Two day had passed by.

Today, I’m having a meeting with the six tribe chieftains. The meeting is held at the outpost office that was vacated specifically for this meeting.

All of us were seated in a round table in gesture of showing equality. Everyone has at least two bodyguards waiting nearby while I only had Vefal nearby, standing behind where I sat. Worst come to worst, the two of us or rather the three of us can mopped the floor of these ten something tribesmen.

I had prepared a Kashra paper enchanted with a light black Eomancy spell that can blind them for a few moments with a blast just in case too.

On the side note, that critter wasn’t brought along as Vefal had let it left to wander in the outpost. Hopefully, some soldiers would suddenly have the urge to eat a kebab styled meat from a small, furry creature.

I’m not jealous.

Right now, there were various conversations with the chieftains as they catch up or just empty chatters while I showed an amiable expression while watching them.

It’s been like this since a few minutes or perhaps fifteen minutes?

Of course, the underlying meaning of this ruckus and disregard to me was to show that I had no absolute authority over them but the deeper meaning was probably a probe into what kind of person I am.

They would observe what action I would take, what’s the expression on my face while seeing such situation. They would take in all the details so they can better deal with me.

Knowing this, I would fabricate a personality just for them until the operation is over. If I were too aggressive, I would warrant their disrespect. If I were too passive, I’ll just be a doormat for them to step on so in light of the principle that I most of the time had been adhering, which is doing things in moderation.

With that said, I’m going to be Ubermensch without the Adonis figure and facial structures and without that hero complex that his carrying, replacing it with a guy who looked contented with his life and without any traces of deceit or wiles.

Yeah, that’s good enough.

“Everyone, we blabbered long enough. We all can do that later on but first, you all mustn’t forget the reason we are here, which is to give our respect and greeting to the second assigned summoned.”

A tall, gregarious looking man with a cropped greyish hair that probably stood near two metres was standing from his seat as he addressed with a grin at every chieftain.

All of them nodded and stood up from their chair.

Likewise, I followed along and stood up.

“I, Fokhrir Greystar, gave his greeting to the summoned.”

He gave a very slight nod and saluted in a military style while making a firm and rather intimidating eye contact. I had seen death itself so that eye contact had only made me involuntarily smiled in a challenging manner.

Oops, better fixed it. The smile on my face was less challenging and more amiable.

Looks like he didn’t noticed anything amiss.

This guy seems to be the chieftain to the pre-eminent tribe amongst the six, the ‘Grey Star’ and it also seems like this guy was once a in the Athryshiayl Army.

The ‘Thousand Hills’, ‘Blackened Drake’ and ‘Rain Flower’ tribe chieftains each gave a 45 degree bow but the other two tribe chieftains had only given curt nods and short introductions.

It seems that the former of the three chieftains are just relatively amiable without any underlying ulterior motives.

I cleared my throat and gave an amiable smile and bowed, 45 degree.

“Greeting honourable chieftains of the north, let me introduce myself. My name is Ruigne of the Summoned, I am here sent by Athryshiayl and was chosen as the main representative, please be seated.”

We all sat back and some of the chieftains gave approving glances at me.

“Perhaps you all have met one of my contemporaries, Sir Horatius before.”

“A little bit sordid of a guy.”

“He is still decent unlike the rest of you lots!”

Two chieftains spoke out their opinions and elicited guffaws from the other. I still had the same amiable smile while watching the exchange.

The bodyguards they brought along, laughed as well except for Vefal, her face had stayed with the same expression which was icy cold.

After some banter and light, rambunctious humours, Fokhrir stopped them and looked directly at me.

“There must be a reason why you are here, Sir Ruigne. Why you are physically here.”

Fokhrir, being their representative, asked.

“Of course, Chieftain, I am here as the direst of situations require my full attention. My physical presence being here shows how important I need to monitor and try to resolve the situation.”

I took out several scrolls regarding the missing cases. Most of the information had been summarized with Light Orange Eomancy, [Memory Print], spell that can print memorized information into a physical object for a period of time; physical printing technology had limited use except if the copied information like books had to stay permanent indefinitely without support from enchantment tools.

They took the scrolls and began reading.

Frowns appeared on their faces as they read and after that, silence permeated the meeting.

Fokhrir was the first to put down the scroll and he gave a subtle glare towards me.

“I understand the gravity of the situation but this is mostly an internal affair of our tribes. It was only appropriate for us to report this but resolving these kidnappings is our personal and tribal responsibility.”

“Be that as may be, Sir Horatius had taken action before but he was unable to pull the root of the issue due to time constraint and a certain matter so I intend to continue his effort.”

After hearing me say that, the face of the chieftains turned sour.

Fokhrir sighed deeply and turned his stern expression towards me.

“If you insist then we cannot stop you but be sure not to cross the limit of your established jurisdiction and respect our tribal laws. We will also extend some assistance of our own if it is possible.”

“I understand and I will not needlessly cause troubles while doing my investigation. With this, do we have an accord?”

I looked at all the chieftains with the same amiable smile. Most of them had quite a bitter expression so it was interesting to notice.

Fokhrir nodded and then all the chieftains follow suit.

“Well then, I’m glad we all came to an understanding. In order for me to show my gratitude, allow me to lavish the honourable chieftains with these dishes.”

--

All the chieftains had left with the last one was Fokhrir as though he was making sure than none of the chieftains would linger here to meet with me privately.

“They’re quite a belligerent folk, these northern tribes.”

“It’s understandable. Did you know that out of these eighty three tribes, these six are technically exiled from the rest of them to this north so I supposed they are the most angst of all tribes in Symokiva. What’s more, they are pretty much aware of the rumours of how they are, for better or worse, mired in superstitions and zealous belief. They are also the reason for the rumour that we summoned are a harbinger of end. So they are one of the catalysts for the revolution to start and they know they would become a scapegoat in case the revolution failed, so the lion share of the tension is on them.”

Vefal commented on the atmosphere earlier and I replied nonchalantly while checking part of the report of the surrounding area.

Reading some of the old records, it’s not the first time the tribes tried to gain independence.

She came beside me, took the nearby chair, brought it nearer to where I was sitting, puts it beside me and sat.

“I am of a pure mind, free from devious thoughts and unsavoury intentions but alas, my father’s advisor is such a person and his grand scheme had finally started its gears.”

“Even those of pure minds would be roped into my grand scheme especially you, my princess! I will drag you into the centre of these plots and deceptions!”

Although the content sounded like some poorly written dialogue between a treacherous advisor and his heroine-material unwilling princess, our expressions wouldn’t match the content.

Of course, Vefal has a role in my operation in making sure the revolution would properly channelled into something that would be beneficial to the summoned. A few things needed to be corrected though.

--

After explaining what roles Vefal, Ghiscra, Erganisu, Shakil and Ghrukka would have, they all agreed to it and I’ll trust them enough.

Right now, Vefal was standing opposite of me and Ghiscra near the gate of the outpost.

“Stay safe alright, even though I know now that you can take at least two high-class Mal’eurs at the same time but avoid confrontations except the ones you needed. Stay close with Erganisu but not too close and-”

“You’re quite the worry-wart. It doesn’t suit your devilish demeanour.”

Vefal snickered.

I sighed.

Erganisu had left earlier but Vefal was leaving after him. She was to shadow him from the side as this was one of the plans where we would capture those that -as reported by Shakil- are assailing the summoned.

The fact that Shakil almost died from them caused me to worry about sending Vefal but logically speaking, she is the best person for this job. Also, Erganisu will be there to help her.

“Of course I am, we haven’t even got into our lovey-dovey stage!”

Vefal laughed hard hearing I said that.

“Of course, after this assignment, I’ll give you the illusion of getting it. Take care of Burra. I know you despise him but try to get along.”

This little critter is biting the hand that’s imprisoning it, my hand. I smacked its head a little. She’s entrusting me of you, you critter!

“Ghiscra, please take care of Ruigne. He won’t admit it but he is quite prideful, more so than an average man, so stroke his ego sometimes.”

“Uh… I’m n-not sure if I’m supposed to do that…”

Troubled, Ghiscra stammered her line.

That’s ridiculous, my ego needs no stroking. I’m taking my anger out on this critter.

Smack~

The critter bit me harder as it struggles. Damn critter.

“It’s good to be light-hearted especially during this time. Well, see you guys later!”

She left while waving her hand as she disappeared from the horizon.

“Let’s get inside, Ghiscra, it’s our turn.”