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This time, he wasn’t with Fontu and the others. He was waiting in a vast open hall with luxurious seats and a platform in the front.

Rathe wasn’t the only person there either. There were both beasts and humans slowly filling the seats, most of them with their heads held high with pride. It was the gathering of territorial rulers for the decennial regional conference, the first under the new King Portro.

“Do you know what kind of beast King Portro is?”

“I haven’t seen him, but he’s probably a type of serpent based on the region’s name.”

Some of the territorial rulers were chatting aimlessly, bored and trying to pass the time. The thing everyone wanted to know was what kind of beast King Portro really was and what was his attitude toward the many territories now under him.

Listening in on many conversations, Rathe sat quietly and patiently. He just wanted to get the meeting over with and head home. After what happened on the way there, he could only imagine that the same thing would happen on the way back.

.....

“So, the monkey decided to stay after all, even if he wasn’t invited,” laughed a familiar, annoying voice.

Rathe glanced behind him and chuckled, “I thought you two were high and mighty, like those sitting at the front. What brings you back here?”

“The view is the same for me,” replied the elephant. “If anything, we were more curious about you than anything else.”

“Ha, I find that hard to believe. I’m just a new territorial ruler from a formerly nomadic clan. We decided to settle down and here I am, trying my best to fulfill my duties.”

“Maybe, but your clan was quite strong for a bunch of nomads,” added the jaguar.

Rathe laughed, “We used to be. You should’ve seen the leader before me. If he hadn’t died, you two wouldn’t be able to speak all high and mighty with me now.”

“Really? I doubt that!” the jaguar also laughed, but sinisterly. “Either way, we’ve heard a lot about your little territory. It seems you’re doing quite well for yourself, despite it being on the region’s borders.”

“We’re doing just fine, I guess.”

“Maybe, but what you’ve accomplished is already beyond the scope of a lesser territory,” mentioned the elephant. “The only problem is, because you’re so new yet have already shown so much success, you might become a target for those after your territory’s latest developments.”

“What do you want? Just spit it out already,” stated Rathe, eyeing them ignorantly as if he wasn’t really listening.

“My territory actually shares a portion of your south border, so we could be a great help to you.”

“I said spit it out. No one offers help for free, especially greedy demons like you.”

With a smirk, the elephant continued, “I’ve heard a lot about your new academy. We even have a few clans that want to transfer a few students.”

“So you’re after the academy...” Rathe mumbled, nodding his head.

“I think it would be best if our territories worked together while you’re still growing. Without a strong enough backer, your territory won’t be able to handle the level of influence that it’s gaining. You’re growing too fast,” reasoned the elephant. “So–”

“So you want to “help” run the academy, is that it? And how would you propose that you help us?”

“I believe that we could send some instructors and someone strong enough to guarantee your security. That way–”

“We’ll pass,” interrupted Rathe. “We’ve already got perennial instructors and a high perennial as the dean. And if you’re done enough research into us to learn about the transfers and everything else about the school, then you should already know about my good buddy, Vloz.”

The elephant was about to speak again, but Rathe continued, “He’s not exactly the kind of person you’d want to make mad or irritate. Do you already know what he specializes in, or did you not pay attention to him when he tracked down all the bandits that were calling your territory home?”

Hearing that, the jaguar gave the elephant a strange look of surprise.

He wasn’t told anything about what the leopard had done. If what Rathe said was true, that would be a terrifying enemy to face, given that bandits almost always specialize in some sort of stealth.

It also meant that the Iron Territory was worth even more. A territory that has successfully removed all bandits would always attract a lot of new citizens.

“I’ve met Vloz before, yes. He was quite a reasonable fellow, a man of logic, like myself,” stated the elephant. “I’m sure he might be interested in such a proposal. And considering–”

“Actually, I’m certain that he would be even more against it than me,” replied Rathe, again cutting off the elephant. “He really likes that academy and is proud to run it. We’d gladly welcome transfers if they go through the proper process, but what you’re suggesting is just crazy. You just want the school to yourselves, rendering all of Vloz’s hard work useless.”

“And since you’ve met Vloz, I’m sure you’ve also seen the results of his handy work,” Rathe chuckled and stared at the wavering jaguar. “Has he told you how we were able to supply the academy with sufficient cultivation techniques and battle arts? I can tell you if you want.”

The jaguar glanced at the elephant. He had the feeling that he was being used as insurance, and it sounded like the measly leopard that the elephant mentioned was actually quite terrifying.

“Go ahead.”

“He–”

“Vloz got them all from the bandits from all the surrounding territories.” Not letting the elephant explain it himself, Rathe smiled and put his arm around the jaguar.

“But how? Most people won’t just willingly give up such valuable information.” asked the jaguar.

“Well, you see, Vloz has two specialties,” replied Rathe, still acting buddy-buddy with the jaguar. “He specializes in killing and assassination, as well as torture. He can get information out of anyone, but I don’t suggest you find out first hand.”

Glaring coldly at the elephant that was now avoiding his gaze, the jaguar frowned.

“By the way, where is your territory at? Is it far from us?” asked Rathe.

The Jaguar shrugged. “It’s not too far, actually. We’re two territories over to the southeast.”

“Oh, that’s not too far at all. If you want, you’re welcome to come and check out the territory yourself. You can come meet Vloz and everyone else, as well as see the academy first hand,” offered Rathe.

“And if you like it, we’ll even guarantee priority for one of your clan’s youth to transfer and have a perennial grade cultivation technique of their choice from our library. How does that sound?”

Surprised by Rathe’s sudden generosity, the jaguar smiled.

He knew exactly what was happening. Rathe had already figured out that the Hulking Elephant clan was the instigator of the relationship and now Rathe was dividing his enemies before they could possibly team up against him.

What the jaguar didn’t know was that the Night Foxes had already learned plenty about the Hulking Elephant clan. They already suspected that the elephant might make a move against them, and of course, they would inform Rathe about that.

For that reason, Rathe already guessed the true situation and targeted the jaguar as a possible friend. He did like how straightforward the jaguar was and how eager he was to fight, much more than the calculating and conceitful attitude of the elephant.

“Actually, that doesn’t sound like a bad offer. I’ll come and check out your academy sometime in the next few months,” answered the jaguar, ignoring the elephant’s ugly face.

“Great! And if you don’t mind, I’d love to spar with you then. I’m always looking for a good challenge.”

“You can plan on it!”

To continue their conversation, the jaguar moved up and sat beside Rathe. Though they got each other’s nerves when they first met, they were very like-minded, making easy to become acquaintances.

The elephant was left alone, grumbling as he relocated to a different part of the room.

To his surprise, the simple-minded Rathe was harder to deal with than he had thought. He now had to rethink all of his plans, hoping that he might find a way to at least get in the academy, if not try to control it.

Another couple of hours passed, letting the great hall fill up with the many territorial rulers.

Soon, a bird descended onto the platform, the same early-king bird that had delivered King Portro’s message to the many territories.

“Everyone, thank you for coming and participating in this regional conference. It is my pleasure to now introduce the one in charge of everything,” announced the bird, forcibly grabbing everyone’s attention.

“And now, I’d like to introduce the man himself, King Portro!”