Chapter 414: How strong is the Ito Clan?
How strong is the Ito Clan?
It was something Vale and the others could not accurately say they knew! True, the Ito Clan avoided clashing with them, but could it truly be because they weren't strong enough?
At least...at least, shouldn't they take advantage of when Vale was trying to consolidate? But they didn't do anything. They are suspicious!
Vale frowned tightly. "So we should be wary of the Tachibana Clan and the Ito Clan."
Tiber was silent before speaking again. "The Ito Clan already occupied the Ryujin Minor Clan. Although the Clan is not like ours or Akatsuki, they're sufficiently strong, and they have a small Rift, which means they can draw more resources than normal."
Tiber's eyes flashed. "We must have the Ito Clan. And not only because we're unifying the Hinterlands, but because it is another way to penetrate the wider seas. It'll be our means to trade without coming into contact with the High Clans."
They fell into silence once more. But Vale finally looked up at Tiber once more, at the artifact wrapped in clothes on his back. His eyes turned thoughtful. "The Akatsuki throne is really a strong artifact, and I wonder if we can see another like it soon. Even as it is, the potency is still astonishing."
Tiber nodded, and he raised his hand to touch it slightly. "Yes. Although it lost a lot of power, Tong was still able to turn it into this. Thank you for lending it to me, My Lord."
Vale waved his hands. "As a Strategic Commander, it is only natural that you should be able to protect yourself with it. I don't really need it for the moment, but I might need it soon.
"Right, Tiber. We finally formed a cooperation deal with the Gem Organization, right?"
Tiber nodded in confusion as he knew Vale knew as well. "Yes."
"And they have been training some of our people in spying and counter-intelligence," Vale smiled. "Choose the best student. I need someone who will infiltrate the Ito Clan, taking and smuggling something into their island."
"Eh? My Lord, is that even possible? Won't it be better to contact the old spies already in the city?"
Vale shook his head. "I want to take something inside, not hear information. If the Ito Clan did attack us, this should provide a way, right?"
Tiber hesitated, then nodded. "Our intelligence students are spread between all the cities. I'll find someone who's already native to Coastal Fortward and get them ready."
Vale chuckled. "I know I could count on you!"
Tiber sighed, but he couldn't hide his pleased smile. "I'm only doing my job."
"I know, Tiber. I know. Right, send orders to Radiant Sky and Coiling Lumper. They will be in charge of overseeing the safe transport of all the people coming here, as well as keeping them safe in the city. Lock down their section of the city and let the internal security come out in full force!"
Although the meeting is the Lord's Council and is mostly about Vale's Flagbearers and Chiefs, important ordinary people—like the rich, the tycoons behind the merchant groups, exceptional craftspeople, Enchanters who are not Knights, scholars, and much more—are also coming over from the three cities to familiarize themselves with each other, to foster unity among the united lands. But most especially, all of them are coming to seek an audience and to make deals with each other!
Tiber nodded. "I've already cleared and checked, both with magic and physical means, the streets they would be staying on. Also, I've mobilized a lot of our people in the internal security. Also, the Gem Organization has pledged to support us behind the curtain in this."
Vale breathed a sigh. "You've done well. What remains is our ability to react and adapt to situations!"
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The air here carried the light scent of saltwater as it blew over the large island from the port, sweeping across the tall buildings, crossing the different large districts until it reached the central seat and touched the single largest building on all of Ito Island.
Inside the building, Clan Leader Daey Ito wasn't smiling as he stared at the people gathered around him in their different seats. There were five people gathered around him, all of them with less than cheerful expressions on their faces.
"Vice Admiral Raelor," Clan Leader Daey began. "Has this Pomora not given up any hint even till now?"
The Ito Clan had three Vice Admirals who controlled all their maritime fleets, while the Clan Leader himself served as the Admiral. Of course, that is apart from the pirates who were under the direct command of the Water Lord.
And of the three Vice Admirals, Vice Admiral Raelor is the leader. The man with a stern face and short beard shook his head with a resigned look. "She won't say anything. No matter what we tried or promised. Even torture didn't work!"
Daey's eyes tightened. Master Knight Pomora was brought over as a prisoner when the late Water Lord Freya and Commander Garran took over. At first, Daey was happy because not only did he have a prisoner to use as a safeguard, he also had a way to extract information about Vale and Athrimir. But things went sour quickly as he learned that the Master Knight wouldn't betray Vale no matter what he tried.
"Is she really that loyal?" Daey couldn't understand her at all.
Vice Admiral Raelor shook his head. "She does not appear to be that loyal to Vale or the Athrimir Clan and even reserves some criticism for them. But she's an incredibly stubborn woman who already took her stand behind Vale. I'm afraid she won't be moved even if it's the end of her life!"
Daey snorted angrily. He wanted to know the secret behind Vale's new powers, as they were simply too strong. Even more, those secret people who were backing him wanted to know as well, and Pomora had been a prime source that really never gave anything.
"We'll deal with her later, but for now. Have we really gotten confirmation that Takoda would be leaving for Matsumoto?" Daey asked with a raised brow.
Vice Admiral Raelor nodded and then turned to the woman beside him, another Vice Admiral, Talia. Her fleet had most of their central intelligence and was responsible for keeping an eye out for conspiracies that might come from the seas, including pirates and such.
Vice Admiral Talia nodded slowly. "This has been confirmed, and Takoda is already packing, leaving his authority over to the 1st Army led by Errant Knight Xuehan, a previous mercenary from Matsumoto."
Daey raised his brow. "They're giving that much authority over to a Knight from Matsumoto? That's quite bold of them. Or can it be that they're short on manpower?"
"That is possible, but I doubt it," Vice Admiral Talia shook her head. "Radiant Sky has a lot of Errant Knights, and one hundred of those Errant Knights are original Athrimir members with considerable talent."
Daey shook his head. "He's either planning something or he's stupid. Let one of our expendable spies make contact with Xuehan and see if we can turn him to our side. At the same time, we'll spring any hidden trap around him.
"Tell me what you think of this Lord's Council."
The news of the Lord's Council had already spread, and everyone was interested in seeing how things played out.
"I think Vale is trying to bait us... or he's going to attack Tachibana or us!" Vice Admiral Talia said.
Clan Leader Daey raised his brows sharply as his eyes widened. "Explain yourself!"
"There are two ways for them to attack us: through Coastal or by the Ryujin Minor Clan. And the Ryujin Minor Clan is close to Matsumoto, close enough to be attacked. By drawing his forces to Matsumoto, he could send a direct attack to Ryujin, which is already occupied by us, and then penetrate through there," Vice Admiral Talia explained calmly.
But her next words directly contradicted and opposed the plan. "But that would be stupid. If they should do that, we can leisurely take Coastal Fortward and Athrimir, expanding through there with no issues while they concentrate on Ryujin.
"No matter what, they can't take Ryujin faster than we can respond, so unless Vale is incredibly stupid, he won't do that. But he could attack Tachibana. By drawing all his forces to Matsumoto under the disguise of a meeting, he could directly attack Tachibana!"
Daey nodded but found this idea less likely. He asked, "But?"
"But I don't think he'll do that either! This might simply be bait for us to attack them, and then they'll spring some hidden trap. But no matter how I think about it, I just can't figure out how."
Daey nodded with furrowed brows. "This is what makes it really confusing."
Vice Admiral Talia smiled. "There's also another possibility. They might be drawing their forces close together for defensive reasons."