astounded and didn’t hide it. “Are you serious, Trantor? Is the Forell Family in such dire straits?”

Replying with a slow, painful nod, Trantor answered, “... Yes. We were hoping to make a deal with Libarn to share the territory and rule it together, but such an offer is nothing compared to joining Iron Territory with guaranteed support from so many powerful perennials and their top-of-the-line academy... Since Dean Jarrit and all the instructors left, it will take us years to regain the same influence and reputation our institution used to have. Though Iron Territory hasn’t been around much longer than Forell Territory, it managed to gain what seems like too much momentum while starting with nothing. We’re starting with the blueprint that King Rhyner left behind but still can’t dream of achieving the same status...”

Oli leaned back in his seat, staring down at the table. “... So... such an offer would more than triple Iron’s size and gain it two fully functioning cities, including one with an already existing institution and linked teleportation circle? That’s not a bad offer...”

But Trantor spoke up once more, “There’s one major downside to that proposition, one that my father fears more than anything. That Iron Territory would then attract the challenge of kings instead of perennials. If that were the case, then-”

“Again, we’re not worried about that.”

Finally, Trantor fully abandoned the need to look professional. Hearing Oli rebuke such a great concern was far beyond the scope of both his and his father’s expectations.