Chapter 559: Demands
However, the Horn of Plenty—this resource-rich region—is vast, and its wealth is not evenly distributed. Naturally, there are areas that are somewhat barren, which is why this meeting to divide the spoils is taking place.
"I have a suggestion for the division..." It was Leon—reincarnated genius mage and leader of the Merlin Family—who spoke. He stood up, took the map, and fished a crystal pen from his pocket. With a few casual strokes, he split the entire Horn of Plenty into three regions.
"Archmage Leon, may I ask what exactly your proposal for division is..." Councilor Weiss gave Leon a wry smile. To be honest, he was feeling uneasy—he'd already witnessed the young mage's appetite during the Blazeforge Orc Tribe collaboration, where Leon had claimed seventy percent of the Specter Valley lands...
And now, Leon was proactively making another proposal for division—Councilor Weiss understood all too well what that meant...
The young mage was clearly looking to get the better end of the deal...
But even knowing this, what could they do about it?
Never mind the Sky Rank backing the young mage—just Leon's own strength was enough to make the Black Tower take him seriously. In the Wizard's Spire, he'd defeated a level 37 lich; in the Auridge Mountains, he'd scared off a Greater Demon; and in the Blazeforge Orc Tribe's sanctuary, he'd killed a chieftain with the power of an Eighth Rank Title Archmage...
Most baffling of all, recently, the young mage had gained the company of a terrifying Frost Dragon. Add to that his endless arsenal of powerful Magic Relics, and honestly...
From Weiss's perspective, it looked like the Black Tower was about to get the short end of the stick again...
The land near the Howling River is rich in mineral veins and contains many common alchemical ingredients. This is probably the most prosperous part of the Horn of Plenty... Leon pointed to a section on the map, his face full of smiles as he spoke.
As expected...
Hearing this, Councilor Weiss's face turned pale, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He could tell that the young mage had his eyes on this place...
Well, if I have to take a loss, so be it. It's not a big deal.
After all, for the Black Tower, the Horn of Plenty is just a stepping stone—a way to infiltrate the Fireblade Tribe. Once the mage legion has rested for a while, they'll use the opportunity to attack nearby fortresses.
At that time, they might even need the young mage's help...
Thinking of this, Councilor Weiss felt relieved, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. Just then, he heard the young mage's voice again: "My suggestion is to give this to the Black Tower..."
Heh, Archmage Leon, let's go with your proposal and give that land to the Black Tower... Wait, to the Black Tower? Weiss froze before he could finish, replaying the words in his mind. He was certain he hadn't misheard—the young mage really meant to give the most prosperous land to the Black Tower.
This...
Councilor Weiss looked at Leon with disbelief, unable to understand why the young mage would suggest giving the most prosperous land to the Black Tower.
This makes no sense...
Given the young mage's personality, shouldn't he be grabbing every advantage, just like when he negotiated with Lord Heron and demanded seventy percent of Specter Valley?
In Councilor Weiss's mind, he'd always believed the young mage was a mercenary sort, never passing up any benefit.
But now...
Suville, did you hear that? Did you hear that? Councilor Weiss couldn't care about anything else now—getting that prosperous land was clearly a boon for the Black Tower.
However, after he finished speaking, Councilor Weiss suddenly noticed that Councilor Suville looked awful—there wasn't even a trace of joy on his face.
What's going on now...
Could it be that Councilor Suville didn't hear what Archmage Merlin just said?
Archmage Merlin just said he wanted to give the most prosperous land in the Horn of Plenty to our Black Tower... Councilor Weiss whispered in Suville's ear.
He should be able to hear it clearly now, right?
But Councilor Suville didn't respond at all...
Since Councilor Weiss agrees, I'll continue... Leon's expression was calm, betraying no emotion. He pointed to the central region of the Horn of Plenty: "This land isn't as prosperous as the Black Tower's, but it's not bad. How about dividing it to the Watson Family? As for the remaining land—the poorest part of the Horn of Plenty—let the Merlin Family take it. Is everyone satisfied with this arrangement?"
Archmage Merlin, I agree with your proposal... Carl Watson, who had been silent, looked at Leon with some surprise. As for Leon giving the most prosperous land to the Black Tower, he wasn't surprised—after all, that was one of the strongest powers in the entire Blazeforge Plane, so it was only natural for the Black Tower to get the largest share.
He'd been prepared to fight the Merlin Family for the central region of the Horn of Plenty, but as he listened, something felt off—the young mage seemed not to care about that land at all, handing it directly to the Watson Family. This made Carl Watson's dislike for the young mage lessen a bit.
However, I do have one small request... Leon touched his nose, his gaze sweeping over everyone before continuing: "The reason our Merlin Family is willing to take the worst land is that, after some time, I'd like everyone to join me for a trip to the end of the Howling River."
As soon as Leon finished speaking, both Weiss and Carl Watson let out a sigh of relief.
Honestly, it wasn't an excessive request—just a trip to the end of the Howling River...
But just then, a discordant voice rang out: "I disagree!"
Instantly, everyone's eyes turned to Suville, whose face was dark and full of a cold smile: "Archmage Merlin, what I disagree with isn't your request, but your proposed division of interests."
At this moment, Weiss and Carl Watson exchanged strange glances—they really couldn't figure out what Suville was dissatisfied with.
Oh? Leon looked at Suville expressionlessly, simply uttering 'Oh' and saying nothing more.
We don't want this land... Suville grabbed the map, pointing to the richest land near the Howling River—the one meant for the Black Tower: 'Our Black Tower absolutely will not take this land.'
Then which one do you want?
We want the one the Merlin Family was assigned...
As soon as Suville finished speaking, Weiss, sitting nearby, thought he'd misheard. He shook his head hard and looked at the spot Suville was pointing to, his face instantly pale—that was the worst land in the entire Horn of Plenty.
Weiss was so shocked he couldn't speak...
Our Black Tower must have this land. As for that so-called most prosperous land, your Merlin Family can keep it... Suville gave a chilling smile, looking down at Leon and pounding the table: 'If you don't agree, I won't accept your earlier request either.'
Leon looked very strange, staring at Suville for a moment before swallowing: 'Alright, Councilor Suville, I accept.'
With that, the meeting—which had lasted more than half an hour—ended in a bizarre atmosphere. Of the four participants, everyone except Weiss left the conference room with a smile.
As for Weiss...
He was about to go crazy...
On the way back to camp, Weiss kept a gloomy face. Once they arrived, he finally couldn't hold back, his voice low: "Suville, you owe me an explanation..."
If it weren't for Suville's status as a councilor, Weiss would have cursed him out by now.
He couldn't help it—he was just too angry...
Archmage Merlin was clearly willing to give the richest land to the Black Tower...
Damn it, getting a deal out of Archmage Merlin is tough enough, and now Suville, that idiot, threw it away. Worse, it means the Black Tower got the least out of the Horn of Plenty.
It's impossible not to be angry...
The Black Tower did the most work, but got the least reward...
Explanation for what? Suville looked at Weiss expressionlessly.
Of course I mean what happened in the conference room...' Weiss forced down his anger, speaking word by word. At that moment, he really wanted to grab Suville's head and smash it against the floor a few times to see if there was water in it...
Damn it, how could you be so stupid?
Hmph, Weiss, haven't you noticed yet? It's all a scheme...' Suville sneered, shaking his head with disdain: 'Do you really think Archmage Merlin would be so generous?'
What do you mean? Weiss was stunned.
Think about it. Why would Archmage Merlin give us the most prosperous land so easily? Suville snorted, his eyes full of mockery: 'If you ask me, that land is a trap.'
A trap? Weiss was even more confused.
Of course it's a trap. Suville sneered, his tone full of disdain: 'The richest land is right next to the Howling River. Do you know who controls that area?'
Who? Weiss asked, frowning.
The Fireblade Tribe! Suville replied coldly. 'They're the strongest among the thirteen Blazeforge Orc Tribes, and their elite troops are stationed at the end of the Howling River.'
If we take that land, we'll be the first ones the Fireblade Tribe attacks. By then, the Black Tower will be in a worse position than the Merlin Family...